Michigan Blue - Fall 2019 by Michigan Blue

FALL ISSUE

DISPLAY UNTIL MARCH 29, 2016

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Autumn essentials Celebrate the season

Artisan Gabriel Curry: Handcrafting guitars with historic timbers Cider mills: Old family favorites | Fall’s magic nature captured Rising lake levels | Heirloom tomato harvest | Forage wild cranberries

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Northern Michigan in fall is more than a scenic vineyard,

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spacious fairway, or crackling beach bonfire. More than a day at the spa or an evening of local beer. It’s having all of those things at your fingertips. You won’t believe it if you haven’t seen it. Get up and go at grandtraverseresort.com.

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CONTENTS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I find it difficult to do justice to the glory of the season but enjoy the challenge of creating memories of fall.â&#x20AC;? KRISTINA LISH AWA

features

34 Magic moments A stunning collection of fall photographs by Traverse City nature photographer Kristina Lishawa. By Howard Meyerson

42 Sunken treasure Gabriel Curry, an innovative Detroit guitar builder, experiments with historic, lumber-era sunken timbers recovered from the bottom of Muskegon Lake. By Steven Wilke

48 Cider mill effect The allure of cider and fresh doughnuts is no stronger than at historic cider mills, where thousands come each fall for their attractions, including oldtime waterwheel power. By Michael Dwyer

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTINA LISHAWA

ON THE COVER Mossy Waterfalls, Autumn: A fall stream cascades through lush, moss-covered rocks. Photo by Mark Carlson

Sometimes the best way to visualize your next kitchen is to touch, hear, and taste it.

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CONTENTS

“My philosophy on the whole thing is it’s nice to do something you’re passionate about. It’s nice to be able to use your time for something you believe in. I’m fortunate that the two things go hand in hand.”

in every issue:

columns:

departments:

08 Letters and Contributors

26 Vintage Views Roadside observation towers were a big deal back in the 1920s. By M. Christine Byron and Thomas R. Wilson

12 Waterways

55 Excursions

Foraging wild cranberries, a barrier-free marsh boardwalk, color tours by train, delectable gifts from U.P. monks and luxury standalone bathtubs.

Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace, Halloween in Greenfield Village, Autumn Color Tour River Cruise, UPtoberFest. Compiled by Marla R. Miller

30 Undercurrents

24 At The Helm

72 Dining Destinations

The U.S. Forest Service, paddlers and river communities hope to reduce bad behavior on Wild & Scenic Rivers. By Howard Meyerson

Rising Great Lakes water levels have challenged boaters, marinas and waterfront communities. By Chuck Warren

Mission Table strives for casual, rustic elegance and farm-totable dining on the Old Mission Peninsula. By Marla R. Miller

70 Michigan Top 5 Take a slow hike this fall and let the scenery work its magic. By Kim Schneider

28 State of Mine

74 Tasting Room

There are those who do, they are strong and stalwart. Then there are those who procrastinate. By Tom Springer

Some call them ugly but delicious. The popularity of heirloom tomatoes is on the rise as foodies and others learn of their uniqueness. By Julie Bonner Williams

10 Wavelengths Fall signals change. By Howard Meyerson

76 Reflections If you brag about a favorite place, there will be consequences. By Jerry Dennis

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32 The Sporting Life This Trout Unlimited chapter president carved a career out of his hobby of whittling wood fish figures. By Bob Gwizdz

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY VINTAGE VIEWS (LEFT); DAVID LEWINSKI (RIGHT); ILLUSTRATION BY GARY ODMARK (BOTTOM)

BOB BATCHIK

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CONTRIBUTORS

www.mibluemag.com PUBLISHER: John Balardo ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Jason

Hosko

EDITORIAL

EDITOR: Tim Gortsema MANAGING EDITOR: Howard Meyerson COPY EDITOR: Tom Mitsos DIGITAL EDITOR: Chris Ehrlich GENERAL INQUIRIES: editorial@mibluemag.com CONTRIBUTUNG WRITERS: Christine Byron, Jerry

Lisa M. Rose An herbalist and expert forager of wild foods and medicinal plants, Lisa is passionate about teaching others the hidden values of common plants most take for granted. She is the author of two guidebooks on the subjects; the most recent is “Midwest Medicinal Plants.” She writes a blog called Burdock & Rose found at burdockandrose.com.

Dennis, Michael Dwyer, Bob Gwizdz, Jeanine Matlow, Leslie Mertz, Marla R. Miller, Lisa M. Rose, Kim Schneider, Tom Springer, Dianna Stampfer, Chuck Warren, Steven Wilke, Julie Bonner Williams, Thomas R. Wilson

DESIGN

ART DIRECTOR: Lindsay Emeigh DESIGNERS: Keagan Coop, Robin Vargo CONTRIBUTORS: David Lewinski, Kristina

Lishawa, Leslie Mertz, Corinne Kreiser, Gary Odmark, Chuck Warren, Glenn Wolff

SALES

GENERAL INQUIRIES: advertisingsales@grmag.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Jenn Maksimowski ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Chelsea Carter, Jessica Laidlaw,

Renee Looman, Craig R. Rich, Bri Rodriguez, Susan Smalley RECEPTIONIST/OFFICE ASSISTANT: Alisha Andres TO ORDER REPRINTS: Receptionist, (616) 459-4545

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Jenine Rhoades SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST: Robert Gorczyca PRODUCTION ARTIST: Stephanie Daniel LEAD ADVERTISING COORDINATOR: Maya Korogodsky ADVERTISING COORDINATORS: Laura Gadzinski,

Kylei Szabo Melissa Flores-Loera, Daniel Moen, Kendra Okamoto, Christopher Paluch

ADVERTISING DESIGNERS:

WEB

DIGITAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR: Gerald Blakeslee WEB PROJECT LEAD: Matthew Cappo WEB PROJECT ASSISTANTS: Mariah Knott,

Luanne Lim, Kevin Pell, Bart Woinski

David Lewinski A commercial and editorial photographer who specializes in creating environmental portraits and architectural images, David grew up in metro Detroit. For the past 11 years, he has created images for clients such as The New York Times Magazine, The Smithsonian, University of Michigan and Shinola. Find him at davelewinski.com.

Steven Wilke A Detroit-based freelance writer with more than 30 years of experience writing, editing and providing editorial direction to publications, Steven plays guitar and bass but claims he isn’t worthy of an Echopark Guitar featured in this issue. On his own, he enjoys cross-country skiing in Petoskey and canoeing the Sturgeon River, Up North.

Michael Dwyer An award-winning broadcast journalist turned writer, Michael lives in Rochester. His work has been published in local newspapers, national magazines and online news outlets. He is the founder of Rochester Writers, an organization that supports new writers, working journalists and published authors. Find him at rochesterwriters.com.

We welcome letters to the editor. Please send letters in care of: Editor, Michigan BLUE Magazine, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or email to howardm@geminipub.com. Letters may be edited for reasons of clarity and space.

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Tom Springer Author Tom Springer lives near Three Rivers in an 1870s farmhouse where he writes, gardens, fishes and remains baffled by any tool more complex than a broom rake. His book of essays, "Looking for Hickories," was named a Michigan Notable Book in 2009. Tom currently is working material for a second book.

IT DIRECTOR: Jeremy Leland IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST: Bryan

Gerard

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DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT: Michelle VanArman CIRCULATION MANAGER: Riley Meyers CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE: (866) 660-6247

MARKETING

MARKETING & EVENTS DIRECTOR: Lauren Mohon MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGERS: Andrea Straw, Mary Sutton DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR: Asia Jones MARKETING & EVENTS ASSISTANT: Madeline Keller,

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ADMINISTRATION

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS: Kathie Gorecki PUBLISHING & SALES COORDINATOR: Lindsay Miller ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES: Natasha Bajju,

Andrew Kotzian Hunter Pach, Joshua Phipps

PUBLISHED BY GEMINI MEDIA, LLC CEO:

Stefan Wanczyk | PRESIDENT: John Balardo

Michigan BLUE Magazine is published bi-monthly by Gemini Media. Publishing offices: 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331 Grand Rapids, MI 49503-144. Telephone (616) 459-4545; fax (616) 459-4800. General e-mail: info@geminipub.com. Copyright © 2019 by Gemini Media. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Michigan Blue Magazine, 401 Hall St. SW, Suite 331 Grand Rapids, MI 49503-144. Subscription rates: one year $18, two years $28, three years $38, U.S. only. Single issue and newsstand $5.95 (by mail $8); back issue $7 (by mail $9.50), when available. Advertising rates and specifications at mibluemag.com or by request. Michigan Blue Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited contributions. Visit us mibluemag.com

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FALL ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU.

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WAV E L E N G T H S

BY HOWARD MEYERSON

Fall signals change yellows that develops in the trees. Kristina Lishawa is one who understands those moments. The Traverse City photographer presents a stunning array of fall images in this issue. A practicing physician with a passion for nature photography, her images capture all that is beautiful in fall. In this fall issue of BLUE, we also bring you a lively and informative guide to harvesting wild cranberries by Lisa M. Rose, author of two excellent books about foraging wild foods and plants for medical purposes. With Thanksgiving just weeks away, it’s not too early to go out hunting for them. “Indigenous Americans recognized the value of the cranberry; its antioxidants and vitamin C content were helpful in the winter months. Wild cranberries were one of the original foods offered to the colonists by the Wampanoag Tribe, making it synonymous with Thanksgiving as

we know it today,” she writes in her story about collecting them and making wild cranberry chutney. Writer Michael Dwyer shares another fall favorite: the love we have for traditional cider mills, and the annual fall pilgrimage so many make once the leaves change colors as though the appeal of fresh cider and doughnuts was written into our DNA. Foodies also will enjoy Julie Bonner Williams’ exploration of heirloom tomatoes, those unusual fruits of the vine that are growing ever more popular. And then there are the Upper Peninsula monks, the Holy Transfiguration Skete, Society of Saint John, who support their cloistered life by harvesting wild fruits and making jams and baked goods to sell to the public. Consider a visit if you have the opportunity.

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Howard Meyerson is the managing editor for Michigan BLUE Magazine.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY iSTOCK

utumn is the season of tidings. We know in our bones that winter is coming. Summer has passed and the days have grown cooler. Migrant birds are leaving for southern climes, and darkness comes earlier and earlier each week. On farms around the state, the fall harvest is underway. That produce is for sale at farm markets where shelves and baskets are fi lled with squash and pumpkins, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, chestnuts, apples and assorted jams. October is typically peak color season in Michigan. It’s a wonderful time to be outdoors, largely comfortable when dressed for the conditions. Nuisance bugs are gone, and trails are less crowded. Rivers and ponds become memorable destinations, places to sit and watch the day go by, to meditate or picnic or leisurely tour by canoe or kayak, all while relishing the natural beauty of fall and the brilliant canvas of reds, oranges and

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James Thomas founders: Tom Riker and James Dolenc

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WAT E R WAY S

Bathing beauty Create a natural focal point for your master bathroom with a freestanding tub.

ne way to maximize a waterfront property is with a deluxe bathtub that faces a lake, a river or any other soothing scenery. Whether you’re planning a renovation or a new build, this striking feature offers a modern take on an old classic that’s back in the game for good reason. Today’s freestanding tubs come in an array of styles, sizes and shapes, from rectangular to round. Materials vary as well, such as natural stone, resin and acrylic, a more affordable choice that’s repairable, easy to mold and available in a variety of colors. Top contenders include blue, green and black with more of a matte finish. According to Joshua Moss, vice president of Advance Plumbing and Heating Supply Co. in Walled Lake and Detroit (advance plumbing.com), freestanding tubs are a trend with benefits. “People just love the look of them. They’re elegant and they create more space in the bathroom,” he said. Some people invest in a copper or concrete soaking tub just for aesthetics, like the stunning selections from Native Trails. “Concrete tubs are more modern and rustic,” Moss said. Among the popular faucet finishes are matte black, brushed gold and brass; wall-mounted tub-fillers also are on the rise.

“Each has a little different recline and art to them. Clients are so excited about these tubs. They want to take that bath. It’s like a big hug.” KIM EILANDER

Like a pedestal sink in a powder room, soaking tubs provide high style but not much storage, and that’s where accents can help. Perfect pairings include freestanding wine racks, towel racks and book racks that also can hold hand towels and soap.

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Bath pillows that contour to your back can be added for extra comfort in freestanding tubs, a tempting feature with a timeless quality. “They’re like the updated tub,” said Moss, who said this style is here to stay. “I don’t see them going anywhere.” SOAK IT UP Part of their appeal is the fact that they’re so personal, said Kim Eilander, showroom manager for B.J.W. Berghorst & Sons (bjw berghorst.com), a fourth-generation, 124year-old plumbing supply house in Holland that still is family run. “Each has a little different recline and art to them,” she said. “Clients are so excited about these tubs. They want to take that bath. It’s like a big hug.” In fact, luxury tubs have become a wellness feature. “Everyone feels so much better after a bath. It’s just the peace and quiet from all the chaos,” she said. As for aesthetics, Eilander said they can be contemporary, egg-shaped, ornate and back to even clawfoot to suit every style and taste, such as the hammered copper and concrete tubs from Native Trails that make a statement. Tile accents for wall-mounted tub-fillers also can be as dramatic and glamorous as you like. With a soaking tub, size matters. For a new construction waterfront home, Eilander said an architect may create a spacious area to fit the most popular size, which she described as a very pleasant 66 by 36 inches that doesn’t overpower the bathroom. “The tub just floats beautifully in there,” she said. Bathing can be a beautiful refuge. “It’s relaxing to take a bath, and freestanding tubs are like a piece of art,” Eilander said. “A bath is a great decompressor that takes you down a notch.” – Jeanine Matlow

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY NATIVE TRAILS

Various styles of freestanding tubs are available, including ash, copper and antique.

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Walloon Lake

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t’s summertime up North, and Walloon Lake finally has its moment to shine. And shine it does, welcoming swimmers, boaters and loungers alike to its glistening, green-blue waters. It graciously greets Liz and Mike Pulick, too, as the last few touches are being made to their magnificent family vacation home. There are lakefront homes and then there are homes that feel as though they are actually on the lake. Though it was White and Liebler Architects’ foresight to give the Pulicks the sense of being encircled by water, it’s the physical windows and entry doors that put on the show. These are the work of the Old Mission Windows team and Marc Cesario, its owner.

