The year was 2007, and Michigan’s economy was decimated. People were losing jobs left and right. Businesses were folding. Homes were being foreclosed upon. I wanted to do something to help, but wasn’t sure what. Eventually I took a trip to South Africa that changed everything. Afterwards, I decided to start paying attention to where my dollars
Each year, Santa seems to start visiting towns earlier and earlier, but this time I’m happy about it. If you are too, and want to start harnessing the Christmas spirit, attend a celebration. Your own community may be hosting a sing-along, tree or street lighting, or a parade, but if not, these are some of the best
Maybe it’s because I grew up near an outdoor shopping mall that featured a Salvation Army band playing every Christmas, not just a bell ringer, but I love an open-air holiday market. One of the best ways to find creative gift ideas is to shop pop-up markets filled with local goods. Plus, the brisk air, hot drinks,
If you’re going to find yourself in a grocery store buying food to entertain family and friends this month, you are certainly not alone. Most of us tend to eat more during the holiday season, so it stands to reason more money will be spent on food and beverages. An upside to all of that indulgence is
Not surprisingly, our 12 things to do in Michigan in December, includes a lot of holiday-themed events, and also other uniquely Michigan fun. Dec 1; 7-8; 14-15 Dickens Festival – Holly Holly truly comes alive every Christmas season with the nation’s oldest and longest running Dickens festival. Stroll the streets of historic Battle Alley, visit unique shops,
Whether this time of year gives you the urge to get your spook on, dive into a mystery, or just curl up with an easy read, Michigan authors have got you covered. Michigan's Haunted Lighthouses by Dianna Stampfler  If you've ever talked with one of the volunteer lighthouse keepers at a beacon around our state, then
As fall colors fade, this month presents a lot of opportunities to walk a popular trail, stroll an empty beach, and enjoy the quiet moments before the skiers and snowmobilers come out in throngs. Fun awaits at our 12 things to do in Michigan in November. Nov 1-2 Holiday Artists Market – Traverse City Do you or
If they’re grown in the summer and sold in the fall, why are so many fruits (yes, they are fruits not veggies) considered to be winter squash? Pumpkins, buttercup, butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash are all part of this family, which is harvested and eaten in the mature fruit stage, meaning the seeds have matured fully and
Welcoming a new season isn't just about a change in weather, it also brings welcome changes that are sure to please the palate. For example, it turns out that pumpkin and autumnal spices can taste just as enjoyable in a pilsner glass as they do in a coffee mug. Check out some of Michigan’s best beers of
It takes a symphony of extraordinary efforts to make a society sing. That's why the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center seems like an ideal setting to for the latest class of exceptional people to be inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. The hall was established almost forty years ago, in an effort
The year’s cookiest holiday is becoming more and more popular. Each year, new ideas, décor, and attractions arise. However, most of these uniquely autumn opportunities have been around for decades. Have some harvest family fun, or get your spook on, with these uniquely Michigan Halloween traditions. Pick Pumpkins from a Patch Whether you’re decorating the whole house
There are so many ways to enjoy fall leaves in Michigan. Take a walk through the woods, and smile as a leaf picks that moment to drop in front of you. Drive one of our many winding roads and marvel at the colors as they run alongside. Occasionally you’ll happen upon an open area where the palette
It may seem counterintuitive, but most Oktoberfests are actually held in September, in keeping with German tradition. The original fest in Munich was a wedding celebration that took place over five days in October 1810, hence the name. It was so much fun that it became an annual tradition, which grew in size and length. Eventually they
Fall means a lot of wonderful things in Michigan, not the least of which is a great influx of fresh, crisp apples. Home to over 14.9 million apple trees, the state ranks third in the U.S. (behind only Washington & New York) for apple production. Apples are in fact, Michigan's most valuable fruit crop. You can bake
We're just starting to experience crisp cool air, but crisp, fresh apples on the other hand, are already available. Michigan is the nation's third highest apple-growing state, behind only Washington and New York. USApple estimates that our farmers will produce over 28 million apples this year, so chances are there's an orchard near you. September and October
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the country and enjoy autumn. There’s the brilliant gold of the Aspens in the Rockies. You can watch the morning mist reveal a cornucopia of color in the Smokey Mountains, or drive through an abundance of beauty in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. All are incredible, but no autumn destination
Kids are heading back to school. Cider mills are opening for the season. The lush greens of summer are just beginning to make way for fall color. This month is filled with fun activities that embrace one season or the other. Here are our 12 things to do in Michigan in September. September 6-8 Arts & Apples
SPECIAL EVENTS 10:00am-11:30am Musician Bobby White on Main Stage in Town Square If you missed his show on Fri night, here's your chance to start your Sunday oof right. Bobby White is a born and bred Detroiter, now living in Northville, MI. He's been a musician on the Detroit scene for over 40 years, playing everything from
SPECIAL EVENTS 10:00am-8:00pm Free balloon-twisting and/or face-painting in Kids Zone Always one of the most popular aspects of any BMNFest, take the kids over toward Old Church Square on North Center Street to make memories with our talented friends, April and Gaby. This colorful fun is brought to you by Pop Daddy Snacks. 10:00am-1:00pm Donnie Hopps on
It closed in 1988, and yet, I don’t have a single memory of Michigan Central Station as a place where trains came in and out of my hometown. To me, it has felt abandoned for as long as I can remember. This week marks the return of the iconic Detroit building, as a buzzing hub of activity,
I recently lost my father. He lived to a ripe old age of 86, and yet, in the end, his passing came quickly, and caught my brother and I a bit by surprise. Fortunately, my dad and I had spent more time alone together since my mom left us a year earlier. We had in depth conversations
Kids are getting out of school, boats are filling our waterways, blue skies are becoming a common occurrence again. Let’s get out there and enjoy the summer we’ve been waiting for, starting with our 12 things to do in Michigan in June. June 6-7 Old Town Saginaw Art Fair – Saginaw Set on the historic riverfront, which
Michiganders wait all winter for the opportunity to fire up the grill again and enjoy hot dogs, burgers, chicken, ribs, steaks, fish, and just about anything else we can think of. Any of those items can be fine on their own, but the right enhancements can really take your backyard barbecue from an ordinary meal to an
Whenever I find myself traveling north along the Lake Huron shoreline, I find it nearly impossible not to stop and admire the Tawas Point Lighthouse, especially if I've got time to climb up for the incredible view. The structure itself has become quite weathered by time. Fortunately, a recently completed restoration project is bringing back the shine
Kids and their teachers are ready to leave school, cherry blossoms are popping, and boats are starting to hit the lakes, so summer is right around the corner. Get an early start on your fun in the sun with our 12 things to do in Michigan in May. May 2 Lighthouse Grand Reopening – Tawas After extensive
