Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Spicer Orchards & Cider Mill - Fenton Family Fall Fun in Mid-Michigan!!
FentonSays.com is a fan of the Spicer Orchards Farm Market & Cider Mill found east on Clyde Road from US-23 in Fenton, Michigan. They have free hay rides to the orchard to pick apples every weekend during the fall. During the week you can drive your car right up to the trees. And of course they have plenty of fresh produce, doughnuts, cider and other fresh foods.10411 Clyde Rd
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 632-7692
If you want to head out and pick your own fruits, here is Spicer's "Pick Your Own" Schedule.
There is plenty for the children to see and do, too! Spicer Orchards has barn yard animals for the children to see and feed. The Bounce House and other fun equipment is available. Tasty snacks like freshly popped kettle corn and apple fritters can stave off the hunger. Be sure to check out our three minute video tour of Spicer Orchards to get a taste of what they have to offer.
Just click on the picture above a couple of times to get the video started.
Labels: Eats of Fenton, Fenton Area Businesses, Fenton Video Tour, Free Stuff, video
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Fenton Cinema Movies & Show Times
Fenton Cinema(810)629-8900
Mr. Woodcock (PG-13)
(12:00), (2:10), (4:10), 6:15, 8:20, 10:25
The Brave One (R)
(12:10), (2:40), (5:15), 7:45, 10:15
Balls of Fury (PG-13) (11:50), (1:50), (3:55), 6:05
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G) (12:20), (2:30), 8:30
Resident Evil: Extinction (R) (11:45), (2:00), (4:05), 6:10, 8:15, 10:20
Superbad (R) 8:05, 10:30
3:10 to Yuma (R) (11:30), (1:55), (4:35), 7:00, 9:25
Good Luck Chuck (R) (11:35), (1:40), (3:45), (5:50), 7:55, 10:00
Dragon Wars (D-War) (PG-13) (4:30), 8:30, 10:35
Sydney White (PG-13) (12:30), (2:50), (5:10), 7:30, 9:50
Labels: movies
Friday, September 21, 2007
Wake Surfing on Silver Lake
Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world! No need to buy an expensive plane ticket to Hawaii. These surfer dudes are having fun surfing off their boat wake on Silver Lake. We wanted to share this gnarly idea with you on the tail end of the boating season so you'd have time to visualize your hangin' ten maneuvers all winter long before attempting this next season. Spotter required, beer optional.
Click the picture a couple of times to get the video playing.
Click the picture a couple of times to get the video playing.
Labels: Fenton Area Sports, Fenton Lakes, Fenton Video Tour
Monday, September 17, 2007
Virtual Video Tour "The Eats of Fenton" Burger Battle #07 -- Burger King
Fenton, like most other towns in America, has a Burger King. Actually, Fenton has at least two Burger King stores that come to mind in the Fenton area. Did we really believe that Burger King could topple the current Burger Battle champion? Nope. But we do think they have a good value proposition going with the $1.00 Whopper Junior.
If we had to choose between the McDonald's double cheeseburger for a buck or a Whopper Junior for the same price, we'd have to go with Burger King. The fresh topping and flame broiled taste just makes for a better value burger (I can't believe I'm choosing lettuce, tomato and onion over a slice of processed cheese).
This is entry number seven in the FentonSays.com Burger Battle. The featured video tour will give you a flavor for all of the good eats available to residents and visitors of Fenton, Michigan. If you don't agree with our assessment of the various meals to be featured, adding your comments and experiences to the bottom of these articles is greatly appreciated. Or head off to the FentonSays discussion forum and weigh in there.
Click the picture a couple of times to get the video playing.
Burger Battle Ranking (to date):
#1 ... MoDoggie's
#2 ... Lucky's Steak House
#3 ... Sagebrush Cantina
#4 ... The Penalty Box
#5 ... Applebee's
#6 ... Burger King
#7 ... McDonald's
If we had to choose between the McDonald's double cheeseburger for a buck or a Whopper Junior for the same price, we'd have to go with Burger King. The fresh topping and flame broiled taste just makes for a better value burger (I can't believe I'm choosing lettuce, tomato and onion over a slice of processed cheese).
This is entry number seven in the FentonSays.com Burger Battle. The featured video tour will give you a flavor for all of the good eats available to residents and visitors of Fenton, Michigan. If you don't agree with our assessment of the various meals to be featured, adding your comments and experiences to the bottom of these articles is greatly appreciated. Or head off to the FentonSays discussion forum and weigh in there.
Click the picture a couple of times to get the video playing.
Burger Battle Ranking (to date):
#1 ... MoDoggie's
#2 ... Lucky's Steak House
#3 ... Sagebrush Cantina
#4 ... The Penalty Box
#5 ... Applebee's
#6 ... Burger King
#7 ... McDonald's
Labels: Burger Battle, Eats of Fenton, Fenton Video Tour, video
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Fenton Cinema Movies & Show Times
Fenton Cinema(810)629-8900
Mr. Woodcock (PG-13)
(12:00), (2:10), (4:10), 6:15, 8:15, 10:10
The Brave One (R)
(12:15), (2:45), (5:15), 7:45, 10:15
The Bourne Ultimatum (PG-13)
(12:05), (2:35), (5:00)
Balls of Fury (PG-13)
(11:50), (1:50), (4:00), 6:05, 8:05, 10:05
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
(12:30), (2:30), (4:30), 6:30, 8:30, 10:25
Halloween (R)
7:30, 9:50
Superbad (R)
8:10, 10:30
3:10 to Yuma (R)
(11:35), (2:00), (4:35), 7:00, 9:25
The Nanny Diaries (PG-13)
(11:30), (1:40), (3:50), 6:00
Dragon Wars (D-War) (PG-13)
(12:20), (2:20), (4:20), 6:20, 8:20, 10:20
Mr. Woodcock (PG-13)
(12:00), (2:10), (4:10), 6:15, 8:15, 10:10
The Brave One (R)
(12:15), (2:45), (5:15), 7:45, 10:15
The Bourne Ultimatum (PG-13)
(12:05), (2:35), (5:00)
Balls of Fury (PG-13)
(11:50), (1:50), (4:00), 6:05, 8:05, 10:05
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
(12:30), (2:30), (4:30), 6:30, 8:30, 10:25
Halloween (R)
7:30, 9:50
Superbad (R)
8:10, 10:30
3:10 to Yuma (R)
(11:35), (2:00), (4:35), 7:00, 9:25
The Nanny Diaries (PG-13)
(11:30), (1:40), (3:50), 6:00
Dragon Wars (D-War) (PG-13)
(12:20), (2:20), (4:20), 6:20, 8:20, 10:20
Labels: movies
Friday, September 14, 2007
Proposed Closing of the Secretary of State Office in Fenton - Gas and Tax Analysis
In a recent Tri-County Times article is was stated that in 2006 the Secretary of State Office in Fenton, Michigan had 104,532 transactions. And over 250,000 transactions in the last two years. Further it stated that there would be a $28,000 savings to the State of Michigan if this office closed down. Well, the branch location has been saved ... for now.Yes. There are still grumblings of the office being closed down next year when the actual lease on the rented space is up.
At first, we didn't have any opinion if the office closed or stayed. Especially in light of the fact that there is another Secretary of State Office just 8 miles away in Grand Blanc. But the Fenton community pulled together and saved it from being shut down this year. It got us to thinking ... what is the cost of closing down the office to the general public.
Let's assume there were 100,000 visits to the branch location in Fenton (keep the math easy). And if a person needed to travel 8 miles each way, that is 16 miles round trip. With 100,000 visits ... that's a total of 1,600,000 extra miles driven.
Let's assume we get good gas mileage at 22 miles per gallon (though we do see a lot of SUV's in town, so this might be a conservative estimate). This would mean that closing down our Secretary of State Office in Fenton would cause us to consume 72,700 more gallons of fuel per year. At just $2.50 per gallon, that comes out to $181,750!!!
Yes, you read that right. In order to "save the State government" $28,000 on their budget, they are going to shift expenditures of $181,750 onto Fenton residents. We have already been subjected to increased property taxes (don't give us the "it is only a shift" line of garbage!), higher liquor taxes, higher cigarette taxes and increases to business taxes. Now we are being asked to shell out $181,750 more to take care of our business with the State. This isn't fair.
Now, let's take this another step forward. What would this change mean by way of increasing taxes collected. According to this site, there is a 19 cent per gallon State tax on gasoline. At an extra 72,700 gallons of gas being consumed, this would generate an additional $13,813 in gas tax revenue to the State. Furthermore, gas purchases are subjected to our 6% (there is discussion of Jennifer Granholm wanting to raise this to 7% soon) State Sales Tax. Using $2.50 per gallon as an estimate, this would generate an additional $10,905 in sales taxes!
