Behind the Mitten

Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten gets all the intel on Short’s Brewing “Holiday Battle Plan,” a 12-pack inspired by the classic movie “Home Alone.” The new variety pack from Short’s Brewing in Bellaire features four brand-new brews and a guide for hosting your own Home Alone watch party. “I think we’re all children of the ’80s, so when it came out in the '90s it was the perfect time for all of us...

This weekend's Behind the Mitten is a "sweet" show! It's all about Original Murdick's Fudge , and how you can ship this special holiday gift to friends all around the country. Maybe you want some fudge or brittle or caramel corn for your holiday gathering. You can order this slice of Pure Michigan from our friends at OMF, who are busy this time of year making fresh fudge from the Straits of Mackin...

 Woohoo! It's coming on like a frozen polar express train, you can feel it getting closer and closer by the nip in the air and frost on the brown, dry grass. It's winter, and once again, your friends at Behind the Mitten are here and we are, once again, ready to help you EMBRACE WINTER. We have truly come to believe in the power of the correct winter equipment, having the right stuff can really ma...

It's all about Michigan wine this week on Behind the Mitten, and we are awash in the great grape harvest of 2024.  Our first guest is in charge of one of the Midwest's biggest, and arguably most exciting, food festival. Th e 17th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival kicks off November 21 through the 23rd. It's a full on extravaganza of food and food related events and p...

This week we head to an iconic Michigan destination, known throughout the Midwest as a place for old-fashioned, one-of-a-kind fun, with an amazing dinner theater experience, and some of the best turkey dinners you'll find anywhere. It's Cornwell's Turkeyville , and we visited for the very first time—and we can assure you, it won't be the last. On the show, you'll get to meet owner/operator Patti C...

Holy smokes! It's a moment in Midland, and we are back at one of our best. We are back at one of the all time greats Bone Daddy's Barbeque with our buddy and BBQ legend Bill Wall . He’s the master of meat, king of smoke, and just so fun. We know you’ll love him. too. A few years ago we were looking for great pasties made UNDER the bridge. We found them at shierspasties in Midland, and we have owne...

This episode of Behind the Mitten has us all over Michigan, with reports from Marshall, Manistee, and Marquette. It's all about the M's on this show! Our good friend Sue Damron joins us from marvelous Marshall, where she owns and operates the historic Schuler's Restaurant. We love visiting this iconic spot, where you can cozy up next to the fire, and enjoy some classic cuisine, like prime rib, the...

On this episode of Behind the Mitten we meet in the middle, and head to Mt. Pleasant. Fall is the perfect time of year to visit, as the entire state turns maroon and gold in honor of the Central Michigan University Chippewas, wink wink. We recorded at the famous Shepherd Bar, located just south of town, and you won't believe what they have planned for Halloween. We start with our good friend Chris...

MT. PLEASANT - Fire Up Edition Are you planning to attend this weekend's 2024 Central Michigan University Homecoming (Oct. 12)? On this special podcast we sit down with Chris Rowley, Executive Director of Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as her associates, Jordan Ensing , Marketing coordinator, and Cassandra Chippeway , content and communications coordinator. We talk about...

Let's go ABOVE the Mitten this weekend! Have you heard about the BIG game that is being played on October 13 in majestic Marquette ? It's kind of a big deal, and we'll bring you the whole scoop right from the source. The  Northern Michigan University Wildcats are hosting the exhibition basketball game of the year, when they take on the Michigan State Spartans at the Superior Dome on October 13. MS...

This week we are all over on Behind the Mitten , from Tecumseh to Bellaire, to Lansing and beyond. Sounds like everything is normal then, right? Located in southeast Michigan south of Ann Arbor, charming Tecumseh is hosting their annual AppleUmpkin Festival on October 12 and 13. Featuring carnival rides, inflatables and bungee jumping, there are also crafts for the little ones, play putt-putt, and...

On this "Behind the Mitten" podcast, John Gonzalez talks to the Wharton Center's Bobby Hoffman about the upcoming production of "Les Misérables," which kicks of the 2024-2025 Broadway series in East Lansing. OCT 8-13, 2024 "Les Misérables" Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables. This brilliant staging ha...

