There really are venomous snakes in Michigan that are not politicians

The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake makes one of its homes in southeastern Michigan. The snake is endanger of extinction everywhere but Michigan. Scientists have not figured that one out yet.

Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR

The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake is Michigan's only venomous snake and it makes its home in wetland areas. Mice and voles are the main diet for the Massasauga and if you ever happen along one it is best to just leave it alone. They avoid human contact, but will strike if threatened so you really should just let them be.

Massasauga rattlesnakes are on Michigan's Species of Special Concern list due to loss of wetlands areas here in Michigan. All other states where the Massasauga is found list the rattlesnake as "endangered". It is a misdemeanor to kill one in Michigan and can result in a $500 fine and 90 days in jail.

For more information about the Massasauga rattlesnake in Michigan visit: Detroit Free Press article on the Massasauga population in Michigan Michigan DNR Massasauga rattlesnake information

Good news - Michigan's tart cherry crop isn't as damaged as first thought

We deal with a lot of Michigan companies to get our great offering of gourmet cherry products and I am extremely pleased to read in the Traverse City Record Eagle that the tart cherry crop appears to not be as damaged by the harsh April weather as was first thought. The sweet cherry crop appears to be about 90 percent damaged in southeastern Michigan according to MSU fruit experts. Tart cherries are the type that are in the majority of the products which we carry. In 2002 (the last time the tart cherry crop received major damage) our suppliers had to drastically increase the prices for all cherry products.

Why did prices skyrocket? Only 15 million pounds of cherries were harvested that year compared to a great year like last year (2006) when 190 million pounds of cherries were harvested. Simply a matter of supply and demand.

Mackinac State Historic Park sites opening May 7

It must be getting close to summer because the Mackinac State Historic Parks are opening for the 2007 season on May 7. Various packages are available for visiting the four historic venues that make up the Mackinac State Historic Parks - Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island. The "Infinity Package" available through the MackinawCity.com website offers you -

• 3 Day Pass with unlimited ferry service on pre-selected ferry line
• 3 Day Unlimited Pass to Fort Mackinac, Mill Creek, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, and Colonial Michilimackinac
• Thunder Falls Family Waterpark Admission 3 day Unlimited Pass

You will have 3 days to use the unlimited passes as you wish. Prices start at $54.95 for children (5-12) up to $79.95 for adults (age 18+). Ferry tickets alone (via the Arnold Line) will run you $21 each for adults (ages 13+) and $10.50 for kids (5-12) at their regular prices.

Here are the prices for tickets to the Historic State Parks without using the special "Infinity Package".

• Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse Day Pass - $5.25 (adult), $3.25 (children 6-17)
• Historic Mill Creek Day Pass - $7.25 (adult), $4.25 (children 6-17)
• Fort Mackinac Day Pass - $9.50 (adult), $5.50 (children 6-17)
• Colonial Michilimackinac Day Pass - $9.50 (adult), $5.50 (children 6-17)

Say you were a family of four (2 adults, 2 kids 17 and under) and wanted to visit all four of the Mackinac State Historic Park sites and Thunder Falls. Your cost would be as follows (if your kids are teenagers your ferry tickets will all be considered adult prices which greatly increases the cost) -

• Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse - $17
• Historic Mill Creek - $23
• Fort Mackinac - $30
• Colonial Michilimackinac - $30
• Thunder Falls - $65.80 (assuming you are going after 6/15 and your kids are under 48" tall)
• Ferry Tickets - $63
• Grand Total - $228.80

Your cost with the "Infinity Package" would be $299.80 (2 adults at $79.95 and 2 kids 13-17 at $69.95). With this package you can go to any of the Historic State Parks and Thunder Falls while riding the ferry boats as many times as you wish over a 3-day period. Lodging is extra for both the "Infinity Package" scenario and the above price breakdown for purchasing tickets individually.

There is also a "Triple Choice" ticket available for the Mackinac State Historic Parks that gets you 3 tickets to venues of your choice. Adult tickets are $20 and youth (ages 6-17) are $12.50. The tickets are valid for 7 days from the time you pick them up. They are not unlimited passes - these are single use only.

Rhubarb Butter Crunch recipe

This recipe comes from Lovina Eicher who maintains a homestead in rural Michigan with her husband, Joe, and together they are raising their eight children. Lovina contributes snippets of her traditional Old Order Amish life in a weekly column, Amish Cook, that appears in various newspapers across the country. Rhubarb Butter Crunch Ingredients:

• 3 cups fresh, finely chopped rhubarb
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons flour

Topping:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups raw rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine

Mix rhubarb, sugar and flour well and place in a greased baking dish. Combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle over rhubarb mixture. Bake at 370 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve warm with milk or cream (or ice cream - yum!).

Watch a video tour of the Eicher house when it was under construction -

Detroit restoration projects polish up the city's gems

The restoration and cleanup that began in anticipation of Super Bowl XL coming to Detroit in 2006 has continued. This is what was hoped for by bringing an event such as the Super Bowl to town. Billions of dollars are currently being spent to restore the numerous architectural and artistic gems around the city. Businesses are popping up that specialize in restoration and jobs have been created as a result of the restoration boom.

The Detroit News reports -

In fact, the surge of renovations of historic structures in Detroit and across the state has created more than 26,000 jobs from 2000 through 2006, according to the State Historic Preservation Office. The 211 projects involving historic preservations generated $2.2 billion in economic impact, according to the state agency.

It's great to see old forgotten buildings and Detroit receive new life.

For more information, pictures, and virtual tours of the ruins of Detroit visit www.DetroitYES.com home of "The Fabulous Ruins of Detroit."

Neat video showcases travel spots in Detroit

Included in this travel video: The Henry Ford, Greenfield Village, City Theatre, Fox Theatre, Detroit Institute of Arts, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Motown Historical Museum.

If the player does not work, you can view the video here.