Delta County Area Chamber of Commerce

NEW WITH MEMBERS

Commerce Center Welcomes Morehouse

Escanaba native Jessica Morehouse was born and raised in the heart of the Central Upper Peninsula. The twenty-five year old has two sisters and one brother, and enjoys the company of her twelve-year-old niece and both of her three-year-old nephews. Jessica graduated from Escanaba Area Public High School in 2001 and from there, attended Central Michigan University and then Bay de Noc Community College. She received her Associate of Arts degree in 2003 and is expected to receive her Bachelor of Arts degree, in English Language and Literature, later on this year. Jessica enjoys the beautiful and majestic scenery of the Delta County Area, viewing much of it on her long-distance bike excursions. She started working for the Commerce Center in mid-April as our new Office Assistant

Herbal AcresCelebrates 5 Years

Chamber members Mark and Mary Smith are proud to announce that their business, Herbal Acres, is celebrating its 5th Anniversary. Make sure to stop in June 11-16 to register for prizes, enjoy special sales, and take in all that Herbal Acres has to offer. If you have not yet been out to Herbal Acres, this is the perfect time.

This beautiful herb farm, built by its owners, services all your herbal needs, complete with greenhouse and planting facility on grounds. With a full selection of herbs, you may hand pick your herb garden for Mary to plant while you shop - or she’ll create it for you! A truly exceptional environment gives room for organic bath and body products, aromatherapy, massage oils, incense, garden accessories, and much more! This place certainly has class, with a natural feel to it! Stop by and congratulate Mark and Mary at Herbal Acres located at 3551 18th Road, Escanaba, MI 49829. If you have any questions regarding this absolutely wonderful shop please feel free to call, email or check out the website at, (906) 786-8934, lavender@up.net, or www.herbalacres.com.

“Tuscany to Sicily” at Pacinos

Pacinos Food & Spirits Chef Robin J. Holmes CEC, has successfully completed a week long cooking course at the C.I.A. Greystone, Napa Valley, California.

The course, “Tuscany to Sicily”, was an intense introduction to the regional cuisine of Tuscany, Lazio, Umbia, Campania, Apulia, Lucania, Calabria, and Sicily.

Chef Robin plans to feature several new Italian recipes on his nightly specials, and a new menu is in the planning stage to start in June.

When the Love Affair is Over

At this year’s annual Delta County Chamber of Commerce Love Affair, a group of local friends took a chance and won the bid on the winemaker’s dinner, graciously hosted by Ed and Suzell Eisenberger of the historic House of Ludington, and Ralph and Laurie Stabile, owners of Mackinaw Trail Winery of Manistique.

“In all the years Laurie and I have dinned in the area, I have never ventured down to the House of Ludington” said Ralph Stabile.
“But what a surprise we got when all of this wonderful food started appearing,” added Laurie Stabile.

The first-class dinning experience for the bid winners started with 3 appetizers- Mussel Ali Alio, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, and Baked Brie. “The wine that I chose for these phenomenal morsels was my 2006 Riesling” said Ralph. “I felt the crisp acid, light sweetness, and fruity aromas balanced well with the spiciness of the three,” he added. “And the crowed was quick to agree,” said Laurie.

Next on the menu came a wonderfully made Clam Chowder. “I wanted to tone down the acid a bit, not wanting to detract from this wonderful soup, so we chose our White Ibis, a soft fruity wine with a nice citrus nose,” said Ralph. “And this was our choice of wine for the next course-the Strawberry Cashew Salad,” said Laurie.
“White Ibis is one of those wines that serves well with cream styled soups and bold salads,” said Ralph.

The Entrée of Langoustine Lobster was paired with Mackinaw Trails Big Red. “When Suzell first gave me the menu, I knew right away that the Big Red was the one for this dish,” said Ralph. “And what a dish it was,” added Laurie, “the aromas of the lobster in this dish were incredible!” “And the fruity semi-dry style of our Big Red went well with the light tomato base of this dish,” said Ralph. “A heavy Bordeaux-styled wine would have detracted from this dish altogether, and most Burgundy style wines have no residual sugar,” said Ralph, “making our Big Red a nice in-between wine.”

“All of the white wines were served in a medium fluted glass, but with the Big Red, Suzell and I felt a nice red wine goblet was best,” said Ralph.

For the dessert of Chocolate Raspberry Torte, Stabile chose their Razzberry dessert wine. “Most people never think of wine with dessert,” said Laurie, “but when you’re entertaining friends, or having a special get-together, pull out all of the stops!” “It is a real joy for me to see great, everyday people (like me) enjoying the good life,” said Ralph, “to see them relaxed, enjoying great food and wonderful wine at a fine restaurant like this, helps firm up my belief in what I am doing here in the U.P.”.

“It is our goal to establish in the populace of the U.P., the appreciation of wine as an everyday food,” said Ralph. “And not to be influenced by the closet “sweet wine” drinkers who state: “give me dry, or give me death,” says Laurie.

Ed and Suzell Eisenberger of the House of Ludington can be reached at 906-786-6300.
Ralph and Laurie Stabile of Mackinaw Trail Winery can be reached at 906-341-2303

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