THE LITTLE BOX

Small ads do get noticed. They are successful.  


This little box ad runs monthly in the newspaper.  It's a great starting point. Just enough to whet the appetite. Simple. Always in black & white. In the same place. Never waivers.  

I have to admit, who doesn't like consistency. Stability. Dependability. 

15 SAVVY WINTER DRIVING TIPS

Step on Bus Tours mascot Alex scopes out places.

The week of January 5, marks the first full week of back-to-the-way-it-was.  For that many of us are so glad because it restores a sense of normalcy.  But, road conditions are much different than they were last week in 2014. 

Because I spend so much time on the road, I notice a lot of things that most overlook.  As a travel planner and guide, I do my best to anticipate the road ahead, and that is no intended pun. Tips always help make the travel just that much easier. Be prepared. Here are mine. 

1. Windshield wiper washer fluid. It's the most important liquid to have in your car.  Top off the container in the engine.  Then put the bottle in the trunk just in case you need it. There's nothing worse than trying to see through dried dirt and salt on the windshield when the fluid runs out.

2. Head & Brake Lights. Be sure that they work.  I almost got a ticket for a burned out headlight. You need to see what's ahead. And, drivers behind must be able to tell when you are braking. O'Reilly's, Auto Zone and similar auto part places will install them free if you purchase the bulbs at the store. Check out Auto Zone: http://www.autozone.com/

3. Lock Spray. It's winter. Be sure to lubricate the locks of your vehicle. Below freezing temps play a little twist and turn game with the tumblers. 

4. Tire Pressure. This is the kind of weather when the tire pressure must be checked monthly.  Not only for good mileage, but to be able to stop. There are few "full service" stations. A handy tire gauge can solve a problem waiting to happen.

5. Oil. Double check. You know that dark strip that you see in the center of each lane on the roads and highways. It's oil.  Probably yours. Or mine.  I get the oil changed every month or so. It's the one thing you can do to extend the life of your vehicle. 

6. Texting.  Just don't.  Please.  Not only is it against the law, but I am on the road and carry precious cargo. 

7. Traffic Reports. Listen to them so you know road conditions and accident reports. In this weather don't try to make up the time by driving fast. Leave earlier. Or wait 'til summer.

8. Water.  My mascot travels with me frequently.  I have her plastic water container in one of the cup holders of the vehicle.  A few bottles are on the floor of the back seat for me. 

9. Snow brush. Sort of obvious. A credit card works just as well for scrapping the ice off of the windshield, but why not remove snow from the vehicle the easy way? 

10. Towels. I keep two in the car. One to sit on, one in case too much snow settles on the floor of the driver's seat. There's nothing worse than a "goosy" mess. 

11. Glasses. Protect your eyes from damaging rays. And, I still use my yellow tinted glasses for night driving when it is especially dark out.  

12. Snacks. Not just for the dog, but for me, too. Glove box has beef jerky, raisins, peanut butter crackers for "just-in-case." 

13. Useful items. Kitty litter, tow belts, jumper cables and a roll of paper towels are must for the trunk, especially if you travel in a van or pick up truck,which could easily fish tail. 

14. Cell phone charger. Again, it's obvious. 

15. Stadium Seat. Bed, Bath & Beyond carries a variety. Heat it up in the microwave. It's comfy, cozy for any area of the car.  You-know-who loves it. 

The point is to be prepared.  Take your time.  And for those who want to go faster, give 'em a wide berth. Be safe so we can enjoy each other's company down the road! 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Christmas wreaths are a Colonial Tradition. 

On Christmas Day, my niece and I were talking about the 12 Days of Christmas as we http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scattergories  
were playing Scattagories, a very cool board game that we both love to play.     Some how she said French Horns when the correct answer was French Hens.  And then the rest of us actually started singing the Olde English carol published as a chant in 1780. 

We don't really celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas, which is really about honoring the Birth of Jesus with a gift a day. Some remove all items related to Christmas on Dec. 26.  Others keep up their trees until March and the end of winter. 

The American colonists brought over the 12 Days celebration and fashioned a wreath filled with nuts, foods, colorful ribbon woven throughout the garland.  And then on Epiphany the "King's Cake" would be eaten.  

Some people still celebrate the 12 Days. Santa Claus and New Year's Eve parties have mainly terminated the Feast. But, the point is that we celebrate the Christmas Season, the birth of the Son, the Light of the Earth. 

Let's keep that light shining in our hearts when we connect with each other in one way or another.  A smile, kind word or handshake sometimes is all it takes. 

Now, who really wants those 12 Lords a Leaping?

2014 and 2015 UPCOMING TOURS!

DECEMBER

 

December 2, 2014

Christmas with the Amish

We have a few seats available!