With the goal of bringing the outdoors in and capitalizing on those views, Cesario and his team know that it’s the minute details and fine tuning that can make all the difference.

Named for the iconic peninsula and surrounding area it serves, Old Mission Windows is sought out by locals, from the firsttime, starter-home owner to those who are building a once-ina-lifetime lakefront property. Talk of its commitment to serve customers beyond their expectations continues to spread, earning the company repeat and referral business with homeowners, and helping it form thriving relationships with contractors like Render Construction and White and Liebler Architects.

“Every time I’ve been to the house and Marc has stopped in, the first words out of his mouth are always, ‘How can I help you?,’ which is not normally what you hear from a contractor—to be looking for ways to be helpful,” Liz said. Mike added, “We know he’s not going to leave a project until everything is exactly as it should be.” With the goal of bringing the outdoors in and capitalizing on those views, Cesario and his team know that it’s the minute details and fine tuning that can make all the difference. “From the size, location, type of glass and grid patterns, just a small tweak of where a glass line falls or a window lines up can make a significant difference in homeowners’ and their guests’ experience,” Cesario said. “At the end of the day, it’s the person who’s looking through the glass that needs to have a smile on their face.”

“Eric Render and Jason Sheffler are the very best people you could ever want to work with— and, in return, we’re highly responsive to them and focused on making their job easy.” — Brian O’Connor

With the Pulicks’ home, there’s what can be seen and what can be hidden. Beautifully hidden by meticulously made cabinetry that both tucks in corners and crows in the spotlight. Everywhere, cabinetry abounds, providing plenty of storage and functional space, and allowing for the home’s signature open, airy, serene feel. Wolverine Cabinet Company supplied all of the custom cabinetry, poring through nearly 50 pages of design drawings to complete the Pulicks’ vision. Working exclusively with an Amish family in southern Indiana, Brian O’Connor, the company’s president and owner, has created an exclusive brand that is unlike any other found in northern Michigan or across the state. O’Connor, a cabinet and furniture builder for 25 years before founding Wolverine Cabinet Company, specifies how the cabinets are to be built by their Amish affiliate. Though they have a 10-person design team to call on, two experienced designers—Jessica and Tarynn—handled it all. “I’m into custom cabinets and using space most efficiently and creatively and they worked hard with me to create some really cool spaces,” Liz said. “It was a long, detail-heavy process, and they both just stuck with it and made sure my ideas were honored and the finished product was amazing.” Wolverine Cabinet Company works on the majority of Render Construction homes in the Petoskey and Traverse City area, and O’Connor credits that strong relationship to a reciprocal understanding of each other’s needs. “Eric Render and Jason Sheffler are the very best people you could ever want to work with— and, in return, we’re highly responsive to them and focused on making their job easy,” O’Connor said. “We all work together as a team to make a project like this come together and to make the Pulicks happy. It’s a beautiful thing.”

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WAT E R WAY S

Land conservancy building accessible trails in northwest Michigan.

The Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve had its start when local resident Brad Hopwood decided to begin buying a portion of the marsh as a way to protect it.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESLIE MERTZ

Pathways for all A

s a child, Kim de Bruin played on the Lake Michigan dunes and explored the shoreline forests around Mount Baldy between Arcadia and Frankfort in the northwestern Lower Peninsula, but that ended when she developed muscular dystrophy. “The last time that I physically walked into that area that is now called the Arcadia Dunes was when I was 17 years old,” she recalled. Then she got a second chance. In 2017, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy opened its first universally accessible trail, and for the first time in 43 years, de Bruin was back in her old stomping ground, propelling herself along the 0.6-mile Overlook Trail near Mount Baldy and toward the second of two scenic overlooks where she could scan the dunes and feel the lake breeze. “It was overwhelming,” she said. “I had to take quite a bit of time just to get my eyes to clear and see that spectacular view of Lake Michigan.” The Land Conservancy has since opened a second universally accessible trail at Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve. The 0.75-mile Arcadia Marsh trail opened in July. It is a boardwalk over an old and narrow railroad grade that takes visitors across a 273-acre coastal marsh. During the year, the marsh hosts some 230 species of birds, 17 of which are rare, threatened or endangered (part of the trail will be closed during critical nesting periods). Restoration efforts over the last couple of years are helping wild rice and other native plants to make a comeback and have improved fish habitat. “We strongly believe that everybody should have equal access to nature,” said Jon Throop, the land conservancy’s volunteer and events program manager. Another feature is its role as a coastal marsh, something quite apparent this year, Throop said. He explained the marsh takes in water from Lake Michigan when the lake levels are high, and they are very high this year. In other words, the marsh serves as a natural buffer, which mitigates lakeshore flooding. The marsh also filters runoff from farms and private property in the surround-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ART BUKOWSKI

In developing its universally accessible trails, the conservancy partners with the Disability Network to ensure users are pleased with the end result.

ing watershed before releasing it into Arcadia Lake and Lake Michigan, he said. “So, this marsh is hugely important in terms of water quality, nutrient filtration, and rare and endangered species. This marsh has got everything,” Throop said. With universal accessibility, these special

places are even better, remarked de Bruin, who now serves as a volunteer steward on the Overlook Trail at Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve. “There’s nothing like being able to take your wheelchair or walker or whatever mobility aid you need to use and take that trail the same way oth-

ers do,” she said. “Everybody wants and everybody needs that time to get out and enjoy all the sights and sounds and smells of nature. I’m very grateful that the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has such a passion for this.” – Leslie Mertz

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WAT E R WAY S

n any busy summer day, visitors fill the tiny Jampot shop in Eagle Harbor waiting patiently to purchase wild berry jams, hearty fruitcakes, savory baked goods and confections handmade by the monks of the Holy Transfiguration Skete, Society of Saint John. It’s a family tradition for many, dating back to the early 1980s when Father Basil and Father Nicholas journeyed to the Keweenaw Peninsula to establish a monastery within the remote countryside of the northwestern Upper Peninsula. “Jampot is a vital component in the life of this monastery,” said Hieromonk Basil, who was named Hegumen of the Skete following the 2017 passing of Father Nicholas. “(It) began as the improbable enterprise of picking wild berries and making jam. And jam is still the mainstay of our business.”

About 75% of the monastery’s revenue comes from Jampot sales, which continues well after the tourism season ends thanks to online sales. Late fall is usually tied up with fruitcake, preserve and confection production for the holiday mail orders. Utilizing the nearly 2,000 pounds of foraged berries — primarily wild thimbleberries sourced from about 300 local pickers — the monks remain busy crafting their goods and shipping them off around the globe. “I was a junior at Michigan Tech when I heard about these two monks moving up to the U.P. to pick berries and make jam,” said Dr. Thomas McGovern, who was born a Yooper and now lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “My wife, seven kids and I met the monks back in 2008 and have been purchasing from them since then. I get my staff some of their cakes and coffee, which they love.”

Father Basil, one of the monastery founders (right), helps a customer. The Jampot bakery (bottom left) is a source of revenue for the monastery. Sweet treats (bottom right) and jams are popular.

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The large 3½-pound Jamaican Black Cake, made with a variety of dried fruit that is moistened (aka soaked) in rum and wine for months, sells for $50. Six different small cakes — with flavors like lemon and ginger — make up the Fruitcake Sampler for $85. Gift packs feature a variety of jams (with more than 20 flavors including three sugar-free options), as well as candies, roasted coffee beans, trail mix and locally sourced honey or maple syrup. For online ordering, visit poorrockabbey. com and for more about the monastery and the monks, visit societystjohn.com. The unofficial deadline for arrival by Christmas is Dec. 15; however, the sooner an order can be placed, the better. – Dianna Stampfler

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIANNA STAMPFLER (LEFT); ADAM ENGELMAN (RIGHT); KIM SCHNEIDER (INSET)

Gifts from the monks

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Fall color by rail

enerations ago, train travel was a primary means of transportation around Michigan. Yet, many children today have never experienced the adventure of riding the rails with the clacking of the wheels on the tracks, the faint smell of the locomotive’s exhaust and the feel of wind in their hair while aboard the open gondola car. The Southern Michigan Railroad hopes to change all that, offering fall excursions that give families the opportunity to slow down, enjoy time together and appreciate the historic nature of train travel. Leaving from Clinton, the 45-minute ride travels 5 miles south through farmland and forests over the newly renovated Red Mill Pond trestle bridge into Tecumseh where passengers can enjoy a 75-minute break before heading back. “During the layover, you can see Tecumseh’s historic architecture, visit their unique

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shops or eat in one of their delicious restaurants,” said Chuck Pearson, a volunteer board member for the Southern Michigan Railroad Society, the nonprofit that runs the train that has become an active railroad museum. A downtown foodie trail offers many savory options, including The British Tea Garden, Pentamere Winery and Tecumseh Brewing Company, among others. The selfguided walking Art Trail Tecumseh also makes a great way to pass the time. The Tecumseh Area Historical Society and Museum is open 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturdays, while the Brookside Cemetery provides an interesting walk through history. On October weekends, the Fall Color Tours travel from Tecumseh south through the vibrant countryside and along the steep bluffs overlooking The Nature Conservancy’s Ives Road Fen Preserve in Raisin Township. For added fun, make plans to ride Oct. 12-

A fall ride on the Southern Michigan Railroad provides a scenic tour of the countryside (top) and a stopover in Tecumseh (above).

13 during the Tecumseh Appleumpkin Festival where midway rides, carnival games, a flea market, antique street fair and other activities are planned, including shuttles to Kapnick Orchards for cider, doughnuts and more, just 4 miles south of town. For excursion dates, times and tickets, visit southernmichiganrailroad.com. —Dianna Stampfler

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY JIM THIAS (TOP); TECUMSEH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (RIGHT)

WAT E R WAY S

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WAT E R WAY S

Wild cranberry: a food of the ages

FORAGED FLAVORS FOR THE THANKSGIVING TABLE The cranberry wildly grows as an evergreen vining plant that spreads across rocky outcrops and low-lying brush and bogs. Keep an eye out in late summer for signs of the vine and fruit, as it will be ready for harvest in the fall. The berries easily can be gathered by hand into baskets. Berries can be used right away as fresh fruits or dried in a dehydrator for baking, porridge and snacking. Firm, clean and dry cranberries can be stored for

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Commercial cultivation of cranberries is on the rise, and wild food enthusiasts are heading out into bog land in search of its wild counterpart. many months in dry cloth market bags in the bottom of the refrigerator or cold storage through the winter. While there is no immediate threat of overharvesting of the wild cranberry, the rapid rate in which wetlands and bogs are disappearing to development and watershed pollution is alarming and directly threatens the future of this native food. In seeking out

Wild cranberries are readily harvested in fall. They can be processed to make sauces or dried and added to cakes, cookies and granola.

this special plant, take a moment to reflect and give thanks for what these lands have offered all of us across the seasons. – Lisa M. Rose

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY iSTOCK

housands of years ago, glaciers scraped across the land, carving deep crevices that filled with water and glacial debris. Those crevices became the bogs we know today, which is where you will find the wild cranberry. Cranberries have been growing in Great Lakes bogs for over 10,000 years. Indigenous peoples have enjoyed them equally as long for both food and medicine and they still are highly revered in ceremony at fall harvest time. Indigenous Americans recognized the value of the cranberry; its antioxidants and vitamin C content were helpful in the winter months. Wild cranberries were one of the original foods offered to the colonists by the Wampanoag Tribe, making it synonymous with Thanksgiving as we know it today. Over the past few decades, the cranberry has held a lowly place at the table of many Americans’ Thanksgiving celebrations — primarily in the shape of a can as a jelly. Thankfully, it is reclaiming its place as an important, local food of the Great Lakes region. Chefs are bringing it back into use as chutneys, relishes, spreads and even in cranberry-infused cocktails. Commercial cultivation of cranberries is on the rise, and wild food enthusiasts are heading out into bog land in search of its wild counterpart.

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MICHIGAN WILD CRANBERRY CHUTNEY This recipe adds a fresh, tangy flavor that accompanies a roasted, heirloom turkey and pairs well with a Michigan sauvignon blanc.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY iSTOCK

Ingredients: • 2 cups of fresh, wild cranberries • ¾ cup maple syrup • ½ cup red wine • 2 apples cored, unpeeled and chopped • ¼ cup finely shredded orange peel • 1 teaspoon ginger • 1 teaspoon allspice • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • Pinch of nutmeg Preparation Combine cranberries, syrup, spices and wine in a saucepan. Cover saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. The skins will pop on the cranberries and the spices and syrup will dissolve. Reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped apples and orange peel. Set aside to cool, and the chutney will thicken as it approaches room temperature. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

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MICHIGAN BLUE

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AT T H E H E L M

High lake levels are prompting some boat owners to elevate their wooden docks.

BY CHUCK WARREN

our years ago, most boat owners were easily able to step aboard their vessels by barely lifting their feet. Today, with Lake Michigan water levels more than 5 feet above the record lows of 2015, and Lake Huron equally brimming past capacity, many are finding it difficult to climb aboard. Boats along the state’s coastline are riding high. Ken Wall has been selling fuel, food and supplies to Lake St. Clair boaters at Michigan Harbor for 54 years. He and others watched the high waters flood cottages and waterfront businesses in 1986 when lake levels set record after record. “This is different,” Wall said. “A lot of people will argue with me, but I know it’s higher than ’86.” Wall’s employees now slosh across the flooded steel dock in knee-high rubber boots while boaters stopping for fuel all perform elaborate gymnastics to disembark. With most boats floating 3 or more feet higher than normal, the usual exit paths from the boat to the dock are nearly impossible to traverse. As water levels around the Great Lakes break longstanding records, the effects are obvious in many areas. Sandbags line the top of a seawall in Saugatuck where several

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waterfront properties struggle to keep the water out of motel rooms and retail space. Some get by with pumps running to control the flood, but others have lost the battle. Lakeshore businesses have seen other effects. Electrical lines supplying waterfront structures are often hidden below the floor, where they can become submerged when the water levels rise. Damaged insulation, conduits and bare wires can create a lifethreatening condition if someone falls in the water. Falling off the dock becomes a real possibility when waters are so high that people can’t see the edge. Wall hangs a throw ring on a rope outside his office door for just such emergencies. “If they go in where there’s electricity in the water, you can’t go in after them or you’ll be shocked too,” Wall said. “This is the best we can do.” In Douglas, where a steady stream of people launch their boats at the public ramp, the Kalamazoo River is wide and deep enough for small boats to run upriver to fish or to cruise and sightsee. But going anywhere now takes constant vigilance. This year’s high waters have loosened woody debris like stumps and branches or other trash that have been lodged on shorelines. When

swept into the current, it gets transported elsewhere, where it settles once waters recede, at times becoming hidden obstructions for boaters. A partially submerged stump or branch can mean the end of the boating season for anyone unlucky enough to strike it. A tree limb or scrap of lumber that is sucked into the boat’s propellers while turning at 2,000 or more rpm can destroy props and bend shafts, bringing a boat owner’s season to a quick end. “Navigation has become a real challenge,” said Deputy Floyd Webber of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office. “With many of the docks and seawalls submerged, people don’t have visual references. They’re running over stuff they would normally see.” The same issues exist in many of the waterfront parks and in coastal parking lots where dividers and curbs are out of sight. “People are running over hidden obstructions on land and in the water,” Webber said. However, the high water doesn’t change his responsibilities. “At the end of the day, we still do our jobs the same way,” he said.

