Traversecityist

Episode 26: The Sauna

The second annual Michigan Sauna Festival [https://www.michigansaunafest.com/]took place in April of 2026 on the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay.  Organized by Nick Olson of Hearth Sauna [https://hearthsauna.com/] and Vlad Bourza of Sleeping Bear Saunas [https://www.sleepingbearsaunas.org/], the duo brought multiple sauna manufacturers to Clinch Park in downtown Traverse City. Hundreds gathered to sweat and then plunge into the bay. Clinch Park sits on land historically known as Kchi-Wiikwedong [https://anishinaabetrails.org/], an Anishinaabemowin word meaning “Great Bay.” Saunas and sweat lodges have been a ritual in northern Michigan for generations  With the increase of public saunas, it seems that mainstream culture is finally catching up. With the presence of artificial intelligence, humanity is transitioning  into a new age of communication. This has sparked a growing desire among people to find community experiences that feel more genuine and fulfilling. Anne Marie Oomen, Norm Wheeler, Ingemar Johansson and Patrick Niemisto, are all residents of northern Michigan.   Each have their own sauna, built by hand. In this episode you’ll hear our conversation about northern Michigan sauna culture.  It was recorded at the community radio station of WuWu 100.1 LPFM in Elberta, Michigan on April 15, 2026. Church courtesy of Anne Marie Oomen [https://anne-marieoomen.com/] from Seasons of the Sleeping Bear (Second Story Enterprises). The Sauna Song [https://huumsauna.com/best-songs-about-saunas/#arve-youtube-bygj-ydsork]appears courtesy of New Third Coast featuring Norm Wheeler and Patrick Niemisto, playing live at the Hiawatha Music Festival. The year is unknown. This episode is sponsored by Hearth Sauna. [https://hearthsauna.com/]

Episode 25: 45 Portraits

Brenda Zlamany has painted portraits of people all over the world. In our digital age, sitting for a portrait offers a rare opportunity to be truly seen and heard. The extended, focused attention creates an environment where subjects reveal truths that they might not otherwise share. In the fall of 2025, Zlamany took up residency at Tusen Takk located in Leelanau County. What she learned about the people here and their connection to the land along the forty-fifth parallel may come to a surprise, or it may not.

Episode 24: Ed Catton’s Holy Night

Sometimes a single person can be remembered as essential cultural infrastructure. One of those lives, was that of Edward “Ed” Catton (1935-2004). Born into local prominence as the grandson of George Catton, the last headmaster of the Benzonia Academy, and the nephew of Pulitzer-prize winning author, Bruce Catton, Ed chose to invest his talents locally rather than pursue broader acclaim.  In the wider community of northern Michigan, Ed was most remembered as the original voice of Interlochen Public Radio from 1963 to 1997.  This episode features recollections of Ed’s notable stature by Neil Nugent and Dan Kelly. Special thanks to Shri Fugi Split for the rendition of O Holy Night.

Piecast 2025

Piecast 2025 features a store-bought pumpkin pie tasting with John Coleman, a union organizer and accomplished home pie baker. The conversation weaves together memories associated with homemade food—ultimately concluding that while store-bought pies can be good, nothing can beat the labor, love and memories associated with a home-baked pie. This episode was recorded on Wednesday, November 26 at WUWU 100.1 LPFM  [https://elbertalaborheritagecenter.org/wuwu-lpfm-100-1/]in Elberta, Michigan.

Episode 22: The Designers

Creating meaningful environments is a form of artistry that can profoundly impact our lives. Interior designer Dana Lacuesta and curator Jessica Kooiman Parker are showcasing local design during Traverse City Design Week [https://www.tcdesignweek.com], taking place Oct 4- 11, 2025.  This inaugural event aims to solves real-world problems, to fuel Northern Michigan’s design culture, and unite our interdisciplinary design community.