“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This week we talk about fireworks - from big city displays to backyard shows, plus we take a moment to visit a cool initiative involving sheep and Consumers Energy.

Season 5, Episode 26:

• Amy and Gonzo talk about their love for 4th of July, as well as Gonzo's recent trip to Italy.
• Consumers Energy is piloting a new initiative to use sheep to help with vegetation management at a Solar Park in Kalamazoo. They call them "grass-powered woolen mowers." Learn more about Consumers renewable energy programs at consumersenergy.com/residential/renewable-energy.
• Dom Miller from Mackinac State Historic Parks joins the show to tell us how the island celebrates the fourth, including the annual stone skipping contest. Learn more at mackinacisland.org/event-calendar/4th-of-july-on-mackinac-island/.
• Eric Konopka of the Michgan Fireworks Company in South Lyron tells about the trend in fireworks, and what's popular this season for backyard displays. Learn more at michiganfireworkscompany.com/.

This show aired July 1-2, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.