What's up Whitehall - Downtown Whitehall Holiday Events
Everyone loves the holidays and there are plenty of ways to celebrate downtown Whitehall this holiday season, and that’s even after the Christmas Parade of last weekend! Besides the Christmas Carol Benefit Concert at the Playhouse Dec 18, the other main event is the Home Town Holiday Weekend this week hosted by the Harborview Grille. While being sponsored by the Grille, there will be events taking place all around downtown Whitehall. We caught up with Emil Rousseau to get the scoop.
DW: Emil, what’s the vision for the Hometown Holiday Weekend, and what prompted you to start it?
ER: Our business strategy from day one is to always give back, the vision for this event to to have a place where friends and family can gather and enjoy the season, maybe sing a song, share hot chocolate & smores with out the worry of having to incur another expense.
DW: What’s a quick rundown of all taking place over the weekend?
ER: There's so much going on, I'd ask you to check our event flier by clicking on this link.
DW: Is this a first for a city Christmas Tree?
ER: We did this last year, but decided to create an event and invite the community to help us count down the lighting. They usually lite the tree before thanksgiving. I will tell you that it is quite a sight to see the fire truck pull up, the fireman climb the big latter then place the star as the crowd begins the count down.....10, ....9,.....8,......
DW: The Tree-O sounds quite interesting as well. How did you come across this group and what can be expected during this performance?
ER: This was the work of a great partnership with Cindy Beth Davis from The Howmet Playhouse. You can expect Master Arts to present A Christmas of Many Parts, Window of His Love, and A Mime Performance, I have to say that the small town theater patrons will have a special "glow" after this event!
DW: Well, there will be no excuse to not be in the Holiday Spirit after the weekend. Thanks for all your work in putting together this event!
ER: Tell your friends and bring the family, hope to see you there!
On the Web
Tellabration websiteWhite Lake Beacon article
What's up Whitehall - Pub One Eleven Continues to Shake Up Colby
The block of Colby, southwest of the Four Corners, has been experiencing a significant resurgence this fall. First, Posh opened in the old Gale's Jewelry storefront. Now a complete makeover of the Local Pub is underway. Long a Whitehall landmark, the pub is sure to continue that tradition with its new look. Downtown Whitehall caught up with Mark Zickel, owner of the Local Pub, to get the scoop.
DW: I hear quite a few major changes are in the work at the Local Pub. Could you give us the skinny on what's happening?
MZ: Sure, we are putting a common front on all three of the storefronts that make up the Local Pub. The look will be nautical as we are using Michigan river rock and a gray staggered cedar shake. The name will be changing to Pub One Eleven. Pub has been in the name for decades and the address is 111 Colby. We also plan to change the interior flooring in the near future.
DW: Wow! Fantastic. What's the timeline for the completion of the improvements?
MZ: The exterior work began on Monday, September 28th and should be finished by the end of October.
DW: I believe you received a façade grant from the City of Whitehall to help with the exterior improvements? How important are incentives like these?
MZ: They are very important. These types of incentives help to promote and stimulate investment from property owners. In these economic times, financial contributions to these types of projects from grant funds are often the difference from staying on hold versus moving ahead.
DW: Besides the changes you have told us about already are there any further plans to change the direction of the pub, i.e. your live music schedule, menu etc?
MZ: My wife, Kathleen, does a great job of booking entertainment. We feature live bands and disc jokeys every week-end. We also have Karaoke every Wednesday night. Our menu offers daily homemade specials and the best burger in the county. Our perch is also a favorite of our regulars. We continue to offer new Michigan Micro Brews, a new wine list, single malt scotch, Happy Hours and daily drink specials.
DW: Well thanks for your effort to improve downtown Whitehall!
MZ: We are excited about the future of Downtown and proud to be contributing to the success of the next 150 years in Whitehall. Remember - "Think Local... Drink Local"!
On the Web
Pub One Eleven
HarborLight Film Series Back for Fall
This great free addition to the Howmet Playhouse calendar is back for the fall. Organized by the Arts Council of White Lake, and sponsored by the HarborLight Credit Union, the fall films will feature more classic movies. We caught up with Dave Pickard of the Arts Council to hear about what is on tap.
DW: Great to see the movie series is back for fall. I assume it has been going well?
DP: We consider the first five film portion to have been a real success. We averaged just over 100 attendees at each movie, and that was with a couple of unknown titles.
DW: Very good to hear. It is a great idea to offer affordable entertainment, and the combination of movies and the Howmet is a great one. As you planned for this season was there a particular film theme you wanted to highlight?
