Behind the Mitten

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and Behind the Mitten spend some time in Gaylord, Michigan to explore all the fun things you can do in the winter time.

Segment 1:
John and Amy talk to Mr. Gaylord himself, Paul Beachnau, head of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau. Paul talks about all the outdoor activities in the area. (He also jokes with John and Amy about his favorite beer, Perrin Brewery's Blackberry IPA.)

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:00):
John and Amy stop at Snowbelt Brewing Co. in Gaylord. The downtown brewery opened Aug. 20, 2016. It is owned by Nate and Angelina Muellenberg. They operate on a 5-barrel system and offer about 8 beers on tap. They make "good tasting beers with a wide range of styles," Nate said. Beer of the Week is the "My Chest Hurt IPA," which comes in a little heavy at 7.9% ABV.
More info at https://www.facebook.com/snowbeltbrewingco/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:00):
John and Amy learn more about Gaylord from Mayor John Jenkins.

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:35):
John and Amy talk to Paul Beachnau about some winter events, including:
*Free Ski Weekend (Dec. 16-18, 2016)
*AlpenFrost (Feb. 5-6, 2017)
*Michigan Snowmobile Festival (Feb. 24-25, 2017)
More on Gaylord Events at http://www.gaylordmichigan.net/

John and Amy also talk to Sandy Mattingly of Pine Cone Accommodations about vacation rentals for all seasons. She can book small or large groups.
How to book your vacations at Pine Cone at http://www.pineconevacations.com/

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

On this segment, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and Behind the Mitten talk about Winter events in Gaylord with Paul Beachnau of the Tourism Bureau.

*Free Ski Weekend (Dec. 16-18, 2016)
*AlpenFrost (Feb. 5-6, 2017)
*Michigan Snowmobile Festival (Feb. 24-25, 2017)
More on Gaylord Events at http://www.gaylordmichigan.net/

John and Amy also talk to Sandy Mattingly of Pine Cone Accommodations about vacation rentals for all seasons. She can book small or large groups.

How to book your vacations at Pine Cone at http://www.pineconevacations.com/

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and Behind the Mitten stop at Snowbelt Brewing Co. in Gaylord. The downtown brewery opened Aug. 20, 2016. It is owned by Nate and Angelina Muellenberg.

They operate on a 5-barrel system and offer about 8 beers on tap. They make "good tasting beers with a wide range of styles," Nate said.

Beer of the Week is the "My Chest Hurt IPA," which comes in a little heavy at 7.9% ABV.

More info at https://www.facebook.com/snowbeltbrewingco/

More info on BTM at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman talk about all the cool things you can do at Treetops Resort this winter.

More on Treetops at http://treetops.com/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive talk to reps from New Holland Brewing Company about what you can expect at both locations in Holland and Grand Rapids.

And they talk about Spartan Barley, a pre-prohibition barley that was used to make a special beer.

Russ’s Revival – named after the MSU researcher who resurrected the heirloom variety -- will be released soon.

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive co-host "Behind the Mitten," a radio show that features a behind the scenes look at fun things to do in Michigan. This weekend they hang out at Big Ugly Fish in Saginaw, one of MLive's Best Neighborhood Bars.

On this episode of BTM they interview Mike Hanley, the owner of Big Ugly Fish, and Jessica Shepherd of MLive, a life-long Saginaw resident. They talk about things to do and what they love about the area.

John and Amy also run down things to do statewide, and they feature BEER of THE WEEK from Founders Brewing Co.

This episode aired on Nov. 12-13, 2016.

More on Big Ugly Fish at https://www.facebook.com/biguglyfish/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

More on BTM at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten?fref=ts

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and the radio show "Behind the Mitten" talk to Bob Benser Jr. of Original Murdick's Fudge on Mackinac Island.

Original Murdick's Fudge is offering special holiday packages for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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

More information on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten?fref=ts

On this weekend's show, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman broadcast from Grand Rapids to experience the Ford Museum and the Grand Rapids Brewing Company. They also check in with friends from Experience GR and the JW Marriott.

