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  • Chateau Chantal Celebrates Harvest Season with Free Festival Oct. 3, plus Founder’s 92nd Birthday, Grape Stomp & Fall Experiences
    2026/09/24
    One of Northern Michigan's most anticipated harvest traditions returns October 3 on Old Mission PeninsulaOn this weekend's Behind the Mitten Show, we talked to Kyle Brownley, the marketing director at Chateau Chantal, a winery that Gonzo picked as one of Michigan's Best wineries way back in 2015. It is located on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City.Learn more about the Oct. 3 fall festival at chateauchantal.com/harvest-festival.Below is Kyle's press release on the upcoming event:TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (September 23, 2026) – The vineyards are bursting with ripe grapes, the fall colors are beginning to emerge, and harvest season is in full swing at Chateau Chantal.To celebrate one of the most exciting times of the year in Northern Michigan wine country, Chateau Chantal will host its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 3, from noon to 4 p.m., featuring a free family-friendly grape stomp, local artisan market, vineyard tours, food and wine experiences, and a special celebration honoring founder Bob Begin's 92nd birthday.Set atop the scenic ridge of Old Mission Peninsula overlooking both East and West Grand Traverse Bays, the festival offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience harvest season at one of Michigan's most iconic wineries."Harvest is the heartbeat of every winery," said CEO Marie-Chantal Dalese. "It's the culmination of a year's worth of work in the vineyard, and we love inviting guests to celebrate alongside us. This year's festival is especially meaningful as we honor our founder, Bob Begin, on his 92nd birthday."A Celebration of Harvest, Wine & CommunityThe free Harvest Festival showcases the best of Northern Michigan agriculture, food, wine, art, and hospitality.Festival Highlights:Public Vineyard & Cellar Tour 1 p.m.Join CEO Marie-Chantal Dalese for an insider's look at the winemaking process, from vineyard to bottle, including access to the winery cellar during peak harvest activity.Grape Stomping For All Ages 2 p.m.Channel your inner Lucille Ball and take part in one of the day's most popular traditions by crushing grapes the old-fashioned way, barefoot and laughing alongside friends and family.Cork Toss Championship 3 p.m.Teams compete for the coveted Cork Toss title and Chateau Chantal gift card prizes.All-Day Harvest Festival AttractionsWine, Food & Fall Views11 a.m. - 7 p.m.The tasting room will feature wine flights, wines by the glass, seasonal cocktails, charcuterie boards, chef-prepared menu offerings, cozy indoor fireplaces, outdoor fire pits, and self-guided access to the winery's open cellar.Visitors can enjoy 25% off all 12-bottle wine purchases during the event.Local Artisan Market11 a.m. - 6 p.m.The Harvest Art Fair will feature distinctive Michigan-made products, gifts, home décor, food items, and artwork from local artists and makers, including:North Coast Golf CompanyLakes & GrapesLakuna LinksLe Macaron Traverse CityLeelanau Pottery CompanyKendall Wisniewski ArtDC Boat ShelvesMORRISMADE Handmade Home GoodsWhy Knot PretzelsFounder Bob Begin's 92nd Birthday Open House12 p.m. - 4 p.m.Guests are invited inside founder Bob Begin's apartment to enjoy breathtaking bay views, meet the visionary who founded Chateau Chantal, and watch a special presentation highlighting his remarkable life and legacy in Michigan wine tourism.Extend the Harvest Celebration:Fall Harvest Wine DinnersMondays, Wednesdays & Fridays through November 6Guests can experience the flavors of the season through Chateau Chantal's acclaimed six-course wine dinners featuring locally inspired cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Randy Minish and expertly paired wines.$115 per person, includes winery tour, six-course dinner, wine pairings, tax, and gratuity.Reservations: www.chateauchantal.com/public-eventsMurder in WonderlandInteractive Murder Mystery Dinner Friday, October 30Wonderland has never been so dangerous.Guests become characters in a mysterious Alice in Wonderland-inspired adventure where clues, hidden secrets, and unexpected twists unfold throughout a multi-course dinner experience.6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:45 p.m.)$85 per person, tax and gratuity includedReservations: https://shorturl.at/kZVgc
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    12 分
  • Fall Festival time: Amy Sherman shares the excitement on WILS-1320 AM Lansing (Sept. 17, 2026)
    2026/09/18
    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast.

