The best Paczkis are made in Hamtramck

The Classic Big Wheel will be manufactured in Michigan and Iowa

Kids Only!®, a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc. just announced this week that they will be manufacturing, marketing, and distributing the original Big Wheel Ride-On toys. Manufacturing will take place in Iowa and Michigan which will allow the toys to be stamped with "Made In America". It's great to see things that used to be made here in America come back again. Funny how the production of a child's toy can give me some hope that we will see a trend of more brands coming back to America to manufacture their products.

Five Fun Things to do in Michigan this Weekend 2/10-2/12

Well, I'm trying to get back into some semblance of regular posting here. First came the busiest Christmas season we have ever had (thank you!) and then I just was so out of practice that this little blog has basically sat idle. Before I get to this week's Top Five I just want to point out that the digital edition of Michigan's annual travel magazine is currently available through publisher, Midwest Living. Lots of great vacation ideas in there!

1. Magical Ice Festival in Saint Joseph - 2/10 - 2/12/2012.
2. West Michigan Golf Show - 2/10 - 2/12/2012.
3. Benzie County Winterfest - 2/11/12.
4. Detroit Boat Show - 2/11 - 2/19/12.
5. Drummond Island 1 Lunger, Great Lakes Antique Snowmobile Series - 2/11 - 2/12/12.

Flat screen televisions to be made in Detroit

People who buy an Element Electronics flat screen television in the near future will be able to watch Chrysler's "Imported From Detroit" commercials on a television that was actually made in Detroit. When production starts up this March, Element Electronics will be the only television manufacturer assembling their televisions in the United States. Sure would be nice if we start to see a trend of a return to companies manufacturing here in the U.S. instead of overseas.

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Chrysler's new "See it Through" commercial

Continuing the line of "Imported From Detroit" commercials is the brand new "See it Through" commercial that will make its national debut this Thursday during the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game. You can read the text of the poem "See it Through" by Edgar Guest below the embedded video.

See it Through By Edgar Allen Guest

When you're up against a trouble, Meet it squarely, face to face; Lift your chin and set your shoulders, Plant your feet and take a brace. When it's vain to try to dodge it, Do the best that you can do; You may fail, but you may conquer, See it through! Black may be the clouds about you And your future may seem grim, But don't let your nerve desert you; Keep yourself in fighting trim. If the worst is bound to happen, Spite of all that you can do, Running from it will not save you, See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile, When with troubles you're beset, But remember you are facing Just what other men have met. You may fail, but fall still fighting; Don't give up, whate'er you do; Eyes front, head high to the finish. See it through!

Detroit's own Sir Graves Ghastly

For kids growing up during the late 1960's into the early 1980's in the Metro Detroit area were treated to goblins, ghouls, and other monsters via the host of the local show, Sir Graves Ghastly. The host of the show, Lawson J. Deming, aka Sir Graves Ghastly passed away on April 24, 2007. Unfortunately, the original tapes were not saved so whatever is on the internet is about all that is left of this classic old show. As it is nearly Halloween, I thought it appropriate to show a clip from one of his shows.