West Michigan Weekly

FACING MARS: Let the Countdown Begin

2012-02-10T14:18:00.000-05:00

Five... four... three... two... one...

It's hard for us civilians to imagine what a trip to our neighboring planet of Mars would be like, from the sensation of watching Earth shrink slowly into the distance during lift off to daily life in space for three years (three years?!?!). When Kelly and I went for a sneak peak at the Grand Rapids Public Museum's new exhibit, FACING MARS, we found ourselves saying one phrase over and over again: "I never thought about that before!"

FACING MARS, which opens this Saturday, begins with the question, "Would you travel to Mars?", before leading you through 28 hands-on stations designed to give you the Mars Experience while exploring the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of space travel. For example, could you live thisclose to another person without letting their moods and emotions affect you? What effects does space travel have on your body and what would happen if you were to get sick? What would it feel like to walk on Mars, and how would simple tasks be different than here on Earth? The Public Museum is gifted at hiding all this learning is done is a fun, physical activities. Little astronauts and big ones alike will be so entertained by building rockets and seeing the world through a Mars' sand storm that they won't even realize that they're having an educationally-charged time.

The exhibit comes full circle when it asks you the same initial question you answered when walking in: "Would you travel to Mars?" While my answer is no, I am definitely going back to FACING MARS to for an hour or two of pretend Martian life. That I can handle. Three years of space food? Not so much.

FACING MARS runs from February 11 - May 6, 2012, with special MARS Madness Nights February 15 - 18, March 13 - 16, March 30 - April 7, and May 1 - 3. These family-friendly nights offer extended evening hours, admission into the museum and exhibit, the Our Bodies in Space planetarium show and dinner of Spaghetti and Meteorites for $6.50 (members) or $12 (non-members). A great deal, if you ask me, and who wouldn't want to eat "meteorites" with their pasta? (Don't worry, they're actually meatballs.)

Fun Facts About Mars and Space Exploration

Roughly every two years, Earth and Mars are at their closest proximity. This will happen again in March of 2012 [3]
One full rotation of a planet is called a day. Days on Mars are also called Sols, and last 24 hours and 38 minutes. [3]
The highest point on Mars is Olympus Mons, an extinct volcano about 15 miles high [3]
Mars has the largest canyon (Valles Marineris) in the solar system. If it were on Earth, it would stretch right across the United States. [1]
The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite. Mars has two satellites called Diemos and Phobos [3]
Dust storms are one of the biggest challenges astronauts will face on Mars. They can cover the entire planet for months at a time. [3]
The first man-made object landed on Mars in May 1971 when the USSR’s spacecraft Mars 3 landed and sent signals back to Earth for approximately 20 seconds. [3]
Two Mars rovers were sent in 2003, Spirit and Opportunity. Spirit sent its last communication to Earth on March 22, 2010. Opportunity is still functioning. Both rovers lasted much longer than their original planned 90-sol missions. [4]
Mars is known as the Red Planet. Although much of Mars’ surface is composed of basalt – a hard volcanic rock – it is the iron oxide dust covering Mars that gives it its red color. [3]
Mars is named after the Roman god of War. [3]
The diameter of Mars is 4,200 miles, a little over half that of the Earth. Mercury is the only planet smaller than Mars. [2]

Sources:
[1] http://www.universetoday.com/14853/interesting-facts-about-planet-mars/
[2] http://www.planetfacts.net/Mars-Facts.html
[3] http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/facingmars/funfacts.htm
[4] http://marsrover.nasa.gov/home/index.html
[5] http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html

Michigan Beer: It's the good stuff.

2012-02-09T10:23:00.000-05:00

Just a little something to whet your palate before February 25th's Winter Beer Fest in Grand Rapids.

Did you know that our friends over at Founders Brewing Company were just rated the number two craft brewery in the world? In. The. World. (see the list here)

Cheers to that!

West Michigan Bucket List

2012-01-10T09:19:00.000-05:00

According to those pesky rumormongers, the Mayans, 2012 is our last year on this wonderful planet. If they're correct, there are only 346 days to finish everything on your bucket list, and perhaps you haven't even written your bucket list! Fret not, friends of West Michigan, WMTA is here to save the day. We're compiling a list of all the amazing things to do in West Michigan before you "kick the bucket," starting with living out your Winter Olympic dreams of riding the luge.

Come back each day and visit the West Michigan Bucket List tab above. We'll be posting new ideas continually. If you have already put thought into your list, leave us a comment, and we'll add it.

Even if we are in the final countdown, which is doubtful, we'll have an excellent year ahead if we seek out adventure and make our traveling dreams come true... all in West Michigan!

Finally Here!

2012-01-04T11:09:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo! The 2012 Official Lake Michigan Circle Tour and Lighthouse Maps have arrived!

Make sure to order your copy today! Call our offices here at 616.245.2217 or you can order online http://www.wmta.org/publications-24/

In celebration of our 95th anniversary, the map has a whole new look this year. Definitely a West Michigan treasure you won't want to miss out on!

Featured Lighthouse #22- Old Michigan City Light, IN

2012-01-03T13:53:00.002-05:00

This is our final featured lighthouse, which means the 2012 Lake Michigan Circle Tour and Lighthouse maps will be available tomorrow! Make sure to order your free copy today! http://www.wmta.org/publications-24/

Featured Lighthouse #22- Old Michigan City Light, IN

At the bend of the Michigan City harbor stands an historic old structure whose beacon served as a guiding light for Great Lakes sailors for more than 100 years. Michigan City's first light, a simple "postlight, was erected in 1835 about 100 feet west of the present structure. Two years later, a keeper's dwelling was built, with a detached 40-foot tall whitewashed tower to house a lantern at the top. By 1858 this original lighthouse was deemed inadequate, so a new building was constructed of Joliet stone and Milwaukee brick. A lantern room on the north end of the 1858 lighthouse housed a fixed light with a Fresnel lens of the Fifth Order.
In 1871, the first beacon light was installed on the east pier, and this too was maintained by the keepers. So diligently did the keepers perform their tasks, with many tales of bravery and heroism, that the Michigan City Lighthouse became known on the Great Lakes as "Old Faithful".

The "dear old stationhouse" was enlarged in 1904 when the Lens was moved to a tower atop the East Pierhead fog signal. This was a half-mile journey out to the end of the pier and a half mile back again, so a Head Keeper and Assistant Keeper rotated watch. The keepers and their families continued to live in the Old Lighthouse until 1940 when the Pierhead Light was electrified. The building stood vacant for about 25 years, until the Michigan City Historical Society began restoring it in 1964. In 1973, the Old Lighthouse Museum opened with a replica of the original lantern room.

Featured Lighthouse #21- Wind Point Lighthouse- Racine, WI

2012-01-02T13:22:00.002-05:00

Wind Point Lighthouse was completed in 1880. The 108 foot tower is attached to the keepers dwelling by means of a covered passageway, similar to other Great Lakes lights designed by the influential Orlando M. Poe. The dwelling was home to the Head Keeper and two assistants and their families. Within the tower, 144 cast iron steps, each individually anchored to the walls and supported by a central column, spiral to the lantern room.

In 1900, to aid navigation during periods of low visibility, a fog signal was added. Steam powered, this signal could be heard from a distance of 40 miles out in the lake.

The lighthouse interior is not open to the public, the grounds are open during normal business hours, and thus one can obtain a close-up view of the station.

Featured Lighthouse #20- North Point Light- Milwaukee, WI

2011-12-29T15:12:00.000-05:00

Milwaukee’s North Point Lighthouse is a historic, maritime treasure, standing tall overlooking Lake Michigan since 1855. One of the oldest structures still standing in what is now Lake Park, the North Point Light Station consists of a 74-foot lighthouse tower and a two-story wood-frame Keeper’s Quarters. Located on a two-acre semi-wooded parcel nestled between two ravines extending to Lake Michigan, this iconic structure played an important role in the region's maritime trade and economic growth for more than 120 years, where it remained in use until being decommissioned in 1994.

Each year, visitors are drawn to the beauty and historical significance of Lake Park and Milwaukee's East Side vintage neighborhoods. Public tours are available Saturdays and Sundays from 1 – 4 p.m. year round.

Featured Lighthouse #19- Old Port Washington- Port Washington, WI

2011-12-28T22:14:00.000-05:00

Nothing remains of Port Washington's first lighthouse that was constructed atop St. Mary's Hill, just north of the harbor in 1849. The tower was poorly constructed and was replaced with the current lighthouse in 1860, the year set in brick on the front of the building. The light was discontinued in 1903, as the pierhead light that had been added to the harbor in 1889 was deemed sufficient for navigational needs. The Port Washington Lighthouse still continued to house the keepers who maintained the pierhead light and later served as housing for the Coast Guard. The original tower was removed from the dwelling around 1934 when the new pierhead light was added. In 1992, the old lighthouse was leased to the Port Washington Historical Lighthouse, and the group obtained ownership of the property in 1998. Painted white and without its tower, the original purpose of the structure was masked. The historical society began a restoration in 2000, which included the addition of a tower and the removal of the exterior paint. A dedication ceremony was held on June 16, 2002.

Featured Lighthouse #17- Rawley Point Lighthouse, Two Rivers, WI

2011-12-27T10:59:00.002-05:00

About five miles north of the city of Two Rivers, Rawley Point has seen its share of shipwrecks, even though it boasts the second tallest lighthouse in Wisconsin. The treacherous shoals around the point have long been a danger to Great Lakes vessels. Although a lighthouse has stood at this location since the 1850s, the current 113-foot tall iron tower is a lighthouse built for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and afterward moved to Rawley Point.

An active aid to navigation, the lighthouse and keeper's quarters are utilized by the Coast Guard and are not open to visitors. The light can be viewed from the beach and dune area that is part of Point Beach State Forest., which includes 2,900 acres of forest land, bordered on the east by some six miles of sand-ridged beach on Lake Michigan.

Featured Lighthouse #17- Cana Island Lighthouse, Door County, WI

2011-12-26T19:42:00.000-05:00

Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most illustrated and visited lighthouses in Door County. The majestic white tower is attached to the brick keepers dwelling and closely resembles the mental image visitors have of a lighthouse. The Lighthouse Board began looking for a new location for a lighthouse along Door County’s Lake Michigan shore once it decided that the original Baileys Harbor Light was not in a proper location to serve as both a coast and harbor light.

Cana Island Lighthouse is situated northeast of Baileys Harbor on a peninsula separating Moonlight Bay and North Bay, both prime locations for anchoring ships. A three hundred foot long natural causeway links Cana Island to the mainland and is a convenient way for visitors and workers to travel to the light, but it can at times be flooded due to the constantly fluctuating level of Lake Michigan.

Featured Lighthouse #16- Manistique East Breakwater Light

2011-12-24T14:34:00.000-05:00

Established in 1915, the picturesque red Manistique East Breakwater Light is located on the end of a concrete breakwater on the east side of the harbor where the Manistique River flows into Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. The tower was constructed of prefabricated steel plates which were bolted together and lagged to the foundation.

Square in plan, the tower stood approximately 38 feet tall, and was surmounted by a square gallery upon which a decagonal cast iron lantern housed an electrically powered fixed red Fourth Order Fresnel lens. Within the body of the structure, duplicate electrically powered compressors fed a pair of diaphone fog signals. The work on the station was completed in 1916, and the light exhibited for the first time on August 17, 1916.

The Manistique light was automated in 1969, and the keeper's dwelling sold into private ownership. As part of automation, the Fourth Order Fresnel lens was removed and replaced by a 300 mm Tidelands Signal acrylic optic.

Featured Lighthouse #15- Whitefish Point Light Tower

2011-12-22T11:47:00.000-05:00

The year 2011 marked the 150^th anniversary of the Whitefish Point Light Tower. This lighthouse has become one of Michigan’s icons, saving countless Lake Superior mariners with its powerful beacon. It is the big lake’s oldest operating lighthouse- in continuous official operation since 1861- and is still a major aid to navigation on the U.S. Coast Guard Light List.

The tower is called an “iron-pile” style due to its skeletal frame, using structural members that are solid iron piles and rods. Built during President Abraham Lincoln’s administration, it was constructed to assure safe transport of iron ore necessary for defense of the Union.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has just completed Phase 2 of a major three-phase restoration project of this historic lighthouse. Tower tours for a small fee are now available and all proceeds benefit ongoing restoration.

Featured Lighthouse #14- Old Mackinac Point

2011-12-21T17:01:00.000-05:00

The increase in size and volume of vessel traffic almost immediately caused a need for a light on Mackinac Point. The brick two-story keeper’s dwelling with attached brick tower was completed in 1892. The tower is 6-feet in diameter and 40-feet tall.

The light from the Fourth Order lens was visible for 16 miles, but was taken out of service in December 1957 as the lights on the new Mackinac Bridge served as navigation aids.

The property was acquired by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission in 1960 and had been converted to a maritime museum that operated for a number of years, but was closed in 1987. Restoration of the property to its circa 1910 appearance started in 2000 and now the lighthouse has been reopened to the public.

Located next to the Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City, Michigan. The park surrounding the lighthouse is a great place to view the bridge, enjoy lunch and watch the boat traffic.

Featured Lighthouse #13- Old Mission Point

2011-12-20T16:48:00.000-05:00

The picturesque Old Mission Point Lighthouse was built in 1870 to warn ships away from the dangerous shoals at the tip of the Old Mission Peninsula in Grand Traverse Bay, but was replaced by an offshore beacon in 1933. Perched atop a low bluff overlooking the rocky shore, the lighthouse is open for tours daily during spring, summer and fall, and it is the centerpiece of an attractive park with popular beaches, historical exhibits and extensive hiking and skiing trails and is a popular stop for sightseers exploring the Peninsula’s many wineries. Like the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, it has a volunteer lighthouse keeper program, providing opportunities for lighthouse-lovers to live and work in the facility.

Featured Lighthouse #12- Grand Traverse Lighthouse

2011-12-19T10:23:00.000-05:00

The best-known of the Traverse City area’s lighthouses is the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. Located at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula on Cathead Bay, near the village of Northport, it is one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes, guiding ships through the northern entrance to the Manitou Passage for 150 years. Today it is a museum surrounde...d by a picturesque state park where visitors can envision the once-isolated life of lighthouse keepers and their families, with extensive exhibits and period furnishings from the 1920s and 1930s. Its popular “volunteer lighthouse keeper” program also provides opportunities for enthusiasts to spend several weeks living in the lighthouse, carrying on routine maintenance and answering the questions of its frequent visitors.

Featured Lighthouse #11- Robert Manning Memorial Lighthouse- Empire

2011-12-16T14:24:00.000-05:00

The Robert Manning Memorial Lighthouse, on the public beach in the village of Empire, is not an official nautical lighthouse, and no tours are available, but people love to have their pictures taken with it. Robert H. Manning was a life-long resident of Empire who spent as much time as possible indulging his passion for fishing on Lake Michigan, and longed to see a lighthouse built at Empire for returning fishermen. After his death in 1989, Manning’s family and friends raised money to build this tiny lighthouse in his honor. Directions: From the intersection of M72 and M22, go west on Front street, Travel toward Lake Michigan until the intersection with Lake Street. Take Lake street North into the Empire Beach park. The memorial lighthouse is located at the northernmost end of the park.

Featured Lighthouse #10- Frankfort North Breakwater Light

2011-12-15T16:30:00.000-05:00

This 67-foot tower was built in 1932 and is mounted at the end of a pier just north of Betsie Lake. It replaced an earlier light that was constructed in 1873, which sat along a wooden pier and had an elevated catwalk. The original pyramid style lighthouse was increased in size with a two-story, 25-foot addition. A door located halfway up the current steel tower suggests that at one time an elevated catwalk may have been proposed to connect the lighthouse to shore, but was never actually built. Frankfort's light still shines from its cast iron lantern room with a fourth order Fresnel lens, with a focal plane of 72 feet, visible for 16 miles in clear weather.

