Hunting for Morel Mushrooms
The arrival of spring is full of excitement. The snow is finally gone, the trees begin to dress themselves in leafy green, and the woodland floor comes to life. But it's the elusive morel mushroom that draws me in amongst the trees each spring for a long and hopefully fruitful walk. For as long as I have lived in [...]
Hometown Highlights: Michigan Maple Syrup
The Making of a Michigan Specialty I grew up in Suburbia. Our food came from the grocery store, not a garden. We prepared meals from fresh, canned, or frozen foods like everyone else I knew. On weekends we'd enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, always topped with pure Michigan maple syrup. Never had I imagined the hours of labor involved [...]
Michigan Ice Wine Poured at White House Dinner
There's a Black Star in The White House; Black Star Farms to be exact President Barack Obama and his wife recently hosted a governor's dinner where the featured wine was something special; a Michigan ice wine. Paired with a dessert of huckleberry cobbler and caramel ice cream was the A Capella ice wine from Black Star Farms. This isn't the [...]
Celebrate February, National Cherry Month
The Cherry Capital is the Perfect Place to Celebrate National Cherry Month Traverse City is home of the Cherry Festival and known as the Cherry Capital of the world. So what better place to celebrate National Cherry Month than right here in Northern Michigan? The Cherry Stop has christened it Febru-Cherry and they're throwing a discount party all month long to celebrate. All [...]
Civil War Monument Dedication
New Plaques for the 'Old Soldier' in Grand Traverse County On the Old Courthouse Lawn at the corners of Washington and Boardman rests the 'Old Soldier' monument and the Civil War Naval Cannon. This morning, August 23, 2008, the Robert Finch Camp No. 14 presented two bronze plaques to Grand Traverse County as part of their Monument Restoration Project. These commemorative [...]
75th Anniversary of the Drive-In Theater
Did you know the first drive-in movie theater opened on June 6, 1933, in Camden, New Jersey. The patent held by Richard Hollingshead first began with one car, a screen stretched between two trees, and a radio hidden behind it. After several beta tests to determine, among other things, the best position for multiple cars and the creation of a [...]
Corks vs. Screw Caps, Local Winemakers Open to New Closures
When it comes to protecting their precious vintage some local wineries are making the switch from corks to screw caps. What it lacks in drama, it makes up in efficiency. According to Lee Lutes, winemaker for Black Star Farms, the Stelvin closure, otherwise known as the screw cap, does a better job of protecting the wine from spoiling than [...]
Moomer’s Featured on Good Morning America
Moomers Homemade Ice Cream is in the "Final Four" for Good Morning America Weekend's "Ice Cream Challenge" – best ice cream shop in America. Four stores, nominated by customers, will be featured on ABC's Sunday edition this Sunday, May 18, 8:00 - 9:00 am. Voting then takes place online (www.abcnews.com, then go to Good Morning America, then to the ice [...]