DP: We found that “Anatomy of a Murder” which was a familiar title drew the best. It suits our typical audience which is of the more senior generation. With that in mind we have gone to a number of known, familiar titles including an Alfred Hitchcock (“To Catch a Thief”) and James Bond (“Dr. No”). “Roman Holiday”, “Inherit the Wind”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Harvey” are all in the time tested, classic mode. This will give us an opportunity through May of next 2010 to further learn what our audiences are looking for.
DW: What tidbits can you share about the first movie of the season, Barefoot in the Park?
DP: This 1967 movie is based on the Broadway comedy written by Neil Simon. Starring Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, Charles Boyer and Mildred Natwick, it is a real classic and a very enjoyable, G Rated, family oriented comedy in the tradition of great comedy of the 60’s. It will be a very pleasant hour and forty-five minutes on September 3.
DW: Anything else folks should know about the series?
DP: The intent of the three partners in this venture (Arts Council of White Lake, HarborLight Credit Union and White Lake Community Library) was to provide regular, family-oriented entertainment for the entire community. Making a profit never entered the discussions. So, we’d like to fill the Howmet each month (we do rent the theater for the night) for the pleasure of our viewing audience.
DW: Well thanks for your effort to bring these cultural opportunities to the White Lake area. Should be a great fall!
DP: Thank you for the opportunity to talk about this great community activity. One last plug; We are always seeking volunteers who would like to participate in choosing movies, seating patrons, selling food, marketing the program or cleaning up the theater after the performance. It requires just a few hours per year, and you get to see the movies free. Call Leslie Salter at 231-981-3455 to sign up.
On the Web
Arts Council of White LakeHarborLight Credit UnionFull info on Barefoot in the Park
What's up Whitehall - View from Dairy Treat
Dairy Treat has long been a summer fixture in downtown Whitehall. It got a facelift, or rather a rooflift, this summer when owner Brian Hosticka, added the amenity of rooftop seating to the business. Brian is a recent returnee to Whitehall, having moved back from Chicago with his family to be closer to extended family and start his own law practice. Downtown Whitehall took a few minutes to chat with Brian, while enjoying the view from Dairy Treat.
DW: Before we get into the rooftop I am sure everyone is wondering whether you got crushed during Rothbury? How much of an effect to you think Rothbury has on downtown Whitehall?
BH: We had an excellent week. July 4 is always a good day for Dairy Treat, but Rothbury made it even better. But the biggest impact Rothbury makes is the days right before and after the holiday. These days for the last two years have been super and I attribute that to Rothbury. I can't speak for other businesses, of course, but from the standpoint of Dairy Treat, Rothbury has had a big, positive impact on downtown Whitehall.
DW: Back to business. . . . The rooftop is a great addition. What has been the patron reaction?
BH: There were some skeptics before the construction was done, but now that it's finished the comments have been positive. I've gotten quite a few compliments, especially lately.
DW: I imagine that putting a rooftop on a building is one of those projects that looks easier than it is. How’d you turn it from vision to reality?
BH: Well, I only had to do with the vision part. The reality part I owe to a good architect - Richard Borgeson - and a great builder - Dave Bedau.
DW: Any other new things the Dairy Treat is trying this summer, or possibly in the works for future improvements?
BH: We're experimenting with some new food items. People might want to sit up there and have lunch, so we started selling paninis. I'll probably add pork BBQ's, too.
As far as future improvements, yes, I have some plans. I see red brick in the picnic table area in front some time soon. I'll also re-do the lot. But fixing up that stuff will depend on MDOT. I won't do any of that until they finish their plans for resurfacing Colby. I'll like to do it concurrently with their work. But whenever it happens, Dairy Treat will look really good.
DW: Well everyone one is an ice cream lover come summer and it is pretty cool to have a perch over Colby like the one you created at Dairy Treat to take it all in while licking a cone. Thanks for your efforts in improving downtown Whitehall.
BH: Your welcome and thanks to all of our wonderful customers.
On the Web
www.brianhosticka.com
Spring Work Bee
Picture from Spring Work Bee in Downtown Whitehall on Friday May 2, 2008.
What's up Whitehall - Art Escape on Tap
Great art is a in integral part of many downtowns. The arts lend themselves to historic downtown with their common language of design and aesthetics, and arts activities and events are great drivers of visitors to downtowns. The downtowns of Whitehall and Montague are blessed in this regard with an active artist community. One of the community's signature activities is coming up on May 9 and 10 with Art Escape, so we took a minute to catch up with the chair of the event, Mary Payne, of Payne’s Interior Design Studio.
DW: Before we get into the specifics of the event tell us a little how you feel the arts contribute to the sense of place in the White Lake area.
MP: Our little secret in this area is that we have an abundance of artistic talent all around us. The entire community embraces and the energy and creativity that is brought from these folks who are involved in not only the artistic creative processes, but music and performing arts as well.
