Blog posts by category: Celebrate Michigan
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 6:13 PMVisit a local tree farm for a fresh, eco-friendly Christmas
With all the talk of environmentally friendly and green initiatives, this is shaping up as a fresh tree kind of holiday season.
One idea to tuck away for an outing in coming weeks is Addison-Oaks Christmas Tree Farm, 355 Lake George Road, Oakland Township.
Owned and managed by Frank and Cathy Rimi, the 20-acre, eco-friendly farm, about six miles north of Rochester, offers 11 organically grown varieties of Christmas trees, ranging in size from 2 to 15 feet tall.
Besides providing tree cleaning and wrapping, restrooms, centralized parking and a gift shop, the farm offers a warm-up area with hot drinks and snacks on weekends and free candy canes for every child.
"Many of our trees are identified as 'Michigan SNOWFRESH' (i.e., USDA Grade #1 or better)," Rimi said. "These trees are first quality, hand sheared and never painted or sprayed with harmful chemicals."
There's also a Wreath Shop where Cathy Rimi creates wreaths and garlands in various sizes.
Families can visit the farm ahead of time and tag your special tree any time before opening day, Nov. 21. Who knows, you might even spot a deer.
For more information, check www.addisonoakstrees.com. Or find more tree farms in Michigan.
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 5:12 PMPick a pile of pumpkins at Dexter farm pumpkin patch
What a find! My husband and I were out in Dexter recently for one of our daughter's cross country meets and decided to take a ride afterward along Washtenaw County's scenic country roads ablaze with fall color.
Coincidentally, we happened upon Jenny's Farm Market and decided we had to stop --- because our daughter's name is Jenny.
Frankly, our first impression of the place wasn't great because where we parked, in the lot out back, took us right past the pony ride area, where the sweet scent of fall leaves and apples was eclipsed by the heavy smell of pony pasture, if you get my drift.
The cider and apples we bought inside were fine, but we didn't hang around the busy market for long. Happily, the front view of the place, which we saw as we left, was much more appealing than the back forty.
Our second stop was a whole 'nother story. It was late on a Saturday afternoon when we found Berry Hill Farm, 12835 N. Territorial Road, and we had it almost to ourselves -- except for the baby pictured here and a few other families.
We spent nearly an hour walking through the sprawling pumpkin fields, past the raspberry bushes, trying to pick the perfect pumpkin. It was almost like buying a new car as we "kicked the tires," tested their heft and examined the amusing array of shapes and colors. Eventually, we ended up with three that we lifted into our iron wagon and carted back to the farmer's weigh station. At a reasonable 25 cents per ounce, we bought a trio of great pumpkins for under $8. We also got some exercise -- and rare bonding time -- in Michigan's lovely outdoors.
Call (734) 475-1516 for directions or other information about Berry Hill Farm.
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Greg Tasker (The Detroit News) on Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 11:00 AMFinding Up North close to home
Believe it or not, a few places in southeast Michigan offer outdoor enthusiasts an Up North experience ... as much as that's possible in a sprawling metropolitan area.
One of those is the north unit of the Bald Mountain Recreation Area in northern Oakland County. Several miles of trails criss-cross woods thick with maples and oaks, edge along wetlands and snake between lakes. These trails offer a chance to take long treks through woods with few, if any, modern intrusions. The park is home to some of the hilliest terrain in southeast Michigan and hikers will encounter more than a few steep slopes here.
For the most part, the trails there are well-marked, but there are few spots where sign posts have been moved or are missing maps. Stop by the park headquarters on Greenshield Road before you head out.
For more park information, visit Bald Mountain Recreation Area site.
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Thu, Oct 8, 2009 at 6:35 PMCrystal Mountain Resort named a 'Top 10' winter resort for families
Celebrating the 2010 winter Olympics, Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa added a paintball biathlon (Jan. 16) to its roster of winter activities.
Such creative programming helps explain how the Thompsonville resort was named one of the "Ten Best Winter Resorts for Families" by Parents magazine.
Featured in the November issue, soon to hit news stands, Crystal was the only Midwest resort, ranking #8 on a list that includes such high-profile winter destinations as Beaver Creek and Telluride, Colo., and Park City, Utah.
The magazine said it narrowed the field from more than 100 contenders, evaluating these areas: family activities on site, quality of ski lessons for young children, standard room size and amenities, child care services, kids' clubs or supervised play areas, and pricetag.
