Up North / Up North Blog

As the end of the year nears, we like to take the time to recognize people and organizations that have made a positive contribution to the greater good. Every day through December, we are wholeheartedly giving to good people and organizations living out big dreams. We'll be giving out a total of $120,000 over the course of the month. These are random acts of kindness, so most of these organizations don't know what's coming - we're hoping to brighten up their days and spread the love. We will update this post weekly so check back regularly!

If you're looking for an easy, fun, home-made holiday gift idea, we have just the one for you. These individual cherry pies are baked in a small mason jar. 

Classic Bread Dressing w/ Great North Fruit Mix

Autumn may be the most beautiful season in northern Michigan.

The trees which we paid little attention all summer have exploded with magnificent reds, golds, yellows, purples and greens, reminding us that they're still there.

Roads are lined with mammoth cornstalks, delicious apples, plump pumpkins and crazy gourds.

On clear days, the water is as blue, clear and pristine as ever.

The overcast, gray days are special, too. The crisp, cool air and biting wind refresh you from a long, hot summer.

Some days, Mother Nature bears her teeth. The arctic Lake Michigan water churns and the dark clouds hang low and travel slow.

Deer, turkeys, birds, foxes and other wildlife desert their summer hiding spots and reclaim the land that's rightfully theirs.

Scents of cinnamon, fir trees and cider linger in homes and over small towns that dot the whitecapped coastline.

And festivals abound celebrating the wonderful harvest season.

Every day is a special one up in northern Michigan. Enjoy.

[gallery ids="1765,1777,1754,1768,1769,1764,1763,1748,1755,1762,1766,1757,1767,1753,1752,1751,1749,1746,1745,1743"]

We hope you enjoy this gallery of images that we've collected throughout the fall season.

We enjoy celebrating around the Republic and there are no better times to celebrate than on holidays. Halloween is no different. Here is a collage of pictures from our various Halloween celebrations! Enjoy!

[gallery ids="1772,1735,1773,1736,1739,1775,1738,1734,1731,1737,1733,1732,1774"]

Cherry Republic Fall Recipe Contest - Winner, Chocolate Cherry Berries Wine Cake

Cherry Lemonade Cupcakes with Lemon Chiffon Frosting - Rachel R.

Cherry Republic Fall Recipe Contest - Honorable Mention Cherry Fudge Pumpkin Cherry Cake Pops - David W.

The Cherry Republic Fall Recipe Contest has come to a close. We received so many recipes over the last few weeks we thought we might have mistakenly offered the deed to the Glen Arbor property as top prize.

It was hard to choose one - should it be a dessert? Main course? The recipe with most products used? Most original? Since we couldn't even decide on the parameters of our little contest, we just decided to give it to best overall recipe - which really means eeny meeny miney mo. Just kidding, but seriously, it was difficult. That said, we decided to give honorable mentions to a few of our more

Grandma’s Simply Cherrific Tart Cherry Coffee Cake - Cheryl M.