Situated at a center point of River Street, the Vogue Theatre is clearly the beating heart of the downtown district. This beautiful, state-of-the-art theatre is a seamless blend of elegant history and modern technology. Its story is a fascinating one that tells in three acts: originating as a town jewel, followed by a long and…
Manistee’s Bird Man: Bob Paetschow
Those of us who live here know that Manistee County is a place of extraordinary beauty. But, few people understand it better than Bob Paetschow. His stunningly beautiful nature photography is the result of a lifetime passion for capturing the splendor of Manistee County wildlife – especially its tiniest residents: the birds and insects….
The Ideal Kitchen
Shelley and Tim Doyen have small business in their blood. Their parents, on both sides, ran independent businesses. Her family farmed and Tim’s had a resort. So, when they came to Manistee, they were on the hunt for a business to call their own. They looked at several existing operations, but in the end, launched…
Iron Fish Distillery
Surprises and wonderful discoveries are numerous in Manistee County. However they often require an adventurous spirit and a willingness to travel unpaved roadways. Today, just such a road led through glorious autumn colors and sleepy north county farmland to the brand new Iron Fish Distillery. Just follow the blue Pure Michigan signs from the highway. They…
Refinished Floors and New Staircase!
Updated June 11, 2017 Work is progressing at an accelerated rate as the retail space remodel nears completion. The main project now is the floors and Mr. Natural Wood Floors Company is on the job. On the day I dropped by, a crew was working on patching, matching and sanding. Parts of the original floor…
M-22 to the Glenwood
M-22 is a legendary stretch of highway in Northern Michigan. It originates in Manistee County just north of town and winds along the shore through Manistee, Benzie and Leelanau Counties all the way into Grand Traverse, including the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and countless miles of breathtaking scenery. Twenty miles north of Manistee on M-22…
Homeward Bound
Head your car toward Cadillac on M55 and watch for Paws Trail on the left. A gravel road takes you back through the trees to a building built with love. This is the home of the Manistee County Humane Society’s Homeward Bound Animal Shelter. Built in 2005, this no-kill shelter is a safe haven for an…
The Fillmore
The newest eatery on River Street is The Fillmore whose window promises “Coffee and Brews.” Inside is an inviting cafe with brick walls, reclaimed wood and comfortably cushy chairs. It’s easy to see how this spot will become a favorite for folks who like to relax over a cup of coffee. The artwork on the…
Bagpiper at the Bluffs
We were gathering at the spectacular Arcadia Bluffs to celebrate a friend’s birthday. It was a chilly late spring evening and the fireplace was crackling. The conversation soon shifted from the “catching up” chats and many compliments about the delicious food to wondering if the bagpiper was going to make an appearance. Sure enough, as the…
Walking in Manistee County
In Manistee County, we walk. And I don’t mean we just walk to get from Point A to Point B, though our towns are small, our neighborhoods are welcoming and we do enjoy shoe leather as a means of transportation. Walking isn’t just for exercise either, though that is clearly a benefit of enjoying the…
Blue Fish Kitchen & Bar
Last Friday we were with a group of friends looking for a relaxed dinner out. Our criteria was simple: great food, relaxed setting and good company. We provided the company and turned to the Blue Fish Kitchen & Bar for the rest. Located at the intersection of River Street and Division in a beautifully repurposed…
Crystal Mountain Spa
The lovely small towns that dot this county usually attract visitors seeking a slightly slower and less stressful pace; but, that doesn’t mean we don’t have all the amenities of the bigger cities. A short ride up U.S. 31 takes us through Bear Lake and to County Line Road. A quick right turn and a…
Manistee Living 