Fall color update and things to do this fall in Michigan

Fall officially begins one week from today (on September 23rd), but the past few nights/mornings have felt very much like fall here in southwest Michigan. Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula have been experiencing cooler weather as well and the trees are beginning to show some color. Down here, I've noticed a smattering of color changing in the Maple trees as well as along the fringes of swamp areas. Nothing major and few and far between.

Pure Michigan has some short video campaigns showing off interesting things for the fall season.

Interesting Eats and Drinks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm07izmimp8

ArtPrize in Grand Rapids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aOU87zibvI

Every year I say to myself that I need to get up to ArtPrize and this year I hope that things actually fall into place and I can make it happen. I hear and see all about it on social media and regret not making it so I am going to work hard to make it.

Samples of Company Logos on Our Gift Baskets

I would like to showcase some of the recent work we have done with adding company logos to our gift baskets and gift boxes. A basic black-only adhesive label can be added to our gift baskets and gift boxes at no charge when ordering 20 or more. We can do color logos for a small per-basket charge. Adding your logo to our gift baskets is a great way to showcase your brand whether you are sending out 'thank-you' gifts, welcoming new hires, or seeking out new customers. We'll work with you to help make a great impression.

We can put your logo on our wooden gift baskets with a high quality adhesive label as seen below.

We also offer your logo in color, for a small extra per-basket charge.

If you would rather have something more permanent than the label method, we can get your logo on a branding iron (made right here in Michigan). The branding iron costs $200 at a minimum - it really depends on the size needed to produce your logo. Below, we have an example of how a wood-burned logo would look on our Michigan-shaped gift baskets.

We also are able to put company logos on our gift boxes. Again, there is no charge for logos printed in black, but there is a small per-box fee for color.

And this one includes the logo with a brief message - these are a great way for companies to send 'thank you' gifts to customers, vendors, or employees.

We are also more than happy to include pens, mugs, or other "company branded" items you might wish to have us add to your gift baskets.

For more information on adding your company logo to our gift baskets or gift boxes, visit our Corporate Gift Basket page.

Copper Country: A Unique Board Game Set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Ah, that headline doesn't really do this game justice. Copper Country is an incredible looking board game set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, well the Keewenaw Peninsula to be precise. The game is designed by two Yoopers, David Lankton and Scott Diehl.

The year is 1840 and America's first mining boom is about to change Michigan's Upper Peninsula forever. Take on the role of a mining company and compete for copper by casting miners and machines into the underground lottery.

As the industry grows, so do the communities surrounding your mines. But every attempt to wrest copper from the ground hangs the fortunes of your company, and the lives of your miners, in the balance.

Life, Work, Profit, Death: Copper Country.

The passion these two guys have in seeing this game become a reality is evident throughout the presentation and look of Copper Country. David's dad, Larry Lankton, taught Copper Country history at Michigan Tech University in addition to researching and writing books on the subject. He passed that love of the area's history to his son and he, in turn, is attempting to pass it along through his love of board games.

I've pored over the Kickstarter page, looked over the game components, and studied how the game plays out. I have to say, this is probably the best looking and well thought out board game project I have seen on Kickstarter. This game looks like it is ready to go - the guys just need funding to get it printed and shipped.

I collect and play a large number of board games and it's funny, but just this week I was trying to dream up (while building a bunch of our great gift baskets) a board game set in Michigan. Then, I happened to stumble upon Copper Country last night.

What a coincidence, eh?

Copper Country knocks it out of the park with its theme, artwork, and gameplay. I can't wait to add this to my collection and get it into our game night rotation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVay4yg33TM

And another review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTMUhEXBgBU#t=947

I can't wait for this game! Check out their Kickstarter and see for yourself.

Want to see a runthrough of the game? Grab a Pasty, sit down, and watch! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzAB0Uu0Nl8

I already have ideas for creating a gift basket based around this game. Yep, you could say I'm a little bit excited to see this get funded!

Say Ya to Copper Country, eh!

Scenes From 2013 Detroit Tigers Home Opener

I have been waiting for today all through this long winter. On some of those numerous bitter cold days with the snow flying and the wind biting, the new season of Tigers baseball was the one thought that could lift my spirits. Baseball, just like spring, is a sure sign of the end of another long winter. Sure, the days might not yet be warm enough to get by without wearing at least a sweatshirt and, yes, there might be a day where some snow may fly. However, baseball is back and just as sure as that, spring must be back as well.

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_XuwIV1Xr8

Celebrate the new baseball season with our Detroit Tigers Gift Basket. It's a great gift to give to the Tigers fan in your life.

1953 Home Movie of Mackinac Island

This either took a long time to edit and splice together or the narrator did not finish until sometime around 1957 or later as he mentions the Mackinac Bridge (along with the fact that the trip took place in 1953) which was not completed until 1957. Love this quote about Fort Mackinac on the island in reference to its past importance in the days of the fur trade compared to today -

No danger of having your scalp lifted, it's just the contents of your wallet that they want.

I like how the narrator explains how he made certain shots and offers tips on how to film in poor lighting as well as asking permission to include people in his shots in order to "avoid any unpleasantness".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTZchtQ_Ij8

Top 10 Things I Love About The 313

Today is March 13th (3/13) and a lot of folks are celebrating Detroit in honor of 313 (Detroit's area code for those not in the know). It's a great excuse to show your love of The 313 and I wish to do the same. I'm setting this post to publish at 3:13 on 3/13 :).

Here are 10 Things I Love About Detroit -

1. Watching baseball at Comerica Park
2. The People Mover - yes, I actually do use and enjoy it!
3. Astoria Pastry Shop in Greektown - great cannolis!
4. Eastern Market
5. Campus Martius Park
6. Greektown
7. The wonderful Architecture
8. The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village
9. Belle Isle, Michigan's newest State Park
10. Detroit RiverWalk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpsaL-WAqBY