Friday, April 27, 2012

Uncle John's Cider Mill to Host "Go Fly a Kite Day" To Raise Funds for St. Johns Spray Park

Uncle John’s Cider Mill, in conjunction with the Citizens For A Spray Park Committee, is hosting the Inaugural Spray Park Fundraiser entitled, “Go Fly a Kite Day” on Saturday, May 12, 2012, 11 am to 4 pm.

“This event is designed to provide fun way to get exercise for mid-Michigan families,” said Mike Beck, President and Co-owner of Uncle John’s Cider Mill. “Visitors will be able to fly a kite (bring or make your own), jump on inflatables, take a wagon ride, ride the pony hops, enjoy face painting, learn to fly a kite, and more! All admissions will go to help finance the new community spray park at the St. Johns Main Park.”

Visitors who pay $5 (adult free with a paid child) will be able to fly a kite and the other included activities. Make your own Mother’s Day crafts and build your own kites for children are also available for an additional fee.

The City of St. Johns is a co-sponsor of the event along with Citizens for a Spray Park Committee, Uncle Johns Cider Mill and the American Kitefliers Association (AKA). This is a sanctioned event by AKA and is the first one known to ever be held in mid-Michigan. Professionals from AKA will give kite flying demonstrations choreographed to music, during different times of the day. They will demonstrate and talk about having FUN with Kites: Fighter Kites, Sport Kites, Kite Ballet and Comprehensive Kitemaking. They will also teach the basics about learning how to fly kites for beginners.

“We’re grateful to Uncle John’s Cider Mill for hosting the “Go Fly a Kite Day” as a fundraiser for the community spray park,” said Bill Schafer, St. Johns Recreation Director. “This year, we anticipate that more than 500 visitors will come to Uncle John’s Cider Mill for this event. It takes hard working volunteers and business support to help with an event of this scale.”

“During Mother’s Day Weekend, children need to be with their family, have fun, exercise and enjoy kiteflying,” said Suzie Fromson, Co-Chair of Citizens for a Spray Park Committee. “We think doing that at Uncle John’s Cider Mill on “Go Fly a Kite Day” will be a nice family affair, plus raise needed funds for the community Spray Park.”

If you cannot attend the event but would like to donate please contact the City of St. Johns Recreation Department at 989-224-8944 ext. 227 or visit the City website at www.cityofsaintjohnsmi.com.

“LIKE” ST. JOHN’S SPRAY PARK ON FACEBOOK!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Valentine Vodka Wins Gold Medal at Esteemed San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Detroit-made Valentine Vodka won a Gold Medal award last week at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Overall, 1215 spirits from 60 countries were submitted.

“We proudly add this to our two consecutive Gold Medals from the BTI and our Double Gold from the 50 Best,” says Owner/Distiller Rifino Valentine. “San Fran is arguably the most respected competition in the world and winning a Gold Medal there reinforces that what we’re doing here in Detroit works! I challenge bars and restaurants to stop carrying inferior brands from half-way around the world and focus on those that are made locally and decorated as among the best of the best!”

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis. Celebrating its 12th year of awarding spirits excellence, the 2012 Competition was held at the distinguished Hotel Nikko in downtown San Francisco on March 23, 24, and 25. Judging is based on a blind, consensual procedure ensuring competitive integrity, making this annual competition the most reputable and recognized competition in the spirits industry. (www.sfspiritscomp.com).

As Detroit’s first micro distilled spirit since Prohibition, the award-winning Valentine Vodka continues to raise the bar for ultra-premium hand-crafted vodka with its clean, crisp and uniquely flavorful taste. As one of the first distilleries in the world to use a triple-grain recipe, Valentine Vodka is hand distilled from a blend of Red Michigan wheat, malted barley and corn, and is proud to use a 100% American supply chain.

After three years of intense research and study, Valentine Vodka reached the market in March, 2009. From Christmas 2009 to the same time 2010, sales for Valentine Vodka quadrupled in sales. In April 2011, production moved to a 5000-square-foot facility in Ferndale and in February 2012 production once again expanded with the addition of a new world-class Christian Carl Still. Valentine Vodka can be found in more than 1200 outlets throughout Michigan, Illinois and Tennessee.

Valentine Vodka is located at 161 Vester Street in Ferndale, Michigan. Online at ValentineVodka.com (facebook.com/valentinevodka | twitter.com/valentinevodka.