Barefoot Magazine 2013

There’s a word for what we do up here.

WWWelcome to the fi fth annualedition of Barefoot magazine — the lifestyle magazine ofGrand Traverse Resort and Spa.Whether you’ve followed us since the inaugural issue in 2009 or are a new reader, we invite you to embrace the “active lifestyle” that permeates throughout the local communities of northern Michigan.

With the onset of several national accolades and me-dia coverage from metropolitan markets nationwide, the Traverse City region has experienced amazing growth and attention — and for good reason. This beautiful corner of America has fast become the“go to” destination for those looking for a healthy, active and adventurous vacation experience.

As the Traverse City region grows, so does Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, and there’s more to do than ever before. In this issue, you’ll fi nd useful stories to help you plan your next “active vacation.” Explore “The Most Beautiful Place in America,” Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, or venture off the beaten path with a day trip to Power Island.

Those with a competitive spirit will want toexperi-ence Traverse City from a diff erent perspective with a spot in any one of our scenic outdoor races, including the Bayshore Marathon on Old Mission Peninsula or the Iceman Cometh Mountain Bike Race in the Pere Marquette State Forest. Meanwhile, golfers will appreciate a look at The Bear from Scott Hebert’s winning PGA professional point of view, and a look at new technology off ered by our Resort’s Golf Academy.

Be sure to watch Barefoot TV — the all-new online travel series of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.Join our host, Jordan Carson, on various “Barefootadventures” throughout our Resort and the Traverse City region. You can view the videos online at:www.grandtraverseresort.com/BarefootTV.

Whether you are new to northern Michigan orwell-accustomed to this special place we call home, we invite you and your friends to turn your normal vacation into a more memorable “active vacation” with a stay at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

Sincerely,

Steve Timmer,Director of Marketing

It’s“fun!”

When you want – more than anything – to feel alive, healthy, strong...

we want you. Join the team and get the goods: great Team Barefoot

gear and more for members at grandtraverseresort.com/teambarefoot.

join the team

Presented by:

contents volume 5, 2013

columns 6 Region

19 native cultuRe

20 Family & liFestyle

26 HealtH & Fitness

46 Retail

50 Dining

54 WeDDings &special events

58 meetings &conventions

features 32 tWo-Day getaWays

Customize a personal escape to greater Grand Traverse.

40 a beaR to buRDenHead Golf Pro Scott Hebert relives pivotal Michigan Open moments. 9

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4 read more at grandtraverseresort.com

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read more at grandtraverseresort.com 5

Barefoot is the official lifestylemagazine of Grand Traverse Re-sortandSpaandispublishedonceper year. Distribution is through-out the Resort’s property and byfreesubscription.Toinquireaboutadvertising rates and deadlines,subscription information or tosubmit story ideas, email info@gtresort.com.Nopartofthispub-licationmaybeusedwithoutwrit-tenpermissionofthepublisher.©2013AllRightsReserved.

publisHeRGeminiPublications

associate publisHeRRandyD.Prichard

[email protected]

eDitoRLisaM.Jensen

eDitoRial cooRDinatoR J.MichaelDeAgostino

WRiteRsJasonDeeganKathyGibbons

Design & pRoDuctionChristopherH.Pastotnik

pHotogRapHeRsBrianConfer,TonyDemin,

JaneSmith,AndyWakemanandBrianWalters

contact usBarefootMagazine

GrandTraverseResortandSpaMarketingDepartment

100GrandTraverseVillageBlvdAcme,MI49610

Phone:800-748-0303Email:[email protected]

Every effort is made to avoiderrors, misspellings and omis-sions. If, however, an errorcomestoyourattention,pleaseacceptourapologiesandnotifyusviaemailorphonesowemaymake the appropriate correc-tions.Thankyou.

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ON THE COVER/PAGE 1

PhotographybyTonyDeminof

theBeachClubatGrandTraverseResortandSpa.

10%PCW

region


Countless viewers of ABC’s “Good Morning America” voted Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with its 64 miles of Lake Michigan beaches, land-mark sand dunes, two islands and 22 inland lakes as America’s Most Beautiful Place in 2011. But the real beauty of this treasured sweep of land (beyond it remaining as unassuming as

it is spectacular) is that it’s near Empire, just a 45-minute drive from Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Take a day that will transport you to this one-of-a-kind destination, where kids of all ages have been climbing and rolling for generations.

Though visitor numbers peak in summer, there’s no off -season here. Lake Michi-

gan’s slow-to-cool waters allow swimming often well into Oc-tober when fall colors are most vibrant. Reach stunning vistas by car, foot and bike; don’t miss the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive with its overlook observation deck 450 feet above the water.

Be sure to test out, too, four miles of a new bike-pedestrian

Timeless Beauty,Year-Round Adventure


From Dunes in motion

to Heroes of the storm

— during which kids get to be part of a turn-of-the-

century shipwreck rescue — ranger-led programs for kids

and families take place throughout the park and summer.

Learn more about these and how to earn a Junior Ranger

patch at nps.gov/slbe/forkids.

trail running from the dune climb to eclectic Glen Arbor, just opened in 2012. Come winter, don snowshoes or cross-country skis to enjoy quiet wooded views. Or if you prefer loud, grab a sled and scream as you careen down the Dune Climb’s 260-foot slopes.

Learn more at nps.gov/slbe.

Did You Know?

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Dunes in motion

Heroes of the storm

century shipwreck rescue — ranger-led programs for kids

and families take place throughout the park and summer.

Learn more about these and how to earn a Junior Ranger

Leave land behind to find out what makesgreater Grand Traverse a water lover’s paradise.

Venture Into The Wind

“A rambling Cape Cod on freshwater summer playground: quaint port villages, sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, rolling orchards, family-friendly festivals and summer-only Traverse City Beach Bums pro baseball games,” praise the editors of National Geographic, which

cited Traverse City as one of its Top 12 Summer Trips for nature lovers and urban explorers in 2012.

The only other destinations in the continental U.S. to make the list were Sonoma, Calif., and Pittsburgh, Pa.

Add180milesofLakeMichiganshorelinewith149inlandlakes10acresorlargerandwhatdoyouget?


Tall Ships. Sail back in timeby boarding the Schooner Manitou, one of the largestsailing vessels on the Great Lakes. Trips depart three times daily in season and specially-themed voyages are off ered, including wine-tasting cruises and a microbrew and pizza ex-cursion (tallshipsailing.com).

Kiteboarding. Try out a one-day lesson in the summer, fall or winter, or sign up for a two-day camp through Broneah (broneah.com).

Parasailing. Enjoy Traverse City’s crystal blue hues from a bird’s eye view: Traverse Bay Parasailing sends up singles, doubles and triples (tbparasail.com).

Hot Air Balloons. Soar over treetops and take in panoramic sights of lakes and countryside year-round in one of Grand Tra-verse Balloon Company’s seven-story-high, multi-colored rides (grandtraverseballoons.com).

Ferry to South Manitou. Explore this legendary land’s beauty and history via Mani-tou Island Transit in Leland, or settle back for a sunset run (manitoutransit.com).

Catamaran Sails. Enjoy a cruise on the 47-foot Nauti-Cat, the largest commercial sailing vessel of its kind on the Great Lakes (nauti-cat.com).

High-Speed Charters. It’s a rush! Private charters to popular destinations along Lake Michigan spray up to speeds of 80 miles per hour (off shoreexcursions.net).

Snorkeling and Diving. Check out the Caribbean-hued blues of East Grand Traverse Bay with your own gear, or visit michiganpre serves.org/grandtraverse.htm to uncover regional shipwrecks and other off shore adventures.

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Did You Know?You can pick up a stand-up paddle board and learn how to use it through Blue Sky Rentals at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s Beach Club, or peruse Blue Sky’s varied watercraft selection for rentable Jet Skis, pontoons and other fun ways to leave land behind (bluesky-tvc.com).


Discover The Power

Locals know the secret: A 204-acre preserve of forests, wetlands, bluff s and beaches on West Grand Traverse Bay, Power Island is uninhabited save for county park ranger Fred Tank and his family, who stay summers to keep an eye on things. But thanks to its sheltered location at the mouth of Bowers Harbor, Power Island is a well-appreciated trea-sure for boaters and paddlers in the know.

Summer weekends, you’ll fi nd the island’s harbor fi lled with boats and swimmers, friendly folks who congregate ’round the dock and crackling wood fi res

further ashore.Visitors who venture deeper won’t be

disappointed, Tank says. The interior is a delight for hikers, who enjoy the island’s miles of well-maintained trails that lead through a dense forest to the Eagle’s Nest, a high ridge, and along the wilder western shore’s rocky shoals.

Take a kayak and paddle the two-and-a-half mile route from Bowers Harbor on the Old Mission Peninsula, Tank sug-gests: “Kayakers can be more mobile and get out on the island. They have a great time.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRAVERSE CITYCONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU


Festivals abound throughout the Grand Traverse region year-round, and the National Cherry Festival (June 29-July 6, 2013) is the granddaddy with its carnival, contests, games and activities. The Traverse City Film Festival, held annu-ally toward July’s end, includes free nightly family movies on a big infl atable screen on the waterfront. Enjoy Friday Night Live summer activities like face-painting and fi re truck rides in downtown Traverse City as well as these fun regional spots:

The Beach Club at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. The Resort’s private Beach Club, open to all Resort guests, off ers plenty of ways to play in the bay.

Beyond a heated outdoor pool, families can splash away on Jet Skis, pedal boats, paddle boards, kayaks and pontoons, avail-able through Blue Sky Rentals. Weekend family bonfi res and breathtaking sunsets complete fun-fi lled days on the Resort’s private beach (grandtraverse resort.com).

TART Trail. Ride as little or as long as you want on this paved trail that now runs from just near the Resort in the east to Suttons Bay in the north, a total of about 25 miles. Enter the trail at any point: You’ll fi nd fun spots to stop for ice cream and other attractions all along the way (traversetrails.org).

Great Lakes Children’sMuseum. Located less than two miles from downtown Traverse City, the Great Lakes Children’s Museum is a family-oriented, all-season attraction featuring hands-on exhibits, activities and special programs (great lakeskids.org).

East Bay Park. Stretched within Traverse City’s limits, parents appreciate this scenic beach’s shallow water, restrooms, play-ground and ample picnic tables (traversecity.com).

Inland Seas Family School-ship. During summer months, embark on a Family Ecology Sail aboard the 77-foot, two-tmasted schooner Inland Seas. Similar programs are also of-fered aboard the classic Friend-ship sloop Liberty (schoolship.org).

Boardman River NatureCenter. Explore the Traverse City area’s natural world through the Boardman River Nature Center’s interpretive gallery with live animals and rotating, interactive exhibits (natureiscalling.org).

To learn more about activities featured on these pages and oth-er fun family excursions, visit the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau at 101 West Grandview Parkway downtown or go to traversecity.com.

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Hands-On,Hands-Down:Hands-Down:Hands-On,Hands-Down:Hands-On,

Top Spots forTop Spots forFamily FunTop Spots forFamily FunTop Spots for

Field & Stream’s Fly Talk ranks Michigan No. 1 in its 2012 “Top 12 States for Fly Fishing,” with Traverse City earning the magazine’s No. 3 spot as “Best Fishing Town.” Whether stand-ing at the mouth of the Board-man River or embarking on a charter in bigger waters, the scenery and day’s catch won’t disappoint.

