Childhood dreams do come true. Just ask Janet (Noyes) Carrington, a seventh-generation resident of the Les Cheneaux Islands in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She was just eight years old in the late 1950s when she first laid eyes on the luxury 42-foot wooden yacht named Boss, docked at E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works in Hessel. It was love at first sight. She admired its sleek lines, rich mahogany color and unique character, and promised herself that someday Boss would be hers.
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There’s something magical about drifting along a scenic waterway under a canopy of branches adorned with colorful leaves on a fall day in Michigan. That adventure became a dream come true for Capt. Jason Rollings, who launched Cruise Leelanau in late 2020.
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Born in 1906 in a small town in Michigan’s thumb region, Sara Gwendolen Frostic became a one-of-a-kind artist with a legacy spanning 70 years and counting.
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Cadillac-born Pierce “Pat” Stocking had a vision and he wanted to share it with others who explored the scenic shoreline in what is now known as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. He pictured a series of overlooks atop the dunes where visitors could gaze out, up and down to soak up the unparalleled vistas while also protecting the area’s fragile ecosystems.
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Cruising the crystal blue waters of Little Traverse Bay has long been limited to those who have access to a boat. But, thanks to the community vision and historical reflection of the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company, a new water taxi is bringing service back to the region.
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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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Nestled against the backdrop of sloping rows of grape vines and overlooking an expansive horse pasture, Black Star Farms Winery in Suttons Bay has been one of Leelanau Peninsula’s premier agritourism destinations since it welcomed its first guest in 1998.
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Volunteer opportunities (some include overnight stays) allow you to help preserve iconic sentinels on both sides of the Mackinac Bridge.
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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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Some people are born to lead a particular life, and if we are lucky, we reap the rewards from their passions. Italian-born Mariano Meconi was destined to be a vintner, planting a legacy that remains rooted in West Michigan now for four generations.
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Most often thought of as a leisure travel destination, Frankenmuth – with its distinctive German flair – is also one of the state’s top locales for corporate events. Dubbed “Little Bavaria” in the early 1950s, this town is rich with tradition, culture, family heritage and plenty of unique spaces and activities for groups of all sizes.
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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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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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