Behind the Mitten

In this Podcast, John Gonzalez of MLive and the Behind the Mitten radio show talks to Billy Harrigan Tighe. The actor plays J.J. Barrie., who created one of the world's most beloved characters -- Peter Pan.

The Broadway touring musical is based on the critically acclaimed, Academy Award-winning film, "Finding Neverland." It stops for 8 performances, Dec. 12-17, 2017 at the Wharton Center in East Lansing; tickets start at $43; whartoncenter.com.

More info: https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/finding-neverland

On this Podcast of "Behind the Mitten," John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum, known for special exhibits and its local history and artifacts. (This segment aired Dec. 9-10, 2017.)

The Museum’s current facility opened in 1994 on the west bank of the Grand River in the heart of downtown. It contains three floors of exhibits, the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, the Cook Carousel Pavilion, Meijer Theater, cafe, and gift shop. It was founded in 1854.

More information at http://www.grpm.org/

Segment 1: John and Amy talk to Christie Bender and Kate Moore of the Public Museum, who give an overview and even talk about a special school located inside the museum.

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:25): Chief Curator Alex Forist talks about what people can find at the museum; he also explains what a curator does. He also notes that Grand Rapids has a long history of making beer.

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:48): John and Amy dive deeper into the museum's latest exhibition, "Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids," which continues through May 20, 2018.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:30): John and Amy talk about upcoming events, including the Beer Explorers program which returns in January. The series kicks off a new year with Founders Beer and Robinette's, which is pairing beer and doughnuts. They also do BEER of the WEEK!

Get tickets to the Jan. 11 Beer Explorers event at https://596.blackbaudhosting.com/596/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=cff4b0b4-45d1-4347-b01b-789d99c3c80e

Calendar of Events: http://www.grpm.org/calendar-list/

Meet Finny: On Dec. 16, the GRPM will debut its Meet Finny Kiosk to learn more about its iconic 1905 finback whale skeleton that hangs above the first floor Galleria. More info: http://www.therapidian.org/placematters-new-virtual-reality-touchscreen-experience-grand-rapids-public-museum?platform=hootsuite)

Follow Finny on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FinnytheWhale?lang=en

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman broadcast from Mackinac Island. They talk to business owner Bob Benser about Original Murdick's Fudge, which is shipping fudge for the Holiday season. They meet the Master Fudge Masker. And they interview Brian Bailey of the Pink Pony, Chippewa Hotel and Lilac Tree Hotel Suites & Spa. If you ever wonder what it's like on Mackinac Island during the winter time, listen now:

Segment 1: John and Amy talk to Bob Benser about Island life.

Segment 2 (Listen at 9:59): Brian Bailey, who manages two hotels on the Island, talks about why he moved his family to Mackinac Island this winter. He loves "the sense of community. It's a special place."

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:21): John and Amy talk to Bob Benser again, as well as master fudge maker Carnel Samuels of Jamaica.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:40): John and Amy talk about upcoming events, plus BEER of the WEEK from Upper Hand Brewery in Escanaba.

Learn more about Original Murdick's Fudge at https://www.originalmurdicksfudge.com/ and how to order fudge for the holidays at 906-847-3530.

Learn more about Chippewa Hotel at https://www.chippewahotel.com/
Learn more about Lilac Tree Hotel at https://www.lilactree.com/

Learn more about Upper Hand at http://www.upperhandbrewery.com/

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

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman find out what's new at New Holland Brewery, and they pick a BEER of the WEEK! This episode aired Nov. 25-26, 2017.

Segment 1: Joel Peterson of New Holland runs down what's new at the Pub on 8th and The Knickerbocker. He also picks BEER of the WEEK, the 20th Anniversary Ale that comes in at 20% ABV. The beer is available at each location and select retail outlets. More info at http://newhollandbrew.com/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:50): Allyson Huttenga of the Purple Community talks about how you can help the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids. More info at https://www.vai.org/

Segment 3 (Listen at 20:37): Marcie Hillary of Hospice of Michigan talks about a special screening Dec. 19, 2017 of "Jumanji" in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor to help raise funds for Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children. More info at http://jumanji4anchors.com/

Segment 4 (Listen 30:20): Joel Peterson of New Holland returns to the show with Becky Fuller, who makes some incredible cocktails. Also, learn about events taking place throughout the state.

