Good morning, Traverse City.

After a fire on Nov. 2, Crystal Lake Church has found temporary shelter (the former Benzonia Township Hall) thanks to township support; the congregation will host a Christmas Eve service today at 6 p.m. and plans to rebuild on their original site are underway.

Traverse City is preparing for the returning CherryT Ball Drop on Dec.

31; the annual event will begin at 10:30 p.m. on Cass and Front Streets and feature a descending 600-pound illuminated cherry at midnight with a $5 suggested donation supporting local student programs.

Rose Hollander spent her morning sorting Thanksgiving leftovers and humming Christmas tunes as she prepped care packages and tidied her home for a quiet evening with her husband.

The caterer (former cooking instructor at Children’s House) celebrates the season with cherished traditions that fill her day with festive warmth.

Northwestern Michigan College will start a new Beverage Management Certificate next fall in Traverse City.

The program will teach beverage management skills plus practical training for the industry.

Viewers were invited to share their opinion on removing gray wolves from the endangered species list during Tuesday, Dec.

23, 6:30 p.m. broadcast on ABC 29+8, as part of the UpNorthLive Unscripted show.

State and local officials are discussing a replacement for the pedestrian bridge removed in late September at Keith J.

Charters Traverse City State Park and its beachfront — the old bridge provided safe passage across a busy highway, which many residents value.

A nurse at Munson Healthcare in Cadillac has created an art piece called Rise using over 7,000 discarded medicine caps to give hope to cancer patients at the Cancer and Infusion Center.

Traverse City New Year's Eve CherryT Ball Drop

10:30 PM – 12:30 AM — Downtown Traverse City Real Estate — Ticket info available online — Celebrate the New Year with a giant cherry drop and fireworks in the heart of the Cherry Capital.

New Year, New Garden: Landscape Design Workshop

10 AM - 2 PM — The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park — Cost not specified — Enhance your gardening skills in this immersive two-day workshop led by expert Matthew Ross.

Frozen Foot Race

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Eastern Elementary School — Entry fee applicable — Kick off the 2026 race season with a chilly 5-mile run through Traverse City.

Kevin Rhodes Plays it Forward

7-8:30 p.m. — Traverse City Philharmonic — $100 per ticket — Enjoy a benefit concert featuring Maestro Rhodes while supporting the TC Phil and community programs.