The Student News Site of Northern Michigan University

The North Wind

The North Wind

The North Wind

Meet the Staff
Harry Stine
Harry Stine
Assistant Features Editor

In 2021, after one year of college and a semester of studying as a Public Relations major, I realized I wanted to be a journalist and not much else. After eagerly applying to be a Copy Editor, without...

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About us

The North Wind is an independent student publication serving the Northern Michigan University community. It is partially funded by the Student Activity Fee. The North Wind digital paper is published daily during the fall and winter semesters except on university holidays and during exam weeks. The North Wind Board of Directors is composed of representatives of the student body, faculty, administration and area media.

TRADITION — Established in 1979, the Moosemen hold the distinction of being NMUs oldest campus club.
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Caden SierraSeptember 22, 2023

Unique flavors, the old-fashioned way

Probably the most unique items on Doncker’s menu are the phosphates. Phosphates are pulled sodas made from scratch by a soda jerk. In today’s world of pop machines and soda fountains that mix your drink for you, waiting for someone to make your soda might seem like a hassle.

But there’s definitely something different about a freshly made soda. They’re creamier and less carbonated than most people would be used to. And Donckers still makes them the old fashioned way.

“The recipes come from early 1900s soda recipes,” said chocolatier and soda jerk manager Quentin Stewart.

To start, a soda jerk will put a shot of whatever flavor syrup the customer wants in a glass, then will add carbonated water.

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The term soda jerk comes from the way they jerk the lever for the water. They have to wait for the fizz on the top of the glass to go down before jerking the lever again and adding more.

Donckers sodas are $2 and come in any combination of Coke, root beer, vanilla, chocolate, cherry, orange and green river. The unique thing about drinks from a soda jerk is that the customer can create whatever flavor they want. Chocolate, cherry and Vanilla Coke are all on the menu, but why not try a vanilla orange cherry soda? Mix chocolate and orange and have a chocolate covered orange soda. The drink creations are only limited by the customers’ imagination.

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