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Chuck Warren is a freelance boating writer and licensed captain who lives in Grandville.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHUCK WARREN (BOTH PAGES)

Riding high

Record water levels create hazards for boaters in harbors and marinas.

“Navigation has become a real challenge. With many of the docks and seawalls submerged, people don’t have visual references. They’re running over stuff they would normally see.” FLOYD WEBBER

Top: Boats are floating 3 feet higher than normal. Bottom left: Rubber boots are needed to keep feet dry while working on docks. Bottom right: Waterfront hotels pile sandbags up to keep elevated water levels at bay. MICHIGAN BLUE

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VINTAGE VIEWS

BY M. CHRISTINE BYRON AND THOMAS R. WILSON

Landscapes with a view Early entrepreneurs hoped to elevate tourists’ perspectives.

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prises until 1955 when they both were acquired by Frank Lamping, who built a gift shop on the ground floor connecting the two towers. After a brief closure in the 1960s, the towers remained open until the end of the summer of 2000. Today, the Irish Hills Historical Society is in the process of restoring the twin towers. Also built in 1924 by the Michigan Observation Company was the Bundy Hill tower, located on U.S. 12 near Jerome. The tower takes its name from John Bundy, the original owner of the 6-acre plot. In 1928, the property was sold to John Rainey of Ann Arbor, who added a free campsite, picnic grounds, a dancing hall and a small zoo. A restaurant featuring chicken sandwiches and cold milk was added about the same time. By 1949, new owners of the property razed the tower and used the lumber to build the Bundy Hill Diner. Another tower in the Irish Hills was the White Swan Electric Tower, built in 1930 on U.S. 223 at Devils Lake. It stood 1,434 feet above sea level and had an elevator that took visitors to the viewing platform. In 1945, several of the top floors were dismantled and the remaining structure operated as a restaurant and tavern. The tower was razed in 1956. In the 1920s, northern Michigan also saw the construction of several scenic towers that drew scores of vacationing travelers hungry for new sights. The Burt Lake Scenic Tower was located near Indian River and offered a telescope on its observation deck for visitors to view a panorama of the lake, the river and the surrounding area. Two viewing towers on the Old Mis-

Irish Hills Towers

Burt Lake Scenic Tower

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY LL COOK (TOP); CURT TEICH (BOTTOM)

ichigan’s beautiful landscape, with its rolling hills, inland lakes, and patchwork of farms, fields and forests, encouraged entrepreneurs to build sightseeing towers that offered tourists a chance to see expanded scenic views from a height reached by paying a small fee. The beautiful Irish Hills landscape in Lenawee County spawned four such towers. The most well-known are the two towers on U.S. 12 near Cambridge Junction. In 1924, the Michigan Observation Company of Hillsdale was formed with the idea that observation towers located in scenic spots could be money-making tourist attractions. The company approached landowner Edward Kelly about purchasing his high-ground property to build one of these viewing towers. Kelly declined, not wanting his view to be blocked by a tall structure. The company then approached his next-door neighbor, Edward Brighton, who agreed to the project. The tower was completed in early October 1924 with much fanfare. It also was built just 6 feet from his neighbor Kelly’s property line. Kelly was upset and built an almost-identical tower just 12 feet from his neighbor’s lookout. The second tower was named the Gray Tower, but locally, it was known as the “spite tower” since it was built several feet taller than his neighbor’s structure. The Michigan Observation Company responded by raising Brighton’s observation platform to match Kelly’s. After several threats of one-upsmanship, the two neighbors agreed to a truce and the two towers operated as separate and competitive enter-

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY ORSEN PECK

sion Peninsula were constructed with a distinctive rustic look. Friedrich’s Tower on Peninsula Road was built in 1920 by A.V. Friedrich. The Golden Tower on Elmen Road was built about the same time by the children of Windsor Golden, who was one of Old Mission’s earliest settlers. Unlike the free-standing Friedrich Tower, the Golden Tower was built around a large poplar tree. Both towers were in an area abundant with cherry orchards and offered views of thousands of cherry trees and the surrounding landscape, plus vistas of both the east and west arms of Grand Traverse Bay. Both towers advertised in the Traverse City Record Eagle from the late 1930s until World War II. The Curio Fair tower in St. Ignace was built

1955-56 to allow visitors to watch the construction of the Mackinac Bridge. It stands 85 feet tall with 100 steps to the top and continues to be a popular stop for generations of travelers to view the Straits of Mackinac. Scattered throughout Michigan were other towers that offered scenic views, ranging from the simple wooden structure The Top of the World at Glen Lake to the modern concrete Tower of History in Sault Ste. Marie. It seems people just never get tired of spectacular views of Michigan.

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Friedrich Tower

BLUE Vintage Views columnists M. Christine Byron and Thomas R. Wilson reside in Grand Rapids. They are authors of the book “Historic Leelanau: Recognized Sites and Places of Historical Significance.”

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S TAT E O F M I N E

BY TOM SPRINGER ILLUSTRATIONS BY G. ODMARK

A life indefatigably lived

fter a Memorial Day tornado tore through our neighborhood a few years ago, the skies had scarcely cleared when a chorus of chainsaws and generators echoed through the land. Just like that, my indefatigable brethren were out in force. You’ll fi nd indefatigable types like these scattered across the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, rough and ready men and women who’d just as soon wear Carhartt to their own weddings — and probably funerals. They drive professionally muddy pickups that bear the coveted “Log/Farm” Michigan license plates. They keep vintage tractors in their barns, stump-pulling brutes wrought from Eisenhower-era iron that stand oiled and primed for any emergency. When no one’s around, I suspect they may even call them by lovey-dovey nicknames and whisper fondly into their single-barrel carburetors. At Gerald’s place down the road, a ghastly tangle of splintered maples covered his yard and driveway. It looked like a week’s worth of clean up. Yet a crew of indefatigables — they run in packs — had the whole mess buzzed up and hauled away by noon the next day. No mere funnel cloud can deter a steel-toed crew like that.

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Since I’ve never trusted myself with a chainsaw, I had to show my defiance in a less defatigable fashion: I went ahead with the cookout we’d planned for that evening. We grilled our beefalo burgers in a backyard littered with tornadic debris, and we ate up all the potato salad, since I’ve never bought a generator for when the power goes out. The uprooted blue spruces — which hours earlier had shuddered and crashed to the ground as my daughter and I sprinted for cover in the barn — could wait. And wait they did until well past the 4th of July ... of the next year. My brother-inlaw Bob, himself a true indefatigable with a full complement of countryman hardware, had to bail us out. He cut up the trees and yanked out the stumps with his John Deere tractor. Their orange roots quivered, twanged then popped loose like the ganglia of some giant woody tumor. We heaped dry branches around the big stumps and started an eyebrow-scorching bonfi re. But while the branches soon burned to ash and cinders, the stumps were the same size as before. They smoldered on for three days and I puzzled about what to do. Leave them as primitive lawn art and ring them with marigolds? Encircle them with tractor-tire flower planters (painted white), per the local fashion? Then, when I fi nally nudged one of the stumps with my foot, I found that it was nearly as light as a Styrofoam stage prop. It was a charcoal facade of its former self. All of its heft had burned and evaporated away. I could easily drag it by hand to a nearby field. Its assumed weight had all been in my head. The stumps are an apt reminder of what happens when life (disguised as my old farmhouse) overwhelms you. It makes you overestimate the difficulty of just about ev-

erything. You neglect to weed the flowerbeds, lately overrun with oak seedlings and poison ivy; or fi x the stubborn leak in the chimney flashing; or haul away those moldy couches “temporarily” stored in a dilapidated shed. Thus, paralyzed by despair and self-pity you begin to ask, “How and when will I ever fi nd time to do all this?” Some of it probably never. I put off cleaning our atrocious Michigan basement for 19 years. Yet in defense of fellow procrastinators everywhere, let me explain the well-intentioned thinking that makes it so. The procrastinator’s problem isn’t simply that he (I’ll speak only for males) does too little. Rather, it’s that he tries to do too much. When a procrastinator envisions “this weekend,” he pictures a sunny interlude with unbound time to fish, garden, nap, hike, grill out and putty storm windows. That, instead of the scattered five or six free hours that he actually has to get something done. Recently, I’ve read something about the steadfast work habits of writer John McPhee that should give any procrastinator new motivation. McPhee has published 29 books on subjects that range from oranges to canoes. This made him one of the most prolific nonfiction writers of the late 20th century. Remarkably, though, he never writes more than one, single-spaced page a day. “You know,” McPhee says “you put an ounce in a bucket each day and you get a quart.” For this summer, I have vowed to master the art of the bite-sized project. There’s no need to let the perfect (the mythical endless weekend) become the enemy of the good

(a productive evening’s work). In even a 45-minute work session after supper, any reasonably fit human with a handsaw can prune a dozen dead branches off a blue spruce. Or fi ll two wheelbarrows with noxious garden weeds. It’s nothing profound, but it does assure tangible progress over the course of a week, month, season and hopefully, a life. We procrastinators — especially those who aspire to indefatigability — just need a swift kick in the bucket now and then to remind us of that.

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Author Tom Springer lives near Three Rivers in an 1870s farmhouse. His book of essays, “Looking for Hickories” (University of Michigan Press), was named a Michigan Notable Book in 2009. Tom currently is working on material for a second book. MICHIGAN BLUE

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UNDERCURRENTS

BY HOWARD MEYERSON

f you want to fish for river-run salmon this fall or enjoy a canoe trip at the height of color, the U.S. Forest Service has a message for you: Pick up after yourself and keep the rivers clean. That declaration applies to any river, but it is especially pertinent on designated Wild and Scenic River stretches of the Pine, Manistee and Au Sable rivers where the forest service proposed to ban alcohol earlier this year. That decision was postponed following an outcry from users, adjacent communities and related businesses, who have since joined the effort to reduce problems along those special river corridors. The problems include “threats to public safety, harassment of other river users, trespass on private property, lewd behavior and littering,” according to Huron-Manistee National Forests staffers. “It’s not the alcohol we’re trying to get at, it’s the behaviors,” explained Nate Peeters, spokesman for the forests, which encompass nearly 1 million acres of public land in the Lower Peninsula. “We have people who come to visit and think there are no rules up north — that they can go out to a river in the middle of nowhere and do whatever they want. Our objective has been to get communities talking more and more about these things.”

The National Wild and Scenic River system was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve certain special rivers across the country. “It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in freeflowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations,” Congress wrote in the act that categorizes those selected rivers as wild, scenic or recreation. “These are world-class, cold-water fisheries and paddling destinations that draw visitors from around the world … the idea is to keep these rivers in their natural state,” Peeters said. And so, the canoe liveries, businesses, communities and paddling groups decided to join hands and develop an action plan. Banning alcohol, they realized, would be bad for business. “The Traverse Area Paddle Club agreed to do two dozen river cleanups, eight on Wild and Scenic River segments,” Peeters said. “We plan to do more education and law enforce-

ment and have staff at landings. Community members are helping to post signs about river rules. The Visitors Bureaus are willing to help spread the Leave No Trace word.” Organized river floats also are planned, along with establishing a volunteer group of river stewards. “The action plan is the product of discussions with the community working group that was established after the alcohol ban was stayed,” Peeters said. “It describes the community-driven efforts planned to educate the public and empower river users to be responsible stewards of our natural resources.” The plan is a good-faith effort, an opportunity to see if community-based solutions will work. If not, the proposed alcohol ban is likely to resurface. Anglers fishing the fall salmon run are encouraged to “pack out what you pack in,” Peeters said. “A big issue is anglers leaving dump sites where they fish. We want them to keep glass and foam off the river.” Paddlers and anglers fishing from boats also are being reminded to clean, drain and dry off their watercraft so as not to spread aquatic invasive species. Will that be enough? I have my doubts. But, it’s a good start. Stay tuned.

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Howard Meyerson is the managing editor for Michigan BLUE Magazine.

A view of the protected stretch of the Au Sable River (left), where paddlers and anglers (right) are encouraged to pack out what they bring in.

