This week we head straight to Maize and Blue country, where we shout a hearty hello and how ya doin' from good old Ann Arbor town, home to THE National Champs THE University of Michigan. It's Ann Arbor Restaurant Week running through January 26, and we checked out just a few of the awesome offerings you can experience this year.

We chat with Vicki Joling, from Ann Arbor Main Street Area Association and Chad Wiebesick, Destination Ann Arbor about how this event has changed over the last few years, and what is new at local spots this year.

Then, we head out around Ann Arbor, making stops at Restaurant Week participants to see what they'll be serving up this week.

Asian Fusion cuisine is on the menu at Pacific Rim, and we are telling you what....make the reservation now to try those scallops with coconut carrot sauce. Old Town Tavern has great burger and beers on tap, plus a stop at Jolly Pumpkin for a sour or two rounds out the show.

Get all the information and plan your trip to Ann Arbor at https://www.annarborrestaurantweek.com/

Big thanks to our friends at Life In Michigan, Chuck and Brenda Marshall, for joining us this week in their hometown of A2. We highly recommend their site, they've got awesome recomenndations from all over Michigan, and are just generally the type of peeps you'd want to hang with. Thanks guys for including us on YOUR adventure!




Follow John and Amy:
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten



"Behind the Mitten" is Michigan's premiere travel radio show and Podcast and has more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. John is a longtime journalist, social media early adopter and member of the Central Michigan University Journalism Hall of Fame. Amy is a former chef with 20-plus experience, craft beer expert and freelance writer. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten.

Michigan International Auto Show Rolls Into DeVos Place February 1-4, 2024

On this special bonus podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten talk to Dawn Baker, Show manger of the Michigan International Auto Show. She fills us in on everything we need to know.

WHAT: 26th Annual Michigan International Auto Show
WHEN: February 1-4, 2024 (Thursday & Friday, 11am-9:00pm | Saturday 10am-9:00pm | Sunday 10am-5pm)
WHERE: DeVos Place, Downtown Grand Rapids
WHO: Hosted by the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association
Produced by ShowSpan Inc.
Presenting Sponsor – Gentex Corporation
ADMISSION: $12 (Children 6-14 - $5 | 5 and under - free)
First Responders’ Day: Thursday, February 1 (Opening Day) — FREE admission for active EMS, Fire, Police, Public Safety, Coast Guard and also active Military and retired Veterans who can show valid I.D., badge or other verification.
Senior Discount Day: Thursday, February 1 (Opening Day) — 50% off

Charity Gala: The Auto Show kicks off with the Charity Spectacular on Wednesday, January 31 from 5:30-9pm. Dressed in cocktail attire, guests have the unique opportunity for a sneak peek experience inside the Michigan International Auto Show.
Tickets are $150 each, and through a long-standing partnership, more than $2 million has been raised to support vital programs at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.
Tickets are available online at https://e.givesmart.com/events/zuN/.

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events and things going on with Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten

Michigan’s Premiere Maple Syrup Festival
March 16-17 & March 23-24
Maple Row Sugarhouse in Jones, Michigan
More info: michiganmaplefestival.com or on Facebook.

On this podcast, Christy Olson of Maple Row Sugarhouse runs down all the things you can do at their annual Maple Syrup Festival in Jones, Michigan. The festival is spread over two weekends and includes “everything maple,” she said.

You can see how they make maple syrup and enjoy great maple foods. They will also have a maple sugar camp reenactment from the 18th century. Kids will enjoy a petting farm with baby animals, horse-drawn wagon rides, a pancake-eating contest and so much more.

Learn more about Maple Row Sugarhouse at maplerowsugarhouse.com. It is located in Cass County just north of Jones, which is located on M-60 between Cassopolis and Three Rivers in Southwestern Michigan.