Fly Fishing with David Mc-Cool. McCool’s Outdoor off ers

fl y fi shing instruction and action-packed

Golden Bonefi sh adventures on Lake Michigan (mccooloutdoor.com).

Manistee River Day Trips. Rent canoes, kayaks, tubes or rafts from Chippewa Landing, a full-service livery located north of Cadillac, about 45 minutes from the Resort. The Manistee River is the most unspoiled natural river in the Lower Peninsula (chippewalanding.com).

Trophy Smallmouth Bass Charters. Captain Ben Wolfe of-fers a light tackle and fl y fi shing guide service on Lake Michigan and many of the area’s inland lakes. Renowned for salmon and blue-ribbon trout, these waters are home, too, for trophy small-mouth bass, walleye, whitefi sh, jumbo perch, largemouth bass and gigantic carp (Traverse Bass.com).

Pisces Charter Fishing on East Bay/Big Kahuna Charters on West Bay. Led by an area native and experienced captain, these charters off er opportunities for catching king salmon, lake trout, brown trout, whitefi sh, perch and smallmouth bass (bigkahu nacharter.com).

The Boardman River. This state-designated Natural River and Blue Ribbon Trout Stream is one of Michigan’s Top 10 for trout. Considered by some to be the Grand Traverse Bay region’s most outstanding natu-ral feature, the Boardman and its watershed are favorites of anglers, boaters, hunters, hikers and wildlife watchers (traverse city.com). TO

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Get FishyGet Fishy With It With ItGet Fishy With ItGet FishyGet Fishy With ItGet Fishy


SHORT’S BREWING COMPANY 121 N. BRIDGE ST. BELLAIRE, MI (231)498-2300 SHORTSBREWING.COM

It ’s just a Short ’s trip awayCOME FIND BEER LIBERATION

14 read more at grandtraverseresort.com14 read more at grandtraverseresort.com

RaceTownRound-Up


RaceTownRound-Up

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The region’s scenic varied land-scape inspires residents and visitors alike to hike, paddle, pedal, run and swim for exercise and competition throughout the year at events including these:

Short’s to Short’s Paddle (April). This free and friendly endurance race spans a 27-mile route in nearby Antrim Coun-

ty’s lower Chain of Lakes from Short’s Brewpub in Bellaire to its Elk Rapids Production Brew-ery. Waters traversed include among others Lake Bellaire, Torch Lake, Torch River, Lake Skegemog and the Elk River (shortsbrewing.com).

Mud, Sweat & Beers Fat Tire Fest and Mountain Bike Rice (May). A spring race that com-bines challenging terrain, races for all levels of skill and a really fun post-party (mudsweatand beers.com).

Bayshore Marathon (May). A marathon, half-marathon and 10K from Traverse City and along the Old Mission Penin-sula (bayshoremarathon.org).

M-22 Challenge (June). Run, pedal and paddle along a 22-mile course that includes climb-ing the Sleeping Bear Dunes, biking 17 miles around Big and Little Glen Lakes and paddling 2.5 miles out and back in Little Glen (m22challenge.com).

Cherry-Roubaix (August). A three-day event including a harrowing, French-inspired

brick-paved short course that culminates in State Champion-ship Road Race beginning and ending high atop Sugar Loaf Resort in nearby Cedar (cherry roubaix.com).

Barefoot Triathlon (Septem-ber). Named after Grand Tra-verse Resort and Spa’s Barefoot magazine, this event includes an Olympic-distance 1.5K swim, 26-mile bike and 6.2-mile run, plus a sprint option featuring a 500-meter swim, 16.4-mile bike and 3.1-mile run. Athletes all start at the Resort’s Beach Club and fi nish under the Plaza tent (grandtraverseresort.com).

Iceman Cometh (November). This renowned 29-mile point-to-point mountain bike race from Kalkaska to Traverse City off ers more than $54,000 in cash awards and $10,000 in merchan-dise prizes (iceman.com).

North American VASA (Feb-ruary). Equally revered, these annual 10K, 27K and 50K free-style and classic cross-country skiing races wind through the Pere Marquette State Forest (vasa.org).

The region’s scenic varied land- ty’s lower Chain of Lakes from brick-paved short course that

Into TheWoodsJust minutes from Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, the 16.7-mile VASA Pathway in Pere Marquette State Forest is one of the region’s premier, year-round trail net-works. Groomed in winter for cross-country skiers, classic and skate alike, it’s enjoyed by mountain bikers, hikers and naturalists as well for its pristine beauty and loops (including a 25K, 10K and 5K) suited to every skill level. The VASA also connects to other trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties (vasa.org).


Small-Town Getaways: Visit Elk Rapids

Closest to Grand Traverse Re-sort and Spa is Elk Rapids, just a short drive north on U.S. 31. From an expansive, sandy beach with playground, it’s a short walk to the historic downtown and its galleries, antique shops, eateries and old-fashioned movie theater. Like to fi sh? Locals say the best place in Elk Rapids to do hook,

line and sinker fi shing from shore is at the dam; it’s a great spot to take a kid fi shing for catfi sh, perch and tons of bass.

Adults can check out Short’s Brewing Company, which has opened a production brewery and pub in Elk Rapids. And Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen is popular with locals and visitors

alike for its authentic Cajun menu.

But the top spot may well be the Harbor Days Festival, set for July 31-Aug. 3 in 2013, com-plete with parade, road races, a carnival and some of Northern Michigan’s best fi reworks. Learn more at elkrapidschamber.org or traversecity.com.

From Leland and Suttons Bay to Alden and Bellaire,small-towns surrounding Traverse City reward visitorswith one-of-a-kind fi nds and character.

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The Sounds and History of Music

the

museum

Take a walk through the historyof music with this unique

collection of automatedmusical instruments

One of the “10 Reasons to Visit the Lower Peninsula”Beth Greenfield, Forbes.com

½ Mile North of the Grand Traverse Resort7377 US 31N - 231-938-9300 - musichouse.org

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Art ofthe North

Beautiful places attract creative people, and the Traverse City area is no exception. Galleries and antique shops draw visitors year round.

The Traverse City Film Festival, featuring six days of independent, foreign and documentary fi lms at city-wide venues every summer, has put TC on the industry’s map (tra

versecityfi lmfest.org). The Inter-lochen Arts Festival showcases top-name acts year-round; enjoy these inside and out, includ-ing a covered amphitheater set against Green Lake (interlochen.org).

While innumerous other art fairs and festivals can be perused in Traverse City and surrounding communities year-round, enjoy even more of the arts at these Cherry Capital venues:

Old Town Playhouse. Community theater at its fi nest off ers popular mainstage and studio shows including “Legally Blonde” in 2013 (oldtownplay house.com).

Traverse SymphonyOrchestra. Northern Michigan’s leading regional performing arts ensemble, TSO presents concerts in Interlochen Center for the Arts’ Corson Auditorium, Traverse City’s Lars Hockstad Auditorium and the First Con-gregational Church in Traverse City (traversesymphony.org).

Traverse City Opera House. One of six historically intact Victorian opera houses in Michigan, this venue teams up with Michigan State University’s renowned Wharton Center for the Performing Arts to pres-ent a diverse lineup. It’s also home to the National Writers Series, which hosts up close and

personal evenings with some of America’s best storytellers (cityoperahouse.org or national writersseries.org).

Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center. Owned and operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, this venue lies along West Grand Traverse Bay in the village of Peshawbestown, north of Suttons Bay. Its inaugural exhibits explore the themes of travel, trade and fi shing, with displays of pow wow regalia, black ash basket-making and more (gtbindians.org).

Traverse City Wine & Art Festival. Held each summer on the historic Grand Traverse Commons, this popular event showcases wines from Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, Traverse City and Benzie Coun-ty, along with samplings from restaurants, innovative music and performances and original artwork from dozens of regional artists (traversecitywinefestival.com).

The Dennos Museum Cen-ter. Located on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, the Dennos Museum Center off ers a dynamic array of exhibitions and programs in the visual arts, sciences and performing arts, in-cluding a renowned collection of Inuit Art (dennosmuseum.org).

Did You Know? Youcancatchnationally-renownedcomedians,topup-and-comingcomics,comedyfilmsandfamily-friendlyshowsindowntownartsvenuesplusfunwintryattractionsincludingaferriswheel,icesculptures,skatingrinkandhotchocolatecon-testFeb.14-17,2013duringtheTraverseCityWinterComedyFestival(traversecity.com).



Just like the word eyaawing — meaning, “who we are” — art in our native culture can defi ne who we are. Tradition, symbol-ism, creative expression and color are represented in our art-work, past and present. We are a colorful tribe. This is apparent in the dancer’s regalia (attire) at a jingtamok (pow-wow). The regalia is often created with bril-liant colors and is an expression of the dancer.

Color is prevalent in our art, but not always.

The media a native artist uses might be traditional used in a traditional way, or tradi-tional used in a modern way. My favorite media is basswood, a traditional material used for cordage, containers and carved tools such as spoons. I prefer to use it in a modern way and with-out

color. Basswood is an excellent material to use for wood burn-ing. It is a soft wood with fi ne growth rings so it burns evenly. The wood burning tool I use has diff erent “pens” to burn lines or shadows into the wood. The heat is adjustable to burn lighter or darker values.

Wood burning (above) is a challenging technique that few artists choose — mistakes cannot be erased and getting burned is guaranteed!

Colorful fl oral designs are frequently represented in our culture in diff erent tribal art forms. When Jesuit priest missionaries traveled from Europe to convert the natives in Michigan, they were dressed in black robes with colorful fl oral designs. These fl oral designs impacted our native culture and are still recreated by tribal artists today, including myself.

Before this infl uence, much of our native designs were geo-metric patterns, but still had

colorful fl ower and leaf

subject matter. Inspiration comes from my

native culture, from nature and wildlife indigenous to the Great Lakes region. With modern wood burning tools, great detail can be achieved when illustrat-ing fur and feathers. I prefer to have fi nely detailed subjects in creative surroundings, with harmony and balance in the composition. Creativity was a way of life for the Anishnaabek. Consider the birch bark canoe, black ash baskets and other native crafts and artwork. These were the results of visionary uses of materials available.

Symbolism is common in many native artists’ work, especially where our culture is represented. A common symbol, the Medicine Wheel has four colors — Ozawa (yel-low), miskwa (red), Mkade (black), and wabshka (white). Symbolism and teachings of the Medicine Wheel is full of mean-ing. The colors stand for the four races of man, the four directions, our four scared plants (tobacco, sweet grass, sage, and cedar). These are just a few examples

of the symbolic teachings of the Medicine Wheel.

As an artist I enjoy being creative and carry that over to my profession as an architect (creative designs/creative solu-tions). I integrate our culture into art and architecture in ways that are sometimes subtle and sometimes very obvious. One of my favorite designs I use from our culture is the otter tail symbol. I am very careful to use this design in my artwork, as it characterizes one of our Seven Grandfather Teachings (Mnaa-deendimowin), which means respect. A great deal of thought and planning precedes most my artwork.

