Michigan Curiosities; Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff

by Colleen Burcar with Gene Taylor

• ISBN13: 9780762706013
• ISBN10: 0762706015
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Globe Pequot

Summary

Part zany Michigan guidebook and part Who's Who of odd and unsung heroes, this outlandish compendium of the state's quirks and characters will amuse Michigan residents and visitors alike. You'll marvel at the world's largest hairball, pucker up to a ninety-year-old moose, tour the Shipwreck Museum, and race to the finish line in the Outhouse Classic. You'll study at the world's oldest Santa school, learn the definition of a "Yooper," and feast on Trenary's famous six-month-old toast. You'll meet Detroit's Fast Freddy, the epitome of panache; Marshall's self-proclaimed "Cheese God"; and The Polish Muslims, kings of the "polka 'n' roll." This book is a tribute to the late Gene Taylor, himself a Michigan curiosity par excellence and the beloved former writer and executive producer of WOMC's "Dick Purtan and Purtan's People" morning show.

Author Biography

Colleen Burcar has worked in radio, television, and newspapers for many years. Thirteen of those years were spent working alongside Gene Taylor. She now works in media consulting and public relations and her voice continues to be heard on commercials across the country. The mother of a daughter, Kimberly, Colleen currently resides in suburban Detroit with her husband, Bryan Becker, and toy poodle, Chloe. Gene Taylor was an Emmy Award-winning entertainer, writer, and producer. His nearly twenty-year collaboration with Detroit radio legend Dick Purtan included serving as writer and executive producer of the popular Dick Purtan & Purtan's People morning show on Detroit's Oldies 104.3 (WOMC). Gene was probably best known for the numerous characters that he created and voiced for the show, but beyond his radio work, Gene was also involved with a number of charitable organizations, including the Salvation Army.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	viii
Preface	ix
Introduction	xii
Motown and More	1	(48)
Thumb and Some	49	(36)
The Heart of the Palm	85	(30)
Not-So-Wild West	115	(46)
Pinkie Playground	161	(32)
Beyond the Mighty Mac	193	(36)
The Middle Fingers	229	(35)
Index	264	(5)
About the Authors	269	(1)
In Memoriam	270