Continuing the line of “Imported From Detroit” commercials is the brand new “See it Through” commercial that will make its national debut this Thursday during the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game. You can read the text of the poem “See it Through” by Edgar Guest below the embedded video.

When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!
Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!

For kids growing up during the late 1960′s into the early 1980′s in the Metro Detroit area were treated to goblins, ghouls, and other monsters via the host of the local show, Sir Graves Ghastly. The host of the show, Lawson J. Deming, aka Sir Graves Ghastly passed away on April 24, 2007. Unfortunately, the original tapes were not saved so whatever is on the internet is about all that is left of this classic old show.

As it is nearly Halloween, I thought it appropriate to show a clip from one of his shows.

This brief video shows a huge waterspout that formed over Lake Michigan on Saturday. Evidently atmospheric conditions were perfect for generating waterspouts. “An unstable mix of cool autumn air and warm lake waters spawned dozens of tornadic funnel clouds” per this Rueters article.

Crazy.

Watch some classic footage of Northern Michigan – Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island, Traverse City, Sault Ste. Marie, Tahquamenon Falls and more.

The “Imported From Detroit” Chrysler commercial was the hit from last year’s Super Bowl. It was a gritty portrayal of the city that never gives up – Detroit. Building on the success of that commercial is this new music video and song by the Selected of God Choir. Proceeds from song sales will benefit three Detroit charities – Abayomi Community Development Corporation, the Yunion mentoring service and Robert Shumake Foundation.

It is the All-Star Game oft remembered for the mammoth home run that was shot off the bat of a young Reggie Jackson. Back when Tiger stadium was a sea of green before the city of Detroit purchased it and tore out the green seats and replaced them with orange and blue ones. Back when the All-Star Game meant something to those who played in it without having the silliness of the games’ result determining home-field advantage for the World Series.

Ernie Harwell had said that it was the hardest hit ball he had ever seen. Take a look at the video below and see for yourself.

Did you know?

• Future Tigers manager Sparky Anderson managed the National League team at that All-Star game.
• All of the runs scored in the 6-4 American League victory were on home runs.
• This was the final All-Star Game appearance for Roberto Clemente as he was injured for the 1972 game.
• 20 future Hall of Famers played in this game – 11 on the National League team and 9 on the American League side.
• Tigers pitching great, Mickey Lolich, pitched two innings for the save.

Video of yesterday’s ceremony for Sparky Anderson’s Number 11 being retired by the Detroit Tigers.

I can’t wait to get up to Traverse City this summer!

1968 World Series Game 7 hero, Jim Northrup, of the Detroit Tigers passed away this week. His playing days were over just before I was born, but as a lifelong Tigers fan I was as familiar with Jim Northrup as I was with the heroes of my childhood – Trammell, Gibson, and Whitaker.

Here are a few videos featuring Jim Northrup – Detroit Tigers great and all around good guy.

Mainstreet.com put Grand Rapids on it’s list of “America’s Dying Cities” earlier this year. Grand Rapids residents responded with this “American Pie” lib dub.

Just another wonderful example of Michigan residents and their ability to show everyone that we are far from dead. We’re very much alive.