Regional Attractions | Southwest Michigan Realtor Blog

March 4, 2013
by Michael Delaware

Montgomery, Michigan AKA ‘Frogeye’

I was visiting the small community of Montgomery, Michigan last week to photograph a house for a bank, and came across this sign. Montgomery is a small community not far from the Indiana State line in Hillsdale County. According to the 2010 census, the little community has a population of 342.

The area was first settled around 1870 by several farmers: Joshua Dobbs, Israel Sheppard, Enoch Teachout and George Hewitt. When they went to the Hillsdale County Registry to register the town in 1871, then county clerk William R. Montgomery said he would perform the task for nothing if they named the town after him, which they agreed to. It was eventually incorporated as a village in 1906. Th community also apparently goes by the name of ‘Frogeye’ and host an annual festival by the same name.

February 15, 2013
by Michael Delaware

Moe Skeeter – Mascot with an Attitude

If you live in Battle Creek, you have probably heard about the Bombers baseball team that plays on the north side of Battle Creek. They also have a mascot, and it is Moe. ‘Moe Skeeter’ is the mascot with an attitude. A few years ago I shot some video of Moe in action, and posted it on Youtube. I even heard from Moe himself, and he liked it! Baseball season is still a few months away, but there is no reason not to get excited if Moe is around. See you at the Bombers games this year!

Dogwoods Grow in Southwest Michigan

February 4, 2013 by Michael Delaware

Although as of this writing, it is too early in the year for dogwood trees to bloom, I thought I would share some photos of one I captured last season. The dogwood tree has a unique

A Dogwood bloom.

flower that has always captured my attention. It is hard to overlook in a forest when one is going for a nature walk.

The dogwood tree is classified as Cornus Florida. Its dense wood has been used for a variety of small hand made items from dulcimers to laminated tennis rackets and walking canes. The bark is sometimes used in combating malaria, as it is rich in tannin. It has also been used for larger items such as basket for pressing fruit and wine.

Ultimately, however, I merely love coming across one when it is in full bloom in a quiet forest, and taking time to admire its beauty.

Dogwoods blooming in a Southwest Michigan forest.

This gallery contains 2 photos

January 27, 2013
by Michael Delaware

Feathered Friends on the Ice

I drove by a city park near downtown Battle Creek recently, and was amazed at all of the ducks still swimming in the icy pond. I guess I had an idea they all flew south for the winter, but I guess that is not the case. They all seemed to be enjoying the water, and standing on the ice did not seem an inconvenience to them. Looking at this photo, it seems kind of strange to see the contrast of the ice and water with its perfect transition.

January 26, 2013
by Michael Delaware

Hockey – Battle Creek Style

A few years ago I went to a Battle Creek Revolution game and filmed the entire game, and edited it down to a short video and posted it on my Youtube channel. The BC Revolution is not the same team any more, and a different league plays there now, but this was some great hockey. The Rink still is in downtown and one can go to see a hockey game there. Hope you enjoy this look back at a great game:

January 22, 2013
by Michael Delaware

Balloon Love in Battle Creek

Our community of Battle Creek, Michigan has long had a love of Balloons. There are many events during the summer, and the city even hosted an international competition last year. I attended a ‘Balloon Illume’ a few years ago as part of the Battle Creek Field of Flight, and shot the following video and thought I would share it today:

January 21, 2013
by Michael Delaware 1 Comment

Tekonsha, Michigan

In Southwest Michigan, we have a lot of beautiful little villages and towns. A few weeks ago I was driving through the Village of Tekonsha, which is Calhoun County. I was there to photograph some property for a client, but could not help but stop and take the following photo of this classic home with the town water tower in the back drop. Tekonsha only has a population of just above 700 people that live there, but the homes in the area are quite traditional and classic.

Tekonsha, Michigan

January 20, 2013
by Michael Delaware

Fort Custer Hiking trails

Fort Custer Recreation area lies between Augusta, Michigan in Kalamazoo County and Battle Creek, in Calhoun County. The park originally was property owned by the military and used as a training area during World War II, and later deeded over to the State of Michigan to become a park. Today it offers a series of trails for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. It has a few lakes, and a great deal of hills through wooded forests for the perfect getaway. There is also a camping area and places for fishing and canoeing.

It is one of the places I like to go to and take photos when I can, just because it is so close by. I prefer mostly to hike the trails, although I do sometimes take my mountain bike there for a ride. It is a great place to experience some solitude and peaceful settings in nature.

January 18, 2013
by Michael Delaware

Looking Back at the Airshow in Battle Creek

Two years ago I went to the Battle Creek Field of Flight airshow and shot this video of the night airshow. At the time, I was not sure how interesting the video would be, or even if I would do anything with it. I ended editing it into a video and posting it on my Youtube channel. This turned out to be some very interesting and aesthetic video clips, and when I look back on it, it was a lot of fun.

I hope you enjoy it:

January 17, 2013
by Michael Delaware

Nashville, Michigan

Recently I had to take a drive to Nashville, Michigan to look at some houses for a client. The community has a population of around 1600 people, and historically was a milling town for flour and it also had some saw mills. In the 1920′s it was the main railroad stop between Grand Rapids and Jackson, Michigan. Today it is a community that still retains many classic homes, and some residents commute each day to other areas.