Behind the Mitten

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman recently spent some time in Coldwater, Michigan, where they learned more about things to do in the area, which is rich in Michigan history and outdoor activities. This show aired May 21 on radio stations across the state of Michigan.

Segment 1:
Debra Yee, executive director of the Coldwater Country CVB, and Dennis Babjack, president of the Coldwater Lake Association.
More info on Coldwater Country:
www.facebook.com/coldwater-country-fun
More info on the Association:
http://www.coldwaterlakeassociation.com/

Segment 2: (9:40)
Susan Magocs, co-owner of the Capri and board president of the Coldwater Country CVB, and Christine Delaney, executive director of the Tibbits.
More on the Capri Drive-In:
www.facebook.com/capri-drive-in
More on Tibbits Opera House:
www.facebook.com/tibbitsoperahouse

Segment 3: (19:05)
Geri and Terry Bloom of the Little River Railroad and Saulk Trail Trail Trading Post. Terry speaks passionately about why people are enamored with steam locomotives. And Geri talks about the jewelry, model train display and one of the biggest collections of Minnetonka Moccasins you will find at the trading post.
More on the Little River Railroad:
www.facebook.com/little-river-railroad
More on Saulk Trail Trading Post:
www.facebook.com/sauktrailtradingpost

Segment 4: (29:15)
Matt Stritzinger, owner of Adventure Zone and Dickey's Barbecue Pit, and Nicole Steel, executive director of the Coldwater Area Chamber. Matt talks about the fun you can have at Adventure Zone, plus great BBQ at Dickey's. And Nichole talks about local festivals. Both are excited about Michigan's Largest Garage Sale, which is along US 12 and passes through Coldwater. This year it's from Aug. 12-14, 2016.
More on Adventure Zone:
www.facebook.com/adventurezone
More on Dickey's Barbecue:
www.facebook.com/dickeys-barbecue-pit-coldwater-mi
More on Coldwater Area Chamber Festivals:
www.facebook.com/coldwaterareachamber
More on Michigan's Longest Garage Sale:
http://www.us12heritagetrail.org/garage_sale.asp

BEER OF THE WEEK
Kamikaze Kaleidoscope from Dark Horse Brewing Co., a Wit beer from our friends in Marshall. It has citrus aromas, which makes it a perfect summer beer.
More info: http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/kamikaze-kaleidoscope/

More info on Coldwater Country:
www.facebook.com/coldwater-country-fun

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman recently spent some time in Coldwater, Michigan, where they learned more about Adventure Zone and local festivals from the Coldwater Area Chamber.

On this weekend's show (which aired May 21, 2016), they talked to Matt Stritzinger, owner of Adventure Zone and Dickey's Barbecue Pit, and Nichole Steel, executive director of the Coldwater Area Chamber.

Matt talks about the fun you can have at Adventure Zone, plus great BBQ at Dickey's. And Nicole talks about local festivals. Both are excited about Michigan's Largest Garage Sale, which is along US 12 and passes through Coldwater. This year it's from Aug. 12-14, 2016.

More on Adventure Zone:
www.facebook.com/adventurezone

More on Dickey's Barbecue:
www.facebook.com/dickeys-barbecue-pit-coldwater-mi

More on Coldwater Area Chamber Festivals:
www.facebook.com/coldwaterareachamber

More on Michigan's Longest Garage Sale:
http://www.us12heritagetrail.org/garage_sale.asp

More info on Coldwater Country:
www.facebook.com/coldwater-country-fun

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman recently spent some time in Coldwater, Michigan, where they learned more about Little River Railroad and the Saulk Trail Trading Post

On this weekend's show (which aired May 21, 2016), they talked to Geri and Terry Bloom, who co-own both businesses.

Terry speaks passionately about why people are enamored with steam locomotives. And Geri talks about the jewelry, model train display and one of the biggest collections of Minnetonka Moccasins you will find at the trading post.

More on the Little River Railroad:
www.facebook.com/little-river-railroad

More on Saulk Trail Trading Post:
www.facebook.com/sauktrailtradingpost

More info on Coldwater Country:
www.facebook.com/coldwater-country-fun

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman recently spent some time in Coldwater, Michigan, where they learned more about two historic treasures: The Capri Drive-In, and Tibbits Opera House.

On this weekend's show (which aired May 21, 2016), they talked to Susan Magocs, co-owner of the Capri and board president of the Coldwater Country CVB, and Christine Delaney, executive director of the Tibbits.

More on the Capri Drive-In:
www.facebook.com/capri-drive-in

More on Tibbits Opera House:
www.facebook.com/tibbitsoperahouse

More info on Coldwater Country:
www.facebook.com/coldwater-country-fun

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman recently spent some time in Coldwater, Michigan, where they discovered more than 100 lakes, including two chains of lakes, in Branch County.

On this weekend's show (which aired May 21, 2016), they talk to Debra Yee, executive director of the Coldwater Country CVB, and Dennis Babjack, president of the Coldwater Lake Association.