Although the lighthouse is not accessible to the public, it is still a great lighthouse to snap a picture of from land or sea.

Featured Lighthouse #9- Manistee North Pier Head

2011-12-14T13:26:00.000-05:00

Built in 1927, the Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse and Catwalk is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the catwalk is one of only four remaining on Lake Michigan. The Lighthouse is owned by the City of Manistee and is undergoing restoration by the Manistee
County Historical Museum.

The Manistee Harbor has been served by four lighthouses in the last 142 years. The first lighthouses were dwellings with lights atop. Pierhead lights were added in 1875, and eventually included fog signals, range lights, and a catwalk.

The current 39-foot steel tower was built in 1927 and was transferred to the City and Museum in 2011. The light still shines over Lake Michigan from the ten-sided lantern atop the steel tower. When restoration is completed in several years, the Lighthouse will be open to the public on select summer days.

Featured Lighthouse #8- Big Sable Point Lighthouse

2011-12-13T15:36:00.000-05:00

Nestled among jack pines down a two mile walk along a breathtaking trail stands Big Sable’s noble black and white tower. This historic beacon, (1867) is located within Ludington State Park and is operated by SPLKA, a non-profit which proudly manages historic lighthouses along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, offering a Volunteer Keepers program which allows its members the opportunity to live and work for free within the lighthouses, May-October. Visitors are welcome to tour the original Keeper’s Quarters and Gift Shop, stroll along the sand dunes or climb the 112 foot tower. In 2012, SPLKA begins the first phase on the Seawall Reconstruction Project. Along with restoration efforts, special entertainment and transportation are provided every summer month- June 5, July 3 and August 7 from 7-8 p.m

Featured Lighthouse #7- Little Sable Point Lighthouse

2011-12-12T16:15:00.000-05:00

Featured Lighthouse #7- Mears/Silver Lake is home to the 107 - foot tall Little Sable Point Lighthouse. Built in 1872, it is the tallest light on Lake Michigan's eastern coastline. It features the original fixed Third-Order Fresnel Lens. The keeper's dwelling was destroyed in 1954 when the station was automated. Its brick tower was left standing in the sandy dunes. Tours are provided on Wednesday - Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM May - September.

Directions: Exit US-31 at the Hart/Mears exit, take Polk Road west to 56th, south on Fox, west to 34th (B-15), south through Silver Lake past the state park campgrounds, then follow the lighthouse signs.

Featured Lighthouse #6- White River Light Station

2011-12-09T14:31:00.000-05:00

The White River Light station was built in 1875, just four years after the Great Chicago fire. A channel was dug in 1870 between Lake Michigan and White Lake to facilitate the access of lumber schooners. The ship captains were headed to the sawmills which were located on White Lake, a tributary of the White River and adjacent to the majestic pine forests. Eventually passengers traveled on steamships from Chicago to enjoy the summer resort activities in the area.

The stately old building still reverberates with the character and stories of such prominent residents as the first keeper. Captain William Robinson came from England and served 47 years with his wife Sarah and their large family. Many significant keepers followed, including a woman offering years of brave and dedicated service.

The light station was decommissioned in 1960 and opened its doors as a museum in 1970 under the ownership and management of Fruitland Township.

Featured Lighthouse #5- Muskegon South Pier and Breakwater Lights

2011-12-08T13:58:00.000-05:00

Muskegon South Pier and Breakwater Lights

The first light was constructed on the shore in Muskegon in 1851 and included a keeper's dwelling. With completion of the harbor pier in 1902, the shore light was replaced with a new light at the end of the pier. The pier juts out into Lake Michigan between two breakwaters at the mouth of Muskegon Lake. The 53-foot red conical stee...l tower, equipped with a fourth order Fresnel lens, was erected in 1903. The Fresnel lens has been replaced by a modern 300mm acrylic optic.

The 70-foot South Breakwater Square Tower was built in 1930. The red square tapered steel tower sits on the south breakwater, also along the Lake Michigan shore at the mouth of Muskegon Lake.

Featured Lighthouse #4- Grand Haven South Pier and Pierhead Inner Lights

2011-12-07T14:57:00.000-05:00

Established as a federal lighthouse in 1839, the Grand Haven light was first constructed at the south side of the mouth of the Grand River. In 1855, a new lighthouse was built on a high bluff located east of the shore. In 1875, the original fog signal building was reconstructed at the end of the South Pier. In 1905, the South Pier was extended and the fog signal building was moved to its end. At that time, the current 52-foot high conical South Pierhead inner tower light was constructed.

The tower and fog building, each with their own light, are connected along the pier and to the shore by a long catwalk. The Grand Haven South Pier Lighthouse is an operating lighthouse at the end of the pier, an extension of the Grand Haven boardwalk. The pier is open to the public year round, but weather conditions can make the pier unsafe for pedestrians during winter months, storm conditions and high winds. The lighthouse is not open inside because it is an operating lighthouse, but the public can walk up and around the lighthouse.

Featured Lighthouse #3- Holland Harbor Lighthouse

2011-12-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

Holland Harbor Lighthouse

One of Michigan’s most-photographed lighthouses sits along the breakwater of Holland Harbor. “Big Red,” as it is affectingly known, has welcomed boaters and visitors to Holland for over 135 years. The first Holland Harbor lighthouse was erected in 1872; however the structure as we now know it became a reality in 1936.

It was originally painted pale yellow, but in 1956,... its color was changed to satisfy a Coast Guard mandate that all structures or lights on the right side of any harbor entrance must be red. Fifteen years later, the Coast Guard declared Big Red to be surplus. Local townsfolk united and formed the Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission, taking ownership of Big Red in 1974 and installing a new light that shines for 20 miles.

Featured Lighthouse #2- South Haven South Pierhead Lighthouse

2011-12-05T16:03:00.000-05:00

The original 37-foot wooden tower was two stories tall. The lower level was used for storage. The upper level housed the lens and a fifth order lamp which ran on mineral oil. The current tower was reconstructed of steel in 1903. It now measures 12' in diameter at the base and stands 35' tall. The ship, Hyacinth, transported the steel structure and U.S. Lighthouse Establishment workers built the light. It eventually was electrified in 1923, utilizing a 200 watt bulb.

The pier itself has undergone several transformations over the years. The originally wood structure measured 300 feet in length. The pier was rebuilt twice, once in 1888 and again in 1889. In 1913, it was extended 425 feet, making the wooden structure more than 700 feet in length. In 1925, 800 feet of steel elevated walkway was taken from the Calumet station, brought to South Haven and reinstalled on the pier. Then in 1940, today's 1200-foot concrete pier was constructed.

Together, the lighthouse and its pier have taken the concept of aging gracefully to new heights.No one knows when the first fog signal was used in South Haven. A 1900 account cites the use of a bellows-style operated by hand. In 1913, the fog signal was replaced by a 1600-pound electrified fog bell. It remained in use until 1937 when a drone-type fog horn was installed. It could be heard seven to 15 miles away, depending on the weather.
The South Pierhead lighthouse is open for public tours one weekend each year, during the annual Harborfest -- always the third weekend in June. There is no cost to tour the lighthouse.

To pre-order your very own copy of the 2011-2012 Lake Michigan Circle Tour and Lighthouse Map- Follow this link!

It's Back!

2011-12-02T14:50:00.000-05:00

It is that time of year again! The famous Lake Michigan Circle Tour and Lighthouse Map is off to press and will be available FREE to you on January 2, 2012 (pre-order here). We are so excited to show of the design of this years map. It is in honor of our 95th anniversary and has some incredible detail! But alas, you must wait just a few more weeks.

Until then, each day we will be giving you a sneak peek at one of the 22 featured lighthouses! Make sure to check back each weekday to see if your favorite Lake Michigan Lighthouse made it!

Today we will introduce you to the St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse.

The St. Joseph historic lighthouse and catwalk, located on the city’s North Pier, was erected at the mouth of the St. Joseph River in 1832. In 1859, a replacement lighthouse was built on the bluff. The tower and the beacon were constructed first and the keeper’s house was built at a later time. Range lights replaced the beacon after the north and south piers were built in 1907 and 1919, respectively. In 1938, the U.S. Coast Guard assumed responsibilities for navigation warning signals and marine safety, absorbing the lighthouse services. The original St. Joseph lighthouse with tower and beacon was torn down in 1955. The current lighthouse replica was constructed later on the North Pier. Both the North Pier and the South Pier, which house the range lights, are publicly accessible

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T20:38:00.000-05:00

To all of our wonderful readers that we are so thankful for, we have written a special poem just for you.

Ahem..

Thanksgiving is a traditional time for gathering

Eating food, having fun and blabbering.

It all started one day at Plymouth rock

A tradition 400 years later we still mock.

Though now it is sometimes overlooked

With Christmas shopping and getting trips booked.

It is still a blissfully wonderful time of the year

When we can all spend time together and be near.

As you enjoy time with family and friends

Be thankful for those at all table ends.

Enjoy the harvest you get to share

And make sure you handle the pie with care!

From West Michigan we would like to say

We hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving day!

Wine Winners!

2011-11-16T09:33:00.000-05:00

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our wine-lib challenge! Our winners are Lisa Beesa,Cheryl Marenda, Lydia Vierson, Marie Vierson, JLV821, Corky, GR antiques market, Jillian, and Tiffany. If you are a winner and you have not heard from us yet, please send Kelly and email at kelly@wmta.org so she knows what name to hold your tickets under!

We have filled in all of the blanks with everyone's answers-- you can read them below!

Lisa-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it scoots across your elbow. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 12 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your corks may possibly get sexy. Luckily you can find all the Michigan palates at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to boogie Michigan wines. Your will be so flirty with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout BLAM!

Cheryl-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it presses across your hand. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 18 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your grapes may possibly get soft. Luckily you can find all the Michigan bottles at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to taste Michigan wines. You will be so great with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout splash!

Lydia-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it tears across your knee. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 4 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your goats may possibly get hairy. Luckily you can find all the Michigan kites at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to kick Michigan wines. You will be so jeweled with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout PLOP!

Marie-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it bends across your knuckle. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 56 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your pillowsripped. Luckily you can find all the Michigan stars at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to hop Michigan wines. You will be so dewy with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout BUZZ! may possibly get

Hanna-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it shines across your nose. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 44 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your deer may possibly get sparkly. Luckily you can find all the Michigan moose at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to capture Michigan wines. Yor will be so sloppy with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout Yodel-eh-he-hoo!

JLV-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it jumps across your torso. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 24 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your foods may possibly get brilliant. Luckily you can find all the Michigan cars at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to smell Michigan wines. You will be so beautiful with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout SPLAT!

Corky-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it launches across your forehead. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 42 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your banana splits may possibly get lime-green. Luckily you can find all the Michigan lemurs at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to burrow Michigan wines. You will be so bouncy with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout BOING!

GR Antique Market-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it pours across your arm. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 3 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your lemons may possibly get yummy. Luckily you can find all the Michigan seeds at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to move Michigan wines. You will be so swiftly with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout SPLAT!

Jillian-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it lifts across your nose. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 7 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your peanuts may possibly get talkative. Luckily you can find all the Michigan speakers at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to run Michigan wines. Your will be so dirty with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout HONK!

Tiffany DeLange-

There is nothing like a glass of Michigan wine, the way it runs across your head. Known as the “Napa of the Midwest”, it is not hard to imagine there are 5 wineries in Michigan. When touring all these world-class establishments, you and all of your cats may possibly get crazy. Luckily you can find all the Michigan moms at the International Wine and Food Festival, a great place to skip Michigan wines. You will be so young with the quality and variety of the wines at the festival, you might just shout beeeeep!

It's Wine-Lib Time!

2011-11-10T12:05:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone!

We have some exciting news! As some of you may know, The Grand Rapids International Wine and Food Festival is taking place next week (November 17-19) at the DeVos Place, and we have 10 pairs of tickets to give away! This is a fantastic festival that not only features the incredible wines this state has to offer, but it also samples wines from all over the world!

To giveaway these tickets, we are doing something really fun! We have created a wine focused mad-lib that we want YOU to fill out. Right now we will give you the different types of words we need, and the first ten to comment with their words below will receive the tickets! We will announce the winners and also post the full mad-lib (with their words in it) on Wednesday!

The tickets are only good for Thursday, November 17 (5pm-10pm)!

Have fun with this- we can't wait to see your answers!

(verb)

(body part)

(number)

(plural noun)

(adjective)

(plural noun)

(verb)

(adjective)

(onomatopoeia)

Let The Hunt Begin!

2011-11-04T10:15:00.002-04:00

Believe it or not, hunting season is here! With a few months of small game and bow hunting under some hunters belts and just under two weeks until firearm season kicks off, we are here to help you with all of your hunting questions.

West Michigan has what can only be described as a smorgasbord for the outdoor enthusiast, and the fall season has two things going for it – fishing and hunting! The fall fishing opportunities are quite astounding as rivers from New Buffalo to the Mackinac Bridge witness the yearly salmon run, bringing travelers from around the country to tangle with these hard fighting salmon as they struggle upstream from Lake Michigan. If salmon are not your thing, the rivers and inland lakes are teaming with other sought-after species from perch and bluegill to walleye and northern trout. Autumn is a great time to wet a line up and down the gold coast.

The hunting seasons officially starts the first day of September with the early goose season, but small game season starts September 15. West Michigan’s upland hunting (Grouse and Woodcock) is literally unmatched and brings folks here to chase these high flying birds through the northern counties. In Michigan, few could deny that deer hunting is the bread and butter of the outdoor pursuits. Big deer can be found in many of southwestern counties like Berrien, Cass and Van Buren. The further north you travel, the numbers increase, and if you can make it to the Leelanau County you will find some of the best deer hunting West Michigan has to offer. Bow season starts on October 1 and firearm season starts November 15. West Michigan also has a very impressive waterfowl following with numerous waterways.

We have put together a comprehensive resource to help you answer any hunting questions you have! From licensing fees, to outfitter locations- you can find it all right here!

Happy Hunting!

Oh, and ladies- if sitting in a tree stand isn't really your style, that's okay! There are plenty of "deer widow" events happening around West Michigan for you to take part in. Find yourself the perfect getaway here.

--Kelly

Halloween Weekend Events

2011-10-28T10:34:00.000-04:00

Halloween weekend marks the start of cooler weather, questions of whether zombies really do exist, and last chances to carve the perfect pumpkin in West Michigan.

This is one weekend that rapidly approaches ever year and always goes by too fast. Here at the West Michigan Tourist Association, we know everyone likes to celebrate this holiday in different ways so we have complied a list of all the haunting, ghoulish, and of course fun events happening around West Michigan this weekend. Make sure to follow the links for dates and times!

For the Family

Coopersville Pumpkin Train

Grand Rapids Zoo Goes Boo

Battle Creek 2011 Great ZooBoo

Thompsonville Crystal Harvest Days & Halloween Spooktacular

Muskegon Dark Side of the Museum

Battle Creek Twilight Tromps: Haunt Jaunt

Grand Rapids Hallowee-Ones

Boyne Falls Halloween Hoopla at Avalanche Bay

New Era Scarecrow Shooting Event

New Era Halloween Costume Contest

Big Rapids Big Rapids Trick-Or-Treating

Pentwater Halloween on the Green & Spooktacular Parade

Battle Creek Haunt to Trot Costume Contest

Haunted Places and Spaces

Fennville Haunted Corn Maze

Manistee Ghost Ship - SS City of Milwaukee

Northport Historic Ghost Tours at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse

Thompsonville Haunted Forest

Bay Haunted Hayrides

South Haven Haunted House

Marshall Haunted Adventure

Lake Odessa The Boondocks Haunted Hayride

Festivals

Manistee Macabre Manistee

Bear Lake Scarecrow Festival

Grand Rapids Spooky Tunes Laser Light Shows

Big Rapids Downtown Big Rapids Fall Festival

Traverse City Harvest Celebration at Brys Estate
Allegan Hometown Halloween

Douglas Halloween Harvest Festival

Parties and Dinners

Hickory Corners Murder Mystery Dinner

Petoskey A Murder Mystery Dinner

Traverse City Old Town Halloween Carnival and Monster's Ball

Grand Rapids The JUST WICKED Halloween Party!

