Paddle. Explore!

Frontier Survival Last summer the Beach Bums' Gregg Langbehn coached his scrappy team of 20-somethings through 96 nail-biter games and 9,300 grueling bus miles to make it to the Frontier League Finals. Here's to 2011, Coach. Kayak 101 Set in the Les Cheneaux paddling playground, the Hiawatha Paddling Festival gathers an elite crew of instructors to turn teenagers, businessmen, septuagenarians--and maybe you--into real kayakers. On Higher Ground Coffee entrepreneur Chris Treter is making the world a better place, bean by bean. Summer of the Sailboat A bummed out English teacher, his rotting sailboat and the boat oracle who restored them both. Lightening the Load Cafe Elmer's dishes up fresh, healthy, locally grown food. Let's just say it's the belt tightening the guys who drive those trucks, cranes and dozers needed. SHIPPING IS INCLUDED

Departments:

• Up North:Go Midwest young man (and woman), Shelters' got butter, Michael Moore turns his magic on Manistee, and note to morelers: please don't disturb the mycelium.
• Events:Be like a Trillium and bloom. Here's your sunshine.
• Travel:Bayshore Marathon, Zoo-De-Mack and other good times that let your sweat shine.
• Up in Michigan:You can take the girl out of morel country...
• Dining:May is the brunch month. Foodie file: Kristen O'Keefe, owner of Petoskey's new Twisted Olive Cafe
• Local Foodie:Puffed up over local asparagus souffle.
• Wine:New releases at a winery near you.
• Outdoors:From the couch to a new sport. Experts point us in the right direction.
• Into the North:Sunspot on the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
• On The Cover:A weekend class, the gear you want (and need) and essential tips.

And, of course, Deborah Wyatt Fellows's column:

Why the Attack on Schools?

I'm writing in praise of Northern Michigan public schools:

Every day, complex issues about negotiations, test scores, class sizes, pay scale and more are reduced to sound bites and protest signs. I'm not going to pretend I can speak about the issues behind the political combat. It appears that our experiences, our politics, our hopes for our kids and our state, and our fears are sending many to their respective corners. In the face of all this, I want to put a good word out there for the success story that is public education in Northern Michigan. ... ... get this issue to read the positive Deborah Wyatt Fellows's finds in Northern Michigan's public schools ... SHIPPING INCLUDED