In The Mitten Archives - Page 2 of 3

Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor

Posted on May 27, 2014September 28, 2023 by Tressie

What better way to spend time on Memorial Weekend than with fellow photographers at Matthaei Botanical Gardens? It was beautiful, and what a great place to look for critters and practice “seeing” details.

Our first friendly visits were with geese, frogs, turtles and a muskrat.

We were kinda hoping that the mama goose would bite Brian, but we weren’t that lucky. She just hustled her babies away.

After the critters, we concentrated on color, texture and tiny details.

One of my favorites of the day 🙂

And my partners in crime, Kiah and Brian.

Suggestions for our next outing? I’m all ears!

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Flat Stanley Adventures Continue

Posted on May 15, 2013September 28, 2023 by Tressie

Remember Flat Stanley? You can read about his last adventure here, when Alex sent him to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Most recently, our family was requested to host him right here in Chelsea, Michigan, so the Flat Stanley adventures continue!

A big thank you to sweet Dayton for sending Flat Stanley here – we had a great time with him, and hope he enjoyed his visit.

Flat Stanley returned to Dayton with the following letter:

Dear Dayton,

Thank you for sending me to Chelsea, Michigan!! I arrived on Wednesday, May 1, and it was 84 degrees and sunny. Surprising, since just a week or so before that it had been snowing. I sure am glad I had nicer weather for my visit.

I spent my time in Chelsea with the Davis family – Tressie and Rob, and their kids Riley (10), Alex (7) and Robby (5). Dominic is away at college so I didn’t get to see him (though I had a great visit with him earlier this year when Alex sent me to visit him at Wittenberg University in Ohio).

The Davis family kept me busy. The first thing we did was choose an outfit for me so I would fit in here in Chelsea. Do you like my University of Michigan t-shirt? There are a lot of UofM fans in Chelsea. There are fans of other Michigan schools too, but… those people don’t really count. (haha)

Chelsea is a really great city, with so much to do. A vibrant downtown boasts great food, art and entertainment. This is even more apparent during the warm months when Chelsea hosts Sounds and Sights every Thursday evening – sculpture walks, food, local brew, outdoor movies, and literally music on almost every street corner with diverse line up of musical artists performing at staged areas. It isn’t quite summer yet though, so spring sports and site seeing is what we did.

On Saturday Riley had a softball tournament that was an hour and a half away (first tournament for a long summer of softball!). I decided to stay with Alex and Robby and go to their hockey and soccer games since those were in Chelsea.

The first stop was Robby’s hockey game at the ArcticColiseum. Brrrr…it’s cold in there! But it sure was fun watching the super cute mini hockey players.

After the ice rink we had a little extra time before Alex and Robby’s soccer games, so we stopped at Pierce park, where the Chelsea ROCK is. The ROCK is a giant boulder that people in Chelsea paint to send messages of all kinds – from congrats, to happy birthday, or other fun things. The day we visited it matched my shirt – how cool is that?

I have sent you pictures of some of the cool sites in Chelsea. The clock tower is a favorite of many residents, isn’t it beautiful? It used to be a water tower for the Glazier Stove Company in the early 1900s.

Directly across the railroad tracks is the Chelsea Depot – a gorgeous historic train station built in 1880. Service at the station closed in 1981, but through the efforts of the Chelsea Depot Association, restoration efforts began in 1986. In 1987 Chelsea Depot was listed on the National Register of Historic places.

Just to the west of the clock tower is something very yummy. Did you know that Chelsea is the home of Jiffy Mix? Their cornbread muffin mix is my favorite.

There are lots of places that I wanted to visit, but didn’t get a chance to on this trip – like the Purple Rose Theater, The Chelsea Teddy Bear Factory and Timber Town.

Maybe next time I visit you can come with me?

