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Behind the Mitten

Behind the Mitten

By: John Gonzalez
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About this listen

 "Behind the Mitten" is Michigan's premiere travel radio show and Podcast and has nearly 700 episodes. In 2025 it celebrates 10 years! It is co-hosted by John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman. John is a longtime journalist, social media early adopter and member of the Central Michigan University Journalism Hall of Fame. Amy is a former chef with 20-plus experience, craft beer expert and freelance writer. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten.Copyright John Gonzalez Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 705: Unveiling of Bluegill sculpture in St. Helen, plus fried chicken at Jen's Hen House & Iva's Chicken Dinners (June 21-22, 2025)

    Episode 705: Unveiling of Bluegill sculpture in St. Helen, plus fried chicken at Jen's Hen House & Iva's Chicken Dinners (June 21-22, 2025)
    Jun 27 2025
    Behind the Mitten - Episode 705
    "Celebrating 10 years as Michigan's premier radio show and podcast."

    On this episode, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman travel to St. Helen for the unveiling of “The Fish,” a striking 6-foot Bluegill sculpture installed to represent the natural beauty and identity of the Richfield Township and St. Helen area. It is the first of five unique sculptures to be placed throughout Roscommon County as part of the “Fresh Waters Trail” — a new tourism initiative aimed at celebrating our local waters and attracting visitors to the region. The sculpture was handcrafted by Bob Batchik of Sunfish Woodworks, based in Sylvan Lake, Michigan.

    Gonzo and Amy also make stops at Jen's Hen House in St. Helen, as well as Iva's Chicken Dinners in Sterlling.

    Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.
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    45 mins
  • Episode 704: Wings of Mackinac, Fruits of Summer, Arab and Chaldean Festival, Sip and Sail Cruise (June 14-15, 2025)

    Episode 704: Wings of Mackinac, Fruits of Summer, Arab and Chaldean Festival, Sip and Sail Cruise (June 14-15, 2025)
    Jun 22 2025
    Behind the Mitten - Episode 704
    "Celebrating 10 years as Michigan's premier radio show and podcast."

    On this episode, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman share some segements they recorded earlier in the year. It's what Amy likes to call a "Hodgepodge" show.

    Segment 1: Recorded on Mackinac Island in late April, Gonzo and Amy have a fun interview with Marie Hulett, founder of the Wings of Mackinac - Butterfly Conservatory, who is joined by employee Measha Hannink. Learn more about this Mackinac Island experience at wingsofmackinac.com.

    Segment 2: Recorded at the Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism in April, John and Amy talk to PR rep Charlie Olson regarding the Fruits of Summer pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company in Traverse City. Each slice is full of Michigan grown cherries from Sayler Orchards and blueberries from True Blue Farms and topped with brown sugar crumb topping. Even the sugar and flour are proudly produced in Michigan! Learn more about the pie at gtpie.com.

    Segment 3: In the middle of May, Gonzo and Amy did a whole show called Diversity is Our Strength, promoting a variety of festivals throughout the state. One interview that ran as a podcast was with Dr. Jacoub Mansour, president of the Arab and Chaldean Festival. It was such a fun interview, where Amy may, or may not, have volunteered to attend and show off her belly-dancing skills, that they decided to air the interview on the show. The Arab and Chaldean Festival festival takes place in dowtown Detroit at Hart Plaza on July 26 and 27 and is celebrating its 52nd year. The event is the largest Arab and Chaldean cultural event in North America and features everything from traditional dancing to live performances, cultural events, and plenty of delicious food. Dr. Mansour shares what to expect at this family-friendly event. Learn more at arabandchaldeanfestival.com.

    You can also listen to the whole show on our diverse ethnic festivals HERE.

    Segment 4: One of Mackinac Island's hardest-working entrepreneur's is Veronica Dobrowolski, who has been involved with several businesses, including Arnold Freight Company and Sip N' Sail Cruises. In an interview recorded in early May, Gonzo and Amy interview "V" about what fans can expect on the vintage Isle Royale Queen III, a charming 81' vessel featuring multiple outdoor viewing areas and heated interior cabins, onboard restrooms, a full service interior bar & a state-of-the-art sound system. Several cruise options on the Straits of Mackinac await you at sipnsailcruises.com.

    Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.
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    45 mins
  • Episode 703: Put Mackinac State Historic Parks on your summer and fall bucket lists (June 7-8, 2025)

    Episode 703: Put Mackinac State Historic Parks on your summer and fall bucket lists (June 7-8, 2025)
    Jun 11 2025
    This episode we head back to our beloved Mackinac State Historic Parks to learn what's new, and what's old, and how they plan to celebrate a pretty big birthday this season.

    We kick off the show with our great friend, and the director of MSHP's, Steve Brisson. With seven different locations scattered throughout the Straights area, on both Mackinac Island and the mainland, the Parks are a very busy place during the summer season. In 2025, Mackinac State Historic Parks will be 150 years young. President Ulysses Grant named Mackinac Island as the second National Park in the country after Yellowstone in 1875. The act set the stage for the Island that we love today. Steven takes us through this fascinating history, which was all new to us.

    Craig Wilson, the chief curator at Mackinac State Historic Parks, joins us and gives us a sneak peek on how the parks are going to celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial (which according to Wiki could also be called the Bisesquicentennial, the Sestercentennial, America250 or the Quarter Millennium). In other wordsw, it's the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, and there will be awesome events throughout the year to honor this anniversary.

    Madi Hansen, Marketing and Group Travel Coordinator, stops by to share how anyone can host an event at the Parks. With so many different locations, and different options within each location, the Parks are perfect for everything for an incredible wedding ceremony to uniquely historical venues for meetings and more. Madi walks us through all the choices, and we are pretty sure that getting married on the island is a great idea.

    And last, but never least, our buddy and regular BTM guest, Chief of Marketing Dominck Miller joins us. We'll be honest, we spend a little bit of time reminiscing about the last ten years of sharing the airwaves with him on Behind the Mitten, and we are beyond grateful for the support we've gotten, and our friendship. Anytime at Mackinac State Historic Parks is a gift in our books, and we are so happy to have had an insider's seat over the last few years with everyone here.....and to be able to share these stories with you.
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    45 mins
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