Grand Rapids Mega 80's Spooktacular!

Arts

Grand Rapids Dracula

Walks and Runs

Traverse City Traverse City Downtown Halloween Walk

Traverse City Zombie Run

Deals

Byron Center Baymont Goes Boo

Fall Color Report- Thursday 10/27

2011-10-27T14:22:00.000-04:00

Peak is just passing in most parts of West Michigan and for the most part, high winds and rain have dropped most of the leaves.

North:

Traverse City: Just past peak

Roscommon County-around Houghton Lake, lots of yellow mixed in with all the pines. Tamarack especially. Look close for the red berries of Michigan Holly.

Center:

Clinton County: over half of the trees are missing leaves around the area. Some pockets of color around rivers like the Looking Glass

Eaton County: It appears that we missed peak color! The storms and wind knocked off many of the colorful leaves, we are hoping to see some color on what trees still have leaves.

Clare County-good color north of Clare, lots of yellow on popples, oaks are holding leaves of reds-browns

Kent County: At peak

South:

Barry County: what trees have leaves are at peak, mostly oaks.

Calhoun County: recent storms have left many trees bare. What trees have leaves left are a mix of green, yellows. Nice colors on Old 27

The "S" Word

2011-10-21T14:34:00.001-04:00

That's right, I'm about to say it.....SNOW!

Whether you like to believe it or not, it is coming. Soon and fast. According to the Farmers Almanac, we here in West Michigan should be buckling down or gearing up for a wild winter (whichever you prefer)! For some of you, this is great news. For others, just the thought of this makes you want to run to the nearest tropical island.

Here in West Michigan, we are affected by what most locals refer to as "Lake Effect". We hear the phrase pretty much every day in the winter, and by the end of the season the only Lake Effect we want is the one where we get to dip our toes in the hot sand.

So what is Lake Effect really? It's a weather phenomenon that is best known in the Great Lakes region, though it takes place world wide. In the early winter months, a large body of water, such as Lake Michigan, will take its sweet time cooling, leaving the water temperature much warmer than the air above. As cool winds cross, the lake evaporates rapidly, forming narrow bands of precipitation that certainly do not hold back upon reaching leeward shores. Perhaps surprisingly, it's not the shoreline that gets hit the hardest by the snow bands, but 15 miles inland where the terrain begins to rise.

Shannon, our wonderful Communications Director, used some of her precious time to create (if I do say so myself) an absolutely incredible "Lake Effect" map, where she charted average snowfalls of various West Michigan regions. It is fun to see what cities get the most snow and who is effected most by lake effect. Curious to see how much snow your favorite city gets? This is one map you won't want to miss.

If this post brings music to your ears because winter is your "thing", we wish you a happy and playful winter. Time to break out the skis, snowboards, snowmobiles and snowshoes.

As for the rest of you, enjoy your hibernation! We will see you when the trees start budding again!

--Kelly

Fall Color Report- Wednesday 10/19

2011-10-19T16:04:00.000-04:00

Due to the warm temperatures of last week and the high winds that blew through this week, the fall colors are certainly confused. The winds have blown quite a few leaves off of the trees, and there are some spots where trees are still completely green.

North:

Report from Traverse City: 75% to 100% Peak Color inland

50% to 75% Peak along the shoreline

Report from Manistee County: Along the Lakeshore the colors are at peak, about 1/3 of trees showing any green

Center:

Clinton County: Rain has caused some leaf off, mostly near peak color, about 50-75% of the trees showing color.

Report from Jackson County: conditions are past peak, winds knocked off a majority of the leaves that had color. About half the trees are missing leaves, of the remaining half, of those showing colors, what is still "green" shows strong undertones of yellow.

South:

Report from Muskegon County: Peak is here and due to recent winds, leaf off has begun. Of the trees remaining with leaves, 50% are showing color.

Report from VanBuren County: Due to winds along the lakeshore, most of the leaves have fallen. Inland, various trees are still at peak or just about there.

Fall Color Report- Wednesday 10/12

2011-10-12T17:19:00.000-04:00

North:

Report from Traverse City: Colors are showing on 50-60% of trees.

Report from Otsego County: Around Gaylord, 50% color showing

Report from Wexford County: The area is at peak, possibly just past peak as leaves are starting to fall from trees. A great drive is US131 between Tustin and Cadillac.

Report from Manistee County: Colors along the lake are approaching peak, 40% of trees showing color

Center:

Report from Eaton County: Southern Eaton county showing 50% color, farm fields are crispy yellow!

Report from Jackson County: 60% color, nearing peak colors around the Waterloo State Recreation Area and Michigan Audubon Haehnle Sanctuary. Keep an eye open for Sandhill Cranes in the area!

South:

Report from Muskegon County: This coming weekend will probably be peak color, they are at 50% color from north to south in the county. About 30% yellows, 15% oranges, 5% reds.

Report from Calhoun County: In the area between Marshall and Bellevue, color is approaching peak, 40-50% of the trees showing some color. The farm fields in Convis township make for a nice foreground for trees that are changing. Look for sandhill cranes foraging in the fields.

Report from Barry County: M78 between Hastings and Nashville 40-60% color, oranges and reds.

Fall Color Report- Thursday 10/6

2011-10-06T09:57:00.002-04:00

The cool nights and warm days are making for some quick color changes in West Michigan! Colors all over the region are starting to pop and at a rapid pace! Make sure to check back every week for an updated report.

North:

Report from Traverse City: Colors around the lake are showing on 25-30% of trees, less inland.

Report from Otsego County: Around Gaylord, 40% color showing

Report from Wexford County: Around Tustin/Cadillac, colors are on 50% of the trees, many yellows and reds. The drive along US 131 is absolutely beautiful in this area.

Report from Manistee County: Trees are showing 15% color along the lakeshore, 20% inland. Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary reports many birds moving through along the lakeshore.

Report from Mason County: Take in Mason county's glorious color at about 35%. Many of the trees are supporting shades of yellow, red and orange. The ash, as always, are simply beautiful and the maples are just starting to change.

Center:

Report from Clinton County: Soybeans and corn are mostly yellow. About 10% color in trees, more along the Looking Glass.

Report from Ingham County: Color increases east to west, about 50% showing undertones of color, especially small trees and shrubs

Report from Eaton County: Soybeans and corn are quite yellow, however, trees are mostly green. There is more color in the NW corner, about 15%. As you head towards Lansing, trees are mostly green.

Report from Jackson County: Area around Waterloo Recreation Area and Michigan Audubon Haehnle Sanctuary showing about 25% color in the upland forested areas. Marshy areas are at peak color, keep your eyes open for sandhill cranes foraging in fields.

South:

Report from Muskegon County: Colors have really come along in the past week! About 40% of trees showing, about 3/4 of them yellow, the rest orange/red.

Report from Calhoun County: About 30% of trees showing yellow undertones in the upland areas. In the wetland areas, swamps and marshes are a wide variety of yellows, browns, and reds. These areas are nearing peak. A nice color drive is I-69 between Marshall and the Bellevue exit. CraneFest is this Saturday at the Kiwanis Youth Recreation Area.

Report from Barry County: Areas around Gun Lake are showing undertones of yellow. Cruise some of the back roads in the swampy areas and the tamaracks are starting to show some yellow, many red maples have turned. Poison sumac and other shrubs are a spectrum of colors, from deep purples, to reds, yellows, oranges. Trees are still mostly green, probably 95%.

Report from Van Buren County: sumacs are red, maples are turning into golden yellow or red, look for osage oranges on the road. Walnut leaves are about done and few walnuts on the ground. Generally color is showing @30%

Report from Kalamazoo County: Colors are still mostly green, 5-10% of the trees are showing color, mostly small trees like sassafras.

Niles Haunted House

2011-09-29T15:18:00.002-04:00

'Tis now the very witching time of night
when churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
contagion to this world.
-Shakespeare's Hamlet

That most bewitching time of year draws nearer, casting a spell over thoughts and inclinations, causing otherwise sane and practical people to seek out creatures of the night. As the ancient celebration of Halloween falls upon us, thousands of terror-seeking souls make their annual pilgrimage to Niles, Michigan, resting place of haunts so scary, Kelly and I could only make it through with the lights on.

Death, our Tour Guide

On an overcast Friday afternoon, we arrived at Niles Haunted House Scream Park to meet Death, our tour guide for the evening. Dark robes, extreme pallor, unnatural white eyes: while unsettling in his appearance, he proved to be a wealth of knowledge. We were, after all, at no mere haunted house, so who better to provide insight to the planning and psychology that goes into a dark and deranged production than Death himself?

How big of a production are we talking about? Niles Haunted House features six haunted attractions over 44 acres. Building begins in January for its mid-September debut when, on an average night, 150-200 volunteers creep around and creep out up to 13,000 visitors.What's most impressive? Niles Haunted House is a non-profit that raises over $75,000 for local charities.

Niles Haunted House
Calling all Hogwarts fans! The haunted house's theme changes annually, and this year's is "Scarry Potter." As Ron would say, "Brilliant." Death led Kelly and me through the opening scenes outside of the haunted house, and I couldn't help but smile at the quidditch field and graveyard with wand wielding wizards. Our lights-on tour continued inside through notable settings from the Harry Potter series: the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmead, and the "Grand Staircase" with its portrait covered walls, serving as your starting point to a hundred different routes (you have to go through an estimated eight times to see every room).

Jumping spiders, moving floors and walls, and a famed elevator: nothing is really as it seems. Unique scares left our hearts racing even when Death gave us a heads up. An insiders tip? If you just experienced a crash, blast of air or unexpected pop of a prop, there's more than likely a ghoul nearby waiting to scare you too.

CarnEvil
Clowns. I hate clowns. What is it about these sadistically grinning, brightly colored devils that make our skin crawl? Perhaps it was Stephen King's 1986 novel It that forever demonized that which once represented cheerful children and cotton candy. Perhaps it's the creepy carnival music so often accompanying them. Either way, in CarnEvil, there's no escaping clowns nor the sounds of a calliope. As Kelly and I approached, still in broad daylight, with the lights still on, we hesitated at the door where wooden blocks merrily spelled "die." We turned around and walked out, only to regain the conviction of duty to you, dear blog readers, and reentered. We really need to reexamine our priorities.

I honestly can't give great depth of detail on CarnEvil, as I hurried through as quickly as possible while looking down or up but never really at anything. There were clowns. Everywhere. Big clowns and little clowns. Seemingly innocent clowns doing seemingly innocent things. Clowns who were obviously up to no good. No, never again. Stop with the clowns, West Michigan!

Field of Screams
We began our journey through Niles Haunted House's outdoor maze well before the sun began to set, which gave us the benefit of a well-lit day, and it was still mind boggling. Kelly and I walked in circles, backtracked along stark black walls, and stared at each other with baffled and, yes, fearful expressions. Mind you, we made our visit before the park was open, so we weren't waiting for creepers to jump out at us or lead us astray. The feeling of being lost was scary enough without the added fright.

Once we made our way through the opening labyrinth (which took us about twenty minutes), the maze continued on just as twisty and turny, only now it upped the ante: creepy baby dolls, grave yards, birch forests, a well-positioned hearse... We were lost. We were scared. The sun was beginning to set.

Eventually we found our way out (not without great effort) and moved on to the next attraction. We were told that in the dark of night, it can take hours to make it through.

Dark Terror-tory Haunted Hayride
Outdoor rides are often great spooks for the little ones (and Kelly), and this one proved no different. On a nice autumn night like the one we had, a trip through the woods pulled by tractor makes for the perfect night cap. This is the only attraction that Kelly agreed to go through while the park was open and fully staffed with spooks and ghouls. Death called her out on her cowardliness, but Kelly cared not.

The highlight of the hayride, themed Deadtime Stories, is the fire breathing dragon.Yes, actual flames burst from its reptilian mouth. Still it was calm, tame compared to the rest of the Scare Park, and sometimes the narration was hard to hear over the chatter of the passengers, but if you have young children, there's the perfect amount of startling-but-not-to-scary antics.

Midway of the Macabre
All of the attractions, which also include Underworld Unleashed, stem from the midway which has its own set of haunts to explore. You can send your friends to the electric chair, shoot corn cobs at unsuspecting maze-goers, or visit with the Monsters of the Midway (this is where Death hangs out nightly). Barbara the Gray Witch is available for tarot and palm readings, and she is absolutely charming and hilarious. She kept Kelly and I rolling with her puns. We also had time to chat with Zendor before his puppet show, which I volunteered for but was dragged off by Kelly before we could participate (sorry, Zendor!).

If you are after a good scare this Halloween season, you certainly cannot miss Niles Haunted House. It takes its claim of being one of the "scariest, creepiest, most blood-curdling attractions this side of the Continental Divide" dead seriously.

Niles Haunted House Scream Park is conveniently located between Detroit, Chicago, and just over the Indiana border. Before you go, creep over to WMTA.org for a $7 off coupon.

Haunted High Five,

-Shannon

Fall Color Report- Wednesday 9/28

2011-09-28T16:46:00.000-04:00

Colors in the Cadillac area along U.S.131 are about 20 percent right now. The predominate color is still yellow and there are various shades showing. The maples are showing more orange and red now and the sumacs are a brilliant red.

In Mason County the ash are in full swing with color ranging from deep plum to orangey yellow. Some maples are just starting to show, some are blazing red, and some are still green. There is about a 30 percent color change over all

In Eaton County the trees are still mostly green. Colors on M79 between Charlotte and Nashville are starting to show between 15-20 percent. The soybeans are orange-yellow in the area.

In Calhoun County the colors are still mostly green, with red maples showing some reds and the marsh areas showing some browns, oranges, and yellow. The best colors are in the swampy, low-lying areas. Staghorn sumac is showing bright reds.

In Jackson County, 10 percent of trees were showing fall colors. There are more colors in the marsh and prairie vegetation.

In Van Buren County the walnuts are about done. Maples are mostly green with a few yellow.

Fall Color Report- Wednesday 9/21

2011-09-21T13:12:00.000-04:00

The colors are slowly starting to change here in West Michigan.

North of Cadillac, the trees are starting to pop with reds and yellows. The sugar maples seem to be the first to change and there is an overall 15-20% total color change at this time.

In the Grand Rapids area there is a 5-10% color change, and in southwest Michigan there is only about a 5% change.

Make sure to check back next Wednesday for an updated report- and hopefully more color!

What's your thing?

2011-09-16T15:31:00.000-04:00

There's only been one draw-back to our new What's your thing? campaign: everyone has had "Do Your Thing" by Basement Jaxx stuck in our heads.

This weekend is the perfect time to head out and take your photo for the What's your thing? contest. Gather your friends, get creative, and do your thing! (do do dododo...) I can't wait to see what you come up with.

High five,

-Shannon

Savin' Lives

2011-09-15T17:16:00.002-04:00

I'm going to tell you a secret about WMTA Executive Director Rick Hert. Are you ready? Move in a little closer... He's a blood-giving rock star. No really, our ever-modest leader has donated blood 199 times. Yes, that would be nearly 25 gallons. If that's not impressive, I'm at a loss for what is.

Post-poke: Kelly, Me & Rick

Last month, Rick inspired Kelly and me to give as well during a Michigan Blood Drive sponsored by our friends over at Pure Michigan. While squeezing away and filling our pints, we got to talking about what an exciting event it will be when Rick makes his 200th donation. Then we had a brilliant idea.

Another little WMTA secret: Kelly and I think we have brilliant ideas just about every day. This time, dare I say, we struck gold. For WMTA's 95th Anniversary, let's get 95 donors. A few phone calls to our West Michigan pals, and the idea became an event.

