a history of
GAMING Gaming brings economic prosperity to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
PLEASANT CUISINE Mount Pleasant dishes up a variety of culinary delights.
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Craft breweries, A TRAIL OF ODDITIES, and Michigan’s “Little Bavaria”
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meet our
CONTRIBUTORS Lynn is a food, wine and travel writer, author of three international award-winning cookbooks and regular contributor to REV Publications. Lynn specializes in culinary tourism covering regional cuisine destinations, slow food, culinary holidays, wine, spirits and “la dolca vita”. She can be reached for questions or comments at lynnogryzlo.com.
Lynn Ogryzlo
Mariana Bockarova is a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto, where she teaches Psychological Resiliency, the Science of Happiness, and the Psychology of Relationships. Her research explores narrative medicine and mental health. She also holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University concentrated in Psychology.
Mariana Bockarova
Gabrielle is a writer for REV Publishing and passionate about the written word. A newcomer to Niagara, Gabrielle is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Journalism program and has written for a number of newspapers and publications across Canada. Her passion lies in profiling members of the community and uncovering the hidden gems within a city. When she is not writing you can find her on her bicycle - most likely with a large coffee in hand.
Gabrielle Tieman
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 5
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Letter from the
EDITOR M
y favorite thing to do when I visit a new place is to hit the ground running and challenge myself to really get a sense of the culture. The only way to do this in my experience is to expect the unexpected – explore every nook and cranny. Down alleyways, around corners, up stairs…if it looks intriguing, I’m investigating. And Michigan does not disappoint. It is a great state to exercise your wanderlust, with Mount Pleasant serving as a perfect base for that exploration. Let’s get you started. Whether you want to start out thirsty and meander through a craft brewery trail (page 17), or indulge in your playful side by following a trail of oddities (page 54), Michigan truly has something for everyone so take advantage…get outside and enjoy! We wish you a wonderful vacation and welcome you to our premier issue of Soaring Eagle Living.
PHOTO CREDIT: GEORGE SMITH
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 7
ONTENT
todaymagazine.ca PUBLISHER Rev Publishing Inc. PRESIDENT & CEO Daniel A. Pasco GENERAL MANAGER Candace LeBlanc ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Sherry Madden BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER David Mace EDITOR Megan Pasche CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tina Lanzillotta GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Tabitha MacDonald, Rachel Bertrand, Christina Picton, Jenn Blais IT/WEB DEVELOPER Justin Soungie MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Kaila Henderson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariana Bockrova, Lynn Ogryzlo, Gabrielle Tieman
TO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL 905.356.7283 or 1.877.888.2825 WEBSITE todaymagazine.ca
facebook.com/RevPublishingInc @revpublishing www.revpublishing.com
Soaring Eagle Living by Today Magazine is published by Rev Publishing Inc. All opinions expressed in Soaring Eagle Living Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of Rev Publishing, it’s employees or owners. Reasonable care is taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is as up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Soaring Eagle Living Magazine for any errors, omissions or comments made by writers or interviewees that are contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of Soaring Eagle Living Magazine All unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs submitted are assumed to be intended for publication or republication in whole or in part. The right to alter, edit or refuse photos and/or manuscripts intended for publication is assumed. All unsolicited material submitted to Soaring Eagle Living Magazine are submitted at the author’s risk. Manuscripts and or photographs intended to be returned must be accompanied by sufficient postage. Soaring Eagle Living Magazine does not assume any responsibility for any claims of our advertisers and reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
SOARING EAGLE ADVERTISING MANAGER C.C. Griffus REAL INTEGRATED CREATIVE DIRECTOR, COO John Ozdych ACD- COPYWRITER Ron Lee SENIOR PRODUCER Amy Thompson EVP, DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES Crystal Ceo COPYWRITER Ryan Peck ART DIRECTOR Erika Zajac ART DIRECTOR Rachel Sperber ACD Adam Flor
FOOD & DRINK 10
EATING MOUNT PLEASANT
13
HERE COMES THE SUN
17
BEER OR BUST
20
CAST IRON PANS
22
FOOD ON FILM
26
APPETITE FOR EXCITEMENT
30
THE ART OF TABLE SETTING
A breakdown of the city’s culinary options. A roundup of our favorite summertime drinks. Craft breweries in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The enduring kitchen workhorse. The cinematic art of culinary seduction. Welcome to the Chef Chris experience.
Don’t just set a table, create culinary theatre.
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE 34
SPRINGTIME BEAUTY TRENDS
40
HISTORY OF THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS
45
HISTORY OF GAMING
46
BEAT THE JONES’
A look at what’s hot for Spring 2016. A look back at what has now become a staple in every woman’s closet. Gaming brings prosperity to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. Throwing the ultimate birthday party for your kid.
ABOUT TOWN 50
MICHIGAN’S “LITTLE BAVARIA”
54
A TRAIL OF ODDITIES
56
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN
60
FINDING YOUR GOLF GAME
Quaint, lovely and a little bit of Europe.
Looking for a Dinosaur Garden? A hub of optical illusions? Well you’re in luck –Michigan delivers on this – and more. Find out what secrets and magic it holds. Small town vibe, big city fun. Why mid-Michigan should be on your golfing bucket list.
HERE. SEE. DO 62
ELECTRIC FOREST FESTIVAL
65
EVENT CALENDAR
Once a year, a serene forest in Rothbury, Michigan undergoes a transformation only to be imagined in your wildest dreams.
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 9
EATING
MOUNT
PLEASANT: A Restaurant Guide
FOOD & DRINK
D
espite being a fairly small town, Mount Pleasant is home to a wide variety of amazing restaurants. Some of them are the chain restaurants you know and love, but when you are
looking for a true taste of Michigan, make sure to check out some of the locally owned eateries in the area.
Max and Emily’s Eatery This is a Mount Pleasant favorite and is known as “not your average sandwich shop”. Their numbered menu has become so popular in fact, that the restaurant itself has become a destination in and of itself. Choosing which item to try stands to be a bit of a challenge. Located at 125 E. Broadway St. More information at maxandemilys.com
Dog Central If hot dogs are your thing, you’ll absolutely love this place. You can pick a hot dog off the menu or you can compile your own creation. They use local products when possible. There is a hot dog for everyone. Located at 111 E. Michigan St. More info available at dogcentralmp.com
Midori Sushi & Martini Lounge This is the first restaurant of its kind in Mount Pleasant. They strive to use the freshest ingredients in all their dishes and use locally grown produce where possible. Located at 105 E. Broadway St. More info at midorimp.com
Los Palominos Said to be the most authentic Mexican food in Mount Pleasant. Located at 4585 Pickard Street.
Mountain Town Station This restaurant once functioned as the Mount Pleasant Railroad Depot, they are well known for mouth-watering ribs and steaks. Almost all of their food is locally grown in Michigan (the beer they serve is also locally made). Located at 506 West Broadway Street. You can visit their website at mountaintown.com Brass Cafe & Saloon This locally family owned restaurant is passionate about providing delicious food and drink. They use local items when possible, they even have their own herb garden. Live music is on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Located at 128 S. Main Street. More info at thebrasscafe.com Isabella’s Located at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, you can enjoy some classic old world Italian dishes in this inviting restaurant. More information at soaringeaglecasino.com
Camille’s On the River This 45 seat intimate dining restaurant features upscale comfort food. They use local food where possible and serve local brews as well. Due to its small size, if you are planning on going, especially on the weekend, reservations are recommended. Located at 505 W. Broadway Street. More information at camilleontheriver.com Shin’s Korean Restaurant This family owned restaurant serves as fresh, delicious food and is a great place to go if you are a vegetarian. You can grab some take out food if you are looking for a quick meal, but they also do dine in. Located at 1620 S. Mission Rd. Siniikaung This steak house is home to the “Siniikaung Signature Filet”, and also has delicious fresh seafood. In addition, they have a great selection of wines, scotch and bourbon. A great choice for a fancy dinner out. Located at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. TM
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 11 TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 11
Delight
Savory. Seasonal. And always special. Welcome to Siniikaung Steak & Chop House. This is where food is a celebration. Every day our menu features hand-cut aged steaks, chops and the freshest seafood. Join us and celebrate every delicious bite of life.
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HERE COMES the
sun A roundup of our favorite summertime drinks
Quite possibly the best thing about summertime is the outdoor relaxation that comes with it. And what is relaxing outdoors, without a cold drink or treat in hand? We’ve rounded up some of our favourite summertime recipes to share‌hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 13
SOUTHERN SWEET TEA INGREDIENTS • • • •
6 tea bags 2 cups of sugar 1 gallon of water ¼ teaspoon of baking soda (this helps cut any bitterness)
DIRECTIONS 1) Boil half of your water, and once boiling, add it to a glass pitcher with the tea bags and the baking soda. 2) Let steep for 15 minutes. After time is up, remove the tea bags, add the sugar, and then stir until it’s dissolved. 3) Add the rest of the water (cold), to the pitcher, and stir again. 4) Put it in the fridge for several hours before serving.
BLUEBERRY YOGURT SWIRL POPSICLES INGREDIENTS • • • •
2 cups of blueberries 2 tablespoons of honey 2 cups of vanilla Greek yogurt A popsicle mold
DIRECTIONS 1) Blend the blueberries in a food processor or blender until they reach a smooth consistency. 2) Pour the mixture into a large bowl, stir in the honey, then stir in the yogurt (mix it gently if you want your popsicles to be marbled looking). Taste the mixture; if you don’t think it’s sweet enough, you can add more honey. 3) Put the mixture into the popsicle molds. Add the sticks if you have them (the ones that come with the molds), if not, put it in the freezer for two hours, then put a wooden stick in each. Freeze for 4 to 6 hours or overnight.
Source // Recipe from the countrycook.net
4) You can easily remove them from the molds by running them under warm water.
FROZEN BLUEBERRY BITES
*This recipe can be adapted to use any kind of fruit…you can adjust the amount of honey depending on the sweetness of the fruit you use.
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup fresh blueberries • ½ cup light vanilla yogurt • Toothpicks
DIRECTIONS 1) Put a berry on a toothpick and dip in yogurt, then place on a parchment or wax paper lined cookies sheet. 2) Repeat until all the blueberries are done. 3) Freeze for about an hour. 4) Eat immediately or store in an airtight container in the freezer. Source // Recipe from liveatlearn.com
Source // Recipe from sallysbakingaddiction.com
CHERRY LIMEADE SLUSH INGREDIENTS • ½ cup frozen lime concentrate • ¾ cup maraschino cherries (no stems) and juice • 1 cup of lemon lime soda • 1 lime, juiced • 2/3 cups of ice • Extra cherries and lime wedges for garnish
DIRECTIONS 1) Add the ingredients to a blender and process until they are combined and smooth. 2) Garnish and drink! Source // Recipe from thefarmgirlgabs.com
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE POPSICLES INGREDIENTS • 1/3 cup of sugar • Six to eight strawberries • 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 to 6 lemons) • ½ cup water • Popsicle mold
DIRECTIONS 1) To make the simple syrup, bowl 1/3 cup of water, and once boiling, add sugar and stir until it’s dissolved. Take it off the heat, and let it cool completely. 2) Cut up the strawberry into small pieces and divide the pieces into the mold. Source // Recipe from sweetandsavorybyshinee.com
FROSTED & FROZEN LEMONADE INGREDIENTS • • • • • •
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate 1 cup milk 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk 2 to 3 cups of crushed ice Grated lemon zest Whipped cream
DIRECTIONS 1) In a blender, mix lemonade concentrate, milk and ice. 2) Add in sweetened condensed milk (keep tasting and adding until it reaches a taste that you enjoy) 3) Pour into glasses, garnish and serve! Source // Recipe from attagirlsays.com
SOUTHERN
LEMONADE INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
• • • • •
1) Boil one cup of water, and then stir in sugar until it is dissolved.
2 ½ cups of sugar 2 cups fresh lemon juice 1 ½ cups cranberry juice 5 cups of water Lemon slices
2) Once dissolved, allow it to cool and refrigerate for one hour. 3) Add the sugar mixture, the juices, and 4 cups of water to the pitcher. 4) Mix it all together well, and put it in the fridge until it’s ready to serve. 5)Serve it with ice and garnish with a slice of lemon. Source // Recipe from frugalcouponliving.com TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 15
FOR UNFORGETTABLE FAMILY MOMENTS,
JUST ADD WATER.
Nothing brings together a family like 45,000-square-feet of waterpark. From our FlowRider surf simulator to heart-racing water slides, a rock-climbing mountain to game arcade, we know how to make a splash with kids. Turn it into an overnight/ weekend getaway by staying in one of our 243 spacious rooms. So jump in! The water’s always fine at Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel. • • • •
Event Rooms – Perfect for birthdays! Full-menu restaurant. Steps away from Waabooz Run Golf Course. FREE shuttle between Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort and the Waterpark.
P LE
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he wine trail has been a staple of adventure travel for many decades, drawing aficionados of the grape from around the world. Those wine lovers traveled the highways and byways of their chosen destination, exploring small wineries and large ones, sampling the latest vintages and taking a few bottles home for their families and friends. Those wine trails are still thriving, but in Mount Pleasant, Michigan they have some new competition. This thriving part of Michigan is home to some of the best craft breweries in the country, and more and more visitors are starting to take notice. Whether you join up with a formal group, join one of the many package tours in the area or just grab your car keys and create your own craft brewery trail, there are a few key spots you should be sure to hit. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 17
MOUNTAIN TOWN STATION
When you are done sampling the local craft brews at the Mountain Town Brewing Company, you can treat yourself to a great meal at the Mountain Town Station. Mountain Town Station has developed a reputation for having the best steaks in town, and locals flock to the restaurant every day of the week. Built on the site of the former Mount Pleasant Railroad Depot, Mountain Town Station has made extensive use of the original architecture. The walls, floors and rafters are all original; creating an authentic look and feel diners will certainly appreciate. Just order your favorite steak cooked to perfection and top it off with a delicious craft brew on tap.
Craft brewing is becoming big business, and in some parts of the country that emphasis on bigger and better has been cutting into the quality of the finished product. That is not a problem in the world of Mount Pleasant craft breweries. When you visit the area and create your own craft brewery trail, you have the option to visit just a few, stop in at them all, or take a couple of days to really get down deep into the beer culture here. This is a sample craft brewery trail you can use during your visit to Mount Pleasant.
HUNTERS ALE HOUSE
If you are looking for the perfect place to start your craft brewery tour, why not start right in town? Hunter’s Ale House is one of the best known local craft breweries in the area, and it is a great place for beer aficionados to start their tour. Point your car to Bluegrass Road: This is where you will find Hunter’s Ale House, which offers a wide variety of handmade craft beers for all tastes. The craft brews available here are made in-house, and the brewery is locally owned and operated.
MOUNTAIN TOWN BREWING COMPANY
The Mountain Town Brewing Company is also located in Mount Pleasant, and it is an easy drive from nearby Hunter’s Ale House. When you have had your fill at Hunter’s and brought back a few extra bottles for home, you can recharge your batteries at the hotel and head out to the always popular Mountain Town Brewing Company. The Mountain Town Brewing Company is the love child of brewmaster Kim Kowalski, who began his brewing career in nearby Lansing, Michigan. After several years as an assistant brewmaster, Mr. Kowalksi took over as head brewmaster at the well known Blue Coyote. During that time he gained lots of experience and experimented with brews of his own, and out of that experimentation and expertise the Mountain Town Brewing Company was born.
CRANKERS
You can continue your tour at Cranker’s Brewery in nearby Big Rapids. Crankers is one of the most popular craft brewers in the region, with several local brewhouses in addition to the main brewery. You can also find Crankers’ creations at a number of local distributors, but it is more fun to go right to the source. Be sure to sample some of the area favorites, including the popular Irish Red, Professor IPA, and the aptly-named Ambrosia.
CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL
The Craft Brew Festival is not a brewery but an event - and what an event it is. Taking place each June, the Craft Brew Festival is a veritable celebration of all things beer. Whether you love to brew your own beer and are looking for some great tips or just like to drink the finished product, you will find lots of things to love, and plenty of things to do, at this annual celebration of craft brew in all its forms. This year the fun takes place on Saturday, June 11, 2016 in downtown Mount Pleasant, Michigan. If you love craft beer, this is the place to be. The event is hosted by the Mount Pleasant Jaycees, and the fun gets underway at 4 p.m. sharp and continues until 9 p.m. The Mount Pleasant Craft Brew Festival is open to adults 21 years of age and over, and attendees will have a chance to sample some of the best craft brews throughout the state of Michigan. When you pick up your ticket, you will get a combative sampling glass, along with six drink tickets. Those six complimentary drink tickets will get you off to a great start and allow you to sample a wide variety of options. If you are still feeling thirsty, you can purchase additional drink tickets for just a dollar each. Since most of the brews available for sampling cost just one ticket, it is really quite a bargain. If you love craft beers, Mount Pleasant, Michigan is truly the place to be. Whether you design your own tour or hook up with the locals to sample the hometown creations, you are sure to have a great time. TM
EXPLORE MORE.
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 19
CASTING CALL NEEDED: A VERSATILE PLAYER IN THE KITCHEN, UP FOR ANY ROLE. By Lynn Ogryzlo
The big, strong, macho, cast iron skillet that demands pampering and (you may think, too much) attention is worth every minute of effort for the sensually, flavor rich foods you can make in it.
S
ometimes it’s just skillet jalapeno cornbread that’s a must-have with Saturday night’s barbecued ribs. Compared to baking cornbread in a bread pan, a cast iron skillet gives it a crunchier crust and a deeper, more savory flavor interpretation. Other times it’s a whole brined chicken coated in butter and thyme and baked to juicy, rich perfection. Cast iron seems to incorporate whole, rich, seductive nuances into food flavors, more so than modern day skillets - like the love of two cooks in a kitchen.
I got my first cast iron skillet at a garage sale for the huge sum of one dollar. It had rusty sides with blotches of grey on the bottom and was chalky dry. In case you don’t know, a healthy cast iron pan should be a rich, glossy, consistent black color. But cast iron pans never die, they have the ability to outlive us all and can be handed down from generation to generation – if cared for properly. Bringing my rusty cast iron skillet back to life was as easy as submerging it in equal parts of white vinegar and water. Vinegar will eat away at the
CAST IRON PANS NEVER DIE, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO OUTLIVE US ALL AND CAN BE HANDED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION – IF CARED FOR PROPERLY. rust, but a word of caution – it will also eat your cast iron pan. So it’s something you want to watch carefully. When the rust is easily wiped away, rinse the skillet out with fresh water. A skillet left too long with vinegar will begin to pit and that’s a cast iron pan that can never be resuscitated. So I keep a watchful eye and when the rust wipes away I rinse it with water, wipe it dry and get ready to season it. While most new cast iron skillets on the market today come already pre-seasoned, if you’re shopping at garage sales, it probably won’t be. Seasoning is baking a thin layer of oil onto the surface of the skillet to give it a non-stick surface. And that’s a good thing. I don’t know of any other skillet that will let you turn it into non-stick, and so easily too. First, place the cast iron skillet on a baking sheet (to catch any drips). Rub a tablespoon of oil all around the inside of the skillet and place it in the oven. Turn the oven to 350F (180C). Gently heating the pan allows the oil to soak in better. Now bake it for an hour, turn off the oven and let the skillet completely cool in the oven. Wipe away any excess oil and put it away. Seasoning your cast iron skillets is to make the surface non-stick and the more you season it, the more nonstick it becomes. The beauty of cast iron pans is that they’re oven friendly. They can go from the stovetop into the oven easily. Steaks, pork chops, chicken and lamb are perfect for cast iron skillets because they all need to be seared at super high temperatures for extra flavor and then baked to ensure they’re cooked through to deliciousness. These are foods that need to be seared not scorched, browned not burnt. The higher the sear, the better the flavor and for this, it doesn’t get better than cast iron. If you’re wondering how to clean cast iron after searing at extremely high temperatures, well, it’s easier than you think. Because soap is designed
to remove grease and oil, don’t use soap and whatever you do – don’t put your cast iron pan in the dishwasher! Instead, add a few tablespoons of coarse salt to a still-warm skillet and rub it around with a folded, damp, clean dishcloth. Rinse with water and let it dry completely before you put it away. These big, macho cast iron pans that need to be babied, heat differently than traditional skillets. Unlike sophisticated skillets with metal-layered bottoms that are designed to heat evenly and consistently, cast iron pans actually heat very unevenly so they’re not really good for quick cooking. The value with cast iron is, when it gets screaming hot, the heat becomes even and it stays hot, even when you put cold food in them. This makes cast iron perfect for one-dish foods like soup, stew, paella or braises. These dishes need to be built with ingredients added at different times through the cooking process. While other skillets will allow the dish to cool down with each addition of an ingredient, cast iron will not. Take beef stew for example. I heat my cast iron, deep Dutch oven for this job. The recipe requires the cubes of beef to be dusted in flour and seared in oil, then toasted in a really hot 500F (250C) oven so it gets a delicious crusty exterior. It’s a job made for cast iron, as the addition of the other ingredients won’t reduce the temperature and consequently saves time in the cooking process. Like wooden spoons or a worn out butcher block cutting board, cast iron pans have memory that it loves to impart to any dish, like stew that you’re simmering for hours. The different ingredients come together better and it creates a rich, bottom-weight flavor like no other pan can. The key to cast iron cooking is to remember to always preheat the pan on the stove top or oven so it has time to absorb the heat throughout, like my cornbread. I put the skillet in the oven to preheat as I make the cornbread batter. Then, when I pour the batter into the hot pan it sizzles and spits, creating a crunchy, golden crust to the cornbread bottom – and it’s non-stick! While I season my cast iron pans repeatedly and love to cook almost anything in them, I avoid using overly acidic foods such as simmering tomatoes, deglazing with wine or warming sauerkraut. Vegetables and cast iron pans are a match made in heaven. Like roasting most vegetables, blanch them first, season them and roast. My skillet gives me steady, super-hot heat for that textured brown crust on the vegetables that no other roasting pan will do. Cast iron is also forgiving: if you need to scrub it, go for it. Once you’ve got it cleaned up, season it again. You can season your cast iron as many times as you like and it will just get better and better at cooking foods with more flavor, color and texture. That’s the beauty of a cast iron legacy. TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 21
FOOD BY: LYNN OGRYZLO
ON FILM
BEST FOOD MOVIES OF ALL TIME Ask any food loving movie buff and you’ll hear Babette’s Feast touted as the greatest food movie of all time. While it is indisputably the first great food movie (early 1980s), since then, movie makers have perfected culinary seduction with scenes of slicing and dicing haute cuisine and sensual temptation of food. Here are a few of my modern day favorite food movies.
