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Michigan maple syrup producers are hoping for another sweet season of tapping trees and boiling sap after producing 190,000 gallons in 2022 (up from 150,000 gallons in 2021), according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In 2019, Michigan produced 195,000 gallons – the highest amount on record. To celebrate Michigan’s oldest agricultural activity, 18 members
March is National Reading Month so it’s an excellent time to highlight works from local authors that have earned the distinction of a 2023 Michigan Notable Book. Every year the Library of Michigan selects up to twenty of the most notable books. Each is either about, or set in, Michigan, or written by a Michigan author. Selections
There’s a new year upon us, which presents an opportunity for some exciting travel goals. Fortunately, Michigan is a state that is ripe with opportunity. Whether you live in the state and want to go exploring, or are traveling from afar, these unique destinations are so spectacular, they should be on any traveler’s bucket list. Here are
Anyone who has ever visited the Porcupine Mountains has likely been a little inspired. Some of us feel a desire to travel more. Others wish to slow life down. One or two may even reflect upon their place in the world. Then there are those with an artistic passion, for whom a visit sparks immense productivity. Are
The year was 2007, and Michigan’s economy was decimated. People were losing jobs left and right. Businesses were folding. Homes were being foreclosed upon. I wanted to do something to help, but wasn’t sure what. Eventually I took a trip to South Africa that changed everything. Afterwards, I decided to start paying attention to where my dollars
After the past couple of years we’ve had, I’m really looking forward to basking in the joys of the holiday season from start to finish. Each year, Santa seems to start visiting towns earlier and earlier, but this time I’m happy about it. If you are too, and want to start harnessing the Christmas spirit, attend a
The year’s spookiest holiday is becoming more and more popular. Each year, new ideas, décor, and attractions arise. However, these uniquely Michigan Halloween traditions have been around for decades. We’ve been cooped up too long so get out and embrace some old favorites or try something new. Pick Pumpkins from a Patch Whether you’re decorating the whole
A striking new piece of art now adorns Detroit’s cityscape. It is the result of an extensive search that started when the convention building was called TCF Center, and ended after it became Huntington Place. The outdoor sculpture highlights the main circle drive near the entrance. Called Floating Citadel, it is the inspiration of local artist Scott
After 7 years in Chicago, attorney Nick Gorga, moved back to Detroit. He knew he wanted to help revitalize the city. Over a decade later, what started out as an idea captured on a cocktail napkin, is now a thriving economic development program called Hatch Detroit. The organization was founded in 2011 with the intention of giving
Any time is a fun time to visit Glass Academy in Dearborn, but this July may be one of the best times ever. Guests can try their lungs at glassblowing, support a local community organization, and help break a Guiness World Record, all at the same time. The project is aptly-named Breath of Michigan, and it runs
The Buy Michigan Now Festival is returning to Downtown Northville Aug 5-7, 2022. In keeping with tradition, the event offers Michigan-based authors an opportunity to sign and sell books. Traditionally, over the course of the weekend, 25-30,000 people attend this upbeat celebration of Buy Michigan Week. BMNFest Writers selected to participate will be provided with a tent,
According to Feeding America, 1,299,020 people in Michigan are facing hunger, and 305,190 of them are children. The need for children becomes even more drastic as the academic year comes to a close, and many meals provided through schools become unavailable. That is the driving force behind a food drive by Busch’s Fresh Food Market that is running from
Each year, the Michigan Notable Book (MNB) list features 20 books. Each is about, or set in, Michigan, or written by a Michigan author. They are published during the previous calendar year. Selections include a variety of genres, both fiction and nonfiction . They appeal to many audiences and explore topics and issues close to the hearts
Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that 16 communities were awarded a 2021 Recreation Passport grant. The Recreation Passport grant program started 11 years ago. It aims to boost visitation and funding for Michigan's state parks as well as local, community parks and trails. This year’s grants include a total investment
A great animated film delights the kids, with plenty of other elements that parents can enjoy as well. These Halloween events are in that same vein. The scare level is low enough that your kids can sleep at night, but they, and you, will have plenty of fun at Michigan’s best family-friendly Halloween destinations. Hallowe’en at Greenfield
When travelers cross the Ambassador Bridge into the United States, they land immediately in Mexicantown. I don’t know about you, but I find that a bit amusing. Can’t help but wonder if it has ever confused anyone to be greeted by Mexican flags when entering the U.S. Unfortunately, these days, there are less people crossing that border.
Our state, like most of the world, is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic both from a health perspective and an economic one. Many small businesses in particular have been devastated by closures, supply chain issues, and ongoing employment challenges. With so many global events affecting us, it can feel like there isn’t much that
There’s often a debate over whether or not one person can really make a difference. That question has been solved with a resounding yes when it comes to a roadside attraction near Marquette. With just a simple idea, and a fair amount of land, Tom Lakenen has been able to create lifelong memories for passing travelers, as
After a long winter often filled with gray skies, brown grass, and bare trees, there is something truly spectacular about strolling through a Michigan garden in the spring. While these annual color tours may delight most adults, kids sometimes lose interest part of the way through. That’s why we’ve identified five botanical treasures that will delight your
Some people listen to a rodent in Pennsylvania to determine when spring is coming, while others count days on a calendar, but for those of us who endure the cold and ice of a long, albeit beautiful Michigan winter, it’s calendar be damned. We know sure signs of spring when we see them, and most bring pure
Almost forty years ago, in an effort to inspire future generations of female leaders, the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame was established. The initial group of inductees included such noteworthy subjects as Elizabeth Chandler, Martha Griffiths, Helen Milliken, Rosa Parks, Anna Howard Shaw, and Sojourner Truth. Each year since, a group of women are nominated by an
In some places Fat Tuesday is also known as Mardi Gras, but here in Michigan, it is more widely nicknamed Paczki Day. Once common only in the Detroit area, particularly in Hamtramck, the tradition has caught on around the state, and this year will be celebrated on February 16. Place orders in advance, or risk standing in
Since the pandemic hit, a number of cities and towns across the state identified specific areas to provide additional outdoor dining space for their restaurants. Some utilized the sidewalk in front of each eatery, while others did full street closures either for the entire period, or at designated times and days each week. Now, with COVID-numbers rising
One of my favorite parts of traveling is the surprising find. It usually comes in the form of a hidden gem on a road trip, when you see something intriguing and bother to take the time to stop. Such is the case with the Historic Bridge Park in Calhoun County near Battle Creek, Michigan. I’ve passed the
Perhaps the only thing that can make Michigan’s agricultural products and inventive locally-produced foods even more tantalizing is when talented chefs combine them and take them to a masterful new level. That’s what makes Taste the Local Difference’s (TLD)new digital cookbook such an exciting addition to Michigan’s foodie culture. The Traverse city-based local food marketing company has
