posted
Well I finally have my mug shot up so I would like to take this time to introduce myself and family.
Our shop is just a family shop in the small town of Mackinaw City, Michigan, and if you have not heard of it, well it's not big.
But if you have heard of it or seen it, it's a wonderful place. Population around 1000 in the winter, 7000 in the summer.
Alot of History and Home of what was at one time the Longest suspension bridge in the world 5 miles long.
It's a beauty and if you have a moment google Mackinaw City, Mackinac Bridge or Mackinac Island I think you will love it. And yes that spelling is correct.
When I first got on here I knew no one, but after the first year of reading, opening websites, reading articles on some of you in the magazines, ya yes and have a great time reading "router wars" I have come to know alot of you.
Dan can make you smile and laugh but it's not until the famous "Chapman Comeback" has been read to finish off the final burst into tears laughter.
The websites, fonts, software tips,information on sign structures and lots more have helped me in many of ways.
Duncan put me on the path of showing pictures and I felt it was time to join in.
I love seeing everyone out there who show there pics, and love it more when they are on things that I have not done because it's just another direction to research.
Here is my family- My wife Kim, Sammy, and I, Oh! and Ollie our dog of 15 years. Half Pug, Half Poodle Terrior. This pic of him was Xmas this last year.
He doesnt show his age in the pic but I know he is slowing down. He sleeps 80% of the days now but faithfully still comes over everday.
We opened our shop doors in the fall of 1994 just after losing our only son to cancer at the age of six in April.
The shop is what saved us from going insane, we focussed on our work and clients and gave it our all and it has been going strong ever since.
After losing a life we thought it was time to help a life. So in March of 1999 we went to Russia and brought Sammy home from an Orphanage about 4 hours north of Moscow.
And he has been a great little man. I have posted some pics of him in action already on the gym floor post and doing his leafing. Yes I am very proud.
I hope to help anyway I can in the future here and plan on showing some of my favorites that have gone out of my shop here and on the portfolio site.
Some that have gone out recently have been inspired by ideas I have picked up here.
Ray Chapman- thanks for the edge technique it worked great on my Alumalite panel structure.
I will post more pics on the portfolio page.
Looking forward to talking to all of you and giving any of my little tricks that I have learned along the way to any that ask.
Sam
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks Duncan and thanks again for the posting how to show pics.
Once I did it I relized if I was going to show pics than it's time to pay the dues.
It's good to be a member.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
For those that don't know what a troll is, its someone that lives below the bridge (Mackinaw Bridge or sometimes refered to as the Big Mac). The bridge links the lower part of Michigan with the upper peninsula of Michigan (where they talk Yooper in place of English).
ps. Holton's delivers propane to the family cabin in Lovells.
[ February 12, 2007, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Welcome aboard, Sam. The last time I was across the bridge they had guide vehicles lead us because of the wind. Have fun here, there's some great folks. MUR
-------------------- Murray MacDonald OldTime Signs 529 Third Ave S Kenora, ON. P9N 1Y3 oldtimesigns@gokenora.com Posts: 781 | From: Kenora, ON | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Welcome to the Letterville Sam. ANd thanks for sharing your story and pics. Its nice to know the folks we are talking to.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Welcome to the town, Sam... I'm from way down south, but I have been across the Mackinac Bridge and rode bike all over Mackinac Island... it was beautiful out there, I'd love to go back sometime.
I've been enjoying the pics of your work also, keep the SOTM contest in mind...
[ February 12, 2007, 12:10 AM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Welcome Sam! Nice looking bunch (family & sign)! Although the one in grey has his hair in his eyes. We used to have a dog that looked exactly like that when I was growing up, his name was Rags. You are very right, there is a lot of good times here. There is occasionally a good sign tip or two too. But it looks like you know that already. Welcome to the neighbourhood.
-------------------- Deri Russell Wildwood Signs Hanover, Ontario
You're just jealous 'cause the little voices only talk to me. Posts: 1904 | From: Hanover, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Welcome to the neighborhood, Sam! Thanks for sharing your story and pictures. Now you need to attend a Letterhead meet. You will feel like you already know a lot of us from the BB. Looking forward to meeting you and your family at a Letterhead Meet. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hi Sam! I enjoyed reading about your little gilder, Sammy, on the portfolio page. I had no idea about the loss of your other son, and I can't even begin to understand the pain of it. Thank you for sharing your story. I have a whole pug named Weezer, she is kind of my shop mascot. As for the Mackinac Bridge, I have crossed it two times (not in at least 25 years tho) and it was COLD in summer there! (I can remember my dad singing "Oh How I Wish Agin That I Was in Michigan" on that road trip) I enjoy seeing your work, welcome to the BB. Love.....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Welcome Sam, Greetings from 100 miles SW in the Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City. Hope your're enjoying the winter as much as we are. Yeech.
Be sure to stop in some time if you're in the neighborhood.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
OK Dave. Maybe not all U.Per's speak yooper. anyone want to know what we are talking about....go get the movie "Escanaba in the Moonlight" and watch it.
posted
Sam, I'll be stopping by on the 22nd. I plan on leaving about 6 am your time which would put me there about 10 am. My major fear is that I'll never get out of there.
I know we'll have a lot to talk about but I also told Rick Beisiegel in Newaygo that I'd stop in the afternoon before I get to Grand Haven. See you then.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5397 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Great to have you, Sam, & I am looking forward to seeing pics of your work too!
I know what it is like having a quiet winter, then a loud busy summer, I live next to a lake in Northwestern PA. Right now all the "Boat People" are at home in Pittsburgh & Cleveland, but come Memorial Day, they'll all be back out again! Lately, tho, some have hauled their snowmobiles up here to ride in the woods on the trails. Bet you have beautiful country up there, huh?
Nice family!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
I remember taking the ferry from LP to UP. Raised in the thumb...grandparents with a hunting cabin near Ewen. Use to go there for summer vacation to swat blackflies and scare the bears. I think 58 was the last time we took the ferry. I can still visualize the two uprights being built with no suspension bridge hanging from them. I was 9 if I have the year right. Usually had to wait in line about three hours to get the car on the ferry.
Last time I took wheels on the bridge was 2003. Son had graduated from Sault College and we came back to Southern Ontario via I75. I will always remember that trip because we had just arranged for our Canadian born children to get their US citizenship. Pulled up to the US Customs booth at the International Bridge and all four of answered the citizen question with...American...for the very first time. Still get to Michigan several times a year but never over the bridge.
Nice picture...you look like a Michigander.
-------------------- Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945 Posts: 633 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
We used to have a dog that looked exactly like that when I was growing up, his name was Rags. You are very right, there is a lot of good times here. There is occasionally a good sign tip or two too. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
But it looks like you know that already. Welcome to the neighbourhood.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic