1997 SHOWS
Michigan Magazine shows are available on videocassette for $22.95 plus 3.00 shipping and handling. Just use our order form and please remember to include the show number.
JANUARY 1997
First Week in January - SHOW #805: Barry travels to Shelby Township where Michigan Magazine visits with George Walker, Publisher of the Michigan Crafter Magazine. This unique publication highlights many arts and crafts festivals that are held each year in Michigan.
Then Dell takes us through the cheese making process as we visit the Amish Farm Country Cheese House of Lakeview , Michigan.
Second Week in January - SHOW #806: In this edition, Dell and Barry take us on a journey to Middle Island Lighthouse North of Alpena in Lake Huron to witness the restoration of this historic lighthouse. Then it's back to Alpena for the very first Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival. Thousands of lighthouse enthusiasts from throughout the Midwest converged on the Alpena area this past October to share information on the lighthouses of the great lakes and the many restoration projects that are underway.
Third Week in January - SHOW #807: Barry travels to the Traverse City area to visit with two men, David Milarch and Christopher Spears, who are spearheading a drive to save Michigan's "Champion" trees. Michigan is the home of at least 64 of the nation's oldest living trees, some over 400 years old. These two men are also instrumental in clonal propagation of Michigan's Big Trees, which continues the species through grafting of the buds of the Big Trees to host saplings. (Champion Tree - A List || Champion Tree - B List)
Dell takes us to the Glass Art Studios of Lynn Dee Dinning near Good Hart, Michigan. Dell witnesses Lynn's award winning glass artistry from conception to creation...and even gets a chance to demonstrate his own creativity in the art of glass blowing.
Fourth Week in January - SHOW #808: Dell visits a place called "The Little Farmer" near Cheboygan. Here Lynda Tracy, along with her daughter and mother, create beautiful handspun yarn from all sorts of animals including sheep, rabbits, goats, and even cats and dogs.
Barry visits Sparr Michigan near Gaylord, the home of Ethel Hicks Miniature Dolls. Ethel has created a world-wide mail order market for her fine hand-crafted miniature ceramic dolls. Painstakingly hand-crafted one by one, these dolls are all original creations.
Last Week in January - First Week in February - SHOW # 809: Barry finds himself deep in the wilderness of Forest Lake near Alger, Michigan and the studios of artist Mitch Billeter. Mitch creates beautiful stoneware pottery that includes everything from birdfeeders to actual casting of the fish he's caught. His realism and detail are gaining statewide recognition.
Dell visits the Rick Baetsen family of the Boyne City area as they relate their unique family experience of traveling through the northern most regions of the Canadian wilderness.
FEBRUARY 1997
First and Second Week in February - SHOW #810: Michigan Magazine travels to GLADWIN to meet Lynn Morgan a northern Michigan Christian artist who is also an accomplished singer and song writer. Dell visits with Lynn who tells us of how his faith has inspired him in his paintings and songs of American life.
Barry travels to the restored historic ALPENA flour mill, home of the Bay Viewer Chair Company. After saving this historic building from the wrecking ball an Alpena couple renovated it into a workshop that is providing hand made wooden outdoor furniture to a growing world market.
Third Week in February - SHOW #811: Barry travels to GAYLORD to taste the authentic Polish cuisine of Busia's restaurant. We visit with owners Al and Barbara Mackowiak to learn some of the secrets to the growing popularity of this family restaurant....including a behind the scenes look at the making of their famous fresh hand made Polish sausage!
Dell travels to BAY CITY to visit the ceramic creativity of "C & J Artistic Ceramics" by Caroline and Janet.
Fourth Week in February - SHOW #812: Dell visits with mural artist Steve Witucki of Rogers City. Steve has gained area fame by painting historic murals on buildings throughout Rogers City.
Then Barry visits with Don Campbell of Gaylord. Don creates amazingly detailed farm machinery in miniature! So detailed are his renditions, serious collectors are beating a path to his door with advance orders!!
Last Week in February - First Week in March - SHOW #813: It's a trip into the past as we hear sounds and voices of bygone days captured on an antique "wire" recorder. In this edition of Michigan Magazine, Barry visits with wire recorder collector Steve Gwost of Lansing. Steve has amassed an impressive collection of old wire recorders (the predecessor of the tape player), along with the actual recordings recorded decades ago.
Remember the old toy metal pedal cars of the 40s and 50s? Well Dell visits Bill Guggemos of Lansing who has a passion for these collectibles and has gained a reputation for having one of the best collections in the Midwest. Bill's love of the old metal pedal cars has developed into his gaining a "hands on" understanding of these yesteryear toys finding himself in demand as a very talented "restorer"!
MARCH 1997
First -Second Week in March - SHOW #814: Dell travels to Portland Michigan to visit with a couple who have devoted their lives to growing and cultivating "Michigan" wildflowers for distribution. Their operation has become one of the largest wildflower companies in the Midwest!
Barry visits artists Bernhard Baumgartner and Tina Tierney of Shelby Township, Michigan. Bernhard and Tina have created an outlet for their artistic endeavor called "SOUTHWEST CORNER". They specialize in creating artificial cactus arrangements. With the input of an interior decorator friend, they began in their home to manufacture and decorate cacti for world-wide distribution.
Second Week in March - SHOW #815: Barry visits a children's day care center in West Branch for a visit with "Grandma Red". Grandma Red has made it a tradition each year to treat the children to her famous cinnamon rolls! We begin our visit early in the morning at the center's kitchen where we find Grandma Red busily preparing her rolls before the first children begin to arrive.
Dell ventures north to "Nettie Bay Lodge" near Millersburg. Nettie Bay has been a Northern Michigan tradition for over 45 years for controlled hunting expeditions to birdwatching. In this visit, we learn of two new unique programs being offered by professional instructors...Log cabin building and stone masonry!
Third Week in March - SHOW #816: On this edition, Dell and Barry venture into the CANADIAN NORTH with Michigan family and friends for a unique camping and fishing trip along the back waters of ONTARIO'S Magpie River!! Relax with the Michigan Magazine crew as they enjoy our neighbors to the North!!
Last Week in March and First Week in April - SHOW #817: Barry visits with one room school house historian Bob Kujawa of Alpena. Bob is actively involved in traveling throughout Northern Michigan in a quest to photograph and document still standing, or remnants of, one room school houses. Since 1991 Bob has photographed over 200 schools and videotaped over 50 of them!
Then Dell travels to Comins to visit the home of Tonie Lesko. Tonie, along with her family shares with us a traditional Polish Easter dinner!
APRIL 1997
April 2nd through April 9th - SHOW #818: Dell travels to the Higgins Lake area and the studio of mosaic furniture artist Larry Hawkins. Larry creates beautiful "twig" furniture from the woods of northern Michigan.
Then Barry spends a morning with wildlife artist Jim Hublick of the Atlanta/Hillman area. We follow Jim from his wilderness studio to the Northwoods Art Gallery of Atlanta. Here gallery owner John Zollar takes us on a tour of his beautiful gallery featuring artists from throughout Michigan and the world.
April 9th through April 16th - SHOW #819: On this edition Barry discovers the incredible talent of wildfowl carving artist Mick Brazell of Onaway. Mick is gaining statewide recognition for his ability to turn a normal piece of wood into a one of a kind carving of birds so realistic they have been mistaken for the real thing.
Then Dell and the Michigan Magazine crew travels to Grand Blanc to spend the day with past director of the American Iris Society Harold Stahly. Here we learn of the growing statewide and international interest in the beautiful and fragrant Iris.
April 16th through April 23rd - SHOW #820: Dell discovers, tucked away in an old renovated gas station, the studio of rustic furniture artist Tim Monaghan of Gladwin. From area white cedar Tim creates beds, dressers, coffee tables, and dining room furniture hand built to last a life time.
Barry loses himself in the ancient art of hand quilting as he visits the home of Kay Brazell in Onaway . Kay shares with Barry here labor of love in creating masterpieces from bits and pieces of beautiful fabric.
