Huldah Neal, shown here in her later years, was the nation’s first female conservation officer. (Photo courtesy of the Traverse Area District Library) In 1897, Huldah Neal became a deputy game warden for Grand Traverse County. Thereby cementing her little-known legacy as the first female conservation officer in the United States. This is according to
Aside from the art itself and of course the size of the monetary awards, arguably the most astounding aspect of ArtPrize in Grand Rapids is the number and variety of venues that participate. They can range from the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) to a police station, with a variety of restaurants, shops, offices, churches and more
Actor and playwright, Jeff Daniels, returned to his roots t0 found the Purple Rose Theatre Company in 1991. He created the company to provide a creative home for emerging talent, as well as seasoned professionals. He wanted to help them learn more about, and to practice, their craft. Now that home in Chelsea, Michigan, is looking for
It may surprise some people to realize that there is no movie theater in the heart of Detroit. There are lovely venues capable of showing a movie, but nowhere to go on a random Sunday afternoon when you just feel like catching a flick. Two seemingly unlikely partners are set to change that—Paul Glantz’s Emagine Entertainment and
About twelve years ago, while working at a co-op in Kalamazoo, Lucy Dilley began to recognize a need in the community for a shared-use, commercial kitchen. It seemed like a good business opportunity, but research led her in a slightly different direction. It dawned on her that what she really had was a social mission, and soon,
Movie fans and car aficionados often unite when it comes to their feelings about a certain Highland Green 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback. The car was driven by Steve McQueen in what many consider the greatest car chase scene in movie history through the streets of San Francisco in Bullitt. The Mystery Begins Back then cars that
It’s time once again for the North American International Auto Show, which will take the Motor City by storm January 20th-28th. Cars are of course the stars of this annual extravaganza, but with the ever-changing cityscape of Detroit, it is also a phenomenal time to explore the metropolis. Here are 8 ways to make the most of your
A small business owner who designed and made jewelry once told me the greatest business decision she ever made was to turn down the opportunity to have a product included as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things.” This shocked other people in the room. First, it was the idea that she had been asked, then the thought that
Local entrepreneurs, Steven Mazur and Eric Huang, found success on last night’s episode of ABC’s hit show Shark Tank. The duo’s Detroit-based clothing company secured an investment from Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, for their line of premium shirts designed for shorter men. Mazur (5’6”) and Huang (5’8”) are vertically challenged themselves,
After 47 years in business, Shelby Paint & Decorating, which has retail locations in Rochester Hills and Grosse Pointe Woods and Shelby Township, recently made a product shift that has the potential to add $1.5 million a year into the local economy. The company partnered with Lansing-based O’Leary Paints, which has been in the industry since 1891,
The winner of this year’s Up & Coming Entrepreneur Contest, is Jackson Riegler, a 17-year old senior, football player, and honors student at Muskegon Catholic Central High School. Riegler started Oshki, an apparel company, in July of this year. He funded it entirely with his own money from a landscaping job, and had over $9,000 in sales in
After a long winter, spring is such a delight; and summer is obviously so much fun, but it is hard to beat autumn in Michigan. Crisp air, crunchy apples, and a cornucopia of color that changes daily…what’s not to love? Thrillist just ranked Michigan #5 among the most fantastic states to take in fall, and these are
This time of year there are almost as many garage and yard sale signs dotting the Michigan landscape as there are construction barrels. Families, friends, neighbors, come together with the belongings they no longer desire in hopes that each item will find a new home, and that a little extra cash will come their way in return.
It’s Craft Beer Month here in Michigan, and it’s pretty easy to figure out what to do to celebrate. Arguably the hardest part of the decision is which pint to hoist! Lest you think the only thing to celebrate is the deliciousness of the libations our state is producing, (and indeed that would be reason enough for
Americans are expected to spend nearly $14.3 billion celebrating their fathers this year. Keeping those dollars close to home creates an enormous economic opportunity for our state. There are a multitude of ways to salute dad with locally-produced gifts, and we’ve highlighted ten to get your wheels turning. Detroit Train Depot Tie There’s no more traditional Father’s
While much of the libation attention in the state in recent years has been on the enormous growth in popularity and quality of the craft beer industry, our wineries have earned high acclaim as well. For example, earlier this year, Wine Enthusiast magazine chose Michigan as the only U.S. state on its global list of “Wine Regions
It’s hard to think of a time in recent memory that that has been more fraught with verbal conflict than this. Possibly the anonymity of the internet is chiefly to blame. Maybe the culprit is our deeply divided political system here in America. Perhaps fault simply lies with the endless physical and ideological battles being waged around
The world is filled with jokes about mothers waiting for a call from their kids, so this Mother’s Day, why not up the ante by spending some quality time with mom? While out enjoying each other’s company, consider asking her some questions that you may not have ever thought about before. Here are some great Michigan ways
All over the state kids are donning caps and gowns while the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance fill the air. Next come the graduation parties and the inevitable gifts. Sure, there’s always cash in a card, but if you want to give something memorable that also helps the local economy, there are a surprising amount of unique
Michigan has quite a bit in common with Scandinavia: peninsulas, water, fishing, cold winters, and now highly acclaimed versions of Aquavit, thanks to Long Road Distillery. The Grand Rapids-based company’s version of the popular Scandinavian spirit recently earned Best in Show honors at the American Craft Spirits Association (ASCA) Annual Distillers Convention and Vendor Trade Show in
March not only marks the return of greenery and baseball, in many cases it also harkens in the release of some of Michigan’s most popular and unique brews. You’ll notice an influx of wheat and fruit in most of these offerings that are meant to make our minds dream of summer. Here are a few fresh thirst
Just two months old when the company began, Laura Bell, has been named chief executive officer of the brewing dynasty her father founded in 1985. Originally known as Kalamazoo Brewing Company, Bell’s Brewery is now considered to be the seventh largest craft brewery in the United States. The elevation of his daughter from vice president to CEO,
April Wagner, owner of Pontiac’s Epiphany Glass Studio, partnered with Miami-based design firm Britto Charette, to craft an award-winning glass vessel. The piece is designed by Jay Britto and former Detroiter David Charette. Called Puquios, it won one of Interior Design magazine’s 2016 Best of Year awards. More than 2000 entrants from 38 countries vied for the
If your summer included a visit to the Michigan Renaissance Festival, you might be surprised to discover that the Royal Glassmakers are not part of some national traveling troop. They are in fact part of a team of artisans frequently working out of a studio in Dearborn, Michigan called The Glass Academy. Glass Academy History Husband and
Ever since 1958, people have been gathering in St Ignace and Mackinaw City on Labor Day for the rare opportunity to walk across the magnificent 5-mile span of the Mackinac Bridge. This year, it was a privilege to be among those who took the trek, and the experience truly underscored what is so special about this state.
