Polish Art Center

The Polish Art Center was originally founded in 1958 by a Polish immigrant who sold the business in 1974 to current owners Raymond and Joan Bittner. The Center celebrates Poland and the rich cultural traditions of Poland. Doreen attended a pisanki making (delicately decorated Easter Eggs) class with fellow DIA Volunteers. We were all very impressed with the crystal, amber, jewelry and extensive collection of Boleslawiec stoneware dishes and accessories.

Wayne County Parks Annual Marshmallow Drop

When marshmallows fall from the sky, it's time for fun. The Annual Marshmallow Drop is this Good Friday, April 2, at two of Wayne County Park locations, 9 am at Elizabeth Park in Trenton and 11 am at Nankin Mills Park in Westland. Nankin Mills is located on Hines Drive just east of Ann Arbor Trail. Over 20,000 marshmallows will be dropped from a helicopter to the eager delight of hundreds of children divided by age groups. The kids turn the marshmallows in to the Easter Bunny for a prize.

Lansing Skywalk

As soon as we saw it, we knew we had to do it. The Lansing skywalk connects the Convention center with the Radisson Hotel and goes right over the beautiful Grand River. Not having a fisheye lense, we have a composite of three photographs here which is why you see a little bend in that tube which really doesn't exist! Downtown Lansing is a gorgeous place to meander with lots of touristy things to do.

The Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center

James Turner and his school teacher wife, Marion, built this lovely home on the banks of the Grand River in 1858. James was an originator of many public improvements to the state of Michigan and its capital city, Lansing. Their daughter Abby and son-in-law Frank Dodge expanded the home in the early 1900's. It is now owned by the city of Lansing and you can learn a bit of the history of the area and enjoy rotating exhibits. The current exhibit is on Brides to be followed by Spring Cleaning. The Turner-Dodge home is available for special events.

Plug Ugly on Belle Isle

Plug Ugly is the name of the horse of Civil War Major General Alpheus Starkey Williams (1810-1878). They are prominently displayed on Belle Isle. This man was known to everyone in Detroit as lawyer and judge, congressman, bank president, even newspaper editor and a postmaster besides his heroic efforts in both the Civil War and the Mexican War. He died of a stroke in the US Capitol building at age 68 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

Clara's Station in Lansing

Clara's is a delightful restaurant which operates in Lansing's historic Michigan Central Railroad Station. The depot on Michigan Avenue operated from 1903 through 1972. The ambiance of this eatery includes antiques, like the bronze chandelier hanging from the cathedral ceiling, statue lamps from the Ransom E. Olds mansion, dining in an actual vintage train car and, of course, the very friendly staff. All aboard!

Motor City Brewing Works

You will love the Motor City Brew Pub. They have the most wonderfully crafted beers (of which their ghettoblaster is very well-known) and honest-to-goodness homemade pizza which they crank out of the tiniest of kitchens! They are into promoting all good things from Detroit, including locally grown produce. Manager Scott is pictured here with a bottle of their hard cider. They plan to cultivate apples from their own orchards. When the weather turns nicer, they have open air roof top seating. It's across the street from Traffic Jam & Snug, which we mentioned before in our blog here.