Thursday, October 25, 2018

Youth Baseball Coach Receives the Inaugural Chevy Cares Award at World Series

Youth Baseball Coach Receives the Inaugural Chevy Cares Award at World Series

BAY CITY, Mich. -- Chevrolet presented the first-ever Chevy Cares Award to youth baseball coach Mike Van Cleave, who has been involved with the Clairemont Hilltoppers in San Diego for over 50 years - beginning as a player himself at the age of eight. In a special on-field ceremony before Game Two of the World Series at Boston's Fenway Park, Van Cleve an engraved glass trophy as well as a brand new 2019 Chevy Travers for his dedication to training, mentoring and investing in the lives of youth baseball players.

Over the past 45 years, Van Cleve has coached hundreds of kids. Nowadays, his involvement stretches beyond the diamond as he is in charge of uniforms and equipment, mows and maintains the field, actively attends board meetings, works on schedules, and participates in fundraisers.

“Mike goes above and beyond in his selfless dedication to youth baseball and the children on his team and in his community – the commitment and values that he demonstrates through his work are the same that drive all of us at Chevrolet every day to put our customers first and contribute in a meaningful way to the communities where we live and work,” says Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “We’re proud to honor Mike with the first Chevy Cares Award and a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse – a family vehicle perfect for hauling both equipment and team members to every game.”

Like Van Cleve, Chevrolet is deeply invested in the sport of baseball as well as the lives of youth who play it. In addition to being the Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball, Chevy is also the Official Automotive Sponsor of PLAY BALL, an initiative to support America's national pastime and encourage young people and communities to participate in baseball and softball - whether by way of formal leagues or casual play.

Since 2006, PLAY BALL has empowered more than 7.3 million kids to get in the game through the Chevy Youth Baseball Program. The initiative also sponsors equipment and uniform donations, instructional clinics, and field refurbishment.

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

5 Places in Michigan that Are Actually Haunted

5 Places in Michigan that Are Actually Haunted

BAY CITY, Mich. -- Since the beginning of time, humanity has held a strong belief in the existence of an afterlife, a place that we go once our time on Earth is done. While exactly what it is and how we get there widely varies, there is one constant element in every form of spirituality: Ghosts. As old as their concept are stories of their interactions with the living, which have been shared around campfires, read in books, and seen in movies and television. Whether you believe or not, ghosts remain a hot topic in popular culture, and even more so the places in which they're said to linger.

Given the almost 200-year-old history of our beloved Great Lakes State, we have our share of creepy locations where many visitors report strange happenings that continue to go unexplained. Are they just the product of wild imaginations influenced by creepy old buildings...or are they really the apparitions of those long passed revealing themselves to us?

With Halloween just a week away, we at Graff Bay City would like to share with you five places in Michigan that are said to actually be haunted. Reader beware!



5 Places in Michigan that Are Actually Haunted

1. ELOISE - Westland, MI


Considered one of the most haunted places in Michigan, the defunct psychiatric hospital known as Eloise is a subject of terror and intrigue amongst those in the Metro Detroit area. If you grew up there, you're familiar with the folklore, and you probably know a couple of people who have ventured out to the property for the thrill of encountering the restless spirits of long-dead residents.

Established in 1839, Eloise began as a poorhouse and farm, then by 1913 gained the psychiatric and tuberculosis divisions that would become responsible for its infamy. At its peak during the Great Depression, the massive complex covered 902 acres across 70 buildings, housed over 12,000 people, and even had its own public safety departments and post office. It was so big that, for a time, it had its own zip code! The psychiatric division closed in 1977, and Eloise finished out its final years as the Wayne County General Hospital before shutting down completely in 1982.

In addition to hearing screams, moans, and roars, visitors to the Eloise complex have reported seeing a variety of apparitions coasting through its crumbling halls, but the most common sighting is that of a woman dressed entirely in white. In 2016, a previously forgotten cemetery was discovered on the grounds holding the graves of nearly 7,000 patients - perhaps explaining a lot of the activity.



5 Places in Michigan that Are Actually Haunted

2. HOLLY HOTEL - Holly, MI


As far as historic buildings go, the Holly Hotel is said to be the most haunted in Michigan - and perhaps the country. In fact, noted professor of parapsychology and ghost hunter Norman Gauthier declared the 127-year-old hotel to be "loaded with spirits," and the Ghost Hunters of Southern Michigan have captured some pretty incredible material during their yearly stays.

