Behind the Mitten

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and it has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this week's show, we take a trip to charming Marshall, Michigan, located along the I-94 corridor between Battle Creek and Jackson.

*This historic town has much to offer visitors, according to our first guest, Amy Peterson, the Director of Marketing for Choose Marshall.

*She is joined by Kimber Thompson, the Director of Tourism, and she gives us a rundown of upcoming events in town, including the very popular Marshall Blues Fest, which is happening June 25. Also, be sure to check out the FREE Marshall trolley which runs through downtown on weekends.

*History abounds throughout town, and Elena Gunther, Marshall's Historic Place Making Manager, discusses the eight different museums you can visit here.

*Finally, Dark Horse Brewing owner John Leone joins in, and shares how special Marshall has become to him as the new owner of this long time local and national favorite.

Learn more about Marshall at https://choosemarshall.com/

Learn more about Dark Horse at https://darkhorsebrewery.com/

Behind the Mitten is presented this month by Bobcat Bonnie's, a Michigan-based restaurant chain whose mission is to provide fresh, value-oriented food with high-quality, inviting service in a fun, unique atmosphere. Locations in Ypsilanti, Corktown Detroit, Partridge Creek (Clinton Township), Toledo, Ferndale, Wyandotte and Grand Rapids. Learn more at https://bobcatbonnies.com/.

Also, special shoutout to the Lakeshore Art Festival, which takes place June 25-26 in Muskegon. Listen at the 10:02 mark for more info or go to https://lakeshoreartfestival.org/.
This show aired June 11-12, 2022.

BTM airs:

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

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI (new affiliate)

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

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek (new affiliate)

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

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

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

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

On this special segment of Behind the Mitten, Carla Flanders of the Lakeshore Art Festival talks about all the reasons why you want to visit this year's event, June 25-26, 2022, in downtown Muskegon.

The annual event is a unique and artful experience, featuring a blend of fine art, handcrafted goods, music, food and fun in beautiful downtown Muskegon.

To add the excitement, the festival will host international street artist David Zinn, who will create 8-10 pieces of art throughout the Lakeshore Art Festival footprint. Festival guests are encouraged to scout out and find each of the pieces of art as a fun scavenger-hunt type of exploration.

One piece will be a permanent art piece that will add to the already vibrant public art collection that downtown Muskegon has to offer. To accompany David Zinn on his quest to find art in everything (even little cracks in the sidewalk), the festival invites the community to take part in the PADNOS Public Art Project on June 25 from 4-6 p.m. Anyone and everyone can get creative and “Chalk-the-Walk” along Western Avenue within the festival footprint. More on David Zinn at https://zinnart.com/.

Hours of the Festival are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 25, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, June 26.

Learn more about the Lakeshore Art Festival at https://lakeshoreartfestival.org/.

BTM airs:

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

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI (new affiliate)

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

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek (new affiliate)

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

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

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

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

On this special Podcast of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman talk to longtime friend Carla Flanders of the Lakeshore Art Festival, which takes place June 25-26, 2022, in Muskegon.

The annual event is a unique and artful experience, featuring a blend of fine art, handcrafted goods, music, food and fun in beautiful downtown Muskegon.

To add the excitement, the festival will host international street artist David Zinn, who will create 8-10 pieces of art throughout the Lakeshore Art Festival footprint. Festival guests are encouraged to scout out and find each of the pieces of art as a fun scavenger-hunt type of exploration.

One piece will be a permanent art piece that will add to the already vibrant public art collection that downtown Muskegon has to offer. To accompany David Zinn on his quest to find art in everything (even little cracks in the sidewalk), the festival invites the community to take part in the PADNOS Public Art Project on June 25 from 4-6 p.m. Anyone and everyone can get creative and “Chalk-the-Walk” along Western Avenue within the festival footprint. More on David Zinn at https://zinnart.com/.

Hours of the Festival are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 25, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, June 26.

Learn more about the Lakeshore Art Festival at https://lakeshoreartfestival.org/.

BTM airs:

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

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI (new affiliate)

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

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek (new affiliate)

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

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

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

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

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and it has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this week's episode we meet with Shelby Soberalski, the Director of Marketing and Sales for the S.S. Badger, whose home port is in Ludington, Michigan.

*During the first segment, we discuss the history of this famous, coal-burning ship, which is the largest and last car ferry built that is still sailing.

*Our second segment focuses on the amazing amenities on board, including private staterooms, indoor and outdoor seating, multiple dining options, and what just might be the most popular game on all the Great Lakes, Badger Bingo.

*Segment three includes what is new on the boat for 2022, including a completely brand new paint job, and an updated onboard entertainment system. The Badger leaves Ludington to head across Lake Michigan to it's other port, Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Since you'll have time in both towns, we go over what to do while you are on land.

*We also share a special beer brewed by Ludington Bay Brewing in honor of the boat, the light and fruity Badger Blue.

Behind the Mitten is presented this month by Bobcat Bonnie's, a Michigan-based restaurant chain whose mission is to provide fresh, value-oriented food with high-quality, inviting service in a fun, unique atmosphere. Locations in Ypsilanti, Corktown Detroit, Partridge Creek (Clinton Township), Toledo, Ferndale, Wyandotte and Grand Rapids. Learn more at https://bobcatbonnies.com/.

This show aired June 4-5, 2022.

BTM airs:

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

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI (new affiliate)

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

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek (new affiliate)

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

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

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

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

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and it has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this week's episode, Amy and John welcome regular guest Paul Beachnau from the Gaylord Tourism Bureau to discuss the recent tragic tornado that hit the city, and how the community is together picking up the pieces. Then, Ace Marasigan joins us to discuss the Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival which is happening on June 10 and 11. Amy and John roll through festivals happening around Michigan in June, and then Ace rejoins us along with Mitten Brewing co-owner Chris Andrus. The duo collaborated with Bangkok Taste restaurant and the Hmong community in Grand Rapids to brew up a special beer for the festival.

