Behind the Mitten

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.

MACKINAC ISLAND, MI -- Bartender Jesse Bader of the Gate House is resuming his quest to travel the 2,665-trip of the Pacific Crest Trail. He leaves Mackinac Island Aug. 11, 2018 and hopes to return Oct. 1. The hike will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Make donations at the St. Jude fundraising page at stjude.org.
http://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=4359294&fr_id=59427&pg=personal

Follow Jesse's journey on his Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/jesse.bader.5

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of BTM, as well as Jeremy Cox of the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, join West Michigan Live with Justin Barclay on WOOD radio to talk about the 2018-2019 season.

Season tickets on sale July 30, 2018.

Learn more about the six-show season at https://www.fhfineartscenter.com/

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman broadcast from Grand River Brewery, where they talk beer and spirits, as well as great Mexican cuisine at Chilango's Cantina Grill and events in the area with Experience Jackson.

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman visit the SE Pioneer Wine Trail.

Learn about Chateau Aeronautique Winery in Irish Hills, Pentamere Winery in Tecumseh, Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery in Adrian and Burgdorf's Winery in Haslette!