Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair, Traverse City 6/28
June 23, 2009
Artists & Craftsmen Showcase Work Along Union Street
Arts and Crafts will fill the street this weekend when Downtown Traverse City hosts its annual Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair on Sunday, June 28. Located along Union Street between Sixth and Eighth Streets, the annual juried fair will feature close to 90 Midwest and national artists and craftsmen. Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., rain or shine.
The event is the first summer art fair hosted by the Downtown Traverse City Association. The others included the National Cherry Festival Arts and Crafts Fair in July and the Downtown Art Fair in August. All are open to the public free of charge. For more information, call the DTCA office at (231) 922-2050 or visit www.downtowntc.com.
Cherry Bowl Drive-In Features 6/12 - 6/25
June 12, 2009
Drive-In Movie Features Friday June 12th – Thursday June 25th
Up, rated PG (This is not the 3-D version)
Star Trek, rated PG-13
Movies are always a double feature and always family friendly. Rain or shine, dusk is the time. The Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre is located on US-31 in Honor, Michigan. For more information visit their website at www.cherrybowldrivein.com. For a map to their location The Cherry Bowl on our Attractions page.
Stay in Style at the Wellington Inn
June 10, 2009
Charming Carriage House still has Room at the Inn
When I roam around the county filling displays at hotels, motels, resorts and wineries I try to take a moment and chat with the owners and staff. I stopped this week at the Wellington Inn in Traverse City and was surprised to learn that there was still room available in the carriage house this summer. Since I’ve never taken a tour of the property I asked Barb if she’d mind showing me around.
The carriage house was the first building to be renovated when Barb and Hank Richel purchased the Inn in 1999. The care and attention to detail of the property is evident everywhere you look. From the well maintained exterior to the antiquities it holds, the carriage house, and the Inn next door, is a perfect Traverse City getaway.
There are two apartments located on the upper level of this former barn. Even as we entered the stairwell I couldn’t help but enjoy the collision of past and present. An antique original wallpaper mural guides us to the stairway and the apartments above. We opened the door to the first and walked into a casual comfortable place. The decor is French Country. Our view roamed from the tiny, but full-service period kitchen, to the living space and bright windows. There are two bedrooms which share one bath in this apartment. Each beautifully decorated with an attention to detail and nod to history and comfort. Guests leave their thanks and compliments in a notebook on the dresser for future dwellers to enjoy.
The second apartment is slightly larger, with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The light from the windows pours into the room and illuminates the Rishel’s attention to detail. Art Deco decor can be found throughout, from the fixtures to the artwork. And the condition of the pieces is amazing. The stamped velvet couch is vintage 1930s and it’s the origianal covering. The rooms are filled with antiques, many of which have been lovingly restored by Barb and Hank.
The Wellington Inn Bed & Breakfast is located in the heart of Traverse City. Guests are within walking distance of shopping, dining, galleries, the State Theater and of course, Grand Traverse Bay. Whether you stay in grand elegance at the historic 1905 Inn, or in pristine comfort at the carriage house, The Wellington Inn will not disappoint.
I doubt these apartments will last long, so contact The Wellington Inn today while there’s still room this summer. For more information on the Wellington Inn visit their website at www.wellingtoninn.com or give Barb a call at 877-968-9900.
Golden Performance by Michigan Rose Wines
June 8, 2009
The Gold Rush is back and invigorating the wine industry on the 45th Parallel.
Rose wines are growing in popularity and respect among wine drinkers and judges alike. Several recent Gold medals are proof positive that Michigan Rosé is here to stay.
MichWine.com, an independent consumer guide to the Michigan wine industry, conducted a review of 11 rosé wines from throughout the state. The top performers were the 2008 Forty-Five North Pinot Noir Rosé, 2008 Tabor Hill Cabernet Franc Rosé, and 2008 2 Lads Cabernet Franc Rosé.
This is not the first time local Rosé wines have risen to the top of their peers. The Forty-Five North Pinot Noir Rosé was awarded Best of Class at the 2008 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition. Without a separate category for Rosé wines, Forty-Five North’s Rosé competed against 954 other reds and came in just shy of the Grand Champion. The judges were so impressed they created the special award for Best of Class.
Did you know: The pink or orange hues of a Rosé wine come from the short period of time that the juice is left to ferment on the skins, where the color resides. Winemakers will "bleed-off" the juice to make Rosé, while the remaining skins are left to help produce a deeper, richer colored red wine.
So next time you’re in Michigan wine country, don’t overlook the Rosé…the fairer red wine.
Hometown Highlights: Spartan Flag Company
June 4, 2009
Hometown Highlights: Spartan Flag Company
Did you know, the majority of the world’s golf flags are made in Northport, Michigan? I had no idea. That is, until I had the chance to get a tour of the Spartan Flag Company, in beautiful Northport, Michigan. It was there I came to see why the golf industry has grown to depend on the craftsmanship of this hometown family business.
My tour guide for the day was Carnie Kilcherman. Like a proud mother she welcomed me to her home-away-from-home. And it’s no wonder she feels this way. Her daughter is the president, and her husband and three sons were working away behind the scenes. 
Much like other manufacturing facilities there were several jobs in progress, at various stages of design, and everyone was busy. We visited with her sons, who were packing boxes for shipping, and Carnie’s husband Dave who fills in wherever he’s needed. There were four sewing stations stitching with expert care, and speed that I couldn’t muster on my best day.
One thing I didn’t see on my tour was a computer system for creating templates or custom designs. That’s because they don’t have one. "All of our designs are drawn by hand," explained Pino. When a customer brings in a family crest, or wants a custom banner, they work with an artist who translates their designs into flag templates using only a pencil, paper and practiced skill. That’s craftsmanship you don’t see everyday.- The secret to the longevity of their sewn flags: new waxed thread. While it makes a mess of the machines, it produces a longer-lasting stitch
- One of the most intricate banners was created for a wedding and covered with roses
- Most notable golf flags were created for a special golf tournament with President Bill Clinton
- Standard Golf holds a patent on the plastic part of the flag which attaches to the pole; one of the reasons they hold the corner on the golf flag market
- At one time or another nearly every member of the Kilcherman family has worked for the flag company
The Spartan Flag Company has been sewing flags, pennants and banners since 1950. If you’re in the market for a new flag for the cottage, or perhaps a nautical flag for that new boat, give Casey a call. They are also a great resource for American flags. While not made in-house, they will guarantee that your American flag was made in the U.S.A. To contact the Spartan Flag Company call 231.386.5150 or visit the Spartan Flag Company website.Gallery
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