The Village of Franklin's Franklin Grill

The building's history goes back to 1840 in the Village of Franklin when it was used as a blacksmith's shop. We were so pleased to discover this little piece of heaven called the Franklin Grill and Tavern yesterday. Their wine list is delightful with many great selections. The atmosphere is fetching and beckons you to linger over appetizers and drinks. Service was attentive. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the gatherings around the firepit. We will return for some of Chef Tim Citka's specialties like Lake Superior whitefish and the dried cherry lamb chops. However you bring in the new year--may it be merry.

Gail Hiller Michigan Potter

You'll find Gail Hiller's pieces of Michigan pottery in various art shows around the state.  She hails from Beverly Hills and has been producing her beautiful pieces for a couple of decades now.  If you are Smitten with the Mitten, they make wonderful accent pieces in your home and for those who live elsewhere and retain lovely memories of our state.

Polonia Restaurant in Hamtramck

If we are anywhere near Hamtramck, the potato latkes call to us.  You can get the authentic homemade kind at Polonia Restaurant where they are served with a squeeze bottle of sour cream! Of course all your other Polish favorites are available here also, like dill or blood soup, stuffed cabbage, pierogies and smalec ze skwareczkami. They know what they are doing and it's been oozing old world charm since the 1920's. Anothony Bourdain filmed a great segment of his No Reservations here. Viva Polonia!

Peterson Mill in Saugatuck

That's the end of our mild December temperatures! If you long for summertime and the cold has got you down, try an Internet jigidi jigsaw puzzle of the Peterson Mill in Saugatuck, one of the most photographed spots in that Lake Michigan town. Just use your cursor to move them around and when the piece fits, they lock together like a magnet. Pretty ingenious.

Mt Clemens' Engine house

Located on Cass Avenue by the railroad tracks is The Engine House in Mt Clemens, a sports bar with great pizza owned by 3 former Detroit firemen and the chef, Dennis Capozzoli. This intersection has been the hub of activity for over 130 years and the building, across from the historic depot where Thomas Edison learned telegraphy, has had a colorful history. With a wide variety of food offerings from buffalo wings and calamari to ribs, sandwiches, salads, eggplant parmesan and pizza, you'll find something for everyone and it's open every day of the week.

Inkster's Santa

Inkster has a large display of a Santa with a darker skin color than that presented by Clement Moore in his famous poem "The Night before Christmas". If you dig back in history, you'll find that the origin of St Nicolas is Turkey, which would make sense that his skin pigment is not white. But in our imaginations, Santa can represent whatever ethnic background we want him to match. We love the one in Inkster. It catches our eye.

Pilgrim Church in Detroit

If you've read Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith or seen the movie, then you know all about Pilgrim Church on Brainard in Detroit. Their ministry, "I Am My Brother's Keeper" was founded by Pastor Henry Covington, who passed away a year ago this month. Donations from around the world poured in to help fix their "Hole in the Roof".  They continue to shelter people in their gymnasium at night after they've been provided with a hot meal. The Venetian gothic edifice dates back to 1881 when it was the Trumbell Avenue Presbyterian Church. They still use the 1889 Granville wood tracker organ with its 29 pipes which was constructed in Northville, Michigan. It was very busy here last week as community members were lining up for bags of food. Pilgrim Church genuinely helps people, letting everyone know that we all have different backgrounds but that we all share in the same incredible truth that "God has shown His grace to us through the birth of His son, Jesus."  Merry Christmas.

St Mark's Chapel Harsens Island

On Harsens Island, St Mark's Chapel has been overlooking freighters and other ships gliding by in the channel for more than 100 years. They have a beautiful outdoor nativity display. They also observe the custom of Oplatek, those thin rectangular wafers that are shared amongst family members at Christmas time. It begins before the meal and as each piece is broken off and shared, we tell people how important they are to us and ask them to forgive and to forget any misunderstandings or blunders on our part. It's pretty humbling. God's blessings.

Campus Martius Christmas Tree

There's something magical about Detroit's Campus Martius and its beautiful Christmas tree. This huge 60 foot norway spruce is filled with gorgeous lights and jingle bells which epitomize the season.  Throw in the adjacent ice skating and you have the makings of a very fine date or family outing. The tree came from a 4H center near Cadillac.

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

DRMM or Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is celebrating 102 years of helping people. They've been all over the paper lately, putting people in a new home for Christmas, providing emergency shelter, food and clothing for the less fortunate as well as creating and supporting a school in Haiti. Right now, they are in need of HUGS (Hygiene items, undergarments, gloves and socks). Donations can be dropped off from 8-5pm at their headquarters on Stimson, close to Wayne State's Campus, off Woodward, south of MLK Blvd. Their mission is to rebuild the inner city, one life at a time. Earlier this year, we featured their restaurant in Highland Park here. 

