I am spending the next few days on a Circle Michigan FAM tour on behalf of Battle Creek. The FAM tour, also known as a familiarization tour, is throughout Southern Michigan, and today is day one.

This has been a phenomenal trip so far! And I can't wait to tell you! First, we started at McCamly Plaza Hotel in Battle Creek. The staff was so friendly and they had a great reception room for us waiting until we could board our bus.

Once boarded, we met our driver, Dezzi - amazing guy! And, we headed out to the Kellogg Manor House. Kellogg Manor House, sits on Gull Lake and has such an amazing history. W.K. Kellogg used that as his summer home and it is absolutely incredible! The inctricate details, all the rook tile and the 400 year old tapestries that lined the wall would have anyone stunned! The House prepared lunch for us, and we sat overlooking Gull Lake; could not have asked for a better day with the temperatures in the 80's and the sun shining!

From there, we headed to Gilmore Car Museum. It doesn't matter if you know cars or not to be fascinated by this place. Set on a large piece of land, different barns house different period cars; there is everything from 1930's luxury cars, to race cars to miniature cars! It is outside, and with the sun beating down on us, it was getting roasty. So... we headed over to the diner and enjoyed some soft serve custard! It was definitly the perfect treat!

As the afternoon progressed, we went to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. Now, this was my first experience and I can say I was highly impressed. When you walk in, you walk through this hallway of clouds and it gives the illusion of walking into space, then, you enter a large room with a hand painted mural covering the wall! The planes placed throughout the room are so unique and have their own stories, but we didn't have much time to hear everything. My kids would love it! And, they are doing free general admission all summer. However, my favorite part, was when we sat in a movie-theatre like room, and had a 4-D experience... the story of the 'Kalamazoo Gal'; an aircraft in World War II. You felt your chair move, the screen jump out at you and even air blew at you! Quite the experience!

Then, to finish the evening we headed out to Marina Grand Resort in New Buffalo MI. It is beautiful! The rooms are very welcoming and, to my great pleasure, they had chocolate waiting to greet me... definitly a great start to the evening.

Come to find out, they rent out bikes for free as a compimentary service. So, of course, I had to test it out. They have the old-school bikes that don't have handle breaks (only back pedal breaks) and I rode out to Lake Michigan. The sky was the clearest of blues, the temperature was perfect and the sun was setting over the waters. Now, if you have never experienced a Lake Michigan sunset, it is definitly something you need to do. To finish off the evening, I enjoyed a glass of wine at the hotel's restaurant overlooking the harbor. I miss my kids, but today was quite the experience. I look forward to part 2 tomorrow!

It’s the middle of June; the sun is shining and my kids are out of school for the summer. I had to drive down Michigan Avenue this morning and saw tables lining the sides of the street and realized it is once again that time of year: Cereal Festival.

The Festival runs along Michigan Avenue and begins tomorrow (Saturday June 13) from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. However, activities and entertainment will run until noon. The World's Longest Breakfast Table, 150 tables long, will be set up from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

It’s supposed to be a beautiful weekend and I, for one, look forward to this event every year. It is great to see so many familiar faces and meet new ones…. Not to mention the kids loving the breakfast and all the “happenings” downtown.

Hope to see everyone out there tomorrow!

Schuler’s Has Brewed Up A Sentimental, Centennial “Mug Night”

I am not sure about you, but I am tired of all of the focus being, (particularly on Michigan) about how bad the economy is or how bad business is or how manufacturing is suffering etc… we all know this. Isn’t it time to focus on some good news? Adjust our thinking perhaps? Focus on some of the good ideas? I think Michigan still has a few tricks up its sleeve……..

What a tradition the beer and hospitality industries have had. A real marriage. We all know the names of some of the oldest breweries, the most recognizable brands that have been around a very long time, many born right here in the Midwest. It is wonderful to see the micro-brewing industry take off in Michigan, in our own backyard, and begin to thrive. What if we had the next Budweiser, to evolve, in our “land of lakes”? Many of the big brewing and beverage producing dynasties were created during the depression, (after prohibition) or at and around the turn of the century when time were hard, but formulas and traditions were created, handed down and success was born despite the hard times. It is also true that we are seeing an evolving, thriving Michigan business turn the corner on a century of doing fine hospitality, at Schuler’s Restaurant and Pub. What a milestone!

Schuler’s in its Centennial year has decided to bring back a blast from the past with the celebration of Mug Night. This is a sentimental journey, bringing back an event that took place in the 80’s where many loyal locals remember bringing in their original mugs faithfully for a weekly gathering with good friends and neighbors and to enjoy their favorite brew. Well, what goes around comes around, so they say, and what better way to celebrate 100 years of great hospitality than with a great mug of beer!

Now, during the “100 Days of Summer Celebration” you can come in on Tuesdays to enjoy this faithful festivity! Schuler’s has created a Centennial Pewter Mug that you can purchase for $35.00 filled with your draft beer of choice. Return each and every Tuesday thereafter and receive $1.00 off all draft beer refills.

You can now, once again, be a part of this special, although informal, Schuler club! And guess what? If you were wondering and are lucky enough to still own one of the original mugs from the past, you can bring it in and Schuler’s will honor it with the promotional beer price!