Ladies and gentlemen, please open your hearts and your veins with WMTA for our first ever blood drive! If you are in the Grand Rapids area on October 17, head over to the JW Marriott between 10 am - 6 pm to help us reach our goal. We'll be hanging out in Ballroom C. Even better, you don't have to worry about parking downtown since donors can park for free at the JW's parking garage.

If you're one of the first 95 donors to register, you'll receive a Grand Rapids Culture Pass and a half-pint of chocolate milk from Country Dairy. If you read this blog regularly, you know that for Kelly and me, this is like a dream prize pack. I just about fall over myself for all things art (have you seen the line up for the Grand Rapids Ballet Company this year? Amazing!) while Kelly could very well be Country Dairy's number one fan. I think between the two of us, we've been to Moo School six times (and we're going again later this month!).

Yes, we're all a-buzz here at the WMTA HQ. Between blood drives and What's your thing?, there's certainly much to be excited for. Mark your calendars, and we'll see you next month!

High five,

-Shannon

Introducing “What’s Your Thing?”

2011-09-01T18:02:00.000-04:00

The West Michigan Tourist Association launched a brand new campaign today titled “What’s Your Thing?” Travelers have discovered that they can do just about anything in West Michigan, but how do you decide exactly what it is you want to do?

WMTA took these questions into consideration and have an answer; the new WMTA.org.

With the new “What’s Your Thing?” campaign, WMTA allows travelers to search by experience to tailor a one of a kind trip to their needs. WMTA.org now allows travelers to tailor a one-of-a-kind experience to their exact specifications.

With a new campaign comes a new giveaway!

The driving force behind the new campaign is a YouTube video titled “What’s Your Thing?” The video showcases travelers from all over the mid-west taking part in their favorite West Michigan activities. The end of the video asks viewers to send the WMTA pictures or videos of themselves doing their favorite thing in West Michigan. Participants can send in their photos/videos through wmta.org or on the WMTA Facebook and twitter pages. All participants will be entered to win one of five grand prize giveaways. Winners will be drawn on August 31, 2012. Prizes include:

Prize 1: Overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City and 2 adult boat tickets for the Beaver Island Boat Company. *

Prize 2: Two night stay at the Cherry Tree Inn and Suites in Traverse City, private wine tasting tour at Brys Estate in Traverse City, and one season pass to Crystal Mountain.

Prize 3: Overnight stay at Parkview Cottages in Ludington, overnight stay at Open Acres Lodge in Cadillac and a copy of the photo book Ludington State Park: Queen of the North by Todd and Brad Reed Photography.

Prize 4: Overnight spa escape package stay at the J.W. Marriott Grand Rapids, four passes to the Grand Rapids Children Museum, two family four packs for the John Ball Park Zoo, and four corn maze and jumping pillow passes to Robinettes.

Prize 5: Overnight stay at Lake Bluff Inn and Suites in South Haven, a couples weekend stay at Oak Cove Resort in Lawrence, four frightful nightful passes to Niles Haunted house, and a family four pack to the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners.

So get on out there, do your thing, take some photos, and send them our way! We can’t wait to see what your favorite thing to do in West Michigan is!

Check back periodically as we upload travelers photos to our blog, Facebook, and twitter pages- you may just see yourself!

Castle Farms hosts a very special couple!

2011-07-12T09:56:00.000-04:00

Feeling patriotic after all of the holiday festivities this month? You're in luck! Today we have a guest blogger with a red, white and blue treat for you. Peggy Kusina from the beautiful Castle Farms in Charlevoix tell us the story about a very famous (miniature) couple that paid a visit to the property.

Garden Railway

"President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama miniature look-alikes paid a surprise visit to Castle Farms! Tipped off about the Castle’s magnificent Garden Railroad by Ray LaHood, U. S. Transportation Chief, the Obamas insisted on rearranging their schedule to include a visit to historic Castle Farms. Miniature President Obama and First Lady Michelle toured the Garden Railroad on one of the 36 G-scale trains operating on more than 1,600 feet of track. President Obama reported being most impressed by the miniature Round Lake, beneath the shade of Charlevoix’s historic railroad bridge. Mrs. Obama enjoyed the elaborate floral displays and cascading water fall. Having recently visited Buckingham Palace as guests of Queen Elizabeth II, the miniature Obamas pronounced Castle Farms Garden Railroad more majestic and magnificent than anything the British crown’s estate has to offer. A brief stop along part of the 1,600 feet of track allowed the mini President Obama to address his fellow constituents about the lovely gardens and regal towers of the Castle Railroad. He pronounced the expert engineering of the Garden Railroad’s tunnels and bridges a stunning tribute to the spirit of American “can-do”. One of Michigan’s top tour attractions, Castle Farms hosts self-guided tours of the Castle buildings, museums, grounds, gardens, plus the Castle Garden Railroad. Castle Gates open at 10 am, seven days a week, for a nominal fee.

Miniature Obama's

Model Train Enthusiasts are encouraged to visit Castle Farms for a viewing of the miniature President Obama and First Lady. Castle Farms Garden Railroad Club welcomes new members, and anyone interested in joining is encouraged to contact us."

Volunteers are needed to help build, maintain, and operate outdoor trains. For more information on how to join, or about the Castle Farms Model Garden Railroad Club, please contact Peggy at Castle Farms, (231) 237-0884, ext. 224, or drop her a line by email at peggy@castlefarms.com

West Michigan for Kids- Binder Park Zoo

2011-06-29T14:02:00.000-04:00

Feeding the giraffe

Shannon and I had the treat of visiting Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek last week. I am a fan of zoos and animals in general, so you can imagine my excitement leading up to this glorious day.

Binder Park Zoo sits on 433 acres of wildlife preserve and is not your typical zoo. One of the main attractions is the Wild Africa exhibit which houses animals you would typically see on an African Safari. In order to get to the exhibit, visitors must take a five-minute tram ride through the lush woods of the zoo. Once there, you step off the tram and are immersed in African culture in an African-esque village. As you stroll through the village you will find clipboards lying around that look like people have been taking notes, but these really have facts written on them that are easy for kids to read and learn little facts and tid-bits about the animals. If you keep following the trail you will stumble upon the Twiga Overlook, which just happened to be my favorite part! Here, you look out into a beautiful open field filled with zebras, ostriches, and giraffes. The best part? You can feed the giraffes! This was the first encounter I have ever had with a giraffe, and let me tell you it was memorable. I held my piece of lettuce out for one of the giraffes to eat and without hesitation, the largest one stuck his long grey tongue out, wrapped itself around the stalk and took it right back in. The whole act of being able to feed a giraffe is addicting and I could have been entertained by it for hours; unfortunately we were on quite a schedule so we had to make our way onward.

We followed the path through the rest of the exhibit where we saw all different kinds of birds, monkeys, goats, chickens, and bulls all nestled throughout the one mile, wooded engulfed, elevated boardwalk.

We took the tram back down to the main area where we proceeded to see peacocks roaming freely, cheetahs, kangaroos, and prairie dogs (one of my other favorites).

Educational programming

Not only are the animal exhibits fascinating, but some of the greatest parts about the Binder Park Zoo are the educational programs they offer. These programs allow children to explore of the wonders of wildlife and conservation through interactive age appropriate programming. Dedicated to creating experiences that foster a sense of wonder, share knowledge, and advocate active involvement with wildlife and wild places, these programs are available for groups and individuals ages 18 months and up.

The zoo is a seasonal attraction and is open until October 2, 2011. However, the zoo does host a variety of off-season events including the Great Zoo Boo in October!

On July 4 the zoo is hosting another great event for kids called Animal Play Days: Watermelon Madness. Could you fit a whole watermelon in your belly? Some animals in the zoo can! Who will be the fastest? Enjoy seeing the juice run down the chins of your favorite animals as they chomp on watermelons in the summer sun.

Make sure to add Binder Park Zoo to your “must see in West Michigan” list. It is fun for kids of all ages!

Binder Park Zoo

7400 Division Drive

Battle Creek, MI 49014

269.979.1351

WMTA Goes to Gun Lake!

2011-06-22T17:52:00.000-04:00

Last week, Shannon and Kelly had the pleasure of visiting the Gun Lake area in West Michigan. This beautiful stretch of West Michigan splendor is smack dab between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. They had so much fun in fact, that they chronicled their experience into a video to share with everyone. Here is the final product- enjoy!

Weekend Round-up

2011-06-17T15:14:00.000-04:00

With the start of festival season music and the smell of elephant ears will be filling the air of Michigan's West Coast. Be sure to grab you father, give him a hug and a high five, take him to hear some great music, and give your dear ol' dad something he will really enjoy; time with you. Happy Fathers day Dad!

Happy trails

-Intern Katie

All Month

Muskegon: Muskegon County Convention & Visitor Bureau: Parties In The Park

This Weekend

Kalamazoo: Michigan Festivals & Events: Island Fest

Traverse City: Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau: Grand Traverse Balloon Classic

Muskegon: Muskegon County Convention & Visitor Bureau: Miss Michigan Pageant

Friday

Benzie: Benzie Are Visitors Bureau: Lore: a multimedia performance and exhibition

Muskegon: Muskegon County Convention & Visitor Bureau: LST Movies On Deck

Friday and Saturday

Marshall: Cornwell’s Turkeyville: Married Alive!

Saturday

Rothbury: Double JJ Resort: Summer Rodeo

Grand Rapids: Founders Brewing Company: 4th Annual Founders Fest

Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpure Park: G. Love & Special Sauce

Mackinaw City: Greater Mackinaw Area Chamber of Commerce: Creole Du Nord

Sunday

St. Joseph: Lemon Creek Winery & Fruit Farms: 27th Annual Fathers Day Festival & Corvette Car Show

Rothbury: Double JJ Resort: Free Golf for Dad

Don’t Forget

Saugatuck: Saugatuck Center for the Arts: PIE: A Slice of Pure Michigan

Through June 20

Grand Rapids Art Museum: Birds of America: Audubon Prints from Shelburne Museum

Through August 14

Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed

Through June 19

Muskegon Museum of Art: Horsepower: Images of Horses

Through June 26

Muskegon Museum of Art: Flippers and Flash: The Art of Pinball

Through July 31

For the Kids! Lakeshore Museum Center

2011-06-10T10:19:00.000-04:00

The school year is coming to an end and pretty soon the kids will be burning your ears with the dreaded words “I’m bored”. They have only been out of school for two days and yet, for some reason have already run out of things to do.

We are here to help.

West Michigan has endless opportunities for children and their families. Museums, amusement parks, water parks, zoos, ferries and theatres are just naming a few. Check back frequently as we highlight places that are great for kids! If you are on twitter, follow our feed #wmkids where we will continually be putting up great ideas for kids.

This week we are going to start with the Lakeshore Museum Center in Muskegon. Shannon and I were lucky enough to have been able to visit the museum this past November. The museum looks small from the outside, but we were blown away by how much was in the museum! The greatest part about the Lakeshore Museum Center is that it is absolutely FREE! There is no admission fee for anyone- how cool is that?

The museum has continuing exhibits as well as changing exhibits. There are six continuing exhibits

Coming to the Lakes- Follow a group of people from different ethnic backgrounds through a 10,000-year journey. Learn how people have lived in different parts of our region and the influences that have affected their lives. There is even a full size Mastodon replica!

Michigan: From the Depths of Time- This is a fantastic room that gives the impression of being underwater. The exhibit travels through the depths of time to see the plants and animals that lived in the habitats of Michigan’s distant past.

Body Works- This exhibit shows people of all ages how the human body

works. This exhibit promotes healthy eating and living by explaining through different hands-on activities how the way we live and the different foods we eat affect our bodies.

Habitats and Food Webs- This exhibit discovers the relationships between plants and animals that live in Muskegon County and the food webs they create. Explore wetlands, urban backyards, grasslands, and dune habitats to find out what plants and animals consume to survive.

Hackley and Hume Site

Science Center- Learn about simple science through hands-on activities! Ride a bike to produce electricity, learn how a pulley system works, and so much more.

The museum also has three historic sites that are open May- October and are within walking distance of the main building.

The Hackley and Hume site preserves the homes of Muskegon's most famous lumber baron, Charles H. Hackley, and his business partner, Thomas Hume. The Site envelops the visitor in a unique living space, bringing late 19th century craftsmanship to life. Also going on right now At the Hackley & Hume Historic Site, the museum is featuring an exhibit in the City Barn – “Unsolved Mysteries: The Shipwreck Thomas Hume”. The exhibit explores the loss of the Lumber Baron’s schooner in Lake Michigan 120 years ago. Divers located the wreck in 2006. Surprising discoveries such as intact clothing, shoes, coins, jewelry, and other historic treasures have provided new insights into the shipment of lumber on Lake Michigan and how the crew lived, worked, and died on the Lake.

Fire Barn and Scolnik House

The Scolnik House is a historic house of the depression era that tells the story of two common families living under the same roof during the Great Depression.

The Fire Barn Museum serves as a living memorial to the brave men and women who have served as Muskegon County firefighters. The second floor was restored over the winter and now features a replica of a living quarters area for the firemen. The museum features historic firefighting equipment and photographs of some of Muskegon’s worst fires.

The Hackley and Hume houses cost $3 to visit (children 12 and under are free). The Scolnik House and Fire Barn have free admission.

The museum is open Monday thru Friday - 9:30am to 4:30pm and
Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 4:00pm.

Celebrations!

2011-06-09T15:00:00.000-04:00

This weekend calls for celebration! Well, in my opinion, every weekend is a cause for celebration because after all, it is the weekend! Nonetheless, we are celebrating here at the WMTA headquarters today because it is Shannon’s (our lovely Communications Director) birthday!

However, we are not the only ones celebrating a birthday this weekend. Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery is celebrating their 100^th anniversary by hosting a car show and ice cream social! Congratulations, Robinette’s on 100 years!

There are other celebrations going on all throughout West Michigan this entire weekend and as always, we have put them all together for you in one easy to read link round-up.

Check out all the events out below, and as always, if you would like more information you can always visit www.wmta.org.

Enjoy your weekend!

Kelly

All Weekend

Grand Rapids: Frederick Meijer Gardens: Playful Baby Goats
Muskegon: Fairgrounds: Antique Tractor and Engine Show

Saturday

Grand Rapids: Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery: Centennial Car Show and Ice Cream Social
Stanwood: River Ridge RV Resort: Nature Day
Muskegon: Muskegon Museum of Art: 99^th Anniversary Gala
Pentwater: Pentwater: Community Wide Garage Sales
Pentwater: Pentwater: Outdoor Safety Day
Big Rapids: Hemlock Park:bigrapids.org Catch-A-Fish Grant-A-Wish Fishing Tournament

Sunday

New Era: Lewis Farm Market: CPR Red Cross Certification Class

Don’t Forget

Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through June 19
Muskegon Museum of Art: Flippers and Flash: The Art of Pinball | Through July 31
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Laura Ford: Actual, Factual Fables| Through August 21
Muskegon: Festivals in the Park (Friday’s) | Through August 26
Muskegon: LST Movies on Deck (Friday’s) | Through August 26
Muskegon Museum of Art: Horse Power | Through August 28
Double JJ Resort: Summer Rodeo | Through September 3
Lowell: Outdoor Farmer’s Market | Through September 29
Lewis Farm Market: Petting Farm | Through October 31

Weekend Round-Up

2011-06-02T17:36:00.000-04:00

The weather is getting hotter and so are the summer festivals and concerts. Don’t let the heat or the price at the gas pump catch you off guard as there are a lot of great one-tank trip ideas here in West Michigan. So if you want to enjoy a concert or let your pooch cool off at one of the many dog beaches, this weekend will be a fun filled kick-off to a great summer.

All Month

Muskegon: LST Movies on Deck

Starting This Weekend

Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Laura Ford: Actual, Factual Fables

Friday

Grand Rapids: West Michigan Whitecaps
Mears:Van Du Lakes Resort: FREE-Kie Friday Concert Series
Fennville: Khnemu Studio: “Atmospheric Composition” by Steven Hill

Friday & Saturday

Kalamazoo: Greek Festival
Berry County: Michigan Audubon: Cerulean Warbler Weekend

Saturday

Lansing: Chili Cook-Off
Thompsonville:Crystal Mountain: Birding with Keith
Grand Rapids: Founders Brewing Company: An Evening with Seth Bernard and May Erlewine

Sunday

Hickory Corners: Gilmore Car Museum: Grand Experience Concourse
Kalamazoo: Binder Park Zoo: Breakfast for the Animals

Don’t Forget

Rothbury: Double JJ Ranch: Summer Rodeo
Grand Rapids: Gerald R. Ford Museum: The American Soldier- A Photographic Tribute to Soldiers and Marines from the Civil war to Iraq
South Haven: South Haven Center for the Arts: Members Show
Marshal: Cornwell's Turkeyville: Married Alive
Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed
Saugatuck: Saugatuck Center for the Arts: PIE: A Slice of Pure Michigan
Muskegon: Muskegon Museum of Art: Horse Power: Images of Horses from the Permanent Collection
Muskegon: Muskegon Museum of Art: Flippers and Flash: The Are of Pinball

Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Art Museum: Birds of America: Audubon Prints from Shelburne Museum

Mario Radacovsky’s Romeo & Juliet

2011-05-17T17:10:00.000-04:00

The immortal words of Shakespeare’s star-cross’d lovers have been spoken for centuries on stages throughout the world, becoming a tragedy with which we’re intimately familiar. In the world of ballet, the feuding families, young lovers, and violent end has been stirring hearts as far back as 1785, fostering its own iconic history. It is a rarity for a production to successfully forego the traditions of this classic story to present it anew, to draw audiences in as if they’d never guess the infamous outcome, yet it has just been done.

The Grand Rapids Ballet Company closes its accomplished season with famed choreographer Mario Radacovsky’s Romeo & Juliet. There is nothing Elizabethan about this ballet. There are no men in tights, ornate gowns, or even a balcony. And that’s perfectly splendid. With dynamic choreography, phenomenal staging, and simplistic costumes, Radacovsky has stripped the story of its frills, allowing the audience to see the young pair not as “Romeo & Juliet,” but simply two people experiencing true love for the first time.

The hard work of the cast is evident with every movement. Kyohei Giovanni Yoshida as Mercutio and Leonid Flegmatov as Tybalt nearly steal the show with their brawl. Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s Artistic Director Patricia Barker is divinely stoic as Lady Capulet. Yet it was Stephen Sanford and Rachael Riley in the title roles that left you simply and utterly breathless.

The experience provided by the Grand Rapids Ballet Company in Romeo & Juliet comes once in a lifetime, amplified by the intimacy of the Peter Martin Wege Theatre. Tickets are still available for this weekend’s shows.Visit www.grballet.com for more information.

A Shakespearean high five,

-Shannon

Blossoming Tulips

2011-05-14T21:00:00.000-04:00

Today marks the end of the 82nd Annual Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan. Earlier this week, Kelly and I embarked on a journey to this unique and always popular event. Gorgeous tulip varieties, thousands of people, and facinating dutch traditions round out the experience.

While the festival itself is over, the blooms are still as breathtaking as ever, leaving plenty of opportunity to experience it for yourself. Enjoy!

High five,

-Shannon

A true heart warming: The Music House Museum

2011-05-06T14:57:00.001-04:00

A few months ago, Shannon and I had the pleasure of taking a trip up north to the beautiful community of Traverse City. We tooled around visiting friends, restaurants, hotels, spas, wineries, you name it, and we saw it. However, one very early morning on our trip we stopped at what looked to be an old barn and farmhouse. We were supposed to be at the Music House Museum, but we were awfully unsure if this is where we were supposed to be. Shannon finally spotted a sign noting we were at the right place. We were especially intrigued by the Music House Museum because it houses a meticulous restored collection of the finest and rarest automatic instruments in the world!

Not knowing what to expect of the museum, we waltzed in and were immediately greeted by the extremely friendly staff. Wasting no time, we were swept away by our wonderful tour guide and started our tour in a room that housed extensive collections of radios, phonographs and jukeboxes. Each individual display shows the evolution of each of these instruments and many of them still work!

The general store. The Regina Music Box is on the far left.

The next stop on our tour was at the Acme General Store. This is a replica of what a general store would have looked like in the late 1800’s. Included in this exhibit is a Regina Music Box. These are music boxes that were made in the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. The Regina tune sheets are steel discs with the printed song title and logo directly on the disk. This music box is still working and in pristine condition. The music plays as clear as day and you would never know it was over 100 years old!

1925 Weber Grand Piano

Directly across from this display was a slew of pianos - every kind of piano imaginable. Piano’s that played themselves, pianos that recorded while being played, and just regular ol’ pianos. The one that blew both Shannon and myself out of the water was a 1925 Weber grand piano, which was played by George Gershwin. He recorded his Rhapsody In Blue on this piano years ago, and today, it still sounds exactly like it did when he played it. I promise you, it will give you chills.

We made our way into the middle of the old farmhouse and were greeted by an old fair organ that produced the sound of a 20 piece German marching band. The machine is no bigger than 6ft wide and the sound it creates can fill a whole barn! The music feeds into it from an accordion-style book complete with tiny circle cut outs to hit each note!

Fair Organ

The Hurry Back Saloon was our next stop. Like the general store, this saloon is set up to look just like it would have back in the early 1900’s. Of course, the saloon houses instruments as well. The one that caught my attention was a 1910 Nickelodeon player piano. It is constructed of beautiful dark wood with stained glass panels AND it plays a 15-tune roll that automatically rewinds to play again. The tour guide opened the top to expose the music roll inside and my jaw dropped! It looked like someone had just crammed a bunch of paper inside and called it good. I learned that the paper never gets tangled and never ends up in the same position twice! Mind blowing.

Nickelodeon Piano- Look at that paper!

As we made our way to the upstairs of the old barn, we passed a theater organ from 1924 that used to be housed in the Cinderella Theater in Detroit. The museum now uses this organ as musical accompaniment to silent films they show periodically throughout the summer.

Our final stop was at the very top of the barn to see the 30ft wide, 1922 Mortier Dance Organ. Made in Antwerp, Belgium, this organ was used in dance halls throughout the world and no other manufacturer has matched the cubic meter volume of organs produced by Mortier. The sound fills the whole entire facility of the museum and I bet you can hear it outside as well. Your whole body is rattled by the thunderous music it emits. Trust me, you won’t be able to contain yourself from dancing.

Mortier Dance Organ

There are hundreds of instruments displayed throughout the whole entire museum. If you have a passion for music you will be overwhelmed by the sounds you will hear in the museum. Even if you don’t have a particular love of music, the history and restoration of these instruments will take your breath away. If you are ever up in the Traverse City area, make it a point to stop at the Music House Museum. It is a trip you will never forget.

This week, we do not have a specific giveaway, but if you decide to visit the museum, mention this blog post and you will receive a discounted rate!

The museum is open daily May-October, and on weekends in November and December. There are daily tours and each last for 90 minutes. Tours are scheduled on a revolving schedule, so you can join a group at any time!

You can visit the Music House Museum here:

7377 W. US-31

Acme MI, 49610

Weekend Idea Round-Up

2011-05-05T15:06:00.000-04:00

Across West Michigan, event season is blooming much like the spring buds featured in this month's Tulip Time Festival. With the sun beginning to emerge and temperatures on the rise, there's certainly cause for celebration. This weekend, of course, the honor goes to moms. Whether she's a flower fan, an sports enthusiast, or an appreciator of the arts, there's a special way to show her you care.

High five,

-Shannon

All Month

Empire: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center: Saturdays at the Lakeshore

Starting This Weekend

Dowagiac: 20th Annual Dogwood Fine Arts Festival | Through May 14
Holland: Tulip Time Festival | May 7 - 14

Friday

Bangor: Michigan Flywheelers Museum: Farm History Day
South Haven Center for the Arts: Members’ Show Opening Reception

Friday & Saturday

Grand Rapids Public Museum: An Afternoon of Fashion & Tea

Saturday

Grand Rapids: Van Andel Arena: Kenny Chesney
Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground: WKFR Mom-to-Mom Sale
Grand Rapids: West Michigan Whitecaps
Grand Rapids: Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery: Robinette's Blessing of the Blossoms

Sunday

Acme: Aerie Restaurant & Lounge at Grand Traverse Resort: Mother's Day Brunch
Charlevoix: Stafford's Weathervane Restaurant: Mother's Day Brunch Grand Rapids: San Chez "A Tapas Bistro": Mother's Day Brunch
Harbor Springs: Stafford's Pier Restaurant: Mother's Day Brunch
Hickory Corners: W.K. Kellogg Manor House: Mother's Day Brunch
Petoskey: Stafford's Bay View Inn: Mother's Day Brunch
Petoskey: Stafford's Perry Hotel: Mother's Day Brunch
Rothbury: The Sundance at Double JJ Resort: Mother's Day Brunch
Shelbyville: The Terrace Grille at Bay Pointe Inn: Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet
Spring Lake: Jack's Restaurant at Holiday Inn Spring Lake/Grand Haven: Mother's Day Brunch
St. Joseph: Blossom Time Grand Floral Parade

Don’t Forget

Grand Rapids: Gerald R. Ford Museum: The American Soldier - A Photographic Tribute to Soldiers and Marines from the Civil War to Iraq | Through June 17
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Ladislav Hanka | Through May 22
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Birds of America: Audubon Prints from Shelburne Museum | Through August 14
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through June 19
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture: Through May 8
Marshall: Cornwell's Turkeyville USA: Married Alive! | Through June 18
Muskegon Museum of Art: Horsepower: Images of Horses | Through June 26
Muskegon Museum of Art: Flippers and Flash: The Art of Pinball | Through July 31

Weekend Idea Round-Up- Easter Edition

2011-04-21T13:44:00.001-04:00

We finally have sunshine! It’s been a rough spring so far in West Michigan, but things are starting to look up! The sun is out today, and West Michigan is going to be busy this weekend. Don’t feel like dealing with the hassle of cooking and cleaning on Sunday? This edition of the weekend round-up is filled with Easter brunches and buffets that are sure to have your mouth watering.

Also, don’t forget to enter our giveaway this week- A trip to the Coopersville and Marne Railway! You can enter to win a family 4 pack of tickets right here!

Kelly

Friday

Empire: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center: National Park Week: Empire Bluffs Sunset Hike
Comstock Park: Fifth Third Ball Park: West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts

Saturday

Empire: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center: National Park Week: Healthy Parks Healthy People
Comstock Park: Fifth Third Ball Park: West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Lansing Lugnuts
Fennville: Fenn Valley Winery: Wine Maker’s Ethnic Dinner
Kalamazoo: Discover Kalamazoo: 14^th Annual Kalamazoo Egg Hunt on the River Walk
Traverse City: Chateau Chantal: Wine Immersion Seminar
Shelbyville: Bay Pointe Inn: Bronk Brothers In Concert

Sunday- Happy Easter!

Spring Lake: Jack’s Restaurant: Grand Easter Buffet
Shelbyville: Bay Pointe Inn: Seventh Annual Easter Buffet
Hickory Corners: W.K. Kellogg Manor House: East Brunch
Grand Rapids: The Radisson: Easter Buffet
Rothbury: Double JJ Resort: West Michigan’s Largest Easter Egg Hunt
Saugatuck/Douglas: Saugatuck: Easter Events
Augusta: Yarrow Golf and Conference Resort: Annual Easter Buffet

Don’t Forget

Grand Rapids: Dugan’s Irish Pub and Grille: March Madness | Through April 24
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Butterflies Are Blooming | Through April 30
Empire: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center: Saturdays at the Lakeshore | Through April 30
Muskegon Museum of Art: Jest For Fun| Through May 1
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through May 1
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Successful Gardener Series | Through May 5
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture | Through May 8

Just In Time For Easter: The Bunny Train

2011-04-15T17:42:00.000-04:00

Here at WMTA, we like to give you an inside look at some of West Michigan’s best-kept secrets, and today we have a very special one for you.

The Coopersville and Marne Railway is a train of antique passengers cars, which date from the early part of the last century. It has been a huge part of the Coopersville and Marne communities since the early nineties and is a very large attraction. It is always tops travelers list of “favorites” in West Michigan.

The train goes out into the countryside and through family owned farmlands. Passengers cross over an open deck girder bridge, four creeks and one road bridge before they arrive at the Village of Marne. The 1950's era diesel locomotive then uncouples from the train, runs along a passing siding next to the passengers car, couples onto the west end of the train and pulls the train back to the City of Coopersville.

This 14 mile excursion, takes travelers back to a simpler time of transportation, and only lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes. During the trip, the Conductor describes points of interest while train music from the 1800's plays throughout the cars.

On top of their regular excursions, the train also does something very special throughout the year. The railway puts on special programming for kids and families. On Saturdays in July the train does a “Great Train Robbery” excursion where the train gets “robbed” and for the whole ride, passengers will watch shoot-outs, horses running along side of the train, sheriffs fighting off robbers, and dancing girls! My family and I used to go every summer and it is one of my fondest memories growing up. Kids and adults get involved and help fight the crime!

Saturdays in October are always dedicated to the Pumpkin train. Riders will be able to enjoy entertainment from the giant pumpkin and his friends while they sing songs about the season. And of course, the infamous Santa Train runs throughout the weekends in December. The big guy in the red can be seen riding the train and kids and families are able to get their pictures taken with him as well as celebrate the holiday season.

However, RIGHT NOW the railway has a special Easter program called the Bunny Train!

Kids of all ages will enjoy this one hour and twenty minute excursion through the Spring Time country-side. The Easter Bunny and her cast of wacky, musical characters perform in each of the antique passenger coaches. The Springtime Princess will even read children's books and lead the passengers in springtime songs. The Bunny Train runs through April 23^rd.

It is so easy to fall in love with the Coopersville and Marne Railway. The charm of the whole entire railway really shines through on every excursion. What makes this particular West Michigan secret so special is the fact that the whole entire production is volunteer based. These volunteers absolutely love what they do and passengers can see this on every ride. We know that once you take one ride, you will be back for more!

If you have kids who are fascinated by trains, you can actually rent out the Caboose for an extremely low rate. The red caboose was built in the 1940’s and has tables and benches that can seat up to 16 young railroaders. These rentals are also great for school groups and business meetings. In fact just a few years ago, the WMTA held our board meeting on the train! Businesses can actually hold meetings on the train while it is running its route. Talk about inspiring your employees!

If you haven’t checked it out- you must. You and your kids will fall in love with the railway. For more information on the railway, visit the website here.

We are giving away three family 4 packs of tickets to ride the train. These tickets are good for a free ride during the regular season or $5 of themed train rides. Just tell us about a memorable train ride you have taken, and you will be entered to win (3 winners will be drawn on Friday, April 29)!

Good luck!

Weekend Idea Round-Up

2011-04-15T10:34:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday!

With our new blogging schedule that I posted on Tuesday, I was supposed to have put this up yesterday, but unfortunately I did not do so. See, the whole office was out getting motivated at the “Get Motivated” conference in Grand Rapids! So now that I am totally motivated, I have put together a fantastic list for you and of course I apologize for the late post! Make sure you check back later today for our next giveaway!

Kelly

All Weekend

Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo County Expo Center and Fairground: Pinball at the Zoo
Petoskey: Stafford’s Perry Hotel: Titanic Weekend
Gaylord: Alpine Lodge: Scrapbook and Cropping Show

Saturday

Empire: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center: National Park Week: Healthy Parks Healthy People
Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground: Indoor Flea and Farmer’s Market

Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground: Reptile and Exotic Animal Show
Saugatuck: Saugatuck Area Business Association: Town Crier 5K and 10K Run
Traverse City: Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn: Cooking Class – Pan Sauté/Pan Sauces

Sunday

Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground: Record and CD Collector’s Show

Don’t Forget

Marshall: Cornwell's Turkeyville USA: Peace in the Valley | Through April 16
Muskegon Museum of Art: Expressions 2011| Through April 17
Grand Rapids: Dugan’s Irish Pub and Grille: March Madness | Through April 24
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Butterflies Are Blooming | Through April 30

Empire: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center: Saturdays at the Lakeshore | Through April 30

Muskegon Museum of Art: Jest For Fun| Through May 1
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through May 1
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Successful Gardener Series | Through May 5
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture | Through May 8

Thank You!

2011-04-12T13:27:00.000-04:00

Hello West Michigan Weekly Readers-

We appreciate your support of our blog and love reading all your comments! If you have noticed, we have been infrequent in our posting lately and for this, we deeply apologize. However, wonderful things lay on the horizon for us and we will be back into the full swing of things shortly.

We will be switching our schedule a little as well. Our usual Monday giveaway posts will now be on Fridays and will last two weeks- giving you more time to enter! Our weekend idea round-up's will be on Thursdays and we will be posting periodically throughout the rest of the week.

Shannon has finished the 2011 Carefree Travel Guide and it is currently at the printers (yay!). We will of course let you know when they are hot off the press and ready for distribution (because everyone needs a West Michigan guide just in time for summer). I am almost done with the travel show season and will be back in the blog world regaling you all with my West Michigan stories and unique finds.

Thanks for sticking with us- and make sure to check back later this week for some great weekend ideas, and of course a fantastic giveaway!

--Kelly

West Michigan Weekend Round-Up!

2011-04-08T13:52:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday, West Michigan fans! Now if only the sun would come out! Luckily, according to the weatherman, we are supposed to see some sunshine this weekend (and weather in the 70’s)! I’ll take it! If you are still looking for something to do around West Michigan to enjoy the weather- make sure to take a look below at all the different events going on!

A big congratulations, CHRISTA you are this weeks winner! You have won a pair of tickets to see “Chicago” when it comes to Grand Rapids in May! E-mail Shannon@wmta.org with your information and we will get your tickets to you!

Have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy the sunshine,

Kelly

Friday

Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Public Museum: Spring Moon Gaze

Saturday

Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Public Museum: Spring Moon Gaze
Augusta: Yarrow Golf and Conference Resort: SKINS Game
Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground: Kalamazoo Antique Bottle and Glass Show

Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground: Southwest Michigan Postcard Show
Shelbyville: Bay Pointe Inn: Live Music with Tony Fields and Doug Decker

Sunday

· Traverse City: Traverse City CVB: Traverse City Chocolate Festival

· Grand Rapids: West Michigan White Caps: Opening Day!

Don’t Forget

Muskegon Museum of Art: Primal Inspirations/Contemporary Artifacts | Through April 10
Double JJ: Spring Break Programming | Through April 10
Muskegon Museum of Art: Upcycling! Creating More with Less | Through April 11
Marshall: Cornwell's Turkeyville USA: Peace in the Valley | Through April 16
Grand Rapids: Dugan’s Irish Pub and Grille: March Madness | Through April 24
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Butterflies Are Blooming | Through April 30
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through May 1
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture | Through May 8

Weekend Idea Round-up-- No Jokes Here!

2011-04-01T12:26:00.001-04:00

Spring is in the air! And did you hear it is supposed to be 70 degrees in West Michigan tomorrow? (April fools!) However, the sun has been shining for a week straight now and the temperatures are on the rise! I don’t know about you, but I am thrilled about this.

Aside from the beautiful weather, we celebrated another exciting day at the WMTA headquarters on Tuesday! Our 2011-2012 Carefree Travel Guide went to press! Look for it to hit stands in mid-April. If you would like a copy of this comprehensive guide of West Michigan, you can order one here or feel free to give our office a call at 616.245.2217 and we will make sure you get one!

I hope you will be able to get outside this weekend and enjoy the weather! If you are looking for some great things to do around West Michigan, as always, we have provided a weekend idea round up below!

AND DON'T FORGET! We are giving away a pair of tickets to see "Chicago" the musical when it hits the Broadway Grand Rapids stage May 10-11. We will be picking a winner on Friday April, 8. Enter here!

-- Kelly

Saturday

Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Public Museum: Topics in Health Care Lecture Series
Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground: Spring Model Railroad Swap Meet

Coopersville: Coopersville Farm Museum: Petting Zoo
Traverse City: Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn: Cooking Class - Techniques of Italian Cooking

Sunday

· Hickory Corners: W.K. Kellogg Manor House: Sustaining the Vision Tour

Don’t Forget

Muskegon Museum of Art: Primal Inspirations/Contemporary Artifacts | Through April 10
Double JJ: Spring Break Programming | Through April 10
Muskegon Museum of Art: Upcycling! Creating More with Less | Through April 11
Marshall: Cornwell's Turkeyville USA: Peace in the Valley | Through April 16
Grand Rapids: Dugan’s Irish Pub and Grille: March Madness | Through April 24
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Butterflies Are Blooming | Through April 30
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through May 1
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture | Through May 8

Pop! Six! Squish!

2011-03-30T15:24:00.000-04:00

I'll start with a warning: if you see Chicago The Musical, you will undoubtedly spend a minimum of a month with the songs in your head. Heed my words! You'll sing All That Jazz in the shower and shimmy to Cell Block Tango while spring cleaning. You'll puppeteer We Both Reached for the Gun and end your day contemplating Mr. Cellophane. In fact, it's been six years since I've seen it performed live, but as soon as I found out that Broadway Grand Rapids was bringing it to West Michigan in May, it's been a nonstop vaudeville extravaganza in my brain.

The award-winning musical is set in the seedy streets of prohibition era Chicago, where the call of booze and jazz is too hard to resist, especially for Roxie Hart who longs for excitement and fame far more than a quiet life with husband Amos. Unfortunately for her (and even more so for lover Fred), she ends up with a smoking pistol and a spot in the big house with Matron "Mama" Morton's merry murderesses. Soon, she finds herself to be a media darling, a celebrity criminal, stealing the spotlight - and lawyer - from Velma Kelly, a vaudeville star similarly on trial for the events following finding her husband spread eagle with her sister.

This world of razzle-dazzle is made even more incredible by the fact that it was ripped straight out of the Chicago Tribune's headlines in 1924. Reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins sensationalized the trials of Beulah Annan (the basis for Roxie) and Belva Gaertner (Velma). With her column's success, she wrote a play on the two, which made its way to Broadway for 172 performances and eventually became the musical applauded by today's audiences.

If you'd been there, if you'd seen it... Experience the topsy turvey world of Chicago for yourself as it hits the Broadway Grand Rapids stage May 10 -11. Just tell us what your favorite play is, and you could have two of the hottest tickets in town. The winner will be picked on Friday, April 8.

Jazz hands,

-Shannon

Butterflies Winner

2011-03-30T15:19:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to spring lover bpakh2! Send an e-mail with your name and address to Shannon@wmta.org, and we'll get you hooked up with your family four-pack of tickets.

West Michigan Wednesday

2011-03-23T10:03:00.001-04:00

Last night's unseasonable ice storm not only brought out the snow scrapers, but hopefully the cameras too! Trees are hanging heavily, laden with sparkling ice crystals. Unpack your winter wares, bundle up, and take some shots. It's West Michigan Wednesday!

If you have a West Michigan photo you want to share, whether it's of a dazzling landscape, a St. Patrick's Day parade, or any other image you've happened to capture, post it on our Facebook page or e-mail it to Shannon@wmta.org, and we'll post it here on the blog for everyone to enjoy. It's that easy!

Giveaway reminder! You have until this Friday, March 25 to enter our Frederik Meijer Gardens giveaway.

High five,

-Shannon

We've been spotted! by Jennifer Orr Bumstead, Grand Rapids

Jennifer Orr Bumstead, Grand Rapids

Tawnya Shepherd, Memphis

Butterflies Are Blooming

2011-03-15T10:25:00.000-04:00

Looking out my window here at the WMTA HQ, I can't help but notice the tell tale signs of spring, only four days away. The snow drifts are dwindling, the grass is greening, and folks going for the mail don't have twelve layers on. Ah, spring. What a uniquely transitional time of year. Before we know it, the browns and grays of winter will be replaced with pink tulips, yellow daffodils, and the orange of butterfly wings. Butterflies!

Is there anything more quintessentially spring than butterflies? I think not. Spring = butterflies. Butterflies in spring = Meijer Gardens.It's that simple. When you start seeing announcements for the Gardens' annual Butterflies Are Blooming event, you know the season has arrived. And this is no mere butterfly house. The five-story tropical conservatory is turned into a fluttering frenzy of 6,000 local and exotic species, freely flying from flower to flower, dazzling visitors with their colors, textures, and all around whimsy. As you may recall from our fall visit, the Gardens are magical year round. Add butterflies to the mix, and you might as well start each sentence with "Once upon a time" while wearing a princess cap and fairy wings. Yes, Butterflies Are Blooming transforms you into a young girl searching an enchanted forest. No small feat, especially if you're a dude.

Butterflies Are Blooming isn't all fairy dust and frolicking though. It's interesting and scientific and wonderfully educational. How does a caterpillar become a butterfly? How long do they live? What do they eat? What makes their wings so iridescent and colorful? What's the difference between a moth and a butterfly? All these questions are answered with informative signage that is sure to get the conversation going with your favorite little ones. Informative and fun? Yes, it's a double whammy in the parental handbook. Look how sneaky you are.

This Week's Giveaway

To celebrate spring and the wonderful world of butterflies, we're giving away a family four pack to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, located on East Beltline in Grand Rapids. All you have to do is tell us what your favorite thing about spring is. The winner will be picked on Friday, March 25.

High five,

-Shannon

Here's looking at you, kid.

Ultimate Sports Show Winner

2011-03-14T09:39:00.000-04:00

Good morning and happy Monday, West Michigan. I apologize for last week's lackluster posting, but I was suffering from my yearly pre-spring cold, and it knocked me right off my feet. Having made a full recovery, I can now announce the winner of tickets to the Ultimate Sports Show. Are you ready?

Congratulations, Andy!

Andy, my friend, time is of the essence on this one, so send an e-mail to Shannon@wmta.org by Wednesday, and we'll get you hooked up. You'll be fishing like a pro in no time.

Speaking of the Ultimate Sports Show, Kelly and Judy will be there manning the WMTA booth Thursday - Sunday. If you happen to be in northern Indiana this week, stop by the Fort Wayne Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin show where I'll be holding down the fort... in Fort Wayne. Ha! I crack myself up.

Check back later today for this week's giveaway, a family four pack to the Frederik Meijer Gardens to experience Butterflies Are Blooming.

High five,

-Shannon

Ultimate Sport Show -Giveaway

2011-03-07T16:18:00.000-05:00

Hey West Michigan Fans!

Just a reminder that our giveaway from last Monday is still open until this Friday! We are giving away 3 pairs of tickets to the Ultimate Sport Show in Grand Rapids. This is a fantastic show for any outdoor enthusiast. Check out last weeks blog post here and enter to win.

If you do win, make sure you stop by the WMTA booth to say hi!

We look forward to seeing you!

--Kelly

Bodies Revealed Winner

2011-03-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

Shame on us, we never picked the winner for the Grand Rapids Public Museum's Bodies Revealed exhibit last week. This just gave a few more people time to enter. Without further ado, the winner is Jamie! Congratulations, Jamie. Please send me an e-mail at shannon@wmta.org, and we'll send your tickets out.

Remember, this week's contest for the tickets to the Ultimate Sports Show lasts for two weeks, so tell your friends. We'll pick the winner next Friday.

Happy weekend (and high five),

-Shannon

Weekend Idea Round-Up

2011-03-04T10:23:00.002-05:00

It's time for another fun filled edition of your weekend idea round-up. This week, Kelly and I are combating cabin fever with a few spring events, starting with Butterflies Are Blooming at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids. Wouldn't this simply be a perfect opportunity to snap a few shots for next week's West Michigan Wednesday? Of course! Who doesn't want to see butterflies flitting and floating about with their colorful wings and dainty legs. Actually, one of my dearest friends is terrified of butterflies, and I simply don't understand it. She won't enter a butterfly house with me. Absolutely refuses! Yet butterfly exhibits make me feel like I'm in a fairy tale, and I so desperately want one to land on me. "They" say if you wear bright colors and lovely scents, they'll come to you, so when I make my annual visit to see Butterflies Are Blooming, I will surely follow these directions.

Meanwhile, we also talk about a great Mardi Gras themed fundraiser for the Silver Beach Carousel in St. Joseph and a mouth watering Spanish cooking class at Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn in Traverse City. Enjoy!

High five,

Shannon

All Weekend

Grand Rapids: DeVos Performance Hall: Broadway Grand Rapids presents Grease
Interlochen Center for the Arts: Cyrano de Bergerac

Saturday

Grand Rapids: Gerald R. Ford Museum: Chris Vallillo: Abraham Lincoln in Song
Manistee: Little River Casino: The Association / Jay And The Americans
St. Joseph: Silver Beach Carousel: Pardi Gras
Traverse City: Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn: Cooking Class - Techniques of Spanish Cooking

Sunday

Muskegon Museum of Art: Cinema Sunday Film: Descended from Guerillas: The Pioneers of American Independent Cinema

Don’t Forget

Coopersville Farm Museum: Art of Rural Life Gallery: Photography Exhibit by Peg Alofs Becker | Through April 16
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey | Through March 20
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through May 1
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture | Through May 8
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Butterflies Are Blooming | Through April 30
Marshall: Cornwell's Turkeyville USA: Peace in the Valley | Through April 16
Muskegon Museum of Art: We Are the Ship: the Story of Negro League Baseball | Through March 13
Muskegon Museum of Art: Upcycling! Creating More with Less | Through April 11
Muskegon Museum of Art: Primal Inspirations/Contemporary Artifacts | Through April 10
South Haven Center for the Arts: Building Blocks | Through March 28
South Haven Center for the Arts: Artists in Transition | Through March 20
Traverse City Restaurant Week | Through March 5

West Michigan Wednesday

2011-03-02T10:27:00.000-05:00

The months of February and March mark a rather unique time of year at the WMTA HQ. Not only are we suffering from the same bout of Cabin Fever as the rest of the mitten, but we're also in the midst of our busiest, biggest projects. As you know, Kelly and Judy have been crisscrossing the Midwest attending travel shows and spreading the good news of West Michigan. These shows are such fun, especially when we get to meet WMTA fans, but a lot of work goes in to gathering information, making packets, and loading the trailer, not to mention all the miles we've traveled. Nearly every day you can hear the merry chatter coming from the mail room in the afternoon as we circle the table preparing thousands of travel bags for you.A special high five to Judy and Kelly for rocking out the shows. Be sure to stop by one of our remaining shows to say hello.

Meanwhile, we're nearing the finish line for this year's West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide, the100 page publication full of useful planning tips and all 700+ WMTA Members. I have a love-hate relationship with the guide. It is a beast, yet it is my baby. It means long hours and meticulous attention to the tiniest of details, but it also means I get to learn so much about our members and see fabulous images of the state I love so much. Michigan is gorgeous! Gorgeous! How is it that we are so lucky to have crystalline snow in winter, blossoming buds in spring, lapping shores in summer, and fiery colors in fall? Really?

Celebrate West Michigan with us once again this week with West Michigan Wednesday. E-mail your photos to shannon@wmta.org or post them on the WMTA Facebook Page, and we'll move them here for everyone to enjoy.

Grand Rapids in Winter by Jen Orr Bumstead, Shutterbug Photography

Winter by Jen Orr Bumstead, Shutterbug Photography

Outdoors Experience!

2011-02-28T16:04:00.001-05:00

Judy working the WMTA booth!

