Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Santa Chair

Santa Chair, photo by LadyDragonflyCC -See through my eyes!.

“He errs who thinks Santa enters through the chimney. Santa enters through the heart.”
– Charles W. Howard

The Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland was established in 1937 and is the longest continuously running Santa Claus School in the world. The school is a nonprofit and seeks to uphold the traditions and history of Santa Claus and to help its students improve their presentations of Santa Claus. A nice feature on the school in the LA Times explains that:

Howard, the school founder, was a Santa with an impressive resume that included being St. Nick for Macy’s. He opened the school in 1937 after coming across too many other Santas with frayed beards, shoddy suits and limited knowledge of reindeer. (current director Tom) Valent took over the school in 1986 and retains most of Howard’s original curriculum, along with modern additions such as contract issues and how to endure the rigors of being a mall Santa (get a flu shot and negotiate regular bathroom breaks).

…Valent’s cheerful demeanor belies the seriousness with which he approaches his mission of ensuring that Santa Claus embodies perfection, from fresh breath and clean whiskers to impeccable morals. He’s not here to get these Santas jobs — the school has no placement services. He’s here to make sure that whether they play Santa in malls or parades, or in hospitals, homeless shelters or private parties, they do it flawlessly.

“It’s a privilege to be Santa Claus,” said Valent, who has been Santa Claus himself for 35 years, from Greenland to Midland. “You’re taking on a character that stands for all good things.”

Be sure to check out their photo gallery on Facebook, and if you’re interested, the 2012 Santa School takes place October 18th – 20th and is taking reservations now.

Speaking of Santa, yesterday on Absolute Michigan we had an in-depth feature on including charities in your holiday gift plans that might give you chance to share some of that Santa spirit.

Check this out on black and in Christine’s My Favs slideshow.

The People of Detroit: G.R. N’namdi

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

The People of Detroit: G.R. N'namdi

The People of Detroit: G.R. N’namdi, photo by Noah Stephens.

We’ve featured The People of Detroit before on Michigan in Pictures. Noah Stephens started the project in April of 2010 after seeing a Dateline NBC special on Detroit that profiled a man who shot, ate, and sold raccoon meat. Never having eaten a raccoon or indeed knowing someone who had, Noah decided to chronicle the intelligent, attractive, industrious, talented people who enliven the city and make it a place he’s happy to call home.

Right now, he’s started a petition asking General Motors to exhibit portraits from The People of Detroit Photodocumentary in the Renaissance Center during the 2012 North American International Auto Show. You can read about it here and sign the petition right here.

Regarding this photo, he begins:

The G.R. N’namdi Gallery in Detroit’s Cultural Center is one of my favorite places to view contemporary art. Light flows into the 16,000 square foot facility through skylights set in a 30-foot high ceiling held aloft by exposed wooden beams. The space is populated by works from artists such as Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence. The collection is sophisticated and abstract but not so obtuse as to defy intelligibility.

George N’namdi founded the gallery 30 years ago. He’s pictured here in front of Angelbert Metoyer’s “Icon Execution.”

Read on and check this out on black and in Noah’s The People of Detroit slideshow.

Here comes ArtPrize

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

art prize preview 2011 040

art prize preview 2011 040, photo by jode1115.

“I think it’s terrifying & thrilling.”
~Jerry Saltz, Senior Art Critic at New York magazine on ArtPrize

ArtPrize, the radically open competition held every year in Grand Rapids that gives away the world’s largest cash prize – all decided by public vote – starts today and runs through October 9th. You can keep up with it at absolutemichigan.com/ArtPrize and also through the mLive Artprize section.

Of course there’s an ArtPrize Facebook (and Twitter & Tumblr), and an ArtPrize photo group and a lot of ArtPrize photos in the Absolute Michigan pool. For all you photographers out there, there’s a daily ArtPrize photo contest with a camera or laptop as the top prize!

ArtPrize is in its third year and truly is one of the most amazing events I’ve ever been to. If there’s any way you can make the trip to Grand Rapids, do it. You won’t be disappointed!

