Who Made The 20 Fascinating People List?

From activists to astronauts, cheesemakers to cooks and magicians to musicians, the northern Michigan residents profiled in this week's Northern Express - sister publication of The Ticker - have one thing in common: their stories are unique enough to land them on the publication's annual 20 Fascinating People list.

The special issue profiles individuals ranging from innkeeper and activist Sally Van Vleck, who works to provide "a peaceful respite place for people to get out of the rat race" at the Neahtawanta Inn, to boxer-philosopher Bill Bustance, who trains everyone from professional boxers to kids whose lives were once headed for trouble before meeting Bustance. Elk Lake's Jim McDivitt has been to space - he commanded the Gemini 4 flight, during which the first U.S. spacewalk occurred - while Traverse City's Christopher Morey has gone the opposite direction, exploring the planet's depths as a free diver in British Columbia, Florida, California and the Bahamas.

Several members of the list excel in the culinary arts - such as "apple magician" Al Bakker, wine pioneer Bernie Rink, cultural chef Maureen Abood and cheesemaker Sue Kurta - while others work their magic in the performing and literary arts, like bluegrass prodigy Nik Carmen, piano pop artist Eddy Walda, dancer Zoe Marshall-Rashid, hunting/fishing TV star Jada Johnson and author Mardi Jo Link. Other residents bringing their diverse voices to northern Michigan's business, political, athletic and cultural spheres are also featured in this week's issue.

This week's Northern Express also features a Q&A with The Smithereens and The Tubes - performing together in concert at Little River Casino on August 28 - plus a preview of upcoming must-see shows across the region, local film and music reviews - and much more! Check out the Northern Express online, or pick up a free copy at one of more than 600 distribution spots across 13 counties. And, stay connected throughout the week on Facebook.