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY USDA FOREST SERVICE

Wild and scenic river protection

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THE SPORTING LIFE

BY BOB GWIZDZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID LEWINSKI

Carving a niche

Angler, artisan, woodcarver creates colorful fish, signs and furniture for clients.

he way Bob Batchik tells it, it all started when he and his wife moved into a home with a wood-burning fireplace. He’d sit by the hearth carving wood shavings from kindling to get the fire going, and once it was burning well, he’d continue carving the sticks into small figures — often fish — that eventually went into the fire, too. But Batchik’s wife Mary was taken with the carvings; so much so, that she made him a gift of a carving knife and a book on wood carving for Christmas. Batchik’s father, who always liked buying him tools for gifts, bought him a band saw. And the next thing you know, Batchik, who was working for a Fortune 500 company, embarked on a new career: woodcarver. It didn’t happen overnight. Batchik eventually gave up his employment as a commissioned salesman to become a stay-at-home dad to his two daughters, sneaking in a little carving when time allowed. When his children became school age, he began devoting more energy to it. Still, he was uncertain. But as an avid fisherman and an active member of Trout Unlimited, Batchik offered up his carving of a brown trout as an auction item at a fundraising banquet. It not only brought good money ($400, back in the ’90s) to TU but validation as an artist; someone who admired the brown trout commissioned him to carve a brook trout. He was officially in business. “I owe a lot of my carving career to Trout Unlimited,” said Batchik, 60, who is currently the president of the Paul Young Chapter of TU. Batchik, who lives in Sylvan Lake in Oakland County not far from where he grew up, has always been a fisherman. He began fishing mostly for bass and bluegills with his father and grandpa but was bitten by the

MICHIGAN BLUE

Bob Batchik (above) paints a perch beer tap handle created for Baithouse Brewery in Sandusky, Ohio. Right: Batchik carves a brook trout.

trout bug when he went to Northern Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design. It was only natural that he carved fish. “I really stumbled into woodworking, and I can carve anything — from palm trees to beer bottles — but fish have always been my favorite,” he said. “I carve all sorts of fish — tarpon, stripers, bonefish, catfish — but if I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be a brook trout.” Batchik said he prefers to work with hand tools and calls himself “kind of old school.” “It’s quiet and doesn’t create a lot of dust,

and just keeping the tools sharp is a challenge,” he said. Batchik works with a variety of woods, depending on the assignment. “If I’m doing a life-sized fish, like a trophy replica, I like to use basswood,” he explained. “If I’m making a sign, I like cypress; it’s like cedar, but cedar’s too soft. And if I’m making large outdoor signs, I use Extira, a wood composite, which is moisture resistant.” Batchik’s carving studio is called Sunfish Woodworks (sunfishwoodworks.com). He excels at making signs, like the large brown trout for the Northern Angler fly shop in Traverse City. He also makes furniture, often with a fish theme, like glass-topped and glass side coffee tables with a stream scene that includes, of course, trout. He even carves the rocks on the stream bottom. “My philosophy on the whole thing is it’s nice to do something you’re passionate about,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to use your time for something you believe in. I’m fortunate that the two things go hand in hand.” His biggest piece, so far, is an 8-foot black crappie that sits outside a fish camp in Louisiana, and he’s currently at work on an 8-foot yellow perch for a craft brewery in Ohio. His work is on display all over the world — mu-

sician Huey Lewis had a steelhead he carved hanging outside his studio in California. Batchik’s work also is seen in galleries (Twisted Fish Gallery in Elk Rapids) and fly shops (Little Forks Outfitters in Midland), though most of his commissions come from people who have seen his work and like it. Remember his first commission, that brook trout? Twenty-five years later, the guy’s wife contacted him to make a replica of the 20-inch brook trout her husband caught. That’s the kind of thing that makes him happy he had that wood-burning fireplace all those years ago.

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Bob Gwizdz is a career outdoor writer who lives in East Lansing.

Top left: A close up of a finalized smallmouth bass carving. Top right: Bob Batchik sits with a large brown trout carving in his workshop. Above: Various tools, including carving knives, are used to create each carving. MICHIGAN BLUE

“Golden Reflections”

mag i c

m o m e n t s B Y H O WA R D M E Y E R S O N P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y K R I S T I N A L I S H AWA

Fall is the grand finale for the hardwood trees when their unassuming green leaves are transformed into brilliant golds and reds before surrendering to stark winter branches. … I find it difficult to do justice to the glory of the season but enjoy the challenge of creating memories of fall. – K R I S T I N A L I S H AWA

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“Autumn on the Manistee”

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“Autumn Kaleidoscope”

Above: Kristina Lishawa photographing a special scene.

KRISTINA LISHAWA was just a young girl when her grandfather recognized her appreciation for wild beauty. He bought her a camera, something simple, and introduced her to new worlds. Moving from place to place as a child because her father was in the seminary, Lishawa regularly summered at her grandparents’ Centennial soybean farm in North Dakota. Her grandfather often woke her at night; the two would venture out with a telescope to observe the northern lights, a galaxy of stars and constellations. By day, the intrepid pair might take to the skies and fly over the region’s checkerboarded farm country. “He was a pilot and an adventurer,” Lishawa said. “He recognized that same spirit in me. To this day when I see the northern lights, I think about him a lot and feel connected to him through photographs.” Lishawa moved to Traverse City in 2009 and lives there with her husband and two sons. It is also where she practices medicine MICHIGAN BLUE

“Grand Island Lighthouse”

“Tapestry of Leaves”

as a doctor of internal medicine and pediatrics. Photography, she said, is a personal outlet, an expression of her being. “My first shots were a portrait of my pet hamster. They were pretty bad,” Lishawa said. “I gravitate toward nature and wildlife photography because my career is so peoplebased. I spend my day talking with patients and families. I’m kind of introverted and get a lot of energy from spending time alone (in the field shooting). It’s a way to feed my introverted soul.” Her first camera was a simple point and shoot. Pretty basic, she said, but she was “thrilled” to have it and called it “the coolest present ever.” “I like the idea of capturing a moment in time and conveying so much emotion. I understood that from an early age,” Lishawa said. Her portfolio of images found at kristina lishawa.com captures the wonder of night skies, among other things. Her photos often are moody, mysterious, even magical and surreal. As a self-described nature and wild-

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“Memorial Falls in Autumn” MICHIGAN BLUE

“Lake Superior’s Fury”

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“Cranes Calling”

life photographer, she finds magic in birds, flowers and landscapes. Photographing the natural world is a personal experience, Lishawa said. She often ventures out alone, searching for something special. That something might appear serendipitously, or it might require waiting patiently for just the right light or moment. Her works have been featured in the National Geographic Editors’ Spotlight, by Pure Michigan and a variety of other publications. In this fall issue of BLUE, we bring you Kristina’s autumn works, no doubt a grand “finale” of color before the seasons change.

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Howard Meyerson is the managing editor for Michigan BLUE Magazine. MICHIGAN BLUE

Sunken treasure BY STEVEN WILKE

PH OTO GR APH Y BY DAVID LE WINSKI

Old-growth Michigan pine finds new life in the hands of custom guitar maker.

MICHIGAN BLUE

Gabriel Currie (below) in his Detroit guitar workshop. Opposite page: Currie's old-growth prototype is displayed.

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“This thing is beautiful. Feels great and sounds phenomenal. It’s got spirit.” N EI L GI R A L DO A stylish wood head for an Echopark Guitar.

Charles Hackley is a Michigan logging legend. But trees from the late 1800s-era Muskegon lumber baron’s mill are being used in ways today he couldn’t have imagined. In 2015, “sink logs” — timber that fell to river bottoms or lakes when floating en route to mills — were dredged from Muskegon Lake. Perfectly preserved specimens of this prized lumber found their way to Gabriel Currie, the brains and hands behind Echopark Guitars. Currie — who relocated from Los Angeles to Detroit — doesn’t make instruments for garage-band hacks. His boutique instruments cost $10,000 or more, ending up in able hands like Jackson Browne and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. His custom creations are variations on 1950s and ’60s instruments. “Everything that was awesome had already been built 44

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when I came around,” Currie said. “I go on instinct based on what I consider great guitars and great guitar tones. “We knew it was a badass piece of wood,” Currie said of the logs. “But what about its tonal qualities?” He also pondered personality. “If the tree had its druthers, would it be a table, or a toilet seat or a guitar?” Time and experimentation would tell. But the logs’ journey — and Currie’s — is yet another notch in Michigan’s reputation as a place that inspires “makers.”

A love affair with lumber Abundant fresh water is just one Michigan resource that fueled the country’s economic engine. Early colonists logged verdant forests for forts and missions, and later, British and American manufacturers used native hard-

woods to build ships for war and commerce. Profitable trees from Michigan’s north — white pines 300-600 hundred years old and up to 200 feet high — were in huge demand. According to The Center for Michigan History Studies, the state became an important source once the northeast supply diminished. By 1880, Michigan’s lumber production outpaced that of the three other leading states combined. Loggers often shipped their wares on sleds down icy roads to river landings, then floated them to mills after the spring thaw. Some 30% of the logs sunk, but the supply seemed endless. Trees are a renewable resource but take time to replenish. Most native forests were leveled between 1870 and 1900, but old-growth stands are preserved at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling and other places.

Gabriel Currie's prototype Hackley log guitar is constructed out of oldgrowth pine and maple.

MICHIGAN BLUE

Top: Gabriel Currie examines the neck of a guitar he is building. Bottom: A stack of wood guitar bodies sits in the woodshop.

The Muskegon millionaire Logging profits created “lumber barons,” including Wellington R. Burt in Saginaw and David Whitney Jr. in Detroit, who moved to Michigan in 1857 after making millions from Massachusetts lumber. In Muskegon, it was Charles Hackley. Born in Michigan City, Indiana, his father was commissioned to build a sawmill along Lake Muskegon. At age 19, Hackley joined his father. Hackley and Sons later formed a partnership called Hackley and Hume. The mill was wildly successful; its pine helped rebuild Chicago after its 1871 fire. It became one of the country’s largest mills — at its peak in 1894, cutting 30 million feet of lumber annually. Hackley’s fortune reportedly topped $18 million; he gave about one-third to Muskegon, including money for constructing the Hackley Public Library before he died in 1905.

Gibson’s golden era Lumber barons weren’t the only ones to benefit. Logging led to growing cities, spurring immigration and widespread farming since land was easily cleared once the forests were gone. In 1894, Orville Gibson began producing acoustic guitars and mandolins in a Kalamazoo woodshop. By 1902, demand led Gibson to join forces with financiers, forming Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Manufacturing Co., which thrived long after his death in 1918. Rock ’n’ roll cemented Gibson lore — especially the advent of “humbucker” pickups in 1957. In 1969, Gibson’s parent company went international, merging with an Ecuadoran brewery. The music division included Moog synthesizers and Lowrey keyboards. Gibson opened a Nashville plant in 1974. Michigan’s Gibson connection ended in 1983, when owners sold the music division, shuttering the Kalamazoo plant and making Nashville its headquarters.

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The making of a maker A Gibson SG model — played by top-notch guitarists like Frank Zappa, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Eric Clapton — was one instrument that fascinated Los Angeles teen Gabriel Currie. “I used to ditch school and go to guitar shops,” Currie said. “I grew up watching some guy (make) frets.” In the late 1980s, Currie landed a job at G&L. The “G” was for George Fullerton. But the “L” tugs guitar lovers’ heartstrings. It stood for Leo Fender. Iconic brands Fender and Gibson are to rock ’n’ roll what Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet are to autos. When Leo Fender died in 1991, Currie visited his cubbyhole to “have a moment,” he said. “I read his notes. Sat in his chair. …” In a dusty crawl space, he found a guitar body template. Company owners didn’t want it. Currie did and used random parts to fashion a guitar. “I still have it,” he said. “I pawned it a couple times.” A saleable version would wait. Currie worked with guitar guru Tak Hosono, but the magic was gone. He drifted into historical renovation. Adulthood set in, then marriage, then a child. Construction provided a decent paycheck, but after falling off some scaffolding, Currie pondered his future. Work through the pain? Become a general contractor? A light went on. With a credit card and encouragement from spouse Dawn Howdershell, Echopark Guitars was born (named after his L.A. childhood neighborhood). The first model was dubbed “Clarence” — honoring Clarence Leo Fender’s birth name. The 2008 economy wasn’t rocking, but Currie persisted, sharing prototypes with musicians and asking for feedback. He fiddled and tweaked. Word of mouth spread. Jonny Wickersham from Social Distortion used an Echopark model on a Direct TV session. Then Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford got interested. Currie wrangled an invite to an Aerosmith recording session and met famed producer Jack Douglas. After playing a prototype,

Douglas told Currie, “It makes every other guitar in this place sound like firewood.” Echopark was on its way.

The draw of Detroit So why leave California’s glamour? Partially, the cost of living. “I didn’t want to put $400,000 into a box in the suburbs and still deal with traffic and (crappy) air,” Currie said. They checked out Texas, New Mexico, then Colorado. “I’d been hearing for years about Detroit … it’s a rock town, (but) I didn’t want it to make sense because I’m from Los Angeles.” A geologist friend originally from Flint showed him around. Then a listing for an Old Redford home appeared. With (mostly false) legends of getting Detroit houses for a “song,” they wondered: Is this place real? It was, at around $200,000. Once inside, Currie noticed that like his guitars, this house was custom made. Sold. Currie rented a shop minutes away and brought along colleagues — master luthier Jim Duggan and amp expert Eric Bernstorff.

Happy accidents One might say fate — or another force — led Currie here. In logging days, cooks called hungry workers for meals with a horn called a “Gabriel.” Was something calling this Gabriel to Michigan? Currie began making connections — some intentional, some by chance. He met someone whose business partner had a stash of wood. “I hear that all the time,” Currie said. Then the “wood guy” sent a text. Brian Mooney knows lumber. His Integrity Building Group specializes in historic restorations and helped repurpose Detroit’s castle-like Grand Army of the Republic Building. The redo netted Integrity a 2019 Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation. Chance drew Mooney to the logs. During a vacation visit at a logging museum, he saw a posting about wood dredged from Muskegon Lake.

“I knew it was gold,” Mooney said. He immediately bought all 800 logs, shipping them to his Detroit warehouse and leaving them outside to dry. Mooney heard about Currie and wondered if his stash might serve a purpose. Currie visited Mooney’s warehouse and was astonished. “I had no idea I would run into a batch of this stuff!”

A guitar is born Rather than cranking out cookie-cutter, massproduced guitars, Currie said he prefers working with artists to create the instrument of their dreams. “Guys I work with usually, I’m a big fan,” he said. The goal is to make a tool fit what they play or write. “How can I serve (them) in creating a unique thing?” he asked. A Hackley log guitar certainly would be unique. Another Michigan connection: The prototype’s neck is old-growth maple from Mooney’s stash. One of the first “test drivers” was Neil Giraldo, a Grammy award-winning musician/ producer/composer whose catalog includes hits with Pat Benatar, John Waite and Rick Springfield. They hit it off when Giraldo’s Michiganbased Three Chord Bourbon brand sponsored an Ann Arbor blues event. After all, they both love working with wood (in Giraldo’s case, barrels for aging bourbon) and music. “Guitars are a living thing,” Giraldo said. “When you pick up an instrument, it talks to you or it doesn’t.” The verdict on Hackley? “This thing is beautiful,” Giraldo said. “Feels great and sounds phenomenal. It’s got spirit.” The plan for the remaining wood? “We’ll do a short run and see how it goes,” Currie said. “Maybe someone uses one to make a song or two.” If fate intervenes, that’s highly likely.

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Steven Wilke is a freelance writer living in northwest Detroit. He plays guitar and bass but claims he isn’t worthy of an Echopark Guitar. MICHIGAN BLUE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL DWYER

Apples being sorted at Yates Cider Mill.

