St Joseph's Planes and Trains

Adults and children alike are enjoying the painted planes and trains in downtown St Joseph this summer.  27 of these uniquely decorated machines are on display all over town. Clockwise from the upper left: Puffy Stuffy is the work of Midnite Remisoski, resident of Benton Harbor. She also did the second one, Train the Dogs. Kiddie Hawk was done by Margaret Hogeboom, Toni Smith and Heather Seawright who work together at Chartreuse, a local arts co-op in St Joe's. Flying Straight to College was created by Nicholas Jones who got his Master of Fine Arts from Wayne State. Lastly, the Polar Express train was done by John Foster from Baroda.  St Joseph loves to create a theme and give local artists the chance to create public art.  Through the years they've done bears, dogs, cars and merry-go-round horses.

Happy 150th birthday, Henry Ford!

Happy 150th birthday to Henry Ford today, founder of the Ford Motor Company. This photo was taken in his office at the Piquette Plant in Detroit which rolled out Model T's to the public beginning in 1908. Owners of the museum are in the process of restoring Henry's office to look like it did back in the early 1900's. As president of the Ford Motor Company, he offered workers the famous wage of $5 a day for 8 hours of work beginning in 1914. By 1915, they had produced a million cars. Tours of the Piquette Plant (also known as T-Plex) are Wednesday through Sunday.

Kowalski Sausage in Hamtramck

Since 1920, Kowalski has been pumping out well known quality sausages in Hamtramck. Founded by Agnes and Zygmund who both immigrated from Poland, the factory is still in the family and run by their great grandchildren. Who hasn't tasted their Polish kielbasa or their all beef franks or hot dogs with natural casings. They employ more than 100 people to produce more than 50 different products.  Look for the brand name of Kowalski in Michigan stores and beyond.

First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor

The First Congregational Church on William Street at State Street in Ann Arbor is a beautiful stone structure with a classic Wilhelm organ. The cornerstone was laid in 1872. The Douglas Memorial Chapel was named after Dr Lloyd C Douglas who was the minister here from 1916-1921. This great orator was the author of two famous novels, The Robe and The Magnificent Obsession, which were both made into movies.

Josephine Ford Sculpture Garden in Detroit

Tucked away behind Detroit's DIA is the Josephine F. Ford Sculpture Garden on the campus of the College for Creative Studies. This garden of art was installed in 2011.  Josephine, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 82, was the daughter of Edsel and Eleanor Ford and she was the only granddaughter of Henry and Clara Ford. The College of Creative Studies has benefited greatly from her estate.

Yakz Kayak Store in Benton Harbor

Josh and Vern opened a kayak store called Yakz in Benton Harbor this year, following their passion. They are advertising Michigan's great Southwest region as the world's largest Outdoor Waterpark.  Cute. They are certainly experts in their field and sell all manner of colorful kayaks as well as bug sprays that are friendly to the environment and headlamps and fishing gear. They claim that nature is cheaper than therapy. They quote Clarence Budington Kelland, a writer who said, "My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."

Baraga's Keweenaw Kitchen

There is an abundance of wonderful jams made in Michigan. Our latest find is Keweenaw Kitchen in the Upper Peninsula city of Baraga.  This family owned operation has been making their spreadable fruit with no preservatives, no food coloring and no artificial flavoring for 17 years now. And they ship all over the country. They have some that are sugar free, some that are seedless and also an apple butter spread.  Please pass the toast!