Promote Michigan Blog – Promote Michigan

Happy Retirement Henri Boucher!

May 25, 2023 Dianna Stampfler henri boucher, leader, mentor, showspan

When I left West Michigan Tourist Association on August 19, 2004 to launch Promote Michigan, I was taking a leap

The Sweet Smell of Success…

March 26, 2023March 26, 2023 Dianna Stampfler cindy birk, cynthia birk, finding lilacs, llilacs, mackinac island, michigan, novels, romance

When Cindy Birk was a second grader at Reid Elementary School in Grand Blanc, Michigan, she attended a Young Authors

Promote Michigan Blog

Novel Destinations in the Mitten State

February 27, 2023February 28, 2023 promotemi

For as long as I can remember, reading has been one of my favorite activities – especially on rainy afternoons or while kicking back relaxing on a boat or at the beach. Over the years, I’ve found a fascination for novels with ties of Michigan – of course! As you plan your summer reading list, here are some to consider.

Cheers to the Michigan Winter Beer Festival!

February 6, 2023February 9, 2023 promotemi beer city, craft beer, grand rapids, local beer, michigan beer, winter festival

Michiganders are hardy souls…they’ll climb massive ice formations, sit on frozen lakes in search of fish, craft elaborate outhouses for winter festival races and spend hours standing around outside drinking local beer with likeminded individuals braving the elements.

Promote Michigan Blog

2023 Milestone Years

January 5, 2023January 7, 2023 Dianna Stampfler 2023, anniversary, centennial, history, milestone, pure michigan, travel

Michigan was founded on January 26, 1837 as the 26th state of the United States of America—making this year its 186th Birthday / Anniversary (depending on how you look at it). Here is our annual list of tourism related businesses celebrating BIG years in 2023 (if we have missed any, please email details to travel@promotemichigan.com).

Promote Michigan Blog

Christmas at the Holly Hotel

December 8, 2022December 12, 2022 Dianna Stampfler christmas, holly hotel, michigan, movie, rom com, romantic

Christmas at the Holly Hotel was filmed last winter at the historic 1891 Holly Hotel (which sadly was damaged by the third fire in its 132-year history this past summer) by Joel Reisig of JPR Studios. Joel has been making movies since 2008 and has produced over 35 feature films with distribution deals to Universal Studios, Netflix, Showtime, Lifetime, Redbox, Walmart and others (including global reach in various languages).

Schuler’s Expands its Hospitality Portfolio

November 3, 2022November 8, 2022 promotemi

The Schuler name is synonymous with hospitality, at least in southern Michigan. Located in Marshall, in the heart of Calhoun County, the iconic Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub (115 S. Eagle Street) has been welcoming hungry and thirsty visitors since first opening the doors in 1909. Recognized as one of the longest-operating restaurants in the state, Schuler’s remains dedicated to maintaining its roots while branching out in new and exciting ways.

Promote Michigan Blog

Read Up On Michigan’s Haunted Side!

September 27, 2022January 7, 2023 Dianna Stampfler ghost stories, ghosts, haunted, history, lighthouses, michigan, paranormal, spirits, spooky

The History Press (a division of Arcadia Publishing) has a longstanding history of producing titles that are “spirited” in nature

Promote Michigan Blog

35 Years of Looping Lake Michigan

May 23, 2022January 7, 2023 Dianna Stampfler canada, circle tour, great lakes, illinois, indiana, lake erie, lake huron, lake michigan, lake ontario, lake superior, michigan, minnesota, ohio, ontario, wisconsin

Four out of five Great Lakes (all those touching Michigan) have an official “Circle Tour” route that were each established to encourage travel to the unique small towns and larger urban centers found along the way.

Promote Michigan Blog

Have You Heard the BUZZ About Michigan’s Official State Insect?

March 21, 2022May 22, 2023 Dianna Stampfler black swallowtail, bugs, dragonfly, entomologist, entomology, honeybee, insects, ladybug, michigan, monarch, nature, pure michigan, state bug, state insect, vote

Michigan’s first state symbol was the state flower, designated as the Apple Blossom in 1897. Since that time, 10 other symbols have been added to the list – from bird to reptile, gem to stone, wildflower to tree. A twelfth symbol is now under consideration in the legislature – Michigan’s official state insect! If members of the House and Senate can agree, the designation would leave Iowa as the only state in the Union without a state bug.

News Releases Promote Michigan Blog

Maple Syrup Weekends Celebrate Michigan’s Oldest & Sweetest Spring Agricultural Activity

February 14, 2022February 27, 2022 Dianna Stampfler maple, maple sap, maple syrup, michigan, michigan agriculture, pure michigan, spring

Each spring, as the days get longer and the temperatures begin to rise, Michiganders head out into the woods to take part in the state’s oldest agricultural activity…tapping maple trees for sap to be turned into mouth-watering maple syrup, candies and other sweet treats.

Promote Michigan Blog

2022 Pure Michigan Milestone Celebrations!

January 4, 2022February 27, 2022 Dianna Stampfler anniversary, celebration, centennial, pure michigan

Michigan was founded on January 26, 1837 as the 26th state of the United States of America…making this year our

Promote Michigan Blog

Digital Treasure Hunting

January 3, 2022January 4, 2022 Dianna Stampfler ancestry, archives, author, cemetery, census, college library, family tree, findagrave, genealogy, henry ford, history, library, museum, national archives, national parks, newspapers, online research, writer

As a freelance writer and author, I spend a great deal of my time doing historical online research. To be honest, it is this part of the process that I think I enjoy the most. It’s like a treasure hunt for information – to prove or refute details that tell one story, or another.

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