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ILLUSTRATION COURTESY iSTOCK

cider mill effect BY MICHAEL DWYER

The sweet magic of fall ciders draws thousands each year to historic mills where water once powered apple presses.

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The process to make an apple pie at Yates Cider Mill (above) begins with large amounts of apples (below) being sorted before preparing for baking (right).

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL DWYER (BOTH PAGES; COURTESY iSTOCK (TOP RIGHT AND ILLUSTRATION)

An annual autumn trip to the local cider mill is the icing on the fall harvest cake. Of the 100 cider mills in Michigan, everyone has his or her favorite. Families, couples and connoisseurs migrate to the sweet nectar almost by instinct; it’s a taste that is synonymous with fall.

CIDER SPEAK

AS IF UNDER A SPELL, Michiganders from all over join with family and friends for a pilgrimage to the cider mill. Sweet cider, warm doughnuts and fresh produce take center stage with caramel apples, old-fashioned candy and home-baked pies as the supporting cast. In addition, many farms have added corn mazes, pony rides and U-picks to entertain and delight all ages. Watching cider being made often is the main attraction. Keeping to tradition, many mills still press cider as it was done a century ago in the style of and using the materials (wood and steel) available at that time. “We feel that the oak press gives our cider a more distinct flavor,” said Nancy Steinhauer of the Dexter Cider Mill. Its cider never touches plastic until it’s jugged. Located in downtown Dexter along the Huron River, this historic mill has been continuously making cider since 1886. Years ago, the leftover apple mash (seeds, stems and skin) was dumped in the river. Of course, that doesn’t happen today. “Now the mash is hauled away,” Steinhauer said. When it comes to treating the cider, by state law, mills that wish to sell wholesale must pasteurize or use ultraviolet light to treat their product. “We feel that unpasteurized cider is better tasting,” Steinhauer said. While pasteurized cider has a longer shelf life, many aficionados will travel far and wide to stock up on nontreated cider. “We have amazing customers, too. It’s a place that people want to come to, and we feel very fortunate,” she added. Nancy’s parents bought

CIDER – also called apple cider, sweet cider, soft cider — the untreated juice from fresh-pressed apples MULLED CIDER – hot apple cider with a combination of spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and others CIDER MILL – the equipment used to crush and press apples into cider; the location of the business, part of a farm or a stand-alone business MASH – all the bits, including the stems, seeds and skin, that are left over after all the juice has been pressed from the apples PASTEURIZATION – a process to treat milk or fruit juice with heat to eliminate bacteria and pathogens, and to extend shelf life ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION – a treatment alternative to pasteurization that uses a short wavelength ultraviolet light to eliminate bacteria and pathogens BAKERY – commonly found at cider mills where ovens are used to bake pies, fry doughnuts and make desserts to sell DONUT – also doughnut – a cake mix batter fried in oil and often covered in cinnamon and sugar — a staple bakery item at most cider mills WATER POWER – using a water source to generate power from wheels and turbines, and controlled with gears, belts and levers WATER TURBINE/WATER WHEEL – a rotary machine that converts gravityfed water into mechanical energy COLD STORAGE – a method to hold and preserve apples by controlling the temperature, humidity and oxygen levels.

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MICHIGAN APPLE FACTS Michigan is the third-largest apple producer in the U.S. Half of all apples are sold as fresh, ready to eat An average of 25.2 million bushels of apples are harvested each year There are 11.3 million apple trees in commercial production, on 825 family-run farms, on 35,500 acres The crabapple is the only native apple to North America There are 2,500 varieties of apple in the U.S. and 7,500 varieties of apple worldwide Apples grow in all 50 states Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman Michigan’s state flower is the apple blossom Apples are part of the Rose family of plants One bushel of apples will make about 3 gallons of cider Source: Michigan Apple Committee and University of Illinois Extension

John Robinette (top) fills up half-gallon jugs of apple cider to sell at Robinette's. Yates Cider Mill is located near the Clinton River Trail (bottom left). The water from the Clinton River powers the turbine the mill has used since 1894. Franklin Cider Mill (opposite page) switched from water to electric power in 1968.

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Water powered like magic Cider mills, gristmills and sawmills were once more commonly powered by water. Using the fast flow of a nearby river or creek, the water would be diverted to a wheel or turbine to power the press. That method went out of style when electricity became available in the mid-20th century. The iconic Franklin Cider Mill in Bloomfield Hills switched from water to electric power in 1968 when an accident took out the water wheel. Today, two Michigan cider mills still use water to power their cider presses: Parshallville and Yates. Parshallville Cider Mill, located on the North Ore Creek in Fenton, started as a gristmill in 1869 and now makes cider every autumn with waterpower. Yates Cider Mill, owned by Mike and Katie Titus in Rochester Hills, also remains water powered by the Clinton River. Yates started as a sawmill in 1863, moved to pressing cider in 1876 and uses the same underground turbine that was installed in 1894. “The turbine was purchased from the James Leffel Company in Springfield, Ohio,” Mike Titus said. “Since the turbine is not visible (it is underwater in the mill flume), Katie’s grandpa, Charles Posey, installed the exterior water wheel so that people could see the water from the millrace turning a water wheel. It has since become part of the iconic image of the mill. The underwater turbine always has provided waterpower for the pressing operation.” “The Clinton River provides the lifeblood for the operation of the mill,” Mike continued. “Maybe just as important, the river contributes to an atmosphere that makes Yates such a unique property to visit. It’s a place to relax and take in what I think is one of the most beautiful settings in southeast Michigan. The river meanders through parks on both sides of Yates' property and offers recreational activities like kayaking, fishing, swimming or just relaxing on a log on the river’s edge.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL DWYER (BOTTOM); COURTESY ROBINETTE'S CIDER MILL (TOP); PURE MICHIGAN (OPPOSITE PAGE); iSTOCK (ILLUSTRATION)

the cider mill in 1986 and are only the third family to own it. They originally purchased it as “a retirement project,” and it continues to be just that for Nancy and her husband Marty. “The mill is still fun to me,” she said. “We are looking forward to many more years.”

Visiting a cider mill can overwhelm a person’s senses. For one thing, just the aromas of the bakery alone are enticing. “The sights and sounds from the press making cider bring back memories for people,” Mike said. “Of course, the feel and taste of a warm doughnut in your mouth followed by some cold or hot cider is part of something that has been a tradition for generations.” The core of the charm An average of 25 million bushels of apples are picked each year in Michigan, the nation’s third-largest producer. Half of all those are gobbled up as fresh fall treats, and the rest are turned into desserts, sauce and cider. Pure Michigan apple cider is 100% natural with no added sugar, plus it’s fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free and gluten-free. Dozens of varieties — red, green and yellow — are grown commercially in the state, and nationally, there are upward of 2,500 types across the United States. “Not all of our 35 varieties are used for cider making; some are better than others for eating fresh,” said John Robinette, co-owner of Robinette’s Orchard in Grand Rapids. “After Labor Day, more varieties become available for cider making with the bulk of our crop being harvested in October. Therefore, our cider is always evolving as the season progresses, meaning you will never get the same-tasting gallon from one week to the next. “When we do get more varieties, each batch of cider will usually contain up to five different types. When I'm making cider, my favorite varieties to use are Northern Spy, McIntosh, Jonathon and Golden Delicious. If you found all these in the same batch, you are sure to have a delicious cider.” His is one of the few cider mills that is open all year long. Robinette said the mill makes 600 to 700 gallons in the fall and freezes it for sale over the summer. “The frozen cider, once thawed, tastes just as good as fresh and should last two weeks in your refrigerator,” Robinette said.

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Michael Dwyer is an awarding-winning broadcast journalist turned writer who lives in Rochester.

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On the Boards â&#x20AC;˘ THE NORTH POINT The North Point Floor Plan | Total 4,160 sq ft

esigned for a narrow lot on the shores of a lake, the North Point conquers numerous design challenges including preserving the sand dunes along the lakeshore. The owners desired a contemporary design on a controlled budget. Wrapped in stucco, with natural wood accents and contrasting dark metal bands, the exterior of the home exudes a contemporary aesthetic. Upon entering the home, a foyer leads to the central living room and kitchen, featuring a patent pending kitchen island that doubles as the dining space. The luxurious master suite features a spa style bath and

access to a patio that provides views of the lake beyond. Innovations are strategically placed throughout, and a built-in laundry efficiently grants more space to the modest 1700 square foot main level. Found on the up-per level is a refreshment kitchen, an exercise space, and sitting room that transitions to a guest room with help from a murphy bed. The upper level contains an abundant amount of outdoor spaces, including a patio with a fireplace, perfect for enjoying the sun set, as well as a hot tub with privacy screens. The lower level of the home features two bedroom-suites as well as a family room and walkout patio.

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Make a date with the state PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY iSTOCK

Enjoy the season and the fun, from outdoor celebrations to dramatic and stirring performances indoors.

FA M I LY F U N PA G E 57 H O M E & G A R D E N PA G E 6 0 A R T & M U S I C PA G E 6 0 B Y L A N D , A I R & S E A PA G E G R E AT TA S T E S PA G E 6 7

Fabulous Fall!

Hit a cider mill, find a scarecrow. It’s the perfect time for a hike in the woods. Commune with Ernest Hemingway fans. Take a color tour by train or chairlift. There are film festivals, a harvest festival, murder mystery cruises and flower shows. Check out Calumet Theater’s Red Jacket Jamboree or the Buster Keaton fest in Muskegon at the Frauenthal Center. MICHIGAN BLUE

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October/November PEOPLE, PL ACES AND EVENTS TO EXPLORE IN MICHIGAN

10/11-13, 17-20 & 24-27 10/5-6, 12-13 & 19-20 Board the schooner Appledore and experience a scenic AUTUMN COLOR TOUR RIVER CRUISE. Cruising upriver on the Saginaw, passengers enjoy warm apple cider, fresh doughnuts, fall foliage and wildlife. Cruise departs at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. from Wenonah Park in Bay City. $27 for children under 12; $37 for adults. baysailbaycity.org

10/12

11/29-30

Through 10/27

Take in expansive chrysanthemum displays, fall foliage and the Michigan Farm Garden during the annual autumn celebration CHRYSANTHEMUMS AND MORE at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. Enjoy special tours led by members of the horticulture department and learn more about the fall-themed plantings during Mum Day on Oct. 20. meijergardens.org

Over 30 hand-picked artisans display handmade gifts, décor and greenery during the popular GLEN ARBOR HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Nov. 30 inside the Glen Arbor Town Hall. Plan a fun-filled Black Friday weekend with a bed parade, caroling and holiday tree lighting. Join the PJ Party and shop special deals 6:30-9 a.m., gather for the bed parade at 9 a.m. and join in the community caroling followed by the ceremonial tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. visitglenarbor.com

Organized by Escanaba’s homebrew club, Bay de Noc Brewers, the 14TH ANNUAL UPTOBERFEST keeps it local with all beer and wine from Michigan. Sample new U.P. beers and join in the fun 2-7 p.m. at the Yoop’s largest beer and wine festival, held at the lakefront Ludington Park in Escanaba. Drink some beer, play games and help support the local United Way. uptoberfest.org

D O YO U H AV E A N E V E N T F O R O U R C A L E N D A R ? Calendar items may be submitted to excursions@geminipub.com two months prior to publication of the intended issue. Michigan BLUE is a bi-monthly magazine.

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PETER MCDANIEL (BOTTOM LEFT); KMS PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP RIGHT); iSTOCK (REMAINING PHOTOS)

Wander Greenfield Village where magical encounters and roaming storybook characters await along a path lit by 1,000 handcarved jack-o’-lanterns. HALLOWE’EN IN GREENFIELD VILLAGE runs 6:30-10 p.m. and includes a carnival vaudeville act, the Headless Horseman, costumed characters, live performances, treat stations, hot brews and Halloween fun. thehenryford.org

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FA M I LY F U N Oct. 4 — A Night at 40-Mile Point Lighthouse, Rogers City Wander lantern-lit pathways leading to the seasonally decorated lighthouse, enjoy refreshments, live music and family fun. 40milepointlighthouse.org Oct. 4-5 — Fayette Historic State Park Fall Fest, Garden Start the weekend with a Haunted Trail, plus family fun at the historic townsite and campground including hayrides, campsite decorating and other Halloween activities. michigan.gov/fayette Oct. 5 — Seventh annual Fall Harvest Fossil Festival, Alpena Come out for family fun and learn about the region’s fossils at Besser Museum for northeast Michigan. bessermuseum.org Oct. 5 — Pumpkin Palooza, Marine City Marine City celebrates the fall season with pumpkin carving, kids activities and an attempt to break another Guinness World Record for the most simultaneously carved pumpkins. pumpkinpa loozaparty.com Oct. 5 — Fall Harvest Festival, Midland Chippewa Nature Center comes alive with programs that focus on autumn traditions of the 19th century. Blacksmithing and cider making, woodworking, traditional music, children’s games and crafts. chippewanaturecenter.org Oct. 6 — 10th annual Skitoberfest, Boyne Falls Skitoberfest celebrates the coming winter with everything from ski gear, craft beer, food trucks, live music, chairlift rides, bonfires and more at Boyne Mountain Resort. boynemountain.com Oct. 11-12 — The Haunted Trail, Paradise Hike the Haunted Trail as ghouls and goblins dance among the pumpkins, pines and pitchforks at Sawmill Creek Township Park. Souvenirs, snacks and more. euphauntedtrail.org Oct. 11-12 — Fall Fest, Holland Fall Fest features professional pumpkin carvers who carve unique jack-o’-lanterns right on Eighth Street and fun fall-themed activities for folks of all ages! holland.org/events Oct. 11-13 — Leif Erikson Festival, Norway Enjoy a Viking village and re-enactors, artist and craft vendors, Taste of Norway food booths, and fun and games for all ages, plus a torchlight parade around Strawberry Lake. leiferiksonfest.com

Oct. 11-13 — Apple Festival, Charlevoix A fall harvest celebration with fun for the whole family, visit the farmers market, food booths, petting zoo, area apple orchards and more. visit charlevoix.com Oct. 11-13 — Color Cruise and Island Festival, Grand Ledge A three-day fall pioneer festival at Island Park. Riverboat rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, fur traders, candle making, pumpkin painting, food, music and more. grandledgechamber.com Oct 12 — Fall Family Day, Grand Rapids Visit the Children’s Garden for fabulous fall family fun at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Listen to fallinspired tunes and stories, view a fiber arts demo and create an herb and flower journal. meijer gardens.org Oct. 12 — Tahquamenon Falls State Park Harvest Festival, Newberry This Harvest Fest tradition includes camping, pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, chili cookoff, costume contests, trick-or-treating and more at the Lower Falls. mi.gov/tahquamenonfalls Oct. 12 — Pumpkinfest, Montague & Whitehall A full day of pumpkin-inspired events, including the pumpkin roll, pumpkin painting and carving, pumpkin weigh-ins, hayrides, apple cider mill, art fair and more. whitelake.org