Check this photo out background big and in her ArtPrize 2011 slideshow.

Skipping Out

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures
Skipping Out by Danny Jacobs

Isle Royale National Park by Danny Jacobs

Hey folks, sorry for skipping out yesterday. A little too busy!

Danny took this action series at Isle Royale. Check it out bigger and in his slideshow.

Leaving Behind the Floods and Shame

Posted on by farlane

Leaving Behind the Floods and Shame

Leaving Behind the Floods and Shame, photo by Rob Woodcox

Great title, great portrait, and somewhere in there, I think probably some great advice.

Check it out bigger and see more of his work in his slideshow.

Making an Elf at the Michigan Renaissance Festival

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Making an Elf

Making an Elf, photo by corinne.schwarz.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival is underway in Holly. It happens weekends & Labor Day through October 2nd from 10 AM – 7 PM, rain or shine. They explain:

For 32 years, the Michigan Renaissance Festival has provided Holly with a unique venue that regularly attracts more than 220,000 visitors from Michigan and surrounding states. When the Festival first began back in 1979 on the grounds of Columbiere in Clarkston, Michigan, the Renaissance Festival attracted under 11,000 patrons during our 5 weekend event. Years later the Festival found a more permanent home where it currently stands, just 12 miles south of Flint on Dixie Highway. The pageantry of a 16th century village is evident in the wide variety of activities.

Entertainment is not only featured on sixteen stages, but in the lanes and on an interactive level with the patrons. From peasants to royalty, the people of the village of Hollygrove visit with guests to provide a day to remember! Highlights include the thrilling full contact joust with armored knights and horses, the intensity of the Human Combat Chess Match and the hilarity of acts like the Washing Well Wenches, Ded Bob and Ample and Trite. The Realm is filled with amazingly talented artisans who offer their unique wares and often share their skills in craft demonstrations. Beautiful glassware, crafted leather, exotic jewelry and Renaissance clothing are just a few examples of the masterpieces that can be found in the marketplace.

Visitors are advised to skip breakfast and save their appetite for the fresh baked goods, soup in a bread bowl, Scotch eggs, apple dumplings and of course, the famous turkey legs that are cooked over an open flame. The array of foods is overwhelming and sure to satisfy any cravings! It is truly fun for the whole family since the Renaissance Festival also offers games, human-powered rides, and a Children’s Realm that features a castle playscape as well as free activities for younger visitors.

Check it out background big and in Corrine’s Mich Ren Fest slideshow.
Also see the photos on the Michigan Ren Cen Facebook!

Come on with the rain

Posted on by farlane

Come on with the rain
Come on with the rain, photo by hardyc

Looks like Chris finally got that job as VP of Umbrella Safety at the Detroit Bumbershoot Co.

Check it out bigger and see lots more of Chris’s creative genius in his slideshow.

More portraits on Michigan in Pictures.

(farm) Market Love

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Market Love

Market Love, photo by aceshigh22.

Quick post today – headed to the Sara Hardy Farmers Market in Traverse City before heading to the beach.

Farmer’s markets are such a big part of Michigan, no doubt in part because Michigan is the nation’s second most agriculturally diverse state , trailing only California. No word of what will happen if South California becomes our 51st state.

Absolute Michigan has a nice (if slightly old) selection of farmer’s markets on our Michigan Map. A fantastic new resource, however, is Real Time Farms, which gives you information and photos about farm markets all across the state. You can become a part of the community and share your photos too!

However you choose to do it, I really encourage everyone to do what Taste the Local Difference (another great resource for farm market information) recommends, and spend $10 or more of your food budget with your neighborhood farmers & food producers. It makes our communities (and bodies) stronger. Take a bite out of Michigan!

Check it out background big and in Danielle’s Peeps slideshow.