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events and things going on with Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten

SEASON 6 - PREVIEW OF ANN ARBOR RESTAURANT WEEK SHOW

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten join the Paul Miller Show on WPHM in Port Huron to preview this weekend's show, which is all about Ann Arbor Restaurant Week (Jan. 21-26, 2024).

Learn more about Ann Arbor Restaurant Week at annarborrestaurantweek.com.

Learn more about the Paul Miller Show at wphm.net. And make sure to listen to this weekend's Behind the Mitten on the following stations:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events and the spirit of the season! Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten

SEASON 6, EPISODE 2:

Welcome to Behind the Mitten, Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.

On our second show of the year, Amy and Gonzo get all bundled up for winter fun across Michigan!

First, they capture all the things you can do at Tip-Up Town USA (Jan. 20-21, Jan. 27) in Houghton Lake, as well as Winterfest in Higgins Lake (Feb. 16-17). Thanks to Theresa Ekdorm of the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau for being on the show.

On this episode they also check in with friends all over the state about other great winter activities, including:

• I-500 in Sault Ste. Marie (Jan. 28-Feb. 3)
• Zehnder's Snowfest in Frankenmuth (Jan 24-28)
• World of Winter in Grand Rapids (Jan. 12-March 10)

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events and the spirit of the season! Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten

SEASON 6, EPISODE 2:

Welcome to Behind the Mitten, Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.

On this special podcast and episode, Amy and Gonzo visit Roscommon County in Northern Michigan to learn about a couple cool events taking place in Houghton Lake and Higgins Lake.

First, Theresa Ekdorm of the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau give them the run down of all the events taking place during the 74th annual Tip-Up Town USA (Jan. 20-21, Jan. 27) in Houghton Lake. Events include a parade, fireworks, fishing tournament, 5k race, carnival, hunting for medallions and more! There's even a bull riding rodeo.

Learn more at houghtonlakechamber.net.

Theresa also talks about Winterfest in Higgins Lake (Feb. 16-17). More details at hlrcc.com.

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events and the spirit of the season! Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten

SEASON 6, EPISODE 1:

Welcome to Behind the Mitten, Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.

On the first show of the year - recorded when there was very little snow - Amy and Gonzo capture all the things you can do at the beautiful Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan.

Even though we have tons of snow now, Treetops has been making snow since early December, with multiple runs and lifts open. You can even do EXTREME TUBING, which we'll just say is one of Michigan's WILDEST rides, and totally awesome.

Oh, and if you're a new to skiiing like Gonzo, they offer a terrain-based learning program to make you sure ready to tackle the slopes whenever you're ready! Don't forget they have snowboarding, too, and great dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

You can learn more about Treetops and make your reservations at treetops.com or call 866-348-5249.

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events and the spirit of the season! Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten

Welcome to Behind the Mitten, Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.

This week Amy and Gonzo run down some of the year's best moments, and interviews!

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events and the spirit of the season! Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten

Welcome to Behind the Mitten, Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.

This week Amy and Gonzo run down some of their picks of the year, including Beer of the Year.
Joining them is owner Nick Van Court of Barrel + Beam in Marquette. Listen to him explain what made this pick so special!


Gonzo and Amy also talk about some of things they did not get to do, and how they are making it a priority for 2024!

This show aired on December 23-24, 2023. Check it out here.

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events, and the spirit of the season! Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten

Welcome to Behind the Mitten, Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.

On this Podcast, Gina Thorsen, CEO of Stormy Kromer, unveils the fascinating history behind this iconic Michigan brand. Learn how her family took over the legendary business and brought it to the heart of Michigan. Since 1903, Stormy Kromer has embodied the independence, wit, and grit of the upper Midwest, starting with a simple cap. Discover the story of how a practical solution turned into a century-old brand that stands for style, durability, and a sense of fun.

This segment aired on December 16-17, 2023.

Don't miss out on the latest in travel, events, and the spirit of the season! Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.

Follow John and Amy:

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten
X (formerly Twitter) at @BehindTheMitten
Instagram at @BehindTheMitten