Recent Blog Posts

Spring is certain arrive, and when it does a great way to get away from the daily grind is to venture to one of the many Little Traverse Conservancy Nature Preserves that dot the northern Michigan landscape. From the 175-acre Vermillion Point preserve on the south shore of Lake Superior in Chippe...
Read More>>

It's mid-April here in Michigan and many Michigan farmers are getting ready to tend to their spring crops. Whether they are out in the fields already, working in their hoop houses or making simply making checklists,  a farmers work is never done. Growing up on a farm, I can remember even during the...
Read More>>

Some of us have been tying trout flies all winter.  We’ve also been reading, or simply going through gear, new and old, tossing out the ratty leaders, trimming the unkempt flies, and agonizing over whether to toss an old reel or spool or a formerly favorite vest. Winter is over, and so too is ...
Read More>>

It's spring here in Northern Michigan but it definitely doesn't feel like it! Many of us northerners are honestly overwhelmed with the spring snow storms. We are in that odd spring lull. The ski hills just closed this past weekend because well, it's spring.  You can't ice fish or snowmobile right n...
Read More>>

Friends and acquaintances are forever asking for an insider’s view of Mackinac Island.   I have summered there for almost 35 years, but I still learn something new each time I visit.  Here are few things I’ve learned over the years: 1. Check the ferry schedule and be flexible.  There’s ...
Read More>>

Although it doesn't feel like it, Summer is fast approaching and will be here before we know it. School is out in June and many parents I know struggle with what to do with the kids during the summer months and most parents I know are always on the look out early on for summer activities for their k...
Read More>>

Because I read books, because I teach books, and because I write regularly about books, folks are forever asking me “What’s your favorite book?” I also have two dogs, have long been a dog lover and dog owner, and likely will be a dog guy for as long as possible, but no one ever asks me whic...
Read More>>

Easter is only a week away and the Easter Bunny has been making his rounds at Grandpa Shorter's this past few weekends. He will be making two more stops at Grandpa Shorter's in Petoskey next Friday March 30th & Saturday March 31st, 12-3pm. This week is spring break here in Northern Michigan for...
Read More>>

  My own hockey season might have recently concluded, but there is still time to enjoy what some refer to as the greatest sport on ice. Whether you enjoy collegiate or professional versions, or something in-between, there is still enough hockey in the current schedule to make you think wint...
Read More>>

Tea just like coffee tends to be an acquired taste. Growing up my father was a huge tea fan. We constantly had some version of black tea, usually Lipton's stocked in the pantry and a huge jar of raw honey. On cold winter days we would spend the morning ice fishing out on Mullett Lake and then head i...
Read More>>