Oct. 19 — Muskegon Heritage Museum Community Days A world of engineering and mechanical marvel awaits. Explore over 12,000 square feet of exhibits and learn about the industrial history of Muskegon. muskegonheritage.org Oct. 19 — Fourth annual Glen Arbor Pumpkin Festival This celebration of autumn includes costume parade, pie-eating contest, pumpkin carving, kids activities, food, live music, Lord of the Gourd demonstration and more. visitglenarbor.com Oct. 19-20 — Haven Harvest, South Haven Celebrate the harvest with apple orchards, bonfires, pumpkin chunking, family fun and delicious good-as-grandma’s pies. southaven.org Oct. 19-20, 26-27 — Scarecrow Festival, Frankenmuth Two weekends of family fun in Frankenmuth with activities including rock ’n’ roll K-9 show, pet costume contest, pumpkin catapult and bowling, arts and crafts, children’s inflatables and more. frankenmuthriverplace.com Oct. 24-26 — St. Clair Halloweekend Celebrate Halloween with the community of St. Clair and its surrounding areas in creative and fun ways! Zombie run, monster mash, costume parade, scream screen and more. facebook.com/ stclairshalloweekend

Oct. 12 — Fallfest, Frankfort This community celebration includes giant pumpkins and a community parade, Mutt March, kids games and Halloween maze, hay wagon rides, craft fair, pumpkin drop on a car and more. frankfort-elberta.com

Oct. 25 — Hallowee-Ones, Grand Rapids Participate in a costume parade and listen to Halloween-themed stories at Meijer Gardens. No tricks, no treats, just fun at the Children’s Garden! meijergardens.org

Oct. 12 — Apple Pumpkin Fun Day, Alpena Visit the Alpena Tractor Show Grounds for free games, wagon rides, craft demonstrations, meet local state police and enjoy fall fun. alpena antiquetractor.com

Oct. 26 — Clay Township Annual Scarecrow Festival Live music, food and drink, dog costume contest, craft projects, scarecrow contest, photo ops, face painting and more. claytownship.org

Oct. 12-13 — 45th annual Apple Butter Festival, Lansing Embrace ties to the land, help stir the apple butter or try your hand at the cider press. Take in heritage artisans, local musicians and savory food at Fenner Nature Center. mynaturecenter.org

Oct. 26 — Halloween Events, Ludington Downtown Ludington hosts Halloween events for children: costume party, 12:30-2 p.m.; parade at 2 p.m.; downtown trick or treat, 2-4 p.m. downtown ludington.org

Oct. 12, 19 — Family Haunted Village and Spook Walk, Port Sanilac Explore the creaky old buildings at Sanilac County Historic Village, look for the Grim Reaper and walk through the cemetery in the woods, then warm up with refreshments around a bonfire. sanilaccountymuseum.org

Oct. 26 — Halloween Celebrations, Mackinac Island Bring the family and celebrate fall Mackinac Island style! Children’s trick-or-treating 3:30-5 p.m., costume parties through downtown, haunted tours and seasonal specials. mackinacisland.org

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Oct. 26-28 — Halloween Hoopla, Boyne Falls Bring your costume, swimsuit and a sense for spooky adventure with pumpkin races, Halloween movies and crafting, trick-or-treating, costume contest and more at Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain Resort. boynemountain.com Oct. 30 — Halloween Events, Cadillac Stroll Mitchell Street for a safe trick-or-treat event 4-6 p.m. in downtown. Stores are dressed up, too, and the sidewalks transform into a Halloween haven. downtowncadillac.com Nov. 9 — Families in Nature: Geocaching Games, Midland Stop by the Homestead Farm to begin your geocache gaming experience. Find a geocache and play the game with your family before moving on to the next cache. chippewanaturecenter.org

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Nov. 15 — St. Clair Celebration of Lights and Santa’s Lighted Parade Welcome Santa 6-8 p.m. during the lighted parade, as he receives the key to the city. Stay for the tree lighting, refreshments and visit reindeer in the Candy Cane Corral. bluewater.org Nov. 16 — Season of Light Celebration and Exhibit, Alpena With traditional favorites like the Christmas Village, Community Trees and Trees of Nations, visitors are mesmerized by holiday displays at Besser Museum. bessermuseum.org Nov. 21-Dec. 29 — Wonderland of Lights, Lansing Potter Park Zoo is transformed into a magical winter wonderland with thousands of holiday lights. Kids activities, entertainment and festive animal friends. potterparkzoo.org Nov. 22 — Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, Alpena Alpena ushers in the holiday spirit with its annual holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony at Culligan Plaza. alpenadda.com Nov. 22 — 25th annual Luminary Festival, St. Joseph St. Joseph comes aglow! Stroll through the beautiful candlit streets as 1,000 luminaries light your way during this kickoff to the holiday season. stjoetoday.com

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Nov. 22 — Silver Bells in the City, Lansing The city glows with thousands of lights for the Silver Bells in the City celebration, featuring the Electric Light Parade, Silver Bells Village, lighting of the state Christmas tree, fireworks over the Capitol dome and more. silverbellsinthecity.org

Nov. 22-23 — White Lake Area Holiday Walk, Montague and Whitehall Usher in the spirit of the season with horse and carriage rides, Friday night tree lighting ceremony with cocoa and caroling, roasted chestnuts, Saturday trolley rides and Santa visits. whitelake.org Nov. 26 — Lighted Santa Parade, Marine City Ring in the lights and excitement of the season during Marine City’s Lighted Santa Parade! Stay for Santa visits, sweet treats, shopping and other holiday festivities. bluewater.org Nov. 28 — America’s Thanksgiving Parade, Detroit This Detroit tradition dates back to 1924 and draws thousands of spectators to watch colorful floats, marching bands, celebrities, high-flying balloons and more make their way down Woodward Avenue. theparade.org Nov. 29 — Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, Charlevoix Celebrate the season with friends and family at the holiday parade and tree-lighting celebration 3-6 p.m. in downtown. visitcharlevoix.com

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Nov. 29 — Holiday in the Park, South Haven Light up the season during the official lighting of the community holiday tree. Ice skating, karaoke, Santa Paws Pet Parade, luminaries, holiday treats and more at Dyckman Park. southaven.org Nov. 29 — The Sperry’s Santa Claus Parade, Port Huron Welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to historic downtown Port Huron during the 6 p.m. parade and watch Santa pull the switch lighting the McMorran Christmas Tree. bluewater.org Nov. 29 — Boyne City Holiday Open House and Santa Parade, Boyne City Experience the charm of Boyne City as the community celebrates Thanksgiving and the holiday season with an open house, Santa parade and other festivities. boynecitymainstreet.com Nov. 29 — Holiday Celebration and Candlewalk, Frankenmuth Kick off the holidays with a candlewalk from the Frankenmuth River Place Shops to the Chamber Platz for the lighting of the Tannenbaum. Visit Santa 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Chamber Pavilion or catch him at Bronner’s from Nov. 29-Dec. 24. frankenmuth.org Nov. 29-Dec. 1 — Port Austin’s Silver Bells Stroll Usher in the holiday season with a Village Greenery market, Christmas bazaar and cookie walk, shopping and dining specials, plus entertainment. bluewater.org; portaustinarea.com

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Nov. 30 — Aglow on the Avenue Parade, Ludington A seasonal favorite, Aglow on the Avenue includes an evening parade with lighted entries, Santa Claus and other kid-friendly festivities, and special deals to kick off the holiday shopping season. ludington.org; downtownludington.org

HOME & GARDEN Oct. 1, 15 — Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Grounds Tour, Gross Pointe Shores Get captivated by the landscape at Ford House on this guided tour of the grounds and learn about Jens Jensen, the renowned landscape architect who helped design the space. fordhouse.org Oct. 11-12, Nov. 8-9 — Hackley Attic Escape Room, Muskegon It’s up to you and your closest friends to escape a Victorian storage room filled with puzzles, locks and riddles at Hackley & Hume Historic Site. lakeshoremuseum.org Oct. 5-6 — Fall Bonsai Show, Grand Rapids See a variety of bonsai on display, watch bonsai artists at work and shop for bonsai trees and supplies at Frederik Meijer Gardens. meijergardens.org Oct. 20 — Fall Foliage Festival, Tipton Explore the grounds of Hidden Lake Gardens then return for pumpkin decorating, hands-on crafts, artisans, scarecrow displays and fall foliage. canr.msu.edu/hiddenlakegardens Oct. 20 — Autumn at the Wigwam, Midland Spend an afternoon at Chippewa Nature Center’s wigwam to explore how Woodland Indians used local plants and animals, or try traditional skills such as fire by friction and cordage making. chippewa naturecenter.org Nov. 7-10 — Holiday Market Open House Weekend, Lexington Visit for special values, refreshments and entertainment while shopping in a traditional village environment. lexingtonmichigan.org Nov. 16-Dec. 7 — Holiday Open House and Kerstmarkt, Holland Experience a delightful outdoor European-style Christmas market with holiday items, food and artisan demonstrations at 8th Street Marketplace. On Nov. 16, enjoy the sounds of carolers and festive decorations, bring the kids for a photo with Santa and stay for the annual tree lighting ceremony at 8 p.m. holland.org; kerstmarkt.wordpress.com

MICHIGAN BLUE

Nov. 20–Dec. 1 — 15th annual Festival of Trees, Muskegon Museum of Art This annual event features themed trees and décor available through silent auction to benefit Muskegon Museum of Art. Raffles, music, holiday shopping and special events! muskegonartmuseum.org

Oct. 3 — The Red Jacket Jamboree, Calumet Calumet’s old-time radio variety show features stories, music and songs reflecting the history and culture of the Keweenaw Peninsula and recorded in front of a live audience. redjacket jamboree.org

Nov. 20-Jan. 6 — Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World, Grand Rapids This beloved winter tradition features the glow of nearly 400,000 colorful lights, strolling carolers, visits from Santa and 42 international trees and displays at Frederik Meijer Gardens. meijer gardens.org

Oct. 4 — Journeyman-A Tribute to Eric Clapton, Three Oaks Featuring guitarist Shaun Hague, this concert covers all aspects of Clapton’s career from Blues Breakers to From The Cradle at The Acorn Theater. acornlive.org

Nov. 23-Dec. 21 — Holiday Walk & Market, Hickory Corners Stroll through each holiday decorated room of the Manor House and complete your holiday shopping with handmade items from vendors near and far. conference.kbs.msu.edu

Oct. 5 — Buster Keaton Convention and Film Festival, Muskegon This annual celebration of Buster Keaton includes screenings of “One Week” and “The Cameraman” at Frauenthal Theater. busterkeaton.com

Nov. 23 — Christmas Bazaar in Paradise Shop for unique handcrafted gifts and home décor and enjoy lunch and holiday cheer at Whitefish Township Community Center. paradisemichigan.org

Oct. 5 — 10th annual Great Lakes Pumpkin Patch Day, Harbor Springs & Cross Village Wander through a dazzling array of handblown glass pumpkins displayed at Boyer Glassworks and Three Pines Studio on either end of the Tunnel of Trees scenic drive. petoskeyarea.com

Nov. 23-Dec. 24 — 33rd annual Mistletoe Market, South Haven This popular market offers unique gifts and gourmet food items created by local and regional artists, sure to please kids and adults alike, at South Haven Center for the Arts. southhavenarts.org

Oct. 5-6 — Blue Coast Artists Tour, South Haven to Saugatuck Take in the autumn color while touring eight studios between South Haven and Saugatuck, and enjoy original artwork, refreshments and demonstrations. bluecoastartists.net

Nov. 29-30 — TV6 Thanksgiving Craft Show, Escanaba A holiday tradition in the Upper Peninsula, this craft show offers unique and handmade items and holiday gift ideas at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. uppermichiganssource.com

Oct. 5-6 — Jammin’ in the Vineyard, Baroda Sit back and relax among the vines while sipping your favorite wine or beer and listening to live music at Round Barn Estate. Held weekends in October, capped off with a Hallowine Party on Oct. 26. roundbarn.com

ART & MUSIC

Oct. 6-May 3 — Jean-Antoine Houdon’s Portraits of Americans in the Age of Enlightenment, Detroit Detroit Institute of Arts presents a dossier exhibition featuring two masterworks of French 18th-century portrait sculpture on loan from the Musée du Louvre. Created by sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741–1828), the portraits depict Benjamin Franklin and George Washington along with other selected works. dia.org

Oct. 1-13 — Come From Away, Detroit This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them at Fisher Theatre. broadwayindetroit.com Oct. 1-Nov. 30 — 20/20 Photography Invitational Gallery & Reception, Kalamazoo This special exhibit showcases the beauty of the natural world and photos taken at Kalamazoo Nature Center. Visit the Glen Vista Gallery for a reception 2-4 p.m. Oct. 6. naturecenter.org

Oct. 11-12 — Rent 20th Anniversary Tour, Detroit Two decades later, “Rent” continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations. Catch this vibrant touring production at Fox Theatre. 313presents.com

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EXCURSIONS

Oct. 11-13 — Apple Fest Art & Craft Show, Charlevoix Visit over 165 exhibitor and artist booths bursting with unique, one-of-a-kind creations in both Bridge Park and East Park. visitcharlevoix.com Oct. 11-13 — 75th annual Greater Detroit Gem, Mineral, Fossil and Jewelry Show, Warren Novice and expert collectors can visit dealers and displays of gems, minerals, jewelry and fossils at the Macomb Community College South Campus Expo Center. michmin.org

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Oct. 17-20 — Fresh Coast Film Festival, Marquette This documentary film festival celebrates the outdoor lifestyle, water-rich environment and resilient spirit of the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest. freshcoastfilm.com

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Oct. 17 — Steven Page: Discipline USA Tour, Traverse City Barenaked Ladies founding member and former frontman Steven Page, known for his distinctive and powerful tenor, takes the stage at City Opera House. cityoperahouse.org

