Author: promotemi

Whiskey, vodka and gin…oh my! Distillers around the state are refining their craft and producing an eclectic menu of beverages just perfect for holiday sipping, indulging and gift giving.

Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop, with 7.5 million trees covering 37,000 acres on 950 family-run farms. On a national scale, the state ranks third in apple production, with the most popular varieties being Red and Golden Delicious, Gala and the trendy Honeycrisp.

This year, the Robinette family is celebrating a historic milestone — their Centennial anniversary!

When curators at the Michigan Historical Museum were looking for unique items to enhance their “Michigan’s Roadside Attractions” exhibit in 2007, they went straight to two of the best private collectors in the state – Christine Byron and Tom Wilson. More than 400 pieces were ultimately loaned.

Pat Harrison gets paid to play with his food – and he loves it! The former graphic designer and amateur cartoonist has built a reputation as one of the finest pumpkin and vegetable sculptors in Michigan.

In today’s fast-paced world of the Internet, MP3 players and iPads, it’s hard to imagine that a little more than one hundred years ago, Michigan’s children spent the day inside a one-room schoolhouse learning their lessons in reading, writing and arithmetic. In the early 1990s, there were more than 7,000 one-room schools in operation in the state.

While only 2,000 of Michigan’s 14,600 acres of vineyards are devoted to wine grapes, they hold more than 50 varieties. From bone-dry to ultra-sweet ice varietals, a full range of white, rose, red and sparkling wines are being crafted in the Great Lake State.

For generations, Michigan has been recording its rich history as a summer travel destination. In those early years, visitors escaped the heat of the city by traveling north on ferry boats and trains, then later by personal vehicles, seeking out quiet retreats along the lakes and rivers, under canopies of towering forests.

It’s no secret…I LOVE Michigan! I love the winding back country roads, the Mighty Mackinac Bridge and the thriving urban centers. I love the sitting outside on the deck savoring smoked salmon that I caught myself on Lake Michigan, paired with a glass of Michigan wine. I love reading books by local authors and listening to the sounds of local bands. I love our many, diverse festivals and events.

Michigan-made Valentine Vodka has been awarded a gold medal ranking during the Beverage Tasting Institute (BTI) 2010 International Review of Spirits Competition – the largest and most prestigious annual spirits competition in the United States. The BTI game Valentine Vodka a rating of 90 in the “Unflavored Vodka” category.

Even the label art for Cabin Fever, a toasty brown ale from New Holland Brewing Company, is as inviting as a crackling fire.

My favorite holiday tradition is giving the gift of Michigan to family and friends. The catalog of “Made in Michigan” products is growing daily, providing countless opportunities to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list. Giving always makes me smile…but giving a gift crafted by one of the dedicated people of Michigan just means so much more.