Behind the Mitten

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman discover St. Ignace, which is known for hosting several car shows and other events during the season. This show aired June 30-July 1, 2018.

More information at http://www.stignace.com/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman hang out with the organizers of this year's Car Show Weekend 2018 in St. Ignace, Michigan. The car show runs June 28-30, 2018.

More info: http://www.saintignace.org/event/st-ignace-car-show-weekend/

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend time in Petoskey and talk trails and biking, the opening of a new arts and cultural center, events and so much more. They broadcast from the Petoskey Brewing Company. This episode aired June 22-23, 2018 on radio stations across the state.

More information on Petoskey at https://www.petoskeyarea.com/

More information on the Great Lakes Center for the Arts at https://www.greatlakescfa.org/

More information on Petoskey Brewing Company at https://www.petoskeybrewing.com/

More information on Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

On this segment of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman hang out with Brian Bailey of the Chippewa Hotel and the Pink Pony, as well as BTM's former intern (and former employee at the Pink Pony), Hannah Olson. We do events and Beer of the Week. This episode aired June 16-17, 2018.

Lean more about the Chippewa Hotel at https://www.chippewahotel.com/

Learn more about Wawashkamo at http://www.wawashkamo.com/

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend time on Mackinac Island. They learn about Original Murdick's Fudge, which has been making fudge on the Island since 1887, and some other popular destinations.

Show Notes
Segment 1: We talk to Bob Benser of Original Murdick's Fudge, who tells the story about how Mackinac Island became the fudge capitol of the world. Also, listen at (7:00 mark) for a cameo appearance by Andrew Doud, who owns Doud's Market in downtown Mackinac Island.

Segment 2 (Listen at 11:20): More with Bob Benser, who goes more into more detail about fudgemaking on the Island. He also talks about us head fudgemaker, Carnel Samuels, who is originally from Jamaica.

Segment 3 (Listen at 18:51): Brian Bailey of Chippewa Hotel/Pink Pony/Lilac Hotel & Suites -- and a new member of the City Council -- talks about what life is like on Mackinac Island all year around. We also try some of the new cocktails from the Pink Pony.

Segment 4 (Listen at 30:13): More with Brian Bailey, as well as BTM's former intern and former employee at the Pink Pony, Hannah Olson. We do events and Beer of the Week.

Learn more about Original Murdick's Fudge at https://www.originalmurdicksfudge.com/

Learn more about the Chippewa Hotel at https://www.chippewahotel.com/
Learn more about Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman get to hang out on the Lake Michigan car ferry the SS Badger in Ludington, Michigan. This episode aired June 9-10, 2018 on radio stations all across the state.

Show Notes:

Segment 1: We broadcast the show from the Pilot House of the SS Badger with Captain Mike Martin and Terri Brown, director of marketing.

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:00): More with Mike Martin. What is it like to live on the boat? It's their 65 anniversary of sailing Lake Michigan.

Segment 3 (Listen at 18:52): We spend time with Charles Cart, chief engineer. This is the last coal fired ship in America. He also tells us about the SS Spartan, which is docked nearby in the harbor and is used for spare parts. Cart said the SS Badger will load in 500 tons of coal, which will last them 11 days.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:40): Terri Brown, director of marketing, returns to tell us about events this summer. Get your tickets now for the 4th of July Cruise, which is close to selling out. Beer of the week is from Muskegon brewery Pigeon Hill -- Walter Blondale, an easy drinking light beer, it's the perfect summer quaff on the decks of the SS Badger.

Learn more about the SS Badger at https://www.ssbadger.com/

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

On this weekend's Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman travel to Cheboygan, Michigan, which is a "hidden gem in Northern Michigan."

Show Notes:

Segment 1: Guests include Scott Herceg, the executive director of the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, and Jim Conboy, who is a board member of the Top of Michigan Trails Council and bicyclist extraordinaire.
More info at https://www.cheboygan.com/
More on Trails at http://www.trailscouncil.org/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:13): Our guest is Polly Schneider who is the Event Coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce will talk about the upcoming Waterways Festival (June 28-July 1, 2018) that celebrates the uniqueness of Cheboygan situated on the 40 mile long Inland Waterway as well as the internationally famous Straits of Mackinac.
More info at http://www.waterwaysfestival.com/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:33): Scott Herceg returns to tell us why Cheboygan is the new Entrepreneurial Capital of Northern Michigan. He talks about the renewed economic development spirit that is over taking the Cheboygan area.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:30): Events throughout the state, plus Beer of the Week at Cheboygan Brewing Company.
More info at https://www.cheboyganbrewing.com/

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

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend the day on Mackinac Island where they talk about what's new for the 2018. The show is broadcast from Smokey Jose's, a new restaurant that just opened for the new season.

Segment 1: Tim Hygh of the Mackinac Island Convention and Visitors Bureau talks about some new features, as well as his new, two-story information center where visitors can stop in for maps, outdoor activities and hotels. Also making an appearance is author and Birkenstock store owner Peter Mirabelle.
More on Mackinac Island at https://www.facebook.com/mackinacislandtourismbureau/
More on Birkenstock at https://www.facebook.com/Mackinac-Birkenstock-529990880437781/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:20): Tim Hygh returns and introduces John and Amy to Mary Jane Barnwell, who is bringing back Old Time photos this year. She also co-owns the Mackinac Island Bookstore, which first opened in 1975.
More info at http://www.islandbookstore.com/

Segment 3 (Listen at 20:06): Veronica of Sip N' Sail Cruises stops by to tell us about this cool specialty cruises that are docked on the Island. These are cruises with live entertainment, as well as special themes.
Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/SiPnSaiL/

Segment 4 (Listen at 30:03): We spend time at the Island's newest restaurant, Smokey Jose's with owner Jack Armstrong. They make their own sauces and smoke their meats. It's BBQ and Mexican food! What could be better? And Tim Hygh returns for Beer of the Week!
More info on Smokey Jose's at https://www.facebook.com/Smokey-Joses-332716713896957/

Behind the Mitten airs on more than 10 radio stations throughout Michigan. Learn more at http://behindthemitten.com/

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman travel to Mackinac Island to learn about Mackinac State Historic Parks, including Fort Mackinac, Colonial Michilimackinac and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park.

Segment 1: Phil Porter, executive director of Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:35): Steven Brisson, Deputy Director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, and Dominick Miller, marketing manager at Mackinac State Historic Parks, tell us more about Colonial Michilimackinac.

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:35): Phil Porter returns to test John and Amy about Mackinac Island trivia. Play along.

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:55): Events and Beer of the Week.

Learn more about Mackinac State Historic Parks at https://www.mackinacparks.com/

Learn more about BTM at http://behindthemitten.com/

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman talk about the MLive search for Michigan's Best Mexican Restaurant. This episode aired May 12-13, 2018 on radio stations across the state.

Show Notes
Segment 1: John and Amy talk about their latest search for Michigan's Best Mexican Restaurant. More info at http://topics.mlive.com/tag/best-mexican-restaurant/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:02): Learn about BBQ, Barley & Beats, an event May 19 at Van Andel Arena, as well as June 9 in Novi. It's a fundraiser for Hospice of Michigan. More info at https://www.hom.org/bbb2018/

Segment 3 (Listen at 18:57): John Beilfuss of Lula's Louisiana Cookhouse talks about Michigan's Best Fried Chicken and a special event to celebrate the release of Michigan's Best Day video in Owosso. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp62iPs6zMQ

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:56): John and Amy talk more about Michigan's Best Mexican Restaurant search, as well as upcoming events in Michigan. More on BTM at http://behindthemitten.com/