Author

Erica Hobbs

Erica Hobbs is a writer based in Detroit with a passion for arts and culture and travel. She has reported for numerous news outlets including the Detroit News, Fodors, Business Insider, Reuters, WDET and AnnArbor.com (now the Ann Arbor News), among others.

Erica Hobbs's Latest Articles

Michigan Vaccine Program educates residents and shares accurate information about vaccination

The Michigan Vaccine Program focuses on statewide education and outreach, tapping in-person programming and media campaigns to share accurate information on vaccination.   

Ludington’s STIX is a year-round destination

An ophthalmologist turned the site of a former Ludington eatery into a multi-venue destination with a restaurant, bowling alley and biergarten. Open year-round, STIX is attracting locals and tourists alike.

Boyne City was designated a Monarch City this past year and is one of several in Michigan.
Michigan towns help monarch butterfly population recover

Several rural communities across Michigan have been designated a Monarch City, in recognition of their community initiatives and events to protect monarch butterflies and draw awareness to their plight.

Port Austin’s famous barn art takes a detour with “The Deity”

Port Austin's intriguing barn art project continues to add installations -- the latest is a standalone statue called "The Deity." “I think kind of pulling from different cultures and in a rural context was kind of interesting to us,” said Jim Boyle, cofounder of the project known as 53North.

Laingsburg has strived to bring more arts and culture downtown.
Visitor perspectives help move MI communities forward

Michigan State University Extension’s First Impressions Tourism Assessment (FIT) program works with small Michigan communities to offer objective “first impressions” of their towns. The goal is to make these communities more welcoming to visitors, tourists and potential new residents.  

This historic chapel will be renovated into a performance and gathering space.
Creating an idyllic space for artists, educators and entrepreneurs in rural Michigan

A former boarding school in southeast Michigan is being redeveloped as an idyllic working space and retreat for artists, educators and entrepreneurs.  

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