Monroe is celebrating the 100th birthday of the unveiling of their General George A. Custer statue this year! We were able to stand and admire him under sunny blue skies this past weekend. Monroe is a beautiful old-timey town with the Raisin River flowing through it and pedestrian bridges to meander over. They also have lots of quaint shops and an Irish pub called McGeady's where supposedly George had his last drink before heading out to the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
Michigan is the great outdoors, and the store Cabela's personifies this selling hunting, fishing and outdoor gear in Dundee since 2000. It has a massive 225,000 sq ft showroom with an aquarium, waterfalls and animals displayed in their natural habitat. There's also snack and fudge shops and a furniture department. We've never seen so much camouflage in one place.
If you are city slickers, you need a place like the Calder Dairy Farm to help you appreciate the vigors and contrasts of farming life. Imagine the look on children's faces when that rooster 5 feet away starts crowing. The goats were roaming free and trying to eat Doreen's coat. They have a viewing room where you can watch the cows being milked and they sell their farm products here.....we especially like the ice cream! Tucked away in Carleton, it's family run and owned since 1946. They use recycled bottles, have home delivery and do not use growth hormones in their products! We like getting back to nature.
It's beautiful and serene and it's called the Holz Brucke which means covered bridge in German. This community of Frankenmuth is pretty unique, having been founded by franconians (from the Bavarian area in Germany) way back in 1845. The 200+ foot long bridge all made of wood was built in a style reminiscent of those built back in the 1800's. It consists of oak, pine and douglas fir and it's topped with cedar shingles and yes, you can drive across it! The annual Snowfest is held this year beginning January 27th and runs through February 1. Don't forget to drive across the bridge!
Central Methodist stands on the corner of Woodward and Adams downtown. Known as the "Peace and Justice" church, their members were instrumental in banning executions way back in the 1830's, as hangings took place in the commons adjacent to their place of worship. In fact, this area became the first English-speaking territory to abolish the death penalty. A leader in the civil rights movement, Dr Martin Luther King Jr had spoken many time from their pulpit. Today, the Rev Jesse Jackson is speaking, as part of their bicentennial celebration.
The worldwide celebration of Robert Burn's birthday takes place the end of January. His actual birthday was January 25th, 1759 in bonny old Scotland. Michigan gets in on the festivities tonight in Bath, near Lansing, at the Eagle Eye Golf and Country Club where there's a big shindig complete with the Glen Erin bagpipe band, highland dancers and the obligatory haggis for good eating, the yummy picture you see above. You haven't lived until you've partaken of it! Get out your kilts and practice your Scottish brogue, saying My love's like a red red rose
There's been a car show in Detroit, the Motor City, since 1907 when it was held in a Beer Garden. Having grown to international status it is now entering its 21st year in 2010 as the North American International Auto Show at our downtown Cobo Hall (celebrating its 50th year at Cobo). Among the most prestigious car shows in the world, it runs through Jan 24th. Auto manufacturers from around the globe display their latest products and the newest technologies. This Mustang is assembled in Flat Rock. Isn't she breathtaking? Here's more info.
The Charles Wright Museum of African American History is a wonderful museum to experience. It is open Tuesday through Sunday and is located in the cultural district. From the wonderful atrium to the permanent and current exhibits, there is always something to learn from displays on archeology, art, history and culture. The exhibits take you through various times in African American history. Visit and find the references to Martin Luther King. 
The Magic Bag concert hall/nightclub is known for its Brew & View nights and its live performances. This weekend features their 16th annual antifreeze blues festival. Located in Ferndale since 1921 north of Nine Mile along that famous Woodward strip, you can't miss it. Detroit's own Thornetta Davis appears tonight. Check them out here. The movie nights are $2. January 21st is Where the Wild Things Are and Jan 27 is Men Who Stare at Goats, both 2009 flicks will be up for Oscars.
With 30 screens including an Imax, the AMC 30 movie theater in Sterling Heights has been a perennial favorite since it opened 10 years ago. With the Oscars coming up March 7, these next two cold winter months make movie-going a favorite activity of Michiganders. If you go to the show before noon, tickets are only $5 with free refills on popcorn, too! The AMC Forum 30 also features some classical live METropolitan opera. Tomorrow there's a showing of Bizet's Carmen in high definition and January 27th is Strauss' Der Rosenkavier.
These Haitian girls drawn by Joanna Eden were part of Grand Rapids' ArtPrize this past fall. Over 5,000 artists compete and their works grace the entire city. Billed as the world's largest art prize (they give away a half million dollars in monetary awards), it is truly phenomenal. Mark your calendars for Sept 22-Oct 10, 2010!
Solanus Casey was a Capuchin monk ordained in 1904. He spent most of his life in Detroit serving his people as he was always willing to listen to anyone, anytime, day or night. Many attributed favors to his prayers. His body is entombed at St Bonaventure on Mt Elliot upon which people often leave handwritten prayers. They have healing services in the chapel Wednesdays and the 4th Sunday at 2pm.
The ice is frozen on Lake St. Clair and ready for skating! It is thrilling to hear the ice shift and creek. For those of you not quite brave enough to skate outdoors, check here for the entire listing of indoor arenas in Michigan. The opportunities we have to skate year round in our state is impressive. 
Today is the feast of the three kings--those Magi who came to honor the Christ Child at his birth. These Russian figurines are part of a nativity scene at Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store with 320,000 square feet of retail space located in Frankenmuth and open 361 days a year. "Little Bavaria" gets 3 million tourists a year.
It's an experience you'll likely not ever forget, eating at Tony's. When you order a club sandwich like the one pictured here or a BLT, it comes with a pound of bacon and thick Texas style toast. We watched the cook stab this one with a knife to hold it together! The omelette consists of 12 eggs for starters. Don't even think of ordering a banana split....unless you're sharing with about 8-10 others. Our waitress Amy was great. Tony's is just off I-75 at Birch Run on the west side of the expressway.
Back in 1945 Sally Rogalski began dressing dolls in traditional nun habits to preserve a little bit of history of the Catholic Church. In 1964 she donated her collection to the National Shrine of the Cross in the Woods. Since then the collection has grown to over 525 dolls and 20 mannequins representing over 217 religious orders of priests, sisters and brothers. You have to see it to believe it. Doreen noticed a couple of Barbies and Kens that joined a religious order.
There are many reasons why people love living in Michigan and our abundant wildlife is one of them! Our approaching car did not faze these mallards along the Cass River in Frankenmuth yesterday. When they realized we had no food, they wished us a Happy New Year and waddled back whence they came!
There is a beautiful park in Macomb County called Stony Creek. In the winter time, everyone takes advantage of their cross country skiing trails. There are over 4,000 acres in the park surrounding the lake. This is a subtle hint that we should all make a resolution to get more exercise!! Wishing you a happy and fulfilling 2010!
