Up North Blog

On Tuesday morning, I walked Sonny on Lake Michigan Road on our first day above freezing day in weeks. We walked to Shalda Creek with the warm sun shining hard on the bright snow and the moist air wafting through the pine trees. It felt strangely tropical. Once we reached the culvert, we followed the creek to its short rapid descent into Lake Michigan. The beach was a land of snow, ice and blue water and sky. It was absolutely beautiful — maybe more beautiful than any summer day, and I was thril ...

Whether you're making a cozy slow-cooker game day dinner in the winter or planning a summer BBQ, these BBQ wings will be a hit. This recipe uses the unique flavors of Cherry Republic Orginal Barbecue Sauce and Cherry Root Bear (pick some up at one of our six Michigan stores) to add a tasty flavor to your ordinary chicken wings.  While the final steps to these wings call for them being cooked under the broiler, they could just as easily be placed on the grill for a great smoke ...

Fresh, tender carrots and cherry-infused pure maple syrup will make this pretty dish will a welcome addition to your Easter dinner or any springtime meal!INGREDIENTS1 ½ pounds carrots¼ cup butter⅓ cup Cherry Republic Cherry-Infused Maple SyrupSalt and ground black pepper to tasteDIRECTIONSPlace carrots into a pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and transfer carrots to a serving bowl.Melt butter in a sau ...

Last year we had to get creative with our Traveling Test Kitchen, so we went virtual — and our loyal Citizens of the Republic made it a great success! We had over 350 people ‘apply’ to be taste testers, and we selected 50 Citizens at random to try out some of our super secret new recipes. Their feedback was invaluable and will result in several new products being introduced later this year.If you are interested in participating in our 2021 Virtual Test Kitchen, be sure to check back for informat ...

When the weather cools down, heat things up in the kitchen with hearty soups like our White Chicken Chili. A favorite throughout the Republic, it's made even more delicious with the flavor of our Cherry Salsa. Choose from Original, Mild or Hot, depending on your heat preference. Serve with a warm-from-the-oven batch of scones made with our Cherry Scone Mix.Ingredients:Boneless chicken breasts, 2-3 mediumMedium white onion, choppedGreat Northern Beans, one 48 oz. jar drained a ...

In late December 2020, we checked in with Dr. Nikki Rothwell, MSU Extension Specialist, on the state of our beloved cherry industry. Here are some of her highlights: Growers were able to pivot quickly in response to COVID-mandated hurdles working with MSU, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Michigan Farm Bureau to ensure the safety of farm workers and processors. Thanks to continued research and industry collaborations, there is lig ...

Just before Christmas, Bob received an email from Bob received a request from a Little Traverse Lake neighbor and 30-year Cherry Republic customer explaining that she and her husband were planning to make a special delivery to some of the hard-working nurses at University of Michigan Hospital. Jeanne and Todd Bredin would be delivering Christmas Eve dinner to the floor where their daughter is a nurse. Would Cherry Republic like to donate some gift tins to help make the surprise ev ...

What better way to toast a new year than with a sale on our cherry wines? Cherry Republic’s wines start with only fresh-pressed juice — including locally grown Balaton and Montmorency tart cherries. We offer 18 wines and ciders ranging from 100% cherry wines to grape and cherry blends, sparkling wine, port, ice wine, pinot noir, and hard cider made with locally sourced apples. Cheers to 2121!This sale is only available in our six retail stores, but you are always invited to call ahead and&n ...

Photo credit: Sally's Baking AddictionWe recently ran across this quick, easy and healthier snack idea on Sally's Baking Addiction blog that we thought would be a great way to kick off the new year. We made a couple of tweaks to make it Boomer Bear-approved and think you'll agree that the result is delicious!INGREDIENTS1/3 cup honey or brown rice syrup*1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1/3 cup almond meal*1/8 teaspoon salt1 Tablespoon Cherry Republic Cherry Almond Butter2 cups whole alm ...

Welcome to our 8th annual 31 Days of Giving campaign -- Cherry Republic's oldest charitable giving initiative. Each day throughout the month of December, we will announce grants to non-profit organizations throughout Michigan. Over the years, the gifts have benefited everyone from children and families to our beloved Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In 2018 and 2019, the imminent threat of climate change caused us to laser-focus on those groups that promoted clean and renewable energ ...

Social distancing is difficult any time of year, but at the holidays we long to be close to family and friends more than ever. We asked our Cherry Republic family what some of their favorite holiday traditions are and how they might look different this year. The consensus? We might have to be apart physically, but our spirits are more closely intertwined than ever. Laura Dendel, the assistant manager of our Ann Arbor story, shared this story with us.When I was a child, my mom made Belgian waffle ...

Social distancing is difficult any time of year, but at the holidays we long to be close to family and friends more than ever. We asked our Cherry Republic family what some of their favorite holiday traditions are and how they might look different this year. The consensus? We might have to be apart physically, but our spirits are more closely intertwined than ever. Our HR Director, Nicole Agruda, shared this story with us about a new tradition in her family: A few years ago, my brother and I st ...

Those crossing the bridge at the Narrows in Glen Arbor have been treated to a festive sight each December for the past six years.According to the Glen Arbor Sun, Frank Siepker, Jr., has displayed the ‘Christmas Tree Boat’ near his family property on the south shore of Big Glen Lake every year since 2014. The Douglas Fir sits in a small boat atop a raft, and the tree’s lights are solar-powered. Inspiring and eco-friendly to boot! Merry Christmas!Photo Credit: Taro Yamasaki / Glen Arbor Sun ...

Social distancing is difficult any time of year, but at the holidays we long to be close to family and friends more than ever. We asked our Cherry Republic family what some of their favorite holiday traditions are and how they might look different this year. The consensus? We might have to be apart physically, but our spirits are more closely intertwined than ever. Our HR Training Specialist, Laura Ann Johnson, shared this story with us about a new tradition in her family:"My whole family (13 in ...

Social distancing is difficult any time of year, but at the holidays we long to be close to family and friends more than ever. We asked our Cherry Republic family what some of their favorite holiday traditions are and how they might look different this year. The consensus? We might have to be apart physically, but our spirits are more closely intertwined than ever. Todd Gyulveszi, Cherry Republic's product manager (pictured above with his wife Jane), shared this fun story with us, proving t ...