Grayling theme park looking to purchase state land

The past two years have seen much ado about, well, nothing so far in the case of the proposed $161 million theme park near Grayling. The next hurdle needing to be crossed is the proposed $5.2 million dollar sale of 1,700 acres of state-owned land. It looks like the July 10 Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting in Munising will decide if the sale will go through. If approved at that meeting, the final approval (don't you love how many layers government has?) could happen as early as August.

Much has been said both for and against this proposed theme park, but with the price of gas how far away will folks drive for this amusement park? Sure, in-state folks will probably check it out rather than driving all the way to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, but will there be enough of a draw to make this pay?

Any thoughts?

Bad news for the 2008 Michigan cherry crop

Michigan cherry farmers are looking at what could be as small of a crop as the decimated 2002 cherry crop for their projected 2008 crop. Hail, late frost, weak trees from last year's drought, and poor bee pollination are sited as reasons behind the weak outlook. Growers are looking at a cherry crop that will most likely be less than half of 2007 totals. The 2007 cherry crop was 134 million pounds. The official cherry crop estimate for 2008 is due out today from the Michigan Frozen Food Packers Association.

Read the full article at the Traverse City Record-Eagle

Lights out at the Mackinac Bridge

In an effort to shave approximately $13,000 off of its annual operating costs the Mackinac Bridge Authority and MDOT have put in place a plan to shut off the bridge's decorative lighting beginning at 1 a.m. In the past the decorative lights came on a sunset and shut off at sunrise. This way, folks can still see how pretty the bridge looks all lit up at night and the state can save money too. The roadway lights will remain on for safety, of course.

Read about the Mackinac Bridge Authority's green initiative.

Tomato troubles? Buy local or grow your own

I don't anticipate any tomato shortages or problems with salmonella this summer. My tomatoes are growing great in my raised bed garden. I planted two different varieties - Big Boy and Beefsteak as well as some Sweet 100 grape tomatoes. I can't wait until they are ready. Yum! If you don't have a garden of your own you can always stop at one of the numerous roadside stands and farmer's markets this summer to get your tomato fix. An added bonus is that by purchasing your fruits and veggies locally you are keeping more money in the local economy. Right now, Michigan's economy could use all of the help it can get.

So, until my tomatoes are ready I'll be able to pick up some greenhouse tomatoes (that's all that's ready in Michigan right now) at Hubbard's Corey Lake Orchard or one of the local farmer's markets.

And, just for fun a cute little tomato ditty, "Home Grown Tomatoes."

The Tiger Stadium saga continues

Embattled Detroit Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick has given a stay of execution of sorts for the eventual demolition of Tiger Stadium. The original June 1 deadline has obviously passed and the Mayor has given The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy (of which broadcasting legend Ernie Harwell is a board member) until August 1 to come up with the $15 million necessary to preserve the home plate corner of, well, The Corner (Tiger Stadium, that is :) ). The Detroit Free Press quoted Kilpatrick as saying, "History deserves a chance" and it just might be a possibility that the mayor is hoping this helps his chances as well in the form of goodwill and keeping himself in office. But, that is a different and extremely long story.

Demolition of the parts of the stadium not designated as being saved by the Conservancy will begin shortly. If you're looking for any last photos of the old stadium before it is torn down you'd better head on down to Michigan and Trumbull asap.

I'm surprised as anyone that Tiger Stadium is still standing. It's demolition has been given extension after extension with one thing remaining constant - no group, club, or other well-meaning organization has been able to raise the funds necessary for preservation of any sort.

Do I love Tiger Stadium and it's history?

You bet, look at the page I created about it - Tiger Stadium.

The one thing I am longing for is some closure on this whole deal. The final game played at Tiger Stadium (by the Detroit Tigers anyway) was September 27, 1999 and for nearly nine years the residents and businesses around the stadium have had a front row seat to this Grand Cathedral's slow and steady slip into an eyesore.

Read my previous posts on Tiger Stadium

Here in Michigan, we're just a bunch of saps

Michigan's maple syrup producers pumped out around 100,000 gallons of maple syrup this year. That's the most since 110,000 were produced in 1964 according to WWMT.com. Michigan ranks sixth in the nation in maple syrup production with Vermont leading the way with 500,000 gallons produced in 2008. On average, it takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.

Quick Fact: Native Americans harvested maple sap to get their sweet tooth fix. Since they didn't have a way to hold it in syrup form they boiled the sap down to maple sugar for a nice portable sweetener.

For more information on Michigan's maple syrup production visit the Michigan Maple Syrup Association.