On January 25 - 27th, 1978, Michigan was hit by the Great Blizzard of '78.  Massive amounts of covered the state and surrounding Great Lakes region.  In this clip, ABC affiliate WZZM 13 anchors and meteoroligists reminisce about the event and share some great footage taken during the epic storm.  Big thank you to the WZZm 13 staff for the blurb (even though they gave the wrong company name and website!).  Check out the full coverage here and check out our super soft vintage Blizzard unisex shirt and women's shirt.

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

On this day in 1933, the Lone Ranger was first broadcast on Detroit's WXYZ and 7 other Michigan affiliates. The Lone Ranger's sidekick, Tonto, was a Michigan Potowatamie Indian, even though the show was set in TX.  He called The Ranger "Kemo Sabe", which was taken from a boys' summer camp in Cheboygan.  The show aired from the historic Maccabees building on Woodward (next to the Detroit Main Branch Library) three times per week for 21 years on WXYZ.  

"HI YO-O SILVER-R!"

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

Today is Day 2 of the anniversary of the Great Blizzard of '78.  It started January 25th and continued for several days to January 27th, 1978, covering Michigan in massive amounts of snow. We'll be giving away 2 more Blizzard shirts today on our Facebook page.  Join the fun!  Deadline is 6PM EST.

And read the MLive article here.  It was one of the top headlines statewide yesterday. :)

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

34 years ago today, the Great Blizzard of 1978 covered Michigan and the surrounding Great Lakes region with historic amounts of snow.  Grocery stores closed, highways became impassable, snowmobiles were being used on the highway.  Even the State of Michigan capital building closed, something that has not happened since.  10 to 15 foot snow drifts shut down major avenues and boulevards.

Who remembers that or has heard stories from it?  Visit our Facebook page for a chance to win one of these super soft vintage shirts.  Deadline is 6PM EST.

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

Welcome aboard, Northern Michigan University.  This lil' puppy just came off the press.  It's even softer than you think.

Nab one from our online store in Unisex and in Women's.

Love,
The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

This week, in 1837, we became a state.  And then a few short decades later... we had phones?! People in Detroit were the first in the nation to have assigned telephone numbers in 1879.  To put that in perspective, the American Civil War ended in 1865, most people were still using a horse and carriage, and Ford Motor Company wouldn't introduce the Model T for another 29 years!

The Motor City can thank Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the first phone in 1876 and started the Bell Telephone Company a year later.  Pretty amazing.

Don't forget:  in honor of Michigan's 175th birthday this week, Michigan Mittens is holding a Giveaway of Michigan gifts, including a TMS vintage shirt. Sign up HERE.

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

This Thursday, Michigan is turning 175 years old.  To celebrate, Michigan Mittens is holding a Birthday Giveaway.  Sign up and you could get a bunch of great local gifts, including a vintage TMS shirt.

And there's another (lesser known) anniversary coming up.  We'll reveal a new TMS shirt for it this Thursday.

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

Detroit Tigers' pitcher Justin Verlander just has to have some Taco Bell before every game.  Who knew?  We did appreciate how Conan balanced out Verlander's endorsement by telling people not to eat Taco Bell.  Fair and balanced, you are, Mr. Conan.

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

This super soft TMS vintage shirt is going to Tennessee today.  We think Michigan might be the best represented state in the country.  If you see someone wandering around Murfreesboro with a Love shirt on, be sure to give them a friendly Michigan hello. :^)

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

On this week's episode of NBC's The Office, Kevin and the gang get into pub trivia tournaments for money.  In the waning moments of the episode, they go off their hot streak and start guessing incorrect answers.  They answer one question with "a Mitten" instead of Michigan.  We would have given him credit for that.  NBC staff writers: please publish a retraction. :^)

Love, 

The Mitten State

info@TheMitttenState.com

We found this little gem from the vintage documentary series, Travel Talks by James A. Fitzpatrick. Check out those dune buggies!  In this 8 minute clip, they cover Leelanau (Land of Delight!), Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Traverse City, among others.

We thought it was fascinating to see the rustic beauty of Northern Michigan as it was seen during the 1950s (this documentary was filmed in 1949).  How could you not Say Yes To Michigan?

Love,

The Mitten State

info@The Mitten State.com

We're pretty sure that every bar in America has, at one point or another (but most likely on several occasions), played the uber-famous song "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.  And if you're from Michigan, you're probably aware that the line "Born and raised in South Detroit" is kinda funny, considering there is no such place.  There's an East Detroit, North Detroit, and a Southwest Detroit. So why did Steve Perry make one up?  For years, there really was no explanation.  New York Magazine recently interviewed Perry and got this explanation:

"I ran the phonetics of east, west, and north, but nothing sounded as good or as emotionally true to me as South Detroit," he says. "The syntax just sounded right. I fell in the love with the line. It's only been in the last few years that I've learned there is no South Detroit."

There you have it.  He just liked the way it sounded when he wrote the song while in the Motor City in 1980.  Well, Steve... That's it!  We're boycotting your song!!  Just kidding.  We don't mind.  We don't think anyone really minds.

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

In yet another close bowl game this post season, the Michigan Wolverines beat the Virginia Tech Hokies in OT, 23-20.  What a great Sugar Bowl!  And per yesterday's TMS Contest, we have 7 winners that each predicted the score within 5 points:

Kathleen Woods, Paul Zollner, J Edward Yonkers III, Lisa Douglas, Andrea Polveranto, Kimberly Lucik, and Joey Ranieri!

Shoot us an email at orders@TheMittenState.com to collect your free TMS Mitten Decal, guys!

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com

Tonight, the Michigan Wolverines take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Sugar Bowl.  This is the first time the two teams are meeting and first BCS bowl for Michigan since 2006.  

Contest time!  

Head over to our TMS Facebook page and predict the score for tonight's game (make sure you leave the comment in the official contest post).  The five closest scores will each win a free TMS Mitten Car Decal.  Unfortunately, cars are not included. ;)

Love,

The Mitten State

info@TheMittenState.com