Oct. 17-20 — Frankfort Film Festival Screen award-winning films from around the globe, plus discussions, awards and performances, in this quaint lakeshore community. frankfort gardentheater.com Oct. 18-20 — Michigan Hemingway Conference, Petoskey A literary and history conference celebrating Ernest Hemingway’s accomplishments also highlights the area where he spent his first 22 summers. michiganhemingwaysociety.org

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MICHIGAN BLUE

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Oct. 19 — Lee Murdock: Great Lakes Ghosts Concert, South Haven Lee Murdock, Balladeer of the Great Lakes, performs his maritime musical program Great Lakes Ghosts at Michigan Maritime Museum. michigan maritimemuseum.org Oct. 19 — An Evening of Stories and Songs with Chris Hillman, Saugatuck Country rockstar and architect of American music Chris Hillman takes the stage with Herb Pederson at Saugatuck Center for the Arts. sc4a.org/chris-hillman Oct. 19 — 1964 The Tribute, Lexington Choosing songs from the pre-Sgt. Pepper era, 1964 recreates an early ’60s live Beatles concert, with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles and onstage banter at Lexington Village Theatre. lexingtonvillagetheatre.com

Oct. 23 — David Sedaris, Detroit With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America’s preeminent humor writers. Catch him live at Fisher Theatre. broadwayindetroit.com Oct. 23 — Haunted Lighthouse Lecture, South Haven Learn about haunted lighthouses along the Great Lakes coastline at Michigan Maritime Museum. michiganmaritimemuseum.org Oct. 26 — Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise, Detroit Liven up date night with a comedy high-sea murder mystery dinner experience on the Detroit Princess. Guests get involved, so be prepared for madness and mayhem with a riverboat twist. detroitprincess.com Nov. 1–7 — East Lansing Film Festival Celebrating its 21st year, this world-class film festival showcases independent features, documentaries and shorts, plus seminars, premieres and parties. elff.com Nov. 1-17 — Macbeth, Thunder Bay Theatre, Alpena Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne for himself. A Shakespeare classic at Thunder Bay Theatre. thunderbaytheatre.com Nov. 2 — An Evening with Ann Curry, Benton Harbor A former NBC News anchor and international correspondent, Ann Curry shares stories about her life and career experiences that will invigorate and inspire. themendelcenter.com/ann-curry Nov. 6 — That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody, Traverse City Set in that sassy Miami house in 1985, this is one of off-Broadway’s biggest smash hits that parodies classic Golden Girls moments with puppets at City Opera House. cityoperahouse.org Nov. 16 — Mega Beatles Debut, Three Oaks Mega Beatles recreates the music of The Beatles with precision, passion and love at The Acorn Theater. acornlive.org Nov. 20 — Le Griffon: Fact or Fiction, South Haven Michigan shipwreck researcher Valerie van Heest discusses her research regarding La Salle’s Le Griffon, one of the earliest recorded wrecks on the Great Lakes, at Michigan Maritime Museum. michiganmaritimemuseum.org Continued on page 66

MICHIGAN BLUE

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EXCURSIONS

Continued from page 63

Nov. 20-23 — How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, Detroit Catch this holiday classic featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” from the original animated series at Fox Theatre. 313presents.com Nov. 23 – Spyro Gyra, Saugatuck Spryo Gyra is an international contemporary jazz band fusing jazz, R&B, funk and pop to create a unique sound live on stage at Saugatuck Center for the Arts. sc4a.org

LAND, AIR & SEA Through mid-October — Copper Peak Adventure Ride, Ironwood Experience stunning vistas and fall colors in copper country on this 800-foot chairlift ride to the crest of the hill, then take an 18-story elevator ride to the main observation deck. copperpeak.net Through Oct. 26 — Fall Color Chairlift Rides, Bellaire Take in Mother Nature’s annual fall color show from a new perspective — above the tree line. Each Saturday in October, guests can ride the purple chairlift to the top of Schuss Mountain for photo ops, doughnuts and warm cider. shanty creek.com Oct. 4-5 — Liberty Hyde Bailey Fall Conference, South Haven Celebrating Dr. Liberty Hyde Bailey, the conference features speakers on horticulture, environmental sustainability and biology at South Haven High School. libertyhydebailey.org Oct. 5 — Leif Eriksson Day Row and Run, Charlevoix A 1-mile boat race and 5K foot race to celebrate the life of Leif Eriksson and the Viking way. visit charlevoix.com Oct. 4-6 — Mount Bohemia Trail Running Festival, Lac La Belle Head to the Keweenaw Peninsula for an epic weekend of trail running on courses that traverse scenic trails around the mountain and offer stunning views at the top. mtbohemia.com Oct. 5 — Marquette Mountain Bike Enduro Test your endurance and skill on the last stop for the Lake Superior Gravity Series. Race on seven total stages for open class, four for sport and two for beginner. marquetteenduro.com

MICHIGAN BLUE

Oct. 5 — Pere Marquette 1225 Color Tour Train, Cadillac Join the Steam Railroading Institute for the 50th anniversary of the Michigan State University Railroad Club and their initial restoration of the 1225 with an all-day excursion on the world-famous steam locomotive. cadillacmichigan.com Oct. 5 — Bruckelaufe Half Marathon Bridge Race, Frankenmuth For almost 40 years, the Frankenmuth Jaycees has hosted one of top races in the Midwest, which crosses 13 bridges in its 13.1 miles. frankenmuth.org Oct. 5 — Cycles & Cider, Cadillac Calling all cider riders! This family-friendly riding event is filled with scenic views down the White Pine Trail and after party with food trucks, music and family fun. cadillacmichigan.com Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 — Fall Color Train Rides, Coldwater Enjoy autumn and the beauty of the changing fall color from a leisurely train ride to the pumpkin patch with the Little River Railroad. littleriverrailroad.com Oct. 11 — Morning Tour at Seney National Wildlife Refuge Enjoy a guided tour of the refuge 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and watch for wildlife while learning about the history of the refuge and current management practices. fws.gov/refuge/seney Oct. 12 — Ninth annual Whitefish Point Run for the Light, Whitefish Point Head to the point for a race, fun run or walk to benefit ongoing restoration projects at Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. shipwreckmuseum.com Oct 12-13 — Petoskey Countryside Fall Color Tour, Petoskey Take in the beautiful fall landscape on this hourlong excursion! All aboard for a fun ride from Petoskey and back on a Great Lakes diesel locomotive. michigansteamtrain.com Oct. 13-20 — National Wildlife Refuge Week, Seney Explore Seney National Wildlife Refuge during this special week. Stop by the Visitor Center, experience the Marshland Wildlife Drive and do some birding and wildlife spotting in their natural habitats. fws.gov/refuge/seney Oct. 16 — America’s Renewable Energy Boom, Midland Midland videographer Peter Sinclair has been following energy and environment issues in Michigan and beyond, and will present a vivid, exciting multimedia presentation on this vital issue. chippewanaturecenter.org

Oct. 19 — Cadillac Timberliner Fall Color Tour Departing from Cadillac, board the Timberliner for a scenic ride and roundtrip excursion to Clare. Passengers have time to explore Clare or grab a bite to eat before heading back. michigan steamtrain.com Oct. 20 — Old Mission Pumpkin Pedal Enjoy the scenery on Old Mission Peninsula during this organized group ride, hosted by Jolly Pumpkin, to benefit TART Trails and return to Jolly Pumpkin to refuel with liquid carbs. traversetrails.org Oct. 26 — Great Turtle Trail Run & Half Marathon, Mackinac Island This year marks the 24th running of one of the most scenic trail events in the state, plus great swag, free race photo and island fall fun. runmackinac.com Oct. 26 — The Lowell 50, Lowell A classic old-world style gravel road bicycle race with varying courses and routes that are challenging, scenic and fun through rural Ionia County. thelowell50.com Oct. 27 — Bike the Bridge, Detroit Join this once-a-year opportunity to ride across the international border. Ride starts in Clark Park, crosses Ambassador Bridge and returns for a 9-mile ride through Detroit. tour-de-troit.org Nov. 2 — Iceman Cometh Challenge, Kalkaska to Traverse City Riders come from all over for this 30-mile point-topoint mountain bike race that crosses dirt roads, two-tracks, abandoned railroad beds and the Vasa Nordic ski trail. iceman.com Nov. 9 — Fifth annual Great Beerd Run, Acme It’s all about the beards and beer during this untimed 5K fun run with on-course beer tastings featuring Beards Brewery, Short’s Brewery and Right Brain Brewery. thegreatbeerdrun.com Nov. 9 — Dirty Duel, Grand Rapids Two dueling courses, one tough decision. Runners split off after the start and face hill climbs, off-trail scrambling, sand dunes and a wild corn maze, finishing with free cider, doughnuts and prizes. dirtyduel.com Nov. 10 — Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service, Whitefish Point Forty-four years of remembrance continues at this special 7 p.m. ceremony honoring the Edmund Fitzgerald and the lives lost on Lake Superior. shipwreckmuseum.com

Nov. 25-Dec. 22 — Fort Gratiot Light Station Candelight Tours, Port Huron See the fresh greens, Christmas décor, winter on the beach and the lighthouse tower all decked out for the holidays. Candlelight tours offered 5-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. phmuseum.org Nov. 28 — Dork Bros Turkey Trot, Alpena A Thanksgiving tradition that celebrates health and fitness, this 5K run or walk takes place on trails near the Aplex. facebook.com/dorkbrothersracing Nov. 28 — Turkey Trot Fun Run, Ludington Start Thanksgiving Day with a jog through Cartier Park. Choose either a 5K or a 1-mile fun run. facebook.com/shludingtonhospital

G R E AT TA S T E S Through Oct. 31 — The Hunt for the Reds of October, Leelanau Peninsula Offered weekdays in October, enjoy a tasting of a featured red wine at more than 20 wineries on Leelanau Peninsula. lpwines.com

Oct. 1 — Tuesday Night at the Farm, Grand Rapids Eat, drink and dance in the crisp autumn air. A food truck and the Balk Café serve up local, fresh fare along with West Michigan beers, hot cider and adult cocktails at Meijer Gardens. meijergardens.org Oct. 3 — Wein & Stein, Frankenmuth Gather with friends and enjoy a night of sampling beer, wine and appetizers in downtown. frankenmuth.org Oct. 4-5 — Macktoberfest, Mackinac Island Grab your lederhosen for an evening of an oldfashioned stein hoisting, traditional German fare, and classic Bavarian fun at Ice House BBQ behind Island House Hotel. theislandhouse.com Oct. 5 — Alpena Chili & Chowder Cook-off Who will win the golden ladle? You, the taster, can cast your vote at this community chili and chowder cook-off and free block party. alpenadda.com

Oct. 10 — Farm to Fork Dinner, Alpena Enjoy local wine and the bounty of the harvest during this farm-to-fork dinner at Thunder Bay Winery. thunderbaywinery.com Oct. 5-6 — Fall Flavor Weekend, Detroit Celebrate the harvest, gather for stories and demonstrations, shop the farmers market, sample specialty foods and enjoy farm-to-table experiences at Greenfield Village. thehenryford.org Oct. 11 — Board of Water & Light Chili Cook-off, Lansing Competitors showcase culinary skills at a downtown party with chili, cold beer, margaritas and live bands. lbwl.com Oct 12 — Hops ’n Highlands, Harbor Springs This fall beer festival combines great music with 45-plus Michigan breweries, chairlift rides, kids events and food trucks at Boyne Highlands. boynehighlands.com

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EXCURSIONS

Oct. 12 — Marquette Local Food Fest A farm-to-table celebration honoring and connecting all links of the Upper Peninsula’s local food system, plus the NMU Alumni Culinary Competition, where guests help decide who will take home the coveted Traveling Pineapple Trophy! travelmarquettemichigan.com

Oct. 12, Nov. 9 — Cooking with edible WOW at Eastern Market Each demonstration features local chefs who prepare a specific dish with products provided by Eastern Market vendors. Includes tasting of all dishes and recipe card, special giveaways and more. easternmarket.org

Oct. 25-26 — Detroit Fall Beer Festival Celebrate the autumn season and enjoy one of the largest all-Michigan beer tastings around at historic Eastern Market. Over 100 Michigan breweries showcase 800-plus beers. mibeer.com Nov. 18-21 — International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, Grand Rapids Sample small plate offerings and enjoy an intimate multicourse pairing. Try new craft spirits, beer, wine, coffees and more at DeVos Place. grwinefestival.com Nov. 23 — Brewski Bash, Bellaire Kick off the winter season! Brewski Bash is the official release of the stout beers at Short’s and start of ski season at Shanty Creek. shanty creek.com Nov. 28 — Thanksgiving Buffet, Bay Harbor Looking for a Thanksgiving escape? Enjoy Inn at Bay Harbor’s Thanksgiving Buffet, featuring traditional favorites, delectable desserts and beautiful views of the bay. innatbayharbor.com Nov. 30 — Great Mac & Cheese Bake-Off, Old Mission Peninsula Nine top local restaurants each partner with one winery to create a perfect mac & cheese and wine pairing. Vote for the best pairing, cheesiest and people’s choice. wineriesofomp.com

EXCURSIONS LEGEND Explore these collective Michigan area websites for more regional events and details.

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Blue Water Area bluewater.org Detroit Metro CVB visitdetroit.com Great Lakes Bay Region gogreat.com Harbor Country harborcountry.org Pure Michigan michigan.org Southwest Michigan Tourist Council swmichigan.org Upper Peninsula Tourism & Recreation Association uptravel.com West Michigan Tourist Association wmta.org

ESCAPE to fall adventure

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all here in South Haven this autumn. Hike, bike or kayak beneath a gorgeous canopy of fall colors. Watch the sun slowly set over Lake Michigan with those who matter most. Then, end your day of adventure at one of our many lodging options. Here, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find the perfect fall escape from your everyday.