Here's how to help the tornado relief efforts through a fund set up at the Otsego Foundation: https://www.otsegofoundation.org/

Learn more about the Asian Pacific Festival at https://www.grapf.org/

Learn more about Mitten Brewing Co. at https://www.mittenbrewing.com/

Behind the Mitten is presented this month by BLiS Gourmet, a Michigan-based company known for its barrel-aged products such as hot sauce, vinegars and maple syrup. Learn more about their products at https://blisgourmet.com/.

This show aired May 28-29, 2022.

BTM airs:

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

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI (new affiliate)

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

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek (new affiliate)

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

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

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

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

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and it has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this Podcast, John and Amy travel to Frankenmuth, which is also known as Michigan's Little Bavaria. They cover all the major festivals on tap this summer with several guests.

Show Notes:

Segment 1-Learn about the events from Jamie Furbush and Christie Bierline of Frankenmuth.org. Learn more at https://www.frankenmuth.org/.

Segment 2-Wendy Winkel, owner Grandpa Tiny's Farm, comes by to talk about a very cool sunflower festival. Learn more at https://www.grandpatinys.com/.

3-Michael Zehnder, GM & owner the Bavarian Inn Lodge, shares some of the reasons why people love coming to Frankenmuth. Learn more at https://www.bavarianinn.com/.

4-Zak McClellan of Prost Wine Bar and Zak & Mac's Chocolate Haus stops by to talk about why people love wine and fudge when they travel to Frankenmuth.

Learn more about the candy and fudge shop at https://zakandmacs.com/

Learn more about Prost! at https://prostfrankenmuth.com/

Behind the Mitten is presented this month by BLiS Gourmet, a Michigan-based company known for its barrel-aged products such as hot sauce, vinegars and maple syrup. Learn more about their products at https://blisgourmet.com/.

This show aired May 21-22, 2022.

BTM airs:

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

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI (new affiliate)

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

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek (new affiliate)

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

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

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

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

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and it has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

On this Podcast, John and Amy interview John Sinkevics, the founder of LocalSpins.com, a website that covers the Michigan music scene. He is celebrating his 10th anniversary with a series of concerts in Grand Rapids (May 16-21). We also talk about some of the big outdoor music festivals this summer.

All of the music featured on Behind the Mitten is provided each week by Local Spins.

Learn more about Local Spins and the festival at https://localspins.com/.

Also, John and Amy talk to Matt Valleau, the GM at Rockford Brewing Company, who is featuring a Local Spinsation Ale this week. They also have live music and beer tent planned for the Rockford Start of Summer Celebration (June 9-12). RBS was founded in 2011 by co-owners Seth Rivard and Jeff Sheehan.

Learn more about RBC at https://rockfordbrewing.com/.

Behind the Mitten is presented this month by BLiS Gourmet, a Michigan-based company known for its barrel-aged products such as hot sauce, vinegars and maple syrup. Learn more about their products at https://blisgourmet.com/.

BTM airs:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI (new affiliate)

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

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek (new affiliate)

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

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

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

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

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and it has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This Podcast focuses on the return of Amy Sherman, who has been off the air the last two weeks because of a house fire on Easter Sunday where she lost everything. The show aired May 7-8, 2022.

Behind the Mitten is presented this month by BLiS Gourmet, a Michigan-based company known for its barrel-aged products such as hot sauce, vinegars and maple syrup. Learn more about their products at https://blisgourmet.com/.

Segment 1 - Gonzo welcomes back Amy.

Segment 2 - Amy introduces her sister, Sarah Sherman, who has been a godsend to her family, taking them in while Amy determines the next steps in rebuilding their historic home in East Grand Rapids. Coincidentally, Sarah also runs BLiS Gourmet, which was selected as our monthly sponsor well before the fire.

Segment 3 - Sarah returns to answer a question from Gonzo. Amy also introduces Andy Holtgreive and John Niedzielski of Domestic Problems, longtime friends who met when they all attended Aquinas College.

Segment 4 - Domestic Problems returns to play a song. They have a couple shows next month, performing June 3 with Knee Deep Shag at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, and June 4 at The Magic Bag in Ferndale, also with Knee Deep Shag. Learn more about the shows at https://www.facebook.com/DomesticProblems/.

Amy also introduces her husband, Jerry Adams.

BTM airs:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI (new affiliate)

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

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek (new affiliate)

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

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

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

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

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and it has more than 400 episodes. It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This show is focused on the Battle Creek area. It aired April 30-May 1, 2022.

Behind the Mitten is presented by Treetops Resort in Gaylord - Michigan’s Most Spectacular Resort. Make your summer golf reservations now at https://www.treetops.com/.

Segment 1 - Linda Freybler of the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau and Battle Creek Welcome Center. Learn more at https://www.battlecreekvisitors.org/

Segment 2 - Dave Lorenz of Travel Michigan. Learn more at https://www.michigan.org/

Segment 3 - Tim Hygh of the Mackinac Island CVB. Learn more at https://www.mackinacisland.org/

Segment 4 - Leslie Walsh of Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. Learn more at https://binderparkzoo.org/

BTM airs:

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

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

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

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

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

On this special Podcast of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez catches up with Barry Owens of Treetops Resort in Gaylord, who talks about the upcoming golf season as well as what's new for the 2022 season.

Learn more about Treetops at https://www.treetops.com/.

BTM airs:

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

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

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

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

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