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General Guide to Summer Outdoor Fun

 

The General Guide showcases cultural places and events along the I-94 corridor between Battle Creek and Jackson, including Albion, Marshall, and Homer.

The primary focus of the Guide is to build bridges between Albion and Marshall by sharing information that welcomes people into each community.

Since gasoline prices are a bit higher this year than they were a year ago, many families are opting out of larger vacations and going on day-trips along the I-94 corridor for fun and entertainment. The General Guide can help to figure out what places to go to on what day. The Guide is designed to be posted on a refrigerator showing the three months calendars and art of “Summer in the City” as the banner design.

Summer in the Cities banner for General Guide XXXII shows events in July, August, and September in Calhoun County Michigan. These include the Field of Flight and Balloon show in Battle Creek, the Battle Creek Bombers, Albion Recreation Department, Marshall Blues Fest, Kanoe the Kazoo, Calhoun County Fair in Marshall, Yard Sales, Cruise-ins, Swingin at the Shell, Back to School including Albion College with the Equestrian Center, Briton Eight, 5K runs, and Marshall Public Schools.

One of the most exciting recurring events this summer is the 15th anniversary season of “Swingin’ at the Shell,” the free concert series at the Victory Park bandshell on Sundays at 6 p.m. This ongoing event goes from mid-July through mid-September and features top local music bands that play original and cover songs.

Many people in Michigan know about the Mackinac Labor Day Bridge Walk, but the Albion Labor Day River Trail Walk over the Bridge is also gaining in popularity. This event starts in Victory Park at 10 a.m. on Labor Day and will be promoted more as the big day draws near. The walk is open for people with all levels of mobility.

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Ribbon cutting Albion Malleable Brewing Co. Albion

Albion Malleable Brewing Company official ribbon cutting on Monday May 21, 2018.

Trivia Question – What company started the fast-growing Micro brewery trend and when did that happen?

Answer – Acknowledged as the flagship beer brewed by the first United States microbrewery of the modern era, New Albion is the original craft beer.
Learn more at http://newalbionbrewing.com/

Here is a map of mid-Michigan breweries that will be updated soon to include the Albion Malleable Brewing Company.

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Ride the River – 2018 Albion Community Bike Ride Program


The weather was surprisingly cooperative for the Albion Community Bike Program Launch on Monday, May 14, 2018. The next ride is Monday, May 28, 2018, for the Brewery Ride, starts from City Hall at 5:30 and will also tour the Albion River Trail and end up at a new destination in downtown Albion.

Future rides are scheduled for:

Monday, May 28, 2018,  Memorial Day – Brewery Day 5:30 pm – Meet at Albion City Hall

Saturday, June 9, 2018 Community Ride – 10:00 am – City Hall

Saturday, June 23, 2018 Community Ride – 10:00 am – City Hall

Saturday, July 7, 2018 Community Ride – 10:00 am – City Hall

Saturday, July 21, 2018 Community Ride – 10:00 am – City Hall

Saturday, August 4, 2018 Community Ride – 10:00 am – City Hall

Saturday, August 18, 2018 Community Ride – 10:00 am – City Hall

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Local News Feeds

Local news feeds for Albion News, Mid Michigan News, Local Entertainment News, and more are now available in the navigation menu above. See posts from today from many local sources.


Click on one of the titles below to get to the local news feed, or use the menu above.  Bookmark this page for fast access to local news posts.

The Local News feeds are as follows:

  • Albion Michigan News -Includes Albion Public Safety, City of Albion, Greater Albion Chamber of Commerce, Albion College, Albion College student newspaper, and AdVisor.
  • Albion Arts News – Includes Albion Arts group, Eastend Studio and Gallery, Schuler Arts, Albion College ARt Galleries, Ken Shenstone, Ann Beyer.
  • Entertainment Local News – Includes Blues at the Bohm, Friends of the Bohm, Dickerson Music Co., Albion College Music Department, Swingin’ at the Shell, River Jazz Band, River Jazz Band, and more.
  • Healthy News – The Farmer’s Market, Albion Recreation Department, Albion District Library, Drug Free Albion, Substance Abuse Prevention Services, and Holland Park Transformation Project.
  • Marshall Schools News – Marshall High School, Marshall Middle School, Marshall Public Schools Board of Education, Marshall Redhawk Athletics, Marshall High School Auditorium for Performing Arts, Marshall PTA.
  • National News – CNN, Wall Street Journal, BBC News, USA Today, Fox News, Washington Post, New York Times, LA Times, The Week.
  • Mid Michigan TV News Streams – Newschannel 3 WWMT W Mich, WZZM 13 Grand Rapids, WILX News 10, FOX 47 News – WSYM, WOOD TV8, JTV
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Sledding Hill – Home of the Cardboard Classic

