Behind the Mitten

Bob Benser, a business owner on Mackinac Island, talks to John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman about what's new this year's on America's favorite vacation summer place.

He is a co-owner of the Chippewa Hotel, as well as Original Murdick's Fudge, Island Slice and a few other ventures.

He said there are high hopes for 2016 season, which is already at 5-6 percent ahead of last year in advance bookings.

More info on Original Murdick's Fudge: http://www.originalmurdicksfudge.com/

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

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John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman interview Chris Shepler of Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry. They talk about the upcoming 2016 season, as well as its new vessel -- The Miss Margy.

The Miss Margy is an all-aluminum 85-foot ferry manufactured for Shepler's Ferry by Moran Iron Works in Onaway.

More info Shepler's: https://www.facebook.com/sheplersferry/

More on the Miss Margy: http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2015/07/gov_rick_snyder_christens_shep.html

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Amy Sherman of MLive interviews Jamie Dionne, who performed the National Anthem at the 2016 Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids. More info: http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/05/search_through_the_fifth_third.html#incart_river_index#incart_gallery

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten and MLive.com spent some time on Mackinac Island for the debut of the new Make It Mackinac Mac and Cheese. It's a new product available at local retailers that features lobster mac and cheese.

Segment 1: On the show they talk to Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau about what visitors can expect for the 2016 season.
More on Mackinac: http://www.mackinacisland.org/

Segment 2: They talk to Superior Foods product researcher and developer Scott Zagers (Listen at 9:40)
More on Superior: http://www.superiorfoods.com/

Segment 3: John and Amy talk about some of their favorite stops on the Island, including the Grand Hotel (Listen at 18:00)
More more on the Grand: http://www.grandhotel.com/

Segment 4: Amy and John are rejoined by Tim Hygh, who runs down some big events and also unveil BEER OF THE WEEK, which is a beer made exclusively for the Grand Hotel by Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo (Listen at 27:50)

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

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten recorded a quick podcast (May 4, 2016) to thank listeners, sponsors and those behind the scenes that make their show possible every week.

Behind the Weekend was awarded "Best in Category" at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for Special Show or Personality (on May 3, 2016).

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

Tune in:
*7 a.m. Sunday on 104.9 The Edge in Battle Creek
*Noon Sunday on Talk Radio 1360 WKMI in Kalamazoo
*3 p.m. Sunday on Supertalk 1570 in Flint
*6 p.m. Sunday on WOOD Radio in Grand Rapids.

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez traveled to Lansing for the Pure Michigan Tourism Conference where industry professionals talked about the state's incredible growth in the travel industry.

Here they talk to Tracy Padot of Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau.

More info: http://www.lansing.org/

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten get ready for a few big events, including the Fifth Third River Bank Run (May 14), as well as the upcoming Bill Engvall show (May 13) as part of Tulip Time (May 7-14).

Segment 1: John and Amy talk about their recent search for Michigan's Best Bloody Mary.

Segment 2: John and Amy talk to Scott Stenstrom of the Fifth Third River Bank Run (Listen at 9:50)
More info: https://www.53riverbankrun.com/

Segment 3: Bridgett Beckwith of Short's Brewery in Bellaire talks about their recent Anni Party and huge expansion (Listen at 18:51)
More info: https://www.shortsbrewing.com/

Segment 4: John and Amy interview comedian Bill Engvall who performs May 13 at Tulip Time. He talks about his 4th place finish on Season 17 on "Dancing with the Stars." (Listen at 28:30)
More info: http://www.tuliptime.com/events/bill-engvall/

BEER OF THE WEEK: The Silk Road IPA from Cognition Brewery in Ishpeming.
More info: https://cognitionbrewingcompany.com/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten talk to Patty Janes of Michigan Cares for Tourism about a special project to restore historic sites around the state.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/MichiganCaresForTourism/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten interview comedian Bill Engvall, who performs May 13, 2016 at Tulip Time. The Season 17 contestant on Dancing with the Stars talks about his Top 4 finish, and how he survived week after week. He also talks about why he had to cancel his 2015 appearance at Tulip Time.

More info on Bill's show: http://www.tuliptime.com/events/bill-engvall/

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