Nearly every issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine has a cool contest on the cover where readers can win summer vacations in Northern Michigan. Ever wonder who wins those tempting trips? Here are the stories of our winners from last summer’s contests. If you enter, perhaps we’ll be profiling you! Say, improve your chances and make sure your friends and family enter, so they can take you with them!
Winners of the Crystal Mountain Summer Vacation
Winners of the Crystal Mountain Summer Vacation Jim and Mary Ann K. are already planning their getaway, including four nights of lodging in a two bedroom cottage at the award-winning resort. They live in their favorite vacation spot, Petoskey, but are excited to spend time in another area Up North. “We are fortunate that we live in Petoskey, a beautiful resort town, which is why we moved here, so even when we are working, we still feel like we are on vacation in the evenings and on weekends. But we are looking forward to exploring another beautiful part of Northern Michigan and some R & R. Maybe to celebrate our anniversary in May!”Winners of the White Birch Lodge Vacation on Elk Lake
David and Laurie G. are residents in Traverse City, originally brought here 26 years ago by David’s pastoral position at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The two were excited to make the move because they had already spent vacations camping and skiing in the area and knew what a delightful place it can be—and now they’ll experience even more of it! Included in their Elk Lake prize is an entire week of resort fun for 2 adults and 2 children. When asked about her ideal vacation, Laurie responded, “time on the beach loafing, reading, or swimming; meeting new people; enjoying good food in a nice place—all sound great!” David also enjoys the downtown scene, and looks forward to vacation time walking in the woods and along a quiet shoreline.Winner of the Chippewa Hotel Vacation on Mackinac Island
Christie J. moved from her East Lansing home to the Cherry Capital 11 years ago. Perfectly nuzzled into the Northern tip of the mitten, she chose Traverse City because it’s part way between downstate and the UP so she could easily visit both sides of the family. And oddly enough, we’re sending her to the upper half in her big win! Christie’s prize at the Chippewa Hotel includes two nights of accommodations for four in the Chippewa Hotel’s Harborview Suite overlooking the Straits of Mackinac and Mackinac Island harbor. Christie told us that Mackinac Island is one of her all-time favorite destinations. A frequent visitor, this time around she hopes to explore the woods, beach, and history of the island, picnic and swim on the lake, and possibly even take a sailboat to the Mackinac Bridge.
Winner of Tamarack Lodge Vacation in Traverse City
At a time when “cabin fever” seems to set in this winter, Nancy S. will be heading up to relax and recharge at Tamarack Lodge. Her luxury condominium resort prize package includes 5 nights of stay in a 2 bedroom suite plus a bottle of Northern Michigan wine and a $100 gift certificate to the family fun center! A Holland native, Nancy often voyages to Traverse City in the summertime and meets up with her brother and sister-in-law as they port hop the Michigan coast. She’s hoping to bring them along on the vacation as a thank you for the Up North introduction. While on her getaway, Nancy’s ideal day includes a beach visit, a little shopping, then sharing a bottle of wine with family and good friends. You can do it all, Nancy! …(Flash forward) We caught up with Nancy after her vacation and here’s what she had to say, “The accommodations we had were above and beyond our expectations and we were treated so well! (already thinking of coming back next year). We did some wine tasting, dined at some of our local favorites, and spent an afternoon at Lucky Jacks, which surprisingly we ALL enjoyed.”
Winner of Leland Lodge Dream Weekend
Annette H. and her husband made the journey from Colorado to Michigan in 1976 for their careers in special education. Since then, they’ve cultivated a love for day trips on the Jordan River, the Sturgeon River, the Sleeping Bear Dunes and many places along the Lake Michigan shoreline. You can find them in Traverse City soaking in the performing arts at the Dennos Museum and the City Opera House—and of course out at Interlochen Arts Academy, too. Annette told us she was very excited to get to the Leland Lodge. And she should be! Her dream weekend prize includes three days and two nights stay with family, $100 gift certificate to the newly renovated Bogey’s Pub & Restaurant, a tour of Leland, plus a charter fishing trip with Mega-Bite Charters.
Porterhouse Productions Platinum Pass Prize
Bev Z. from Burlington, Michigan is the ecstatic winner of Northern Michigan event passes for an entire year. You might know Porterhouse Productions from their dozens of buzzed-about festivals and concerts—including the Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival. Always representing the fun-loving, culinary, creative and musical culture of Northern Michigan, Porterhouse Productions events are the top-selling events for both locals and vacationers. Check out all the parties that Porterhouse is bringing to town at their website porterhouseproductions.com.