Behind the Mitten

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this bonus episode of Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Amy and Gonzo talk to Chris Lopez of Black Star Farms. He is a legendary member of the tasting team room, and he is probably one of the most recognizaebale members of the Black Star team. Tucked in the rural farmland and beautiful countryside of the Leelanau Peninsula, you will find Black...

Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival April 26-28, 2024 Michigan's original maple syrup festival since 1940! Parade starts at  3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 . www.syrupfest.org In this podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman interview Mary Ann Hayes about the Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival, which is the original maple syrup festival in Michigan and came about in 1940, when local syrup producers gathe...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 15 On this weekend’s  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Amy and Gonzo attend the annual Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism in Kalamazoo to talk to industry experts, learn about trends and introduce you to a Pure Michigan Pie! Segment 1: In the show's opening segment, Amy and Gonzo learn a lot about how Europeans view Michigan as a tourism de...

BEHIND THE MITTEN - MICHIGAN DESTINATIONS Sleepy Hollow Beach Resort is South Haven's only beach front luxury resort! Sleepy Hollow Beach Resort in South Haven combines the iconic Art Deco style with 21st century amenities such as our Olympic size heated pool, a variety of sports & recreational activities, and don’t forget our 1,000 feet of private terraced beach with direct stairwell access t...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 14 On this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Amy and special guest host Phil Tower take you to Comerica Park, which just unveiled the second largest video scoreboard in Major League Baseball. They'll tell you want to eat, drink and see at Comerica Park in 2024 as fans flock to downtown Detroit to root, root, root for the Tigers! Segment 1: Amy...

SEASSON 6, EPISODE 13 On this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Amy and Gonzo take you to Traverse City, which is blessed to have about 50 wineries in the region. To prepare for May, which is Wine Month in Michigan, our friends at Travere City Tourism have created TC "Uncorked" ! Our show this weekend is all about planning ahead for a great time in the Grand Tr...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 12 On this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez -- Amy and Gonzo take you behind the scenes of a typical travel day when they have to travel from Grand Rapids to Traverse City on an assignment. They make stops in Reed City, Cadillac, Kalkaska and Kingsley. Tune in to this fantastic road trip where they find new favorites, visit old stomping grounds,...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this bonus episode of  Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez , our dynamic duo chats with BTM webmaster Jeff Bailey, who tells how he got into the hobby of making his own maple syrup. He started from the base of not knowing how to identify a maple tree to actually making something he gives away as gifts to friends. He will make you laugh. This segment...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez , our dynamic duo travel the state to bring you everything you need to know about Michigan Maple Syrup, including how a newcomer approaches it and how the professionals do it. On this bonus podcast, they stop by the Detroit suburb of Northville, which may seem like an unlikely place to celebrate all...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez , our dynamic duo travel the state to bring you everything you need to know about Michigan Maple Syrup, including how a newcomer approaches it and how the professionals do it. Their first stop is at  Maple Row Sugarhouse in Jones (Southwestern Michigan) where they are celebrating the Michigan Maple...

“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast with more than 600 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category. On this podcast, Amy Sherman join the Paul Miller Show (March 22. 2024) on WPHM in Port Huron to previe...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 11 On this weekend’s Behind the Mitten Show with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez , our dynamic duo travel the state to bring you everything you need to know about Michigan Maple Syrup, including how a newcomer approaches it and how the professionals do it. Segment 1: We stop at Maple Row Sugarhouse in Jones (Southwestern Michigan) where they are celebrating the Michigan Maple Syrup...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 10 Nestled on the shores of our lovely Lake Michigan, most know and adore Grand Haven as a fabulous summer beach destination. And boy, IS IT! Strolling the boardwalk on a warm sunny day, with a breeze off the great lake, maybe a drippy cone in your hand, and thoughts of the Tip A Few Tavern for a cold one later dance across your brain. Grand Haven is truly a Pure Michigan summer...

We are always intrigued to hear what others have to say about our beloved Michigan, whether it is current residents, former citizens, or visitors from afar. We are always especially interested to hear the take that travel experts have on Michigan, what they notice, what they love, what they might see in our future. We were pleased as punch to confirm an interview with Pauline Frommer for our Seaso...

We set out to make a Michigan Bucket List show and ended up with a guest list that is all over the map and book-ended by two well-known names, one in the travel industry, and one for abiding while creating an incredible theatrical destination for all to enjoy. We were pleased as punch to confirm an interview with Pauline Frommer. Yes, of that Frommer family, the kind of kings of travel publication...

Fenn Valley Vineyards has been creating unique Michigan wines and ciders for over fifty years, nestled in the rolling green hills of Fennville in beautiful southwest Michigan. Behind the Mitten made a recent jaunt that way, about 45 minutes south of our world headquarters in Grand Rapids. We sat down with Brian Lesperance, Vice President of Fenn Valley, and winemaker Matt Jannette to get the scoop...

BONUS PODCAST On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman celebrate National Sauna Week (Feb. 18-24, 2024) with executive director of the national Finlandia Foundation , Tommy Flanagan. He tells us all about it, including that the Upper Peninsula is considered part of the U.S. Sauna Belt. He also discusses proper sauna etiquete. Congrats to Debbie Paver of Calumet , who created the winning entr...

Each week, hosts Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez go Behind the Mitten on Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast. On a show that aired February 24-25 2024, we discussed different ways to travel around Michigan and create unique experiences. From following a wine trail to taking a farm tour, there's something for every interest. One guest on the show was James Beard Foundation nominee, Chef...

This week we talk about different ways to travel around Michigan, whether it's by food, farm, Finnish sauna, or fine wine. We were looking for tips on travels from both local and national experts, and we have an interesting line-up of guests this week. We start off with James Beard Foundation nominee, Chef James Rigato who owns the award-winning restaurant Mabel Gray in Hazel Park. He also is a re...

A special bonus podcast with our Behind the Mitten Resident Ski Bunny Nick Nerbonne. Nick shares some slope updates, making sure to point out that our Michigan ski hills are open, and are offering some great skiing, despite the lack of snow on the ground. We have some of the best snowmakers in the country here, and they've been working overtime this year, creating good conditions on slopes from no...

SEASON 6, BONUS On this speical podcast, Britney Buti Primeau of Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville sits down with John Gonzalez and assures skiers that they DO HAVE SNOW! "Your backyard is not an indicator of our conditions," she says on the show. They anticipate a busy March with awesome deals for skiiing, great restaurants, a busy spa, and popular local destinations like Iron Fish Distill...

What a great season! What a great team! Our beloved Detroit Lions had a season for the ages, and we just can't get enough. We just had to have one more week of Detroit Lions football. What a great show this weekend, with superfans, super chefs, and even a former player stopping by to share the excitement. We start with our good friend Earl Bovia from Bay City Bills Bar & Grill, a Lions season...

On this podcast, Gonzo and Amy talk to Terry Moore , who handles Media Relations and Communications for the West Michigan Golf Show, which is this weekend (Feb. 9-11, 2024). What : For over 35 years, West Michigan has started the golf season with the West Michigan Golf Show. With the area’s top equipment dealers, courses and resorts, you can plan your entire golf season and even book your first te...

SEASON 6, EPISODE 5: Welcome to Behind the Mitten , Michigan's premiere travel radio show and podcast, hosted by the dynamic duo Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez. On this show, Amy and Gonzo debut in Grand Haven, then take you around the state to things you can do INDOORS! Segments include: Segment 1: John and Amy welcome listeners of 92.1 WGHN-FM "Grand Haven's Finest" to Behind the Mitten, where th...

SEASON 6, BONUS EPISODE On this bonus podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of Behind the Mitten talk to John Lindley , President & CEO of Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds (MARVAC). They talk about the popularity of RVing and camping, as well as the latest trends, travel tips and campground etiquette for newcomers. They also run down the details you need to know abo...