battle creek: Baseball... Capturing the Moment in a Perfect Game
- 09/25/11 03:20 AM
I do a lot of photography as part of my work as a Realtor in Southwest Michigan. For that reason alone, I am always carrying my camera around with me and have it to hand for any given time I need it. In fact, on the occasion that I forget to take it with me, I feel at a loss. Thankfully, there is always the smart phone to use when I do not have my camera. Anyway, this past summer I did a great deal of photography, and I wanted to share with you some of my favorite shots from my … (5 comments)
battle creek: Friday View from a Prairie in the Fort Custer Recreation Area
- 09/16/11 07:56 AM
I have been going hiking (and sometimes mountain biking) a lot on weekends in the Fort Custer Recreation area between Battle Creek and Augusta, Michigan. It is a nice way to get out and get some exercise and see a little of what Mother Nature has to offer. Here are some samples of some of the photos I have taken, mostly in August of this year. I thought I would share these on a Friday afternoon. Have a great weekend everyone!
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battle creek: Spending Some Time Outdoors Adventuring with my Camera
- 07/25/11 02:16 PM
This past weekend I decided to spend some time outdoors exploring. I went to the Fort Custer Recreation Area located between Battle Creek and the village of Augusta, Michigan. It consists of 3,033 acres of land that was originally acquired and developed by the federal government to establish Camp Custer, a military induction and training facility during WWII. The land was later deeded over to the State of Michigan to be used as a park under the Nixon Presidency in 1972. Fort Custer Recreation Area is a fabulous place to go hiking, mountain biking or even running. The trails span over … (2 comments)
battle creek: Space... The Final Frontier...
- 07/21/11 06:35 AM
I had to share this one. Here I am at the NASA exhibit that was part of a moving expedition at the Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival in early July. This was something you could climb a ladder and kind of climb into to pose for a photo. Or, if you have a even greater imagination, you can just picture me walking on the moon showing houses or vacant land to developers. Imagine what that will be like? 'Too much moon rock over here Mr. Buyer, I suggest you consider the valley over there. It has a better … (8 comments)
battle creek: Ferris Wheels, Snow Cones & Funnel Cakes in July
- 07/13/11 08:52 AM
On the 4th of July weekend I went to the Battle Creek Field of Flight & Balloon Festival held at the W.K. Kellogg Airfield. Part of the event was a fair, complete with a ferris wheel and some other rides. I took the photo below when walking around right at dusk when I first got there, and I thought it was kind of a typical scene one might see anywhere in the country in July. Just looking at it myself, it brings me back to all the times I went to the fair with my parents in the summer time. Funnel Cake anyone? How … (8 comments)
battle creek: The Farmers Market in Battle Creek, Michigan
- 07/11/11 04:23 AM
One of my favorite personal finds in my area is the Farmers Market in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Farmers Market is held each Saturday and Wednesday morning in downtown Battle Creek out side the McCamly Plaza. Local farmers from around the region come to sell their goods and produce, and it is a great healthy alternative to the produce you find in a regular grocery store. Additionally, the prices are very competitive and the produce in many cases is larger and healthier looking as well. My wife and I make the visit to the Farmers Market at least once a … (9 comments)
battle creek: The Rocket Car That Did Not Impress
- 07/09/11 03:05 PM
Last weekend at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival over the Independence Day weekend, there was an evening performance of a Rocket Car prior to the Fireworks show. I did not really know much about the evening agenda, other than my wife and I went there to see the balloons and the fireworks show. Right after the 'Balloon Illume' which I have written about earlier in my blog, there was a wonderful air show with air planes flying in loops spitting flames from their wings against the darkened sky. It was really sensational, and everyone around … (7 comments)
battle creek: 'Be Scene' On Air - My First Cable TV Appearance in Battle Creek, Michigan
- 07/06/11 02:16 AM