Constructed in 1891 as a railroad inn, the Holly Hotel was originally owned by John Hirst, who continues to reside in the building as one of its most active spirits. "Mr. Hirst" most often manifests by way of the smell of cigar smoke, laughter, or speech. However, on the rare occasion that he does visually appear, he's reported as a male figure wearing a frock coat and a top hat.

The Holly Hotel is also home to the spirits of Nora Kane and an unnamed little girl, who is suspected to have been Nora's daughter. A music lover in life, Nora can still be heard playing the piano - and is also identified by her distinctive perfume and has often been seen in the bar and back hallway. As for the little girl, she is described as a friendly and playful spirit whose giggle can be heard as she moves things around in the kitchen or runs up and down the hallways.



5 Places in Michigan that Are Actually Haunted

3. THE MASONIC TEMPLE - Detroit, MI


Chances are you've been to or at least seen this towering neo-Gothic building located on Temple Street overlooking Cass Park - but did you know it's haunted? When George Mason designed the Detroit Masonic Temple in 1920, he spared no expense. The massive structure includes over 1000 rooms, concealed passageways, and hidden staircases - making it the largest of its kind in the world. Unfortunately, this extravagance cost him a pretty penny, causing him to go bankrupt and his wife to leave him because of it. As a result, George climbed to the top of the tower and jumped to his death.

Since then, security guards at the Masonic claim to have seen George's ghost making that fateful climb up the steps to the roof. Other visitors report strange happenings such as windows and doors being slammed shut by themselves, moving shadows with no one or nothing to cast them, cold spots, and the constant feeling of being "watched".




5 Places in Michigan that Are Actually Haunted

4. OLD CITY ORPHANAGE - Marquette, MI


Formerly known as the Holy Cross Orphanage, this haunt built in 1915 definitely has one of the saddest histories on our list. The French nuns in charge of the orphans who ended up here were anything but benevolent. Their unbelievable cruelty and violence against the children have spawned many awful stories - however, one particularly grisly account stands out above the rest.

During a blizzard, a young girl wandered outside to play in the snow and later died of pneumonia. In a truly sickening attempt to "teach the other children a lesson", it is said that the nuns left the girl's body on display in the lobby of the orphanage.

Old City has been abandoned since the 1960s, but that hasn't stopped a number of curious explorers from venturing onto its haunted grounds. Many have reported seeing strange lights passing between windows and even entire floors, as well as hearing the sounds of crying children echoing throughout the property.



5 Places in Michigan that Are Actually Haunted

5. MICHIGAN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY - Grand Rapids, MI


Those who grew up in Grand Rapids are no doubt familiar with this spooky site, and more so the strangely unique  (if not persistent) way that the two spirits who remain there are said to go about their haunting. Where the Michigan Bell Telephone Company now stands downtown, there used to be a lavish mansion turned rental property known as the Judd-White House, and among the residents were a couple by the name of Warren and Virginia Randall.

When the Randalls moved there from Detroit in 1907, times were splendid. Warren had an excellent job as a brakeman on the G.R. and Indiana Railroad, Virginia was a kept wife, and the two were blissfully in love. That was until just a year later when Warren lost his leg in a railway accident and received a wooden prosthetic. In the years that followed, he grew very insecure and paranoid, constantly accusing Virginia of having affairs and often getting very violent, which caused her to leave him later that summer. In 1910, Warren persuaded Virginia to take a carriage ride with him, perhaps in an attempt to get her back. Upon arriving back to the Judd-White House, however, any hope of a happy ending for the Randalls was dashed as they engaged in one last vicious fight - which claimed both of their lives.

The Judd-White House stood for another ten years after that, never occupied, with many reports from locals about strange lights and sounds coming from the house - including the "thump thump thump" of Warren's wooden leg and Virginia screaming for mercy. In 1924, the house was demolished and the Michigan Bell Telephone Company was built in its place where it remains to this day. Haunting over, right? Wrong. The Randalls are said to have inhabited the new building, still reenacting the sounds of that fateful night, and there have even been reports from several Grand Rapids residents of receiving strange phone calls in the middle of the night - a male voice on the other end of the line. Upon investigation, every call was traced back to the Michigan Bell building.


Have you visited any haunted places in Michigan? What were your experiences? Let us know in the comments!


Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

You'll Be In Shock Over This New Camaro Color





The Chevy Camaro has sported a fairly tame palette offering, until now. The 2019 models are here and they've received a total makeover, with vibrant, new colors and modernized nose detail. Shock, the latest color offering, is headed for unveiling at SEMA on the 30th of this month. This extreme highlighter yellow shade is garnering quite the buzz among auto enthusiasts producing a mixture of both positive and negative feedback.

Although Chevy has not released any information about exactly which Camaro models are being offered in Shock, we do know that production with the new neon offering will begin early next year and will likely be an extra-cost option like the current red and orange color options. The restyled front features a relocated bow-tie emblem, as well as stunning after-market accessories like black badges and a rear spoiler to round out the new appearance. The aesthetics aren't the only upgrades on the 2019 models, however, as they feature new wheel design, state-of-the-art Chevy Infotainment systems, full-display rearview camera mirror, and forward collision alert. In addition, the 2019 Camaro sports a lower price tag than the 2018 model, $405 dollars cheaper to be exact. 

Do you love the new color, but not muscle cars? Fun fact: this color is also currently available on the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

What are your thoughts on the 2019 Chevy Camaro models? How about the color shock? Do you love it, or is it a bit too much? Comment and let us know, we love hearing from you. 


Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

All-Natural DIY Beauty Products You Can Make At Home


BAY CITY, Mich. -- Traditional beauty products are flooded with chemicals, artificial colors, and fillers that can cause major damage to your skin over time, in addition, if you are blessed with sensitive skin you may be allergic to the main ingredients in average cosmetic products. Experiencing redness, irritation, and breakouts after using a foundation or face scrub is your skin's way of letting you know it's time to go natural. While organic product lines are easier on your body because of their natural ingredients, they can be super expensive! Graff Bay City cares about your health and your wallet, so we've compiled a list of fun, all-natural beauty products you can make at home. 


1. Eyeliner

Homemade eyeliner? You might think we're joking, but we're totally serious, this recipe is super easy to make and if your eyes get itchy a couple hours after applying liner you should definitely give it a try. 

  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil
  • 4 teaspoons aloe vera gel
  • For color: 1-2 capsules of activated charcoal for black, or 1/2 teaspoon of cocoa powder for brown. 
Thoroughly mix all ingredients, and pour into an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place and use with a clean brush so you don't get any bacteria in the mixture. 

2. Rose Face Tonic

Witch Hazel is a miracle liquid, full of astringent properties, it can be used to lighten blemishes, improve circulation, heal wounds, firm up, de-puff, and brighten the skin. This spray-on tonic is infused with rose petal, which has long been regarded by Middle Eastern women for it's balancing and healing properties, particularly on sensitive skin. 

  • 1 bottle of organic witch hazel
  • 1 handful of dried, organic rose petals
  • Glass mason jar
  • Glass spritzer bottle
  • Small Funnel
  • Cheesecloth 
Fill the mason jar halfway with the organic rose petals and cover completely with witch hazel, screw on the cap and shake vigorously. Let sit for 24 hours or until the rose petals turn white. Place the funnel into the neck of the spritzer bottle and drape the cheesecloth inside the funnel. Strain and squeeze any excess liquid left in the roses through the cheesecloth. Use this spray to cool your skin after a workout, or with your regular skin-care regimen. 

3. Bronzer 

We all strive to achieve that perfect, summer glow, and this recipe helps you get the tan without the chemicals. You will need to adjust the measurements based on your skin one, so this recipe may be one that you have to tinker with for a bit.

  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder (for glow)
  • 1 tsp cocoa powder (for depth and darkness)
  • 1 tsp nutmeg powder (gives a sun-kissed brown)
  • 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
  • 15 drops of your favorite essential oil
Adjust the levels of ingredients to your shade, break up any clumps and mix well, add the essential oils to hold everything together and thicken the mixture, or if you prefer a loose powder, leave them out. Place in a clean, empty compact and pack it in firmly. 

4. Shaving Cream

Most shaving creams are 80% water, but the foaming and moisturizing agents that make up the other 20% are definitely not ingredients you want anywhere near your skin. The two main offenders are propolene glycol, which is a humectant that can also be found in antifreeze and brake fluid and mineral oil which is a by-product of petroleum - otherwise known as gasoline. These ingredients have been linked to blocking pores, irritating the skin, and even causing cancer. Making your own shaving cream at home is a lot easier than you'd think, all you need is a few, simple ingredients and a hand mixer. 

  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup liquid castle soap
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa or shea butter
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 drops of your favorite essential oil (we recommend tea tree for it's cleansing properties) 
Gently heat the coconut oil and cocoa or shea butter together so they melt and then pour them into a mixing bowl. Add the castile soap, baking soda and essential oil, using a hand mixer to whip the ingredients together. This will create a lovely, foamy cream that's perfect for shaving and isn't full of harmful chemicals. 

5. Eyeshadow

If the eyes are the window to the soul, shouldn't we be protecting them? You'd think so, but many of the main ingredients in your average shadow palettes are extremely damaging to your skin and eyes. Aluminum powder is used to give most eyeshadows their color, this toxin inhibits your body's ability to expel mercury when it's released into your bloodstream by your eyelid pores. When combined with thimerosal, an eyeshadow ingredient that's literally based off mercury, your body becomes one giant mercurial hub. Talc and coal tar are some other harmful chemicals found in most eye makeup ingredients, both are labeled as carcinogens and have been linked to lung, bladder, kidney, digestive tract and ovarian cancer. Try out this all natural eyeshadow recipe in three shades to keep your peepers free of harsh, unwanted chemicals. 

Pale Pink
  • 1/2 teaspoon arrowroot powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried beet powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon shea butter
Mauve
  • 1/2 teaspoon arrowroot powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried beet powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon shea butter
Golden Brown
  • 1/2 teaspoon arrowroot powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon turmeric 
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon shea butter
Start by placing the arrowroot in a small mixing bowl, add your spices/powders and mix until you've achieved your desired color. Add in the shea butter and use the back of a small spoon to mash the butter into the powder against the side of the bowl until you achieve a soft, creamy consistency. The shea butter will keep the eyeshadow on your lids and provide a glossy effect. Apply with a small brush like you would any other eyeshadow. 

Skin is our body's largest organism, and we should be caring for it just like we would any other part of our makeup. When it comes to choosing beauty products, make sure you read the label before you buy. If ingredients are listed that you don't recognize, look them up! Many of us spend so much time filtering what we put in our body, that what we put on our body isn't a priority, even though they're equally important. Try switching out our harmful cosmetics for an all-natural alternative, or giving some of these DIY recipes a try. What are your favorite all-natural beauty tips? Comment and let us know. 


Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

You're In For A Scare: 5 Best Haunted Attraction in Michigan



BAY CITY, Mich. -- For many (including some of us guys and ghouls here at Graff Bay City), Halloween isn't just a holiday - it's a month long event. And a huge part of the festivities is enjoying a good old-fashioned fright fest at one - or several - the Mitten's many awesome haunted attractions! Of course, with so many to choose from, it's difficult to narrow down the list of potential destinations into the ultimate agenda of scares.

In order to help you out, here are our top five picks for the best-haunted attractions in Michigan!



1. EREBUS - PONTIAC


Recognized as one of the best haunts in the country having been featured on the Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, and other networks, Erebus is a must-see attraction for any fright fan.

Erebus changes its basic effects from year to year but follows a central narrative of visitors being sent through time by a mad scientist, experiencing many different eras of history in the most terrifying way possible. The haunt utilizes a combination of live actors, animatronics, massive puppets, and altered landscapes to garner scares. No one is allowed to actually touch you during your walkthrough, but they push the boundaries with props and illusion tactics using such things as mirrors, a moving wall that pushes visitors towards a bottomless pit, and a chamber in which they're buried alive.

Learn more and purchase tickets on the Erebus website.





You're In For A Scare: 5 Best Haunted Attraction in Michigan

2. EDSON INCIDENT - BAY CITY


Haunted house? How about a haunted ship? Voted Michigan's Best Haunted Attraction in 2017, the Edson Incident is located aboard the USS Edson in our very own Bay City, utilizing all five levels of the Vietnam-era destroyer to as they say "scare the ship out of you" through the narrative of a military experiment gone horribly wrong.

Known as the "Grey Ghost of the Vietnamese Coast" in her services days, the USS Edson has been the subject of both paranormal investigation and thriller entertainment, having appeared on Destination America's Ghost Asylum and CBS' original Twilight Zone. In fact, she's open for both public and private investigations, during which visitors may choose to spend the night!

Learn more and purchase tickets on the Edson Incident website.






3. NIGHT TERRORS THRILL PARK - YPSILANTI


Cheery cider mill and pumpkin farm by day. Terrifying horror fest by night. Staged in Wiard's Orchard, the Night Terrors Thrill Park is a one-of-a-kind Michigan haunt featuring a total of six attractions all designed to give visitors a scary good time. Such as the Ultimate Haunted Barn, the Asylum, the Mineshaft, Splattertown (featuring live action paintball and alien caged clowns), and of course the Hayrides of the Lost for which the orchard is known.

Learn more and purchase tickets on the Night Terrors website.





You're In For A Scare: 5 Best Haunted Attraction in Michigan

4. HUSH - WESTLAND


With a long list of accolades including 2017 Attraction of the Year by Michigan Haunted Houses and one of America's Top 13 Haunted Houses by Coaster Nation, Hush is not one to pass up - but it certainly is not for the faint of heart. This haunt is known for its yearly rebuilds and expansions, delivering a nearly all-new show every season, with an overarching narrative revolving around the terrifying events within a locale known as Hush Falls.

Although the monsters of Hush may be some of the scariest in the land, they're not always such. For the past six years, Hush has designated one day out of the season as Friendly Monster Day, during which kids can trick-or-treat through the haunt with the lights on - all while being greeted by much nicer versions of the actors.

Learn more and purchase tickets on the Hush website.






You're In For A Scare: 5 Best Haunted Attraction in Michigan

5. EXIT 13 - MT. MORRIS


For adrenaline junkies seeking the ultimate fright of the night, Exit 13 definitely delivers - living up to its distinction as Genessee County's largest and most extreme haunt. This place has everything from wicked effects and atmosphere, but what really makes it the stuff of nightmares is the absence of the "no-touch" rule. That's right. Not only will every actor get right up in your face, but they will also touch and grab you to provide the most immersive horror experience possible. 

Learn more and purchase tickets on the Exit 13 website.


What haunted attractions are on your list to visit this Halloween? What's the scariest one you've been to? Comment and tell us about it!

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Chevrolet and the American Cancer Society "Make Strides" Against Breast Cancer

Chevrolet and the American Cancer Society "Make Strides" Against Breast Cancer

BAY CITY, Mich. -- For the eighth consecutive year, General Motors and Chevrolet employees continue their contributions to the fight against breast cancer this month by supporting the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, by participating in various activities including employee walks, customer engagement, and event sponsorships.

As social media has become a powerful tool of awareness, Chevrolet has pledged to donate $5 for every post showing support for those affected by breast cancer that includes the #IDriveFor hashtag during the month of October. The campaign has already gained significant momentum across many platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter - with posts comprising thousands of survivor stories, memorials, and displays of solidarity.

Through the #IDriveFor campaign and other Making Strides against Breast Cancer initiatives, Chevy pledges to donate all resulting contributions to the American Cancer Society to fund treatment and cure research, as well as the promotion of preventative and early detection procedures.

Chevrolet's continued support for breast cancer awareness is just one part of the brand's new community-focused marketing program, Chevy Cares. The program also encompasses the many efforts already put forth by Chevy such as support of military veterans and their families, youth sports, and disaster relief in areas where their employees live and work.

“We know that when we support causes that our employees, dealers and consumers are passionate about it helps bring communities together,” says Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “We are proud to roll out Chevy Cares as a unifying effort that will allow us and our dealers to do even more in the communities where we live and work, including building on the success of our partnership with the American Cancer Society to raise even more awareness and financial support for breast cancer research.”

Throughout the month of October, Chevrolet is participating in national, regional, and local activities, and encourage all to get involved with a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event near them to support those affected by breast cancer.

Hank Graff Chevy is located at 3636 Wilder Road, Bay City, MI 48706 and we are here to help our community grow to become an even better place to call home! For more information on Hank Graff Chevrolet, or for any questions call us at (989) 684-4411 or visit our website: www.GraffBayCity.com.