Dr. Seuss Letter to the Children of Troy, Michigan

Dr. Seuss Letter, originally uploaded by troylib.

In 1971, Troy Children's Librarian, Marguerite Hart, had an ambitious goal - to get various actors, authors, artists, musicians, librarians, and politicians to write a letter to the children of Troy about the importance of reading.

This was one of 97 such letters. How cool is it that Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, wrote back?

Which Great Lake is your favorite for swimming?

With the temperature in the 90s the next two days it got me thinking about going to the beach. Specifically any beach along Lake Michigan since it's the Great Lake that is closest to us. Then I started to wonder if people had a favorite Great Lake and that brings us to a new poll question! My personal favorite is Lake Michigan mainly because of its proximity and sandy bottom along west Michigan's shoreline. I have never attempted a swim in Lake Superior - I dipped my toe in and that was enough. The only time I was over at Lake Erie was before it started to get cleaned up and there was no way I was swimming in that. I've never been to Lake Ontario and the one time I was at Lake Huron it wasn't warm enough for swimming.

So, how about you?

[poll id="48"]

Five Fun Things to do in Michigan This Weekend 6/3 - 6/5/11

The weather is heating up and summer is upon us. Here are five events across the state of Michigan that look like fun this weekend!

1. Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show - Hudson Mills Metropark - 6/3/11 - 6/4/11. Admission is $5 to see tractor pulls, arts and crafts, petting zoo, sawmill display, and tons of activities for kids.
2. 4th Annual Breeze on Tawas Bay Kite Festival - East Tawas - 6/5/11. Free family event features stunt kites, kiteboarding, a candy drop, kite flying workshop, and more.
3. Do-Dah Parade - Kalamazoo - 6/5/11 at 11am in downtown Kalamazoo. This wacky and goofy parade has been entertaining parade goers for many years.
4. Mancelona Bass Festival - 6/2/11 to 6/5/11. Contests, carnival, crafts, games, and of course - a bass fishing contest.
5. Taste of Ann Arbor - 6/5/11 from 11am to 5pm. Local restaurants serve up their tastiest creations along with many fun things for the whole family to enjoy.

The Grand Rapids "American Pie" Lip Dub

Mainstreet.com put Grand Rapids on it's list of "America's Dying Cities" earlier this year. Grand Rapids residents responded with this "American Pie" lib dub. Just another wonderful example of Michigan residents and their ability to show everyone that we are far from dead. We're very much alive.

Five Fun Things to do in Michigan This Weekend 5/27 - 5/30

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer. Here are five fun things you can do this weekend across the great state of Michigan.

1. Stand and applaud for the Veterans in your local Memorial Day Parade. Visit a cemetery and pay your respects to those who died in serving our country.
2. Civil War Reenactment in Coldwater - 5/27 to 5/29. Battle reenactments, Civil War period wedding, dances, and more.
3. Lumberjack Breakfast at the Tahquamenon Logging Museum from 7am to 12pm - May 28th. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage, and fried potatoes cooked on a wood stove. Man, wish I was in the area - that sounds great!
4. Mackinaw Memorial Bridge Race - race across the Mackinac Bridge May 28th. Call (231) 436-5664 for registration and more details.
5. Ride the Keweenaw Weekend - 5/27 to 5/29. Come celebrate the Copper Harbor mountain bike trails with guided tours, bike demos, and downhill shuttle runs. Call (906) 289-4788 for more information.

Vintage Mackinac Island Postcards

It was on the shore near Arch Rock that I proposed to my beautiful bride of 11 years. Happy Anniversary!