Up Close
With the Editor
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our readers who enjoy the opportunity of holding the most precious title of all, “mother.” Hats off to the mothers of tiny babies who keep them up all night! For the mothers whose toddlers have them on the go from morning ‘til night! For the mothers whose lives are ruled by the carpool schedule! For the mothers who make it to every game, to every show and to every open house! For the mothers who worry endlessly about SAT scores and college admissions! For the mothers who, somehow, juggle kids and careers, and for those moms who have more than a fulltime job at home with their little ones! For the “empty nest” mothers of college students and for the really “empty nest” mothers whose grown children have moved on and out! For the mothers who now have that very special gift of grandchildren! I pay tribute to you with this issue. There is actually a website you can visit and calculate the monetary value of work that moms do. The website is MomSalaryWizard.com. The salary amounts are based on how many children you have and where you live. According to this website, the work that a stay-at-home mom with two kids would warrant a salary of $125,840 a year. My oldest daughter posted a statement on facebook that I’d like to share called “A Promise to my Children” It made me realize she’s all grown up: “As long as I live, I am your parent first - your friend second. There are times when I will stalk you, flip out on you, lecture you, drive you insane, be your worst nightmare and hunt you down like a bloodhound when needed because I LOVE YOU...You will never find someone who loves, prays, cares and worries about you more than I do. If you don’t hate me at least once in your life, then I’m not doing my job properly. With that, I say “Amen!” and kids- remember to take your Mom out for Mother’s day to one of the many places to go, things to do, and places to see suggested in this issue. Enjoy!
Kathy Barnett, Senior Editor Page 4
About the Cover : Remember Mom on Mother’s Day this year. (May 13) What qualities do you remember most about your mother? Like us on facebook and share your favorite memory about your mother and qualify for this month’s FREE weekend getaway for the whole family: Tickets to African Safari in Port Clinton.
The Weekender Published monthly online by Barnett PRO, 71 Plymouth St., Plymouth, OH 44865. PHONE/FAX: 419-687-0002 Email: info@barnettpro.com Publisher: Michael Barnett Sr. email: mike@barnettpro.com Managing Editor: Kathy Barnett email: editor@theweekendermagazine.com Assistant Editor: Samantha Barnett Sam@barnettpro.com Contributing Editors Sheeree Oney • Norman Reed Kenny Turner Advertising Director Kenny Turner Ken@theweekendermagazine.com
Visit our Website for event coverage between regular issues www.theweekendermagazine.com
Online Subscriptions are FREE! Submit your name and email address & we’ll also enter it in our monthly drawing for a FREE getaway!
Copyright ©2012 by Barnett Productions. All rights reserved. Reproductions of any material from this issue expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher. Advertisements in this publication do not necessarily carry the endorsement of the publishing company.
www.theweekendermagazine.com
May, 2012
Things to Do: Taste Michigan Cuisine Michigan’s culinary exploits cover everything from farm markets to u-pick farms, from winery tours to local breakfast joints, from family-owned bakeries to fine dining establishments. With the dairy stores, county fairs and gala food festival, culinary delights abound in Michigan. Michigan wineries across the state welcome you to a number of festive and bubbly events to sample the fruit of the vine designed to introduce exceptional wines. And there’s no better time to plan a Pure Michigan winery tour than in April, which has been designated by Governor Rick Snyder as Michigan Wine Month. David Geen leads tours to the world’s culinary meccas: Tuscany, Burgundy, Provence, and now, Saugatuck. The owner of Michigan-based Villas and Vines (269-857-1700) saw local artisans making cheese, craft beers, smoked fish and award-winning wines, the rolling orchards of peaches and cherries, the fields of blueberries, and realized “everything going on in Europe, it’s all right here.” Thirty years ago, Justin Rashid and Larry Forgione had a similar vision. Today, their American Spoon Foods fruit and other Michigan products claim an international clientele and multiple retail outlets. Hungry Village Tours — walking or driving tours to farms, gelaterias and more — are part of a statewide boom in culinary and agri-tourism options. At michigan.org, you’ll find more than a dozen foodie trails, by region. Some showcase farmto-table cuisine, others U-pick fruit or farm visits. Wine tours put Michigan on the culinary map, but no one’s resting on their laurels. Nine new wineries opened last year and programs like the Uncommon Adventures “water to wine” tour offer new twists — in this case, a kayak trip followed by winery visApril , 2012
its. Microbrews are flourishing all across the state. One brewer is crafting plans for a Traverse Cityarea tasting room and inn on a farm growing hops and other fruits/herbs that will flavor the beer. The chance to interact with top chefs and taste great foods is the fun of new restaurant walking tours. Create your own food channel experience with Grand Rapids' new “dive bars and breakfast joints” tour of the hidden gems — the places with some of the best burgers, steak dinners, breakfast buffets and prices. Detroit-based Feet on the Street Tours will take you on culinary adventures, with exploring and tasting tours of historic Eastern Market External Link. Other longtime food fests honor the region’s fishing bounty, baby food makers or ethnic heritage. Back to basics A company called Bygone Basics is bringing simple back. Tour participants learn to preserve fresh local foods through old-fashioned skills like canning and pie-making while feasting on local fruits, cheeses and homemade breads. In Suttons Bay, another food historian is opening a circa n 1910 farmhouse inn serving recipes that are period correct. And at foodie institutions like Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, “Bakecations” continue to draw the curious and hungry from as far away as Hawaii. Down on the farm Tours that head to the farm itself are the hottest thing on the horizon, so watch for options through companies like Learn Great Foods to pick the produce that will be crafted into the evening meal, or the Lubbers Family Farm near Grand Rapids to hang behind the scenes as cheese is made and artisan bread bakes. For more information, visit online at michigan.org.
