Halo Burgers in Flint

We have enjoyed Halo Burgers on our treks up north for years.  We recently found out that they originated in Flint and are celebrating their 90th year! Their burger has been voted #1 in Michigan because they use quality ingredients and the best condiments. They also are proud of their burger. There are six Halo Burgers in Flint, two in Grand Blanc, one each in Mt Morris, Fenton and Birch Run. The one in this photo is on S Saginaw Street in downtown Flint which used to be a former Vernor's building.

First Presbyterian Church in Flint

Lots of activities make First Presbyterian Church of Flint a very vibrant house of worship. Their current edifice dates back to the 1920's with its gorgeous Tiffany stained glass windows.  Their history goes back to the early 1800's and their current building has undergone many expansions and renovations which make the end results pretty dramatic.  We were overjoyed to hear 50 children, ages 11-17 from Foix, France sing for us in their sanctuary this past week. It was a special treat. Services on Sunday morning get to sing with a pipe organ and also hear their choir. Flint provides second Friday art walks in the city when the gothic First Presbyterian is open for tours.

Flint Crêpe Company

We literally gorged ourselves at the Flint Crêpe Company last night. It was our first time here, and Chris treated us royally.  We enjoyed the savory crepes so much (the reuben, the caprese, the monte cristo) that we went back for the sweet with two à la modes and one strawberry chocolate fudge made in heaven! It is a very cute, clean place done up in a bicycle theme.  We cannot rave enough about it. All of their food is locally sourced. Bravo. It's closed on Sundays, but open from 7am to 10pm all the other days! Oui! Oui!  P.S. Today marks our 4 year anniversary doing this Michigan blog ;}

Flint Rogues Rugby Team

Did you know that the World Cup of Rugby is being played right now in New Zealand? It's once every four years and a pretty big deal world wide.  Our USA Team got beat by Ireland yesterday. Well, we thought you should know that Flint has an amateur rugby team called the Rogues. They gave us permission to use their team photo taken after the Saline Celtic Fest game against Detroit RFC. This team, one of the first rugby teams in Michigan, will be celebrating 40 years in 2012. 

Whiting Auditorium in Flint

Flint's Whiting Auditorium brings in outstanding acts from around the country.  Tonight, Jim Brickman sings while performing on the piano. Playing the piano since he was 5, he has earned six gold/platinum albums.  He is also the featured performer on a Hawaii cruise August 6-13th. Flint native Dee Dee Bridgewater is performing Feb 20th. She's a Grammy award winner who sings in the style of Billie Holiday and has also done songs in French by Edith Piaf.  The 2000+ seat auditorium is named after an early auto pioneer, James Whiting and has been restored to its original glory.

Longway Planetarium in Flint

The awesome Longway Planetarium in Flint is the largest in the state. Built in 1958 for $600,000, it went through a huge remodel recently in which they also purchased the new digistar 2 projector (which alone cost more than what the whole building did in '58).  Adults and kids alike delight watching the night time sky and laser shows. This is where you come to see three dimensional sky images and find out what ever happened to Pluto.

Grossology at the Sloan Museum in Flint

The Sloan Museum in Flint has teamed up with Mott Community College to display Grossology, running through January 16th. We know children love to learn about icky, slimy things which is what the exhibit is all about.  You get the idea by looking at the title of some of the booths: The Burp Man, Vomit Center, Up Your Nose, Gas Attack and Yu Stink (just to name a few)! Using a lot of creativity and colorful imagery, we can learn about body odor and things like why noses run. The entire display is based on Sylvia Branzei's books on the gross things of life.

Flint Institute of Arts

The Flint Institute of Arts, founded in 1928, is a museum full of little gems tucked away in the city's 30-acre cultural center. It is currently showing an exhibition of Picasso prints. Last year, there was a fabulous display of 160 pieces of glasswork by Lino Tagliapietra, the Venetian maestro of glassblowing.  Lino, 76 years old, came from Italy for the party which kicked off the event and gave a lecture on glassblowing. How special is that?  Located one hour north of Detroit, the FIA is a special place to visit with lots of art to discover.

Whaley House Museum of Flint

The Whaley House in Flint is an 1885 victorian home that has been renovated, decorated for Christmas and is open for its last holiday tours today on January 1st from 1-4pm. Students from Mott Community College have created several gingerbread houses. Mr Whaley was the president of Citizens Bank. He gave the first loan of $2000 to Durant and Dort who went on to form General Motors.  The unique venue is fully furnished and can be rented out for various functions, like pinochle clubs, weddings, cocktail parties, special dinners, etc. It is located just down the street from the cultural center which holds the Flint Institute of Arts, the Longway Planetarium, the Whiting Auditorium and the Sloane Museum.

Buick Gallery in Flint

The Buick Automotive Gallery is contained within the last remaining building of the entire Buick plant in Flint. Amidst antique pumps and a Vernors Wagon are dozens of classic Buicks and Chevrolets including many concept cars. On display is the Hellcat Tank Destroyer which was used in World War II and built by Buick. It is part of the Sloan Museum, but although the Sloan Museum is open on Sundays, this special Buick Gallery is open Monday through Saturday only. Did you know that the founder of Buick, David Buick, was born in Scotland in 1854? He moved to Detroit with his parents as an infant. He and Benjamin Briscoe formed the Buick Motor Company (the oldest American car manufacturer) in 1903 when David was 49 years old. Taking a stroll through the Buick Gallery is like walking back through history.

Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad in Flint

Crossroads Village in Flint with its Huckleberry Train are well worth a visit in the summertime, but it is quite special at Christmas.  Last night the weather was just perfect, holding at 30 degrees and the snow, of course, put everyone in a great mood as Christmas carols were blaring over the speakers.  The train with its lights, wreaths, steam engine and whistle toots totally delighted the crowds. Many passenger cars are able to handle the crowds that want to take a ride on these vintage trains. The Village is part of the Genesee County Parks which has been carefully and strategically adding historical buildings to the site since it opened in 1976.  Today there are 30 of them like the toy barn, a cider mill, grist mill, doctor's office, and a 1912 carousel. Costumed carolers add a great deal of fun and there is live entertainment at the Colwell Opera House. You can even mail postcards from the Crossroads Village US Post Office. It is open through December 30th.