Love,

Flat Stanley

xo

ps – want to see a cool video made about Chelsea by Jeff Daniels? You can check it out HERE

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Behind the Scenes with Team USA Softball #19 – Chiddy

Posted on April 1, 2013September 28, 2023 by Tressie

USA Softball #19 – Amanda Chidester
At UofM: Two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2011, 2012), Two-time NFCA All-American (2009, 2011), Michigan’s Big Ten Medal of Honor Winner (2012)
www.chiddysoftball.com

I first met Amanda Chidester at a Common Bond basketball game – she had come to cheer on one of the team members (Shelby). I don’t remember whether the team did well that day,and it really doesn’t matter, what stands out in my mind is the time spent with Amanda after the game. Chit chat? Sure. But she also took the time to shoot some hoops with Shelby and Riley. A little trash talk, a lot of laughs, and my first impression of Amanda as a sweet, down to earth, every day girl. I was thrilled when she agreed to this interview.

Amanda is from Allen Park, Michigan, and attended school at St. Francis Cabrini from 2nd through 12th grade. She will tell you with enthusiasm how much she loved the small school atmosphere, and wearing the uniform every day! With an early love for sports, Amanda played basketball, softball and volleyball starting in 5th grade – and her favorite sport growing up was always basketball.

A deep love and respect for family is very apparent in everything Amanda says and does. Amanda has four brothers, and she is the middle child. With three cousins recently added to her family, the Chidester household is well packed when everyone is home! When asked about her parents, Amanda states, “My parents are two of the greatest people in the world. They will drop anything and everything for us kids. They have always taught us that we can do anything we put our minds to!! They truly have supported my brothers and I through every part of our lives”. Oh, and her beloved Jack Russel Terrier (the best dog ever according to Amanda), is named Mac.

Currently, Amanda is finishing up her student teaching, at the conclusion of which she will have a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a Minor in Health. While student teaching, she also helps out with the University of Michigan softball team as a student assistant, and gives hitting lessons to aspiring softball players. Amanda says, “Giving lessons has been truly one of the best experiences. I have been able to meet and work with so many amazing people.”

What do aspiring young athletes want to know about a Team USA Softball player? I wasn’t sure, so I decided to turn the interview over to three of them.

Expert Panel of young interviewers:

Q: (Riley) What was the deciding factor in your choice to attend UofM?

A: I have always loved Michigan softball! Everything about their program and Campus I loved. I think what made my final decision was when I was 13 and Hutch called me Chiddy at camp. I thought that was the coolest thing ever that she knew my nickname!

Q: (Riley) What led you to choose softball over basketball for your college sport?
A:      I remember thinking how much I loved being outside more than in a hot sweaty gym. I was also better at softball than basketball even though I always like basketball more.

Q:   (Shelby) I’m 11 years old, I want to play ball in college. What advice would you give me and my parents to help me reach this goal?
A:      I would say to keep working hard. It is so important to get on a travel ball team where you know they are in exposure tournaments with colleges coming to watch. It is also important to go to camps and introduce yourself to the coaches after and thank them. It is important to remember it is just a game. It is meant for us to enjoy and have fun. Parents need to be encouraging towards the girls in every way possible. For example if I had a bad game my parents would never tell me what I did wrong and what I could have done better. They would always say “did you give it your best effort? Sometimes we just have bad days.” Later on they may have talked to me about what I could work on, but after the game they were always supportive and I think that was huge for me. I knew I had their support and love no matter how I performed which to me was huge. I also think it is so important to play other sports. When I was in another sport I stuck to that sport and committed my time and energy into it. I would play softball usually once a week with my travel team if I could, but if I didn’t make it I never stressed over it. Also always be open to learn. You never know everything, take as much advice and instruction as you can.

Q: (Shelby) How do you balance school and sports?
A:   For me balancing the two was not as hard because I sacrificed my social life. I would go to school then to practice and go straight home for dinner. Shortly after dinner I would start homework and then go to bed. I had a routine and I stuck with it. My parents were there to always help me in any way they could. If I needed to stay up late to do work my mom or dad at times would stay up with me to get it done. It was very hard and stressful at times, but I loved sports so it was worth it. I had goals and big dreams that I was dedicated to and motivated to reach.

Q:     (Kylie) Was it more challenging playing sports and balancing your schedule when you were younger (middle school, highschool) or now that you’re on the USA team?
A:   It is hard to say because when I look back I think high school and middle school were easy, but at the time it was really difficult. I do not think there is ever a time where it is EASY! You have to embrace the challenge. Many people give up because “it is to HARD” It is hard, that is what makes it so great and that is why so many people do not make it to the high levels.