"The 10 affordable resorts on our list have thought of absolutely everything families could want while on vacation," says Dana Points, editor-in-chief of Parents. "Whether you're interested in skiing or s'more-making, an ice rink or a heated pool, there is something for everyone at Parents' top picks."
You can learn more about Michigan's winning Crystal Mountain Resort here on its Web site
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 6:19 PMFall in Michigan: Discover local farms, orchards, antique shops and studios around Almont
You don't have to go far to celebrate fall harvest time in Michigan. In fact, I can almost smell the aromas of crisp apples and lovely lavender that permeate the 12th annual Country Heritage Color Tour, Saturday and Sunday, in and around Almont, including stops in Romeo and Armada.
The free, self-guided tour (with map) features "off the beaten path" farms, orchards, arts & crafts studios and antique shops.
It's a great way to meet local farmers, watch demonstrations, participate in a 'Make & Take' project, hunt for vintage treasures, absorb local history and color and, quite simply, enjoy the fall countryside in northern Oakland and south Macomb counties.
Stops include: Yule Love it Lavender Farm; studio potter Paul Young; Hill Top Farms Pies; Towns End Farm; Miller's Medley Stained Glass Studio; Hy's Cider Mill: Brook Wood Fruit Farm; Mill & Brew House; Teemie's Country Blooms; Marjeanne's Creations; Cabbage Rose Antiques, Kathy Eschenburg's Arts and Antiques; Sheepy Hollow Herbs and the Lamb's Tail Antiques.
You can read more about it on the group's blog or call coordinator Teemie Eschenburg, (810) 614-2104.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday.And you can plan other trips, farther afield in west Michigan, by checking out Online Fall Color Reports posted every Wednesday through October by the Michigan Audubon Society here
For a recorded message about West Michigan fall-color conditions, travelers may also call(800) 442-2084, ext. 304.
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 12:48 PMGo hog wild at Porkapalooza in west Michigan
Sounds like they'll be going hog wild at a daylong farm party and harvest celebration called Porkapalooza on Oct. 3 at Red Horse Ranch in Fennville.
Benefitting the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance, the event -- formally known as the Porkapalooza Invitational Cookout & Music Festival -- will run from noon to midnight, rain or shine, and features well-known Great Lakes chefs, along with regional beverages and music.
Participants include:
* Chef Matt Pietsch from Salt of the Earth, Fennville (www.saltoftheearthfennville.com)
* Chef Rob Hammond from Food Dance Café, Kalamazoo (www.fooddancecafe.com)
* Chef Matthew Millar from New Holland Brewing Co., Holland (www.newhollandbrew.com)
* Chef Chad Miller from Restaurant Bloom, Grand Rapids (www.bloomgr.com)
* Chef Joel Wabeke from six.one.six at the JW Marriott, Grand Rapids (www.jwgr.com)
* Chef Chris Pandel from The Bristol, Chicago (www.thebristolchicago.com)
Local beers and wines from New Holland Brewing Co., and Fenn Valley Winery will be paired with the pork dishes, including the event's signature beer, New Holland's "Charkoota Rye."
Expect a hog-calling competition at 3 p.m., and an entertainment lineup that includes:
* Dave Boutette (www.myspace.com/daveboutettemusic)
* Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, (www.myspace.com/delilahdewyldeandthelostboys)
* Ben Bueltmann & Pontchartrain (www.myspace.com/benbueltmann)
* Mark Duval & Two Track Mind (www.duvalmusic.com)
* Mountain Men (www.myspace.com/mrmatmountainmen); and
* Midtown Underground (www.midtownunderground.com)
Bring your own blankets, chairs and water coolers, along with sturdy shoes. Special activities are planned for children.
Porkapalooze tickets are $8 per person in advance, $12 at the gate, and parking is $5 per car. Food and beverages will be sold for additional fees.
Admission tickets are available online here .
Red Horse Ranch is located just outside downtown Fennville, on 62nd Street, ¾ of a mile south of M-89.
For more information, call New Holland Brewing, (616) 355-NHBC.
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 9:36 AMGet free admission to Kalamazoo Air Zoo through September
Through Sept. 30, the Air Zoo is offering free general admission as part of its 30th anniversary celebration --- and the 5th anniversary of opening its Main Campus in Kalamazoo.