Art in our native culture spans generations. This is evident in the pictographs on the rocky shores of Lake Superior and on artifacts found on farmlands or excavated by archeologists. It was how we passed knowledge, stories and traditions down to the next generations. Eyaawing means “who we are.”

My art is who I am.

NativeArtists Anishnaabek Mzinbiige Nine (or Ninii Kwe)By Steve Feringa

nativeculture

Author Steve Feringa is a member of the GrandTraverse Band of Ottawaand Chippewa Indians andis the Tribal Architect forthe Band’s EconomicDevelopment Corporation.

family&lifestyle

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Fun Up North, Family-StyleWhether they come to play for a weekend or live in NorthernMichigan year-round, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa — the state’spremier resort experience — caters to families in myriad ways.


Array of AccommodationsVisiting families can choose from traditional rooms and suites in the 17-story glass Tower and newly-renovated six-story Hotel, all with fl at-screen HD TVs, wireless high-speed Internet access and iPod dock-ing stations. Off ering all the

comforts of home, spacious houses as well as varying-sized condominiums at the Resort or beachside at The Shores can also be rented.

Wherever they stay, they have access to the Resort’s full slate of amenities, includ-ing indoor and outdoor pools and tennis courts, an indoor water playground, health club, spa, three championship golf courses, organized kids’ activi-ties and in-room babysitting as well as licensed child care in The Cub House.

Bring or rent bikes, hop on the eastern end of the TART trail just nearby and ride to downtown Traverse City or even beyond to Suttons Bay in Leelanau County on this paved former railroad bed. Rent Jet Skis, pedal boats, kayaks and pontoons from the Resort’s pri-vate Beach Club, where there’s also a snack bar serving up food and drinks.

“We have kids’ activities all summer long,” says Club Membership Manager Kyle Oberstadt. “Sometimes they’re at the Beach Club, where we have evening entertainment and bonfi res, and sometimes they’re at the pool.

“We have a big, furry, funny

mascot, Bogey Bear, who’s always giving hugs and high fi ves. And sometimes, he has candy.”

Real Estate OptionsDesignated an All-American City, recently named No. 3 on Money Magazine’s list of the nation’s Top 25 Places to Retire, and just an all-around great place to stay or live and raise a family, Traverse City is one of Michigan’s top growth areas.

Those wishing to plant roots by purchasing a vacation get-away at the Resort can choose from myriad real estate options. In addition to condominiums situated along manicured fairways or fringed by natural roughs, trees and lakes, the Re-sort boasts a premiere residen-tial golf community with views of East Bay and a neighborhood of distinctive single-family detached homes.

As a member of the RCI va-cation property exchange orga-nization, Grand Traverse Resort and Spa and its Rental Manage-ment Program can further help property owners off set the cost of owning a Northern Michigan vacation home and make the most of their investments.



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Active All AroundWhether guest, resident or Club Member, families fi nd they can be as active as they want to be. Kirsten Pappas of Traverse City, whose family has been playing tennis at the Resort for at least seven years, said the instruc-tion and competition there led to both of her children playing varsity tennis in high school from ninth grade on.

Pappas also participates in leagues and has formed lasting friendships as a result.

“My teammates have defi -nitely become close friends, and even outside the court, we are social,” Pappas shared. “You see a lot of that there.”

Pappas and her family have also enjoyed the amenities of the Resort’s Beach Club, which includes use of the private beach and pool.

“It’s nice to go over there, have lunch, sit by the pool and also be able to go in the bay,” she said.

Chill-Out Year Round As many discover, the Resort is also a great place to be in the wintertime. Families can continue to take advantage of swimming, tennis and other indoor activities. Outdoors, activities at the Resort put a fes-tive spin on together time.

On-site ice skating, groomed

cross-country ski trails and fresh powder for snowshoe-ing are just outside the doors. Bring your own gear, or rentals can be arranged through the Concierge.

Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area is just a few miles away, and the Resort provides shuttle service so families can downhill ski, snowboard, tube and sled. Interested in a horse-drawn hay or sleigh ride? Several are of-fered locally, and the Concierge can set it up for you.

There are also multiple top-notch downhill ski and snowboarding resorts just a short drive from the Resort, along with cross-country ski trail networks including the nearby VASA Pathway.

Those seeking a motorized rush can enjoy snowmobiles managed by Blue Sky Rentals (bluesky-tvc.com, 231-633-2583).

And fi nally, stay warm by the fi re and purchase s’mores sup-plies, play board games, enjoy hot chocolate and adult bever-ages, or savor favorite comfort foods from The Grille’s winter-themed menu at the Resort’s Winter Activities Center.


Dylan’s Candy Bar at Grand Traverse Resort and SpaIt’s a life-size Candy Land for kids discovering Dylan’s 100-bin bulk candy display, pack-aged sweets, candy-inspired gifts and themed apparel. The whimsy continues in Dylan’s Candy Café, where there’s a real cotton candy wagon, 14 flavors of homemade ice cream, fudge, specialty choco-lates, party items and other novelties complete with gum-ball-topped tables and candy cane stools — the sweetest place to celebrate a birthday (grandtraverseresort.com)!

Watch videos online at: grandtraverseresort.com/barefootTV

The o� cial travel show of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

SWEET!

JANUARYWinter Activities at TheClubhouse*

Golf Academy Open*

Wineries of Old Mission“Winter Warm Up”

FEBRUARYWinter Activities at TheClubhouse*

U.S. 27 Motorsports Snocross Presented by Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel

37th Annual VASA CrossCountry Ski Race

Winter Microbrew& Music Festival

Traverse City WinterComedy Festival

MARCHSuds-N-Snow

Spring Break Celebrations*

Easter Celebrations*

APRILNational Trout Festival

Short’s to Short’s Paddle

MAYBayshore Marathon

Blossom Days

Spring Sip & Savor

JUNELeland Wine & Food Festival

Divas Uncorked

Summer Beach Week *

Traverse City Wine& Art Festival

JULYNational Cherry Festival

Traverse City Film Festival

Horse Shows by the Bay

AUGUSTHarbor Days & Short’s Fest

Traditional Pow Wow

Horse Shows by the Bay

Summer Microbrew& Music Festival

SEPTEMBERBarefoot Triathlon*

Detroit Red Wings Training Camp & Charity Golf Classic*

NHL ProspectsTournament

Harvest Stompede

3rd Annual Pearl’s & Short’s Bluegrass, Bourbon, Blues& Beer Festival

OCTOBERBig Hole Golf Tournament*

“Tuff Enuff ?” GolfTournament*

Sleeping Bear Marathon& Half-Marathon

Halloween Celebrations*

Zombie Run

NOVEMBERIceman Cometh MountainBike Race

Mac & Cheese Bake-off

“Green Friday” AnnualGolf Sale*

DECEMBERBiggest Little Holiday Party*

Winter Activities atThe Clubhouse*

New Year’s Eve Celebrations*

2013CalendarofEventsEvents followed by an asterisk take place at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (grandtraverseresort.com). To learn more about regional activities listed and other year-round happenings, visit traversecity.com.

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Staying Has Its Privileges

health&fitness

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“They did a personal training session every day that they were here,” shared Mack, Man-ager of the Resort’s Health Club (pictured above, center in Team Barefoot shirt). “They were all about being active.”

That’s the thing about stay-ing at the Resort. Being a guest includes the same access to its health and fi tness facilities that

the many local and seasonal residents who are members have. With a 100,000-square-foot Health Club including weight room and cardio-fi tness space, a full-service spa, multiple indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs and tennis courts, three championship golf courses, trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing, a full

roster of fi tness classes — along with personal trainers, instruc-tors and meditation coaches — guests can choose from a cafeteria-like menu of options to embark on a path to better health and wellness, or to main-tain the active lifestyle that they follow at home.

“A lot of guests exercise regularly while they are here,”

Kristan Mack recalls a couple fromHong Kong who stayed at GrandTraverse Resort and Spa for three

weeks while their son attendedsummer music camp at nearby

Interlochen Center for the Arts.


Mack said. “They belong to a club where they live, and just want to keep working out.”

Mack noted the health and fi tness facilities and services often serve as a springboard for those who want to test the waters of an exercise and well-ness regimen while they have extra time during a stay at the Resort. Meeting with a personal

trainer, getting a guided tour of the workout equipment and how to use it or making time for fi tness classes are great ways to get started.

Off erings include yoga therapy, spinning, Pilates, Zum-ba, Boot Camp and an Urban Funk n’ Pump class that Mack created, incorporating both cardio and strength training. A

5K run every Saturday morning from spring through fall is also popular.

“Guests are able to walk into the daily fi tness classes including a lot of the classes that are held in our aerobics studio as well as aqua classes held in the pools,” Mack said. “Everyone will fi nd something here whether they have been


Soothed ThroughThe SeasonsFrom dry winter skin and seasonal allergy relief to becoming bikini-ready for sum-mer, Spa Grand Traverse offers services and treatments designed to prepare and protect both men and women from anything Mother Nature sends along. Appointments include pampering and relaxation in the Spa’s restful lounge and access to refreshing indoor pools.

sPa menU

massageHYdrotHeraPY and BodYcareFacIaLsnaILcareHaIr artIstrY / WaXIng / maKe-UPmens’ servIcesdaY sPa PacKagesBrIdaL BLIss

“It’s not just about that mental boost,” said Dawn Olsen, Spa Manager. “Individual health benefi ts are also physical.” For more details about offerings listed, visit grandtraverseresort.com; for reservations, call (231) 534-6750.

exercising for 10 years or are just starting out.”

Join the ClubThe Resort off ers several levels of membership including the Village, Bear, and Jr. Bear for those under 40, along with four-month options for summer and winter. Each features varying benefi ts that range from full use of the Health Club and dis-counts on golf at The Bear to an inside track for tennis reserva-tions, fi tness classes, the private Beach Club and licensed child care facility that makes it easy for parents to exercise, or enjoy a couples massage and sauna.

“Most of our members are local to the Traverse City and Elk Rapids areas, and we do have seasonal residents who have a second home elsewhere who maintain memberships while they are here,” noted Club Membership Manager Kyle Oberstadt.

Belonging means just that: Members can enjoy the entire property, including the Beach Club with its waterfront pool and sandy beach — and the camaraderie of sharing both

fi tness and friendship with oth-ers in the Health Club, classes and pool, and in golf and tennis leagues.

The Health Club also opens early and closes late, making it accessible for anyone’s sched-ule. And the staff is all about hospitality, creating an inviting environment that keeps guests — and members — coming back.

Join the TeamAnyone passionate about being active throughout the year is welcome to be part of the Re-sort’s Team Barefoot network of support and camaraderie.

“We’re the antithesis of ‘couch potato’ — the folks who can’t help but get outside and get moving, get exploring and get involved,” says Resort Mar-keting Director Steve Timmer. “Our mindset is simple: Live an active life.”

Find out more atgrandtraverseresort.com.

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Keller WilliamsGreater Grand TraverseExclusive real estate agency forGrand Traverse Resort & Spa properties

(231) 938-1200www.KWgrandtraverse.com (231) 929-1235

Don’t Just Dream It…

THEGrandTHEGrandTHE

LifestyleGrand LifestyleGrand

Don’t Just Dream It…Own It.

Keller WilliamsGreater Grand Traverse

(231) 938-1200 | KWgrandtraverse.com

JOHN AMMAR(231) 534-0350

[email protected]

LOUISE SPRAGUE(231) 883-6578

[email protected]

DAVE SCHERRER(231) 649-4441

[email protected]

Arrowhead EstatesAt the Grand Traverse Resort

Building SitesPriced From

$35,000

Single Family Homes

Priced From$279,900

Individual home sites offering easy access to Grand Traverse Resort amenities and downtown Traverse City. Situated along

the picturesque Bear Golf Course, with panoramic views ofthe gently rolling terrain.

The Shores CondominiumsAt the Grand Traverse Resort

Studio UnitsPriced From

$69,900

1 Bedroom UnitsPriced From

$75,000


$119,900

The Shores is a vacation retreat featuring a fl owing stream, mature trees and beautifully landscaped grounds. This waterfront

condominium community, located on East Grand Traverse Bay includes 600 feet of shared sandy beach. Ideal vacation get-away

spot or take advantage of GTR’s rental management program.

Valleyview Terrace CondominiumsAt the Grand Traverse Resort


$155,000


$224,000

Terrace condominiums, located within walking distance to the main resort complex feature large balconies, a peek of the Bay and border the Spruce Run Golf Course. Condos feature open living areas, fi replaces, complete kitchens and washer/dryer connections. Ideal vacation get-away spot or take advantage

of GTR’s rental management program.

Golfview CondominiumsAt the Grand Traverse Resort

1 & 2 Bedroom Units from

$84,900

Overlooking the Spruce Run Golf Course, Golfview Condominiums offer full kitchens, cozy fi replaces, central air conditioning, private

balconies and carports. Easy access to Grand Traverse Resort Amenities and just minutes from downtown Traverse City.

Ideal vacation get-away spot or take advantage of GTR’s rental management program.

Singletree I CondominiumsAt the Grand Traverse Resort


$184,900

Located on the 15th fairway of the Bear Golf Course, Singletree I offers natural fi replaces, open kitchens, large decks, central

air, separate laundry rooms and detached garages. Idealvacation get-away spot or take advantage of income

opportunities through GTR’s rental management program.

Cottage Glens CondominiumsAt the Grand Traverse Resort

3 BedroomCottages

Priced From $194,900

4 BedroomCottages

Priced From $279,900

Nestled on the links of The Bear and Spruce Run Golf Courses, Cottage Glens offers a resort lifestyle, with low maintenance

single family cottages . Within walking distance to Grand Traverse Resort amenities and just minutes from downtown

Traverse City and Cherry Capital Airport.

32 read more at GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM

Two-Day GetawaysHow many ways can you make the most of two days in the greater

Grand Traverse region? For a fun family escape or time-out for two, start the count at Michigan’s premier resort destination.

By Lisa M. Jensen

Did You Know?Along with Barcelona, Scotland’s Argyll region and Bolivia’s Isla del Sol, National Geographic cited Traverse City on its 2012 list of Top 10 Summer Trips.

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MORNING◆ Cozy up with the kids in Grand Traverse Resort’s Hotel and Tower and swap routine’s rigors for room service. Without home’s chores in sight share a hot breakfast cooked-to-order, then linger in your P.J.s: The only thing more fun than not making the bed is playing favorite games with Mom and Dad in it.

◆ Board the shuttle for a seconds-long trip to the Beach Club, the Resort’s private beach and heated outdoor pool on sparkling East Bay, and splash into the shallows from a water trampoline rented on-site through Blue Sky Rentals.

◆ Warm up in the sun, explore the sandy natural shoreline and enjoy lunch at the Beach Club before heading back to

your spacious, clean room and freshly-made beds at the Hotel and Tower.

AFTERNOON◆ Browse the Resort’s Gallery of Shops and swirl up your own fl u� y sweet treat at Dylan’s Candy Bar.

◆ Family Field Trip: Wind your way out onto Old Mission Peninsula, where missionary Peter Dougherty founded a colony in 1839 and later planted the region’s fi rst cherry trees. See historic mission buildings still in use today and slip back in time at Old Mission Gen-eral Store. The authentic trading post is stocked with antiques and merchandise, penny candy and barrel pickles, ice cream and fountain sodas.

of Shops and swirl up your own of Shops and swirl up your own of Shops and swirl up your own

penny candy and barrel pickles, penny candy and barrel pickles, penny candy and barrel pickles, penny candy and barrel pickles,

read more at GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM 33

Unwind along Caribbean-hued Grand Traverse Bay to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Through-out the award-winning property’s 900 acres you’ll fi nd adventure unfolds at your own pace.

“Some guests who come up here to get away for a weekend like to just drive around, not know-ing what they’ll end up doing each day,” said Linda Walters, a member of the Resort’s concierge team. “Others want to program their itinerary to the minute.”

From the region’s renowned Sleeping Bear Dunes to world-class golf at the Resort and Traverse City’s acclaimed beaches, wineries and festivals, she said a lot can be packed into two days. Resort concierge Renann Eddy noted proximity is key: “Minutes from this great shopping and downtown,” she said, “you can be fl y fi shing in a beautiful stream, or hiking a wide meadow by the woods.”

But don’t be so tied to a plan you feel rushed, they encouraged: “Enjoying the moment is what getting away is all about.”

And from newlyweds to retirees and families with toddlers or teens, concierges at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa are on hand to help you uncover ways to turntwo days away together into so much more.

Families: Day 1

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◆ Venture further to the peninsula’s tip for a self-guided tour of Old Mission Point Lighthouse. Then, explore its rock-dotted beach along with a restored log cabin and miles of scenic public trails at popular Lighthouse Park.

◆ Stop by The Marketplace back in the Gallery of Shops for

your favorite Starbucks co� ees and enjoy a few gourmet sweets, baked fresh daily by the Resort’s pastry chef.

◆ Splash things up, then wind them down a 70-foot-long waterslide at the Resort’s Indoor Water Playground.

or

◆ July-August, weekdays 1-5 p.m., stop as a family by the outdoor Governors’ Pool for complimentary kids’ activities including dancing, hula hoops, bingo, scaven-ger hunts and water gun challenges. For a small fee, enjoy varying arts and crafts projects, too, such as Pottery Painting, Tie-Dye T-Shirts and Design-Your-Own-Beach-Bag.

EVENING◆ Wiped-out kids? Or-der in: Pipin’ hot pizza, delivered fresh-baked

from the Resort’s kitchen. Then top the day o� with…

a) a shared banana split at Dylan’s Candy Bar-Candy Café and game of Dylan’s-version Candy Land back in your room.

b) an in-room family movie, gathered together in a cloud of premium pillows.

or

◆ Energy to spare? Head down to Sweetwater American Bistro just o� the Resort’s Hotel Lobby for kids’ menu favorites, savory soups and sides and an array of entrees. Then end the night with…

a) a sidewalk stroll on the Resort’s scenic property and maybe one more indoor splash

or

b) s’mores and a bonfi re at the Beach Club (weekend nights 8-11 p.m.).

read more at GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM 35read more at

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SCIENCE & NATUREGreat Lakes Children’sMuseum. Pilot a freighter, make a weather report and be-come a raindrop less than two miles from downtown Traverse City (greatlakeskids.org).

Boardman River Nature Center. Rotating exhibits, live animals and intriguing fauna and fl ora await in this admission-free discovery zone (natureiscalling.org).

Inland Seas Education Center and Family Science Sails. Get in the loop about “Great Lakes Invaders” through an on-site exhibit or on boarda schooner to trawl for fi sh,collect plankton and testwater quality in SuttonsBay (schoolship.org).

ON THE BAYNauti-Cat Kids Cruise. Disney tunes, bubbles and hula hoops — plus raising the jib sail and lounging in the nets — make this giant Great Lakes catamaran ride extra-fun (nauti-cat.com).

Tall Ship Manitou. Assist the crew of this replica 1800s’ cargo schooner while waves and wind in her 3,000 square feet of sail set the pace of your two-hour voyage. Check out kids’ specials like the Moomers Ice Cream Sail (tallshipsailing.com).

Hunt for Treasure. Overlook-ing West Bay and pier remnants from TC’s frontier sawmill days, quiet West End Beach at the foot of Division Street is often a trove of sand-frosted glass and other discoveries for young archeologists (traversecity.com).

FOODIE FUNRennie Orchards. Pick your own cherries, apples and other produce down on this farm near the Resort. Mini cottages, corn-fi eld mazes, hayrides and apple wagons are more in-season treats (rennieorchards.com).

Cherry Republic. In Traverse City and Glen Arbor, sample over 150 gourmet goodies in-spired by locally-grown cherries, from chili and ice cream to soda pop and pie (cherryrepublic.com).

Leelanau Cheese Company Creamery at Black Star Farms. Venture to SuttonsBay to watch artisans craftspecialty Swiss and French-style cheeses, plus see a cheese cave packed with up to 2,000 wheels of Raclette (leelanaucheese.com).

SPORTS & RECREATIONTraverse City Beach Bums. May through September, head to Wuerfel Park just south of TC for baseball fun. This pro team plays in the independent

Frontier League (tcbeachbums.com).

Hiking/Biking. Choose vary-ing pathways to adventure in Traverse City and surrounding areas, such as the 10-mile-long non-motorized TART Trail: Combined with the now fully-paved, 15.5-mile Leelanau Trail, this scenic stretch dotted with inviting spots to stop along the way extends from Bunker Hill Road in Acme to Suttons Bay. Families can rent some wheels (including children’s, tandems and trailers) at McLain Cycle & Fitness (traversecity.com, mclaincycle.com).

Kayaking/Canoeing/Tubing. From the Pine and Boardman to the Betsie and Manistee, there’s no shortage either of currents wind-ing through the region. Check in with the Resort’s concierge team about these excursions and any of the others, too.

Check It OutIn Season

Spring: From Old Mission’s Blossom Days to Empire’s

Asparagus Festival, there’s plenty to celebrate before Summer even hits.

Fall: Gotcha!Laser tag atJacob’s Corn

Maze off M-72 onTraverse City’s west side.

Winter: Horse-drawn sleigh rides at Antler Ridge

Farms in Williamsburg, just minutes from Grand Traverse Resort and Spa (traversecity.com).

Regional Adventures Kids Will Love

Check It OutIn Season


mclaincycle.com).

Kayaking/Canoeing/From the Pine

and Boardman to the Betsie and Manistee, there’s no shortage either of currents wind-ing through the region.

Resort’s concierge

excursions and any



AT THE RESORTThe Beach Club. Work on your tan, spin up a round of disc golf or climb aboard a variety of Blue Sky water ride rentals (bluesky-tvc.com).

Spa Grand Traverse. Sched-ule a Teen Clean Facial, Justthe Two of Us Massage with Mom, The Ultimate Pedicureor other pampering service.

Urban Funk ’n Pump Class. Before heading up to the Resort, check out the Health Club’s roster of classes and pre-register for one that sounds fun with a parent, friend or sib-ling (grandtraverseresort.com).

IN THE REGIONVASA Pathway. Hit the hilly, wooded trails on rentedmountain bikes throughMcLain Cycle and Fitness (mclaincycle.com).

On the Bay. Learn to kite-board (broneah.com), rent stand-up paddle boards (bluesky-tvc.com) or getswept away by a parasail(tbparasail.com).

Volleyball Beach. Spike, serve or just catch the action just west of Clinch Park and the Open Space on West Grand Traverse Bay (traversecity.com).

Activities for Teens

Parents, Plan AheadIn-Room Babysitting — The Resort offers 24-hour in-room childcare by trained staff. Minimum 48-hour notice required.

Licensed Day Care — The Cub House: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., kids up to age 13 can enjoy supervised activities in the Resort’s 2,000-square-foot children’s center. Two weeks advance notice encouraged.

Kids’ Night Out — Pizza, tennis games, swimming, crafts, board games, Wii and movie every Saturday from 6-11 p.m. for pre-registered kids 6-12.

Special Packages — Ask about special pricing, perks and activities offered during Beach Week and Family Fun Weekend/Midweek Getaways.

Learn more at grandtraverseresort.com or call(800) 236-1577.

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MORNING◆ In need of R & R? Sleep in, then savor classic breakfast fare at Sweetwater American Bistro, from a steaming bu� et to menu items that tempt your taste buds.

or

◆ Rise and shine, ready for ac-tion: Order in a few light bites from room service, or swing by The Marketplace to pick up your favorite Starbucks co� ees hot or chilled, pastries fresh-baked on-

site and bottled waters to go.

◆ Rent your choice of bikes at McLain Cycle & Fitness on Eighth Street in Traverse City, right on the 10-plus-mile, eight-foot-wide paved TART trail (no motors allowed, rental reserves encouraged).

or

◆ Fasten snorkels and embark on adventure in crystalline East Bay. Then learn about begin-ners’ dive lessons and local

shipwreck charters o� ered by Scuba North in Traverse City; add to your Bucket List(scubanorth.com).

AFTERNOON◆ Enjoy lunch on the outdoor patio at the Resort’s North-woods-inspired Clubhouse venue, The Grille, along with a spectacular view of The Bear’s scenic 18th green.

◆ Just the Two of Us: Unwind in 7,000-square-foot Spa Grand

Couples: Day 1



Tailored for Two. Grand Traverse Resort and Spa o� ers specially-priced packages that vary by season, including a Golf & Spa Package, Summer Microbrew & Music Festival Escape and a 2-Night Care-free Getaway, which features one three-course dinner and two breakfasts per person (grandtraverseresort.com/Spe cialsPackages).

Consider these springboards for a getaway, too:

Like art and music? Plan your two-day hiatus around a concert or special event. Check out Cherry Capital favorites like the Traverse City Film Festival,

bi-annual Downtown Art Walk or TC’s Wine & Art Fest. See what’s happening on stage at the Old Town Playhouse, Den-nos Museum Center or City Opera House. Or peruse who’s coming to Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Foodie fans? Explore the region’s acclaimed wine trails along the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, and take part in on-site events like Cha-teau Chantal’s Jazz at Sunset or the Annual Harvest Stompede (lpwines.com; wineriesofold-mission.com). Check out the region’s burgeoning micro-brew scene and top TC spots like Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars, the

Cherry Republic, local orchards and area farm markets, plus culinary dates like TC’s Down-town Chili Cook-O� in January (traversecity.com).

History bu s? Hop the trolley for a Magical History Tour of TC’s most compelling sites (traversehistory.org); explore the revived spire-crowned grounds of the Northern Michi-gan Asylum (thevillagetc.com); shop TC’s historic Front Street; catch a nostalgic double feature (cherrybowldrivein.com) and peruse local troves like Wilson’s Antiques (wilsonantiquemall.com). Ask the Resort’s con-cierge for a map to other top vintage spots.

Traverse during your choice of a Cherry-Infused or Relaxation Massage in the couple’s room. Enhance your “ahhhhhhs” with heated beach stones that glide over tight muscles to melt away stress.

◆ Indulge in the Health Club’s

indoor pools, dry sauna or soothing whirlpool, or slip into Spa Grand Traverse’s restful lounge.

EVENING◆ Clink glasses over a few shared small plates and scenic panoramic views in sky-high Aerie Lounge.

or

◆ Toast a stunning sunset and delectable dinner up in Aerie before:

a) Catching a show at the State Theatre, then the night scene at 7 Monks Taproom or Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City (traversecity.com).

b) Leaning back in the comfy nets of the Nauti-Cat during a romantic Champagne Sunset Cruise along Old MissionPeninsula (nauti-cat.com).

c) Hopping aboard a compli-mentary shuttle to double your winning potential at high-voltage Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, 10 minutes from the Resort (turtlecreekcasino.com).

◆ Before calling it a day, nestle in at Jack’s Sports Bar for a snack and nightcap.

Traverse during your choice of Traverse during your choice of Traverse during your choice of indoor pools, dry sauna or indoor pools, dry sauna or indoor pools, dry sauna or soothing whirlpool, or slip into soothing whirlpool, or slip into soothing whirlpool, or slip into

Pick Your Pleasure

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Day 2Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore


Whether you’re visiting the region as a family ortwosome, there are countless ways to spend funtime together at this acclaimed destination.

Whether you’re visiting the region as a twosome or family, there are lots of ways to spend a day saved for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This acclaimed destination is the fi rst to be spotlighted by Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s oª cial travel show, Web-based Barefoot TV, featuring media personality Jordan Carson. Catch this fun, informative episode at grandtra-verseresort.com/BarefootTV. Meanwhile, check out Carson’s top 10 picks for what to do at the Dunes:

1. Visit the Philip A. Hart Visi-tor Center in Empire to get the whole story, maps and tips from the park rangers (nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm).

2. Clamber up the “Dune Climb” — it’s higher than it looks! (nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/dune_climb.htm).

3. Take photos from the Lake Michigan Overlook along Pierce Stocking Drive, 450 feet above Lake Michigan (nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/psscenicdrive.htm).

4. Warm up with a beach bonfi re at Empire Beach (empirecham ber.com).

5. Visit the Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum (nps.gov/slbe/plany ourvisit/maritimemusem.htm).

6. Hike the 1.4 mile Cottonwood Trail, about 2 hours (nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/trailcotton wood.htm).

7. For a more hilly, chal-lenging hike, step out on the Sleeping Bear Point Trail, 2.8 miles (nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/trailsleeping bearpt.htm), or Pyramid Point Trail, 2.7 miles (nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/trailpyramidpt.htm).

8. Go on a guided bicycle tour with a park ranger (ps.gov/slbe or or sleepingbeardunes.com).

9. Spend a day on Northor South Manitou Island(nps.gov/slbe).

10. Hear the clang of hammers on iron at the Glen Haven Blacksmith Shop nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/blacksmith).

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa has myriad ways in mind for two to take a break through specially-priced packages that vary

by season including a Golf & Spa Package and Summer Microbrew & Music Festival Escape. For starters, ask about the Resort’s 2-Night Carefree Getaway, which includes one three-course dinner and two breakfasts per person. Learn more at grandtraverseresort.com/SpecialsPackages.

Special Packages: Time Out for Two

For more ways to spend a day Up North, check out Barefoot TV, the offi cial travel show of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, at grandtra verseresort.com/BarefootTV. Discover the “Barefoot” mind-set of Northern Michigan with host Jordan Carson as she explores top spots and activi-ties at the Resort and around the region, from tasting room tours and a stand-up paddle board lesson to Grand Stone Massage and dining at Aerie.

40 read more at GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM40 read more at GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM

A Bear to Burden

Scott Hebert drops a ball into thick grass behind the fi fth green of The Bear.

Hebert, the head professional at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, has played hun-dreds of rounds on the state’s most feared public course, but he’s only attempted this shot one other time, during a fi nal round of one of his Michigan Open victories. He’s not sure which one because the memo-ries of 14 straight Michigan Opens on the course from 1996 to 2008 — with titles in 1997,

1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2006 — tend to jumble together.

His ball is in a horrible mess. He can’t see the green, hidden behind mounds. There’s water beyond the green and his stance is awkward. In other words, it’s a typical Bear trap laid by designer Jack Nicklaus on a course considered among the toughest in the country.

Hebert would go on to make an incredible up and down by pulling o� an improbable shot.

“We had people standing all around us,” recalls Tom Ross, his caddie at the time. “It was

one of the most amazing shots I ever saw him make. His short game is incredible. It still is. He ran it fi ve or six past and made the putt. That kind of buoyed the whole round. That saved the day.”

It’s time to relive the moment again. Hebert swings. The ball comes out softly and trickles down a mound, settling on the green like it did years ago. “Maybe it’s not such a tough shot,” Hebert says, smiling.

Every round of golf at The Bear is a trip down memory lane for Hebert. For more than a de-

BY JASON DEEGANThe Bear at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is a great big ole brute of a course, said to be the toughest in Michigan. It takes skill and guile to make a trophy of this bruin, something a boy from Escanaba did not once, thrice or five times…but six. And like those wins, the memories sink in as we tackle each of The Bear’s trials together.

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A Bear to Burden

cade, it was his playground, the course he dominated to dance into the Michigan record books. His six Michigan Open titles are tied for the most all-time with the legendary Al Watrous. Hebert would go on to win the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship and is widely considered one of the best play-ers ever born in Michigan.

“The Bear just made him what he is today,” Ross says. “He and The Bear were just a very good fi t. He always knew how to play that course. His trump card was how well he knew the greens.”

First ImpressionsThe Bear wasn’t always so kind to Hebert, who grew up in Es-canaba in the Upper Peninsula. He remembers playing it for the fi rst time while in college at Fer-ris State University. He scored

back-to-back eights to start the round, fi nishing at 80.

“I couldn’t believe how hard it was,” he refl ects. “I’m thinking, ‘I can’t believe people play golf on that place.’”

Years later, his 11th place fi n-ish in the 1995 Michigan Open had him singing a di� erent tune to Ross during the return drive to the U.P. “It was a quiet ride home,” his long-time caddie remembers. “He looks at me and says, ‘We can win this.’”

That fi nish would turn out to be his lowest in a Michigan Open at The Bear (not counting 2008 when he had to withdraw for the birth of his child). He considers the 65 in the fi nal round to win the 1997 Michi-gan Open as the round that “changed my life.”

“To know you can shoot a 65 on a course you think you can’t do that on is quite a revelation,”

Hebert doesn’t have just the six Michigan Open titles to his credit; he secured his sixth Michigan PGA Championship in August 2012, and became the PGA Professional National Champion in 2008, which earned him a berth in the 2008 PGA Championship played at Oakland Hills Country Club.

“Grand Traverse Resort, which has been ranked as high as No. 48 on our list of Top 75 Golf Resorts in North America, is a good place to stay. There are three courses, a nice restaurant, and…creative golf packages, but if I had time for only one round on the property, I’d play The Bear.”

