Yates Cider Mill

Yates Cider Mill in Rochester has been an annual treat for families since 1863. They use six different variety of apples to make their 100% natural cider without preservatives. You can watch them as they produce 300 gallons of cider per hour. Hungry? Buy some homemade donuts, Carmel apples, pies, jellies and syrups. There is a beautiful 1/2 hour hiking trail where you can watch the Clinton River cascade over Yates dam. Children love the pony rides and petting zoo. If visiting on the weekend, be prepared to stand in line!

Boy Governor

Stevens T. Mason was the first governor of the new State of Michigan at age 24 in 1835 and served in that capacity for 5 years. His nickname was "The Boy Governor". Today marks his birthday! He was born 174 years ago. This statue of him in Detroit stands in Capitol Park behind Woodward near Campus Martius. Stevens' ashes are buried beneath it. He died at age 31 of pneumonia. The city of Mason is named after him.

Turkey Hunting in Baldwin

Our state is a paradise for hunters of all types. One of the reasons Suzie's nephew, John, moved to Michigan from California was for the supreme opportunity for the thrill of the hunt.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2009 Fall Turkey Hunting is open now and runs until November 14. Doreen shot this photo up in Baldwin.

Message in the landscape

Traveling east bound on Warren just west of the I-94 / I 75 entrance you can't help but notice the topiary spelling out a message from Plymouth United Church of Christ in the cultural district of Detroit. PUCC has an exemplary 90 year history in Detroit of ministering to the needy, leading missionary trips abroad and being civic-minded and politically active. The current pastor, Nicholas Hood III and his father, pastor emeritus Nicholas Hood II, have made a positive impact on our city.

Do you bleed Green or Blue?

Today is the big BIG Michigan State vs Michigan football game. It is a huge rivalry. The underdogs this year are the green guys, but they have been known to pull some spectacular upsets. All the action takes place starting at noon in East Lansing's Spartan Stadium (tallest structure in the city!) which was built in 1923 and will be crammed with near 80,000 people. They enter to the music "Thunderstruck" with clips from 300, saying "Spartans! What is your profession? Haroo! Haroo! Haroo!" Watch for 1) the Pompon girls 2) fans rowing in the stands 3) the Spartan Marching Band 4) Mascot Sparty and, oh yea, 4) the football game!

Go Green! Go Blue!

Thanks, Rachel, for providing today's picture.

Orchestra Hall

Orchestra Hall on Woodward in Detroit, opened 90 years ago on October 2, 1919. Many great performers and conductors have stood on its stage. Fortunately, it was saved from the wrecking ball in the 1970's and ever so beautifully restored. The acoustics here rival other venues throughout the world. It is home to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra which is playing Barber's Adagio and Strauss' Don Quixote this weekend.

Henry Ford's Model T

The first Model T was produced 101 years ago today -- built in Ford Motor Company's Piquette Avenue plant in Detroit. The T-plex museum on that spot is open the first and third Saturday of the month. Doreen and I were in awe walking through history viewing these beautifully restored cars. We even got to sit in a Tin Lizzie. Today also marks what would have been Suzie's dad's 100th birthday and Earl the Pearl even used to work for Henry Ford back in the day...... For lots more info, pics and entry fees, check out tplex.org.