The offer includes entrance to both campuses and viewing more than 50 rare and historic aircraft, artifacts and artwork on display, plus admission to the Missions 4D theatre.
There's still a charge for the amusement-style rides, including the Montgolfier Balloon ride, Jenny Bi-Plane Ride, Full-Motion Flight Simulators, 3D Space Shuttle, Mission to Mars, Space Ball, Zero G and Space Walk.
For more info, check here or call (269) 382-6555.
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 12:17 PMFollow Apolo to Marquette for speed-skating Olympic team trials
My daughter, Jenny, returned recently from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, including her first visit to Marquette, and reports that visitors can get in on some early Olympic excitement -- even though the 2010 Winter Olympics is still months away.
Tuesday through Saturday, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for short track speed-skating will take place in the U.S. Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University.
Five-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno is expected to participate in this test to determine the makeup of the U.S. Winter Olympics speed-skating team.
For ticket prices and schedule, check here.
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Mon, Aug 31, 2009 at 6:02 PMBanish road trip or bad weather boredom with this portable guessing game
I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for a good, entertaining game to play when friends or relatives come over or the weather turns too dreary to go outside.
We found a winner in Loaded Questions On the Go, the travel version of a popular, guess-who-said-what party game that works indoors or on an outdoor picnic table, or, even better for families, on a long road trip in the car or van.
When cloudy skies darkened our annual family reunion Up North this month, I pulled out the portable guessing game and was thrilled to find it held the attention of our little group, which ranged in age from 10 to 83, for two full hours! Not only that, but it had us roaring with laughter over some of our silly answers to the questions --- everything from naming your favorite, once-in-a-lifetime dinner companion to "If you were a color, what would you be?"
Part of the fun, of course, comes in guessing who said what, but even more fun is trying to be clever enough to throw family members off kilter by coming up with unexpected answers.
It's also a great way to break the ice and get to know someone you don't know very well, such as my daughter's camp friend, Erica, who visited us this summer from Pennsylvania.
If you're headed out on a family road-trip or want to have a surefire bit of entertainment tucked away in your closet, Loaded Questions goes a long way to banish boredom. The travel version comes in a handled 'suitcase' box with a spinner that eliminates the possibility of lost die. It's available at some Barnes & Noble and Borders stores for a suggested retail price of $14.95 and online at Amazon.com for $19.95. Check the Loaded Questions Web site here
Category: Celebrate Michigan
Posted by Susan R. Pollack (The Detroit News) on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 3:33 PMBrews and bands highlight Saturday festival in Traverse City
Don't let summer pass you by without taking a(nother) trip Up North. Consider building a weekend trip around a Saturday event organizers are billing as the first annual Traverse City Microbrewery & Music Festival.
Headlined by Buckwhet Zydeco, Clumsy Lovers, Caravan of Thieves and other bands on two solar- and wind-powered stages, the festival will take place on the grounds of an historic former 19th-century mental institution that has been transformed into The Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
The complex is home to all kinds of chic little shops, cafes, bakeries and breweries where you can browse and relax during the day, including a fair-trade coffee shop, a natural bakery in a former fire station and a brewery in what was once the hospital's laundry facility.
While the bands play, you can taste craft brews from Michigan and elsewhere around the Midwest, plus regional meads and hard ciders.
Festival tickets are on sale in Traverse City at Oryana, Right Brain Brewery and Old Town Coffee, or online at www.porterhouseproductions.com.
Using compostable glasses and other serving ware, attendees will vote for their favorite beer for a People's Choice Award. Festival proceeds will benefit local nonprofits that work with youth.
Other weekend happenings in the Grand Traverse region include the popular Cherry Roubaix Bike Race and The Big Jon Salmon Classic. Check www.visittraversecity.com for travel information.
Some basic festival info:
* age: 21+ with ID
* General admission: $25 gets you eight 4-ounce pours and live musical entertainment from six or more bands, from 5-10 p.m.
OR
* Brewer's (Early) Happy Hour, 3-5 p.m., $50 lets you meet brewers for two extra hours and includes access to catered food pairings and limited festival merchandise
* Shuttles will run every ½ hour to locations around Traverse City.
* Rounding out the music headliners are Delilah Dewyld & The Lost Boys; Mike Moran + Levi Britton; and Luke Winslow-King.
For more festival details, check here.
