Thursday, October 21, 2010

Celebrate Halloween during “Dinner with Genevive” at Mission Table

It is no secret that Mission Table – formerly known as Bowers Harbor Inn – is one of the most historic and haunted sites in Northern Michigan. Genevive Stickney – the wife of lumber baron J. W. Stickney – is said to walk the halls still consumed with sorrow after a torrid love affair between his wife and her nurse pushed her to hang herself in the mansion’s elevator shaft.

Over the years, Genevive has remained a continuous guest at the home-turned-restaurant – a prisoner among the walls that once confined her to a life ending in sadness and misery. Lights have been known to suddenly turn on, mirrors and paintings have fallen off walls, guests have reported a blurry female apparition in vacation photos. There’s even a report of the elevator starting up by itself in the middle of the night. The ghost of Genevive has been featured in several books and her antics have even appeared on the television show, “Unsolved Mysteries.” *

You are invited to investigate this historic haunt yourself. Join Head Chef Paul Olson, winemaker Cornel Olivier and partner Chris Baldyga from 2Lads Winery, and the staff at Mission Table, along with local “ghost whisperer” Tammy Schuster, for a possibly paranormal culinary experience at “Dinner with Genevive” on Saturday, October 30.

The evening begins with a reception at 6:30pm, followed by an elegant four-course locally-infused dinner – paired with award-winning wines from nearby 2 Lads Winery – beginning at 7pm. This year’s menu includes:

• Pan seared diver sea scallops
Cippolini onions, baby Brussel sprouts, pancetta, Old Mission apples, pea shoots

Paired with2 Lads Pinot Grigio

• Black pepper gnocchi
Duck confit, maytag bleu cheese, cream, spiced walnuts, crispy parsnips

Paired with 2 Lads Rose

• Buffalo short ribs
Cabernet Franc braised, pork belly, celeriac puree, Werp farms baby vegetables, braising jus

Paired with 2 Lads Cabernet Franc

• Pumpkin ice cream
Handmade by Jehni O, with ginger snap tuile, cream cheese frosting and vanilla sauce

Paired with 2 Lads Pinot Noir

Cost is $60 per person (plus tax/gratuity) and is limited to the first 60 individuals. To make reservations, call (231) 223-4222

The northernmost winery on the Old Mission Peninsula, 2 Lads boasts a 10,500 square foot modern winery and tasting room, with 22 acres of established vineyards in three separate blocks. Specializing in cool climate red and sparkling wines, 2 Lads also offers small runs of white to round out the lot. Sustainably farming the vineyards is paramount to the health of the soil, vines and grapes at 2 Lads Winery.

Mission Table proudly serves the crafted products from Northern United Brewing Co., which encompasses the North Peak, Grizzly Peak and Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales craft beer brands, as well as the soon-to-be-released Civilized line of spirits. All of the beers and spirits under these brands are produced at either the new 5600-square-foot facility on Old Mission Peninsula adjacent to Mission Table (former Bowers Harbor Inn) restaurant or at the original Jolly Pumpkin facility in Dexter.

NUBC’s philosophy focuses on a dedication to conservation, inspiration and locally sustainable practices. Find NUBC products at stores, restaurants, and bars all throughout Michigan, including: North Peak Brewing Company, Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, all in Traverse City; Jolly Pumpkin and Grizzly Peak, in Ann Arbor.


*FOR MORE ON THE HISTORY OF GENEVIVE’S GHOST: www.missiontable.net/legend

For more about Tammy Schuster, check out this article in Northern Express from 2009:
http://www.northernexpress.com/editorial/features.asp?id=4194

Friday, October 15, 2010

Vicious Bites into Northern Michigan "Dogman" Lore

North Peak Brewing Company’s American Wheat IPA Makes Ideal Halloween Brew

If you spend any amount of time in Northern Michigan, then you’ve likely heard the stories about sightings of ‘Dogman’ – a half dog - half man mystical figure which is said to roam the woodlands around the state, leaving waves of terror (and notable footprints) in its wake. North Peak Brewing Company pays tribute to this legacy of this legendary creature on the label of its American Wheat IPA – Vicious.

“Vicious, like all of the North Peak beer icons, is born out of Northern lore,” says Greg Lobdell, who – along with Jon Carlson, Ron Jeffries and Mike Hall, are the managing partners of Northern United Brewing Company, in Traverse City. “‘Dogman’ sightings and encounters have been reported throughout Northern Michigan over the years – especially this time of year.”

When crafting this beer, with its ferocious hop nose and body, Vicious seemed to embody the spirit of the ‘Dogman’ and its iconic silhouette became the inspiration for the beer’s label design. Master Brewer Mike Hall describes this American original simply as “hops unmuzzled!”

The frothy head, and pungent, piney dryhopped scent (from Cascade and Amarillo hops) of Vicious alerts you to this brew’s imminent attack on your senses. Next, Cascade, Perle and Willamette hops batter your palette with bitter ferocity. Finally, Pale, Crystal (30 and 75) and wheat malts converge in a cloudy, thick body, delivering a smooth kiss of sweet death that leaves you howling for more.