THE BIG NIGHT
A labor of love for Stanley Tucci, who co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in this beautifully crafted drama about two Italian immigrant brothers Primo and Secondo (played by Tony Shalhoub and Stanley Tucci) now Jersey Shore restaurateurs who bank their entire future on one night – The Big Night. I love this movie for many reasons, the top being that Shalhoub and Tucci brilliantly make me believe they’re more obsessed with the perfection of food than anyone I’ve ever met. The rest of the characters are introduced in such a personal way that when they consume food so off-the-top delicious, in obscene amounts it crosses the line from a physical act to a spiritual and sexual one. There are a few classic lines such as “To eat good food is to be close to God” and my favorite, “this food is so f ’ing good, I could kill myself !” The Big Night sets the bar high for all-time great food movies.
photo courtesy of yubanet.com
THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY
The movie takes place in a village just outside Paris, France and is about a naturally talented cook, Hassan Kadam (Manish Dayal), stuck in a family restaurant right across the street from a very elegant French, Michelin star restaurant, Le Saule Pleurer - 100feet across the street in fact. The story is about Hassans culinary journey of trials and triumphs and throughout, we always meet the food that inspires him. Unfortunately, the movie is dominated by the dynamics between Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) and Papa Kadams (Om Puri), the two restaurant owners. Kadams struggle to fit in versus Mallory’s culinary pretension. I love Helen Mirren, and in this movie, she steals the show. There are some great food scenes and it’s an interesting story so I call it a great food movie, but I recommend you read the book, it’s even better.
photo courtesy of movpins.com
CHEF
photo courtesy of moviepilot.com
photo courtesy of fastcocreate.com
I really, really want chef Carl Casper ( Jon Favreau) to cook for me, stretching his culinary muscle beyond anything I could think up. I think it would be marvelous to savor the food of someone so obsessed with perfection and detail. But the well-respected chef of a fine dining Los Angeles restaurant quits in a rage when his artistic pursuits are curtailed by Riva, the testy restaurant owner (Dustin Hoffman). Predictably, this begins the adventure to find himself through his cooking and even more predictably he finds a more balanced culinary life with time for his family, friends and culinary pursuits. The plot is less meaty than his Cuban sandwiches that become hugely popular and the movie ends with everyone living happily ever after – sorry to spoil it for you. While utterly predictable, the movie works because it continually whets your appetite for more of chef Carl’s food. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 23
photo courtesy of movpins.com
HAUTE CUISINE
She’s like the female version of Thomas Keller (a famous American chef ). I love watching Hortense Laborie (Catherine Frot) cook elaborate French dishes. I wish I were next to her with a spoon to taste the sauces and could go to the market with her to negotiate with the farmers. Hortense is a naturally talented chef who was chosen to be the private chef for the French President, François Mitterand ( Jean D’Ormesson). The scenes of them talking of food philosophies and childhood dishes are endearing. Even the stuffy traditions in the palace (right down to the waiters in black tails) add elegance to the food, yet it’s rife with deadly politics. Laborie is an incredibly talented and soft-spoken chef with a backbone of steel who simply decides (like many female chefs) that she will no longer put up with the viciousness and humiliation of a testosterone soaked kitchen. Before she left though, I wish she had left us with her recipes. This movie makes me want to jump up and cook something – the measure of a great food movie.
EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN
Asian food movies with subtitles are a recipe for disaster because you’re in a constant fight to read the words while try to manage to stay glued to the film. This is a story about one of the world’s greatest chefs, Chu (Sihung Lung) in Taipei, Taiwan trying to communicate with his three teenage daughters who are wild and full of life. He does it the only way he knows how, through their tradition of Sunday night dinners.
A riveting plot it isn’t but I yearn to be a guest at the table after the elaborate preparation of the exotic dishes. Chu gives new meaning to farm-to-table dining by raising his own chickens and fish and preparing elaborate meals with them. Obviously not a prettied-up film for North American’s weak culinary sensibilities but through food, this movie is mysterious, delicious, exotic, tense, sensual, spellbinding and supremely motivating. It made me run out to the closest Asian restaurant and order almost everything I couldn’t understand, just because I could.
RATATOUILLE
While it’s hard to think a rat in a kitchen is anything but gross, you quickly get over it – Remy (voice of Patton Oswalt) rocks! When this talented cartoon rat with a gourmet palate and a nose for aromas works his magic in the kitchen he’s actually more believable than many human actors and guess why? He’s been coached by Thomas Keller who is Executive Chef and Ratatouille Designer (whatever that means) for the movie. Remy finds himself at a fine dining Parisian restaurant, Gusteau’s, where he befriends a misfit dishwasher, Linguini (voice of Lou Romano) and together they cook their way to fame. A rat in a restaurant is never a good thing so Remy hides in Linguini’s hat and pulls his hair like a puppeteer to guide Linguini through the most complex of French dishes. Ratatouille is a masterpiece of animation, comedy and culinary imagination and if Remy had his own television show on the food network, I’d watch it!
JULIE AND JULIA
If you didn’t sit up and feel stunned amazement of Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Julia Child, well, admit it - you’re just not into food movies. A really good chick-flick, Julie and Julia is a story of a bored office clerk Julie Powell (Amy Adams) who lives her life through the delicious pages of Julia Childs cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She decides to cook all 524 recipes in 365 days and blog about it each day. The movie is a good contrast between the two ladies; the brilliant life of Child with her unwavering dedication to perfection and the ordinary life of Powell and her obsession to complete her project. Both Streep and Adams are brilliant in this movie as is Julia’s husband, the ever-supportive Paul Child (Stanley Tucci). The movie definitely could have done with a bit more tempting food visuals, or drama, or something – but definitely worth the bucket of popcorn. TM
RESEARCH LESS.
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APPETITE FOR
EXCITEMENT EXCITEMENT WELCOME TO THE CHEF CHRIS EXPERIENCE
Food has become the new rock and roll. People go to restaurants as if they are concerts, sharing photos of what and where they are eating. Foodies have become groupies, following the personal lives of chefs while sporting t-shirts of their favorite places to eat. Food is even divvied up into music-like genres such as folk rock (farm to table), techno (molecular gastronomy) and crossover mega-stars (bacon, anyone?). While everyone may know the Flays and Rays of the world, there are many chefs out there making names for themselves in some of the most interesting (and less obvious) places. One such rising culinary rock star is Christopher Allen Nadobny aka “Chef Chris,” executive chef at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Chef Chris’ culinary career had nondescript beginnings as a dishwasher in his hometown of Kawkawlin, MI. Not long afterwards, he became a line cook at that same restaurant. For many kitchen warriors with professional chef aspirations, this is where the story ends. It is one thing to know how to cook. It is another thing to be a chef. A cook can execute all the mechanical parts of food preparation. A chef, however, creates using his/her understanding of flavors and techniques that no recipe can provide. Chefs give food its soul. Besides knowing the difference between braising and sautéing, a chef also needs to be part businessman, part team leader/mediator and part guest concierge. Based on these criteria, Christopher Nadobny definitely had the book smarts, motivation and taste palate to be a chef. First, there was the fish. Chef Chris’ understanding of the business side of food came from growing up with parents who owned and operated a fresh seafood company in Bay City, MI. After his stint as a line cook sparked a passion for the culinary arts, he ventured out
to Hyde Park, NY, to attend the Harvard of cooking schools: the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America. With his Culinary Arts degree in hand, Chef Chris began a restaurant career that included stops at several competitive food shows. In the Boston National Restaurant Show, his team of chefs won a silver medal while his New York National Restaurant Show team was awarded a bronze medal. Chef Chris eventually packed his knives for the kitchens at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. Under his creative direction, their restaurants have become as big a draw as Soaring Eagle’s concerts, events, games and resort amenities. For chefs, there is no stage quite like the holiday dinner table. Expectations are a little higher; place settings tend to be nicer; and the anticipation for food is never greater. For Soaring Eagle’s recent Easter Brunch, Chef Chris and his team prepared a menu that upended the spiral ham as the holiday standard. Besides familiar comfort foods such as custom-made omelets and pastries, his holiday meal featured a wide variety of intriguing offerings including a duck and pistachio terrine garnished with a spicy mango apple salad and pickled blueberries (recipe provided). This is just a taste of what you can expect for his upcoming Mother’s Day menu. In hindsight, calling his creations a “holiday meal” seems somewhat pedestrian. What Chef Chris creates is bold. It’s brash. It’s rock and roll. >>
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TERRINE DUCK TERRINE MIXEDGREENS GREENS withMIXED SAUCE RAVIGOTE, PICKLED BLUE BERRIES & APPLE MANGO SALAD (Makes one 2-pound terrine)
DUCK STOCK 4 lb. Duck 1 Qt. Water 1 C Red wine 1 Small sachet 4 oz. Mire poix Stock Recipe: 1. Break down and bone duck in the following manner A. Duck breast & skin reserved. B. Leg / Thigh meat. C. Liver. D. Carcass & bones rough chopped. 2. Roast duck bones till lightly browned. 3. Place bones, wine, sachet & mire poix in pot. 4. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer. 5. Skim any foam and fat from top of stock. 6. Simmer 1 ½ hours. 7. Strain, degrease and reduce to ½ cup depending on the strength of stock. BREAST MARINADE 2 oz. Orange juice 2 oz. Brandy Olive oil (as needed) Breast Marinade Recipe: 1. Marinade breast in juice and Brandy overnight in non-reactive bowl. 2. Place plastic wrap directly on breast and marinade. 3. Rinse marinade off of breast, (reserve marinade) dry well. 4. Sear breast till brown. Keep breast raw. 5. Reserve pan for Terrine mise en place. SAUCE RAVIGOTE 2 tsp. Fresh parsley minced. 4 tsp. Fresh chervil, minced. 2 tsp. Fresh tarragon, minced. 2 C Basic Vinaigrette. 2 Shallots minced. 2 tbsp. Capers minced. Sauce Ravigote Recipe: Combine all ingredients, mix well.