— Matt Ginella,Golf Digest Senior Travel Editor

he says. “The golf course was so crazy back then. The greens ran 12 or 13 (on the stimpmeter). I had never seen greens like this in the U.P. It was like putting on a pool table.

“People ask me about suc-cess. The fi rst time (you shoot 65), it’s a little lucky. Once you do it, you start to believe in it.”

Hebert has shot 65 at least six times on The Bear. His only regret is Brent Veenstra still holds the course record at 62. Hebert says playing The Bear taught him patience.

“You can’t overpower it o� the tee,” he says. “It’s a second-shot golf course. The greens have subsections that need good distance control.”

Michigan Open MemoriesThe 2002 Michigan Open

hung in the balance. Amateur Stephen Polanski had just birdied the 16th hole to get within one stroke of Hebert’s lead. Polanski hit the green of the long par-3 17th hole, while Hebert buried his tee shot in a deep bunker short of the green. Improbably, Hebert holed his 50-foot bunker shot for birdie, locking up his fourth straight championship.

Driving around the course last summer, Hebert points to spots like that bunker at No. 17 as places that hold special signifi cance to him. In the third fairway one year, he threaded an iron onto the green for eagle, which kick-started his best start ever, fi ve-under through four holes.

While playing the 12th hole, he laments that he never made


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Golf Digest cites Traverse Cityamong its 2013 Top 10 Best

Buddies-Trip Destinations.

read more at GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM 43read more at GRANDTRAVERSERESORT.COM 43

birdie in competition on the short par-4. I birdie the hole during our interview just to rub the irony in a little deeper. “It became comical,” Hebert says. “Tom (Ross) asked me, ‘Are you going to birdie this hole before I die?’”

Hebert’s most painful memo-ry came at No. 16 in a three-man playo� in 1998.

“I only have a sand wedge in. The greens are fi rm. I got the ball to two feet (from the hole) and it spun back,” he says. “Even today, I can’t believe how far it backed up.”

Hebert settled for par. J.R. Roth birdied the 17th hole to steal the championship. Looking back, Hebert believes if that wedge sticks near the hole, he wins six Michigan Opens in a row (1997 to 2002). It’s not like he holds a grudge, though.

“The Bear has been very good to me,” Hebert says.

Yes it has.

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The GC2, a high-speed pho-tography unit, reads real-time data regarding ball speed, trajectory, shot shape and shot distance — all great information for fi tting clubs and fi guring out how far each club really travels. Academy instructors use it both indoor as a simulator and outdoor on the range.

Dean Ellis, a summer in-structor at the school, said the GC2 works for all players, from the elite talents checking their spin rates to women in clinics. “Women don’t always know how far they hit each club,” Ellis said. “This gives them exact data. They need to fi nd the club they hit the farthest, especially off the fairway.”

Scott Hebert, the Director

of Instruction and the Resort’s Head Golf Professional, added the GC2 really shines during winter lessons. “It helps players ease the winter rust off,” he said.

Perhaps the best example of the GC2’s versatility is Dave Kelley, who had never played golf until a lesson with instructor Terry Crick. Kel-ley, who is legally blind, can shoot in the 90s on The Bear, thanks to new clubs fi t by the GC2 and practice sessions on the unit.

“It’s a wonderful tool,” Kelley said. “It tells you exactly how and why the ball behaves as it does in fl ight, and that helps me know what to practice.”

Instructors at the Golf Academy at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa haveput their new high-tech toy, the Foresight GC2 Smart Camera Systemand Performance Simulator, to the test to help their students.

At the Golf Academy, instructors including Terry Crick, PGA (pictured above) use high-speed photography technology to improve your game.

ROCHESTER, Mich. — Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Head Golf Professional Scott Hebert started the fi nal round of the 2012 Michigan PGA Champion-ship three shots o� the lead, knowing he needed a little help from others if he was going to win the Championship for the sixth time in

the last seven years.He got it, and helped himself

along the way with a fi nal-round 3-under-par 69 on the Katke-Cousins course at Oakland University on Aug. 17, 2012.

His round was just one of four rounds under par on the fi -nal day, and put him at 8-under-par 208 for the three days, four shots ahead of Ian Ziska, the head professional at Katke Golf Club at Ferris State University, who closed with a 75.

“It’s nice to be No. 1 among your peers,” Hebert said after collecting a $6,000 fi rst-place check, a crystal trophy and another earned inscription of his name on the Gilbert A. Cur-rie Trophy. “To win at this point in my career when I’m putting more time into teaching the game feels great. To come out and get to 8-under on two good golf courses is something I’m

proud of.”Hebert, who also has six

Michigan Open victories in his career, said he hit his driver well all week, and made critical putts when needed.

“I was proud of how I hit it,” he said. “It was nice playing out of the fairway most of the time. That has been my problem all summer, and not to do a com-mercial, but the new Titleist driver was phenomenal. Plus, I made a lot of four-footers, the kind you have to make when you really need to make them.”

Hebert, as a past PGA Pro-fessional National Champion (2008), is exempt for the 2013 Professional National Champi-onship (PNC). “We’re going to send a strong group to Oregon,” Hebert said. “We’re all proud of our (Michigan PGA) section, and I’m proud to be on top right now.”

Scott Hebert wins sixth MichiganPGA Professional Championship title


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WHAT THE PROS CHOOSEWHEN IT MATTERS MOST.

Now available in the Pro Shop at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

“I can get everything I need here and gifts to take home as well.”

Diane Goodyear said she hears that a lot. As Retail Man-ager for Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s Gallery of Shops, she sees the reactions of delight — and sometimes, relief — when guests and visitors discover the range of shopping that’s avail-able on site.

Forget an item of clothing or jewelry, or maybe you made it but your luggage didn’t? Need to buy a gift for a wedding or memento to take home? Did you pack for cool weather only to discover there’s a heat wave? Forget your bathing suit? Maybe you have a sweet tooth — or children who could do with a trip to an old-fashioned candy store gone wild?

It’s all there. “I hear it all the time: ‘Oh my

gosh, I can’t wait to shop’ and ‘Oh my gosh, there are so many shops,’” Goodyear shared. “We get surveys from guests, wheth-er they’re here for a convention or special event, or on vacation, who say they are very pleased at the shopping we off er.”

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retail


Did You Know? The Under Armour display in the Pro Shop at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is one of only three such “Under Armour Concept Stores” at golf pro shops in the United States. The display elements were created exclusively for the Re-sort by Under Armour to showcase the latest in golf apparel for men, women and junior golfers.

GalleryOf

Shops


tumbleweeds: Melissa & Doug(Full line)

ashleigh’s:Brighton jewelry, accessories, handbags & luggageSkyCartiseKaren Kane

adventure north:The North FaceLoleNatural LifeHaiku BaggalliniOakley

Pro shop:Under Armour

Find an array of renowned national brands in the Resort’s Gallery of Shops,including these favorites:

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First up? Dylan’s Candy Bar! Newly opened in No-vember 2010, this magical emporium combines founder Dylan Lauren’s love of sweets and passion for art into the ultimate sugar rush experience. There’s a 100-bin bulk candy display, packaged candy, and candy-inspired gifts including

souvenirs, stationary, tech ac-cessories, and fashions. Dylan’s recently added a line of apparel, along with school supplies and plush pillows in the shapes of — what else? — candy bars and lollipops.

Across the hall from Dylan’s is its Candy Café, opened in June 2011. Outfi tted with gumball-topped tables and candy cane stools, the Café has a real cotton candy wagon, 14 fl avors of gourmet ice cream homemade by the Resort’s pas-try chefs (including exclusives like Red Velvet Cake and Coff ee & Donuts), a tempting display of fudge, decadent specialty chocolates, party items and novelties. The Café also hosts groups for birthday celebra-tions, baby showers, weddings, women’s weekends and other sweet gatherings.

Kids are also quick to fi nd their way into Tumbleweeds. The classic toy boutique engag-es parents and grandparents, too, with the full line of Melissa & Doug’s life-size plush pets and

an array of educational toys, books, games and puzzles.

Shoppers can take a taste of northern Michigan home with them or order holiday gifts from American Spoon Foods, which is stocked with edible treasures from throughout the region. And savor fresh deli sandwich-es, salads, house truffl es and favorites from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and Starbucks Coff ee at The Marketplace.

Need something specifi c to wear or just browsing? Gallery shops have you covered.

At Ashleigh’s, you’ll fi nd the region’s largest selection of Brighton jewelry and acces-sories, plus lines including Sky, Cartise, Karen Kane and others. Adventure North Outfi tters is a North Face “shop within a shop” with fashion-forward clothing from Lolë (Live Out Loud Ev-eryday), Oakley sunglasses, and other popular sportswear and accessory collections by Natural Life, Haiku, and Baggallini.

In the Gallery’s Bear Logo Shop, look for apparel, acces-


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sories and gifts for men and women featuring the Resort’s exclusive Bear logo. The Golf Pro Shop, located a short walk away in the Clubhouse, also stocks leading brand golf appar-el including Under Armour for ladies and gentlemen, as well as short game accessory clubs.

Finally, the Spa Retail Bou-tique invites you to take lasting reminders of your experience home. Many products used in Spa services are available for purchase, including a Spa Grand Traverse signature line, Neuma hair care products, Jane Irdale cosmetics, Farm House Fresh products, OPI nail care products, and selections from the Spa’s cherry-infused line, among others.

Visit grandtraverseresort.com.



dining

Best Food, Best ViewLocals know and visitors soon learn: Grand TraverseResort and Spa is a destination for foodies in TraverseCity, which Bon Appetit named as one of its Top FiveFoodie Towns in 2010.


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At the top, literally, is Aerie Restaurant & Lounge — one of a kind in the region for having the best view around bar none, and serving a cutting-edge and seasonally changing menu based on top-quality, fresh and frequently local ingredients. That can mean featured items like specialty oils and vinegars from Fustini’s in downtown Traverse City, or fi sh fresh from Lake Michigan, paired with some of the area’s burgeon-ing local wine and craft beer industries.

Located on the 16th fl oor of the Resort Tower, Aerie is a must for those seeking a pre-mier dining experience against a panoramic backdrop that’s as awe-inspiring as the food.

Besides playing host to special occasion meals like anniversary dinners, birthday parties, family reunions, and wedding rehearsal meals, Aerie is open for dinner nightly and rolls out magnifi cent buff ets for events like Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Aerie is also THE place to

experience the view with a late afternoon cocktail, or top off a day of outdoor activities with a nightcap while sampling renowned desserts crafted by the Resort’s pastry chef.

And while there’s live enter-tainment on the weekends, Ae-rie is also open for a sumptuous Sunday brunch complete with omelet and carving stations, fresh salads, pastries, desserts and — for grown-up guests — a mimosa.

For a special treat, the Resort presents themed weekends

Aerie Restaurant& Lounge


that combine dinner at Aerie with local wine or brew tours. A shuttle transports participants to wineries or brew pubs and breweries, returning to the Re-sort for dinner. Weekend guests will fi nd there’s ample time left for a round of golf or spa visit, too.

Sweetwater American BistroFor more casual everyday dining, Sweetwater American Bistro just off the Grand Lobby is a full-service restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with the same attention to quality and ingredients as its upstairs cousin. The Resort’s inviting “mini global” bistro ap-peals to a wide variety of tastes and needs.