April 23rd through April 30th - SHOW #821: Barry visits with Wayne Berry and Gary Schroeder of Onaway . These two men are following their dreams by renovating an old abandoned school house into a small production facility that is producing hundreds of "NU WAY PROPANE" stoves designed for ice fishing shanties and deer blinds.
Dell visits the Whistling Moose Studios and Gallery in Petosky. Here we visit custom wood working artist John Yothers. John specializes in creating beautiful one of a kind hand crafted mahogany canoes.
MAY 1997
April 30th through May 7th - SHOW #822: Dell continues his visit at the Whistling Moose Studios of Petosky with artisan Hannie Yothers. Hannie's hand crafted pottery and jewelry is created by cutting out many small pieces of "slab" porcelain. The finished product is a fine one of a kind work of art.
Barry visits the state headquarters of MICHIGAN SPECIAL OLYMPICS in Mt. Pleasant. Here we go behind the scenes to discover how these Olympic games for the mentally handicapped developed from the incredible love and dedication of thousands of volunteers.
May 7th through May 14th - SHOW #823: Barry travels to southwest lower Michigan near the Indiana border to experience the Court Yard Gallery. Here in New Buffalo Michigan we talk with gallery owner Gene Halun who takes us on a wonderful tour of this gallery that combines nature with some of the nation's most beautiful fine arts.
Then Dell takes in Prairieville's Old Fashion Farm Days. This event draws thousands of traditional country music fans to the farm of Bill Auckerman north of Kalamazoo. Here nationally known artists as well as Michigan talent perform over a four day period. This is also the home of the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame.
May 14th through May 21st - SHOW #824: Dell travels to Curtis in Michigan's U.P. to visit the Perennial Gardens of Linda Townley. Linda has perfected her craft of creating by hand a wonderful line of "herbal soaps" . Her soaps are NOT the kind Grandma used to make but a gentle combination of olive, coconut and palm oils with only essential oils added for scent and absolutely NO dyes to add color.
Then Barry satisfies his appetite for fresh Lake Erie Perch as he visits the Maple Valley Family Restaurant in the Houghton Lake , St.Helen area. We visit with the Vercuysse family who purchased the historic restaurant in 1988. We're guided behind the scenes while our gourmet meals of fresh perch and prime rib are prepared. We also meet and talk with current architect of the building and resident wood carving artist nationally known Jim Meigs.
May 21st through May 28th - SHOW #825: We travel to West Branch where Barry visits with one of the original founders of the West Branch Creative Arts Association Bernice Banghart. "Bernie" , as she is affectionately known, is an oil and acrylic artist herself. We talk about the organization's creation and her development as an accomplished artist.
Our journey into the arts continues as Dell ventures back into Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Brimley and the Mushroom Cap Studio. Here Detroit born artist Mary Coesens Demroske creates breathtaking renditions of Great Lakes Freighters and tugs. Mary's works have been displayed in one person and combined shows at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit, Lake Superior State University and the Michigan State University Campus.
JUNE 1997
May 28th through June 4th - SHOW #826: Dell travels to Germfask in Michigan's beautiful U.P. to witness the craftsmanship of Tom Nichols. Tom creates beautiful cedar lawn furniture from Northern White Cedar native to this area.
Then Barry lets the chips fly as he visits with chain saw sculpting artist Ken Schalau of Ogemaw County.
June 4th through June 11th - SHOW #827: Barry travels into the northern most part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula for a visit with historian and artist Judy Haskins Davis of Copper Harbor.
Then Dell visits with glass blowing artist Lynn Dee Dinning of Good Hart.
June 11th through June 18th - SHOW #828: Dell travels into the Upper Peninsula community of Newberry to visit with neon sign maker Joel Schultz of the Newberry Sign Company.
While Barry visits "Gracies" Restaurant near Burt, Michigan to try some of the house specialties including Porter House steaks and Lobster...with special guest taster area television personality Dick Fabian host of WNEM TV 5 's "Take Five" daily television show.
