Featured Destination

It’s known as the “Island City” – this eastern Allegan County town where I have lived all but two years of my life – named such because you must cross one of five Kalamazoo River bridges to get into the downtown, thus creating an “island” for the central business district.

Walking down the tree-lined drive at Camp Tosebo, you can almost hear the chatter of boys being boys…escaping the heat of the city for a summer away in Northern Michigan. Nearly one hundred years ago, the sounds of energetic young campers could be heard scurrying about. Skipping stones; rowing boats; catching fish, frogs and turtles; roasting marshmallows over a campfire. Such experiences are waiting to become reality, once again, at Camp Tosebo in Manistee.

You are invited to follow in the Northern Michigan footsteps of one of the world’s most noted authors – Ernest Hemingway.

A variety of self-guided tours throughout the Petoskey are available online, which take those who are both mildly fascinated and hopelessly dedicated to this Noble and Pulitzer Prize winning author. To locals, and many visitors, the sites are commonly known and respected.

Chef Matthew Millar gestures animatedly toward the countryside outside his window when asked why he and his business partner decided to open their ambitious new restaurant St. Anthony in a sleepy tourist town in Michigan.

Celebrate Meat Month at Food Dance all March Long! We all love meat! It’s something to share and savor, and here in the Midwest we feel pretty comfortable stating we are in the majority on this one. From the winter stews, roasts and braises to the summer grilled chops, steaks, burgers or ribs the traditional Midwest plate is anchored by meat.

This coming February, local hotels, restaurants, businesses and special lecture series will be rolling out the pink carpet to educate the community on breast cancer through Susan G. Komen West Michigan

More than 23 Local hotels and, restaurants, and multiple businesses are taking action to end breast cancer by partnering with Susan G. Komen West Michigan for the entire month of February in an endeavor titled Experience Pink.

When Café Cortina first opened the doors of its Italian eatery in the suburbs of Metro Detroit in 1976, it was with a sense of family tradition and community responsibility inspired by old world philosophies. Now, more than 35 years later, and under the direction of its second generation, Café Cortina retains its presence as one the country’s leading culinary destinations.

With all the craziness of the holidays – the hours spent shopping, wrapping, baking and cleaning – one must simply find time to spend relaxing and rejuvenating. So when an email came through for the Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh holiday packages at Vasaio Life Spa in Grand Rapids, it was like a gift from Santa himself!

The Turkeyville story began in 1943 in Marshall, Michigan. Grandpa (Wayne) Cornwell was from the city and when he married Grandma (Marjorie), he decided to try his hand at farming. They decided to raise cows, but 1943 was a difficult year – things weren’t going very well and the cows got sick and many died. A neighbor then gave Wayne12 turkeys to try and raise, and he was successful with all of them. In the early 60s, the Cornwell’s joined together with a group from the church and went to the county fair to sell their fresh-made, local turkey sandwiches.

More than 60 West Michigan artist studios, galleries, farms and restaurants – nearly double the number from last year – are participating in the 2nd Annual Arts & Eats weekend, Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21, throughout portions of Allegan, Barry and surrounding counties. The tour is made possible with support from Hastings Mutual Insurance Company.

The weekend of October 6 will be among the most colorful, recreational and flavorful on Beaver Island.

Beginning at 10 am at the historic Print Shop, the Island Boodle 5k Run takes participants through scenic St. James, along the waterfront and back through wooded trails during one of the most beautiful times of year. Benefitting Island Sports Boosters, the event draws serious runners as well as families, many with babies in strollers and four-legged friends.

My first visit to Chelsea was in 2005, when I somehow found myself volunteering for a charity golf event hosted by award-winning actor Jeff Daniels, as a benefit for his Purple Rose Theatre. I mean, really, given the opportunity – wouldn’t you?

Some might think it’s crazy to take up residency at a former mental institution, but the rooms which once housed patients suffering a multitude of ailments are now being converted into some of the most unique, chic and coveted condos in Traverse City.