Pure Michigan campaign touts state around the midwest

Michigan's $11.3 million ad campaign, Pure Michigan, began in earnest this week to tout the benefits of visiting Michigan to the midwest. The ads will target Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Ontario through July. Tim Allen narrates the ads which backers hope will increase the number of visitors to Michigan and the dollars they contribute to our economy. Read about the ad campaign at the Detroit News.

Watch the videos for the Pure Michigan ad campaign -

Subscribe to Michigan History magazine for special Mackinac Bridge issue

If you subscribe to the Michigan History magazine by July 2007 you will receive the special 96 page issue chock full of stories about the historic bridge known as Mighty Mac. A one-year subscription is $19.95 for six issues. You can request a free trial issue and you can then either pay the $19.95 subscription to receive the five other issues or "cancel" after the trial issue is received if you are not interested in the magazine. Here are some of the topics that will be included in the special issue (via MichiganHistoryMagazine.com):

• Before the Bridge: Waiting for carferries
• Building the Bridge: From cofferdams to paint
• Courage on the Bridge: The ironworkers' stories
• Under the Bridge: A pilot's aerial stunt
• Cities at the Bridge: The history of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace
• Walking the Bridge: Recollections from Michigan History readers
• and more...

Get your free trial issue today at MichiganHistoryMagazine.com.

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.