Pure Michigan

Yes, if you've seen and/or heard the latest Michigan advertising campaign, it's Pure Michigan. And it should be noted that Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor (Tim Allen) and Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber) are the spokesmen, though it takes a minute to put your finger on the voices. I'm living up to the expectations this weekend, heading "up North" (read: North on I-75/US-23 where 23 is no longer an expressway) to Tawas, my hometown.

Tawas was a great place to grow up. There was water. There were trees. It was a small town with a ton of community support for the school system and for the rest of the community itself. I was blessed to grow up in such a wonderful little hick town, where everyone knew everyone (for better or for worse!), and there was always someone around to help you out when you needed it. I miss that about being in Tawas. Going back is never the same as always being there.

Now, don't get me wrong, as much as I love "T-Town" (wow, I can't believe I just said that... "T-Town"... okay, I've said it twice now -- we're done), yes, as much as I love Tawas and Iosco County, I don't think I could ever actually live there again. There's not enough opportunity, especially in a depressed economy, for a software developer and an airline pilot to make much of a living. Traverse City? Well, that's another story. Another story that will not be discussed today.

I am hoping, though, to provide my kids with as much opportunity to be involved in extra-curricular activities as I was. In high school, I played three sports (one per season) each year for all four years. In addition, I was in concert band, marching band, some school plays, a youth advisory council, a leadership board, church youth group, and a few other random activities. Ah, the benefits of a small town and a small school :) I'm so glad I had that. I know that there are more advanced educational, artistic, and/or athletic programs in larger cities, with high school graduating classes surpassing 2000 students, and if that's where we end up, we'll make the most of it. All I'm saying is don't discredit the smaller schools. Go Braves!

School spirit. Small towns. The lake. Up North. Orange barrels the whole way. Now that's Pure Michigan!