Learn to swim.The best thing anyone can do to stay safe is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy;never swim alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of all ages. Contact a local Red Cross chapter.

Swim in areas supervised by a lifegaurd on public beach areas.

Children and inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S.Coastguard approved personal floatation device.

Watch out for dangerous “too’s”. Too tired, too cold, too much sun from strenuous activity, too far from safety.

Set water rules for the entire family.

Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and the potential hazards, such as deep & shallow areas, current and depth changes.

Pay attention to local weather conditions. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

Do not use alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs judgement, balance and coordination. It also reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.

Watch for signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is life threatening. The body’s temperature control system which produces sweating stops working.

Wear foot protection.

Never leave a child unobserved around water.Adult supervision is recommended at all times.

Keep your cell phone or cordless nearby in case you need to call 911.

Considering water safety rules can help ensure a safe and happy vacation!

Thousands of visitors come to Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan each year to fish, water ski, bike, golf, play in the snow and explore shore towns. But the area’s riches run deeper than resorts and golf courses. The lake produces boatloads of whitefish, lake trout and chubs. The lakeshore climate lets hundreds of thousands of cherry trees flourish on the hillsides. Prize mushrooms hide in shady forests. Dairy cows graze in rich pastures. The rich aromas of locally made food taunts your senses and lures you in. You may just find this area one of the best for fresh local fare in the entire Midwest. Come visit us!

CHEESECAKE
The recipes featured in the area’s restaurants reflect this abundance of food resources. The Chocolate-Dried Cherry Cheesecake (left) — thick, rich, with a touch of coffee and speckled with dried cherries — is a favorite dessert at The Cove restaurant in Leland.

MICHIGAN MUFFELTTA
Stone House Bread Cafe in Leland gave us the recipe for this version of the New Orleans classic, layered with Olive Relish.

CHERRY VINAIGRETTE
Chefs at North Peak Brewing Company in Traverse City, Michigan, make this tangy, thick, cherry-color dressing for tossed salads. We like it over fresh fruit, too.

MOREL MUSHROOM CREAM SAUCE WITH PASTA
The forest floors around Grand Traverse Bay yield delicately flavored morel mushrooms for crepes, omelets and sauces.

When Sam Hybels bought Hattie’s restaurant in Suttons Bay, Michigan, he also acquired the recipe for this creamy morel sauce for pasta. Today, Hattie’s is called Samuel’s, but the sauce remains the same. “I’d never dare tamper with it,” Sam says

OATMEAL-CHERRY COOKIES
Dried cherries make oatmeal cookies even more memorable in this recipe from American Spoon Foods, which has locations in the Traverse City area. We like its crisp edges and chewy centers.

GRILLED WHITEFISH
Visitors find hardworking fishermen at charming Fishtown in Leland, Michigan, west of Traverse City. On the other side of the fish case, staff members at Carlson’s prepare that day’s catch for sale. Whitefish is the local favorite used here in their recipe. Try the smoked fish too.

THE COVE’S WORLD FAMOUS CHUBBY MARY
Ordering this drink at The Cove in Leland is an experience. A Bloody Mary mixture arrives in a tall glass with a whole smoked fish sunk, head up, into the beverage. Play along, take a sip, and prepare to be pleasantly surprised at the smoky flavor the traditional Bloody Mary gets only when a smoked chub plays the role of swizzle stick.

CREME FRAICHE
George and Sally Shetler (left) shared this versatile recipe using two products from their Shetler Dairy in Kalkaska, Michigan. It’s similar to sour cream, only sweeter. They like it in soups, sandwiches and wraps — and as a fruit dip.

THE CHERRY CAPITAL
Since the first cherry tree was planted here in 1852, the Traverse City area has grown into the world’s self-proclaimed Cherry Capital. It’s a prime part of Michigan’s Fruit Belt, which grows 75 percent of the country’s tart cherries and about 20 percent of the sweet cherries. The area holds an annual National Cherry Festival in July, and the fruit stars in local soft drinks, wines, bratwurst, ice cream, jams, salsas and pies.

“SMOOCHING THE MOOSE”
While the Traverse Bay region features nearly a dozen fine dining restaurants, not all of the region’s exceptional food comes served on white linen. Serious chefs make regular pilgrimages to Sleder’s Family Tavern, a white frame building that opened just west of downtown in 1882. “Except for the electric lights and fans, everything is pretty much the same as then,” says Deb Cairns, a Traverse native who, with her husband, Brian, has owned the hugely popular eatery since 1992.