Follow Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

On this Podcast, John and Amy talk to some old friends and new friends, and also do Beer of the Week from Mitten Brewing Company, which just celebrated its 5th anniversary. This episode aired on Nov. 18-19, 2017.

Segment 1: John and Amy recap their search for Michigan's Best Italian Restaurant. Check out the Top 10 List on MLive. http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2017/11/these_are_the_tk_best_italian.html

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:30): Jeff Lobdell of Restaurant Partners stops in to talk about the Travel Channel, which is making a stop Nov. 28 to the Beltline Bar. He also talks about a special Buy $50, Get $50 in gift cards at his restaurants. Details at http://4gr8food.com/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:52): Vic McCarty and his Plus One join John and Amy from The Big Beer Show at WTCM in Traverse City. Learn more about the show at https://www.facebook.com/thebigbeershow/

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:50): John and Amy talk to Chris Andrus, a co-owner of Mitten Brewing Company. They do Beer of the Week, which is Peanuts and Cracker Jack Peanut Butter Porter (5.9% ABV). The beer is a former home brew recipe- the tagline is "the ballpark comes to you." The peanuts come from Germack Peanut Butter in Detroit. https://www.facebook.com/mittenbrewingco/

More info on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman record from HOMES Brewery in Ann Arbor. This show aired originally Nov. 11-12, 2017.

Segment 1: John and Amy talk to Chad W. Wiebesick of Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. and Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. More info at https://www.visitannarbor.org/

Segment 2: (Listen at 9:58): Cory Joyrich of Ann Arbor Hands on Museum. More info at https://www.aahom.org/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:44): We invite our friends Chuck Marshall and Brenda Sodt Foster to join the show. Their blog is Life in Michigan. More info at http://www.lifeinmichigan.com/

Segment 4 (Listen at 30:30:) More events with Chad from Ann Arbor/Ypsi CVB. And Beer of the Week from Nick Panchame, the head brewer from HOMES Brewery, which opened early 2017. More info at https://www.facebook.com/homesbrewery/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman spend some time in the Metro Detroit area. This show originally aired Oct. 28-29, 2017.

Segment 1: John and Amy open the show at Motor City Gas Distillery in Royal Oak. They talk to owner Rich Lockwood. More info: https://www.facebook.com/MotorCityGas/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:27): Want to tour Detroit and learn a lot about its history? Check out Motor City Brew Tours with Stephen Johnson. http://motorcitybrewtours.com/index.html

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:45): John and Amy stop at Jolly Pumpkin and talk about the MLive search for Michigan's Best Italian Restaurant.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:40): Beer of the Week time from Jolly Pumpkin. And events around the state.

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman broadcast from Beards Brewery in Petoskey. It aired on Nov. 4-5, 2017.

Segment 1: John and Amy talk to Ben Slocum and Peter Manthei from Beards Brewery. The owners just celebrated their 5th anniversary and recently expanded. More info at http://www.beardsbrewery.com/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:00): Matt Norcross of McLean and Eakin talks about his cool book store in Petoskey, which has been opened since 1992. More info at http://www.mcleanandeakin.com/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:18): John and Amy talk to Pellston resident Carl Schneider, who runs Common Angle, an IT business in Petoskey. More info at https://commonangle.com/

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:37): Peter and Ben of Beards return to the show to talk about upcoming events, and do BEER of the WEEK. This week it's Deez Nuts, a brown ale.

Follow Behind the Mitten on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

On this weekend's show, John and Amy broadcast from Ellison Brewery in East Lansing.

They talk to Tracy Padot of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as Mark Feather about "Victory for MSU: A 120-Year History of Spartan Men’s Basketball" from Rukus Books. To purchase the commemorative edition visit www.MSUbasketball.com and enter promo
code MSUGBP.

Also, Henry Meyer of Eastside Fish Fry & Grill in Lansing talks about his appearance on "Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives."

This weekend Amy Sherman co-hosts the show with her sister Sarah Sherman of Blis Gourmet; they welcome Chris Knape of HopCat.