DW: What’s on tap with the Art Escape?
MP: Art Escape is an event brings together the business community and the cultural community. The downtown shops will be brimming with local and area artists for you to see up close and personal. This event will run from 11 am – 5pm both Friday and Saturday.
This “Art Escape” weekend is designed with you in mind. It’s a unique opportunity to getaway and escape to the world of creativity and imagination. Many of the shops will have drawings for special prize pieces of art, pottery and collectibles. Better yet, grab a room at one of the hotels or bed and breakfast and enjoy lunch at a sandwich shop and dinner at one of the areas fine restaurants.
DW: What is special about this year's event?
MP: This is the biggest year ever. We will have over 30 businesses participating and showcasing artists from all over the state. Also some new businesses and restaurants will be introducing themselves to people in the community who might not otherwise venture downtown if it were not for the artists. There will be music, food and special drawings for prizes. The artists also are bringing a lot of excitement to the downtown areas with their talent and creativity.
DW: Well, thanks so much for your contribution to the community with the promotions of the arts. We know it is an important part of our community
MP: It is my pleasure to help the business community in any way possible. I believe that the passion and pulse of the community is based and driven by the creativity of those people, business owners and artists alike, who live in and around the area. It is that creativity that drives all of us to make a better place in our little corner of the world for everyone who frequents it.
On the Web
White Lake Chamber Website event listing
What's Up Downtown Whitehall - Hustle to the Howmet
Events at the Playhouse have been coming fast and furious, and this week takes the cake. Be sure to head down to the theater and catch one of these great events.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 7:30 PM
The April Verch Band in Concert
A beguiling blend of folk, jazz, old-time, bluegrass and roots music woven together with precision, intensity, and soul, infusing fiddle playing and stepdancing. Her pure voice mixes with the detailed elegance of her fiddle phrasing ranging through material from bluegrass to Brazilian to Celtic, from a jaunty Canadian folksong to a poignant contemporary ballad. April is world-class fiddler, a champion Ottawa Valley stepdancer, an acclaimed composer, and a vocalist whose voice has been hailed as “absolutely captivating” by the Toronto Star. The April Verch Band features world-class musicians Marc Bru on percussion, Lincoln Meyers on guitar, and Cody Walters on upright-electric bass. Don’t miss April’s return to West Michigan.
Call 231-894-4048 for tickets or more information
Tickets $14.00
Thursday, March 13, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Hemingway on Stage: The Stories of Ernest Hemingway
Presented by the White Lake Area Library, in conjunction with Reading along the Lakeshore and their selected book, “The Nick Adams Stories.” Brian Gordon Sinclair, is the author and solo performer of Hemingway On Stage. He is a graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada and holds a Master of Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Denver. A recipient of the Sir Tyrone Guthrie Award for acting at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Mr. Sinclair has performed in Cuba, Denmark, Holland, Poland and the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia. This will be a performance not to be missed!
For ticket and further information call
The White Lake Community Library 231-894-9531
Free and open to the public
Saturday, March 15, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Truth in Jazz Orchestra in Concert
The playhouse is pleased to partner with and present West Michigan’s premier big band! Fronted by West Michigan's legendary drummer, Tim Froncek, this group of 16 of the area's top musicians plays charts from the classic era of the big bands of Ellington, Basie and Buddy Rich, up to today's best charts from the hottest writers. The band was organized by Dave Collee, Ed Spier, and Matt Lintula. It will also be a special “Jazz Night” at the Local Pub; join them for dinner before the show with catering by Steve Mayberry and music by “Down By One” after the show. Call the pub, 231-894-8269 for dinner reservations.
Call 231-894-4048 for tickets and more information
Tickets $10.00
On the Web
Howmet Playhouse
Everyone loves the holidays and there are plenty of ways to celebrate downtown Whitehall this holiday season, and that’s even after the Christmas Parade of last weekend! Besides the Christmas Carol Benefit Concert at the Playhouse Dec 18, the other main event is the Home Town Holiday Weekend this week hosted by the Harborview Grille. While being sponsored by the Grille, there will be events taking place all around downtown Whitehall. We caught up with Emil Rousseau to get the scoop. 
ER: Our business strategy from day one is to always give back, the vision for this event to to have a place where friends and family can gather and enjoy the season, maybe sing a song, share hot chocolate & smores with out the worry of having to incur another expense. 
ER: We did this last year, but decided to create an event and invite the community to help us count down the lighting. They usually lite the tree before thanksgiving. I will tell you that it is quite a sight to see the fire truck pull up, the fireman climb the big latter then place the star as the crowd begins the count down.....10, ....9,.....8,...... 
