Michigan Matters Mackinac Special: A Snapshot in Time
By Carol Cain
CBS 62
MACKINAC ISLAND – Grand Rapids social entrepreneur Rick DeVos gave big-time kudos to Gov. Rick Snyder after they huddled on the porch of the Grand Hotel before addressing the Detroit Regional Chamber's 32nd Annual Policy Conference.
Snyder is the state's 48th governor (winning in 2010) while DeVos' dad, Dick DeVos, ran for governor in 2006 as the GOP candidate.
Their conversation had nothing to do with politics.
"He asked me for ideas on what the state could be doing to serve as a catalyst for businesses in the state," said the soft spoken 30-year-old who is working to bring creativity into the state through ArtPrize and his latest venture Start Garden.
Unlike many in his family, DeVos avoids politics. He prefers discussions about entrepreneurs and stemming the state's brain drain of young talent.
DeVos, eldest grandson of Amway co-founder Rich DeVos, launched Start Garden, a $15 million venture fund to spawn businesses. He made his comments about business and Snyder during taping of "Michigan Matters."
Snyder – who has made "Relentless, Positive Action" a mantra -- talked about the need to change the culture here.
"We're too negative in this state," he said.
Seeing the two Ricks on the world's largest porch was one of many interesting moments CBS2 Chief Videographer Paul Pytlowany captured with his camera.
Grand times on Mackinac
Dan Musser, whose family owns the iconic Grand Hotel, reflected about the tough times the tourism industry has been through and his own hotel's tidings after the 2008 global meltdown when the economy tanked and people stopped traveling.
"I was never so glad to shut down for the year as that fall," he says with a laugh.
Thankfully, times have improved and the state's Pure Michigan campaign has been a slam dunk for those in the tourism industry.
Musser is busy preparing for the hotel's 125th anniversary which includes a 125-foot cake that will be on the world's largest porch for revelers on July 10 – which is the actual anniversary.
Here comes the fudge!
Bob Benser Jr., co-owner of Murdick's Fudge of Mackinac Island along with his father, Bob Benser Sr., is also preparing for their 125th anniversary the same time as the Grand Hotel.
Murdick's is the oldest fudge shop on the island.
The fudge making is done in the same building on Main Street where Murdick's Fudge (then known as Murdick's Candy Kitchen) opened.
Making fudge isn't as easy as it looks.
Benser invited me to step over the fence where the fudge making takes place to give the culinary experience a shot.
The 30-pounds of goey warm mixture is spread onto special marble tables and a spade used to carefully massage the mixture into mouth watering fudge.
Alas, my technique made the fudge look more like mud pies. Benser had to come in and give me a hand to bring it up the Murdick's high standards.
Revving up the future
Jim Seavitt, who owns Village Ford in Dearborn, was among conference goers who talked about the state of the auto industry which remains the economic backbone of Michigan.
Seavitt was excited about his dealership's 100th anniversary being celebrated this year.
Rod Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, was measured as he discussed the rebounding auto sector.
"I'm feeling more optimistic about things, ' said Alberts, about auto sales.
He also referenced the improvements at Cobo Center which will insure the international component of the North American International Auto Show, will stay in Detroit.
But he added: "I think we will still have some tough times to go through still."
MSU Baseketball Coach Tom Izzo, who has made a career inspiring young men to excel on the court, was among conference goers.
He offered these words of advice to leaders trying to reinvent Detroit and the state.
"You have to get everyone on the same page before you can implement a plan. You must have buy in," Izzo added.
(Carol Cain is the Emmy Award winning Senior Producer and Host of "Michigan Matters" which airs Sundays at 11:30 a.m. on CBS62. You can reach her at clcain@cbs.com)