While many guests enjoy Sweetwater’s breakfast buff et, others prefer choosing from tempting menu selections.At lunchtime, look for savory soups, fresh salads and sand-

wiches on fresh-made bread. Dinner choices range from pan-roasted chicken and ribs to grilled salmon and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. The Resort’s signature desserts are also served fresh here.

A unique semi-circle bank of seating, along with tables and booths, appeals to families as well as business colleagues. Singles will also fi nd Sweetwa-ter to be a cozy place to take in a meal, with attentive servers and a warmly-hued décor.

Clubhouse GrilleFor golfers and all others seeking a northwoods-inspired atmosphere for lunch and din-ner, The Grille is housed in the Resort’s Clubhouse and off ers scenic views of The Bear’s 18th green. Visit at the bar, dine out-doors on the patio or settle into one of The Grille’s comfortable, cushioned seats.

From homemade soups, salads and appetizers including The Grille’s signature house-made potato chips tossed in melted blue cheese and garden chives to hearty sandwiches, wraps, pastas, tenderloin and chicken — plus grilled burg-ers and hot dogs — lunch and dinner menus feature familiar favorites. Food and beverage carts also operate throughout the golf courses.

Jack’s Sports BarWith always-fresh popcorn and four fl at-screen HD TVs, Jack’s is like the corner bar — a gather-ing place for groups as well as couples who want to watch the game or catch up with friends. Food runs the gamut, from beef sliders served on a savory bun to salads made with local, fresh produce. Hard-to-choose options also include burgers, sandwiches and the Resort’s delicious house-made pizza.

Grand Lobby BarServing a wide selection of bottled beers, wines and spirits in the Resort’s spacious and inviting Grand Lobby, the casu-ally elegant Grand Lobby Bar is

Clubhouse Grille


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just the spot for people-watch-ing, conversation and winding down after a busy day.

The MarketplaceTucked within the Gallery of Shops, The Marketplace is the Resort’s in-house deli, featuring an assortment of fresh sand-wiches, wraps, salads and baked goods. Sample a taste of ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s. Order a specialty beverage, hot or chilled, made with fresh-brewed Starbucks Coff ee. Pick up a newspaper, magazine or book, and enjoy it all at one of The Marketplace bistro tables.

Pool BarThe Resort’s Pool Bar, located at the outdoor pool near Gover-nors’ Hall, off ers beverages along with a limited roster of sandwiches and snacks.

Grand Lobby Bar


weddings & special events

The Perfect Wedding Escape

Exchanging vows and ‘wowing’ guests just as a couple imagines

begin by falling in love with a place.

By Kathy GibbonsWedding Imagery of John and Laura Wirtz

By Jean Smith Photography


Every wedding at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is dif-ferent.

Yet, they’re alike in that each is as fun and as filled with activi-ties and adventure as the couple chooses.

Take Allie and Dan Case of Troy, Mich. They knew the Resort was where they wanted to get married. Allie and her family had vacationed there when she was growing up, and it was what she pictured when she imagined a stress-free wedding with a ceremony on the beach in August 2012.

Most of their 173 guests stayed at the Resort or at nearby Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel.

Allie and her wedding party enjoyed pampering, pedicures and martinis during a “Tinis & Toes” party on-site in Spa Grand Traverse, where they also had their hair and makeup done on the wedding day. A rehearsal dinner on the Tower’s 17th floor wowed their guests with its panoramic view and elaborate Italian buffet. And it was all capped off with the ceremony they’d dreamed of — outdoors at the Beach Club along sparkling East Bay.

“It was right by the water, and we had the reception under the Plaza tent,” Allie said. “It was perfect. Especially at night, you could walk out from under the

tent and see the sky and stars. It was absolutely beautiful.”

Sharing Their LoveCourtney Weeks and Steven Lindee were living in Chi-cago when they planned their October 2011 wedding. They knew they wanted a destina-tion wedding, but preferred it to be within driving distance for Courtney’s family back in Michi-gan and Steven’s relatives in Illinois. Courtney had actually worked banquets at the Resort a few summers as a teen and brought Steven, who had never been there, to see it.

He liked it immediately.Wanting their 100 guests to


enjoy the area as much as the wedding festivities, the couple provided tourist packets as people arrived. Many had never been to Traverse City before and were stunned by both the beauty as well as all there was to do.

“Everybody not only enjoyed the Resort, but they went to downtown Traverse City and did a little bit of shopping and enjoyed some area restaurants,” Courtney said. “A couple of people played golf. Others chose to rent the Resort’s con-dos and stay together for the weekend, which was an added bonus because they were able to spend more quality time with family members.

“We were hoping they would make a vacation out of our wed-ding, and a lot of people were able to do that.”

At Their FingertipsJohn and Laura Wirtz of Port Huron, Mich., also selected the Resort for their June 2012 wedding because they love northern Michigan and the fact that everything they might need was right on the property. Most of their 230 guests stayed at the Resort. Their fathers and groomsmen played golf while

“the girls” went to the Spa and had their nails done on Friday. That night brought a rehearsal dinner in Aerie Restaurant & Lounge on the Tower’s 16th fl oor.

The festivities didn’t end there.

“We just had drinks up at the restaurant until it closed and then we went down to Jack’s, the little bar-restaurant on the main fl oor, and just got to talk to people we haven’t seen in years,” Laura said. “It was really fun.”

There was more fun the next day with more primping in the Spa, an outdoor ceremony under the Pavilion and reception in the Plaza tent. On Sunday morning, the couple made the 15-minute drive to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, where board-ing is quick and they were soon on their way to Hawaii for two

weeks.“Everything from the time I

woke up at 9 a.m. to get my hair done in the Spa until the time we left was absolutely perfect, and we had so much fun with our friends and family,” Laura refl ected. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”

In fact, their friends and fam-ily continue to rave.

“They still talk about how it was one of the best weekends,” she said. “It was nice to have an excuse to come to Traverse City and stay at such a nice resort and experience that, and at the same time celebrate our special day with us.”

Visit grandtraverseresort.com to learn more about wed-dings and special event services, and jeansmithphotography.com to see more of Jean Smith’s wed-ding imagery.

“Everything from the time I woke up at 9 a.m. to get my

hair done at the Spa until the time we

left was absolutely perfect, and we had

so much fun with our friends and

family. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

— Laura Wirtz

“the girls” went to the Spa and “the girls” went to the Spa and


As Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s Special Events Manager, Rachelle Grockau works with many couples who want to share their love for the region as well as their special day with guests.

“Almost all of our weddings are destination weddings,” she said. “They want to create that perfect northern Michigan weekend, and I think the Resort captures what they are trying to portray.”

Grockau’s role is to tap into the Resort’s consider-able resources to carry out the couple’s wishes and ensure that they have the wedding of their dreams.

“None of my brides are the same,” she said. “It can range anywhere from coming in on a Friday and organizing a tour for their guests to a barbecue rehearsal dinner at the Beach Club, maybe the wedding in one of our tented locations, maybe

a brunch the next morning on Level 17 (17th fl oor) of the Tower.

“And there are so many activities,” Grockau added, not-ing that the Resort’s amenities — including multiple pools, Spa Grand Traverse and champion-ship golf experiences — are all available to wedding guests. Off-property excursions can also be arranged.

“So if they want to sail on a tall ship, or go on a winery tour, or visit Sleeping Bear Dunes which is something a lot of our guests want to do, especially since it was voted ‘Most Beauti-ful Place in America’ — we can do that.

“(Brides) want their guests to experience the water, the local life — everything this area has to offer.”

They also want to have a beautiful wedding. Grockau and the entire staff make sure that happens, too.

“Just this past weekend, we had a wedding here where everybody was from out of town,” she said. “The bride’s father actually stopped me and put his arms around me and said he couldn’t have dreamed of a better wedding — that he couldn’t have wanted more for his daughter.

“We really create the total experience.”

“That perfect Northern Michigan weekend”For inspiration,view more “I do’s”in the Photo Gallery at grandtraversere sort.com/weddings.


meetings & conventions

When John Good became the meeting planner for the American Bankruptcy Institute 13 years ago, he was a little mystifi ed as to why the orga-nization’s annual June Central States Bankruptcy Conference had for the previous seven years running been held at the same location — Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City, an area he’d never heard of.

“It was never even a blip on the map,” he said.

Then he came for a visit. Mystery solved.

“It’s freaking beautiful,” he said. “The weather’s gorgeous. There are lots of exclamation points here.”

Good loves it so much that he brought his new wife there for their honeymoon about fi ve

years ago. He happily rattles off the

accolades. It’s within driving distance of Chicago, which he likes. And the Resort has the facilities and amenities to ac-commodate the approximately 400 attendees and 200 to 300 family members who come along each year.

“The facilities are big enough,” he noted. “They are able to accommodate us plus two or three other conferences at the same time. And rates are right on par.”

That’s not all.“You’ve got golf on site,”

Good said. “You’ve got the Beach Club property, so if you’re doing an outdoor opening re-ception, you’re right on the lake. You’ve got two additional cov-

ered outdoor venues. You’ve got the wide variety of ballrooms.”

And then there’s the sur-rounding region.

“We’ve got probably 10 events we do off -site from the property,” added Good, an avid fl y fi sherman who gets up in the wee hours several days during the conference to go fl y fi shing before registration opens.

In a “Cherry Capital Din-earound,” the group moved between diff erent area restau-rants that agreed to close to other business during the event, taking advantage of what he described as Traverse City’s “tremendous foodie resources.” They’ve done catamaran cruises, fi shing charters, winery tours, a brew pub crawl — you name it.

“A lot of people build their family vacations on it,” Good said.

The Institute holds conven-tions in other regions of the country, typically changing venues each year. But so far, it’s happened in Traverse City and stayed in Traverse City.

“We tend to go to the Four Seasons, Ritz Carltons — some very high-end properties,” Good said. “The service level at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, the warmth you get from the people at the property, is great. You’re really treated like family.”

Everything on the ListLisa Hart, one of the organizers of an event called the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefi ng Seminars, said her group returns to the Resort year after year for a lot of reasons. For one, the Resort can accommodate a group like theirs — 900 people in 2012.

They need large meeting

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rooms that can be split in half for smaller sessions. Check.

They need a location convenient for the large crowd that comes from lower Michi-gan, along with others who come from surrounding states, Canada and many points inter-national. Check.

They need staff that is nimble enough to turn an after-noon conference room into an evening car showplace. Check.

“They manage to execute very well for us,” Hart said. “The Resort is kind of like a partner with us.

“We’ve had a very successful run with them.”

Mission AccomplishedAnd that’s what it’s all about, according to Grand Traverse Resort and Spa Director of Sales Colleen Brzozowski.

“We are a national caliber re-sort and even though there’s not a lot of other competition like us in the surrounding area — we do compete with places like the Broadmoors, the Greenbriers,” Brzozowski said. “But clients outside of the state, often, they have no idea of where we are.

They either think we are Detroit or a little northwoods lodge.