John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten talks to Bobby Hoffman, the public relations manager at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts about the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Along with a performing arts series, the Broadway Series season includes: Les Misérables - October 8–13, 2024 Shucked, January 21–26, 2025 MJ, February 11–16, 2025 Life of Pi, March 11–16, 2025 Chicago, April 8-13, 2025 As well as: H...

It might not seem like it with this incredible weather we've been having, but fall is right around the corner. We paid our friends in Manistee a visit, and are here to tell you that this just might be the perfect place to visit for fall colors.....and so much more. We recorded this week's show at the Manistee County History Museum, where we met the director Mark Fedder. This place is an absolute t...

Fall is festival time in Michigan, so we went on a journey to find a few of the more interesting-sounding ones out there and get the story behind the production of these fine community affairs. This week on Behind the Mitten we'll talk fests that focus on doughnuts and beer, running through the grapevines, hawks, and surprise, surprise, even one festival that celebrates all things Canadian. Once a...

Canadiana Fest Podcast Celebrating the culture, food, music and art of our neighbor to the north in Downtown Kalamazoo Michigan. September 21, 2024 at the Arcadia Creek Festival Site! Amy and Gonzo interview event coordinator Channon Mondoux , originally from Windsor, who goes behind the scene of this year's event after they recorded the show segment (which aired Sept. 14-15, 2024). During the pod...

On Behind the Mitten, we love to take you to special spots all around Michigan. We always hope that you'll find new favorite places to visit, or remember a favorite spot that you just have to get back to. We believe that travel is amazing, and want to make sure that our gorgeous Michigan destinations stay that way for all future visitors. Our friends in Marquette completely agree, and as a communi...

On this episode of Behind the Mitten, Gonzo and Amy visit marvelous Muskegon , a historic city nestled on the shores of lady Lake Michigan that offers different types of adventures for everyone, including some with a decidedly Gaelic twist to them. We start the show off by highlighting the Michigan Irish Music Festival , which is happening this September 12 through the 15th at Heritage Landing in...

We hope you'll tune in this weekend, as we are coming straight at you from a slow-down-you-might-miss-it spot in Upper Peninsula, charming Germfask. We've been known to stop any time of day at Tovey's Jolly Inn because you can get a burger for breakfast, or lunch, or dinner. We'll talk with Damian Tovey about his historic bar located right on HWY 77, his claim to making the best cheesesteak in the...

When you turn 125 years old you best do something special. Our friends at Northern Michigan University in Marquette decided to do just that to celebrate this incredible anniversary of Wildcat pride, collaborating with Blackrock Brewery to create a special commemorative beer, Wildcat Gold. "NMU is thrilled to team up with Marquette's own Blackrocks Brewery to launch Wildcat Gold—a special brew craf...

We are back to school this week! Our young Michiganders are headed back to the classroom this week, and back to college campuses, which is both exciting and sad.  It's exciting if you are a student and finally back home at school with friends, exciting if you are a business that is ready to serve, and exciting if you are a tourism bureau welcoming visitors. But it's sad if you are a momma sending...

This week takes us to the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, as we do a little road trip to Saugatuck and South Haven.   We'll take you out on the water, do some shopping, talk to three blondes who brew, and meet up with some fine friends who are cooking up greatness at their very own restaurant finally. We'll even tell you about the most fantastic saltine crackers we've ever had. Intrigued? Here's mo...

Each visit to I Love Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan unveils new things to do, places to visit, and always new Michigan history to learn. This trip was no different. Absolute highlight? Meeting the one and only Paul Sabourin , the curator at the Tower of History, part of the Sault Historic Sites group of museums. Not only do you get a banger of a view from the tallest spot in the Soo, but you might als...

This weekend takes us ABOVE the mitten, as we travel across the Mighty Mac and head to one of our favorite places in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Sault Ste Marie . "Where Michigan history was born" is an apt tagline for this city that resides along the St. Mary's River, as it was founded way back in 1668 by one of Michigan's favorite explorers, Fr. Jacques Marquette. Today, the "Soo" is best known...

All hail the Queen.....our Michigan agricultural queens that is! A time-honored traditiion. Interviews with: Kelley Chase , Michigan Apple Queen 2024. More info. Emma Woller , National Asparagus Festival Queen 2023-2024. More info. Carmen Beemer, National Cherry Festival Queen 2023-2024. More info. Follow John and Amy: Website: amyandgonzo.com Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten T...