    On this bonus episide, Amy Sherman runs down what listeners can expect this weekend on Behind the Mitten. She and Gonzo are regular guests each Thursday on the "Morning Wake Up" with Mike Austin in WILS-1320 AM, Lansing's "More Compelling Talk Radio" show.


    Behind the Mitten can be heard Saturdays from 8-9am on 1320 WILS.

    Our affiliates and air times across the state:

    Fridays

    • 8:10 AM — News/Talk/Sports 105.5 FM WPHM (Port Huron)

    Saturdays

    • 8:00 AM — WBRN 1460 AM / 107.7 FM / 96.5 FM (Big Rapids)
    • 8:00 AM — WILS 1320 AM (Lansing)
    • 10:00 AM — News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM (Benton Harbor)
    • 12:00 PM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
    • 4:00 PM — WIOS “The Bay’s Best!” 1480 AM / 106.9 FM (Tawas / East Tawas)
    • 5:00 PM — WMIC “The Voice of the Thumb” 660 AM / 95.3 FM (Sandusky)

    Sundays

    • 6:00 AM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
    • 7:00 AM — Black Diamond Broadcasting Stations:
      -WCFX — CFX Today’s Hits (95.3) — Mt. Pleasant
      -WGFN — The Bear (98.1 / 95.3) — Traverse City
      -WMRX — Sunny 97.7 — Midland
      -WUPS — The Classic Hits Station-UPS (98.5) — Houghton Lake
      -WWMK — 106.3 MAC FM — Cheboygan

    • 1:00 PM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
    • 6:00 PM — WOOD 1300 AM / 106.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
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    10 分
  • Northwood University's International Auto Show, plus Visit the Keweenaw, Jay's Sporting Goods and Oktoberfest (Sept. 12-13, 2026)
    2026/09/14
    We’ve got helpful news you can use this week on the show, plus a student run event in Midland, and fall fun in the Keweenaw.

    Segment 1: We start off with our good friend Mark Copeland from Jay’s Sporting Goods. With locations in Gaylord and Claire, Jay’s is the destination for all things outdoors. Mark joins us to talk a little bit about the new changes in Michigan hunting laws, assures Amy that she’ll still be able to enjoy the deer hunter’s weekend in November, and stresses how important it is to be prepared out in the woods. All important information.

    Segment 2: Next, we meet a new friend in Caiden Doan, who is this year’s PR rep for Northwood’s University International Auto Show. This free event will feature all sorts of fancy cars, info sessions, food, entertainment and more. It’s family friendly, and they are celebrating 63 years of this student led event in Midland the weekend of September 18 and 19.

    Segment 3: One of our favorite guests returns, Jesse Wiederhold from Visit Keweenaw. They are always up to something up there in the Key, and fall is a time when things really shine. Jesse has big, big plans for the first weekend in October, and shares their four-fold celebration with us. The Canal Colors Festival will feature events throughout the weekend, including a crazy color run, historical Brew Street downtown, and another attempt at a world record on Plaidurday. Yes, we are not making this up. Hear all about it on this weekend’s show.

    Segment 4: Finally, once again, our resident German beer expert Dave Ringler joins us to discuss Oktoberfest and why we celebrate it in September instead of October. He’ll also share what it’s like in Munich during these few crazy weeks, and where to enjoy Oktoberfests and good German beer around Michigan, including at his places, Cedar Springs Brewing and Kusterer Brauhaus.
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    45 分
  • UP Fall Beer Fest, Can Am Peace Jam, Irish Music Fest, Oktoberfest in Detroit (Sept. 5-6, 2026)
    2026/09/09
    It’s a hodge podge this week, which means we have missives from all over Michigan. We’ll start the show off with a beer, which is always the best way.

    We discuss the upcoming Michigan Brewers Guild U.P. Beer Festival which is happening this year on September 12, once again in beautiful downtown Marquette. Beloved by brewers, the fest is one of our favorites too. Have you been?

    That's just the beginning of a fun show!

    Segment 1-Amy and Gonzo-17th annual U.P. Fall Beer Fest in Marquette, Sept. 12

    Segment 2-Can Am Peace Jam, with founder Channon Mondoux - Kalamazoo, Sept. 19

    Segment 3-Muskegon Irish Music Festival, with Amber Mae Petersen of Visit Muskegon; Sept. 17-20

    Segment 4-Stephen Roginson of Batch Brewing-Detroit, Oktoberfest, Sept. 11-13

    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premier travel radio show and podcast.
    Episode 768
    Sept. 5-6. 2026
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    45 分
  • Traverse City's National Writers Series, Huron Lady II, M-29 Diner, Trevor Tkach (Aug. 29-30, 2026)
    2026/08/31
    This week takes us from blue water to blue water, with stops in the Thumb and Traverse City. First up, we have breaking news with our friends from the National Writer’s Series, which if you didn’t know, is a year-long book festival that happens both in person, and online. Kendall Kotcher joins us to share which amazing authors will be visiting TC this year, and let’s just say that once again, they’ve got some great ones. Here’s a hint for one: he might talk pretty one day. Then we’ll discuss taking a fun and informative boat cruise on the Huron Lady in Port Huron with owners Dusty and Kristy Walker. We’ll visit our number one pick for Michigan’s Best Diner, a fabulous spot located in Anchor Bay and owned by uber-talented Chris Hart. She’ll catch us up on what’s cooking….and baking….at the M-29 Diner. Finally, a little more coverage from TC, where we recently got to attend the Traverse City Food and Wine Festival. We’ll talk with Trevor Tkach about the changing food scene in Michigan’s pinkie, and we’ll just say it’s garnering national attention.

    Segment 1: Kendall Kotcher, NWS
    Segment 2: Huron Lady II
    Segment 3: M-29 Diner
    Segment 4: Trevor Tkach, Traverse City Tourism

    Behind the Mitten is Michigan's premire travel radio show and podcast.
    Episode 767
    Aug. 29-30, 2026
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    45 分
  • Gonzo previews stops in Traverse City, Port Huron and Anchor Bay (WILS, Aug. 27, 2026)
    2026/08/29
    John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten previews this weekend's show with stops in Traverse City, Port Huron and Anchor Bay. He and co-host Amy Sherman are guests of The Morning Wake Up each Thursday on WILS-AM (1320) in Lansing.

    Behind the Mitten can be heard Saturdays from 8-9am on 1320 WILS.

    Our affiliates and air times across the state:

    Fridays


    • 8:10 AM — News/Talk/Sports 105.5 FM WPHM (Port Huron)

    Saturdays

    • 8:00 AM — WBRN 1460 AM / 107.7 FM / 96.5 FM (Big Rapids)
    • 8:00 AM — WILS 1320 AM (Lansing)
    • 10:00 AM — News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM (Benton Harbor)
    • 12:00 PM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
    • 4:00 PM — WIOS “The Bay’s Best!” 1480 AM / 106.9 FM (Tawas / East Tawas)
    • 5:00 PM — WMIC “The Voice of the Thumb” 660 AM / 95.3 FM (Sandusky)

    Sundays

    • 6:00 AM — News/Talk 600 and 93.5 WCHT (Escanaba)
    • 7:00 AM — Black Diamond Broadcasting Stations:
      -WCFX — CFX Today’s Hits (95.3) — Mt. Pleasant
      -WGFN — The Bear (98.1 / 95.3) — Traverse City
      -WMRX — Sunny 97.7 — Midland
      -WUPS — The Classic Hits Station-UPS (98.5) — Houghton Lake
      -WWMK — 106.3 MAC FM — Cheboygan

    • 1:00 PM — WSGW 790 AM / 100.5 FM (Saginaw)
    • 6:00 PM — WOOD 1300 AM / 106.9 FM (Grand Rapids)
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    10 分
  • Amy Sherman shares what to do in Gaylord on WILS 1320-AM (Aug. 20, 2026)
    2026/08/24
    Each Thursday, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez share with listeners of WILS-1320AM what to expect on their Behind the Mitten radio show. This weekend Amy talks about why she loves Gaylord like a second home.
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    9 分
  • Amy and Gonzo share why they love the Gaylord area (WPHM, Aug. 21, 2026)
    2026/08/24
    Each Friday, Gonzo and Amy Sherman give listeners of WPHM (105.5-FM) a preview of Behind the Mitten weekend's show. This week they are in Gaylord.

    Learn more about Behind the Mitten at amyandgonzo.com.
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    9 分