Behind the Mitten

Opening week on Mackinac Island!Our friends at the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau invited us to join them on the island as they kicked off the 2026 summer season and welcomed everyone back home to Mackinac. We spent a few days enjoying the island as she reopened for business, and recorded our show at the lovely Bicycle Street Inn.We kick off the show with a new friend from a familar place. Leah Anderson, the senior marketing  manager at Mission Point Resort, joins us. Each season brings new changes, along with all the favorites you can always find at this amazing spot. This year, Mission Point is introducing a brand new pizza oven shipped directly from Italy, and will be opening Aidorandak's Pizza on the resort grounds. Super cool is that you don't have to be a guest here to enjoy, you can stop by on your bike ride or walk and grab a slice. Next, we meet the general manager of the Bicycle Inn, Misty Martinchek. She's been working on the island for a few years now, and shares what she likes about being here. The Bicycle Inn is conveniently located right on Main Street, across from the ferry dock. Misty let us know that their restaurant Winchester's has added a piano bar this season, which is sure to make for some rollicking nights. She also let us in on an island hot-spot, no matter your age, the Carousel Arcade, located just around the corner on Market Street. Located right in the lobby of the Bicycle Inn is one of Mackinac Island's seven fudge shops. A tradition for decades on the island, sweet fudge is one of the best souvenirs you can bring home. We meet with owner James Faulkner, who has been working hard at his shops on the island and in Mackinaw City and TC since 2016. James is a Michigander through and through, having grown up in Onaway. We highly recommend his caramel apples at Kilwin's, take if from our source (Amy!) that they're delicious. Finally, we reconnect with our good friend Brian Bailey. He is celebrating his 37 season on Mackinac, and couldn't wait to get back to work to get started. We discuss what it's like to get the island ready for a new season, what big changes the Pink Pony has undergone this year, including an expansion of the store and new menu iitems, and just how exciting it all is. Every year on Mackinac Island is special, no matter the season. We feel incredibly lucky that we once again got to see her open her arms to all for another year. 

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier radio show and podcastEpisode 750Our annual baseball show!Segment 1: Gonzo and Amy talk Detroit Tigers baseball and a new season at Comerica Park.Segment 2: Matt DeVries, Director of Marketing and Entertainment and storytelling for the Great Lakes Loons in Midland, tells us what make this Midwest League team a great destination for foodies and families.Segment 3: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, Broadcaster and Media Relations guru for the Lansing Lugnuts, is a longtime favorite of Behind the Mitten, and this weekend he talks about what makes Jackson Field such a great summer experience.Segment 4: Steve McCarthy, President of West Michigan Whitecaps, closes the show with what's new in minor league baseball, and what fans of the High-A affiliate for the Tigers can expect this summer at LMCU Ballpark.

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcastEpisode 748Part II of our time at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism includes interview with reps from Port Huron, Detroit and Ann Abor. Plus, we check with our resident Ski Bunny. What does he do in the summer?Segment 1: Michael Hensley, who heads up tourism on Michigan’s Thumbcoast, says the best way to describe a summer in Port Huron would be Arts, Boats and Beaches. Learn more at bluewater.org.Segment 2: Ken Hayward of Visit Detroit checks in on what makes the Motor City a perfect destination for sports fans. Learn more at visitdetroit.com. Segment 3: -Sarah Miller, President CEO of Destination Ann Arbor, joins us with Jason Nelson of Vanguard Hotel in Ann Arbor to talk about the excitement of an NCAA men's basketball championship and what makes A2 a great place to escape to. Learn more at annarbor.org. Segment 4: Our Behind the Mitten Ski Bunny, Nick Nerbonne of Pure Michigan, always impresses with his knowledge of the Great Lakes State. Learn more at michigan.org.

Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcastEpisode 749Spring time in Michigan brings out all kinds of fun festivals and excitement for another Pure Michigan summer. Check out this episode, which aired April 25-26, 2026.Segment 1: We open the show with Adam Vibber, president of the Alma Highland Festival (May 22-24), who talks about what people can expect, including a Highland dance competition, whiskey tasting, an opening parade and those famous heavyweight games of strength. Learn more at almahighlandfestival.com.Segment 2: We are joined by Mary Ann Hayes, who with her husband Steve is co-president of the 85th Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival. The festival took place April 24-26, but if you missed it this year, Mary Ann tells us all the reasons why you want to add it to your list next year. Learn more at syrupfest.org.Segment 3: Amy and Gonzo talk to Barry Owens and Brian Smith of Treetops Resort in Gaylord about the 8th annual Grill on the Hill. They learn how this event has become a popular event on the BBQ competition circuit, and includes live music, a petting zoo for kids and beer and wine festival. Grill on the Hill is May 2. For VIP tickets and more details, go to treetops.com.Segment 4: Amy and Gonzo recap other events throughout Michigan.Follow all of BTM's travels on their Substack page, which you can access at amyandgonzo.com.