FORCEMEAT 2 oz. Spanish onion minced. 1 Clove garlic minced. 20 oz. Pork butt, cubed (fatty as possible). Duck liver (reserved). 1 tsp. Pate spice. ⅛ tsp. Fresh thyme leaves. 1 Orange (zest only). ½ oz. Kosher salt. 1 Egg. Duck stock reduction (as needed). 2 oz. Pistachio nits, blanched, peeled and rough chopped. Fatback, prosciutto ham or bacon thinly sliced (as needed). Forcemeat recipe: 1. Add onions and Garlic to pan duck breast was seared in, Sauté till translucent. 2. Add reserved marinade, reduce Au Sec. 3. Add reserved legs & thighs 4. Chill 5. Grind pork butt, duck leg/thigh meat and liver through 1/8th fine plate on grinder. 6. Add Egg, reserved duck stock and spices. 7. Mix thoroughly. 8. Fold in pistachios. 9. Lightly inside of terrine mold, line with plastic wrap. 10. Line terrine mold with fatback, prosciutto ham or bacon 11. Pack ½ of the forcemeat into Terrine mold. 12. Place duck breast into center, top with the rest of the forcemeat. 13. Overlap plastic wrap on top of terrine. 14. Bake in water bath in a 325° low fan oven till internal temperature is 150°. 15. Pour of fat and juice. 16. Cool at room temperature to an internal temperature of 120°. 17. Press and chill over night.
SPICY APPLE MANGO SALAD 2 C Dried mangos-cut into thin strips 4 Large granny smiths apples-cored and cut into matchsticks (utilize mandolin). ½ Large red onion-julienned (utilize mandolin). ½ C Sweetened lime juice. ¼ C Fresh chopped cilantro. 2 tbsp. Balsamic vinegar. ½ tsp. Red pepper flakes. Salt and pepper to taste. Spicy Apple Mango Salad Recipe: 1. Mix together apples, mangos and onions 2. Combine lime juice, cilantro, balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes. 3. Toss apple mix with dressing. Season with salt and pepper and chill until serving. PICKLED BLUEBERRIES 1 Cinnamon stick. 1 Sprig thyme. 2 Whole clove. 2 Allspice. ½ C Apple cider Vinegar. 1½ C Blueberries. ⅓ C Sugar. Pickled Blueberries recipe: 1. Combine cinnamon, thyme, cloves and allspice in a sachet. 2. Combine with vinegar, cook over low heat 5 minutes. 3. Add blueberries and cook another 5 minutes. 4. Strain liquid and add sugar, reserving blueberries. 5. Cook liquid over medium heat till reduced to a glaze. 6. Add reserved blueberries, discard sachet, chill. TM
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THE ART TABLE SETTING CREATING CULINARY THEATER of
By: Lynn Ogryzlo
If ever there was a lady who turned a head with her beautifully set dining tables, it’s Carole Berlove. I call Carole a culinary historian because she knows so much about the art of dining. It started early for Carole who found she had a natural interest and instinct for culinary presentation. Influenced by her father Mourad ,who would always say to Carole, “you should always feel like a guest in your own home.” Dining at Carole’s you can easily see how she’s taken those words to heart. I first met Carole when she invited me to a Tea With Monet party. For someone like myself who remembers occasions by the food served, all I remember about Carole’s tea party was the wonderful time I had sipping tea in the gardens of Giverny, France. What I mean is that I remember being whisked away by the sights, sounds, smells and mood of the entire event. “Whether you’re having a family party or a get-together with friends, keep the food simple
because you don’t always remember the food but you’ll remember good company and a great atmosphere,” says Carole. The Tea with Monet event was held in Carole’s backyard. She had worked on her gardens all summer planting all of Monet’s favorite flowers. The gardens were in full bloom, colorful, fragrant and beautiful. Dotting the lawn were a few round tables with white floor length tablecloths. In the center of each table was a charming bouquet of Monet’s flowers in soft shades of mauve, pink and white. Posters of Monet’s artwork rested on easels throughout the garden and soft period music played in the background. The tables were set with china, crystal and silverware, all of the period. There was even a replica of Monet’s tea set Carole had managed to miraculously acquire from France. Carole had researched the food Monet would have served his guests and she perfected it. Dressed in full costume and a wide brimmed hat Carole strolled between tables telling stories of Monet and his work. Even the weather was perfect, not >>
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IT’S LIKE ASKING AN ARTIST, WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST PAINTING –WHAT IS MONET GOING TO SAY? EACH ONE HAS ITS OWN CHALLENGES AND REWARDS. IT’S ART, IN A DIFFERENT FORM OTHER THAN PAINTING A CANVAS. a scorching summer day but not a wet one either. With her attention to detail Carole had managed to whisk us all away to Giverny for an afternoon tea. The perfect affairs have the ability to make you forget your own worries, deadlines and responsibilities and take you into another place in time. Carole has the ability to do this, but it takes patience and persistence, two virtues rarely seen in our modern fast-paced lifestyle. When asked, Carole is quick to quote Henry David Thoreau who said, “life is each season as it passes, breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influence of each.” Carole’s interests have always been drawn to the culinary world but unlike a chef who works his magic in the kitchen, Carole has a remarkable command of the dining room. “I’m already thinking of Thanksgiving,” says Carole as I talk to her the beginning of September. For a fall dinner, Carole suggests, “think of the fruit, what you’d drink and incorporate that into your (table) setting.” Fall has vibrant shades of orange, yellow and red, there’s plenty of dried material all around to use and don’t be afraid to use fruits and vegetables. “People forget centerpieces aren’t just about flowers.” When it comes to table centerpieces, Carole recommends you keep them low. “I’m notorious for going too high, (centerpieces) should be below eye level and if they’re above, make sure you can see through them.” Carole talks about the centerpiece rule exception. “I prefer round dining tables because they create a friendlier environment”. If you have a long table seating eight to 12 people, Carole explains, “you really only speak to the people beside and across from you.” She recommends large centerpieces can be set in between each four people grouping. “You may not be able to see others but that’s not important because they’re controlling their own conversations.” Carole continues with her tips, “keep a shelf of all different shapes and sizes of vases, use multi sized candles and different colored napkins. In the 1940s and 1950s everything had to match, no longer.” Just last year Carole worked tirelessly on a Downton Abbey Tea party.
It took her months to find just the right pieces for table decoration; she researched the food and practiced cooking until she got it right. She wrote each flawless invitation in calligraphy, strategized over her guests and insisted they all come dressed for the part including hats. The day of the event, Carole’s helpers were dressed in period costume including her husband Jay who played the butler, Mr. Carson. The tables were set in period dinnerware and antique linens. It was culinary theatre extraordinaire and like good theatre, we were all transported into the fantasy of tea at Downton Abbey. For Carole, this is pure joy. “Every time I get an idea that’s a challenge, I love it,” says Carole who once used records instead of black chargers for a dinner with her musically inclined guests. “It was whimsical and personal, they loved it. I think the 78’s only cost a dollar a piece.” Carole has created many table settings for Riverbrink Art Museum in Queenston. The last one she created was an art deco dinner table incorporating one of the museums sculptures in the centerpiece. It was showcased proudly on this year’s Rotary House Tour. “Every time I do a table setting or design like that, I feel like I really accomplish something,” says Carole proudly. “Some have been better than others, some I feel I didn’t capture the sense I wanted.” I asked Carole what her greatest achievement was, “It’s like asking an artist, what is your greatest painting –what is Monet going to say? Each one has its own challenges and rewards. It’s art, in a different form other than painting a canvas.” Carole laughs at her last table setting, saying, “it was a fluke”. She was having friends over for brunch and she went to the farmers’ market and got excited with the colors and shapes of the fall fruit and vegetables. “I found purple peppers, green quince, yellow and black heirloom tomatoes. I’d not seen those colors in vegetables before so I created a centerpiece with purple peppers and yellow tomatoes.” Carole recommends your table can be decorated as simply as with what’s in season. “You don’t need a lot of money to create a table setting.” Carole used white dishes, bright yellow napkins and serving dishes with varying shades of aubergine. She served quiche (which was the color yellow) and a salad with purple tipped lettuce. “It’s just a trip to the farmers market and all of a sudden I have my table setting.” One Christmas season Carole filled a miniature sleigh with some of her children’s little toys and used it as the table centerpiece. For Halloween, Carole says “I’ll probably have the grandchildren over for lunch. I’ll keep it whimsical with a Halloween theme. I’ll serve pumpkin soup in real hollowed out pumpkins. I might even make a white pumpkin chariot,” says Carole. “I like to teach kids the art of dining and I bring out special items that their parents wouldn’t bring out.” Like her father before her, Carole is influencing the next generation of passionate culinary theater directors. “My father taught me to eat at the dining table, he hated looking at dirty dishes in the kitchen and we would make tea sandwiches together. He was very creative around the table, when he carved a turkey or roast, it was precision exact. He was a great source of inspiration and I’m passing it down to my grandchildren. Even if they only take in ten percent of what I show them, at least they’ve been exposed to it.” For your next special occasion or holiday gathering, take some tips from Carole, think of creating a bit of culinary theatre and make it a memorable event for all to remember. TM
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TOUSLED, IMPeRFECT, GLAM Springtime Hair & Beauty Trends
It can take all year to pick up the techniques needed to master the current hair and makeup looks of the season. And before you know it, a new style or trend has arrived and we are back to square one with our outdated palette in one hand and volumizing spray clenched in the other. Adding a twist in the traditional style cycle, 2016 welcomes a beauty season that embraces experimentation and imperfection. A new season that finds itself poised in between every day minimalism and runway glam. With bare and tousled beach hair in one corner and bold gold lips and blue donned eyes in the other, this year’s beauty routines embrace an aesthetic that is readily adapted to suit every girl – and are easier than ever to master.
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
HAIR Celebrating Air-Dried Texture: Ease up on the coifed curls of 2015, your new go to styling tool is right at your fingertips
The Trick: The key is to embrace your hair’s natural texture. Think of those lazy beach days – when letting your salty strands air dry in the hot sun leaves you with soft, romantic waves. Though we can’t all jet off to the ocean to do our hair every day, this style can easily be mastered with a texturizing styling product. Part your damp hair as you normally would, mist with the salt spray of your choice and give yourself time to let your hair air-dry. Surfer Girl Locks: Spring/Summer Runways witnessed the return of the slicked back wet-looking hair. Think sporty surfer girl meets haute couture. The Trick: Live your Blue Crush dreams with the season’s wet hair trend. From soaked post swim hair to wet-looking slicked back styles, this season will have you leaving
the hair dryer at home and taking your wet strands from pool party to evening out on the town. The key to ensuring your wet locks remain chic and not messy? Keep your hair style simple and off of your face.
A Twist on the Old Faithful: From childhood to adulthood, we have loved a good old fashion braid.
The Trick: From New York Fashion Week to Paris runways, twisted hair ruled the shows. Valentino Couture showed models wearing both full rope braids and partial twists, keeping hair simple and off the face. Upgrade the classic plait by twisting two strands of hair together instead of weaving multiple. Secure a pony tail with a clear elastic and divide the pony tail in two. Twist the two strands each side clockwise before winding them together in the opposite direction. Though we love the look of an intricate fishtail braid, this two strand twisted look is the most realistic for every day wear. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 35
MAKEUP Candy Apple & Gold Adorned Lips: A classic lip shade returns for another season, but accompanied by a newcomer – gold, gold, gold.