  

Experience an "old-fashioned" Christmas - Amish Style by invitation only by a private family.  Enjoy mouthwatering home cooked Amish meal in a private, Amish home with oil lights, demonstrations and see horse and buggies on the road, enroute to their various destinations. Be prepared to purchase bread, jams and much more.  Activities will include: Amish cheese-making demo, Beeswax candle-making demo, Amish Christmas traditions explained, Amish preacher giving a traditional sermon, Amish Christmas brunch as they would serve and celebrate with family and friends, Quilts displayed in home, Visit an Amish Schoolhouse, An Amish department store with variety of traditional and up-to-date merchandise, Buggy/sleigh rides (at additional cost).  $85/person  

Kellogg House Holiday   

December 5  

Guided tour of the beautifully decorated W. K. Kellogg Manor House ending with hot spiced tea and cookies. The holidays are a special time of the year at the Manor House. Each room of the Manor House is creatively decorated by area businesses, designers, and staff with one-of-a-kind gifts for purchase. A tour of the house not only provides the history of the house and W.K. Kellogg, but also many ideas for your own holiday decorating. Hot spiced tea and cookies conclude each tour. There will be 32 artist stations selling one-of-a-kind gifts for your holiday shopping pleasure!  Meal included. $85/person 

FireKeepers Casino      

December 9, 2014 

$30.00/person Package includes $20 slot play and $5 towards food. $30 p.person. Register by 12/2 or call me.

Greenfield Village Holiday Nights           
December 12 

Step into a Christmas card from the past.  It's America's premier holiday celebration, complete with candlelit paths, live entertainment, costumed presenters, horse-drawn wagon and Model T Rides, delightful holiday shops, Santa and live reindeer, ice skating, caroling, spectacular fireworks and more.  NOTE: This tour involves a lot of walking. Must have payment by November 19 in order to purchase advance tickets.  $99/person  

  

Holiday Lights in Southeastern MI
December 18

We'll start with a filling meal along the way in order for the sky to darken. Then we'll take in the Christmas Lights in metro Detroit - we'll see blue lit trees, nativities, amazing displays on buildings, a holiday lobby and plenty of other places designed to delight. Naturally, we'll make a couple of shopping stops in very unusual stores. This tour changes every year. $58person

 2015 Welcome to the New Year!

 JANUARY

  

FireKeepers Casino    

January 6

Includes $20 slot play and $5 towards food. $30/person

  

Glass & Glitz the Libbey Way

January 23

Everything about this tour is shattering! A studio tour will show how glass is fused and pieces made by local artists in this unique space. Our docent let tour of the Libbey Museum will also include a glass blowing demonstration. An important aspect is the WPA glass installation under FDR's famous program The New Deal. And of course, we will have a stop at the Libbey Glass Factory Outlet which is located in Toledo's Farmer's Market area. Now, here's a treat: an ordinary "Josephine" is going to give us some tips for ways to slay the slots at the Hollywood Casino for our stop there. Lunch at Spaghetti Warehouse where there is a special glass window.  There will be some "off-the-beaten-track" GLASS stops during this power packed day. And for kicks, a stop of an hour or so at Hollywood Casino. $70 /person

February 

Paczkis, Pierogies & Polkas 

February 12

Catholic churches, polish bakery, egg painting, Polish gifts, the Market. Interesting neighborhood bar. Food everywhere! Additional docents. 

$65 /person 

March

Marvelous Mad Money Madness

March 20

Calling all Discount Diva's looking for deals and steals! Discover little known boutiques, resale & retail shops with glam galore. We'll begin at the cusp of Detroit to Howell and stops in between. There will be lots of finger foods, full bellies, cool finds and yummy jellies. $10 gift card for best steal of a deal." Lunch included. $65/person  

APRIL

Vera Bradley Annual Sale

April 8

Please sign up as soon as possible. 25 people have registered to date. This trip fills up fast.  

Bus and time slot are engraved in stone for this marvelous sale. 11AM. As my tour goers know, the way to attend this fabulous sale is on the bus so we can waltz right into our special room with our special cashiers.  You will have private shopping time and not have to stand in lines or fight the crowd for something you want.  Yes, we get first dibs and nothing beats that!  So grab a friend and register to attend the annual Vera Bradley Outlet Sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Attendees of this exclusive event can expect incredible savings of 40% - 80% off regular prices.  Heck, I shop the Dollar Table, which makes for some swell gifts.  Products range from handbags, purses and wallets as well as accessories like pajama pants, eyeglass cases, laptop bags, stationary, luggage and more.  Sales displays will showcase a variety of retired colors, styles and collections.  Due to capacity requirements of the venue, per-registration is required.  Our exclusive shopping time is at 11 a.m. $85/person 

MAY

Tulip Time Festival

May 6

Welcome to the Tulip Time Festival!  Our docent-led motorcoach tour will take us past extraordinary colorful gardens, to the Dutch Market Platz, shopping and a wonderful lunch.  You'll have a chance to tour the Market for Dutch wares and sample Dutch foods.  Enjoy the parade of street sweepers and performers, unusual floats and bands with bleacher seating. $75/person