A Michigan Thing

Michigan’s 10-cent bottle deposit, approved by voters in 1976, became one of the most successful recycling programs in the nation. For decades, return rates topped 90%, helping keep roadsides, beaches, and parks cleaner while keeping billions of bottles and cans out of landfills. Nearly 50 years later, that little dime remains a big part of Michigan life—and a major environmental success story.

There ain’t no party like a ______ party.
Fill in the blank!

In Michigan, “Hanky Panky Cove” (bayou) is an informal nickname rather than an official place name. It’s most commonly associated with a protected anchorage area on Spring Lake, near the Grand Haven area, where boaters have gathered for decades to socialize, raft up, swim, and enjoy summer afternoons. The name comes from its reputation as a lively boating hangout and has long been part of local boating folklore.

Like many Michigan boating spots, Hanky Panky Cove developed its reputation organically. On warm summer weekends, dozens of boats may anchor there, creating a floating social scene that’s become a tradition for generations of West Michigan boaters. Despite the playful name, it’s generally known as a popular gathering place rather than anything officially designated.

If you’re thinking of the Torch Lake area, that’s a different famous boating destination known for its crystal-clear turquoise water and the legendary sandbar, where thousands of boaters gather throughout the summer.

Where is Hanky Panky Cove? We’re not tellin’. The area has been sanitized to accommodate local homeowners who don’t want or need the noise.

That said, there are many boating locations that carry the spirit. Wherever boats tie up next to eachother could be the next Hanky Panky Cove. Get out there, and find it!

It’s was a real place!

This is a vintage pic.



















🌊🚤☀️

Did you know Michigan has been shaping the nation’s walls and ceilings for nearly 200 years? The story starts in 1827, when gypsum was first discovered near Plaster Creek—and it’s been transforming both West and Northeast Michigan ever since.

Grand Rapids’ Underground Maze
Beneath Grand Rapids and Wyoming lies a hidden world: a labyrinth of gypsum mines that stretches for miles.

* Ancient Origins: Gypsum formed 300 million years ago when the Michigan Basin was a shallow, evaporating inland sea.
* Mining Marvels: Miners used the “room and pillar” method, leaving pillars to hold up ceilings, carving out tunnels that would last generations.
* The Alabastine Mine: Hand-dug in 1907, this Wyoming, MI, underground network now houses Michigan Natural Storage, using the tunnels’ constant 50°F temperature for cooling—modern tech meeting historic craftsmanship.

I dont want to hear anyone complain about the heat after the Winter we just had!

This is always one of my favorite things about Michigan!

There’s something special about a sleep porch. They offer a simple, peaceful way to enjoy fresh air, watch the stars, and connect with the slow rhythm of summer nights—just like families did decades ago. For those who still use them, even occasionally, they’re a little slice of classic Michigan summer life.

Yes! I do!