Sanders Chocolates say Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from Sanders Chocolates, a Detroit institution since 1875. Their candy shops are all over the Detroit metro area.  We went to the one on 9 Mile in Eastpointe this weekend to load up on sweets for our loved ones. We saw their traditional bumpy cakes and they even have bumpy cake ice cream and lots of hot fudge for the toppings. Their original factory was on Woodward at Gratiot.  They were bought out by Morley's Candy in 2002 and they retain the name Sanders that we all know.

The Motor City VAlentines for Veterans Concert

The Motor City VAlentines for Veterans Concert at Detroit Masonic Temple Theater on February 12th is one of 17 concerts nationwide celebrating the appreciation of our Veterans during Valentines Week. Battle Creek's concert will be held on the February 14, 2011 and will featured American Idol Finalist Matt Giraud. In Detroit, vets were treated to Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review along with guest appearances by Senator Carl Levin, Governor Rick Snyder, and Congressman Dingell. Thank you Veterans and a very happy Valentines Day!

Abraham Lincoln the surveyor

At the Michigan Museum of Surveying in Lansing you will be greeted by this sculpture of President Abraham Lincoln who was a surveyor. The unique museum (the only one of its kind in our state) shares the story of the surveying and mapping of Michigan and the history of surveying going all the way back to Mesopotamia. Those pyramids could not have been built without the knowledge of surveyors! It is located on Museum Drive next to the Ransom Olds Museum and the Impression 5 Science Center. John Madden from Lansing's Examiner, wrote a cool article about it here. Happy 202nd birthday, Abraham Lincoln!

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.

Zehnder's in Frankenmuth

It's a long-standing tradition in the Detroit area to trek up to Frankenmuth for some delicious all-you-can-eat chicken dinners at Zehnder's or the Bavarian Inn across the street. This little German village pulls in three million visitors annually and has been voted in as the best day trip in Michigan. William and Emilie Zehnder sold their 80 acre farm and began Zehnder's in 1929 serving 312 guests on Mother's Day for $1.00 each. They've come a long way, baby! Anybody for potato pancakes? Michigan cherry strudel? Old-fashioned noodle soup? Vidalia onion soup au gratin? Hot chicken sandwich served with mashed potatoes and gravy? Zehnder's cheese spread and liver pâté?  All are wonderful creations of Chef John Zehnder.

Hazen S Pingree

When driving through Grand Circus Park in downtown Detroit, you can't help but notice this statue of Hazen S Pingree.  Did you ever wonder who he was? Born in Maine, he fought in the Civil War and then moved to Michigan and worked as a cobbler (shoemaker for you young readers). His sales eventually grossed over a million dollars a year! He was elected mayor of Detroit in 1889, promising to end corruption in city paving and sewer contracts and the school board. He was known throughout the country for initiating the "potato patch plan" of using vacant lots for local vegetable gardens to help feed the poor. He became governor of our state in 1897, and he is the guy credited with the 8-hour work day. He was "The Idol of the People" like it says on the statue above.

Celery Flats in Portage

In the town of Portage, south of Kalamazoo, lies an interesting historical area called Celery Flats. Much like the Troy Historical Corners, people have worked hard to preserve their heritage and move their beautiful buildings with stories behind them to one particular area. Above is the grain elevator, the oldest commercial structure still standing in Portage. It was moved here in 1990.  Below is the one room school house which dates back to 1856. There is an interpretive center which tells us everything we want to know about the important celery crop in this area! You can bring your snowshoes and hike the beautiful walking trails this winter. The 100 year old barn turned into Hayloft Theatre holds cultural events in the summertime.