The Detroit Red Wings

Detroit has some rabid fans when it comes to hockey.  With their lop-sided 8-2 victory over the LA Kings Saturday and squeaking out a victory over the Oilers on Monday, they are set to take on the Canucks tonight as they scrapple with the Blues and the Blackhawks for first place. If you're a Detroit hockey fan than you know all about Datsyuk, octopi, Franzen, the Joe, Howard and hat tricks. Amen. We featured this team and their arena a couple of years ago here.

Gingerbread Houses at MSU's Kellogg Center

Festive gingerbread houses were recently on competitive display at the Kellogg Center of Michigan State University in East Lansing. This gem of a hotel and conference center which currently is celebrating 60 years, is the pride and joy of the university's hotel and restaurant management department. Their State Room restaurant is featuring a wine dinner with Michigan's delicious Black Star wines on January 18th. With its phenomenal services, 160 hotel rooms and adjacent 1000 spot complimentary parking garage, it is extremely popular with the green and white crowd.

Octagon House in Shelby Township

Octagonal homes were quite popular back in the mid 1800's but very few have survived into present day. The Loren Andrus Octagon House in Shelby Township has a large group of supporters who have worked tirelessly to preserve and restore this beautiful home. This 1860 victorian structure has a spiral staircase that goes all the way up to the cupola. It is open at various times throughout the year for teas, open houses and holiday events. A quilters' guild meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 10 to 2 to sew and enjoy the ambiance. 

The Tribute Tree in Grosse Pointe Farms

The Tribute Tree is part of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms.  Anyone can purchase a light in someone's honor or memory for $10. The honoree is then sent notification and a photo of the tree. They say the gift of light is a gift of love. The War Memorial is a state and national historical site and serves as a center of enrichment to honor our veterans.  It used to be the home of the Alger family, built in 1910.

Pride of Detroit at The Henry Ford

In 1927, just a few months after Lindbergh made his historic flight across the Atlantic, two men from Detroit, Ed Schlee and Billy Brock, tried to fly around the world. They had made it from Michigan hopscotching all the way to Tokyo, but a monsoon and pleas from their families and maybe an ounce of sanity made them abort and take a ship to Seattle from Japan, thus completing their journey around the world in 18 days. Their plane, the Pride of Detroit, is displayed at the Henry Ford with details of their heroic efforts.

Holcombe Beach in Sterling Heights

A beach in landlocked Sterling Heights, you say? This we had to see on Dodge Park Rd at Metro Parkway where Heritage Junior High is currently sitting. Turns out, it's a beach that used to be --in 9000 BC.  The University of Michigan spent five years conducting an archaelogical  dig near here some 50 years ago of an ancient Paleo Indian settlement.  Around 7,000 artifacts consisting mostly of arrowheads and flint chips were unearthed along with the caribou that they hunted.  Scientists in the know claim this site rivals the major finds in Mexico, Canada and New Mexico.

Legends of Time Milford in Rochester

There is a Native American art gallery in both Rochester and Milford. We were lucky enough to run into Eagle Flying High a.k.a. Dan DeClark, in his Legends of Time store in Rochester last weekend, as he was crafting his own unique dream catchers. Haunting strains of flutes follow you throughout store that is filled with beautiful pottery, jewelry, notecards, pipes, apparel, books and a huge amount of hand crafted objets d'art.

Foodies in Dowagiac

You can eat real food at Foodies --a delightful new café in Dowagiac serving homemade vittles for breakfast and lunch. A graduate of MSU Hotel/Restaurant, Chef David Heflin is dedicated to real quality food and craftsmanship. Have you ever had glumpy, prepackaged dark yellow hollandaise sauce? Not at Foodies.  They make each egg benedict with its hollandaise sauce to order. Free wifi for those of us who are hooked on the Internet. Thanks, Sara, for the tip and photo.

Detroit Memorial Park Cemetery in Warren

African Americans were denied burial in many cemeteries in the Detroit area, or were charged more or were restricted to burials on certain days and at certain inconvenient hours. A group of business owners pooled their resources and bought a large tract of land in the northwest corner of Warren on 13 and Ryan and developed the 85 acre Detroit Memorial Park in the 1920's. Frances Ballard, a Supreme singer, is buried here as well as state senator Charles Diggs, Jr. The Real McCoy is interred here also, that is Elijah McCoy. This son of escaped slaves was a prolific inventor and is credited with developing the drip cup for the lubrication of machinery.

Upton House in Sterling Heights

Michigan experienced another gorgeous weekend weatherwise, as it was sunny but chilly. The Upton house in Sterling Heights was bathed in sunshine and begging for a photo to be taken. Built in 1866 out of brick, it is a great monument to the past. The style, with that darling cupola on top, is Italianate. It stood on 138 acres of farm land owned by William Upton adjacent to the Clinton River. The restoration of this beautiful home took place in the 1980's and it is now used for city public offices as it is next to the police station and library on Utica Road at Dodge Park.