As the weather gets warmer, the days get longer and people gather, Mug Night is a great option for fun times and great memories born into the next century….cheers!

As the engines roared, the smell of gasoline wafted through the air, and my kids stared in awe at the trucks, I had to smile.

Ever since I was a kid, I loved going to drag races and going to everything my dad would let me tag along on. So, when I heard that Monster Trucks were coming to the Kellogg Arena, my husband and I decided it would be the perfect family event; and it was. We bought Pit Passes to go and check out the trucks before the event and my kids had a blast. They were amazed that the tires were bigger than Daddy! My son seemed to be nervous before everything got started, and I was worried we wouldn’t be making it through the entire event. However, the drivers put on an excellent program and by the time the event was over, my husband and I were pretty much dragging our kids away!

In anticipation of another family event, I discovered that the American Strongman “Live” is coming to the Arena on May 16 at 7:00 p.m. I have seen them on T.V., but to watch the athletes show their strength in person (as they rep 300 pound car axles, battle 360 pound Atlas Stones) I can’t wait for it! If you are looking for something new and fun for everyone, and something that fits in your budget, be sure to get tickets! (Contact Kellogg Arena for those). After the Monster Trucks, I anxiously await this event and the opportunity for my kids to see something different! (And for my own entertainment as well, but we won’t let them know that…)

So, my younger sister was complaining to me the other day that she didn't have anything new to do on a date with her boyfriend. And, it got me to thinking, that I am sure there are other people looking for new and different ideas. So, I compiled a couple of my ideas and think that people can mix and match for themselves what to do... whether single and trying out the whole dating scene, or married and just needing a night out, I think these are a great stepping stone.

Gary Fields Comedy Club and dinner downtown
Picnic at one of the beatiful local parks
"Picture the Moment" - walk together around town/parks taking favorite pictures and put in an album
Sports events - no matter the season - Battle Creek Knights, Revlolution/ Bombers
Brooks Memorial Fountain in Marshall - walk around town, get some icecream, sit and watch the beautiful fountain
Go bowling! Or minature golf! Or the Arcade! Be a kid again for a night
Enjoy dinner at Schuler's in Marshall then attend a performance at the Franke Center for the Arts.
Or, why not try dinner and an evening at teh Waterfront Seaside Sports Bar, especially once the weather stays warm, it would be great to sit on the lake and enjoy the winter FINALLY being over.
Stay a night at local hotel; perhaps one with a pool or hot tub, and enjoy dinner and a little relaxation away from the normal stresses of life.

There is so much to do in Calhoun County! This is just the start of my list! I will have to post another one soon on this same topic and share my favorite date my husband took me on! I'd love to hear any of your favorite local dates!

Winter… when it first begins is associated with beautiful snow falls, skiing and snowboarding and the holiday season. However, months in, it becomes associated with bitterly frigid temperatures, ugly brown snow and days that are far too short… leading us to Cabin Fever.

As many of you probably are experiencing similar situations, my children are in desperate need of things to do (as am I).

So, I am compiling a list of fun activities for the family to do locally. With the economy suffering as it is, and family budgets doing just the same, I am definitely incorporating those thoughts into these plans. If I leave anything out, PLEASE add to it…

Go bowling! – Places are offering deals with food/shows and rental equipment
Open skate – the Rink offers a variety of hours to get out and get moving
Check out the Digistar Planetarium at Kingman Museum – only a few dollars admission
Go swimming – Battle Creek Family YMCA – get moving and get ready for summer
Hands on fun for the kids – Kids ‘n Stuff in Albion
Watch a game – The Battle Creek Knights play at Kellogg Arena – fun for an entire evening
Hit ‘em Here Golf Driving Range and Riverview Recreation – mini golf, batting cages

Another great idea, that my husband and I will be doing this weekend… is renting a local hotel room for the night. The kids can swim in the pool; we can order a pizza, rent some movies, play games and enjoy a mini vacation right in town. No need to spend hundreds of dollars to get those quality memories… and it gives me a break from having to clean up from everyone.

I’d be interested in hearing other suggestions!

Love is in the air as Valentine's Day is only one day away! My husband says he has the evening all planned, we'll see what he does! Blues artist, Clifford Babcock is playing at McCamly Plaza Hotel... I would love to hear live music!

Have you heard, Binder Park Zoo's, Zoorotica, has been all over the news lately! What a topic! I turned the TV on last night, and it made CNN! I wish my husband and I would have signed up for it. What a great concept! You can tour the zoo and learn of the animal's love lives... and enjoy hors d’oeuvres with a DVD presentation. The event is only for participants 21 and older. Hopefully with this year's success, it will be back again next year.

Side note: a star was born out of the wildfires in Australia; Sam the Koala. She was the one the firefighter fed the water bottle... and out of it comes a love story, which I find perfect for Valentine's Day. She met boyfriend Bob, when he too, was hurt from the fires! Just another way proving we all meet our match one way or the other! Read the story here

Doing anything special this Valentine's Day? Did you go to McCamly or Binder Park Zoo?