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FAREWELL TO BACHELORHOOD: Ernest Hemingway’s Wedding in Northern Michigan

It should come as no surprise that Ernest Hemingway chose northern Michigan as the setting for his first wedding. This rural countryside was his first real love, so it was fitting that he and his muse would begin their marriage alongside the towering trees and flowing rivers which shaped his life. This year – September 3 – marks the 100th anniversary of the marriage between Hemingway (at the time, a life-long summer resident on Walloon Lake) and Hadley Richardson.

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Ruler of the Roost

Dorothy Hecht was just 16 years old in 1937 when she waited on her first table at then Fischer’s Restaurant in downtown Frankenmuth, and ecstatically earned her first 25-cent tip. When she met and eventually married William “Tiny” Zehnder, whose family owned Zehnder’s Restaurant across the street, her happiness continued–and a legacy began.

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Thumbs Up to Port Huron

Located in the heart of Michigan’s Thumbcoast, Port Huron boasts a charming small-town feel with big city amenities. Meeting planners and attendees alike will appreciate the safety of the suburbs while enjoying picturesque views, a vibrant culture and outdoor adventure opportunities, both during and after the workday.

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Vino Venues

Michigan is home to nearly 150 wineries, many with private events spaces set against backdrops of picturesque vineyards and wide-open rural countryside scenes. While weddings are among the primary celebrates hosted, many also offer venues ideal for business and corporate receptions or events.

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A Hemingway Homecoming

While Ernest Hemingway frequented several places across the globe throughout his lifetime, Walloon Lake, Michigan, was a place he had roots in and returned to in his early years. His father and mother, Clarence and Grace (Hall) Hemingway first came to the Walloon Lake area in the late 1800s, building their beloved cottage, Windemere, which remains in the family to this day. Ernest was just three months old when he made his first trip to the area. He would return every summer, at least for a brief period of time, until his 1921 wedding to Hadley (Richardson) Hemingway. It was in Walloon Lake that the Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning author discovered his love of writing, hunting and fishing.

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Lake Country Sipping

Sampling new varieties of wine is a refreshing way to enjoy a delightful Up North afternoon, especially when you’re surrounded by acres of vineyards and the backdrop of a scenic 113-acre nature preserve. Boyne Valley Vineyards, a small boutique tasting room nestled along U.S. 131 between Walloon Lake and Petoskey, offers a friendly new space to do just that.

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Ale Trail Adventure

Some may think that the designation of “Beer City USA” is something new for Grand Rapids – the state’s second largest city. But beer has actually been brewing here since the late 1830s. Today, the Kent County region boasts about 40 breweries, with about a dozen currently in the greater downtown area.

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