South Pier Lighthouse in South Haven

The distinctive 36 foot tall red stack is a favorite on the west coast of Michigan since 1903 when it was commissioned. This South Pier Light is preserved today by the Historical Association of South Haven. In the wintertime the lighthouse, pier and its elevated walkway are often covered with snow and ice.

Hamtramck's Whiskey in the Jar

Whiskey in a Jar is a dive bar in Hamtramck that has an Internet jukebox and a pool table. Only a couple of draft beers available--Guiness and PBR--but lots of variety in bottles--even the Polish Okocim. It's known for its music--loud, metal and loud. Bathrooms are clean. Drinks are cheap. Bartenders are friendly. Parking is free. And the ratalope is their logo.

Mother Waddles Perpetual Mission in Detroit

Mother Waddles, whose first name was Charleszetta, passed away ten years ago, but her mission work is carried on by her children. She was an activist and a spiritual leader in Detroit who opened a soup kitchen and provided food, clothing, job training, shelter and hope to the disadvantaged. She continued to work 10 and 12 hour days even into her eighties. She was a colorful outspoken woman who said, "I read the Bible.  It does not just say go to church.  It says do something." She began this mission work at age 36 when she had 10 children of her own. She was an ordained Pentecostal minister. She accumulated countless awards in her lifetime. Today, you can donate your car to the Mother Waddles Charity. She is buried in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery.

Anton Art Center in Mt Clemens

The Christmas Market at the Anton Art Center offers handmade artifacts by more than 100 artists of which most are from Michigan. This tradition in Mt Clemens is in its 30th year and will last through the 22nd of December. The Anton Art Center has been using this building since 1969 for special art exhibits and shows which dates back to 1904 when it was designated as a Carnegie Library.

Loui's Pizza in Hazel Park

Deep dish, succulent pizza and outstanding salads--that's what we always go for at Loui's Pizza in Hazel Park. We have been patrons since it opened in 1977 and agree with the Free Press and the Metro Times when they voted it #1 in Detroit. Various signed photos by celebrities in the lobby say it is the greatest, too. Their house Chianti comes in wicker bottles.  Bring your Sharpies and write your message or draw pictures on the wicker with the date.  There are thousands hanging on the walls, in the bar and from the ceiling.

Planet Ant in Hamtramck

There's a small thriving theatre since 1996 in Hamtramck called Planet Ant with seating for about 50 patrons.  We were able to catch the world premiere of Sunday Punch this past weekend and it was absolutely lovely.  Their talented actors delivered a play that is relevant, funny and poignant. You can also buy one of their chic t-shirts with the Planet Ant logo. It's easy to get to by taking the Caniff exit off 75 and going east a couple of blocks.  It comes with free street parking.

Crocker House of Mt Clemens

Mt Clemens Historical Society members spend three weeks decorating the old Crocker Home for the holidays and it is a special treat to do a walk through of this home built in 1869 for Katherine and George Crocker. Trees are decorated in 1800's style with stringed popcorn and cookies tied with bows.  Many helpful docents enjoy giving you key information about each room.  We delighted in hearing an old Chapel Organ donated by the children of Agnes Milton Stone. The rooms will be filled with the Ghosts of Christmas Past this Thursday, December 8 from 5-9pm and these friendly spirits have a lot of stories to tell!

St Petka in Troy

St Petka is a gorgeous Serbian Orthodox Church adjacent to Troy Athens High School in the city of Troy. The building whose cornerstone was laid in 2003 immediately attracts attention with its multi-domed structure reaching the heigth of 70 feet. It is a gathering place for the people from the Serbian village of Vratranica, near the Bulgarian border. The founding father of St Petka, Stevan Petrovich, passed away earlier this year.  His grandson, Kristijan Petrovich, currently serves as the parish priest.

Mannino's Bakery in Sterling Heights

When you are voted #1 Bakery in Michigan, we have to investigate.  John and Nancy Mannino have owned and operated Mannino's Bakery in Sterling Heights since 1983. Cassata cakes, elegant tortes, breads and those addicting terrali cookies are their specialities. Looking for tiramisu? angel wings? truffles? bûche de noël? They've got all your goodies for your Christmas parties.

The Antler Bar in Pentwater

The Antler bar is a a long time anchor on the Main Street of Pentwater. It's a casual dining spot with a pool table, a jukebox and good food (portobello burger, portobello fries, perch dinners) at reasonable prices.  They bill themselves as a family tavern.  We enjoyed their renovated second floor.  In the summertime, the upstairs outdoor deck overlooking the harbor is a beauty place to linger over a lemonade.  Now, the whole town is celebrating Christmas in the Village through December 24th. Every shop and restaurant up and down the avenue is all decked out for the holidays.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Created in 1914, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's performances are now attended by almost a half million people a year. They give their outstanding shows at the acoustically gorgeous Orchestra Hall directed by Leonard Slatkin. Branford Marsalis is performing on his jazzy alto saxophone this weekend and the perennial Home for the Holidays is coming December 16-18. There is a free app for your smart phone which allows you to watch their live performances. How cool is that? It is called DSO to go.