This excludes the Federal taxes on gasoline. Oh yes, the Federal Government gets its pound of flesh in this, too.
Enough is enough!!
Labels: City of Fenton, Michigan
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Treasure Hunt at Attic Treasures Tent at St. John's Applefest
One of the most popular attractions at the Saint John Applefest is the Attic Treasures Tent. Think of it as a huge, consolidated subdivision garage sale where one man's trash is another man's treasure. There are some serious deals to be had, and the word is getting out.When do you find the best of the best deals? Right at the very beginning before the items have had a chance to be combed over, of course. And here is where the "Treasure Hunt" comes in ... For a $3 entry fee, you can get into the tent today (Thursday, September 13th) before the general public! "We always have a large waiting line before the festival opens at 3PM, so we decided this would be a good way to get people into the tent early and make a little more money (for the church)," said Kathy Williams, chair of this event.
FentonSays.com has some conflicting information on when this early bird special on the Attic Treasures Tent. The Tri-County Times, in an article in the September 9th edition, states that the "Treasure Hunt" is from 1PM until 3PM. However, the St. John's Applefest website states that the early bird period is only an hour between 2PM and 3PM. And you readers know that FentonSays is about blogging the rumors instead of always checking the facts. But there you have it. We might suggest showing up at 1PM to be safe, and if the tent flaps don't open until 2PM you can always fill that time with an apple pie or carnival games.
Labels: Fenton Area Churches, Fenton Charity Work, Fenton Festivals and Fun
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Tornado Picture Video from Neighboring Eaton County
FentonSays reader, Kent, shares with us his video montage of the the August 24th storm from neighboring Eaton County. Though not specific to Fenton, Michigan, this piece is still important as it captures the devastation we in south east Michigan experienced on that day. It is during times like these that neighbors pull together for the greater common good. And it is in this light that the storm and periodic tornadoes of 8/24/07 produced heroes more so than tragedies.
"This is a compilation video of the area where my daughter and son-in-law live. Her house is the one with the trees laying on it. They were home with their 6 year old daughter when the tornado hit. No injuries. They live just north of Charlotte MI.
Kent"
"This is a compilation video of the area where my daughter and son-in-law live. Her house is the one with the trees laying on it. They were home with their 6 year old daughter when the tornado hit. No injuries. They live just north of Charlotte MI.
Kent"
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Six Years Since the Horrific 9/11 Attack
Today marks the sixth year since the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Many lives were lost that day. Many lives have been lost since seeking justice. Brave men and women of the New Greatest Generation continue to put their own lives at risk to help spread freedom and promote stability around the world. Regardless of your own political affiliations, we ask that you take a just a minute for a moment of silence today to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
St. John's Applefest -- Sept. 13-16
Applefest HistoryBy Jan Rynearson, Features Editor, Tri-County Times
St. John Applefest 2007, the 35th annual, promises to be bigger and better than the past 34.
Although it had small beginnings, the festival has grown into one of the largest and most profitable events at any one parish in the entire Diocese of Lansing.
From September 13-16, 2007, the parish grounds will be crowded with activities to delight people of all ages.
It begins Thursday afternoon with the opening of the midway rides and events at 3pm. The annual opening prayer is read before everything opens.
More than a parish fundraiser, the Applefest is regarded as Fenton’s fall festival (the Fenton Freedom Festival is the city’s summer Fourth of July celebration).
The event draws approximately 100,000 people and those of all faiths look forward to attending. Former Fentonites, who have relocated across the state and out-of-state, often return for the event.
