Recent Blog Posts

"If you can survive the winters here, only then can you call yourself a true Michigander". These words of advice were given to me when I was seeking the "need to knows" from a Petoskey, MI local over the summer, when contemplating my official move in December. I had only visited Petoskey once dur...
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Valentines Day is less than a month away, so why not start thinking out of the box for some fun and unique ideas! Today's blog post. Here at Grandpa Shorter's focuses on breakfast. It's seriously my favorite meal of the day and there are so many fun Valentine breakfast ideas out there that you are ...
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Hello, friends and welcome back! The recipe I am sharing with you this week is an easy winter classic slow cooker beef roast recipe that you can put together in a matter of minutes and have ready at the end of a long work day or an easy weekend meal. During the school year, we are go, go, go with...
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Welcome back, friends! Winter is settling in nicely, here in Northern Michigan and February right right around the corner! I don't know about you, but during the winter months I crave warm comfort foods. Anything warm and toasty right out of the oven and I am all about it. This past weekend I t...
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Michigan celebrated its 178th birthday this past Tuesday. In honor of the Mitten State’s milestone, here’s a quiz to test how well you know your Michigan cities and towns. An answer key is at the bottom of the article. This City was the first in the nation to pave a road with concrete. Thi...
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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Here in Michigan it’s usually cold and snowy on Cupid’s holiday. If you’re looking for alternatives to dinner and a movie, here are some romantic winter date ideas you can enjoy with your special someone. 1. Dog Sledding - If you’re a couple who...
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The only information that I had about Petoskey, MI is that it was the place to find Petoskey Stones. However, after living here for the past 6 months, I have yet to find a decent Petoskey stone. I have visited the rocky shores of the Petoskey State Park numerous times, scanning and scanning to find...
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Birds add color and life to your yard in the middle of winter. There’s nothing as striking as a pair of bright, red cardinals against the white snow. You can attract birds to your yard with the right food and feeders. Of course, you’ll also be helping them get through the winter, so you can enjo...
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According to the DNR, ice fishing is the most popular winter sport in Michigan. If you've never been, that might surprise you. Why would anyone want to spend a day in the freezing cold, on top of open ice? Because it’s fun, of course! If you always wanted to give it a try but never have, Michigan�...
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Yes, that's correct. This winter, all the buzz is around socks. However, not just any socks, but Blue Q socks. What are Blue Q socks? Well, funny you should ask, because until recently, I didnt have a clue either. Blue Q socks are carried at J.W. Shorter & Son Mercantile in Downtown Petoskey, M...
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