More info on Coldwater Country:
www.facebook.com/coldwater-country-fun

More info on the Association:
http://www.coldwaterlakeassociation.com/

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

On this podcast, John Gonzalez of MLive and the radio show "Behind the Mitten" talks to actor Elizabeth Stanley about "Bridges of Madison County."

The Broadway musical will be at the Wharton Center in East Lansing, Michigan. Performances are May 19-22, 2016.

Ticket information at: http://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/the-bridges-of-madison-county

Based on the best-selling novel by ROBERT JAMES WALLER, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson (played by Elizabeth Stanley) and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and Behind the Mitten offer a weekly Top 5 list of things to do each weekend. It airs Friday mornings on WOOD Radio.

Here is the list for May 20-21:

5. World Expo of Beer takes place this weekend, Friday and Saturday at (May 20-21) at Heritage Park in Frankenmuth.
The Expo is one of Michigan's largest beer sampling events with nearly 300 different beers available from around the world.
Hours are: 5-10 p.m Friday and 3-10 p.m. Saturday.
Admission is $10 and includes a free collector beer sampling mug. Sample tickets sold separately.
More info at worldexpoofbeer.com

4. The 4th Annual BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass: A Taste of Michigan takes place Saturday May 21 from Noon-8:00 p.m.
at Whirlpool Centennial Park in St. Joseph.
Great BBQ with Charlie’s Piggin’ N’ Grinnin’, Coach’s Bar & Grill, the Greenbush Brisket Van and more.
Plus Great Music with: Jonny Lang, Sam Bush, Joe Louis Walker, High Valley, Trout Steak Revival
More info:wmta.org

3. The first Barley, BBQ & Beats takes place from 5-9 Saturday (May 21) at the Van Andel Arena. It is presented by Hospice of Michigan, the largest provider of hospice care in the state.
The festival will showcase whiskeys distilled in Michigan, along with barbeque from leading pit masters and barbeque restaurants. The evening will also feature hometown favorites Domestic Problems, Mid-Life Crisis and Big Dudee Roo.
Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. More info at www.vanandelarena.com

2. Are you ready for Cars, Crafts & Coneys!
On Saturday at the Berlin Raceway you get a CLASSIC CAR SHOW, Burn Out Competition, Craft Beer and a Coney Dog Eating contest.
It is Presented by 28th Street Metro Cruise
The Classic Car Show is from 3:30PM - 5:30PM
The Coney Dog competition takes place at Intermission of the Berlin Race. The winner of the coney dog eating competition advances to the finals at Grand Coney on July 9 in Grand Rapids.
More info at berlinraceway.com

1. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, 16 performances through May 29.
At DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, presented by Broadway Grand Rapids.
This production is “bigger and better than ever before,” and boasts many exciting special effects including the show’s legendary chandelier, new scenic and lighting designs, new staging and choreography. With a cast and orchestra of 52, Phantom is one of the largest productions on tour. Tickets starting at $54.50. More info: broadwaygrandrapids.com

More events on MLive: http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/05/12_things_to_do_this_weekend_i_2.html#0

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten spend the weekend on Mackinac Island as part of the Chippewa Hotel Michigan Craft Beer Weekend.

Segment 1: Chris Shepler of Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry.
More info Shepler's: https://www.facebook.com/sheplersferry/

Segment 2: Business owner Bob Benser talks about new projects, as well as the Island history. He co-owns the Chippewa Hotel, Original Murdick's Fudge as well as other ventures. (Listen at 10:01).
More info on Original Murdick's Fudge: http://www.originalmurdicksfudge.com/
More info on Chippewa Hotel: http://www.chippewahotel.com/

Segment 3: Phil Porter, the director of Mackinac State Historic Parks, talk about the Island's rich history. (Listen at 19:08).
More on Mackinac Parks: http://www.mackinacparks.com/
Plus: You can hear the promo from the brewers/reps from Blackrocks, Founders, Beards, Dark Horse and Saugatuck Brewing.

Segment 4: John and Amy talk to golf pro Chuck Olson of the Wawashkamo Golf Club (Listen at 29:33).
More on Wawashkamo: http://www.wawashkamo.com/

and Brian Bailey, GM at the Chippewa Hotel, Lilac Suites and the Pink Pony (Listen at 34:10).
More on the Chippewa Hotel: http://www.chippewahotel.com/

John and Amy also do BEER of THE WEEK from Blackrocks in Marquette. (Listen at 37:47).
More on Blackrocks: http://www.blackrocksbrewery.com/#first-pic

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten go to Mackinac Island where they participate in the Chippewa Hotel Michigan Craft Beer Weekend at the Pink Pony.

They talk to Chuck Olson of the Wawashkamo Golf Club, as well as Brian Bailey of the Chippewa Hotel.

And they do BEER of THE WEEK, which is Blackrocks 51K IPA.

More on Wawashkamo: http://www.wawashkamo.com/

More on the Chippewa Hotel: http://www.chippewahotel.com/

More on Blackrocks: http://www.blackrocksbrewery.com/#first-pic

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten talk to Phil Porter, who is the director of Mackinac State Historic Parks on Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City.

Phil talks about the Island's rich history, and all the things you can do with a family park pass for the season.

More on Mackinac Parks: http://www.mackinacparks.com/

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