June 18th through June 25th - SHOW #829: Barry meets magician Duane Fisher of Flint and witnesses his "Sixth Dimension of Magic". Duane is said to be the world's only known totally blind professional magician, mentalist and illusionist. Despite this handicap he performs his magic flawlessly before an elementary school audience in Caledonia Michigan.
Then Dell takes us to New Hudson Michigan to witness the woodburning and "bone deco" artistry of Pam Falzon.
June 25th through July 3rd - SHOW #830: In this edition we feature more interviews from the first annual Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival held in Alpena last October. Dell visits with exhibitors and orginaizers of this event that drew thousands of Lighthouse enthusiasts from around the country and Canada.
Barry travels to the tiny central Michigan crossroads community of McCords to discover the makers of "J-Folks Dulcimers". The Folkertsma family continues the dulcimer making tradition started by their father the late Jack Folkertsma . Barry visits with Jack's wife Shirley and family who give him a short lesson on dulcimer and "can-jo" playing.
JULY 1997
First week in July - SHOW #831: Barry visits Busia's Polish Family Restaurant in Gaylord.
Dell visits antique "pedal car" collector and restorer Bill Guggemos of Lansing.
Second week in July - SHOW #832: Dell visits the Rose City Greenhouse to talk with owners Roman and Grace VanThomme Here we learn more about the behind the scenes workings of one of Northern Michigan's largest family owned Greenhouses.
Barry visits with Elk Rapids "bell maker" Mike Winters. Mike's retirement years has now turned into a full time home operation designing and casting aluminum bells for a growing specialty market.
Third week in July - SHOW #833: Barry Travels to Elk Rapids, Michigan to visit a extraordinary artistic couple. Lois and Frank Blake. Lois demonstrates her beautiful tole painting and portrait techniques while accomplished wood carver Frank guides us through his love of extremely detailed wood carving.
Dell cruises on the Rifle River with master fly tier and fisherman Mike Bachelder of Selkirk Michigan. Mike demonstrates the fine art of fly tying and his expertise in catching the big ones. Our journey concludes with a shore lunch on the banks of the Rifle River.
Fourth week in July - SHOW #834: Dell travels to the mid Michigan community of Shepherd to discover the wood sculpting abilities of Ken Cole. From totem poles to wildlife Ken's work is beginning to receive state wide recognition.
Barry spends the morning with James Spalink of Grand Rapids. James is a master lute and harp maker. From raw wood James creates these Renaissance period instruments to a growing world market from his home studio.
Fifth week in July - First week in August - SHOW #835: Barry continues his journey to the Grand Rapids area as he visits with Nancy Spalink. Nancy's talents include detailed doll making and Renaisance period sketching.
Dell travels to the historic Port Huron "Lightship Huron" for a visit with maritime singer songwriters, Great Lakes Records recording artist Dan Hall and Lyricist Dave Norris.
AUGUST
First week of August - SHOW #836: Dell and Barry take in the activities of the Northwoods Reservation Boy Scout Camp near Lupton Michigan. Hundreds of scouts from the Lansing area converge on this camp annually for countless scouting activities and merit badge earning opportunities. We follow the scouts and their leaders deep into the northern Michigan wilderness for a week of scouting!
Second week of August - SHOW #837: In this edition Dell and Barry take us on a journey to the Middle Island Lighthouse north of Alpena in Lake Huron to witness the restoration of this historic lighthouse. Then it's back to Alpena for the very first Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival.
Third week of August - SHOW #838: On this edition Dell and Barry venture into the Canadian north with Michigan Magazine family and friends for a unique camping and fishing trip along the back waters of Ontario's Magpie River. Relax with the Michigan Magazine crew as they enjoy our neighbors to the north.
Fourth week of August - SHOW #839: Barry satisfies his apitite for fresh Lake Erie Perch as he visits the Maple Valley Family Restaurant in the Houghton Lake, St. Helen area. We visit with the Vercuysse family who purchased the historic restaurant in 1988. We're guided behind the scenes while our gourmet meals of fresh perch and prime rib are prepared. We also meet and talk with current architect of the building and resident wood carving artist nationally known Jim Meigs.
Dell visits "The Little Farmer" near Cheboygan. Here Lynda Tracy along with her daughter and mother create beautiful handspun yarn from all sorts of animals including sheep, rabbits goats, and even cat and dog!
SEPTEMBER
First Week in September - SHOW #840: In the first of a three part series Dell travels to the 69th annual Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society convention at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan near Traverse City. The annual convention features Jr. High and High School student's finished shop projects in state competition. Projects include everything from wood and metal working to architecture and computer program design. Dell visits with convention President Dennis Harrand who explains the MITES concept and treats us to a guided tour of some of the amazing projects on display.
Barry travels to American Soy Products in Saline, Michigan to discover a new taste sensation that combines vegetables and fruit in a delicious natural beverage taking the nation by storm called VRUIT . Barry visits with one of the founders and creators of VRUIT, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Tim Redmond, who takes us on a tour of the packaging plant while telling us the story of the development this delicious concoction.
Second Week in September - SHOW #841: Barry travels back in time to the historic Terrace Inn in the heart of Bayview, Michigan near Petoskey. Here inn keepers, Tom and Denis Erhart, transport their guests back to the turn of the century with a Victorian theme. As a local dulcimer player performs period music we're treated to a lunch on the porch of delicious "planked" Lake Michigan Whitefish.
Dell continues his visit to the 69th Annual M.I.T.E.S. convention in Acme. Dell talks with Co-chairman of the Event Cliff Durrand. We learn more about the concept and view more of the amazing projects completed by Jr. High and High school students from throughout the state.
Third Week in September - SHOW #842: Dell travels to Montrose, Michigan where Grandma Rita Winter shares with us her recipes for Donuts...Apple Pie and hot Apple Cider!
Barry visits the Yuba Coach Works near Williamsburg, Michigan. Here Craftsmen create replicas of old west wagons and coaches.
Fourth Week in September and First Week in October - SHOW #843: Barry returns to Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant for opening ceremonies of Michigan's Special Olympics Summer Games. This event, held last June, marked the 25th anniversary of CMU's hosting of the summer games.
Dell returns to the home of Bait Maker Butch Lindle near Alpena, Michigan. Butch, the creator of the popular "Lindle Lures" shares with Michigan Magazine his lure making process and his expanding line of handcrafted maritime lawn accessories.
OCTOBER
First Week in October - SHOW#844: Dell discovers, tucked away in an old renovated gas station, the studio of furniture artist Tim Monaghan of GLADWIN. From area white cedar Tim creates beds, dressers, coffee tables, and dinning room furniture hand built to last a life time.
Barry finds himself deep in the wilderness of Forest Lake near ALGER Michigan and the studios of artist Mitch Billeter. Mitch creates beautiful stoneware potter that includes everything from birdfeeders to actual castings of the fish he's caught. His realism and detail are gaining state wide recognition.
Second Week in October - SHOW #845: Barry visits with Wayne Berry and Gary Schroeder of ONAWAY. These two men are following their dreams of renovating an old abandoned school into a small production facility that is producing hundreds of Nu Way Propane" stoves to a growing world market. These two men and their wives hand construct these unique stoves designed for ice fishing shanties and deer blinds.
Dell travels to CURTIS in Michigan's U.P. to visit the "Perennial Gardens" of Linda Townley. Linda has perfected her craft of creating by hand a wonderful line of "herbal soaps". Her soaps are NOT the kind Grandma used to make but a gentle combination of olive, coconut and palm oils with only essential oils added for scent and absolutely NO dyes.
Third Week in October - SHOW #846: Michigan Magazine travels back to Delton Michigan for an update on the construction of the new home for the MICHIGAN COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.
Michigan Magazine visits with television personalities of Michigan who have made the people and places of the state the focal point of their area television shows. Guests include Tri-Cities personality Dick Fabian, the late Mort Neff, and Howard Shelley of the original MICHIGAN OUTDOORS series and Bob Garner, host and producer of the current PBS MUCC television series MICHIGAN OUT OF DOORS.
Fourth Week in October - SHOW #847: Barry visits the "Turnery" studios of artist Gary Weiermiller. Living in CHEBOYGAN with his partner/co-creator, Beth Hanna, he relies on the forests of northern Michigan where he searches for burls, crotches, spalted, or other unusual woods. When turned on a huge lathe, each piece reveals a unique wonder enhanced only by nature and the art of "turnery".
Dell travels to ALPENA to visit with artist Marilyn Bachelor and other members of the North East Michigan Artist Guild.
Fifth Week in October - SHOW #848: Barry takes in the second annual "Victorian Tea In The Garden" on the grounds of the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in LANSING. We step back into the 1890s with Chairperson Betty Gardner and stroll through the beautiful "Cooley Gardens".
Dell takes us to the 14th annual "Art On The Beach" arts and crafts show at the Oscoda Beach Park in OSCODA. We talk with event director Joan Ryan while Dozens of artists and craftspeople display their work on the shores of Lake Huron.
NOVEMBER
First Week in November - SHOW #849: The Michigan Magazine crew take us on a whirlwind tour of some of their favorite places. From artists and crafts people to unique places and wonderful restaurants. Dell and Barry take us to all corners of the state as they demonstrate just how vast and fascinating a state this is.
Second Week in November - SHOW #850: Barry takes us to the Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine in Iron River , home of the world’s largest crucifix, to witness the blessing and dedication of the shrine’s new church.
Dell takes us back to warmer days to one of the state’s more popular and unique arts and crafts shows.....The Dancing Hippopotamus. The show is located in the wilderness between Rogers City and Cheboygan. Here founder and coordinator Lilien Foster tells us about the origins and success of the Dancing Hippopotamus.
Third Week in November - SHOW #851: Dell visits with an amazing bone and antique ivory carver Len Puzewicz of Alpena. Len hand carves minutely detailed wildlife scenes into centuries old mammoth tusks and shed deer and elk antlers.
Barry visits the home of Aunt Chris’s and Grannie Billie’s Soaps. Here two West Branch area ladies, from their home kitchens, have combined their soap making efforts in creating a unique hand made line of old fashioned soaps
Fourth Week in November - SHOW #852: Barry travels to Crisp Point Lighthouse with Lighthouse preservationist Nellie Ross to learn more about one of the great lakes most endangered lighthouses located just west of Whitefish Point in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Dell visits artists Brian and Robin Mester of Houghton Lake. This husband and wife team have created a fun line of collectable and wearable art featuring unique and sometimes humorous original outdoor wildlife art.
DECEMBER
First Week of December - SHOW #901: Dell takes us back to the 69th annual Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society convention held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme. In this final part of our three part series we visit with more of the talented Jr. High and High School Students.
Then we join Barry as he visits with Anna Harrison of Cedarville. In her upper peninsula craft shop Anna demonstrates her unique art of "Basketry".
Second Week in December - SHOW #902: Barry continues his visit in Cedarville Michigan with a stop at the stained glass studios of David Altmaier.
Then Dell visits with Upper Peninsula Author Betty Sodders. Betty is the Author of the book "Michigan on Fire" . The book chronicles devastating Michigan Forest Fires from 1871 through 1974.
Third Week in December, SHOW #903: In the spirit of the Holidays Dell and Barry treat us to some wonderful food and fun.....as first Dell takes us into the kitchen where his niece shares the family recipe for home made cinnamon bread.
Then Barry takes us to a "Taste Fest" in Comins Michigan. Here dozens of old family recipes are shared in a gathering of community fun and good will.
Fourth Week in December - SHOW #904: Barry travels to Wyandotte, Michigan and the "Sharon Sims Studio". We visit with Sharon and discover the inspiration behind her unique "Micro Sculptures" and reliefs.
Dell takes us on a journey to the Michigan International Camporee. Scouts from throughout the world converged on the Northwoods Reservation near Lupton, Michigan this past summer in a spirit of international cooperation. We tour the camp and visit with event chairman Bruce McCrea in this first of a two part series.
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