The Cascade hops used in Vicious are grown about two miles away, through the Old Mission Hop Exchange – Michigan’s first full-scale hop farm and processing facility. Situated on 10 prime acres in the heart of Northwest Michigan’s fruit and wine-grape region, the hops are matured on a high trellis system, harvested, dried and pelletized, before being sourced to North Peak.

Vicious is available in six-pack retro-style stubbie at retail outlets statewide (complementing Siren, Diabolical, Majestic and the summer seasonal Archangel). It is also available on tap at restaurants and bars around Michigan.

The North Peak is part of Northern United Brewing Co., which also encompasses the Grizzly Peak and Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales craft beer brands, as well as the soon-to-be-released Civilized line of spirits. NUBC’s philosophy focuses on a dedication to conservation, inspiration and locally sustainable practices. All of the beers and spirits under these brands are produced at either the new 5600-square-foot facility on Old Mission Peninsula adjacent to Mission Table (former Bowers Harbor Inn) restaurant or at the original Jolly Pumpkin facility in Dexter.

Find NUBC products at stores, restaurants, and bars all throughout Michigan, including: North Peak Brewing Company, Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, all in Traverse City; Jolly Pumpkin and Grizzly Peak, in Ann Arbor.


Northern United Brewing Company
Jolly Pumpkin Brewery | Mission Table at Bowers Harbor Inn
13512 Peninsula Drive
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 223-4222
www.NorthPeakBeer.comwww.MissionTable.net

For the complete history on the ‘Dogman’ lore, visit www.michigan-dogman.com

Monday, October 11, 2010

West Michigan’s Signature Tour of Kitchens offers an Inside Look at 32 Professionally-Designed Rooms – Saturday, October 23

Tour Presented by National Kitchen & Bath Association – West Michigan and Michigan HOME and Lifestyle Magazine to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Grand Rapids

Step inside 32 of the area’s best professionally-designed kitchens during the West Michigan Signature Tour of Kitchens – Saturday, October 23. Presented by the West Michigan Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and Michigan HOME and Lifestyle Magazine, the tour showcases the talents of more than a dozen NKBA designers and studios, and benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Grand Rapids.

“We are excited to be offering this unique ability to view kitchen designs from a variety of local professionals throughout West Michigan,” says John Valente, NKBA-West Michigan President. “We planned this event with the consumer in mind. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to view the final kitchen design in a home setting. This format may give you a different perspective on what is available from your local NKBA member showrooms.”

Tours run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and are spread out throughout West Michigan, with the majority of homes located in Kent County, the lakeshore from Grand Haven to Saugatuck/Douglas, Allegan County (Fennville and Allegan) and the greater Kalamazoo area.

“We are honored to be involved in the West Michigan Signature Tour of Kitchens,” says Dennis Stadel, President & CEO, Stadel Media Inc. and publisher of Michigan HOME and Lifestyle Magazine. “Showcasing the finest designed custom kitchens fits perfectly with the style and mission of our magazine and our readers. Each of the homes on the tour is featured in the fall issue of the magazine, available at retail outlets statewide, complete with descriptions and photos.”

The kitchens on display are the best of the best in West Michigan designed by:

GREATER GRAND RAPIDS AREA
• Tru Kitchens
• DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen
• Lifestyle Kitchen Studio
• Starlite Kitchens and Bath
• Williams Kitchen & Bath
• Kitchen Design Studio Inc.
• Plainfield Lumber
• Hearthstone Design Studio
• HWC-HomeWorks Corp

HUDSONVILLE AREA
• Interior Solutions by Leif

GREATER KALAMAZOO AREA
• Kalamazoo Custom Kitchens
• Scholten Kitchen & Bath

LAKESHORE
• Interior Solutions by Leif
• Benchmark Wood Studio
• Kitchen West

FENNVILLE AREA
• Starlite Kitchens & Bath
• Sara Busby Design

Tickets for the West Michigan Signature Tour of Kitchens are $10 in advance at NKBA member retail outlets (see list above) or $15 at any of the 32 homes on the day of the tour.

To help celebrate the tour, organizers have partnered with the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and Cygnus 27 for a kick-off party. The SIMPLY PINK PARTY will be held on Thursday, October 21 from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. General admission is $10 (VIP admission is $25 and includes a welcome bag with a variety of goodies, including a ticket to the home tour and a raffle ticket for a variety of items to be given away during the party). Guests are invited to dress “simply pink” for this night on the town.

SPONSORED BY AMERICAN GRANITE & TILE, GERRIT’S APPLIANCE, INFUSION BY ETNA, MICHIGAN CUT STONE & TILE AND VIRGINIA TILE.

www.KitchenTour.org
www.facebook.com/SignatureKitchenTourWM