Blogs
An “Incider’s” look at Peat’s Cider Social
- Related Member: Peat's Cider Social
Peat’s Cider Social is a family-friendly taproom in a retro bowling alley in Stevensville, Mich., specializing in unique hard ciders and seltzers. How did this interesting combination of family fun and craft beverages come to be? We got the inside scoop from Co-Founder and CMO Leah Peat.
May Produce Guide
Did you know Southwest Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse region in the United States? That’s mainly because Lake Michigan keeps our climate moderate so by May we start seeing fresh, locally grown vegetables and flowers appearing in our area farmers’ markets and garden centers.
Morel Mushroom Hunting Q & A with Olivia McCrevan
- Joshua Nowicki
Morel mushrooms are a mysterious and highly sought-after spring delicacy. Because they are extremely hard to farm, they must be foraged from where they naturally grow. Where and why they grow is the subject of much debate and lore. Temperature, moisture and types of trees in the area are important factors, and variables like distrubed ground, burned areas and clearcuts all can be key, too. It can be mystifying why some years an area will produce well and others produces none. People who frequently hunt for morels usually have a preferred set of conditions that they consider ideal. But finding them comes down to a combination of research, patience, training your eyes and luck. Two things are for sure when it comes to morels. Spring is the time to hunt and no one is going to share the location of their secret, best spot(s) so be prepared to do some footwork.
Spend a day around the Galien River Marsh at this spooky-good brewery
- Related Member: Galien River County Park, Ghost Isle Brewery
Ghost Isle Brewery opened at 17684 US Hwy 12, New Buffalo in April 2019, bringing together locals, visitors, an onsite brewery and Ghost Island’s hauntings. When its one-year anniversary rolled around, the brewery was closed due to Michigan's COVID-19 lockdown and was unable to celebrate its first milestone together. After everything they’ve been through in the last year, owner Elizabeth Sima says the Ghost Isle staff and customers both deserve a great party. Here’s what she had to share about the brewery’s story and the impact COVID had on it.
It’s Asparagus Time!
- Patti Emmerson
Get bunches of this nutritional powerhouse in Southwest Michigan.
One of the first signs of spring in Southwest Michigan is the appearance of locally-grown asparagus from now 'til early June in our farmers’ markets and grocery stores.