Q:     (Shelby) Have your parents played a role in your success? If so, how?
A:   Every way you could imagine. They are the reason I am where I am today. They are the reason I am the way I am. They have always done what was best for me whether I agreed with them or not. They paid for all of my sports, school, traveling, and the list can go on and on.

Q:     (Shelby) Currently you are playing for Team USA. Where do you see yourself 5 years, 10 years from now? (playing, coaching, teaching?)
A:      I see myself either finishing up playing or coming close to it. I see myself coaching for a great University. I also see myself putting on camps and events for young players to help them in any way that I can!

Q:   (Kylie) What is your current training schedule like?
A:      Right now it has been pretty crazy because of my student teaching. I wake up at 6am to go workout, come home get ready for student teaching, leave straight to softball practice, then I will stay after and hit or I would go give lessons, and come home to bed.

Q: (Riley) What would you say was your most embarrassing moment in sports?
A:      I have had way to many!!

Q:   (Riley) What is a moment you are most proud of?
A:   When I made the USA team I knew I was up against some of the top players of the game. It was the first time I have ever had to sit multiple games. I was the pinch hitter and pinch runner. I knew I needed to earn my spot and prove I could be in the line up. I was determined to have a starting spot in the line up by the last tournament. I worked hard and was able to do it. I think I ended up starting the last 8 games we played.

Q: (Riley) If you had to live your life over again, is there anything you would choose to do differently?
A:   Hmm I am not sure. I would be more confident in my playing abilities.

Q: What motivates you to go the extra mile, in sports and in life?
A:      I want to make a difference. I want to have an impact on people’s lives. The little things in my eyes go such a long way. I want to help girls realize failing is ok. I want to help them realize if they truly want it bad enough they can do whatever they put their minds to! I want people to truly believe in themselves.

Q:   What is your most cherished family tradition? Why is it important?
A:   I have so many family traditions! I think my favorite is going to cut down the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. I love our family traditions, and my parents have done such a great job of keeping them alive. Even though we are all older, we still wake up Christmas morning and go in my parents room and wait for my dad to get his camera ready so when we come out of the room he can be taping us from the very start.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
A: I have had some very influential people in my life. From my parents, to my grandma, my high school softball coach, and my college softball coach. To leave you with one specific moment. There was a time I had to give a speech in front of a lot of people and I was soooo nervous. Hutch told me if I spoke from my heart then there was no way I could mess it up. That has stuck with me ever since I gave that speech, and anytime I have to speak I always think that!!

Passionate. Caring. Fun. These are the three words Amanda gave me when I asked her to describe herself in three words. I would have to agree, they are perfect.

If you are interested in Softball clinics and training, be sure to keep an eye on Amanda’s new website: www.chiddysoftball.com.

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Elmwood Historic Cemetery, Detroit

Posted on January 17, 2013September 28, 2023 by Tressie

On October 13, 2012 my daughter and I had the pleasure of a photo outing with my friends Kiah and Brian, and a newbie I call Dynamite.

Elmwood Historic Cemetery in Detroit, MI was our photographic destination, and we joined an official tour group to learn more about this beautiful place. We probably should have just explored by ourselves, because I wasn’t a very good student/tour member. I kept getting distracted (Squirrel!) and so had to google the information about Elmwood after the fact. Today Google is my friend.

Originally established in 1846, Elmwood Cemetery is now 86 acres of beautiful rolling hills and gentle streams. Stones and mausoleums reflect dates from the 1800s until now, and it is very interesting to note the trends of the times for marking burial sites. From wrought iron barriers, to ornately carved marble, stone statues and artistic stones, I spent my time primarily photographing details. And my fellow photographers of course.

Shooting me, shooting you?

After the tour we decided that we should explore on our own. The guard warned us that the gates close at 4pm, and if we were not out then we would be locked in the cemetery. Great.

Squirrel!

Did we lose track of time? Of course we did. We arrived at the gates just as they were being locked. I blame this on Kiah. Why? I don’t know. Mostly because he is trouble. Thankfully the guard took pity on us and opened them back up even though it was 4:05. Not sure how I would have explained to my husband that my daughter and I were locked in a cemetery with three strange men. Yes, I know them – doesn’t mean they aren’t strange.

All kidding aside, a great outing and fun time photographing a beautiful place. Thanks guys!!!