Last month I was invited to do a panel interview on a local Cable TV show called 'Be Scene on Air'. The show is a weekly show on Community Accessvision TV in Battle Creek, Michigan. The CEO of the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS® Kathy Perritt, Bill Hanner, the President-Elect for 2012, and myself as President of the Board in 2011 were invited to the show to talk about the local Real Estate market. It was a fun experience, and the first time I had ever done a show of this sort with a panel discussion. I can tell you it … (8 comments)
battle creek: Independence Day Fireworks Grand Finale in Battle Creek, Michigan
- 07/05/11 02:06 PM
At the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival there was a wonderful fireworks display held at the end of the evening on Sunday July 3rd, 2011. It was preceded by a Hot Air Balloon Illume (Short for 'Illumination' if you are unfamiliar with the term) and a night time air show with bi-planes throwing fire and shooting fireworks in the dark. It was quite an entertaining evening already, but nothing quite tops a 4th of July celebration than good old fashioned fireworks on a hot summer night. The fireworks were so spectacular, and exciting, I thought I … (5 comments)
battle creek: Independence Day Fireworks Highlights the Night in Battle Creek, Michigan
- 07/05/11 01:48 PM
As a highlight of the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival held this past weekend, Sunday evening capped the days activities and events with a grand fireworks show in celebration of Independence Day across our nation. As in many places across the nation over the 4th of July weekend, fireworks were the traditional highlight of the evening festivities. Ours was held Sunday evening, with a proposed rain date of Monday evening, which never needed to happen as the weather was beautiful. Our fireworks show was preceded by a Hot Air Balloon Illumination called a 'Balloon Illume' and a … (3 comments)
battle creek: Night Air Show at the Battle Creek Field of Flight 2011
- 07/05/11 04:10 AM
Over the weekend my wife and I went to go see the Balloon Illume and Fireworks show at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival at the W.K. Kellogg airfield. This is a huge annual fourth of July event that happens every year. Regretfully I had never actually attended the festival myself, and only watched fireworks from afar and chased balloons around town over the years. This year we went to go see the balloons illuminated at night, which I wrote another post about already on this. A added treat was in store for us after the … (2 comments)
battle creek: Balloon Illume Video - Battle Creek, Michigan 2011
- 07/05/11 03:26 AM
I would have to say that one of my most favorite things about living in Battle Creek, Michigan is the annual Balloon festival that is part of the Field of Flight and Air Show held each 4th of July weekend. This year, rather than just chasing the balloons around town, I went to the air show and attended the evening 'Balloon Illume' event that was held before the fireworks on July 3rd. A 'Balloon Illume' is where many of the balloonists bring in their balloons and light them up right at dusk, so you can see them illuminated. This year we … (4 comments)
battle creek: Balloon Illume at the Battle Creek Field of Flight & Balloon Fest 2011
- 07/04/11 02:58 AM
Last night I went with my wife to see the 'Balloon Illume' which was going to be featured right before the fire works show. It is essentially an event where the balloon crews set up their balloons and light them up right as it gets dark so you can see the beauty of the balloons at night. It is quite a beautiful event, and last night there were approximately 15 to 20 balloons that set up for the event. The balloons are a part of the Battle Creek Field of Flight and Balloon Fest which is an annual event on the … (2 comments)
battle creek: Battle Creek Balloon Festival 2011
- 07/03/11 04:28 AM
Every year in Battle Creek, Michigan on the 4th of July weekend our city hosts the Battle Creek Air Show & Balloon Festival. This year is like no other. We have the blue angels in town as part of the airshow, in addition to the balloons. This morning as I was having my morning coffee, I heard the sounds of balloons flying over the house again. It was not as close as I experienced last year, but it I still managed to get a few photos. I went out chasing them as well, to see if I could get closer. I … (3 comments)
battle creek: Sunday Challenge: How Much Did I Pay for These Items at the Turkeyville Flea Market on 4th of July Weekend?
