Last summer [2016], a 184-mile stretch of the West Michigan Pike, from St. Joseph to Silver Lake, became the state’s latest Pure Michigan Byway™ during a public ceremony at Muskegon’s Heritage Landing. The Michigan Beachtowns Association, which represents more than a dozen shoreline communities, collaborated with Travel Michigan and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to develop the byway.
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Growing up, many family traditions were centered around the table. After launching Promote Michigan in 2004, I found myself drawn to certain sectors of the hospitality industry: restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, farm markets and agricultural organizations. Yes, I found a way to get paid to eat and drink…how lucky! I was also building a network and often friendships with chefs who were eager to feed my desire to learn more about locally-sourced ingredients and unique ways to prepare them into delicious dishes.
Read MoreSt. Julian Winery was recently presented a total of 34 medals—including one “Best of Show,” four “Best of Class” and three “Double Gold” awards—at the International Eastern Wine Competition held February 6-7 in Santa Rosa, CA. St. Julian was one of five Michigan wineries from four distinct federally-recognized American Viticultural Region (AVAs) to participate in the competition.
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Irish immigration to Michigan dates back to the early 1800s, with a heavy increase between 1845 and 1855 during a period of famine in Ireland, lasting well into the 1920s. Starting first in Detroit, the Irish made their way north and westward, landing throughout both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas where they found work in factories, fishing villages and copper mines. Nearly one-third of Michigan’s foreign-born population was from Ireland in 1870. Today, only about 10% of the state’s 9.9 million population is of Irish descent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
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In this crazy busy world in which we live, it is often difficult to find balance between work and
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With the holidays just around the corner, what could be better than an evening spent curled up on the couch with a steaming mug of hot cocoa and some classic holiday flicks? If a cozy night in is on your agenda in the coming days, give this list of holiday movies with ties to Michigan a look.
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When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, General John “Black Jack” Pershing insisted on bilingual switchboard operators near the front lines. Although formally known as the Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit, sworn in by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, they were referred to as the Hello Girls.
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More than 100 years ago, America was gripped in the midst of World War I (July 28, 1914 – November 11, 1918). It affected U.S. troops overseas and families back home in communities across the country, including those in the southeast Michigan town of Chelsea, in Washtenaw County. Strong Foundations New Possibilities is a chance for this community to share its stories.
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Someone asked me recently to “shut it off…” to STOP talking about Michigan, just for one night. They might have had better luck saying “stop breathing…” “stop loving…” “stop living…” I know I can be too much for some people, my intensity and love for Michigan is overwhelming, even for me, at times.
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Can’t make it to Kentucky for this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Festivities, but still want to watch the race and throw back a refreshing Mint Julep—the “official cocktail” of the Derby since 1938? There are plenty of horse-themed locales throughout Michigan for you to don your flashy suit, dress and hat (or not) and spectate in the “most exciting two minutes in sports.”
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Michigan was founded on January 26, 1837 as the 26th state of the United States of America. Currently home to nearly 10 million people, spread out throughout two peninsulas, Michigan is the Great Lakes State – the Mitten of Plenty – the Wolverine State. Michigan’s early business history is centered in industries that benefited from its proximity to the Great Lakes: fishing, lumbering, mining, fur trapping and agriculture.
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