More Squirrels!

Clockwise from upper left: Dynamite, Kiah, Riley and me, Brian

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Michigan Central Station in 2009

Posted on January 5, 2013September 28, 2023 by Tressie

*Note: This article was originally published on the TDP Blog HERE May 24, 2009. This post contains a couple of extra images. 🙂 Also, the building is not yet demolished – on the contrary, according to several articles it looks as if a restoration may be in progress. The most recent article I could find is HERE. With the restoration in progress, I thought it might be fun to look back…
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Flashback: May 2009

What an exciting photo outing this was, thank you so much Kiah for inviting me! Kiah’s friends Brian and Ralph were great fun too – I loved talking photography and sharing ideas/comps. Oh, and Ralph you were a great model, we’ll have to get some pics to your mom for ya LOL. I have to say that while I am generally a portrait photog, I absolutely LOVE taking pics just for the sake of taking pics, and what a golden opportunity for beautiful images in Michigan Central Station.

A grand, majestic old building scheduled for demolition, you walk in and your reaction (after an appropriately stunned sil

ence) is a breathless “wow”. The sheer expanse of the main room alone is breathtaking, and that is even before you look around and see the intricate stone and tile work. It’s sad and depressing too, as the initial impact wears off and you realize the state of total decay this beautiful building is in – the regal columns and gorgeous architecture defaced with graffiti and crumbling concrete and tile.

It’s easy to lose track of time exploring this building, around every corner was another room or expanse, always with something different if not more beautiful. I must say, some of the grafitti was pretty interesting as well LOL – gotta love urban humor.

According to wikipedia “The building is composed of two distinct parts: the train station itself and the 18-storey tower. The roof height is 230 feet (70 m)” Yes, we climbed the stairs to the top, stopping every couple of floors to take pics and look out the windows. The stairs had no railings (yikes), missing tiles and even holes/broken spots (FREAKIN yikes) and no glass in the windows on the landing of each s

tair floor (I can’t type an expletive strong enough here). For someone afraid of heights (yes, me), it was somewhat of a nightmare to make the climb.

Good thing the boys humored me, though I’m sure Kiah will make fun of me later LOL. A lot of the floors looked the same, not as grand as the main floor and mostly with loose boards and nails covering the floors, and just the skeleton of the structure – support beams and such but not many walls/separate rooms outside of those on the outside structure of the building. There were heavy doors on a couple of the landings, but most of the doors were gone as well.

Every floor brought a more beautiful and clear view of the city of Detroit…and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you get to the top. Tired and shaking legs do nothing to diminish the absolutely breathtaking view from the roof of MCS.

Temporarily forgetting (ok, ignoring) my fear of heights, I walked to the edge to get my pic taken with the D in the background. Kiah and Brian, get those pics to me, I need proof that I DID it! (And a printed record for my great grandchildren that I’m not quite as boring as my kids would lead you to believe.) We spent quite some time on the roof – taking pics, chatting, watching some teenage degenerates (or degenerate wannabes LOL) spray painting any open surface they could find, though I’m not sure how they were finding ANY. It was pretty windy up

there compared to the ground floor and soooooo so high up and scary! Beautiful, but scary!

As the sun started to go down, we snapped a few more pics and decided that we wanted to start the decent to the bottom floor while it was still LIGHT out. I’m pretty sure it would have been an incredibly stunning sunset from the top of MCS, but not sure I would have survived (emotionally if not physically) walking down those stairs in the dark. Although the fears/concerns I had as the shoot started turned out to be unfounded on this trip. We didn’t get arrested, and no one fell through a hole in the roof – though I’m still certain that it could have been a possibility because a piece of the structure DID fall down on Brian – no crackheads or bums to be found anywhere, the only other people in the building were other photographers, and LOTS of them. Some heading UP the stairs as we were heading down. I’m sure they were on their way to photograph the sunset from the top – they are braver souls than me. 🙂 If you’d like to read more about the history of Michigan Central Station, see the wiki page HERE. See a floor plan of the main floor HERE. I’ll be updating this post and posting more pics as I get them, this was one of my most fun “non client” shoots to date – thanks again to Kiah for organizing this outing, Kiah you are the best tour guide in the D!