“So we try to paint that picture that we are a Norman Rockwell kind of feel downtown, but with all of the amazing res-taurants and shops and outdoor activities, it’s really a four-sea-son destination with something for everybody to do.”

And once people visit the Resort, they’re sold.

“When the information gets sent and they’re looking at everything, it’s almost like it’s too good to be true — to really have all the space, the activi-

ties, the beauty of the area, the aff ordable costs — all combined into one,” Brzozowski explained. “Then they get here, and look around and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I had no idea.’ They understand. It’s true.”

Throw in the Resort’s at-tention to detail and customer service and, well, what’s not to like?

“I think our groups fi nd that

the experience and willingness of the staff to really customize what we do to fi t their needs is huge,” Brzozowski noted. “It’s genuine Midwestern hospital-

ity, but it almost goes a step beyond — like having a guest in your own home.”

Learn more at grandtraverse resort.com/meetings.


Creating an ExperienceMeghan Gamelin is in the busi-ness of fun.

As Grand Traverse Re-sort and Spa’s Event Design Manager, she brings to life the experiences that meeting plan-ners, bridal couples and others organizing major gatherings envision for their events.

A conference manager wants an authentic Parisian Street scene created for guests to pass through on their way to a Governors’ Hall banquet. And it needs to be set up in the two hours between when daytime meetings end and the nighttime party begins.

Another group wants to showcase a helicopter indoors. And some boats. For another, it’s an elephant.

No problem. No problem. No problem.

“It’s a blast,” she said. “Every day I come in to a different adventure.”

She also creates adventures by arranging off-site excur-sions for corporate and social groups. Winery tours, brewery

tours, catamaran and tall ship cruises, trips to the renowned Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — she arranges it all. Some ask for charter or fl y fi shing excursions, and can have their fresh catch cooked up for dinner by the Resort staff upon their return.

Gamelin also scouts loca-tions for outings to recommend to guests. It’s a delightful part of the job.

“I had to go on the tall ship to see what the experience is,” she illustrated. “I had to go to the dunes. I just got done doing a Short’s Brewery tour because we’re going to start offering that to our guests. I’ve gone to the different wineries, trying to get that experience fi rsthand.

“Especially for corporate groups, we fi nd that probably 60 to 75 percent of those who attend haven’t been here before. So off-property activities high-light the region. We want them to get out and experience Pure Michigan — to taste, feel and see everything the area has to offer.”

• Open daily year round• Wine tasting, bottle service• Corporate and private “Dining in the Vines”• Summer and fall vineyard tours• Parties of 8 or more,

please call for reservations

TRIP ADVISOR: #1 Activity

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Training and equipment for fi refi ghters. Program funding for veterans, students, and at-risk youth. Food for the hungry and emergency utility assistance for those in need. All of this and more is provided through the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians’ twice-yearly gaming revenue allocation.

At a distribution in August 2012, $788,442 was allocated to 43 outstanding organizations located across a six-county area. Each organization falls under the umbrella of a local

unit of government. It is no easy feat to decide which organiza-tions will receive funding. For the August 2012 distribution, 84 applications were received totaling $1,795,806 in requests. The Grand Traverse Band’s Tribal Council, an elected body, determined how to distribute funds after several weeks of deliberation.

And that was just for the fi rst half of the year. The tribe typically makes its second Two Percent Allocation in Decem-ber or January after the close of the fi scal year. What’s more,

every penny of the distribution is raised solely through gaming revenues — not taxation. The al-location was created as part of a settlement between the State of Michigan and six tribes, includ-ing the Grand Traverse Band. Under the stipulation, each tribe

Sharing the Wealth

Since 1994, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has given more than $29 million to local communities.

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Council Members (l-r): Coun-cilor George Antoine, Vice Chair Robert Kewaygoshkum, Trea-surer Jane Rohl, Chairman Alvin Pedwaydon, Councilor JoAnne Gasco, Secretary David Arroyo, Councilor Thomas Shomin.


distributes 2 percent of its revenues from electronic gaming devices — slot machines. The allocations have a huge regional impact. Since 1994, the Grand Traverse Band has distributed over $29 million in total.

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has over 4,000 members and is one of Northwest Michigan’s cultural and economic leaders, providing services to members in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties. The tribe proudly contributes to the area’s economic stability with hun-dreds of good paying jobs — mostly fi lled by non-native residents — and a commitment to nourish educa-tion, public safety, and quality of life for everyone region-wide.

So relax and enjoy an evening at one of the tribe’s casinos. If you win, great! And if you end up making a little contribution to the community, at least you know it’s for a great cause.

For more information about the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, and the busi-nesses the Tribe operates through its Economic Development Corpo-ration, visit gtbindians.org.

Here are some terms you may hear next time you visit Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel in Wil-liamsburg or Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge in Peshaw-bestown.

ANTE: In card games, a bet required to begin a hand. An initial compulsory bet before you receive any cards.

BUCK: Slang for a wager worth $100.

BUTTON: In poker, a button is a small plastic disc that is used as a marker to designate the dealer position. The button moves from player to player after each hand.

COAT-TAIL: To bet the same numbers as someone who is winning at the moment.

CROUPIER: The French word for the dealer in games of bac-carat and roulette.

DIME BET: Slang for a wager worth $1,000.

DOWN TO THE FELT: Totally out of money.

GEORGE: A player who tips the dealers often and gener-ously. A good tipper.

NATURAL: A two-card black-jack hand worth 21 points. A baccarat natural is a two-card

total of eight or nine.

PAINT: A Jack, Queen or King. Any face card.

PRESSING THE BET: When the proceeds of a win arewagered on the next bet with the original bet amount.

SUIT: Any one of the four types of cards: Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts or Spades.

WHITE: The most common colorused for $1- denomination chips.

Casino Jargon

LELANDLELANDPESHAWBESTOWN

SUTTONSSUTTONSBAYBAY

OMENA

NORTHPORT Grand TraverseBay

GILLSGILLSGILLSPIERPIER

Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan

OLDMISSION

MAPLETONMAPLETONPOWER ISLAND

LAKELEELANAU

PORTONEIDA

GLEN ARBOR

GLEN HAVENGLEN HAVEN

MAPLECITY

EMPIRE

FRANKFORTFRANKFORT

BENZONIABENZONIA

TRAVERSECITY

ACMEWILLIAMSBURGWILLIAMSBURG

NORTHMANITOU

North ManitouIsland

SouthManitou

Island

WestGrand TraverseGrand Traverse

BayEast

Grand TraverseBay

ELKELKRAPIDS

CrystalLake

Platte Lake

Platte Bay

Glen Lake

LimeLake

Good Harbor Bay

Sleeping Bear Bay

SouthLake

Leelanau

Cat Head Bay

Northport BayNorthport BayNorthport BayNorthport BayNorthport Bay

ElkLake

TorchLake

EASTPORTEASTPORT

ATWOOD

ALDEN

RAPIDCITY

Suttons Bay

KEWADIN

CEDAR

LongLake

KALKASKAKALKASKA

INTERLOCHEN

LAKEANN

SkegemogLake

SilverLake

KINGSLEY

Sleeping Bear DunesNational Lakeshore



Sand LakesQuiet Area

VasaPathway

BrownBridge

Quiet Area

NorthNorthLakeLake

LeelanauLeelanauFerry Route

Ferry Route

BowersHarbor Bay

HONOR

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area map

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Directions OnGoogle Maps

LELANDLELANDPESHAWBESTOWN

SUTTONSSUTTONSBAYBAY

OMENA

NORTHPORT Grand TraverseBay

GILLSGILLSGILLSPIERPIER

Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan

OLDMISSION

MAPLETONMAPLETONPOWER ISLAND

LAKELEELANAU

PORTONEIDA

GLEN ARBOR

GLEN HAVENGLEN HAVEN

MAPLECITY

EMPIRE

FRANKFORTFRANKFORT

BENZONIABENZONIA

TRAVERSECITY

ACMEWILLIAMSBURGWILLIAMSBURG

NORTHMANITOU

North ManitouIsland

SouthManitou

Island

WestGrand TraverseGrand Traverse

BayEast

Grand TraverseBay

ELKELKRAPIDS

CrystalLake

Platte Lake

Platte Bay

Glen Lake

LimeLake

Good Harbor Bay

Sleeping Bear Bay

SouthLake

Leelanau

Cat Head Bay

Northport BayNorthport BayNorthport BayNorthport BayNorthport Bay

ElkLake

TorchLake

EASTPORTEASTPORT

ATWOOD

ALDEN

RAPIDCITY

Suttons Bay

KEWADIN

CEDAR

LongLake

KALKASKAKALKASKA

INTERLOCHEN

LAKEANN

SkegemogLake

SilverLake

KINGSLEY




Sand LakesQuiet Area

VasaPathway

BrownBridge

Quiet Area

NorthNorthLakeLake

LeelanauLeelanauFerry Route

Ferry Route

BowersHarbor Bay

HONOR

previouspage

area map

Area MapSponsored By

2 LADS WINERY231-223-77222lwinery.com

BLACK STAR FARMS231-944-1300

blackstarfarms.comBOWERS HARBOR VINEYARDS

231-223-7615bowersharbor.com

BRYS ESTATE VINEYARD & WINERY231-223-9303

brysestate.comCHATEAU CHANTAL

231-223-4110chateauchantal.com

CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE231-223-7355cgtwines.com

PENINSULA CELLARS231- 933-9787

peninsulacellars.com

Scan ForVirtual Wine Tour Driving

Directions OnGoogle Maps

B o a r d m a n R i v e r



B o a r d m a n L a k e

TraverseArea District

Library

OldTown

Playhouse

History Centerof Traverse City

CityOperaHouse

StateTheater

VisitorsCenter

TC Chamber

GovernmentalCenter

Bay AreaTransitCenter

Clinch Park Beach

OpenSpace

Warehouse

Old TownDistrict

Market

ToMunsonHospital

ToNMC

CollegeParking

Deck

DistrictFarmers

OldTown

ParkingDeck

Lars HockstadAuditorium

map area shown in deta i l be low

West GrandTraverse Bay

East GrandTraverse Bay

37

3722

72

72

31

31

To Acme

ToSuttons

Bay

To OldMission

To Empire

To Grand Rapids

W e s t G r a n d Tr a v e r s e B a y

Duncan L. ClinchMarina

PedestrianUnderpass

PedestrianBridge

PedestrianBridge

PedestrianUnderpass

S

W E

1 0 - H o u rM e t e r e d P a r k i n g

P a r k i n g D e c k s

2 - H o u r M e t e r e d P a r k i n g

P a r k s

TA RT ( Tr a v e r s e A r e aR e c r e a t i o n a l Tr a i l )

R i v e r Wa l k &P e d e s t r i a n Wa l k w a y s

P u b l i c R e s t r o o m s( h o u r s v a r y )

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Traverse City andthe surrounding region

Cross-Country Skiing

Golf Course

Hiking

Lighthouse

Ski Area

Mountain Biking

Swimming Beach

Winery

Casino

www.downtowntc.com

E . 8 t hE . 8 t h

Owned & Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa

100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd.

Acme, MI 49610 | 800-748-0303


[email protected]

Recognized as a Leader by Green Lodging Michigan

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Barefoot Magazine 2013