Diary of a Retiree Robert A. Lytle: Christmas Came Early This Year

Diary of a Retiree – Saturday, December 5, 2020 – Christmas Comes Early This Year Bob Lytle in his home library Up at 7:30, I made our usual eggs and toast, and sat down with the iPad. The Detroit News front page has a Neal Rubin article about the Straits of Mackinac’s Round Island Lighthouse and its small but dedicated group of preservationists. With the Great Lakes having record high water levels and the likelihood of unusually damaging ice and high winds, this could easily be the … [Read more...]

Grampa’s Labyrinth: Journey To Devil’s Kitchen

Michigan Author Robert A. Lytle Transports His Characters and His Readers Back in Time to 1823 Mackinac Island Charlotte doesn’t believe the story of how her older cousins were transported back in time three years earlier. On a dare, she tricks her cousin Charlie to return to Grampa’s labyrinth (the time portal) with three other cousins, Oscar, Henry, and Liam. The maze sends the five cousins from the year 2014 to the year 1823 – they arrive on Mackinac Island during America’s wild and … [Read more...]

A Conversation with Bob Lytle

A Voice and Pillar of the Community Bob Lytle has worn many hats during his more than four decades in the Rochester area: community pharmacist, author of adventure novels for youth, city council member, folk singer/songwriter, poet, storyteller, and ballist (yes, that’s the term) with the Rochester Grangers vintage base ball club. Lytle grew up in Saginaw, where his father was a schoolteacher, but his fondest childhood memories were made at a small cabin in the Les Cheneaux islands. The … [Read more...]

Two Exciting Travel Destinations Planned with OPC Leisure Travel

The Older Persons’ Commission is excited to announce two unique travel opportunities, Louisville, KY “Horses, Bourbon, & Museums” trip June 6-9 and Mackinac Island a “Grand Experience” October 8-11. Discover Louisville Horses, Bourbon, & Museums June 6-9 Louisville was selected by Trip Advisor and USA Today as one of the 2018 “Destinations on the Rise” with top notch museums, restaurants, and attractions. This trip includes guided tours of the Louisville Slugger, Frazier … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, How Do You Define ‘Up North?’

Dear Crabby, Recently, a coworker and I were talking about going ‘Up North’ for the weekend. What surprised us is we both have different definitions of where that is. What say you? Where is ‘Up North?’ Thanks! Nathan Nord Dear Nathan Nord, This does seem to be a question which Michiganders definitely have strong opinions about. My guess is if you asked da Yoopers, they’d say only the Upper Peninsula can rightfully be considered ‘Up North.’ I know as a kid, any time we crossed over … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, Should I Get in the TSA Line?

Dear Crabby, My family decided to stick close to home for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but we’re thinking of taking a vacation at some point this summer. Or rather we were until I saw the news about the out-of-control lines happening at airports. Should we brave the lines or should we just stay home? Thanks! Gina Globetrotter Dear Gina Globetrotter, I hear what you’re saying. Those TSA (that stands for Transportation Security Administration, in case you haven’t flown in 15 … [Read more...]

Live from Mackinac Island – It’s ‘Under the Radar Michigan!’

The folks at Pure Michigan got their hands on a brand new camera technology called Georama. It streams a feed directly to the Internet and allows viewers to communicate with the person wearing the camera and Michigan is the first state in the U.S. to use one! So, naturally they turned it over to Under the Radar Michigan (UTR). Today, from noon to 4 p.m. (EDT) Tom Daldin, the host of UTR, is going to be wandering around Mackinac Island talking to people, exploring the shops and hotels, and … [Read more...]

Travel with the OPC: Mackinac Island

Join the Older Persons’ Commission (OPC) as they take off on another adventure on October 18-20, 2015! Travel comfortably via motor coach to the majestic Grand Hotel on historic Mackinac Island. You’ll spend your days immersed in a simpler time, along with tours, delicious food, and of course, fudge. Hurry! The refund deadline for this trip is Friday, June 12. All OPC trips can be found online at www.OPCSeniorCenter.org. Please note, travelers do not have to be OPC members, but they must … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, What’s So Great About Michigan?

Dear Crabby, I’m planning my summer vacation and want to visit some new places. A friend suggested I look at Michigan, but I recently heard Madonna badmouth her former home state. Is visiting Michigan worth spending my hard-earned money and vacation time? Thanks, Wendy Wanderer Dear Wendy Wanderer, Yep. It’s true. Madonna probably won’t be starring in any Pure Michigan ads in the near future… or ever… but that’s her loss because Michigan is definitely worth visiting. Our state motto … [Read more...]

Vintage Base Ball Matches Return to Rochester Hills Museum

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm will serve as the home field for another season of vintage baseball featuring the Rochester Grangers Vintage Base Ball Club. Home matches will be played at the Rochester Hills Museum on May 10, May 18, June 12, June 21, July 20, and August 24. Away matches will be held at Navin Field, Mackinac Island, Bay City and beyond! A full schedule and match times are listed at www.rochestergrangers.org The Grangers home opener is Saturday, May 10 at 1 … [Read more...]