DON'T MISS THE CHERRY FESTIVAL - JULY 5-12, 2008

BUSINESSES CALENDAR OF EVENTS DOWNTOWN AREA POINTS OF INTEREST LIBRARY OF ARTICLES MAP OF DOWNTOWN JUST FOR FUN COUPONS CONTACT US

Traverse City Weather Forecast, MI

FEATURED BUSINESSES

At Rest Micro Spa

Cherry Festival Events

Morsels

Oryana Natural Foods Market

Serenity Tea Bar & Cafe

Stroll Writing Contest Winner

The Wooden Gallery

CLICK HERE to see books by Sonja Richards, publisher of Stroll. The Comet Kid My Maize and Blue day (New in 2008!)

Welcome to the Stroll Magazine® Website!

Downtown Traverse City is a wonderful place to visit because of its varied offerings. Of course, you will find T-shirt and fudge shops, but even those are distinctive because of their history in the area. You can find beautiful artwork throughout our galleries, fine furnishings and design services, fabulous food, and great opportunities for memorable experiences, as well as much more.

Since 1620, people have explored the beauty of this region and enjoyed all it has to offer. At that time, of course, it was mostly Ottowa and Ojibwa Indians, and then a bit later, the French, all who prospered from furs and trading.

It was not until the early 1840s that settlers began coming to the Traverse City area. Ten years later, a large mill was built by Perry Hannah and Albert Lay, allowing for lumbering to become a great business here. By 1862, the population of Traverse City was 300, and within not quite 25 years, that population had grown by more than ten times to 4,000. Traverse City’s current population is around 15,000.

In 1852, well-known missionary Father Doughterty planted the first cherry trees on Old Mission Peninsula; it took nearly 75 years to discover that fruit trees could thrive in this area, and once discovered, fruit became a main industry. The first “Blessing of the Blossoms” (which eventually became known as the National Cherry Festival of Traverse City) was celebrated in 1924. It has been growing ever since, and now Traverse City welcomes thousands of visitors every year to enjoy the many events the Festival has to offer.

There are numerous other wonderful things to do in Traverse City besides go to parades and eat cherries, though! Shopping downtown is one of those things. Some of the businesses in Downtown Traverse City have been here for over 100 years, and you can expect the same friendly service you would have received when the stores first opened.

I invite you to take a stroll through Downtown and Old Town Traverse City, notice some of the architecture, enjoy some unique shopping, and get a bite to eat. Downtown Traverse City is an experience you’ll not soon forget.

Publishers Box

Another summer is upon us…sandcastles, barbeques, camping, boat rides, walks in the woods, swimming, a day in the park, picnics… what fun awaits us!
Growing up as an only child way out in the country, summer for me seemed to last forever when I was a kid. I rode my bike endlessly up and down our road, climbed the huge gnarly maples in our front yard and spent hours trying to teach our old dogs new tricks.

Not too far from us lived my best friend. At her house we played in the cherry orchards or tended the cherry stand that sat on the highway. At my house we would play in the woods or wander down the road.

One day while at my house we wandered. Although it had recently rained, it was one of those hotter than hot August days. She thought it would be great fun to take off our shoes and play in what was known as “the clay pit,” a small area that the road commission had dug out years before.

It all started innocently enough, with us simply squishing the wet, cool clay between our toes as we walked through the gooey puddles. Then we slipped, and before either of us knew what happened, a great force came over us and we were throwing the wet, sticky clay at each other and sliding and rolling all around in it. I don’t know how long we carried on in the clay pit, but when we finally stopped laughing and looked at each other, we were pretty sure we were looking trouble square in the eye.

As our first punishment, we had to walk the mile home along the gravel road barefoot because just like the rest of our bodies, our feet were completely covered and caked with clay. Punishment #2--we had to be hosed off with icy cold well water--there was no way my mother was going to allow us to walk through the house to the tub! Third punishment--the phrase we all loved to hear as a child: “Wait until your father gets home.” I actually don’t remember what happened then--I must have blocked it out--but I can tell you that we never again played in “the clay pit!”

Regrets? No way! It was fun! And it’s a terrific memory that my friend and I still laugh about whenever we happen to run into each other. Not that I am encouraging my children to follow in my footsteps, I do secretly hope we find a little troublesome adventure this summer!

So what trouble will you get into this season? Whatever it is, may it cool you off and make you laugh…enjoy!

About Olde Towne Publishing and Stroll Magazine®

I started Olde Towne Publishing and Stroll Magazine® for several reasons. My husband and I own two small businesses and I wanted to help fellow businesses and the downtown I grew up with grow. Second, I noticed there is not a lot of information specific to Downtown Traverse City for visitors, or even locals. Our area is filled with a unique, rich history I want to explore and share. Stroll Magazine® is an avenue to do all of these things.

I welcome feedback, ideas, and information, so if you have any, please contact me! I appreciate you patronizing both my publication, and the businesses of Downtown and Old Town Traverse City. - Sonja Richards