www.TheWeekenderMagazine.com
Page 5
Things to Do: Let Mom Relax, Repose, Recline Whether it’s a summer day spent on the golf course, or hitting the slopes after a winter snowfall – resorts across northern Michigan offer a splendor of spa services to sooth sore muscles and bring about a serene state of mind. The full service Solace Spa External Link in the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa at Boyne Mountain Resort was named one of the “Best Spas in the World” by Spa Magazine. Experience a European Spa Bathing Ritual, a fitness package that includes private training followed by a sports massage or body treatments such as a Hot Toddy for the Body or a
Page 06
Water Lily Wrap. Get a taste of adventure snowmobiling or extreme tubing at Treetops Resort in Gaylord and then indulge in a visit to the Treetops Spa External Link. From a Four Layer Facial to a Steaming Stone Massage you will leave feeling remarkably renewed. Spa Grand Traverse External Link at the Grand Traverse Resort just outside of Traverse City takes inspiration from the cherries the area is known for. Enjoy a Blissful Cherry package, a Cherry Honey Glow, or a “Cherry” Infused massage among their wide array of spa services.
www.theweekendermagazine.com
Crystal Spa Oasis External Link at Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa in Thompsonville is the only LEED certified spa in the Midwest. Seasonal specials include a Pumpkin Peel Facial and Sugar & Spice Scrub with a wide variety of year-round services including the Signature Crystal Balance and the Healing Hands Ritual.
May, 2012
Things To Do: Tulip Fest Holland MI May 5-12 A celebration of Dutch heritage and culture, this event features more than six million tulips planted within the city and attracts more than 500,000 visitors each year. New for 2012 is a Modern Delftware Art Class, a Family Rest Area, QuikTrip Parking Shuttle, and the Bier Tuin – a Dutch Beer Garden. Text to vote for the Volksparade on Wednesday for your favorite float and a text to vote on Saturday’s Muziekparade for your favorite band. Dutch Dancing is always a favorite highlight for guests. The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces, seven of which are represented in costume by the dancers during the festival. In general, the clothing represents the late 1800s and early 1900s. Over 900 dancers can be seen daily in their traditional dress. Community art & culture organizations provide a variety of evening events showcasing their talent. Also included in the evening shows are national entertainment acts. Additionally, as part of the festival we have fireworks, art & craft fair, Kinderplaats – our children’s festival, Tulip City Tours – a 70 minute guidMay, 2012
ed tour of the local area and the Tulip Time Run. A focus on Dutch heritage can be experienced at the Dutch Marktplaats – a place where you can experience the tastes, sights, sounds and crafts of 19th century Holland. Dutch food, dancing, crafts, costumes and shopping all in one place. Lida Rogers, a Holland High School biology teacher, had an idea in 1929 to beautify the city. Implemented by the city of Holland and Mayor Earnest Brooks, the city purchased 100,000 imported bulbs from the Netherlands and planted them in the parks and along the street curbs. Lida’s idea was to have one day set aside every years as a “tulip day.” When the tulips bloomed in 1929 and Tulip Time was first announced to the world, the response was overwhelming. Thousands of tourists visited the city during an eight-day period, this date chosen because the tulips would be in full bloom. For a schedule of events, map of the tulip lanes, shows and ticket purchases visit online at www.tuliptime.com.
www.TheWeekenderMagazine.com
Three signature parades with approximately 30 bands participating are included in the schedule.
