Today's Michigan Fact: Grayling

Michael Sloat Hartwick was Grayling's first settler. On the west side of the railroad tracks, he built a log hotel. The railroad platted out 40 acres (where Grayling now stands), naming it "Crawford." Fish swimming in the river were identified as Grayling. It is said that the residents preferred the name "Grayling" to "Crawford," and renamed the city after the fish. —Brought to you by Wikipedia and Jason R. Thompson Law Office PLC.

View Larger Map

Say what you will about Leyland...

... the man is a comic genius. Remember the birthday picture of the skipper smoking cigarettes in the dugout? Last night's tirade was even better. Leyland's comedy is all about timing. Wait for it, wait for it...

The Full Spectrum: Herman Miller

From Dwell: At Home in the Modern World: "In the final installment of our video series on color theory, senior editor Aaron Britt heads to Zeeland, Michigan, to tour Herman Miller's headquarters and get the skinny on color and material trends from textile expert Susan Lyons."

Via @JamesCTorrey

Cocktail Recipe for Hatter Royale Hopquila

Belle Isle, Detroit, New Holland Brewing, good food, and good company—these are a few of my favorite things. A couple weeks back I attended my first Gourmet Underground Detroit picnic on Belle Isle, at which Brian Doughty unveiled his original cocktail recipe for New Holland Brewing’s Hatter Royale Hopquila. Read about this summertime Michigan drink in my GU Detroit guest post, “Summer Hopquila Recipe: Lemon Rabbit Cocktail.”

I Love Living in Michigan

The Bird and the Big Bird

Mark Fidrych, 1976

Photo via SI Vault. And a nice reminder to jam to the Baseball Project.

Link Roundup: The Internet Smiles on Michigan

Today has been a day for good news and interesting blog posts, and the weather is beautiful. If you can’t get outside to enjoy the sun, here are a few links you might enjoy:

Damn Arbor, “Nirvana at the Blind Pig” — This 1990 video is 50 minutes long. My favorite part comes at the 13:30 minute mark when Chris Novoselic rips the Blind Pig for serving beer in “Dixie Cups.”

The Night Train, “June 11 1805: The Fire” — Another great post, and the origins of Detroit’s motto: speramus meliora; resurget cineribus. We hope for better things; It shall rise from the ashes.

The Buzz: Siciliano’s Market News & Notes, “Special Report: Founders Fest 2011” — So tempting to head to Grand Rapids this weekend, so tempting.

The Detroit News, “Students knock out lessons in Detroit boxing ring: After-school training at Detroit gym hones students' skills in ring, classroom” — Great article, great photos and video.

AnnArbor.com, “J.J. Abrams' 'Super 8' movie hails Mackinac Island as 'beautiful' vacation hotspot” — First Ann Arbor made an appearance on “Lost.” Now Mackinaw Island gets a mention in “Super 8.” Hmmm?

Yahoo! Sports, “Fan’s view: Do Detroit Pistons wish they had kept Rick Carlisle as coach?” — I always thought Carlisle deserved to stick around in Detroit. Nice to see him win one.

I attended my first Gourmet Underground picnic last Saturday on Belle Isle. I had a wonderful time, ate and drank well, and was happy to see a bottle of cachaca go to good use. Elizabeth Conley posted a few photos. 

All smiles.

Jim Northrup: Michigan From Start to Finish

Detroit Tigers legend Jim Northrup spent nearly his entire life in Michigan. Northrup was born in Breckinridge, Michigan, played baseball at Alma College, and played the majority of his professional career with the Tigers. Post-baseball, Northrup lived and worked in Michigan. He died yesterday in Grand Blanc. Thank you for sticking with us, sir. Michigan salutes you.

Northrup’s locker room interview after the Tigers won the pennant (2:30-ish)

Northrup’s game-winning triple in the ‘68 World Series

Photo Tour of Short's Brewing

I just returned from a three-day bachelor party in northern Michigan—three days during which our only planned activity was a beer drinking field trip to Short’s Brewing. Armed with growlers of Bell’s Oberon (keg leftovers) and a fifth of Goldschläger we boarded a Celtic party bus and rode from our rented house on the East Bay in Traverse City to Bellaire. Pub Brewer Ryan Hale showed us around and even shared a few pints with the fellas. I particularly enjoyed the Carrot Cake dessert beer for it’s novelty and accuracy of flavor, and the Kölsch 45, a German ale that is smooth, drinkable, and perfect for summer. The tour ended with bacon mac & cheese, sandwiches, and a few more pints. Short’s was one of the most memorable adventures of the weekend—the only memory I can conjure, really—and the staff was incredibly friendly. I can’t thank Short’s or Ryan enough for showing us so much hospitality, by which I mean, tolerating us. And I can’t emphasize enough how glad I am that these are the only photos I have from the weekend.