Under the tin ceiling and stuffed animal heads, diners feast on fresh-ground burgers, fried perch and smelt. It usually takes a few beers before diners plant the traditional kiss on the nose of a moose head. Afterward, they can buy T-shirts reading, “I Smooched The Moose.”

Maybe it’s odd, but it’s decidedly local. And that, like everything around Grand Traverse Bay, is the secret to the flavor.

Bon Appetit’!

(Midwest Living feature article)

http://www.mapquest.com/

Auntie Pasta’s South Airport Rd. Traverse City

Agave Mexican Grill 851 S. Garfield Traverse City

Apache Trout Grill 13671 S.W. Bay Shore Dr. Traverse City

Blue Tractor Cookshop 423 S. Union St. Traverse City

Bubba’s Restaurant & Bar 428 E. Front Traverse City

Boone’s Long Lake Inn 7208 Secor Rd.Traverse City

Cousin Jenny’s Cornish Pasties 129 S. Union St. Traverse City

Don’s Drive In 2030 US 31 N.Traverse City

Folgarelli’s Italian Import Market 424 W.Front St. Traverse City

Freshwater Lodge 13890 S.West Bay Shore Dr. Traverse City

Green House Cafe’ 115 E.Front St. Traverse City

Ham Bonz 1108 E. 8th St. Traverse City

Hunan Chinese Restraurant 1425 S. Airport Rd. Traverse City

Lil Bo’s & Capones Cafe 540 W. Front St. Traverse City

Mabel’s Family Restraurant 427 Munson Ave. Traverse City

Omelette Shioppe 1209 E. Front St. Traverse City

Randy’s Diner 1103 S. Garfield Traverse City

Patisserie Amie 439 E. Front St. Traverse City

Rancho Grande 3860 N. Long Lk. Traverse City

Scott’s Harbor Grill 12719  SW Bayshore Dr. Traverse City

Sleder’s Family Tavern 717 Randolph Traverse City

Red Mesa Grill 1544 US 31 North Traverse City

The House 826 W. Front St. Traverse City

The Silver Swan 13692 S.W. Bay Shore Dr. Traverse City

Cedar Tavern 9039 Kasson St .Cedar

Sugarfoot Saloon 4997 S. Good Harbor Trl Cedar

45tth Parrallel Cafe 102 W. Broadway Suttons Bay

Cafe Bliss 420 St. Joseph Suttons Bay

Boones Prime Time 102 St. Joseph Suttons Bay

Hang On Express 316 St. Jospeh Sutoons Bay

Samuel’s Restraurant 111 St. Joseph Suttons Bay

Village Inn 201 St. Joseph Suttons Bay

Jo & Joe’s Interlochen Deli 2480 M-137 Interlochen

Silvertree Deli 119 St. Joseph Suttons Bay

Fireplace Inn 5954 Karlin Rd. Interlochen

Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen 617 Ames Elk Rapids

The Moose 127 River St. Elk Rapids

Benchwarmer’s Sports Bar & Grill 172 W. Burdickville Rd. Maple City

Fischer’s Happy Hour 7144 N. Manitou Trail Northport

Oasis Redbud Tavern 7204 Cairn Hwy. Kewadin

Stubb’s Sweetwater Grill 115 S. Waukazoo Northport

The Cherry Hut 216 N. Michigan Ave. Beulah

Cherry Republic 6026 S. Lake St. Glen Arbor

Art’s Tavern 6487 W. Western Ave. Glen Arbor

Good Harbor Grill 6584 Western Ave. Glen Arbor

Riverfront Pizza & Deli 6281 Western Ave. Glen Arbor

Thyme Out 6453 Western Ave. Glen Arbor

Early Bird 101 S. Main Leland

Stone House Cafe & Bread 407 S. Main St. Leland

Acorn Cafe 103 Park Ave. Charlevoix

Black Bear Coffee & Tea Lodge 411 Bridge St. Charlevoix

Guiseppe’s Italian Grill 757 Petosky Ave. Charlevoix

Charley’s Restraurant 100 Michigan Ave. Charlevoix

Juilleret’s Restraurant 1418 Bridge St. Charlevoix

Villager Pub 427 Bridge St. Charlevoix

Scovie’s Gourmet 111 Bridge St. Charlevoix

Villager Pub 427 Bridge St. Charlevoix

Whitney’s of Charlevoix 305 Bridge St. Charlevoix