Behind the Mitten

Amy Sherman of "Behind the Mitten" tells the guys from 95.3 CFX about this weekend's show, which is from Stormcloud Brewery in Frankfort, where you can go curling!

She also entertains questions from Rob & Kent, as she does every week. Today they want to know where she wants to go on vacation. TUNE IN to hear her answer.

And don't forget to tune in this weekend to Behind the Mitten on 95.3 WCFX in Mt. Pleasant and more than 20 other affiliates!

Check our website for more info. https://www.amyandgonzo.com/general-5

On this episode of "Behind the Mitten," Gonzo and Amy Sherman explore Old Town Lansing!

Not only do they check out the eclectic shops, they talk to local organizers and community members who share what makes this area of Lansing so special. And they do it while recording in a loft overlooking downtown Old Town.

In addition, they do "boots on the ground" reporting with an exclusive interview with the founders of the Facebook group page STUPID - Lansing, and they get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Big Penny," a song dedicated to the Too Tall Truck Munching Bridge on South Pennsylvania Avenue.

Also, listen for an interview with Lansing's favorite trucker country duo, Deer & Elk.

TUNE IN!

Segment 1: Sam Benson, executive director of the Old Town Commercial  Association, and Jamie Schriner, Queen of Old Town

Segment 2: STUPID - Lansing Exclusive! STUPID stands for The Society for Totally Useless Pranks and Immature Dumbassery!

Segment 3: Deer & Elk's Jason Lantrip and Jeff Gower. Learn more at phonophorerecords.com.

Segment 4: More about Old Town Lansing with Sam and Jamie, including upcoming events, such as the Chocolate Walk (Feb. 22, 2025) and Lumberjack Festival (March 29, 2025).

Learn more about Old Town Lansing at iloveoldtown.org.  

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

In this episode of Behind the Mitten, hosts John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman welcome Alma Lou Crossley and Jay Jacobs from the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau and Chamber of Commerce to discuss the upcoming Tip-Up-Town USA event.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Tip-Up-Town is Michigan's oldest winter festival filled with family-friendly activities, including ice fishing contests, amusement rides, and live entertainment. The conversation highlights the community spirit, the importance of local events, and the unique experiences that Houghton Lake offers during the winter season.

Tip-Up-Town USA is Jan. 17-19 and Jan. 24-25, 2025.

Learn more at houghtonlakechamber.net/tip-up-town-usa.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Takeaways

• Tip-Up Town is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
• The event includes a variety of family-friendly activities.
• Houghton Lake is known for its welcoming community spirit.
• There are contests for fishing, belly flops, and even beards.
• The festival features live entertainment and local bands.
• Alcohol is available but kept separate from family activities.
• The event promotes authentic fun and community engagement.
• Visitors can enjoy amusement rides and carnival games.
• The festival runs over two weekends in January.
• Houghton Lake is a great destination for winter activities.

Sound Bites

• "Authentic fun all year round!"
• "You can win like the best belly flop!"
• "You gotta come out and check this out!"

Chapters

00:00 - Welcome to Behind the Mitten
01:06 - Celebrating 75 Years of Tip-Up Town
04:36 - Family-Friendly Fun and Community Spirit
08:08 - Weather and Community Engagement

We had a blast hanging out in Old Town Lansing right before the holidays, and while we were there we got to explore the area and get the low down about "Big Penny" from our friends from Stupid - Lansing.

Look for the full podcast next week.

But for now, hear from Lansing's own Deer & Elk about what inspired them to write a song about "Big Penny," the Too Tall Truck Munching Bridge on S. Pennsylvania Avenue.

Learn more about Deer & Elk at phonophorerecords.com.

Follow the Stupid - Lansing Facebook page.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

BEHIND THE MITTEN - EPISODE 667

In this special 10th anniversary episode of Behind the Mitten with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez, hosts Amy and Gonzo reflect on a decade of exploring Michigan's vibrant culture, food, and travel destinations. Joined by Paul Beachnau from the Gaylord Tourism Bureau, they discuss the growth of Gaylord, the community's spirit, and the exciting winter activities available in the area. The episode highlights memorable experiences, the importance of community support, and the unique charm of Michigan's winter wonderland.

This weekend's show is a milestone for us! Let's celebrate.

Amy says:

"I can’t think of a better way to kick off the new year, and a new decade, with our best adventure buddy, great friend, and awesome co-host Paulie B (Paul Beachnau) from the Gaylord Michigan Tourism Bureau. He’s the perfect example of what’s happened over the years with BTM….work contacts become friends, who become family."

She added: "Thank you to everyone who has listened, to our radio affiliates for believing in us not once, but twice, to each and every guest who joined us and shared their stories, and to the power of RADIO, which still exists, and is awesome."

Gonzo says:

"This a very special show for us. Thanks to Paul Beachnau, Christy Ann, Barry Owens and all of our friends in the Gaylord community who make us feel so welcomed every time we visit the area. It's like a second home. We hope you enjoy the show."

He added: "Thanks to everyone who made this little podcast grow into more than just a radio show. As Amy said, we consider you all family. We can't thank you enough."