My eyes have been opened to a whole new world- and that new world is the world of Outdoor Shows. I had no idea anything like these even existed until I came to the WMTA. I will admit it right up front that I am a city girl. So you can imagine my shock when I first walked into an outdoors show.

My first encounter was at an outdoor show in Chicago this past January. I walked into a room full of deer heads, stuffed lions and bearskins adorning the walls of different booths. There were cross bows and fishing rods on every corner- I didn’t even know where to look first. People from all over the world promoting different “hunts” and “fly-in” services (I found out later that had to do with fishing). Luckily I had my sidekick Judy with me to walk me through the ropes. She explained what different hunting terms meant, she went through some quick fishing lingo with me, and she made sure I knew the difference between a bow and arrow and a cross bow. With all my new knowledge- I was ready to take on the show, and it was a great success!

Fast forward a month to this past weekend where I attended my second outdoors show (I’m getting the hang of these things). Judy and I drove the WMTA trailer (successfully I must add) to the Showspan produced show, Outdoorama, in Novi. I have raved about Showspan shows before, and I will do it again.

This time I was prepared for the dead animals and funny turkey calling noises that we would hear all weekend. The show was executed beautifully. They had every outdoor supply you could image. From boats to ATVs, travel information to bear hunts, they even had a trout pond and pool with jumping dogs! Yes, you read that correctly, “Air Dogs” to be exact.

Speaking from an attendee’s perspective and a perspective of an exhibitor, Showspan really out does themselves. From customer services to vendor appreciation, every show of theirs I have attended has been absolutely flawless. As an added bonus, they always make it a point to pack their days full of informative seminars for the attendees. At this past show they had seminars that ranged from fishing tips to gutting a deer (yep, they had an exhibitor gut a deer right there on the main stage). I am not outdoorsy enough for that one quite yet, but there was a seminar that I will never forget and that was the turkey calling information session and competition.

The winning ladies with some nationally renowned turkey callers!

Why the turkey calling you ask? Well, I may be a little biased, but here is why. I told you before that I am a city girl, which obviously means that I come from a city family. I am originally from the east side of the state, and since the show was close to home, my family came to check it out! Much to my enjoyment, they were just as shocked at their first trip to an outdoor show as I once was. A few hours had gone by since they first arrived and they had pretty much seen everything they could have but my mom is one of those people who has to participate in absolutely EVERYTHING there is to participate in (that must be where I get it from)! Needless to say, as she heard the announcement about the turkey calling over the loud speaker, she about jumped out of her seat. Judy and I manned the WMTA booth as my sister, mom and dad went off to the turkey calling seminar/competition. A short time passed before they came back. You could hear them laughing all the way from the end of the aisle and Judy and I were curious as to what all the racket was about. It turns out, my sister and mom WON the turkey calling competition. I don’t know how it happened, but all I know is that it is a moment neither they nor I will ever forget. It’s the little things in life, ya know?

Showspan has another outdoor show coming up in just a few short weeks. The Ultimate Sport Show in Grand Rapids is always a hit and this year it will be no different. Make sure you check out the indoor lake, big buck contest, and the ultimate air dogs. They will also have seminars such as open water walleyes, finding and hunting big bucks, tracking Grand River catfish, and of course the turkey calling competition!

I want everyone to experience an outdoor show at least once in their lifetime, so for the next two weeks, we are giving away three pairs of tickets to the “Ultimate Sport Show” in Grand Rapids the weekend of March 17-20. Just tell us why you want to go, and you will be entered to win! And if you do win, do me a favor and enter the turkey calling competition!

--Kelly

Weekend Idea Round-Up

2011-02-24T18:33:00.000-05:00

What? But it's Thursday!

That's right, West Michigan, we're mixing things up and giving you an extra day to plan your weekend as well as a new video edition of the round-up. Kelly and I took a moment from our busy travel show/travel guide schedules to build our fancy set in the back of the WMTA HQ. It's amazing what one finds in storage when there's set building to be done. It felt like "Wanye's World."

Each Thursday, we'll bring to you weekly clips highlighting three happenin' events. Up first is the Petoskey Winter Blues Festival, Build Your Own Bobsled event at Double JJ in Rothbury, and Super Science Saturday at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo. Enjoy!

All Weekend

Lewiston: Garland Resort: Garland Gals Only Weekend
Downtown Petoskey: Winter Blues Festival

Saturday

Atwood: Friske's Farm Market: 8th Annual Cherry Recipe Contest
Coopersville Farm Museum: Coopersville Pancake Breakfast, Bands & Buds and Coopersville Chili Cook-Off
Gaylord: Treetops Resort: Rail Jams
Grand Rapids: Fifth-Third Ballpark: Michigan Brewers Guild: 2011 Michigan Winter Beer Festival
Kalamazoo: Air Zoo: Super Science Saturday: Astronomy Around the World
Muskegon Museum of Art: “The Negro Leagues” Panel Discussion & Reception
Rothbury: Double JJ Resort: Build Your Own Bobsled

Sunday

Grand Rapids: DeVos Performance Hall: Grand Rapids Youth Symphony

Starting This Weekend

Marshall: Cornwell's Turkeyville USA: Peace in the Valley | February 24-April 16
South Haven Center for the Arts: Building Blocks | February 26 - March 28
Traverse City Restaurant Week | February 27 - March 5

Don’t Forget

Grand Rapids: Gerald R. Ford Museum: Betty Ford: An Extraordinary Life | Through February 27
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey | Through March 20
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through May 1
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture | Through May 8
Harbor County: Chocolate Classic | All February
Muskegon Museum of Art: We Are the Ship: the Story of Negro League Baseball | Through March 13
Muskegon Museum of Art: Upcycling! Creating More with Less | Through April 11
Muskegon Museum of Art: Primal Inspirations/Contemporary Artifacts | Through April 10

West Michigan Wednesday

2011-02-23T09:41:00.001-05:00

Good morning, West Michigan! It that time of the week again. Let's showcase all the stunning imagery from our fair state. Last week, we had an absolutely beautiful collection of shoreline photos, from Grand Haven to the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Great shots, readers! Don't forget that West Michigan stretches all the way from the Indiana border to Mackinac Island, from Lansing to the big lake. Show us your favorite photos from your travels around this large and deserving region.

Simply send your photo to shannon@wmta.org or post it on our Facebook page, and we'll add it to the blog. I can't wait to see what you've come up with this week!

High five,

-Shannon

Whitehall by Jennifer Stewart

No, it's not the UP, it's NE Grand Rapids! From Shelia Porteners

"The sun was so bright, you could hardly see looking out
over the lake. A quick cloud cover gave this a sepia
tone of brilliant sun rays peeking through..."Rose Witherell

Winter at its finest! Fresh, white and freezing cold, Brrrrrrrrrrr
by Rose Witherell

Sleeping Bear Dunes, fall 2010 by Pam Mulder Plamann

"Driving down a side street, seen this young man walking in the road.
I liked his viking hat - so I asked if I could take his picture. Taken
from the inside of my car through the passenger window... Pretty Cool."
by Rose Witherell

A Not So Scary Experience: Bodies Revealed

2011-02-21T16:20:00.000-05:00

I have always been queasy when it comes to the human body. At the sight of blood I feel nauseous, at the sound of a break I pass out, and for some reason eyes and teeth just really freak me out. Needless to say, when Shannon told me we were going to see the Bodies Revealed exhibit at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, I was a little hesitant.

I remember my parents had gone to see this exhibit years ago, and purposely left me and my sister at home- because believe it or not, my sisters is just as bad as I am. My parents raved about the exhibit when they came home. Actually, rave is probably an understatement. My Mom talked about it for weeks after; about how beautifully displayed it was, and how amazing it is that scientists can preserve human bodies. She went on and on about how much we could learn from it and how it would really expand our knowledge about how our body works. Being a former nurse, she thinks everyone should know how the body works, and personally, I really didn’t care.

That being said, I was hesitant to go see the exhibit, but at the same time pretty excited that something this amazing had come to Grand Rapids.

So off we went. As I approached the two huge doors to get into the exhibit, I felt my stomach drop. I almost backed out, but knew I couldn’t. I had to face this fear I have of the human body and go check it out.

As the doors opened a feeling of serenity overtook my body. Yes, there are bodies surrounding you, but it really was amazing. The fact that these bodies have been perfectly preserved and displayed for us to see was actually pretty incredible to me. And despite my original thoughts, there are not as many bodies as I thought there were going to be. There were skeletons, different body parts, and only a few full bodies.

Shannon and I were in awe as we walked through the whole exhibit. My favorite part (and Shannon’s too actually) was the room where all of the human organs were laid out. The exhibit showed a healthy organ and then a few of the same organs that had been affected by different diseases. It was truly unbelievable to see exactly what happens inside the human body. We hear all the time about different diseases and what they do to your body, but do we actually know what they look like? I sure didn’t. To be completely honest, I don’t think I could have even told you where my spleen was before I saw the exhibit. Now not only do I know where the spleen located, I also can use the word “polyp” and know what I am talking about (I impressed some of my med school friends with that one). But I digress.

If you have not seen the exhibit yet, I highly recommend you do. And take your children if you think they are ready. I wish I had gone years ago with my parents. Not only is it extremely informative, it is also a beautiful exhibit with a great message: treat your body right because life is precious.

Giveaway:

This week, we will be giving away 2 passes to the Bodies Revealed Exhibit in Grand Rapids. All you have to do is tell us about the most outrageous bump, bruise, or break you have ever had! Let us know by Friday- and you could be a lucky winner!

--Kelly

Weekend Idea Round-Up

2011-02-18T15:37:00.002-05:00

Crisp and cool microbrews are certainly on the minds of West Michiganders this week. Stouts, pale ales and everything in between were represented in your answers, a tribute to the quality and sheer quantity of fabulous brews in our fair state.

Last spring, a large group of friends and I migrated south to Raleigh, North Carolina for a wedding. As we explored downtown, I was amazed at how many Michigan beers were featured on the menus of local dining establishments. One well known BBQ joint had three or four on tap! Trust me, Mitten brews taste just as good with pulled pork and hush puppies as they do with a burger and fries.

So which lucky West Michigan Weekly winner will be celebrating the wonderful world of hops next weekend? Noah!

Congratulations, Noah. You're this week's winner!

Simply e-mail your contact information to shannon@wmta.org, and you'll be set up with this brew-tastic prize.

High five,

-Shannon

Starting This Weekend

Muskegon Museum of Art: Primal Inspirations/Contemporary Artifacts | Through April 10

Saturday

Gaylord: Treetops Resort: Dog Sled Rides
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Topics in Health Care Lecture Series: daVinci Surgical Robot
Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground: Thunderbirds RC Swap Meet
Petoskey's Winter Carnival
Shelbyville: Gun Lake: Bay Pointe Inn Lakefront Resort:5th Annual Ice Tee Golf Scramble and The Bronk Brothers
Traverse City: The Inn at Chateau Grand Traverse: Special Riesling Seminar

Saturday & Sunday

Douglas: Gallery Stroll & Presidents' Weekend
Frankfort and Elberta: Shiver By The River
Grand Rapids:Peter Martin Wege Theatre: Grand Rapids Ballet Company: Mother Goose & The Boy Who Wouldn't Do His Homework

Sunday

Grand Rapids: DeVos Performance Hall: The Aluminum Show
Muskegon Museum of Art: Cinema Sunday Film: Fahrenheit 451
Jones: Swiss Valley Ski Area: Outpost Sports Cup Race

All Weekend

Grand Rapids: DeVos Place: 66th Annual Grand Rapids Boat Show
Shelbyville: Bay Pointe Inn Lakefront Resort: Gun Lake Winterfest 2011
Traverse City: Winter Wow!Fest

Don’t Forget

Grand Rapids: Gerald R. Ford Museum: Betty Ford: An Extraordinary Life | Through February 27
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey | Through March 20
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through May 1
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture | Through May 8
Harbor County: Chocolate Classic
Muskegon Museum of Art: We Are the Ship: the Story of Negro League Baseball | Through March 13
Muskegon Museum of Art: Upcycling! Creating More with Less | Through April 11
South Haven Center for the Arts: Regional Juried Art Exhibit | Through February 21

A Luging Saga

2011-02-17T13:07:00.000-05:00

I had this brilliant idea a few weeks ago to go luging at the Muskegon Sports Complex. I had been researching the complex for some media coverage I was doing for it, and the more I thought about it, the more excited I got. I mean seriously, how many people can say they have been ice luging before? That’s pretty awesome.

The start of the track.

So I wrangled in a few of my friends who all eagerly agreed- and then I waited. Very patiently I might add.

One of my very best friends I brought along with me, Muaz, is an absolutely fantastic writer and he had SO much fun luging, that he just had to chronicle his experience in written form. I don’t think I could have explained this experience we had together any better. So today I bring you the literary genius of Muaz telling all of you about our fantastic luging adventure. I hope you find his humor and his love (real or fake; you decide) for Justin Beiber as amusing as I do! Enjoy!

--Kelly

“My Justin Beiber ring tone had never made me so nervous. The sound of Bieber’s angelic voice singing “Baby,” meant only one thing – Kelly McGrail was calling me. My best friend Phil and I had promised to go luging with Kelly a couple of weeks earlier. Neither of us knew what we were getting ourselves into, and now Captain McGrail and her first mate, Missus Partlo were downstairs waiting for us to join them on our luging dalliance.

Phil and I were dressed in layers, out of fear of injury, not fear of frostbite. The luge scared me. I was not made for extreme snow sports. My fears became visible as I signed the waivers at the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex. My knees grew wobbly as the knowledgeable staff took us through our training session. My hands clammed up as we climbed the stairs to the top of the track. I decided to let a couple of people cut on front of me, in an act that was born of fear, not of courtesy. I was the last person in line and people were on their way back up the stairs for their second run as I contemplated my next move. So I sat on my sled, texted an “I love you” to my mother, called my brother and asked if he could feed my pet goldfish, and inched towards the launch. I got into position and asked the most personable sixteen-year-old and Muskegon Winter Sports Complex employee, Jake, to give me a push.

And then it happened.

I was happy; I could not take the smile off my face or the elation out of my spirit. I made it down the hill in a disappointing 21 seconds, the rest of my quartet were in the low 18s, but I made it down. I called my brother and told him to leave my goldfish, Justin Beiber, alone and that I would be back to feed him as soon as I was done luging.


"Epic Phil"- Our new name for a crash. Fear not- crashes like this do not happen often. Only Phil could spill like this.

I grabbed my luge and sprinted back up the stairs. Luge humor took over as we grew close with our fellow lugers. We discussed the physics of luging with our expert, Jake. We discussed the speeds and times achieved down the track and why it was impossible to fly off the track we were on. The day was full of laughs and luging, and I was full of regret. I was regretful that I had waited so long to experience this. The moment I was done luging was full of one thing – the desire to luge again and again and again.

In my favorite Justin Beiber song, Love Me, he sings, “when I’m with you, everything has disappeared,” and that is how I felt when I was luging, everything disappeared but joy and happiness. I think happiness is the knowledge that there are things in existence that can make you happy, and the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex is one of those things.”

Winners!- Phil was disqualified for his "Epic Phil"- but we
still let him near the podium!

**All photo credits to Hanna Partlo.

West Michigan Wednesday

2011-02-16T08:36:00.003-05:00

Welcome to another edition of the West Michigan Wednesday photo collection! I hope you each had your camera poised and ready over the past week. Simply post your photos to our Facebook page or e-mail them to Shannon@wmta.org, and they'll be posted here for all to enjoy.

We'll get things started with this excellent photo of Kelly as she prepares to ride the luge at the Muskegon sports park.

Allegan in the fall from Craig Phillips

Holland State Park from Judy Dood

Muskegon from Rose Witherell

Sleeping Bear Dunes from Pam Mulder Plamann

Snowmageddon! from Rose Witherell

Grand Haven from Pam Mulder Plamann

Grand Haven from Laura Furst McDonald

Grand Haven from Pam Mulder Plamann

Whats that? A Vlog?