Page 7
Things to Do: Stay & Play - Golf, that is... The Chelsea Comfort Inn and Village Conference Center has teamed up with Reddeman Farms Golf Club to help make your stay more enjoyable! Stay & Play Golf Package I Package includes: Standard King or Double Queen Room Two 18 hole rounds with cart at Reddeman Farms Golf Club Monday – Friday @ $139.00 Stay & Play Golf Package II Package includes: Standard King or Double Queen Room Two 18 hole rounds with cart at Reddeman Farms Golf Club Saturday & Sunday’s @ $159.00 Located “fourteen minutes
Page 08
from State Street” Chelsea combines small town charm with easy access to the hustle and bustle of Ann Arbor. Voted the number one suburb in the state of Michigan, our hometown feel, unique shops, great restaurants, golf courses and vibrant art community make Chelsea an appealing base for your adventures in the area. Easy access to both Ann Arbor and Jackson, Michigan, a center for bikers, hikers, theatre goers and UM football fans; Chelsea provides a perfect location to access it all. The City is quaint and charming in and of itself but
www.theweekendermagazine.com
it's convenience to “the action” in Ann Arbor and Jackson makes Chelsea the perfect destination when you visit the area. The Chelsea Comfort Inn and Village Conference Center, built in 2001, has 82 deluxe guest rooms including 18 whirlpool rooms and two executive suites. For reservations, visit www.comfortinnchelsea.com or call 734-433-8000.
May, 2012
Places to Go: Air Zoo he Air Zoo's fleet of state-of-the-art Full-Motion Flight Simulators External Link will take you places you've never been, so slide in and strap down! Put your fighter plane through stomach-churning barrel rolls and hair-raising turns, all while combating enemy aircraft.
KALAMAZOO - Voted the "Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners" and "Best Place to Spend a Day with Your Family" three years in a row, the Air Zoo features more than 50 rare and historic aircraft, in addition to traveling exhibits, educational activities, rides and attractions. The Air Zoo lifts your spirits, expands your awareness and brings the flight experience to life. Excitement, adventure, entertainment and discovery. They are all here for visitors of every age. Whether you’re 5, 15 or 50, we have something for you! Providing kids with great adventures that include spring break camps, summer camps, overnight camps, scouting events, Super Saturdays, Home School Discovery Days and even birthday parties, no matter what you are looking for, the Air Zoo has something to make the kids beg for more! The Air Zoo also offers a variety of special events throughout the year, including the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony and dinner. Are you visiting Kalamazoo for business, pleasure, a festival, an event or to just get away? Whatever your reason, April , 2012
Kalamazoo offers a wide variety of lodging properties to choose from, including hotels that offer special Air Zoo packages. External Link The Kitty Hawk Cafe, run by EMA Enterprises, is located on the second floor of the Air Zoo's Main Campus. From burgers to hot dogs, wraps and sandwiches, you'll find something for everyone at a very reasonable price At the Air Zoo, you can learn all about the history of aviation and space, enjoy amusement park-style rides, watch a 4D movie, pilot a flight simulator and more! Open 9-5 Monday - Saturday and noon to 5 Sundays, plann to visit soon. For more information, visit www.airzoo.org.
www.TheWeekenderMagazine.com
Lift up and away in the unique Montgolfier balloon ride as you learn about man's first flight.
Page 9
Places to Go: Great Wakes Festival Photo submitted by the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau
Wakeboarding pools like this one in downtown Grand Rapids are used for demonstrations of athletic and acrobatic prowess. Sam Porter promises that the pool at the 2012 Great Wakes Festival will be "a hair larger."
By Mike Norton TRAVERSE CITY – One thing about Sam Porter. The guy never runs out of ideas. Traverse City’s 35-year-old promotional wunderkind has ruffled feathers, shaken foundations and seismically altered the town’s musical landscape since moving his company, Porterhouse Productions, here from Montana in 2008. In the process, he’s created a raft of new “mini-festivals,” including two popular Traverse City Microbrew & Music festivals (a summer and a winter version) and the Paella in the Park celebration for the wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula. Now Porter and his crew have turned their attention to the city’s waterfront and the sport of wakeboarding, with a June 1-2 event they’re calling the Great Wakes Festival. Typical of Porterhouse events, it promises to blend music and entertainment with a social cause – in this case, raising Page 10
awareness and funds for local water conservation efforts. “This event is REALLY big,” says Porter. “Ambitious is my middle name on this one!” The new festival will be held at the edge of West Grand Traverse Bay in the city’s iconic Open Space Park -- already the site of many local events, including the week-long National Cherry Festival in July – where organizers are erecting what they describe as “the country’s largest self-contained wakeboarding pool system.” The pool will be used for a series of professional wakeboarding demonstrations and a “Wakes War” Tournament Cup featuring local and professional riders. Wakeboarding is a sport that combines techniques from surfing, snowboarding and waterskiing, either while riding the wake from a boat or while being pulled across a long pool by a cable. www.theweekendermagazine.com
But the celebration will include a host of other water-related activities – kayak, boating and kiteboarding demonstrations and displays, water education activities, Coast Guard helicopter tours and rescue demonstrations. Other highlights of the two-day festival include: • A 2K “Traverse City Beach Race” where contestants will have to negotiate zany waterthemed challenges and obstacles like the Squirt Gun Alley, Beach Ball Sand Pit, Pool Noodle Forest and Frisbee Challenge. • The Great Wakes Stand-Up Paddleboard Race, which will be held on the Boardman River. • A day-long Great Wakes Beach Volleyball Tournament, which will help fund new sand for the city’s West End beach volleyball courts. May, 2012
• A community “aerial art” display project, where volunteers will create an enormous image of the Great Lakes (meant to be photographed from the air) using two tons of blue jeans and other recycled materials. There’ll also be organized beach and water clean-up activities, family-friendly games and events, a “teen zone” featuring a silent disco tent, and plentiful servings of Michigan wines and microbrews, food and live bands playing on multiple stages – including “one-man entertain-
May, 2012
ment system” and champion beatboxer Heatbox, high-energy dance outfit Funktion, Reggae Indy Rock of The Movement and “musical mad scientist” That 1 Guy. Porter’s company is partnering with a local nonprofit group, Bay Area Recycling for Charities, which will distribute any proceeds from the various events to other nonprofit organizations that work to protect and maintain the Traverse City area’s rivers, streams and lakes. Complete ticket and festival
www.theweekendermagazine.com
information for the Great Wakes Festival can be found online at www.porterhouseproductions.co m. Interested sponsors, vendors, partners and participants can contact Porterhouse Productions at 231-499-4968 or info@porterhouseproductions.com. For information about other activities and attractions in Michiga’s scenic Traverse City area, and assistance with lodging, dining and other activities, contact the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.traversecity.com or 1-800-TRAVERSE.
Page 11
Page 12
www.theweekendermagazine.com
May, 2012
Things to Do: Spring Home Improvement Projects (ARA) - Warmer temperatures, green grass and increased daylight help shake off the winter blues and inspire home and yard improvements to spruce up your surroundings. Whether you're remodeling to stay put, or putting your home on the market, consider home improvement and design trends as you plan your renovation projects. Add bold, bright colors - Need a color boost? Fresh color recommendations from the Pantone Color Institute include Tangerine Tango, Solar Power, Bellflower and Cabaret. Try adding a splash of these vivid hues to help alter your mood and boost vitality and enthusiasm. Repaint a wall, bookcase or front door for a bold color burst. Or sprinkle splashes of color with new covers for patio furniture, area rugs, pillows or window treatments. Go green, save green - Among the top green home trends from buildipedia.com is renovating to reduce your home's heating and cooling load. Add more insulation in the walls, roof and floors or seal up leaks or install new windows and doors. Look for ENERGY STAR-qualified products that help lower your home's energy consumption, and in turn, your utility bills. Low-maintenance Pella 350 Series vinyl windows and patio doors feature a premium look in an energy-saving design that is the most energy-efficient product line the company offers. Energize your entry - No time for major renovations? Weekend projects, like installing a new front door to welcome guests to dinners, graduations and get-togethers, can transform your entryway with April , 2012
minimal hassle and cost. Consider installing a 36-inch-wide entry door to add more room to maneuver. Whether you're carrying a baby or a bag of groceries, or need extra space for a wheelchair or walker, wider entry doors are ideal for nearly any home - especially multigenerational ones. Today's hottest entry door trends revolve around styles, materials and performance. "The Craftsman style remains a popular choice for entry doors," says Steve Brenizer, product marketing manager for Pella Windows and Doors. "Rustic door styles with hinge straps and clavos that create a distinctive look are also standouts. And customizing with decorative glass to let in natural light without sacrificing privacy, or adding decorative grilles are also sought-after style options." Fiberglass is in - When it comes to exterior doors, fiberglass is surging in popularity, Brenizer says. "Fiberglass entry doors look like an authentic wood door, without the ongoing maintenance needs of wood," he adds. "Plus, fiberglass offers exceptional energy efficiency, weather resistance and outstanding durability to resist dents and dings." New fiberglass Pella entry doors push industry performance standards to new levels. Their dualseal technology provides two layers of protection to help block out the damaging effects of extreme wind and rain. Fiberglass doors are very customizable, Brenizer adds. Homeowners can choose their own exterior clad color, interior wood stain or paint color, or create a custom color to truly reflect their home's style. For more information visit Pella.com or call 888-847-3552.