The Sledding Hill in Victory Park Albion is already a destination for those who love to race on a snowy hill, but once a year it is the host to hundreds of people for the Cardboard Classic Sledding Race. In 2018 the date is Saturday February 9. The date was carefully chosen to coincide with the winter storm that arrived earlier in the week and just ended the day of the race for the a foot of the finest powder for the sport.

 Learn more about the Cardboard Classic on their facebook event page here:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/AlbionCardboardClassic/events/?ref=page_internal

The sledding hill in Victory Park Albion is a popular destination in the area. There are straw bales on either side, and a light at night so sledders can enjoy the lovely trees and view in Victory Park.

The sledding hill is home to the Cardboard Classic Annual Sledding contest, with prizes for the fastest, and most uniquely designed sleds made of Corrugated Cardboard.  The event usually happens in January or February, weather allowing.

This view of the sledding hill is part of a 56-foot long mural in the drive thru of First Merit bank in downtown Albion.  The mural is called the Albion River of Time because it shows a linear scene depicting things happening in all four seasons in Albion, along with the river, brick streets,  river trail, and parks.

Learn more about the mural at this link: http://www.albionmich.com/mural/

Map to Victory Park – closest parking to the sledding hill is on Haven Road near Veterans Way.

 

See below for examples of cardboard sleds at the Albion sledding event.

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Courtyard by Marriott, Albion opening date information

See a tour of the downtown Albion hotel here:

Courtyard by Marriott – Albion – Tour – April 2018

Thanks to the Courtyard by Marriott, Albion hotel for sponsoring General Guide XXIX.  People are curious as to the opening date.

Jan. 31, 2018  “At this time, we our looking to open towards the end of February. We can’t give a definite date at this time, but we can tell you that we are able to sell rooms for dates of March 9 and beyond.

You can make reservations by calling the reservations hotline, 1 (888) 236-2427, or by going to www.marriott.com/jxnab.”

Visit the CourtyardAlbion facebook page for more information!

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Superior Street, Albion, January 2018

January, 2018.  This view from New Year’s Day of  downtown Albion features the new Courtyard by Marriott hotel that will be opening soon.  This design, by Maggie LaNoue, was created in commemoration of the 40 year anniversary of the Blizzard of 1978.  An iconic photograph of that blizzard, that was in the Albion Recorder that year, was the inspiration for a Christmas card design that was offered at the Storyteller Bookstore.

 

 

Forty years later, the same basic view in 2018 includes the new Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, a renovated Bohm Theatre, and Kids ‘N’ Stuff, a Childrens’ Museum.

See more information about the Blizzard of ’78 including a color view of the old scene, and Wikipedia information about the magnitude of the storm.

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General Guide – Issue XXIX – February 2018 – Black History

The first ever February-only General Guide was delivered the weekend of January 27, 2018 to homes in Albion and Marshall Michigan.   The Guides are also available at participating businesses. The Black History Edition of the General Guide features information about this special month and Michigan’s role as a destination along the Underground Railroad.

This issue features custom art by Maggie LaNoue of downtown Albion and Marshall on New Year’s Day, when there was a good amount of snow and few cars. The scene of Albion highlights the new hotel, which will be opening soon. The Courtyard by Marriott hotel is the sponsor of this special issue of the General Guide featuring many reasons to come and visit Albion, and nearby.

A correction is shown above, about the Classic Films at the Bohm Theatre.  They now will be shown at 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays, and have become a popular morning pastime. Also the Cardboard Classic is now scheduled for Feb 10, where there will be plenty of snow.  Other new events listed include a Credit Management Workshop on Feb 13, 1pm  at the Charles Snyder building, and also on Feb 22 at 5:30 pm at  Albion District Library.  There is a new event listed “Making Democracy Work” on Feb 11 at Lewis Chapel at 5pm.  We also have made changes to the participating businesses on the back of the Guide below.  See more about all of the sponsors of the Guide over the past year by clicking here.