The Trick: Keep your look punchy and rich by going bold on the lip and relaxed on everything else. Candy apple red lips will have you embracing your inner Snow White and leave you feeling elegant and put together as the classic always does. But if you are looking to rock the bolder trend of the season and want to know the right way to wear the metallic gold lip shade, turn to Prada. The fashion staple did the color right on the runway by embracing a vibrant mouth and keeping the rest of the makeup simple and fresh.
V-Line Contouring: From Kardashian block shading to the birth of Blue Eyed Girl: The reign of no-makeup makeup is officially over. Electric blue eyes, graphic eyeliner and false lashes are this year’s contrast to the easy-breezy hair styles of the season.
The Trick: Remember that blue eye shadow you loved covering your lids in as a child but were too afraid to wear out of the house as a teen? It is time to welcome this long feared color into adulthood in its full spectrum of shades. Bright eyes whisk away the dark smudgy looks embraced in 2015; think cyan blue, turquoise and bolts of cobalt shadows. Pair the bold shades with large lashes and your favorite eyeliner for a sophisticated look your younger self would have died to accomplish.
Clown Contouring, 2015 saw an array of techniques for adding dimension and angles to your face. But 2016 is all about accenting what you already have.
The Trick: Contouring is here to stay for another season. And though the techniques of the past may seem complicated and reserved for those with a beauty team and hours of prep time to spare, 2016’s V contouring is easier to achieve than its contouring relatives. The highlighted look can be achieved by applying highlighter to the center of the face, and adding shimmery tints down the cupid's bow, the bridge of the nose and the chin, before shading the perimeter of the face to make it appear smaller. YouTube is still a girl’s best friend when it comes to mastering this trend.
ADULT HAIR JEWELRY Hair Combs: Swingy low ponytails and easy air-dried waves play a supporting role to a jaw-dropping lineup of gilded combs and classic clips. This grown up version of the classic barrette was seen in bold metals adorned with gilded florals, raw rhinestones and dainty pearls throughout the runway this season; perfect for adding pop to your low-key hairstyle and a chic new way for pulling your hair off of your face without reaching for the tried and true hair elastic. Headpieces: Though every inner flower child loves a good organic floral crown, ornate headpieces are the season’s go to accessory and will last much longer than the wilted flowers of yester-year. Try delicate jeweled headbands or maneuverable wire pieces for a comfortable, organic feel with a tougher edge. Scarves: Polish off your messy buns and classic twists with a vibrant scarf. These flexible and easy to style accessories can elevate any quick thrown together look. Tie a satin scarf around the top of your pony for an ode to the 50s, twist a bold color fabric to use as a headband or quickly replace a hair elastic with a vivid printed piece. The options are endless! TM
Goodbye flower crowns and hello ornate headpieces, gilded combs and vibrant scarves.
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DATE NIGHT Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Murder Mystery Dinners
B
esides calling your date by the wrong name, nothing ruins a date night quite like boring predictability. (Dinner and a movie, anyone?) Sometimes you need a jolt of “different” to keep things interesting. Instead of just being a spectator on your next date night, why not make yourselves part of a unique show? At Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, their interactive Murder Mystery Dinners turn a first date’s uncomfortable moments of silence into fits of uncontrollable laughter. Seeing a movie is something you can do with your buddy or BFF. At a Murder Mystery Dinner, you and your guest become part of the plot over a delectable four-course dinner. With all the hilarious improvising done by the actors and actresses, no two shows are exactly the same. On April 22, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort will be presenting a caper called “Comic Book Killer.” Forget those summer superhero blockbusters. This is more fun! Doctor Weevil is out to destroy heroes
and villains alike! Only you and the other dinner guests can foil his “weevil” plans. On May 21, make reservations for “Muuurder in Maaay-bury.” Are you up to solving a big-time mystery in the kind of downhome, small town you only see on television? When it comes to breaking the ice, you and your date will have plenty to talk about as the story unfolds. Murder Mystery Dinners are perfect for first dates, married couples or anyone looking for a good time. And because they’re at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, you get all the amenities of a luxury resort that include exciting gaming action. And when you purchase tickets to a Murder Mystery Dinner, you can also get their Entertainment Event hotel package. In addition to first-class accommodations, the package comes with $50 in Premium Play (per guest) plus a $20 drink credit (per room). For your next date night, think outside the movie theatre. Think Murder Mystery Dinner at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.
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the history of THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS BY MARIANA BOCKAROVA
In the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, with the overlay of an instrumental hum of “Moon River” playing softly, we are introduced to a grey Manhattan, likely just past the break of dawn. The busy streets still silenced from the night before, a lone yellow taxicab pulls up in front of an imposing building, like all those on Fifth Avenue. Out comes a woman, a very particular one. There she is, Audrey Hepburn, in an astonishing black dress. As she peers into the Tiffany & Co. window, she takes a bite of her donut, a sip of her coffee, and the rest is history: Here is born the Little Black Dress. The history and the meanings of the little black dress - a term so popular it seems to have entered and never left the cultural lexicon - has been shaped and evolved time and time again. A black dress, as one might appropriately surmise, was first used for mourning - a meaning it still holds today. According to Sonia A. Bedikian, in
the late eighteenth century, across England and France, for upper society, a set of complex rules was created for mourners. It was expected that mourners who had lost a loved one take part in a physical ritualization of sorts, through displaying their grief by wearing heavy black clothing and black crepe veils, caps and bonnets. In order to display their grief, widowers often wore the ensemble for up to four years after a death, and any removal prior to the four-year mark was seen as incredibly disrespectful. According to Bedikian, “formal mourning culminated during the reign of Queen Victoria. Her prolonged grief over the death of her husband, Prince Albert, had much to do with the practice. During the succeeding Edwardian rule, the fashions began to be more functional and less restrictive, but the dress protocol for men and women, including that for the period of mourning, was still rigidly adhered to.” >>
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This practice of mourning changed, however, with the first of the World Wars, where a devastating amount of women became widowed. Nevertheless, because of the circumstances of the wars, they were still required to work. Wearing heavy attire, particularly a veil, seemed not only impractical but burdensome and dangerous for the otherwise “masculine workplace” which included factory work and transporting coal. Thus marked the end of lavish mourning, and the first disruption of significance for the black dress. Widowers now chose simple dresses that were modest and, of course, black. Jewelry, if worn at all, was kept simple, but certain traditions, though relaxed, still remained: Widows’ caps, a black hat with a peak at the front, continued to be worn, while a black veil was fashioned only to frame the face instead of completely cover it, and necklines were often cut in a v-neck, exposing the chest. As Bedikian notes, “during the following decades, gradually the rules were relaxed further and it became acceptable for both sexes to dress in dark colors for up to a year after a death in the family.” But how could a color and a dress that was used for centuries to signify mourning, be changed into a signifier of scandal in merely a few decades? While black still very well may signify death, it might just be those very associations with death that prove the shade so provocative. For instance, black is often the color associated with evil, and many rituals which are culturally pervasive see evil as often associated with death, or the rising of the dead. Thus, in social spaces where black would be specifically culturally noted as a shade of interest mostly associated with either death or evil and the occult, wearing such a meaningful shade without any of the meaning habitually associated with it, such as a bereaved love one, would suggest that the wearer of that dress is marked. While she may not be evil, she is certainly different, certainly bold, and certainly an individual un-fearing of the scornful eye of society. This is perhaps what gives the little black dress such allure. As noted by Nancy MacDonell Smith in her book, The Classic Ten: The True Story of the Little Black Dress and Nine Other Fashion Favorites, “Black implies you have something to hide, such as a colorful past. It’s a provocative color, one few people are indifferent to...Wearing black implies transgression. Anna Karenina wore black to the ball at which Vronsky became smitten with her; her niece, Kitty, herself in love with Vronsky, wore pale pink - and failed utterly to get his attention. When a woman puts on a black dress, the world assumes she’s sophisticated, sexual, and knowing.” Fashion designer Coco Chanel can be credited for creating the little black dress for popular wear, beyond the sole scope of mourning: In the mid 1920’s, “Chanel’s Ford”, a short black dress, was published in Vogue. The name of it was so, as the dress was expected to become a uniform of sorts, since the dress was simple, elegant, and available for all women regardless of their social class. In the book Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life, Justine Picardine notes, “the little black dress was not formally identified as the shape of the future until 1926, when American Vogue published a drawing of a Chanel design... It was an apparently simple yet elegant sheath, in black crêpe de Chine, with long, narrow sleeves, worn with a string of white pearls; and Vogue proved to be correct in
WHEN A WOMAN PUTS ON A
black dress,
THE WORLD ASSUMES SHE’S SOPHISTICATED, SEXUAL, AND KNOWING. the prediction that it would become a uniform…” The great depression, which followed in the 1930s, allowed for the little black dress to continue its popularity. It was simple and cheap solution to looking elegant yet demure in a time of deep financial worry. At this time, Hollywood made great gains and often used black attire, which helped avoid distorted coloring in films that had started using Technicolor. As such, many actresses took the idea of wearing black outside of only film and are often credited for the popularization of the shade. For instance, actress Joan Bennett was one of the earliest actresses to pose in black, wearing a flapper ensemble that characterized the time period. The following decade, as women returned to the workforce during the time of World War II, black dresses continued to be worn, only now, as businesswear. The end of the Second World War, however, again would mark a shift in the meaning of the black dress. With celebrations of a Nazi defeat, bright colors and whites became incredibly fashionable, and thus the meaning of black as tied to either death or evil re-emerged. Hollywood used this shift in meaning, interestingly enough, to re-characterize its femme fatales as women in black halter-dresses, contrasted greatly with the wholesome protagonist, usually wearing white. Only in the 1960s, where the brilliant pairing of an actress known for her demure, wholesome, conservative appeal with a daring black Givenchy dress would the re-popularization of the little black dress be catalyzed. Wearing such a shade in one of the most popular films at the time was meaning again shifted in favor for the little black dress as popular and appropriate attire. Since that time, little black dresses have become a staple item, on nearly every runway, regardless of the season. Though they usually adopt the style du jour, our own little black dresses make their way inside our closets, for days in which we wish to, ironically, shine. TM
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GAMING BRINGS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
T
he Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe officially started bingo in the tribal gym on April 25, 1981, organized by adult residents of the reservation who volunteered to work at weekly Saturday night sessions. Since the games were being played on land that the United States held in trust for the tribe, the state of Michigan had no authority to regulate them. Politically and financially sovereign, the tribe could determine what activities were permissible on its land and in its jurisdiction. Bingo pots grew, crowds increased and the Tribal Operations office quickly learned the value of the cash income they could spend at the Tribal Council’s discretion. The Tribal Council visited bingo operations run by the Seminoles in Florida and saw how valuable bingo could be for building self-sufficiency. The council contracted with a management company to supervise the rapidly growing bingo operation. Within a short time, as the size of winners’ prizes grew, and monies increased to help the tribe fund its programs and plans. By 1984, the bingo operation had become known as the Saginaw Chippewa Fundraising Program and employed thirty-seven reservation tribal members full time. As a result of their pride and interest, the bingo operation thrived and eventually expanded beyond the capacity of the gym. Sunday bingo was initiated and became so popular that those wanting to participate had to make reservations. In 1987, the tribe expanded the business to include games of blackjack or 21. As demand for card games grew, the card games (blackjack and poker) moved into the renovated former pallet building nearby. Soon that building became known as the Card Room.