This show aired Nov. 5-6, 2016.

"Behind the Mitten" airs on 9 stations throughout the state of Michigan. Learn more at http://behindthemitten.com/

Segment 1:
John and Amy talk to Joe Calvaruso, executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Foundation. He talks about the benefits of joining the foundation as a member, and he talks about some of new interactive technology and updates at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
More info at http://geraldrfordfoundation.org/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:16):
John and Amy talk to Stephanie Kotschevar of Experience Grand Rapids, which is a great resource to all the things happening in the area. She talks about "Cocktail Week Grand Rapids" (Nov. 9-20), as well as the upcoming Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival at DeVos Place (Nov. 17-19).
More info at http://www.experiencegr.com/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:15):
John and Amy talk to their foodie friend George Aquino, the vice president of Amway Hotel Corp. He oversees the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, JW Marriott, the Downtown Courtyard in Grand Rapids, and even Peter Island Resort and Spa. He talks about why you want so stay at his properties and restaurants, as well as some of his other local favorites.
More on the JW Marriott at http://ilovethejw.com/

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:16):
John and Amy talk to Chris Knape of BarFly Ventures, who talks about a new menu at GR Brewing Co. He also brings BEER of THE WEEK. (Downtown Dank, an Imperial IPA) They also talk to Kristin Phillips Mooney of Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and some of events coming up this holiday season. (The annual Christmas Tree Lighting event is Nov. 17.)

More on the Ford Museum https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/

*Nov. 11: Chris Knape also noted all HopCat locations -- as well as Stella's Lounge and GR Brewing Co. -- will offer a free meal for veterans and active duty military.
More info: https://hopcat.com/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and "Behind the Mitten" talk pizza, wine and beer on Episode 79. It originally aired Oct. 29-30, 2016.

Segment 1:
John and Amy interview Grand Rapids chef Chris Perky, who will be a guest chef at a special wine dinner at Treetops Resort in Gaylord. The dinner is 6 p.m. Nov. 19 with Modern Craft Winery. Perky is the founder of IronGR, a Cast Iron Restaurant and Osteria Rossa in Grand Rapids. Ticket and pairing information at http://treetops.com/general-information/event/guest-chef-pairing-dinner/?eID=2044

Segment 2 (Listen at 11:02):
John and Amy interview Gianni and Lisa Licari, owners of Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen, who they named Michigan's Best Pizza in 2016. More on Licari's at https://www.facebook.com/Licarispizzakitchen/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

MLive's Top 12 Pizza List at http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/10/pizza_top_12.html#0

Segment 3 (Listen at 21:00):
John and Amy interview Dawn Baker, a Show Manager at ShowSpan, which produces the annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival. The festival is Nov. 17-19, 2016 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. More info at http://grwinefestival.com/

Segment 4 (Listen at 32:00):
John and Amy interview Heather Van Dyke-Titus and Barry Van Dyke about what's going on at Harmony Brewery in Grand Rapids. Heather and Barry also talk about Harmony Hall, located on GR's West Side, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary. (Harmony recently came in at No. 4 on our search for Michigan's Best Pizza. )

Beer of the Week is the Grand Pumpkin, which is available at both breweries. More on Harmony Brewing at https://www.facebook.com/harmonybrewingcompany/?ref=page_internal

More info on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

More info on MLive at http://www.mlive.com/michigansbest/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and radio show "Behind the Mitten" interview Heather Van Dyke-Titus and Barry Van Dyke about what's going on at Harmony Brewery in Grand Rapids.

Harmony recently came in at No. 4 on our search for Michigan's Best Pizza.

Heather and Barry also talk about Harmony Hall, located on GR's West Side, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Beer of the Week is the Grand Pumpkin, which is available at both breweries.

More on Harmony Brewing at https://www.facebook.com/harmonybrewingcompany/?ref=page_internal

Michigan's Best Pizza List Top 12 at http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/10/pizza_top_12.html#0

More on Harmony Hall at https://www.facebook.com/harmonyhallgr/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

More on BTM at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf