It was dusk. A misty chill hung in the air as the crowd gathered around the tree to witness the execution. Hands bound behind her back, the accused sat upon a horse, defiant. Accused of practicing witchcraft and found guilty by little else than fear and superstition, she glared at the onlookers. As the rope was thrown over the branch of the oak and the noose fitted around her neck, a slight smile appeared on her face. She glanced around the crowd, recognizing former friends, family and acquaintances, whose eager expressions only enraged her further. If they thought her a witch, sobeit – she would act the part. Before she fell, her voice rang out, cursing the village with pestilence and despair. The horse was coaxed forward and she dropped. Her last sight on Earth was the look of sudden fear on the faces of the damned townspeople of Pere Cheney. It was satisfying …
Just because summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean the fun has to. Why not get the kids away from the screen for a few hours/days or grab a bunch of friends and try something new? Everyone dreams of being able to climb tall buildings or soar through the air and at a few locations in Michigan, you can do it. Rock climbing and zipline adventures can be an adrenaline-pumping, healthy and wholesome time and with luck, you will be discovering new habits and passions that will keep you (and your children or friends) occupied into and throughout adulthood. (Please call locations for reservations, rules and age limits.)
Warm weather has settled in and it’s time to hit the road with the fam! Michigan is home to a great variety of destinations for any interest and there are many out there that most people have never visited or even knew existed. We have gathered a list of day trip (or weekend) suggestions that are sure to encourage some fun photo ops and memories. Hold onto your hats … adventure awaits!
When Wil Hufton III of Davison was three years old, he started exploring the shores and swamps with his dad at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw. He also spent time there with a neighbor and then later on with his stepfather, Don. Inspired by the beauty of the natural habitat, Hufton started a business offering scenic boat tours so he could share his love of nature and the ecosystem with others.
Ever since she was a little girl, Rebecca Fowler wanted to own a farm. In 2011, her wish came true. She and her husband, Derek Fowler, bought a foreclosed farm on ten acres located on S. Duck Lake Road in Highland, MI. Since the property included a stable, Fowler knew she could raise animals on the farm. She thought about raising horses, which is a lot of work and the business of boarding them was quite a process. Then, she recalled a conversation with a woman who had an alpaca farm in the community. “Why not raise alpacas?” she asked her husband. He agreed!
Hello. I’m MCM Writer/Editor Peter Hinterman. You may know me from such stories as “Flint Through the Decades,” “History of Genesee County,” and “Winter Weekend Getaways (Have Some Frosty Fun!)” What you may not know is that I’m also an avid camper/hiker and have been just about everywhere in this great state of ours. Where are Michigan’s best places to camp? I’m glad you asked! Here are a few places that stand out above the rest:
Sloan Museum is bringing flight and space exploration to life with a new exhibit that launches visitors into the future of aerospace technology and air travel. Above and Beyond, an interactive experience exploring innovations in aerospace, will debut Saturday, May 15 at Sloan Museum, located inside Courtland Center Mall and will run through Sept. 5. The exhibit is presented nationally by Boeing and sponsored locally by the Nartel Family Foundation.
Imagine yourself in an elevator going up to the 80th floor of a skyscraper. You arrive and the door opens to a single wooden plank jutting out into space, precariously held there by two single nails. You take one tentative step onto the plank. Your palms start to sweat as you look out over the city far below. You take another cautious step, then pause as a helicopter flies toward you and quickly duck as it swoops overhead. Looking down, you see cars and trucks driving through a busy intersection. You start to shake as you edge closer to the plank’s end … once there, you stop. One more step forward and you’ve survived Richie’s Plank Experience. Would you take the plunge?
I can’t help but feel like we Flintstones have something special. Those outside of Genesee County just don’t know what they are missing. Sure, our fair city has had a hiccup here and there – what city hasn’t? But its positives far outweigh the negatives and the gap is growing. We have our own highway (I-475), a world-changing history, great (and affordable) colleges, a fantastic park system, festivals, a community that supports one another (counter that, New York), a fantastic art scene, great music, etc. With all of the things that Flint has to offer, have you taken advantage of it (Pre-COVID, of course)?
Every year as the snow begins to fall, families throughout Michigan load up the sleigh and head to their favorite holiday destination for a bit of Christmas magic. From light shows to parades, small towns to big cities, festive seasonal attractions offer a variety of merriments – most only a few hours away. With some traditional celebrations being put on hold this year, now may be the best time for something new, something fresh. A new family experience that could become a treasured tradition.
Halo Burger is offering Michigan hunters a free Mossy Oak hat when they present their 2020 Michigan Hunting License and purchase any premium combo during the state’s firearm season. Hats can be picked up at any Halo Burger restaurant beginning Thursday, Nov. 12 through Wednesday, Dec. 2. This year’s hats feature the iconic Halo Burger roundel with the classic cow sporting a new set of antlers. Guests can choose between a white or orange embroidery option.