In the summer of 1990, the Tribal Council agreed that the slot machines should be considered part of gaming business. That fall, the side rooms at the Tribal Center were renovated and wired electrically for the preparation of slot machine installation. In 1993, the seven federally recognized tribes of Michigan came together in Hannahville, Michigan to sign the first gaming compact with the state of Michigan. The compact, which was set for twenty years, gave Michigan’s tribes authority to authorize gaming, including Class II slot machines, on federal trust land. The compact also stipulated that two percent of all tribal gaming revenues would go to the city of Mt. Pleasant for infrastructure changes that were due to gaming including roads, police, sewers, etc. Another eight percent would go to the state of Michigan. The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe is the only Michigan tribe that delegates where the two percent will go. It appropriates the money through a grant application process. Through the year 2001 the tribe contributed more than $36 million through the two percent; in 2002, it contributed $7.7 million. The success of our tribe’s gaming industry exceeded our wildest expectations. Our central location in the state of Michigan and the creative ingenuity of many of the tribal leaders in the community contributed to our gaming success. In 1996 we began construction of the now famous Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. -Reprinted with permission from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and the Ziibiwing Cultural Society. Copyright 2005. DibaJimooyung, Telling Our Story, 2005 (available for purchase at Ziibiwing Cultural Center) TM TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 45
Be the envy of your neighborhood by throwing the ultimate kid’s party.
“
THAT WAS THE BEST PARTY EVER!
”
Six words that make all of the yearly stresses of planning a special birthday party for your kid feel worth it. They’re the words that inspire you to spend hours online researching the perfect birthday cake. That drive you to create personalized invitations for each of your child’s friends. And that, one year, actually lead you to dress up as Binky the Clown
for the day. Yup, we do a lot for our kids on their birthdays, because when it comes to giving them a party they’ll remember for life, the payoff is most definitely worth it! For those about to set out on the yearly quest to throw the party that gets the whole neighborhood talking, there are five main categories to consider: Invitations, Party Favors, Food, Theme, and Venue. Slip up in any one of these departments and your party can leave you as deflated as an old balloon. The following party tips and tricks are here to ensure that’s not the case! >>
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 47
THE INVITATIONS WHO MAKES THE CUT) When it comes to party invitations, the first question most parents ask is “who should I invite?” Many times kids will ask to invite their entire class, soccer team, cousins and a few second cousins to the party. Not a very reasonable request. What’s most important is that you’re comfortable taking care of the number of children you send invites to. One good rule of thumb is to invite as many children as your child’s age, plus one. The idea being to avoid younger kids becoming overwhelmed in larger crowds and giving older kids the big parties they crave. What to include on the physical invitation itself? The type of party (especially if it includes a special theme), date, time, location, and info on how you want the person to RSVP is a good start. Be sure to be as specific as possible regarding location and RSVP info. If the party is being held at your house, be sure to include your street address. And always include your phone number or email address for the person to RSVP.
THE PARTY FAVORS FINDING SOMETHING THAT’S FUN FOR MORE THAN 2 MINUTES) Flimsy paper party horns, figurines that end up in the trash, yo-yos that will not untangle. We’ve all seen the bags of, often poorly made, toys presented as party favors. While these can look fun at first sight, too often they are style over substance. The key to picking out a party gift that kids will actually use is to focus on one item that relates back to your party’s theme. Things like footballs, wings and a wand, CDs, and water toys all make for fun, practical parting gifts. Throwing a Star Wars party? Give away a plastic light saber! Your daughter and her friends would love an Elsa figurine at your Frozen-themed bash. And don’t be afraid to think even more outside the box. A fun example of that is the idea of giving away stuffed animal dogs, coining the occasion a “Pet Adoption.” Make your party favor unique, on-theme, and topical whenever possible and its sure to be a hit.
THE FOOD GOOD GRUB GOOD PARTY) Ah, the centerpiece of every birthday party: The food. From the cake to the main course, a good variety of eats can separate the good birthday parties from the great ones. When looking where to invest most of your time on the food portion of your bash, focus more heavily on snacks and dessert than the main course. Kids have simple eating habits. A good slice of pizza can give them all of the joy a fine cut of steak does us. So stick to the basics. The dessert portion of the meal is where you can separate yourself. Go with a chocolate or yellow cake to assure that everyone is happy. You don’t want to have kids sprinting over to the trash can to spit out your coconut cream cake just because your son likes that flavor. Think
of the whole group. For themed parties, you can even add some flair to the atmosphere with a themed-cake. And don’t be afraid to think outside the cake-realm entirely. Try something fresh like champagne flutes filled with M&Ms and topped with a cupcake. Kids will appreciate the uniqueness and have lots of fun eating them! The latest craze in party snacks is to go health-friendly. There’ll be plenty of sugar in your dessert to have the kids bouncing off the walls, there’s no need to go overboard. Try something like watermelon wedges on a stick or mini pancake kabobs (made with strawberries, bananas, and Nutella). Adding a fun element or twist to the dishes makes them more exciting to chow down on. Kids will love them and moms will certainly appreciate their children’s ability to sit still on the ride home.
THE THEME BATMAN, FROZEN, EYEBALLS THE POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS) Feel like you don’t know where to begin when planning your party? Start with a theme. Look to your kid’s favorite activity, TV show, movie character, or book and plan the rest of your party around this central idea. Pick out paper goods and party favors with the theme in mind and plan some on–theme party games and arts-and-crafts. Consider adapting popular party activities like pin the tail on the donkey or tag to fit the theme. For instance, if your party is eyeball-themed (it happens), instead of pin the tale on the donkey, play a game of pin the eye on the monster. For any themed party, be sure to include your child in the decision before going gung ho planning in any one direction.
THE VENUE YOUR PARTY’S BACKBONE) Find a fun location to throw your birthday party and you’ve got yourself a successful event, regardless of whether or not the rest of your planning pans out. That’s how important a good venue is. Birthday bashes at home can work great on a budget but planning a party at a place accustomed to holding parties for large groups can be a huge plus. Find an activity that your kid and his friends enjoy and then reach out to a venue that provides that service. Pool parties are always an extremely fun and affordable option. For the ultimate pool party experience, you could hit the waterpark! Soaring Eagle Waterpark is a 45,000-square-feet indoor watery wonderland with thrills that range from tame to intense. They’ve also got special birthday package rates that include 10 waterpark passes, an hour in the party room, a Gizi birthday t-shirt and Gift Shop discounts for only $125. Game rooms are another great option for both boys’ and girls’ parties. CyberQuest Soaring Eagle has Pizza Party Packages available that allow kids to drift off into a world of gaming goodness at a state of the art entertainment center. You’ll be left with nothing to do but sit back and watch. Just remember to take pictures. You’ll want some visual evidence you can pass on to your kids for the day they want to show their own children their “best party ever.” TM
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I first heard about Frankenmuth on the radio (kudos to Michigan’s destination marketing team, I’m proof positive that it’s effective). It sounded quaint, lovely and like a little bit of Europe smack dab in the middle of Michigan. It proved to be most of those things (the Europe bit is a stretch), but Frankenmuth has a charm all of it’s own, it doesn’t need to borrow any from another continent. Frankenmuth is known as “Little Bavaria” and makes a promise of, “horse drawn carriages and covered bridges, of riverboat cruises and world famous chicken dinners. Of big waterparks and small town strolls.” It’s really the perfect little place to spend a day. Frankenmuth was founded in 1845 by GermanLuthran missionaries whose purpose for coming to the region was to teach Christianity to the Indians. They wrote to the Lutherans in Germany telling them about the absence of pastors, churches and schools. One priest back in Germany decided to organize a mission society, and chose Frankenmuth for the location. Several Germans volunteered for the mission, and they all pledged that they would remain loyal to both Germany and the German language. Even though the mission was eventually shut down, the area was still a magnet for Germans, and these days when you visit, that influence is very much evident. Everything is the main part of the town is German themed; there are restaurants, shops, pretzel making workshops, Bavarian inspired architecture and more. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 51
ABOUT TOWN
MICHIGAN’S LITTLE BAVARIA
If you are able to carve time out of your schedule to spend some time in Frankenmuth, here are some highlights you won’t want to miss.
museum houses thousands of artifacts and documents which trace the evolution and growth of the town.
BRONNER’S
FRANKENMUTH CHEESE HAUS
ADVENTURE PARK AT FRANKENMUTH
FRANKENMUTH CLOCK COMPANY
BAVARIAN BELLE RIVERBOAT
LAGER MILL
This is well known as “the world’s largest Christmas store”. It is the size of about one and a half football fields, and stocks over 50,000 items. If you love Christmas, you’ll love this place. Check out bronners.com
This is a great place to get outside and enjoy some beautiful Michigan scenery. There are numerous aerial trails winding through the trees that feature ziplining, rope bridges, and various other high-rise obstacles. Check out frankenmuthtrees.com
This is a great way to get a whole new perspective of Frankenmuth…from an old-fashioned paddlewheel riverboat. This narrated tour takes you down the Cass River, and is open from May through October. Check out bavarianbelle.com for more information.
BAVARIAN INN CASTLE SHOPS
These themed shops are located on lower level of the Bavarian Inn. There are candy shops, toy shops, gift shops and more, all packaged in a fairy tale-esque atmosphere. This is also the spot you can sign up for a pretzel-making workshop if you are so inclined.
FRANKENMUTH HISTORICAL MUSEUM
If the history of the town intrigues you, this is the place to be. Admission is cheap, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. The seven gallery
Cheese lovers rejoice, because this place is your heaven! There are over 140 kinds of specialty cheese, and you can sample all of them. More information at frankenmuthcheesehaus.com
If an authentic German cuckoo clock is in your budget, this is the place to go. There are over 1000 different clocks in stock. In addition to cuckoo clocks, there are wall, mantel, novelty and grandfather varieties. They also offer clock parts and repair work. More info at frankenmuthclock.com
This is not only a history of brewing in Frankenmuth, but home to a huge craft beer store that sells over 400 wines and beers. It is all located inside a picturesque mill as well!
ZEHNDER’S
This is home to the world famous “Golden Fried Chicken”…you can’t go to Frankenmuth without stopping by Zehnders for either lunch or dinner.
