Thumbs UP Michigan - SEPTEMBER 2009

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Mother Nature has selected her palette and is ready to paint the state in the rich reds, oranges, yellows and browns of maple, birch, aspen and oak trees. The fall colors to complement the deep greens of conifers across Michigan’s 19.3 million acres of forests. Temperatures, precipitation levels, the amount of cloud cover, and lake effect warming contribute to the timing of the changing leaves and the intensity of the hues, but the color show begins around mid-September in the upper reaches of the Upper Peninsula, and bows out around the end of October in the southern Lower Peninsula. Leaf peepers can track the changing foliage thanks to the state tourism office’s free Travel Michigan Fall Color eNewsletter, and regular updates posted online; find these services as well as fall color driving routes, calendar of autumn activities, and lodging, dining and shopping information at michigan.org. Leaf it to Jenny and Joanna to help you rake in the story ideas.

The drive along M-119 north of Harbor Springs, also known as the "Tunnel of Trees," is recognized for its natural beauty, with glimpses of Lake Michigan framed by foliage along the winding road. Now there’s a new way to appreciate the sights and history of the 27.5-mile route between Petoskey and Cross Village: an audio tour on CD that takes visitors on a self-guided journey through the history, towns, geology and the natural world along the Michigan Heritage Highway. The CD was produced by a team of "Route Scouts" based in the northwest Lower Peninsula who applied their expertise in local history, culture, nature, shopping and dining. It utilizes narration, interviews, fun facts, music and sound effects. Want to hear more? Jenny and Joanna can put you in touch with the folks behind the new audio tour. 2

Three lucky hunters will be drawn to participate in the first ever Pure Michigan Hunt, a unique multi-species hunting opportunity. The winner may purchase licenses for elk, bear, antlerless deer, and turkey (spring and fall seasons). The goal of this hunt is to create a new source of revenue for natural resource management and increase public interest and enthusiasm for outdoor recreation. To track down more information from on the Pure Michigan Hunt contact Jenny or Joanna.

You don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying Pure Michigan Apple Cider as it has about 87 calories per 6 oz. glass. Apples are Michigan’s largest and most valuable fruit crop, with a value of about $100 million annually to the apple grower. It’s time to visit one of the many cider mills that offer a view of the cider process and to take home a gallon or two, and load up on fresh for just plain good eating, baking and cooking. Many mills offer lots of other goodies including fresh baked goods, hay rides, mazes, petting farms for kids and u-pick options. According to the Michigan Apple Committee there are more than 7.5 million apple trees in commercial production, covering 37,000 acres, on 950 family-run farms in the Lower Peninsula. It’s a no wonder that that the Apple Blossom is Michigan’s official flower. If "u-pick" up the phone and call Jenny or Joanna, they can get you the info you need -- fresh off the presses.

A special garden just for kids is now ready to bloom in southeastern Michigan. The garden includes more than 15 areas including a "sensational garden" to encourage kids to use all their senses; a natural builders garden where children can build structures and objects out of twigs, logs, pieces of bark, and other natural material; a habitat garden for exploring and imagining the homes of wild animals; a butterfly garden and secret spaces for children to find and create their own places in the garden. A free grand opening is slated for September 13. There’s more, so give Jenny or Joanna a call and they can help you grow a great family outing story.

Guests can dine between rows of Chardonnay grapes in a scenic setting 10 miles north of Traverse City – September 5, 12, 19 and 26. This summer visitors combined a lesson in fly fishing on a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream favored by Ernest Hemmingway; the day closed with a gourmet dinner created by an award winning chef. It’s fine dining with a casual attitude along with culinary and wine information guests can use at home. Culinary tourism is on the rise and Michigan offers many opportunities to bring together all the senses for a memorable Pure Michigan experience. Joanna or Jenny can cook up the details for you.

The Winter Olympics may be months away, but you can get in on some early Olympic excitement September 8–12 at the United States Olympic Team Trials for short track speed-skating. The trials will be held in Marquette, home to one of the United States Olympic Education Center’s located on the campus of Northern Michigan University. The Olympic Trials will determine the U.S. Winter Olympics speed-skating team and is sure to offer some exciting action. Expected to participate is five-time Olympic medalist Apolo Anton Ohno. Want to find out more about this golden opportunity, contact Jenny or Joanna. 3

Students attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor aren’t the only ones who will be hitting the books this fall. Anyone with literary love is encouraged and invited to attend the 7th Annual Kerrytown® BookFest on September 13. The festival is a celebration for those who create books and those who read them and features authors, storytellers, publishers, bookbinders, book artists and illustrators, poets, printers, papermakers, librarians, teachers and many more associated with books, offering a colorful mix of book related activities, all showcased in one location. This year’s theme is The Culinary Arts and from conversations about cherries, fish and Jiffy Mix to stories shared by the local food zealots of Zingerman’s, recipes, cookbooks and stories about food will be a delicious part of this year’s event. Hungry for more information? Contact Jenny or Joanna.

They’re there all year long---a few of them have stood for more than a century---but somehow they seem more picturesque in autumn. The fall colors on the trees complement the red, brown,
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