www.TheWeekenderMagazine.com
Page 13
Frankenmuth's official launch to the summer begins Memorial Weekend, May 25-28. Lots of Free, Family Fun. Hot Air Balloon Launches, A Night Hot-Air Balloon Glow, Free Fireworks, America's Largest Olympic Style Dog Bowl Event, Tour De Frankenmuth Bicycle Road Race and Much, Much More! Friday, May 25 6-8 a.m. - Hot Air Balloons take flight 7-8:30 p.m. - Competitive Hot Air Balloon Group Launch at River Place 9-10 p.m.-Hot Air Balloon Glow at River Place Field Saturday, May 26 Face Painting/Children's Inflatables-River Place 9:30 a.m.-Doggie Dash De Lure Course Fun Runs at River Place Field Starts at 10 a.m.-Try Your "Paws" at Agility 6-8 a.m. -Hot Air Balloons take flight 8 a.m. -Tour de Frankenmuth (Road Race) at Zehnder Park 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. - Bike Expo/Swap Meet at Zehnder Park 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, 3:30--Big Air Wave Competitions at Dock Dog Area 10-5 - Disc Dog Competitions at River Place Field 10 a.m.-Free Kid's Bike Race - Zehnder Park 10 a.m.-Bavarian Belle Canine Cruise-Departs from Bavarian Bell Landing 10:30, 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. -Agility Demonstrations 11, 2, 4:30 & 8 - Rock-N-Roll K-9 Performance Team Show on Southeast Lawn Noon & 2:30 p.m. - Agility Competitions Noon & 3:30 p.m. - Police Canine Demonstrations Noon & 4 p.m. - Border Collie Sheep Herding Demo Page 14
at River Place Field 1p.m.-Pet Parade-Begins at River Place S. Entrance 1 -Tour de Frankenmuth Award Ceremony 1:30-Best Canine Costume Contest at Festival Platz 1:45 -Dog Bowl King and Queen Announced 2:15-Dog Bowl Fashion Show at Festival Platz Stage 2:45 p.m.-25 Yard Small Doggie Fun Run Race at River Place Field 5 p.m.-Wiener Dog Races at Festival Platz Stage 5:30-Extreme Vertical Competition - Dock Dog Area 7-8:30 p.m. - Competitive Hot Air Balloon Group Launch at River Place 9-10 p.m.-Hot Air Balloons Glow at River Place Field Sunday, May 27 All Day- Face Painting and Children's Inflatables Starts at 9:30--Doggie Dash De Lure Course Fun Runs at River Place Field Starts at 10 a.m. -Try Your "Paws" at Agility 10-5 -Disc Dogs Competitions - River Place 10:30, 1:30 & 3:30PM--Agility Demonstrations at River Place Field 6-8 a.m.-Hot Air Balloons take flight 8-3 - Gran Fondo di Thumb at Zehnder Park 9:30, 11:30 -Big Air Wave Competition: Dock Dog Area 11, 3 & 6 -Rock-N-Roll K-9 Performance Team Show Noon & 4 p.m. -Border Collie Sheep Herding Demo Noon & 2:30PM--Agility Competitions 1 Dog Breeds of the World Show at Festival Platz 1:30 -Speed Retrieve Competition at Dock Dog Area 2 -Silly Pet Tricks & Howling/Talking Competition 2:30 p.m. -50 Yard Big Doggie Fun Run Race 3 p.m. -Big Air Finals (Pro, Semi, Pro-Amateur) 5 p.m. - Wiener Dog Races at Festival Platz Stage
www.theweekendermagazine.com
May, 2012
May, 2012
www.theweekendermagazine.com
Page 15
The Weekender c/o BarnettPRO 71 Plymouth Street Plymouth OH 44865
Presorted Standard U.S.Postage
Paid Plymouth, Oh. Permit No. 71