On this Episode of Behind the Mitten, Amy and Gonzo take you to Big Rapids and Mecosta County. They recorded this Podcast at Raven Brewery & BBQ. This show aired Sept. 22-23, 2018 on radio stations all across the state. Learn more about Mecosta County at http://www.bigrapids.org/

HopCat celebrates the opening of its 7th location in Michigan and 17th overall. This Podcast was recorded at HopCat Knapp's Corner. This show aired Sept. 8-9, 2018 on radio stations all across the state.

Learn more about HopCat at https://hopcat.com/

Learn more about Grand Armory Brewing Company at http://www.grandarmorybrewing.com/

On this Episode: We are in Coldwater Country, Coldwater, Michigan! We talk to our friends from Adventure Zone, the Tibbits Opera House, Capri Drive-In and the Children's Museum of Branch County. We also learn about the Little River Railroad, the village of Colon’s love for Magic and a cool Pints in the Park event Sept. 29 in nearby Quincy. Thanks to Debra and all the guests for the hospitality!

This episode aired Sept. 15-16, 2018 on radio stations across the state of Michigan.

Show Notes:
Segment 1- Debra Yee, Executive Director of Coldwater Country joins us to talk about what makes this are of Michigan special. Did you know that they are located halfway between Detroit and Chicago and have over 100 lakes in the area? Joining her is Carl Thorton from nearby Colon, which is the magic capital of the whole wide world.

Segment 2-Melissa Austin shares information about the Children's Museum of Brand County, a must stop if you are in the area with kids. We also visit with Christine Delaney from the Tibbits Opera House. They have been hosting events every weekend for 137 years.

Segment 3-There are only a handful of drive-in movie theaters left in Michigan, and one of them is located right in Coldwater Country. Susan Magos shares the history of the Capri Drive-In, which will be open through October. Matt Stritzinger from the Adventure Zone and Dickey's BBQ shares all the cool things you can do at the Zone, including mini golf, bounce houses and virtual reality games.

Segment 4-Erin Vessy from the village of Quincy tells us all about her upcoming event Pints in the Park, happening September 29. There will be all sorts of beers, wines and ciders to try, including our BEER OF THE WEEK, Grand River Brewery's Monkey Mouth. Debra Yee joins us again to talk events, including some upcoming special rides on the Little River Railroad.

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, Amy Sherman hosts the show and covers plenty of ground, and delivers BEER of the WEEK! Tune in.

Show Notes:

Segment 1- ArtPrize kicks off in Grand Rapids on September 19 and runs through October 7. We talk with Katie Moore, exhibition manager, and Becca Guyette, director of learning and engagement about the world's large art competition.

Segment 2- Amber Stokosa of 20 Monroe Live joins us to discuss the Grand Rapids concert venue's upcoming fall season. There's plenty of shows to choose from, including Blink-182 on September 17 and Eve 6 on December 6. Plan your next concert at 20MonroeLive.com

Segment 3- Paul Starr from I'm A Beer Hound has a new beer fest in works. Join us as we discuss his Beers, Bar Food and Bands festival happening in Lansing on September 8.

Segment 4- Big Lake Brewing in Holland helps us pick our BEER OF THE WEEK. Brewer Zach Dreyer and marketing manager Keith Henry tell us all about the new pub, and the full line up of beers from Big Lake.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman visit Beaver Island, Michigan for the first time in August of 2018.

On this Podcast they take you on a journey to some of the Island's best locations. Their tour guides are the owners of Long Road Distillers, who travel to the Island each fall to source juniper berries fr their award-winning Michigin. The journey includes a trip by plane on Island Airways.

Segment 1-We go on a boodle with Jon O'Connor and Kyle Van Strien from Long Road Distillers. This Grand Rapids based distillery sources their juniper for their award winning Michigin on the island, and have become regulars here. They introduce us to what makes Beaver Island so special.

Segment 2-State Senator John Proos from St. Joe was on the island with us, and he discusses his first impressions of the island. We also talk about why distillers and craft beverage producers might be interested in a bill he's introduced in the Senate.

Segment 3-Beaver Island residents and legends Eric Hodgson and Bill McDonough talk about island life, history, things to do here, and why they'll never leave.

Segment 4-Kyle and Jon are back, this time to discuss just how they came up with the idea to make Michigin, made with 100% Michigan ingredients. They explain how they bring their whole staff up every September to harvest the juniper. We might pick beer of the week, or we might surprise you.

More on Beaver Island at https://www.beaverisland.org/
More on Long Road Distillers at http://longroaddistillers.com/
More on Island Airways at http://www.islandairways.com/

This episode aired Aug. 25-26, 2018.

Show Notes:

Segment 1-Danny Musser, who's family has been the "caretakers" of the Grand Hotel for three generations shares the history of this Michigan gem.

Segment 2-Ben Mosley, the stable manager of the Grand discusses what it takes to keep their horses happy and healthy. Did you know you can take a stable tour for free, and not only see their teams of horses but also dozens of historical carriages?

Segment 3-The Grand Hotel's knowledgable, and hilarious, historian Bob Tagatz shares some of the special historical tours you can take at the Grand.

Segment 4-PGA professional Jason Horricks tells us all about the golf courses at the Grand, the only place in the nation where you take a horse drawn carriage between the two nines. We also pick Beer of the Week, the Big Porch Ale, that is brewed exclusively for the Grand Hotel by Bells Brewing.

Learn more about all the great things to do this fall at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island 2018.

More info at https://www.grandhotel.com/

This episode aired Aug. 18-19, 2018.

Show Notes:

Segment 1-Linda Hoath from Sault Ste. Marie tourism and convention bureau. Plan your trip to the Soo at SaultSteMarie.com. We are recording from Bird's Eye Outfitters, a local business that features sports and outdoor equipment rentals, and has both a coffee shop and a popular bar inside.

Segment 2-We chat with the owners of Bird's Eye Outfitters, Ken and Wilda Hopper about outdoor adventures in the Soo area.

Segment 3-Brad Blair shares all of the interesting, and dare we say sometimes creepy, things you might experience during the Michigan Paranormal Convention that happened August 23-24.

Segment 4-Linda is back for events in the Soo area this fall, including the Festival of Races on September 29. We also pick a beer of the week from Barrel and Beam.
Learn why you need to visit Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

More info at https://www.saultstemarie.com/

This episode aired Aug. 11-12, 2018.

On this Podcast, we talk to comedian/actor Brad Sherwood, who is on the "Scared Scriptless Tour" with Colin Mochrie. The comedians are best known for their years on the TV Show "Whose Line is in Anyway?" The "Colin & Brad Scared Scriptless" shows comes to the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16. Tickets are $34 – $52. More info at https://www.fhfineartscenter.com/event/colin-brad-scared-scriptless/ More info about the tour at http://colinandbradshow.com/

Segment 1- Marilyn Clear, Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Director
Ryan Sylvester, Paw Paw Brewing, brewer and owner

Segment 2-Lauran Shafer, St. Julian wine club director
Kyle Totzke, St. Julian assistant wine maker

Segment 3-Marilyn Clear
Jordan Berg, St. Julian lab tech. We talk about what volunteers can expect at the Festival.

Segment 4-Marilyn Clear
Ryan Sylvester and Keith Buckman from Paw Paw Brewing, beer of the week.

Wine and Harvest is September 7,8,9 get more info at wineandharvestfestival.com

This show aired July 28-29, 2018.