Calendar of Events
Thursday, September 13th
Food Tent
Padre's Chili
Opening Prayer (3:00 pm)
Midway Opens (3:00 pm)
Attic Treasures (3:00pm)
Fenton High School Jazz Band (6:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
Entertainment Tent (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm)
Food Tent Closes (9:00 pm)
Midway Closes (9:00 pm)
Friday, September 14th
Midway Opens (3:00 pm)
All Events and Food Tent Open (3:00 pm)
Attic Treasures (3:00pm)
Fish Dinner (4:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
Road Race Registration & Packet Pickup (6:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
Bingo (6:00 pm - 10:00 pm)
Entertainment Tent (6:00 pm - 12:00 am)
Night-n-Reno (7:30 pm - 12:00 am)
Food Tent Closes (10:00 pm)
Midway Closes (10:30 pm)
Saturday, September 15th
Road Race Registration & Packet Pickup (7:30 am - 8:45 am)
Pancake Breakfast (8:30 am - 12:00 pm)
Road Race(s) (9:00 am)
Midway Opens (10:00 am)
Food Tent Opens (10:00 am)
College Football on the Big Screen (12:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
Ben Spitzer Magic Show (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)
Bingo (1:00 pm - 10:00 pm)
Chicken Dinner (3:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
Attic Treasures (3:00pm)
Texas Hold'em Tournament (5:00 pm - 11:00 pm)
Entertainment Tent (6:00 pm - 12:00 am)
Food Tent Closes (10:00 pm)
Midway Closes (10:30 pm)
Sunday, September 16th
Pancake Breakfast (8:30 am - 12:00 pm)
Bingo (1:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
BBQ Pulled Pork Dinner (1:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears (1:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
Attic Treasures (3:00pm)
Raffles (7:00 pm)
Labels: Fenton Area Churches, Fenton Festivals and Fun
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Fenton Cinema Movies and Show Times
Fenton Cinema (810)629-8900
Rush Hour 3 (PG-13)
(3:25), 7:15, 9:10
The Bourne Ultimatum (PG-13)
(12:15), (2:45), (5:15), 7:45, 10:15
Balls of Fury (PG-13)
(12:00), (2:00), (4:00), 6:00, 8:05, 10:05
Underdog (PG)
(11:35), (1:30), (5:20)
War (R)
(11:40), (1:50), (4:05), 6:15, 8:25, 10:30
Halloween (R)
(12:30), (2:50), (5:10), 7:30, 9:50
Superbad (R)
(12:40), (3:05), (5:30), 7:55, 10:20
3:10 to Yuma (R)
(11:45), (2:10), (4:35), 7:00, 9:25
The Nanny Diaries (PG-13)
(11:30), (1:40), (3:55), 6:05, 8:15, 10:25
Labels: movies
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Amanda and Ladder Boy at the Michigan Renaissance Festival
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
The Michigan Renaissance Festival is still open on weekends throughout the month of September. Located in neighboring Holly, Michigan, the Michigan Renaissance Festival offers a unique form of entertainment. Shops and plays galore, but don't forget the games!
One sinisterly difficult challenge is the Jacob's Ladder. Climb to the top, ring the bell and win both glory and a prize. It is a short ladder. So it shouldn't be too difficult, right? WRONG! This challenge takes great coordination, balance and skill. But it sure is a lot of fun, even if you fail.
Click the picture a couple of times to get the video to play.
The Michigan Renaissance Festival is still open on weekends throughout the month of September. Located in neighboring Holly, Michigan, the Michigan Renaissance Festival offers a unique form of entertainment. Shops and plays galore, but don't forget the games!
One sinisterly difficult challenge is the Jacob's Ladder. Climb to the top, ring the bell and win both glory and a prize. It is a short ladder. So it shouldn't be too difficult, right? WRONG! This challenge takes great coordination, balance and skill. But it sure is a lot of fun, even if you fail.
Click the picture a couple of times to get the video to play.
Labels: Fenton Festivals and Fun, Fenton Video Tour, video
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Virtual Video Tour "The Eats of Fenton" Burger Battle #06 -- Applebee's
Applebee's is located in the Silver Lake Parkway area of Fenton. We're huge fans of the riblets and rarely end up on the short end of the stick on "All you can eat riblets" night. You can expect the standard American menu fair at this national chain. Their Angus burgers are no exception.
Although the Bruschetta Burger was the most unique item in the burger section of the Applebee's menu, we decided to give the 100% Angus Bacon Cheeseburger a try. The premium bun was hearty enough to stand up to a juicy burger, but still soft and fresh. We have to admit that this being a chain restaurant burger, we discounted it slightly in the rankings. That being said, you certainly won't go wrong ordering up an Applebee's burger if you are in the mood for a good one.
This is entry number six in the FentonSays.com Burger Battle. The featured video tour will give you a flavor for all of the good eats available to residents and visitors of Fenton, Michigan. If you don't agree with our assessment of the various meals to be featured, adding your comments and experiences to the bottom of these articles is greatly appreciated. Or head off to the FentonSays discussion forum and weigh in there.
Click the picture a couple of times to get the video playing.