Also featured in art in this custom Guide is the Sojourner Truth statue at the entrance to Battle Creek. Sojourner Truth was a pioneer of civil rights and womens’ rights. Her courageous and heroic life ended in Battle Creek.

The first weekend of February includes the always fun Cardboard Classic at Albion’s Victory Park and Marshall’s Ice Wine and Blues. There are at least seven local live music events in February, and a special Soul Food free lecture with catered food taking place in Battle Creek on Sunday, February 11.

Other local February events include Albion’s “Men Who Cook,” which is possibly the biggest event bringing together the community of Albion around food, fellowship, and fun on Sunday, February 18. The event will again be taking place at First Baptist Church in Albion. Look for photos and a map online at GeneralGuide.net, as well as links to more official information about each event.

The Walk for Warmth, a state-wide event that originated in Albion will happen in both Albion and Battle Creek on Saturday the 24th. The First Annual Black History Month Music Celebration will take place on Monday the 26th at the Bohm Theatre. February is a great month to venture out to see friends and neighbors, while learning about our region’s cultural heritage. It is also important that we honor those who took risks to gain their freedom and help others to be free.

There is an online version of the community events calendar at GeneralGuide.net with links to more official information about these topics, past issues of the General Guide, photos of progress in Albion and Marshall, and Farmer’s Almanac news. Please support the participating businesses listed on the Guide who make the free publication possible.

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Albion Train Depot – Mowrer Agency

Mowrer Agency, which is located in the train depot, is the sponsor for this special one-month edition of the General Guide for January 2018.  Mowrer agency offers home, business and automobile insurance, a bill payment service and Greyhound Bus Service.

Albion Train Depot, built in 1882 and still a functioning transportation center, is the featured item for General Guide XXVIII, January 2018, the History Edition. The depot offers daily train service to Chicago, Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing.

The Train Depot was refurbished in 1985.

The Amtrak Train schedule:

https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Michigan-Services-Schedule-062617.pdf

Greyhound Bus service is available from this location at 300 N. Eaton Street, Albion, MI.  Tickets are available at the depot during regular business hours.  Learn more about  Greyhound Bus at this location and nearby:

http://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/search?city=Albion&state=MI&zip=&q=Albion%2C+MI

 

Albion station - September 2016

More about Albion Train Depot

From Wikipedia:

Albion is a train station in Albion, Michigan, served by Amtrak‘s Wolverine line. Baggage cannot be checked at this location; however, up to two suitcases in addition to any “personal items” such as briefcases, purses, laptop bags, and infant equipment are allowed on board as carry-ons. Amtrak does not provide ticketing or baggage service at this station, which is served by two trains daily.

History

The current Albion station house was built in 1882 by the Michigan Central Railroad, which originally ran through town in 1844. The station also had a freight house. Ten years earlier Albion had competition when the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway arrived and added its own station, which operated until the 1920s.

The red brick depot is a well-preserved example of a Victorian station with earlier Italianate details, such as three sided bays with fancy double brackets supporting the eaves. Colored and glazed brick in shades of white form two beltcourses that encircle the structure. Plain pilasters divide the window bays, each of which features deep corbelling. The trackside bay is topped by a gable with bargeboard and woodwork associated with the Eastlake decorative style. Wrought-iron fencing is found along the ridge of the roof, while two prominent chimneys with corbelling crown the structure.[3]

The Albion station was abandoned in 1971, when Amtrak consolidated all cross-country passenger rail service within the United States. However it was restored to its original condition by local community groups in the mid-1980s and currently serves as both a bus and train station. The freight house was also restored and converted into a local sports bar known as Davan’s, which has since closed.

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Giving Tuesday – 2017

#GivingTuesday

What is Giving Tuesday?

We know about

  • Black Friday
  • Small Business Saturday
  • Cyber Monday

Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation as a response to the commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season (Black Friday and Cyber Monday).

But what is Giving Tuesday in Albion?  The Giving Tuesday woven heart logo is remodeled here with Albion events and opportunities that were made possible by gifts large and small.

General Guide – Issue XXVII is the Giving Edition, which is sponsored by Albion Community Foundation and Marshall Community Foundation.

The topics here will be covered with more photos and posts in the coming month.  Starting at the left and moving clockwise are: