Ray Harryhausen is regarded as a pioneer and one of the great 20th century artists of stop-motion animation. His extensive career is showcased through over 100 original creations on display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Through original armatured models, artwork, miniatures and props, the exhibit transports us back to the silver screen. Creatures and artwork from such films as 1949’s Mighty Joe Young, where Ray began as a technician, The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Earth vs the Flying Saucers, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts, and the 1981 Clash of the Titans bring to life the imagination of Ray Harryhausen.
Johnny Cash was born 93 years ago today, and though he wasn’t born in Michigan, he sang about us and the struggles of workers on the line. In honor of the Man in Black, here’s a photo that Bill shared photo back in 2023 writing “Formerly the Gibson Guitar factory. Rumor has it that Elvis Presley himself came to Kalamazoo to pick up his guitars straight from the factory. Johnny Cash, Steve Winwood, B.B. King, and others also visited to check on their orders.”
Here are couple more photos of the old plant along with Bill’s burning ring of fire (with apologies to Johnny Cash). Follow Bill on Flickr & Facebook for more!
I’ve been seeing photos from all across Michigan of communities lighting up for the holidays, and for my money Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park nailed it this year!
Axios Detroit takes a nice look at an app for UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) & UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon) reporting developed by Enigma Labs. The artificial intelligence app generates a score as to the likelihood that user-submitted photos are something truly unidentifiable or just a plane, satellite or other known object (hint: most of these are the deeply freaky Starlink satellite clusters).
UFO researcher Alejandro Rojas says the app aims to crowdsource as much information as possible because the government typically lacks enough data to study these anomalies. Michiganders have submitted 526 sightings since the app launched last year which is good for 9th most UFO friendly state in the nation. Check the map out below, and if you have an iPhone & want to check it out (or get on the Android waitlist) head over to the Enigma website.
Bill took this photo ten winters ago at Kalamazoo’s Henderson Castle. See more in his absolutely massive Kalamazoo, Michigan gallery on Flickr.
They built the “Kalamazoo State Hospital Water Tower” for the Michigan Asylum for the Insane in 1895. They instructed the architect to design something with a medieval feeling to complement the existing buildings – it looks creepy because it was meant to look creepy. It is no longer used as a water tower; its only function now is a landmark. They planned to demolish it in 1974 (almost none of the original asylum buildings remain), but “The Committee to Save the Tower” raised funds to save it. The National Register of Historic Places added the tower to its list in 1972.
The tower soars 175 feet into the air, rising from a base of cut stone blocks five feet high. The brick begins above this base. Approximately 50 feet wide at its widest point, it contains three water storage tanks inside. The main tank is 40 feet high and 40 feet in diameter and has a capacity to hold more than 200,000 gallons of hard water … The structure is really a tower within a tower. The outer shell tapers from six feet thick at the base to four feet at the top. Enclosed is an inner shell, which is also about six feet thick. Between the inner and outer shells is a wooden circular stairway, which winds upwards until it reaches 100 feet. Then a series of ladders leads to the top of the tower. At the top is a little room, gothic in appearance, that has a window facing in each direction. Four enormous wooden beams meet in the center of the room. They are etched with dozens of sets of initials carved by visitors, the oldest by one W. E. DeLong dated 1898.
William shares that the F2 tornado that hit Kalamazoo/Portage on May 7th flattened these trees in the Gourdneck State Game Area in Portage. The tornado has already cost the city of Portage over $5 million, and they’ve allocated another $2 million.
The storms rolled through around 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., causing thousands to lose power. Some of the heaviest damage was concentrated around Westnedge Avenue, Centre Avenue and Oakland Drive, according to Portage city officials.
The FedEx building at 6701 Portage Road sustained a direct hit from one of the reported tornadoes. The roof of the building caved in, leaving the interior exposed. After the storm passed, 50 employees were trapped inside as crews worked to remove dangerous wires so rescue efforts could commence. First responders eventually helped them all out of the building, Tuesday night.
Another spot with major damage was Pavilion Estates Mobile Home Park, 6830 East N Ave. in Pavilion Township, just east of Portage. About 17 of the homes were totally demolished and 173 had some degree of damage, according to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office.
While I’m still waiting to see the first crocus here in Traverse City, Bill saw some on Friday in Kalamazoo. How about you – any crocuses or springy signs in your neck of Michigan??
Head over to Bill’s Flickr to see his latest & have an awesome week everyone!
The very first bulb to cheerfully announce spring is the snowdrop. As the last winter snow melts, carpets of delicate white flowers emerge through last year’s fallen leaves. Snowdrops will reliably return year after year despite Mother Nature’s most challenging winters. The botanical name, Galanthus, comes from the Greek words Gala meaning “milk” and anthos meaning “flower.” They will thrive in the rich, moist soil usually found in the shade provided by deciduous trees. Few bulbs can tolerate shade, but snowdrops develop in the winter sun well before the leaves of trees and shrubs have expanded. Their flowers last for several weeks beginning in early March and persisting through the cool days of spring in early April. Once planted, Galanthus require no maintenance.
Bill writes “On this, the altar to the last day of summer: the sacrificial leaf that will bring on fall,” so if anyone is sad summer’s over, Bill’s the man to talk to. ;)
Of course if you’re excited for apples, autumn’s colors & of course, pumpkin spice, mad props to Bill! Check out more in Bill’s Kalamazoo River Valley Trail album & enjoy the season!
Michigan in Pictures 