Remembering First Lady Betty Ford

Posted on by farlane

President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford

President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford, photo by Marion S. Trikosko

First Lady Betty Ford (Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren Ford) passed away on July 8, 2011. She was born in Chicago on  April 8, 1918. After a brief stint in Colorado, she moved with her family to Grand Rapids and graduated from Central High School. In 1948, she married Gerald Ford, who was campaigning for what would be his first of thirteen terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. They were married fifty-eight years until his death in 2006. Despite the fact that she had one of the shortest terms as First Lady, she was definitely one of the most influental women to have held the position:

In the opinion of The New York Times and several presidential historians, “Mrs. Ford’s impact on American culture may be far wider and more lasting than that of her husband, who served a mere 896 days, much of it spent trying to restore the dignity of the office of the president.”

The paper went on to describe her as “a product and symbol of the cultural and political times—doing the Bump along the corridors of the White House, donning a mood ring, chatting on her CB radio with the handle First Mama—a housewife who argued passionately for equal rights for women, a mother of four who mused about drugs, abortion and premarital sex aloud and without regret.” In 1975, in an interview with McCall’s magazine, Ford said that she was asked just about everything, except for how often she and the president had sex. “And if they’d asked me that I would have told them,” she said, adding that her response would be, “As often as possible.”

Ford was also instrumental in raising awareness of breast cancer and founded the Betty Ford Center after a battle with alcoholism. You definitely have to watch this PBS feature on Betty Ford – it’s one of the best and there are also some interviews with her children as well. Also see President Gerald R. Ford – 1913 – 2006 on Absolute Michigan.

The Detroit News reports that  public viewing of her casket will be held in the atrium of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum today from 7-11 PM and Thursday from 7-10 AM. Following a 2 PM service tomorrow, Ford will be buried beside President Ford on the Museum grounds.

You can see more photos by Marion S. Trikosko at the Library of Congress. This has always been one of my favorite pictures of a couple who obviously loved each other very deeply and were among the most real politicians we’ve had in modern times.

Library of Congress Call Number: LC-U9- 30765B-6A

Detroit Tiger All Stars, Now & Then

Posted on by farlane

Charlie Gheringer

In 2011, the Detroit Tigers are rolling into the All Star break leading the AL Central. Their sizzling play is reflected in the lineup for tomorrow night’s All Star Game with 5 All Stars. In addition to the starting catcher Alex Avila, the Bengals are also sending pitcher Justin Verlander, first baseman Miguel Cabrera, pitcher Jose Valverde and newly acquired shortstop Jhonny Peralta. That’s one short of the most All-Stars they’ve had (in 1984 and 1985).

You can check out the complete list of Detroit Tiger All-Stars from MLB.com. It dates back to the first All Star game in 1933. Tigers’ Hall of Fame second basemen Charlie Gheringer played played every inning of the first six All-Star Games as the starting second baseman for the American League, and played a pivotal role in the very first All Star game:

The novel idea of a single game made up of the most exciting assemblage of ball-playing talent ever brought together on the diamond at one time, seemed too good to be true. In 1933 and 1934, All-Star teams were selected by the managers and the fans. The National League’s manager John McGraw and American League’s Connie Mack were chosen to lead a line-up of big hitters including Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons and the one and only Babe Ruth. “We wanted to see the Babe,” said Bill Hallahan, the National League starter. “Sure, he was old and had a big waistline, but that didn’t make any difference. We were on the same field as Babe Ruth.”

With fellow All-Star, Charlie Gehringer on first in the bottom of the third, The Babe drove one into the right-field stands, the first homer in All-Star history. The crowd, according to one account, “roared in acclamation” and the first All-Star Game, won by the American League on the strength of Ruth’s homer, was a resounding success.

I’m not sure who took this photo, but I found it through Brian DeWagner’s blog where he posted it with What’s in a Name?.

Charles Leonard Gehringer was born in Fowlerville, Michigan. Nicknamed “The Mechanical Man” for his astonishing consistancy, he batted over .300 13 times  and was one of the greatest 2nd basemen ever to play the game. Learn more about his career at the Baseball Hall of Fame and via Wikipedia!

Update! Just found a great account of Charlie Gehringer’s 1934 All-Star game at Bless You Boys – check it out!