Creative Connections

🎙️ Three local stories. One place to hear them all!

Catch up on our current radio features and hear from a few of the people and places that make Southwest Michigan special!

🍎 Kilwins St. Joseph: Meet a longtime team member who has spent more than 28 years at the downtown shop and hear what goes into one of Kilwins’ sweetest signatures: homemade caramel apples.

🎭 Lake Michigan College Mendel Center: Go behind the scenes of Southwest Michigan’s largest performing arts and event space and hear what’s coming to its stages this season.

🍺Fulcra Brewing Company: Discover the vision behind creating balanced beers and a comfortable, TV-free space in Sawyer where conversation and community come first.

🎧 Catch these features while they’re on air or stream them anytime in our Radio Archive!

🎉 Big congratulations to Morgan Poole with Visit Southwest Michigan for being named to Moody on the Market's 40 Under 40 Class of 2026!

This recognition is a direct result of her phenomenal work as our Content Creator & Communications Coordinator, as well as her dedication to excellence, innovation, and our community.

Morgan, we honor you and thank you for continually raising the bar and inspiring our team every day. ✨

https://www.moodyonthemarket.com/morgan-poole-named-to-the-40-under-40-class-of-2026/

13 years of dedication, vision and volunteer service. A job well done. 👏

For more than a decade, Mike Nadolski has committed his time and talents to our Board of Directors, most recently serving two years as our Board President and helping guide our organization through a period of tremendous growth and transformation.

During Mike’s time on the Board, our organization evolved from the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council to Visit Southwest Michigan, developed a three-year strategic plan and expanded the ways we connect visitors and locals with our region through initiatives including Visit Southwest Michigan Radio 106.1 FM, the Shop & Shore Trolley and Jolly Trolley.

Most recently, Mike played an instrumental role in the purchase of 321 Main Street in St. Joseph, a significant investment in our organization’s future that will become the home of our new Welcome Center.

These milestones are part of a legacy that will continue well beyond Mike’s tenure. His leadership and belief in the importance of tourism have helped position our organization and the communities we represent for continued success.

On behalf of Visit Southwest Michigan, we extend our sincere gratitude to Mike for 13 remarkable years of service. Thank you for helping shape where we are today and where we're headed next! 🎉

🎙️ From molten glass to scenic trails and sparkling rosé...here's what's new on Visit Southwest Michigan Radio 106.1FM.

🔥 Explore the art of glassblowing with Water Street Glassworks and discover how teamwork and creativity shape every piece.

🌳 Find your next favorite hiking trail and gear with Wanderlust Outfitters

🥂 Cool off with Gravity Winery's refreshing bubbly rosé and discover why Southwest Michigan has become one of Michigan's premier w**e destinations.

📻 Listen live or stream our radio archive anytime at swmichigan.org/radio.

Looking for something fun to do in Southwest Michigan?

These features on Visit Southwest Michigan Radio 106.1 FM are packed with inspiration—from nationally recognized art and living history to peaceful mornings along Lake Michigan.

🎨 Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff | Discover how this nationally ranked art fair grew from a simple clothesline show into one of the country's premier art events.

🇺🇸 Lest We Forget | Experience Revolutionary War reenactors, period camps, family activities and more during this special celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

🎧 Stream all features online at any time & listen live at swmichigan.org/radio.

St. Joseph and Benton Harbor shine in the latest episode of John McGivern's Main Streets on PBS! You may also recognize a unique Creative Connections location. 🎨

Episode: St. Joseph & Benton Harbor, Michigan | John McGivern's Main Streets St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, Michigan sit side by side on Lake Michigan, connected by a river crossing and a shared history shaped by water, industry, and r...

Ice Fest weekend just got a little more magical. ❄️✨

Celebrate with a Frozen-inspired breakfast on Feb. 7 & 8 at The Culinary Cottage, featuring Elsa, Anna & Olaf!

🍽️ Enjoy snowflake pancakes + breakfast served tableside
🍪 Cookie decorating for every guest
📸 Character photos with a snowy backdrop

🎟️ Tickets are $35 per person.

Earn free prizes by connecting with the artists, actors, musicians, and dreamers who call this area home! Join the Creative Connections Challenge now through April 30, 2026! 🎭🖼️