Plan your stay at S O U T H H AV E N .O R G

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MICHIGAN TOP 5

BY KIM SCHNEIDER

Fall hikes for body and soul

MANISTEE RIVER TRAIL, Brethren One of my fi rst dates with my now-husband was a near-disastrous float and camping trip down the Big Manistee, yet when I think of it now, my memory goes to the bluff view 200 feet up the banks of the stunning fall-painted forest and not to the spilled pan of ramen noodles (the only food my beloved had thought to pack). The Manistee River Trail runs 11 miles and connects with the North Country Trail for a 22-mile loop, which necessitates an

MICHIGAN BLUE

overnight if you want to see it all. But it’s also great in small bites. Park at Hodenpyl Dam for an easy amble to a waterfall (at mile marker 3) and suspension bridge — at 245 feet long, the largest in the Lower Peninsula. (visitmanistee county.com) WHALEBACK, Leland The reward — a 300-foot high bluff view of Lake Michigan — makes the steady climb up the whale’s back exercise you don’t even realize you’re getting. In fall, there’s a colorful canopy over the trail that runs up a moraine formed by glaciers, now managed as a natural area by the Leelanau Conservancy. And the name? It stems from what the ridge resembles from beaches in nearby Fishtown, a great spot for after-hike snacks. (leelanauconservancy.org) WALKS TO PICTURED ROCKS WATERFALLS, Grand Marais/Munising There are long-distance hikes aplenty within this national lakeshore, but you also can opt for a series of strolls that feel like treasure hunts when you follow the waterfall trail map from the visitor center. One must: The hike down along Sable Falls by Grand Marais to the sweet beach where the falls

flow into Lake Superior. (nps.gov/piro/plan yourvisit/waterfalls.htm) PAINT CREEK TRAIL, Rochester Michigan’s fi rst nonmotorized rail to trail pathway was fi rst for a good reason: It’s gorgeous. Autumn strolls take hikers along the creek, over rustic bridges and under golden tree canopies. And you can’t beat the midway stop. The Paint Creek Cider and Goodison Cider mills are both there for cider sipping with doughnuts in the midway town of Goodison. (paintcreektrail.org) SKYLINE TRAIL, NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL, Petoskey This trail that crosses a moraine above Little Traverse Bay has drawn comparisons to the Blue Ridge Mountains and rightly so. The trail rises 600 feet toward a view that surely gave the region the nickname “land of sunsets.” The hike is just 1 mile from the parking lot to overlook platform where you can watch the sun sink over a panorama of distant Harbor Springs, valleys and farms. (petoskeyarea.com)

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Kim Schneider is an award-winning travel writer who lives Up North. She shares her travel savvy in every issue of Michigan BLUE.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY 22 NORTH PHOTOGRAPHY

’m not a hiker, but I love to saunter. When I amble down a Michigan forest path, especially in fall, I’m the one wandering a bit slower than the crowd, contemplating the way light hits the trees, setting colorful leaves aglow. I revel in the crunch of my shoes on the leaf-covered path, love trailside fun like racing leaves in a flowing stream. Luckily for fans of what I call the “slow hike” movement, researchers at Stanford found that even a simple walk in a park can literally change the brain — prompting less worry and more focus on the now. The act of getting out, moving at any pace, changes the body for the good, too. Here are some of Michigan’s favorite paths to cure what ails you.

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Changing times Old Mission’s historic establishment delivers relaxed farm-to-table dining.

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Olson, who grew up in the Detroit suburbs, graduated from both Michigan State University and the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He and wife Barbara spent 18 years on the East Coast, where Olson discovered a passion for classic bistro cuisine and helped open several restaurants. Olson joined Bowers Harbor Inn and the Bowery in April 2008 and led the reinvention of the restaurants. He sets the course and culinary direction for Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin, a more casual brewpub behind the mansion. Barbara organizes all private events at the estate. A mission to support local growers and

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CORENNE KREISER

tasting room by day, Mission Table transforms into a rustic, casual restaurant at night with a local menu, local spirits and local legend. The farm-totable restaurant opened nearly a decade ago as a new incarnation of an old favorite, Bowers Harbor Inn, a well-known fine dining destination on Old Mission Peninsula. With picture-window views of pine trees and the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay, the scenery doesn’t get much better. “The atmosphere and the scenery you get is pretty unparalleled,” said Adam Raupp, chef de cuisine. “I think we do a great job of offering refined food at an affordable price and a lot of different options that are just fun.” Under the direction of executive chef and managing partner Paul Olson, Mission Table debuted in spring 2010 and continues to shed Bowers Harbor’s reputation for sport coats and white linen tablecloths. Wood-top tables with metalback chairs and pots of fresh herbs as a centerpiece offer up ceremony or brush shoula cozier, casual feel and comders with wedding guests at the restaurant’s bar. plement the historic home’s Executive chef, general manager original architecture and nat- and managing partner Paul Olson On low-key evenings, ural surroundings. the estate’s heiress and resident ghost Genevieve Stickney may test “We tried to make it a little less formal,” Olguests with one of her antics. Olson and son said. “We’d rather have you come in once other employees can vouch for odd and una week than once a year for your anniversary.” explained happenings and don’t deny the Depending on the season, a meal might inhaunted history. clude dining al fresco on the deck, an autumn sunset framed by colorful trees, or a snowy “If you’re in this place in January and you’re landscape and a cozy fire in winter. From the only one, it is kind of creepy. We’ve seen spring through fall, the property hosts many some things we can’t explain,” Olson said. “It’s weddings, so diners may witness a front-lawn good for business, so we play it up a little bit.”

HISTORY LESSON Built in the 1880s, the historic Bowers Harbor Inn was remodeled in the 1920s as a summer retreat for Chicago lumber baron J.W. Stickney and his wife Genevieve. The legend goes that Genevieve, obese and jealous, had an elevator installed to transport her between floors. Her husband hired a live-in nurse to help care for her, and the nurse became his mistress. Upon his death, he left his riches to his lover and only the inn to his wife. Genevieve reportedly fell into a depression and hung herself in the elevator. The Mission Table property also includes: • Northern United Brewing Company, a microbrewery and distillery housed behind the historic inn • Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant, a casual brewpub with a separate entrance, hours and menu • Peninsula Room event facility for weddings and private events

Flash-fried cauliflower with lemon garlic aioli and jalapeño vinaigrette (above) and lake trout with fingerling asparagus hash and ramp green buttercream (left) are among the many dishes patrons can enjoy on Mission Table’s patio area (bottom).

highlight the region’s fresh local fare, whether it’s wild leeks, asparagus, squash or lake trout caught from the bay, fuels Mission Table’s food philosophy, preparation and presentation. Scallops, fi let mignon and pork are popular main dishes, but fresh ingredients and seasonal produce from local farms drive the menu. The chefs grow herbs and morel mushrooms on-site and create desserts from the current fruit and berry crop. Mission Table strives for a true farm-totable experience, and entrées and sides rotate depending on the time of year. The kitchen staff keeps it simple, enhancing the flavor with the right seasonings and a little acid component, such as pickled relish or onion. “We’re not really fussy,” Olson said. “Up here, with all of the farmers, to cook seasonally is harder but easier at the same time.” From November to spring, Mission Table switches to a three-course tasting menu for $35 per person. The menu rotates weekly and features an appetizer, soup or salad course and main entrée. General manager Jim DeMarsh has worked at the property for 10 years and took over from Olson in 2016. Besides the unique food and drink offerings, guests can take their drinks around the 9-acre property and explore the vineyards, herb garden or play yard games. “One of the most unique things about the property is the setting,” DeMarsh said. “You can go anywhere on the property. We want people to feel welcome and utilize what we have to offer.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY CORENNE KREISER

Marla Miller is an award-winning freelance journalist in Norton Shores.

IF YOU GO Mission Table 13512 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City (231) 223-4222; missiontable.net Fall Hours: Dinner 5-8 p.m. daily in October and 5-8 p.m. Friday-Sunday starting in November. The tasting room is open 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekends in the fall

MICHIGAN BLUE

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TA S T I N G R O O M

BY JULIE BONNER WILLIAMS

Heirloom tomatoes growing in popularity

Heirloom tomatoes come in various shapes, sizes and colors, including yellow and orange.

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“People are looking for a food that has more taste and is offering more nutritionally, that’s the draw for most people. People like the fact organic heirloom tomatoes are different. Even though they’re ugly (whole), they’re prettier on a plate.” KATE POIRIER

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESTY iSTOCK

eauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while heirloom tomatoes may have a face only a tomato aficionado could love, it’s their colors and flavors that make them favorites in the kitchen. “If they’re not ugly, you’re not doing it right,” said Russ Poirier, co-owner of Shiloh’s Garden in Brethren. Yet, Poirier’s wife Kate is quick to tout the attributes of heirloom tomatoes. “People are looking for a food that has more taste and is offering more nutritionally, that’s the draw for most people. People like the fact organic heirloom tomatoes are different. Even though they’re ugly (whole), they’re prettier on a plate,” she said. So, what exactly makes a tomato an heirloom? The seeds have been saved year after year and stored for the next planting season, sometimes traded, gifted or sold. Some varieties, such as Cherokee Purple, named for the Cherokee tribes that grew the tomatoes and retained the seeds, date to the 1800s. Biting into a Cherokee Purple tomato is biting into a piece of history. From the outside, a Cherokee Purple tomato may not have the eye appeal of a robust, traditional red tomato. Its skin is mottled brown and purple and its shape is often imperfect. The magic lies within. Slicing into the tomato reveals the beauty beneath the skin,

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SHILOH’S GARDEN

Shiloh’s Garden’s chemical- and pesticide-free heirloom tomatoes booth at a local farmers market.

both in presentation and flavor. The inner tomato is a luscious, deep red and the flavor makes this variety among the most popular of the heirloom set: It’s sweet, only minimally acidic and has a hint of smoky flavor. Other popular heritage varieties include the Black Beauty, touted as the world’s darkest tomato. Its eye-catching color has attracted so many customers that Kate is able to save very few for herself. The Orange Russian tomato, Kate’s own favorite, is a must-have in her kitchen. “I love Orange Russian, it’s heart-shaped and it’s orange,” she said. “It’s meaty, has very few seeds, is very sweet and not high in acid. I slice an Orange Russian to put on a sandwich or in a salad. Katie Romence, an owner of Romence Gardens in Grand Rapids, said heirloom tomatoes are fast growing in popularity. Her own preference is varieties of cherry or grape tomatoes, which she likes for grilling, yet she opts for Black Krim, Cherokee Purple or Brandywine heirloom varieties when preparing other meals, including salads. “There’s a fresher flavor, they’re juicier,

a little tangier,” Romence explained. “I like the Black Krim; it’s a dark, purple tomato. The skin isn’t very thick and has a richer flavor; when you slice it, it’s really pretty.” This year, Romence decided to try San Marzano tomatoes, which are commonly used for sauces. San Marzano tomatoes are an Italian heirloom variety with a meaty, less juicy consistency, allowing for a heartier sauce. Yet, with the lure of heirloom tomatoes being partly their variety of colors, she likes to mix colors of tomatoes when making sauces. “I can make sauce out of different-colored tomatoes. It can be very interesting. Using yellow and orange tomatoes, you get an interesting color, and if you add white, the color is even more interesting,” Romence said. Grand Rapids homemaker Trisha Robrahn began growing and cooking with heirloom tomatoes after her oldest daughter saw the seeds at a local nursery. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Robrahn has since grown not just heirloom tomatoes, but heirloom vegetables like lettuce and beans. The other appeal for a mother of three, ages 10, 7 and 4, is that her kids like the unorthodox

hues and will pick and eat the tomatoes right in the garden. “My kids are more apt to eat it if it doesn’t look conventional,” Robrahn said. “I would have to say the green beans in all different colors are one of our favorites. The kids like to eat them straight off the plant. A favorite tomato would be the Yellow Pear. They’re slightly bigger than cherry tomatoes, but they’re shaped like pears.” Yellow Pear tomatoes have a rich history as well as a rich flavor. First recorded as being grown in the United States in 1847, the seeds were gathered and taken to western states including Utah and Colorado where they continued to be grown. The small size and sweet flavor of this tomato make it popular for grilling or using in salads. The attraction of heirloom tomatoes is more than the colors and shapes. It’s the true flavor of each tomato. “An heirloom tomato tastes like a tomato is supposed to taste,” Robrahn said.

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Julie Williams is an award-winning poet and a professor at Grand Valley State University. MICHIGAN BLUE

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REFLECTIONS

BY JERRY DENNIS | ILLUSTRATION BY GLENN WOLFF

The lay of the land

f you brag too much about a place, there can be consequences. Twice I’ve been approached by people I didn’t know — one from Texas, the other from Arkansas — who confessed shyly and with kind intentions that they had uprooted their families and moved to northern Michigan because I had written so glowingly about the place in my books. I was astonished to hear it. That books can inspire a life change is surprising enough in this age when they barely register on the cultural Richter scale. But to be the cause of such a dramatic change is shocking. Also, of course, flattering. And, above all, confusing. What a responsibility! My friends are not amused. They stare into their beer mugs and mutter that the place is too crowded already. Damn it, Dennis, I can’t hardly get a seat in a restaurant. Will you please just shut up? I’ve tried, but without much success. Studying at some depth the place where you live can lead to deeper engagement in the general sense. I write books about my home territory partly to remind myself — because I need reminding every day — not to miss so much. How much you see depends, of course, on how willing you are to look. The more you look, the more you see. The more you see, the more there is to see. To learn a place, you can study its geology, botany, climatology, human history — but that’s just a start. A deeper knowledge enters through your feet and fingertips and makes its way into your bones as surely as sand makes its way into wood grain. Does land shape water or water shape land? The answer, of course, is both. And both shape us, as well. One surprise for me was discovering that the farther from home you explore, the bigger your home becomes. Mine includes a county where I’ve gone every October for more than 30 years to meet up with 10 old friends for a week of upland bird hunting.

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Twice I’ve been approached by people I didn’t know … who confessed shyly and with kind intentions that they had uprooted their families and moved to northern Michigan because I had written so glowingly about the place in my books. For 15 or so years, we camped in tents and got to experience the entire broad spectrum of October’s weather. Then we grew tired of being wet and cold, so we moved into a lodge with comfortable beds, hot water and a spacious kitchen. It even has a television, though we usually turn it on only for Lions games and the World Series. The hunting can be spotty, so some years, some of us put our shotguns away and go fishing. But “camp” isn’t only about hunting and fishing. It’s about reconnecting with good friends and their dogs, about telling stories, cooking unforgettable meals, playing cards, having a few drinks. For obvious reasons, I can’t be specific

about the location. I was introduced to the original camp in 1986 and promptly made the stupid greenhorn mistake of writing about it for the newspaper sometimes called “The Gray Lady.” To my horror, the place was overrun by a distressing number of hunters from New York. They raced at high speed over the two-tracks, poached our best hunting spots and hogged all the tables in the diners. Some of them were quite friendly. Eventually, my friends forgave me. Or so they say. But I’m probably still on probation.

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Jerry Dennis lives in a farmhouse on a hill somewhere north of Monroe and south of Copper Harbor.

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