Burger Battle Ranking (to date):
#1 ... MoDoggie's
#2 ... Lucky's Steak House
#3 ... Sagebrush Cantina
#4 ... The Penalty Box
#5 ... Applebee's
#6 ... McDonald's
Although the Bruschetta Burger was the most unique item in the burger section of the Applebee's menu, we decided to give the 100% Angus Bacon Cheeseburger a try. The premium bun was hearty enough to stand up to a juicy burger, but still soft and fresh. We have to admit that this being a chain restaurant burger, we discounted it slightly in the rankings. That being said, you certainly won't go wrong ordering up an Applebee's burger if you are in the mood for a good one.
This is entry number six in the FentonSays.com Burger Battle. The featured video tour will give you a flavor for all of the good eats available to residents and visitors of Fenton, Michigan. If you don't agree with our assessment of the various meals to be featured, adding your comments and experiences to the bottom of these articles is greatly appreciated. Or head off to the FentonSays discussion forum and weigh in there.
Click the picture a couple of times to get the video playing.
Burger Battle Ranking (to date):
#1 ... MoDoggie's
#2 ... Lucky's Steak House
#3 ... Sagebrush Cantina
#4 ... The Penalty Box
#5 ... Applebee's
#6 ... McDonald's
Labels: Burger Battle, Eats of Fenton, Fenton Area Businesses, Fenton Video Tour, video
Monday, September 03, 2007
Fenton Tornado Community Center Clean-Up
The still shot to the left was taken from "The Streets of Fenton" video series shot on July 11, 2007 ... weeks before the tornado struck. The picture is of the front of the Community Center with the building off camera to the right. Notice all the lush trees on the horizon on the right. They are now gone.This video footage presented below was shot on Friday, August 31, 2007 out front of the Community Center in Fenton, MI. Clean up efforts from the tornado continue, but the town has been returned to basically normal status. The area by the Shiawassee River on the south side of the Community Center used to be covered in trees, but is an open clearing now. People work on top of the Community Center. Heavy equipment is being used.
Labels: City of Fenton, Fenton Community Center, Fenton Video Tour, Tragedy, video
Sunday, September 02, 2007
"New Trees, Please!"
"I am a teacher in Fenton at Tomek-Eastern Elementary and the Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Board in Fenton. Because of the horrible devastation in the downtown city parks (O'Donnell Park, Rackham Park and Millpond Park) in the recent tornado, the teachers at our school are spearheading a drive with the children to fund new trees in the park. Our effort is called "New Trees, Please!"
We will be talking with our classes this coming week and collecting donations at school and around the community all year long. We are hoping to have some new trees planted next spring. We are, of course, very grateful that injuries from the tornado were few, but the loss of so many 100 year old trees is a great loss to the city. It is so sad, but we hope to make a difference. I have a Powerpoint display or individual pictures that I took of the storm and also of the parks during July of this year. I was working on collecting pictures for a webpage for the parks so I have both before and after pictures of the parks.
Donations will be gladly accepted at Tomek-Eastern Elementary at 600 Fourth St. Fenton, Michigan 48430. Thank you for any publicity you can give to this cause."
We will be talking with our classes this coming week and collecting donations at school and around the community all year long. We are hoping to have some new trees planted next spring. We are, of course, very grateful that injuries from the tornado were few, but the loss of so many 100 year old trees is a great loss to the city. It is so sad, but we hope to make a difference. I have a Powerpoint display or individual pictures that I took of the storm and also of the parks during July of this year. I was working on collecting pictures for a webpage for the parks so I have both before and after pictures of the parks.Donations will be gladly accepted at Tomek-Eastern Elementary at 600 Fourth St. Fenton, Michigan 48430. Thank you for any publicity you can give to this cause."
Labels: City of Fenton, Fenton Area Schools, Tragedy
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Fenton Cinema Movies and Show Times
Fenton Cinema(810)629-8900
Rush Hour 3 (PG-13)
(3:25), 7:15, 9:10
The Bourne Ultimatum (PG-13)
(12:20), (2:45), (5:15), 7:45, 10:15
The Invasion
(2:05), 6:50, 9:00
Balls of Fury (PG-13)
(11:55), (1:55), (4:05), 6:05, 8:05, 10:05
Underdog (PG)
(11:35), (1:30), (5:20)
Stardust (PG-13)
(11:30), (4:15)
Halloween (R)
(12:30), (2:50), (5:10), 7:30, 9:50
Superbad (R)
(12:40), (3:05), (5:30), 7:55, 10:20
The Nanny Diaries (PG-13)
(11:40), (1:50), (4:05), 6:15, 8:25, 10:35
Resurrecting the Champ (PG-13)
(12:00), (2:20), (4:40), 7:00, 9:20
Labels: movies