- 07/03/11 04:06 AM
Yesterday morning I drive over with my wife to the Turkeyville 4th of July weekend Flea Market. It is annual 3 day flea market that is usually pretty interesting. It has been a few years since I stopped by one, and this one is usually one of the better ones to go check out. It is located at 'Cornwell's Turkeyville' in Marshall, Michigan between Battle Creek and Marshall. It is always fun to go walkthrough a flea market now and then. You always find some incredible deals, but also you find a lot of junk. However, I guess there is always something … (6 comments)
battle creek: Flowers that Resemble Fireworks in July...
- 07/01/11 08:28 AM
Every summer always brings a variety of flowers, in almost any part of the world. One particular flower I always look forward to each summer which blooms in late June and early July in Michigan is Bee Balm. Bee Balm is also known as Monarda, and many other names. It is a herb, and can be used for teas. It even historically was once used as an alternative to English tea imports during the times of the original tea party in Boston Harbor. The true wild varieties are found three colors: red, pink and lavender. There are also some domestically grown … (8 comments)
battle creek: White Wall Place - 624 Sylvan Drive, Battle Creek - Listing for Sale
- 06/28/11 03:04 AM
If you are looking for a new home with some special character and quality, especially one with a waterfront location, then feast your eyes upon a new listing I have just posted on 624 Sylvan Drive in Battle Creek, Michigan. Named ‘White Wall Place' by its owners, this 2700 square foot home sits with a tantalizing view 30 feet above Private St. Mary's Lake. A rare architectural design, built from the exact plans of the home that won ‘House of the Year' in California in 1950, this California Modern style home was designed to offer a maximum scenic view of … (4 comments)
battle creek: Moe Skeeter - Battle Creek, Michigan
- 06/28/11 02:12 AM
Part of the fun of going to a Battle Creek Bombers Baseball game is seeing the mascot 'Moe Skeeter' throughout the game. He appeals to the kids, and is a good entertainer for the crowds. The 'Bombers' logo is a mosquito, and when I first learned of that I thought to myself "C'mon, couldn't we get a better mascot?" However, over the years, I have watched people respond to this, and Moe Skeeter has become an endearing part of the culture of Battle Creek, Michigan. Moe Skeeter over the years has grown in popularity. I finally got my wife interested in … (0 comments)
battle creek: Musk Mallow Blooms in Battle Creek, Michigan
- 06/27/11 02:48 AM
Musk Mallow is a species of plant that is native to Southwestern Asia and Europe, from Spain north to the British Isles, to Poland and East to Turkey and Southern Russia. It also does well in northern climates of the United States, if you are a interested in adding it to your herb garden. Battle Creek, Michigan, where I live, is a zone 5 on the climate charts, and it does well in this area. I planted Musk Mallow four years ago in my herb garden that surrounds my greenhouse in my backyard. The past few years, I have only gotten … (7 comments)
battle creek: An Evening with the Bombers - Battle Creek, Michigan
- 06/25/11 03:46 AM
Last night I went to a Battle Creek Bombers baseball game at C.O. Brown Stadium. The Bombers are part of the Northwoods League, which consists of 16 teams spanning mostly the East Coast and northwest United States. They are not an official minor league organization connected with MLB, but a independent league. The players are college students who are playing the summer in the league befoe going back to their college leagues later in the year. They are not paid, which preserves their NCAA standing. The Northwoods League was founded in 1994 by a group of businessmen who wanted to bring baseball … (5 comments)
I enjoying looking at the lighter side of life. So, this blog is about my wacky observations, my sometimes sideways point of view and the Southwest Michigan, Battle Creek Area Real Estate Market.
I do a lot of photography as part of my work as a Realtor in Southwest Michigan. For that reason alone, I am always carrying my camera around with me and have it to hand for any given time I need it. In fact, on the occasion that I forget to take it with me, I feel at a loss. Thankfully, there is always the smart phone to use when I do not have my camera. 
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