ZEHNDER’S HOLY BRUCKE
This wooden covered bridge makes for a picturesque stroll. It’s not necessarily historic, but it was constructed to convey that feel. There are pedestrian walkways in addition to road lanes, so there is an opportunities to walk or drive over it. TM
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TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 53
a trail of
ODDITIES some of michigan’s most eclectic attractions
DINOSAUR GARDENS OSSINEKE, MICHIGAN Take a step back in time with over 25 reproductions of birds and dinosaurs from the prehistoric era. You are free to walk amongst these life sized replicas…there are lots of good photo opportunities. It covers 40 acres of land. There is also mini golf! (dinosaur themed of course)
E
very place has them: those unusual, often slightly out of the way attractions that sometimes seem cheesy, but are usually always worth seeing, if only to be able to say, with a knowing smile on your face, “yes, in fact, I have seen the world’s largest lawn gnome.” Luckily for you, Michigan tourist, this state has plenty of unique attractions to go around.
BOTTLE CAP MUSEUM GRAYLING, MICHIGAN This museum houses over 10,000 pieces of Coca Cola memorabilia (it is also a classic 50’s diner, complete with full menu and a working soda fountain).
WALTER P. CHRYSLER MUSEUM This is a spectacular collection of dozens of Chrysler automobiles. The 55,000 square foot museum houses more than 65 cars displayed over three floors. These are interspersed with interactive and historical exhibits.
MYSTERY SPOT ST. IGNACE, MICHIGAN This famed gravity defying area is a bit cheesy, but fun nonetheless. In addition to the “mystery spot”, there is a zipline, a maze and a miniature golf course. The Mystery Spot is an unexplainable 300-foot area where you can climb a wall without falling or sit in a chair with the front legs always suspended in the air.
WORLD’S LARGEST TIRE ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN Just off the I-94, you’ll find the world’s largest automobile tire, standing 80 feet tall, and weighing 12 tons. At the world fair in 196465, it served as the Ferris wheel (gondolas have since been removed).
THE WORLD’S LARGEST CHERRY PIE PAN TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN Located at the Sara Lee Bakery Group, it was at one time home to the World’s Largest Cherry Pie (which weighed 28,350 pounds). It is an appropriate homage to Traverse City being the Cherry Capital of Michigan.
CROSS IN THE WOODS & NUN DOLL MUSEUM INDIAN RIVER, MICHIGAN This crucifix stands 55 feet tall and weighs in at 21 tons. Another interesting (and oddly specific) addition is the nun doll museum-the world’s largest collection of dolls dressed as nuns. There are over 500 dolls modeling various habits. There are also dioramas of nuns at work.
WORLD’S LARGEST WOODEN DOME MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN The place known as “the Superior Dome” opened in 1991 and is located on the campus of Northern Michigan University. It is 14 stories tall, has a diameter of 536 feet and covers 5.1 acres.
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF MAGIC MARSHALL, MICHIGAN This is the work of Bob Lund, who began his collection in the mid 1930s and didn’t stop collecting until he died in 1995. There are props of well-known magicians such as Houdini, but also of thousands of small time magicians. The result is the world’s largest collection of magical memorabilia.
WORLD’S LARGEST WEATHERVANE MONTAGUE, MICHIGAN Located at the corner of Dowling and Water Street, it was built by Whitehall employees in the city. It works and stands 48 feet tall with an arrow that is 26 feet long.
MARVIN’S MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MUSEUM FARMINGTON, MICHIGAN If you like neon, antiques, advertising, slot machines, robots, airplanes, games…you’ll love this place. It is on the list of the World Almanac’s 100 most unusual museums in the United States. This is a must see it to believe it kind of place. TM
TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 55
Four hours north of Detroit, nestled at the base of the Old Mission Peninsula, lies picturesque Traverse City, Michigan. The largest city in the Northern Michigan area, Traverse City has grown into quite a hotspot for vacationers, movie buffs, foodies and cherry lovers. Traverse City was named for Grand Traverse Bay, its largest and most conspicuous neighboring body of water. The bay derives its name from 18th-century travellers who described crossing this beautiful inlet as “la grande traverse.� Divided into East and West Grand Traverse Bay by the Old Mission Peninsula, this cozy corner of Lake Michigan is a summer home and playground for boating enthusiasts and sun-worshippers. The many inland lakes dotting the countryside surrounding Traverse City proper afford additional options for fishing, boating and other aquatic activities. >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 57
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The Traverse City Film Festival (taking place this year from July 26th to July 31st) was founded by director Michael Moore, who is best known for his hard-hitting and irreverent films Fahrenheit 9/11 and Sicko. Moore, who was born in Flint, Michigan and owns a house in Traverse City, established the festival as a means to focus attention on independent films and filmmakers, and to contribute to the Michigan film industry. The Traverse City State Theatre, newly renovated thanks to a grant from Moore himself, is a historic and beautiful landmark within which most of the festival’s many notable films are presented. The film festival also boasts a massive outdoor movie screen in the “Open Space” at the center of town, where wellknown and classic family films are screened each evening beginning at dusk. No visit to Traverse City would be complete without embarking on a tour of one or more of the wonderful wineries located on Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas. Along with the opportunity to taste the excellent wines of the region, travelling the peninsulas allows the visitor the opportunity to sample both sweet and tart cherries, either fresh from the tree or from one of the many roadside stands. A beautiful vacation destination that has grown from a sleepy little town by the bay to a vibrant, wired and modern vacation spot, Traverse City has retained its eclectic style and small town feel and offers visitors beautiful shores, arts and culture and unique festivals and celebrations. If you have a chance to visit, you will be sure to f ind yourself returning again and again. Despite its small town ambience, Traverse City boasts amenities reminiscent of vacation locations many times its size. An abundance of first-rate accommodations and eclectic restaurants, each with its own unique style, make planning a comfortable and enjoyable vacation in Traverse City a breeze. Visiting in the summer is particularly enjoyable, as the Traverse City area hosts a number of nationally-recognized festivals and events during the summer months. Cherry Capital Airport, a large international airport with a newly designed terminal area, makes access to this delightful vacation destination easy and affordable. Two of Traverse City’s most widely known events are the National Cherry Festival and the Traverse City Film Festival. Each event is unique, and offers a different perspective on the area, its industry and its residents. The National Cherry Festival is a seven-day celebration of the significance of cherry farming in the Grand Traverse region; Traverse City currently produces over 80 percent of the tart cherries in the United States. The importance of cherry farming to the economy of the region cannot be overemphasized, and the National Cherry Festival serves to celebrate its significance. Over the course of the seven-day event, an average of 500,000 visitors enjoy—as spectators or participants—a variety of events such as parades, demonstrations, beach-volleyball tournaments, midway attractions and the festival airshow. The Cherry Festival airshow is particularly noteworthy in that it is one of the largest airshows in Michigan. The show features many nationally known aerobatic pilots and highlights the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team known as “The Blue Angels.” This years Cherry Festival takes place July 2nd to July 9th. TM
SOARING EAGLE BINGO PUTS YOU IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT FOR 35TH GAMING ANNIVERSARY. Tradition says coral is the customary gift for a 35th anniversary. At Soaring Eagle Bingo we say, “boring.” To rev things up, we’re giving away a brand new, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. On Saturday, April 23, we’re celebrating our 35th gaming anniversary with a fun-filled, 1:30PM Bingo session. Every player will receive an entry for the Malibu drawing. Plus the first 500 to purchase this session get a one-of-akind Soaring Eagle air freshener and a scrumptious Indian Taco. At the end of the session, 10 people will be awarded a special duffle bag. Inside one of those bags will be the keys to the Chevrolet Malibu. Not one to completely ignore tradition, Soaring Eagle Bingo will also be having a formal cake-cutting ceremony on
Friday, April 29. Be sure to join us because your sweet tooth will be treated to complimentary cake and cupcakes. No one understands the thrill of hearing your numbers called like we do. Bingo isn’t just a game here: it’s a passion. Every Wednesday through Sunday, our daily payouts reach up to $10,000. That’s on top of huge coveralls and special sessions like our upcoming 1:30PM session on April 23. It’s our 35th gaming anniversary but you get all the gifts – including a chance to win a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. So get those daubers ready and experience why Soaring Eagle Bingo is home to the biggest and best bingo action in the Midwest.
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TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 59
FINDING your GOLF GAME WHY MID-MICHIGAN SHOULD BE ON YOUR GOLFING BUCKET LIST
IF
you’re a golfer, you’ve been to that place. You’ve gone to that place where the holes seem a mile wide. And birdies are, well, par for the course. You’ve probably also been to that place where your strokes and hours of lessons cruelly let you down. Yet despite this betrayal by your driver and putter, there’s no other place you’d rather be: because, well, you’re a golfer. These are the places that offer the sights, sounds and sense of freedom no other sport can provide. These are places that don’t care if you’re young or old, a beginner or scratch golfer. To find them, all you need is a map of Mid-Michigan.
According to Golf magazine, Michigan ranks as one of the 10 best states to play golf, besting the likes of such resort-vacation luminaries as Hawaii and Georgia. So what do golf experts know that others seem to be overlooking? For one thing, Michigan is home to the most 5-star courses in the United States. Take, for example, the Tullymore Golf Resort nestled in Stanwood, MI. This premier golf resort is a tale of two world-class courses: the Tullymore Golf Club and the St. Ives Golf Club. Both glacier-carved landscapes boast par-72 golf courses as well as PGA professionals for group and private lessons. And while 80% of all golfers will never experience a handicap under 18, the journey to break that barrier is part of the game’s appeal. Tullymore Golf Club is an 800-acre tour of breathtaking woods, meadows and wetlands that welcome all golf handicaps. It has the distinction of being one of Golf Digest’s top 15 “Greatest Public and Resort Courses in America.” Not to be outdone by its sibling rival, St. Ives Golf Club is considered by many to be the crown jewel of legendary golf architect, Jerry Matthews. A pristine panorama of dramatic woodlands, wetlands and highlands, St. Ives was also named among the “Top 10 courses in America for Women” by Golf for Women magazine. That’s in addition to its 5-star rating from Golf Digest. The first 18-hole course in America was built on a sheep farm outside of Chicago, IL. Waabooz Run Golf Course illustrates how far courses have come since these rural beginnings. Located in Mount Pleasant, MI, this par-62 executive course gives all golfers 3,642 yards of picturesque reasons to test their skills against 18 unyielding holes. Besides being an official member of the USGA and GAM, Waabooz Run gives players a chance to show off their shot-making abilities in a challenging yet playable landscape of well-maintained greens and fairways. Just east of Waabooz Run is the award-winning Buck’s Run Golf Club. Whatever you do, don’t let the natural wetlands, wooded areas, river frontage and gorgeous lakes distract you. Despite its well-groomed
290 acres, playing on this course will only confirm to you the old adage that golf is indeed a game of inches. Each of Buck’s Run’s 18 holes is formidable – but fair – and encourages a good pace of play. Now, you may never sink a 375-foot putt (the longest ever in golf history), but you’re encouraged to work out the kinks in your short game on a unique putting island (yes, an island) that you’ll only find here. Invented in Scotland over 500 years ago, this game may seem like a superficial obsession to the non-golfer. Let those who have never swung a club have their jealousy. Their envy just assures more playing time for you – especially on a handsome course like the one found at the Pohlcat Golf Club in Mount Pleasant, MI. Designed by PGA Touring Pro Dan Pohl, this rolling terrain of natural grass, woods and wetlands makes for an experience that inspire great stories if not scorecards. As you play through, take note that the Chippewa River regularly snakes through this rangy course. Water comes into play on 14 of Pohlcat’s meticulously manicured, 18 holes. There are those who put the love of their life on a pedestal; those who know better put it on a tee. If you live by Ben Hogan’s gospel that “the only thing a golfer needs is more daylight,” you should know Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort literally puts you in the middle of all these award-winning courses. Its central location makes this place more than a convenient place to park your clubs. This is the hub for the ideal getaway for any golf retreat. In addition to accessibility, this renowned resort also offers special golf packages that include discounted rooms, food, entertainment even rounds of golf. By staying at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, golfers can easily explore some of the best courses not only in Michigan – but in the country as well. Emerald greens that liberate you from the distractions of the outside world; stunning scenery that reminds you Mother Nature knows what she’s doing; and that beautiful, crisp sound of club face meeting ball. This is what you can expect from the courses of Mid-Michigan. This is the place that only golf can take you. TM
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IT’S ELECTRIC! FOREST FESTIVAL BY GABRIELLE TIEMAN
Once a year, a serene forest in Rothbury, Michigan undergoes a transformation only to be imagined in your wildest dreams. Rolling fields become temporary homes for thousands of campers from across the world, star light is enhanced by hundreds of thousands of neon bulbs, lasers and kaleidoscope projections and the soft sounds of the woods are taken over by the greatest sounds in music.