Learn more about Gaylord at gaylordmichigan.net.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

On this final episode of 2024, John Gonzalez talks about picking up wet burritos from the Beltline Bar, how he may - or may not - be superstitious, and debuting the show's new intro to celebrate 10 years in 2025.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

SEASON 6, EPISODE 52

Gonzo and Amy wrap up 2024 with a "Best Of" show featuring some of their favorite segments from the year.

Segment 1: The show opens with the Lansing Area Ukulele Group, better known as LAUGH (the 'H' is silent). This was recorded on Dec. 14 in a loft in Old Town Lansing after they attended the annual Holiday Sing and Strum at Sir Pizza. John French was our guest. He talks about LAUGH, and he also talks about his role as the curator and chief organizer of the Moist Toilette Museum in East Lansing.

Segment 2: One of our most popular episodes of the season was our trip to the Michigan Steam Railroading Institue in Owosso to see the Pere Marquette 1225 up close and personal. Learn more at michigansteamtrain.com.

Segment 3: Our webmaster and good friend Jeff Bailey joins the show to talk about his hobby as an amateur maple syrup producer. He talks about what it's like to start the hobby from scratch. Learn more about Michigan maple syrup at michiganmaple.org.

Segment 4: Jeff Daniels - actor, comedian, playwright and founder of the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea - talks about his beloved Detroit Lions right after the team's loss last season, which, had they won, would have put them in the Super Bowl. He also shares why he chose to live in Michigan rather than Hollywood, and why he hopes theater lovers across the state will come to Chelsea to visit him. Learn more about the Purple Rose Theatre at purplerosetheatre.org.

Learn more abiout Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

SEASON 6, EPISODE 51

This weekend we wish you Merry Christmas from Saginaw!

We are so grateful to our friends at WSGW for having us, and for legendary radio host Mr. Art Lewis for joining us. When we say legendary, we really mean it, Art has been sharing his love of Saginaw on the airwaves for over SIXTY YEARS. He lets us in on what makes this community so special, and reveals a little part he played in a lovely little holiday song about the mitten.

The arts are alive and well in Saginaw, and if you've been downtown you've seen the fabulous giant glorious Shine Bright Saginaw Mural Project. We visit with Thor Rasmussen from the @saginawartmuseum and The Temple Theatre to hear about other cool things happening around town, including their last show of the year on December 28 when comedian Desi Banks comes to town.

We get asked all the time if there are still regional food specialities to be found around Michigan, and we can confidently say YES. What will you find in the Saginaw region? Our friend Maria Coss, who's family owns the popular Maria's Mexican Restaurant in town, tells us the story of the puffy taco, an absolutely delicious and decidedly local, way to enjoy this popular dish.

We hope you'll tune in! Find our affiliates at https://www.amyandgonzo.com/

You can hear "Christmas in Michigan" by Brian D'Arcy James here:
https://youtu.be/nmR7qqoBK2k?si=AKZ02NFLe881ypz_

SEASON 6, EPISODE 50

On this show, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez pick some of their favorite small towns in Michigan, especially during the holidays.

Lewiston - A Talley Burger at the Talley Log Cabin Bar or a fish fry at the Lewiston Hotel is reason enough to visit, but in a winter season, the local snowmobile culture returns for frolicing good times.

Holly - 50 Miles northwest of downtown Detroit, it's the other up north for those in SE Michigan. Along with great shopping and the Holly Dickens Festival, the annual Holly Dazzle light show and Renaissance experience is back through Dec. 31.

Christmas - In the UP of Michigan, this small town has a way with getting you in the spirit with its natural wonder and beauty. Don't expect big light shows and productions, it's a simple way up here. And yes, you can get postcards stamped with Christmas on it. You just have to go to nearby Munising.

Croswell-Lexington - From the Horse Parade to beautiful shops, it's always a lot of fun in the Croswell and Lexington area. 

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premiere radio show and podcast, celebrating 10 years in 2025. Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOLLY DAZZLE FACEBOOK

SEASON 6, EPISODE 49

GAYLORD, MI - This weekend we take you slope side at Michigan's Most Spectacular Resort, Treetops!

Centrally located just minutes off of I-75 in Gaylord, Treetops has just received record breaking amounts of snow this week, and first chair ran on Thursday (Dec. 5, 2024). It's a winter wonderland here!

We'll learn about what's new at the resort this year from general manager Barry Owens. Treetops is celebrating their 70th year of skiing, and Owens shares a little about the unique ski culture at Treetops (think low-key) and about how the resort is focusing on those beginning skiers, with their Cool School ski packages, as well as more experienced snow bunnies with the opening of two new runs.

Snow making is a very big deal at Treetops, where it is considered both an art and a science. Even when they get dumped on, Brad Jacobsen, Director of Flake Making at Treetops and his team are constantly making and moving snow to create the perfect conditions for you to enjoy. It's super interesting how it all happens, plus Brad tells us about his big rig, the giant snow cat that he gets drive around when he's grooming.

If we are visiting Treetops, you know we aren't going to miss a chance to see what's happening in one of our favorite towns, so we bring our buddy Christy Walcott on from the Gaylord Michigan Tourism Bureau by. The downtown elk herd awaits you, as does unique shopping in this Alpine-inspired village. Christy likes to eat just as much as we do, so she has some great restaurant and coffee shop recommendations.

It's time to go all outdoors. It's time to embrace winter. It's time for Treetops!

Learn more at treetops.com or call for a reservation at 866-348-5249.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.