2011-02-15T13:17:00.000-05:00

Hello West Michigan Weekly Readers!

We want to take a moment to thank you so much for always taking the time to stop by our page and see what we are up to! We love enlightening everyone about the different treasures of West Michigan and we really enjoy telling you about our adventures around this great side of the state.

Instead of posting about a restaurant this week- I wanted to let you in on our newest venture! Thats right, we are at it again. We have started keeping a Vlog (a.k.a. a "video log"). We love writing about our adventures but now we are going to have a camera along with us so you can watch our sometimes crazy antics first hand! Shannon and I tried our hand at this for the first time last week at Crystal Mountain and we want our West Micahigan Weekly readers to be the first ones to see it!

So ladies and gentlemen, without further adieu, here is our YouTube debut!

Let us know what you think!

--Kelly

Michigan Winter Beer Festival: Shakin' a Fist at Ole Man Winter

2011-02-14T15:45:00.001-05:00

Michigan has many nicknames, such as The Mitten, The Great Lakes State, America's High Five and more recently The Great Beer State. That’s right, beer. With over 30 microbreweries just in West Michigan, Michigan knows a thing or two about creating a world-class brew.

And what comes with beer? A festival obviously! That’s right- it’s almost that time again- time for the beer filled event that every enthusiast is counting down to: the Michigan Winter Beer Festival. Every year the Michigan’s Brewers Guild hosts four different beer festivals around Michigan: two in the fall that take place in Marquette and Detroit, one in the summer hosted in Ypsilanti and the infamous winter festival held right here in West Michigan. For the past six years, thousands of beer lovers pack into the Fifth Third Ballprak in Comstock Park for beer, food, fun and the singing of the Michigan Beer Anthem. That’s right; Michigan beer is so awesome that we even have our own beer song.

The festival is an outdoor celebration of Michigan beer, featuring more than 250 different beers from over 45 breweries. Hot food and live music is always on the agenda and the show goes on snow, rain or shine. Dress for winter weather and let the hearty winter brews warm your soul.

In the spirit of the festival we took a poll around the office today to find out everyone’s favorite West Michigan Beer- here is what we found:

Judy- Oval Beach Blonde Ale- Saugatuck Brewing Company
Tom- Reds Rye- Founders Brewing Company- Grand Rapids
Bruce- Mad Hatter IPA- New Holland Brewery- Holland
Shannon- Breakfast Stout- Founders Brewing Company
Cheri- Heirloom Ale- New Holland Brewery- Holland
Kelly- Maggie’s Irish Ale- Saugatuck Brewing Company- Douglas
Intern Matthew (yes, he is 21)- Pale Ale- Founders Brewing Company- Grand Rapids

The festival has become so popular in the past six years that tickets for this year’s event are already sold out. But of course, the WMTA has some good news for one lucky winner. We will be giving away a pair of tickets to this year’s event taking place on February 26 from 1 - 6pm. All you have to do is tell us what your favorite Michigan beer is. Let us know by this Friday and it could just be your lucky day!

Cheers! Slainte! Prost!

-Kelly

Weekend Idea Round-Up

2011-02-11T17:05:00.001-05:00

Our first order of business on this flurry-filled Friday is to announce our Boyne Mountain zipline adventure winner. Which lucky, brave soul will be flying through the air with the greatest of ease? (Oh, wait, that's a trapeze...) Andrea!

Congratulations, Andrea. You're this week's winner!

Per usual, please send me an e-mail at shannon@wmta.org, and we'll have you set-up and soaring in no time. I. Am. So. Jealous. I shall shoo away the green-eyed monster and focus on the jammed packed Valentine's Day weekend ahead of us. How do you like to celebrate this oh-so-romantic holiday? Roses and chocolates? Dinner for two? Do you head out on the town or enjoy a quiet evening alone? If you're a last minute planner, head on over to WMTA.org's Valentine's Day Ideas page for inspiration.

This week, I'd like to shine a spotlight on three noteworthy events from our round-up, one from the northern, central, and southern regions of fair West Michigan. Let us first travel north to Traverse City where the North American Vasa Festival of Races is taking place tomorrow. The what? I know, it's a mouthful, but I'll break it down. This cross-country ski race is based on the Swedish Vasalopet, an 85-kilometer annual race named after King Gustav Vasa. The Swedes have ever been fond of cross-country skiing, and winter-savvy Michiganders took note, forming their own version of the race in 1976. Today, the race draws hundreds of skiers young and old in addition to hundreds of spectators cheering them on. Other events round out what has truly become a favored part of the Traverse City community.

In central West Michigan, DeVos Place in Grand Rapids is hosting the 23rd Annual West Michigan Golf Show, and I know four of our West Michigan Weekly readers will be attending. Myself, not so much a golfer, though I try hard when I hit the green (once a year). The Golf Show, knowing how to draw us novices in, offers free golf lessons and clinics. For the pros, there's the Treetops Par-3 Challenge, a real grass hole inside the convention center. If you know your nine iron from your pitching wedge (which I don't), you might have a shot at the $25,000 prize.

Finally, our friends to the south are sharing what may be the most unusual Valentine's Day celebration in the state, Zoorotica. Yes, you read that right, Battle Creek's Binder Park Zoo hosts this annual adults-only event, leading guests through a tour of the secret sex lives of "the feathered, furry, and fanged." Oh my... Your trips to the zoo may never be the same, but who knows, maybe you'll pick up a few tips and tricks from the animal kingdom.

Have an awesome weekend, West Michigan, and enjoy spending time with your sweethearts, whether it be hitting the snowy trails, calling "fore," or getting in touch with your animal side.

High five,

Shannon

Friday

Marshall: Cornwell's Turkeyville USA: February a la Carte/Murder Mystery

Friday & Saturday

Grand Rapids Public Museum: An Afternoon of Fashion and Tea

Saturday

Beulah & Benzonia: Winterfest 2011
Grand Rapids: Amway Grand Plaza Hotel: The Big Bands n' Romance
Hickory Corners: W.K. Kellogg Manor House: Valentines Dinner
Kalamazoo: Air Zoo: SkySpace Kids Club: Celebrate the Love of Aviation
Muskegon Museum of Art: Baseball Super Saturday
Muskegon Museum of Art: Introduction to Letterpress
Muskegon Sports Complex: Dine and Glide Trail Dinners

Saturday & Sunday

Battle Creek: Binder Park Zoo: Zoorotica
Grand Rapids: Dugan's Pub & Grille: Valentine's Dinner Concert w/ Natchez Trace
Traverse City: North American Vasa Festival of Races

Sunday

Grand Rapids: Cascade Winery: Valentine's Day Dinner
Jones: Swiss Valley Ski Area: Snow Ball Bike Race

All Weekend

Gaylord: Treetops Resort: Treetops Olympics
Grand Rapids: DeVos Place: 23rd Annual West Michigan Golf Show
Muskegon Sports Complex: West Michigan Youth Wintersportsfest
St. Joseph: Silver Beach Center: Waikiki Weekend

Don’t Forget

Grand Rapids: Gerald R. Ford Museum: Betty Ford: An Extraordinary Life | Through February 27
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey | Through March 20
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Diana - A Celebration | Through February 16
Grand Rapids Public Museum: Bodies Revealed | Through May 1
Grand Rapids: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Jim Dine: Sculpture | Through May 8
Harbor County: Chocolate Classic
Muskegon Museum of Art: We Are the Ship: the Story of Negro League Baseball | Through March 13
Muskegon Museum of Art: Upcycling! Creating More with Less | Through April 11
South Haven Center for the Arts: Regional Juried Art Exhibit | Through February 21

West Michigan Wednesday 4

2011-02-09T09:19:00.001-05:00

It's a beautiful Wednesday morning, West Michigan, and that means it's time for West Michigan Wednesday. This week, we're running into a few programming snafus, so we're mixing things up this time. Send your photo to shannon@wmta.org or post it on our Facebook page, and we'll post them here.

High five,

-Shannon

"I'm seriously craving a nice, warm Lake Michigan sunset
right about now." July 2010, Pentwater from Dee Maggio

"A little West Michigan darling celebrating the
groundhog not seeing his shadow and encouraging
spring to come." from Hanna Partlo

"Photo taken from the south side of the lighthouse on
Lake Front Drive in South Have. See the people out on the ice,
frozen a long way out." from Craig Phillips

Where To Eat This Week: CityVu Bistro

2011-02-08T17:16:00.002-05:00

Today's Where To Eat This Week is brought to you by CityVu Bistro in Holland. CityVu is a fabulous restaurant that sits atop the CityFlats hotel. The sleek atmosphere of the hotel definitly spills over into the restaurant. CityVu only serves healthy, fresh and local options. Sarah Lilly the marketing coordinator of the CityFlats as well as CityVu Bistro gives us an inside look at what CityVu is all about!

There are thousands of restaurants dotting the grease-glazed highway between fast food and fine dining. If you’ve grown weary of ho-hum chain restaurants with nothing to offer but blah burgers and overpriced, under-seasoned appetizers, CityVū Bistro is the place for you.

CityVū Bistro is Holland’s hotspot for all things fresh. Fryers and frozen foods are out. Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, creative menu concepts, and healthy and delicious dishes are in. Our 100% whole grain, hearth-baked flatbread, topped with unique combinations of savory ingredients, is the ultimate edible plate. And to make it even better the flour that is used to make our flatbreads is ground at ZeWaan Windmill on Windmill Island. Now you can have your plate and eat it too!

In addition to flatbread you can choose from a diverse array of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées, and desserts. Regular menu revisions, including a monthly “Taste Of” feature highlighting the culinary nuances of international locales, will satisfy even the most discerning of palettes.

At CityVū Bistro, we know that nothing compliments a succulent meal more than the perfect glass of wine. We are a recipient of The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, which recognizes CityVū Bistro’s list of over one hundred wines as one of the most outstanding in the world. You can count on our knowledgeable wait staff to recommend the ideal wine pairing for your meal.

CityVū’s elegant yet relaxed atmosphere is the ideal canvas for the bistro’s invigorating menu, blending subtle sophistication with serene neutrality. The spectacular fifth-floor view, framed by floor- to-ceiling windows, creates a quixotic ambiance. Daytime sunshine invites power lunches and lively family gatherings, while sunsets and moonlight create a soft backdrop for elegant business dinners and romantic interludes.

We have recently expanded our weekend breakfast and brunch menus to include an omelet station so now you can watch your breakfast being made!

Don’t forget that in the summer months CityVū Bistro has the only rooftop patio in the city. Sit outside and enjoy the beautiful views of downtown while you dine with friends.

Dine at CityVū Bistro and discover a cure for the dining doldrums. We keep things fresh because you deserve the best!

Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00 to 9:30pm
            Friday: 11:00am to 10:00pm
           Saturday: 8:00am to 10:00pm
           Sunday: 9:00am to 9:00pm

Specials:
Flat Fee Lunch- Enjoy a soup, salad, and gourmet flatbread bar for just $7.99 a person Monday- Friday 11:30am-1:30pm

Wine[d] Up Downtown- Every Wednesday from 4pm to close join us for half off bottles of wine up to $90

Happy Hour- Join us at the CityVu Bistro bar for great drink specials and discounted appetizers Monday- Friday 4:00pm to 7:00pm

CityVū Bistro atop CityFlats Hotel
61 East 7th Street
(616) 796-2114
www.cityvubistro.com

Boyne Gets Cooler With Time- They Now Have A Zip Line!

2011-02-07T11:58:00.000-05:00

Some of my fondest memories as a child remain at Boyne Highlands. I remember packing in the car a few times a winter with my parents and sister and hitting the road for the 5 hour commute from Detroit. I remember the anticipation I felt for the entire week before the trip. I loved skiing; it was my thing. And I loved Boyne; it was my place.

Every year we took a trip to the highlands with family friends. One vivid memory I have is the year I decided to trade the skis in for a snowboard. My parents hesitantly agreed and instantly signed me up for a lesson. Luckily for me Boyne has fabulous lessons for any level or skier or snowboarder. The instructor was extremely patient with me and made falling down the hill fun! I was ten years old and after one day on the hill of snowboarding I hurt in places I didn’t event know existed. But, being ten years old and very stubborn, I didn’t give up. Thanks to some fabulous instructors at Boyne and a disgusting amount of Motrin, by the end of the weekend I was a snowboarding pro. Okay, that might be a little exaggeration, but I could get down the hill without falling face first every few feet. Fast forward a few years, I am still snowboarding, and love it just as much if not more.

When I went to college, I scored big by having a roommate who had a condo at Boyne Mountain. This was a whole new game for me. I had never been to the Mountain before, only the highlands. But I wasn’t going to turn down a weekend snowboarding trip. As we made our way to the hill on our first trip, I was so excited to see that it was just as good as the highlands. The hills are a little more challenging and a bit more expansive in my opinion. The highlands have more hills tailored to younger children where as the mountain has more hills for the experienced skier. However, both have hills for every level.

One of my favorite things about both Boyne locations is the family atmosphere and the fact that there is something for everyone to do. Take my mom for example. She can ski, but she would much rather sit in the lodge by a fire and read a book. Boyne has fabulous lodges at both the Highlands and the Mountain. Each is decked out with fireplaces, plush couches, food courts, shops, ski repair, first aid and so much more. She loves that she can sit by the fire and look out the large windows of the lodge and watch my sister and I come down the hill and hop on the chairlift. And when she is done with her book, the Solace Spa at Boyne Mountain is her go to getaway. Where she can relax and enjoy soothing whirlpools, saunas, massage, body treatments, salon services and more

My Dad on the other hand is an avid skier. He has traveled all over the United States to fulfill his passion, yet Boyne is still one of his favorite places to ski. He loves the variety he gets with the 114 different runs between the two locations, and when we were younger, he loved that there were hills easy enough to teach his two daughters on. As we got older, he moved us to bigger and better hills. And when we finally got the hang of things (and stopped losing skis and poles on our way down the hill) we graduated to the black diamonds.

Besides the skiing, I personally love the water park at Boyne Mountain, Avalance Bay. At 88,000 square feet, Avalanche Bay is the largest indoor waterpark in Michigan. What really makes this indoor waterpark so great is the wide variety of attractions it has to offer everyone in your family. At Avalanche Bay you’ll find: ive exciting waterslides, a children’s pool, adventurous wet climbing wall, relaxing hot tubs, Rip Zone surf simulator, Splasherhorn Mountain, and a variety of other unique waterpark attractions, arcade filled with hundreds of games for all ages, and the Snack Shack and Après Ski Pub. During a week full of snowboarding, if it is ever too cold, or I just feel like doing something different, this waterpark is the perfect option!

Then there is my sister, she is the adventurous one in the family and loves to explore the other opportunities available at ski resorts. She enjoys going to Boyne for their expansive 35KM cross country ski trails at both locations, 700- 800 feet tubing hills and the dog sledding at the Highlands. You can imagine just how excited she was when she found out there is now a Zip line at both locations! Yes, you heard me correctly; a zip line.

The latest addition at the Boyne locations is this fabulous Zip Line adventure. You and the whole family can enjoy the thrill of racing your friends and family on the side by side lines of the Twin Zip or choose the relaxed pace of the Zipline Adventure Tour. These guided tours begin at the top of the mountain and allow you to soar on a series of lines, over slopes and through trees, as you descend back to the base area. Both are all thrills, no skills activities for all ages. This is a fantastic way to see the grounds of both locations and it runs all year round! Talk about cool!

There is still so much more to do at Boyne I can’t even begin to touch on it. Luckily, they have a fabulous website that gives information about every activity they have available for every season. I highly recommend your next trip be to one of the Boyne locations. You will have a weekend packed full of fun for the whole family. Start planning your Boyne trip here!

Giveaway!

This week we are giving away a zipline adventure for 4! All you have to do is tell us what your most extreme adventure has been! Let us know by Friday and you will be entered to win. Good luck!