An aura is said to be felt the moment you arrive at the Electric Forest Festival; the enchanted-world vibe created by the team behind the annual multi-genre concert is one that is hard to even dream of. Life sized painted elephants flank the stages, olden day circus tents tower over the trees and hot air balloons float above the crowds of flowercrowned dancers and all styles of music lovers
ELECTRICFORESTFESTIVAL.COM Resort offers multiple beachfronts, bars and eateries, a 60,000-square-foot indoor water park, 18-hole championship golf course, swimming pools, horseback riding, and more activities; ensuring that a single moment of the festival is not left empty. The original festival event, dubbed the Rothbury Festival, debuted in 2008 and focused on both jam bands and rock bands exclusively. Electric Forest as it is today debuted in 2011 co-produced by Insomniac Events and Madison House. The 2015 event drew an estimated 45,000 attendees and it is foreseen to grow as the year’s progress and the festival expands. Famous for selling out before the lineup is even announced, tickets cost $30 dollars for general admission and offer a number of options for those wishing to bundle tickets with camping or multiple days together. The festival also offers a number of camping options depending on the size of your group and the vehicle you plan on bringing with you. The Double JJ Resort as well offers a number of rooms and cabins available for rent by groups. More than simply an incredible party and music experience, Electric Forest offers a multi-cultural art experience that creates a community within the warm confines of the festivals lights. The Electric Forest Festival’s 2016 Lineup was not announced at the time of publish. TM
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– all unified to take part in the grandeur of this unique audiovisual multi-colour dream scape. The extremely popular Northern Michigan music festival lasts for four days and is held at the Double JJ Resort June 23-26. This multistage festival is renowned for featuring a number of performers from every genre of music; all styles are represented from funk to heavy dubstep to alternative rock, jam-style, marching bands, banjos, saxophones and all instruments in-between. As the forest vibrates from stage to stage, concert goers are encouraged to stop and embrace different styles of music and listen to genres they may not generally gravitate to while at such a festival. The Forest has previously been known to showcase great talent such as ZEDD, Skrillex, Passion Pit, Tiesto, The String Cheese Incident and many local and emerging artists. But the focus is not only on the big names and mainstage madness; the Forest team is known for focusing on the bigger picture and encouraging everyone to check out the lesser known names and emerging up-and-comers at the smaller stages. Many long-time attendees are even known to buy tickets before the lineup is announced; focusing on the experience more than the headliners gracing the big stages. In past years, select artists have played multiple shows over the course of the festival. A number of stages are constructed throughout the venue playing multiple bands at a single time – but headliners are generally kept separate to ensure concert-goers do not have to choose between sets. Apart from the music, the Forest’s art directors work tirelessly to create an interactive environment teeming with astonishing art, dreamlike decorations and jaw-dropping displays of communal creativity. Scattered throughout the venue, past festivals have seen CD adorned trees, geometric inspired metal globes and structures, music inspired sculptures, giant archways, live art performances and even temporary galleries erected in the forest. 2015’s Forest also included a man-made Reincarnation Village which featured largescale dream catchers strung from the treetops, intricate floral displays and multi-cultural religious figurines in hand-crafted wood temples. And if this breathtaking outdoor venue was not enough, the one-of-a-kind Double JJ
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BRINGIN’ BACK THE 80’S April 22 & 23 | HERITAGE PARK - FRANKENMUTH Bring back hair teasing memories by paying tribute to the music, trends and events of the 1980’s. Don’t sit back in your pegged pants and play Atari, come on down and have a great time at the 12th Annual Bringin’ Back the 80’s celebration! Located in Heritage Park, 601 Weiss Street. Call 989-6528008 or visit 80sfest.org for more information.
GILMORE KEYBOARD FESTIVAL 2016 April 29–May 14 | KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN Presented biennially over three weeks in April and May, the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is internationally recognized as America’s most prestigious piano music festival. The Gilmore’s nearly 100 Festival events showcase some of the most notable and accomplished pianists and keyboard musicians in the world along with artists just emerging on the international stage at different venues in Kalamazoo. More info at thegilmore.org/festival
TULIP FESTIVAL May 7–14 | HOLLAND, MICHIGAN Named “Best Small Town Festival” by Reader’s Digest, Tulip Time has delighted visitors for over 80 years! Of course the number one attraction is the tulip itself and there are literally
millions to see, in our city parks, Downtown planters, Tulip Lanes, Windmill Island Gardens, Nelis’ Dutch Village, and Veldheer’s Tulip Farm. There are 3 parades to enjoy. The Dutch Marktplaats offers Dutch food, merchandise, and demonstrations. Throughout town, you’ll have many chances to experience traditional Klompen (wooden shoe) dancing, as well as the Art & Craft Fair, Quilt Show, carnival rides, concerts, theatrical shows, fireworks, trolley tours, and so much more. More info at tuliptime.com
NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL May 12–15 | BOYNE CITY, MICHIGAN The festival starts at 4pm Thursday with the Craft Beer Block Party on Water Street in downtown Boyne City. Then there is a free mushroom hunting seminar followed by an optional guided morel hunt on Friday afternoon and a competitive morel hunt on Saturday morning. Buses take you to the hunting grounds for both. The Wine and Dine dinner is Friday night at the Beach House restaurant including five morel-infused hors d’oeuvres paired with five wines. The Taste of Morels gives you your choice of tastes from a dozen great restaurants in the giant festival tent in Veterans Park at noon Saturday. There are dances with great live bands on Friday and Saturday nights in the beer tent. There are also carnival rides and much more throughout the weekend. Check out bcmorelfestival.com >>
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WORLD EXPO OF BEER May 20–21 | HERITAGE PARK - FRANKENMUTH This is Michigan’s largest beer sampling event, with nearly 300 different beers available from around the world. $10 admission includes a free collector beer sampling mug (must be 21 and older). Events runs Friday May 20th from 5pm-10pm, and Saturday May 21st from 3pm-10pm. Located in Heritage Park, 601 Weiss Street.
4TH ANNUAL BBQ, BLUES AND BLUEGRASS: A TASTE OF MICHIGAN May 21 | SAINT JOSEPH 4th Annual BBQ , Blues and Bluegrass: A Taste of Michigan. Celebrate spring and get ready for summer! Enjoy live music, craft beer, regional wines, and local BBQ! This event will be located in Whirlpool Centennial Park, just below the bluff from downtown St. Joseph, from 12:00pm-8:00pm.
ART & WINE FESTIVAL May 28 & 29 | LEMON CREEK WINERY & FRUIT FARM, BERRIEN SPRINGS The Memorial Day Weekend Art & Wine Festival is a twoday celebration of regional art, music and wine. This event is open to the public free of charge at Lemon Creek Winery’s Berrien Spring’s location from 12:00pm-6:00pm.
67TH ANNUAL MACKINAC ISLAND LILAC FESTIVAL June 3–June 12 | MACKINAC ISLAND The 10-day celebration is the first and largest summer event on the Island, attracting thousands of visitors. A celebration that blends the Island’s historic varieties of lilacs, distinctive
equestrian culture, fine food, drink and accommodations plus a range of other activities, the festival is one of the Island’s biggest attractions. Festivities include the coronation of the Lilac Festival Queen and Court, Lilac Festival 10K, Grand Hotel History Lecture, horse drawn carriage tours, numerous concerts, sailing tours of the harbor, boat cruises under the Mackinac Bridge, wine tastings, A Taste of Mackinac Culinary Event, Mackinac Island Dog and Pony Show and the festival’s signature event, the Lilac Festival Grand Parade. View a complete schedule at www. MackinacIsland.org
FRANKENMUTH BAVARIAN FESTIVAL June 9–12 | HERITAGE PARK Michigan’s largest celebration of Bavarian Heritage is the Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival. Visitors to the Bavarian Festival are invited to celebrate German heritage through Bavarian music played by authentically dressed German bands, watch two parades, enjoy an expanded midway with rides and games, dance music, face painting, and a hands-on craft area. Taste the hearty Bavarian foods, plump bratwurst, barbecued chicken and homemade pretzels. More information at frankenmuth.org/festivals-and-events/festivals
JAPANESE ANIMATION FILM & ART EXPO - JAFAX June 24–26 | AMWAY GRAND PLAZA HOTEL & DEVOS PLACE CONFERENCE CENTER, GRAND RAPIDS The 20th annual festival celebrating Japanese culture and art will take place at a new venue this year: DeVos Place and Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Come experience local artists, educational seminars, and see the latest anime at JAFAX. ™
GET BACK TO NATURE WITH YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS. A welcoming RV Park with all the comforts of home. A marina featuring every convenience a boater could imagine. A sportsman store that carries all the hunting, fishing, camping and outdoors gear you’d want for your adventure. Whatever you need, Soaring Eagle Properties makes the great outdoors a special place for everyone.
989.846.1809 | eaglevalleyoutfitters.com Pinconning, MI
989.817.4800 | soaringeaglehideaway.com Mt. Pleasant, MI
989.846.6065TODAYMAGAZINE.CA | eaglebaymarina.com 67 Standish, MI
LIVE IN THE
MOMENTS THAT DEFINE THE ANISHINABE CULTURE. Experience what you won’t find in history books. The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways is where the culture, diversity and spirit of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and other Great Lakes Anishinabek can be seen, touched and explored. From interactive exhibits to personal artifacts, artwork to multi-media displays, you’ll find yourself moved and inspired.
MON–SAT | 10AM–6PM CLOSED SUNDAY 989.775.4750 | Fax 989.775.4770 SAGCHIP.ORG/ZIIBIWING 6650 E. Broadway Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Photo provided by: Marcella Hadden, Niibing Giizis Photography Studio