2026 Summer Porch Side

Porch Side Stories

Celebrating Our Team, Culture, and Traditions

Grand Rituals

Guardians of the Island: The First Responders Behind Mackinac Island’s Safety

Grand Hotel core values “Be Inclusive, Together We Are Stronger” and “Always Do What’s Right” are reflected in the dedication of Mackinac Island’s first responders, whose collaboration and commitment to service help protect the safety and wellbeing of the island community and visitors.

Visitors come to Mackinac Island for its timeless beauty, horse-drawn carriages, historic charm, and slower pace of life. What many never see is the network of dedicated professionals and volunteers working around the clock to keep the island safe. On an island three miles from the mainland, emergency response requires a level of teamwork rarely found elsewhere.

There are no personal vehicles. Weather can impact transportation. Access to hospitals often requires a ferry, rescue boat, or medical aircraft. Yet every day, Mackinac Island’s first responders stand ready.

That spirit of collaboration is evident across the island’s emergency services, including the Mackinac Island Fire Department, Mackinac Island Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Mackinac Island Police Department, and Mackinac Island Marine Rescue.

“It’s important that we support the community in which we live and work,” says Grand Hotel President David Jurcak, who serves as a volunteer firefighter for the Mackinac Island Fire Department. “From a Grand Hotel core values perspective, it’s about always doing what’s right, being inclusive, and remembering that together, we are stronger.”

When Collaboration Counts

For Mackinac Island EMS, providing care means preparing for circumstances that mainland responders seldom encounter.

“During the summer season, we see medical and trauma patients requiring an elevated response,” says Wendy Dawson, area manager for Mackinac Island EMS. “This might involve a ferry ride, a marine rescue response, or a medical flight to meet a ground ambulance on the shore before traveling to the regional mainland hospital in Petoskey. Logistics can be challenging due to weather and the time of day.”

During the island’s six-month tourism season, EMS responds to more than 500 calls. Providers care for visitors from around the world while coordinating with multiple agencies during critical situations.

“The EMS team consists of twenty providers from across the State of Michigan, all bringing a vast background in EMS healthcare and ready to provide quality care,” Dawson says.

A single emergency often illustrates the complexity of island response.

“A crash involving a bicyclist going down a steep hill without a helmet will generate a response from the ambulance, fire department members to aid in traffic and care, and police to secure the scene and provide traffic support.”

When transportation off the island is required, the response expands further.

“At night, after ferry operations cease for the day, marine rescue will have the responsibility to transport the patient and EMS crew to the mainland,” Dawson says. “During inclement weather, we rely on the United States Coast Guard for boat support from St. Ignace or Air Medical support from the USCG Air Station in Traverse City.”

For Dawson, the work ultimately comes down to preparation and partnership.

“The emergency system relies on each other to provide all levels of safety services to our community,” she says.

That cooperation extends to the Mackinac Island Fire Department, Marine Rescue, Police Department, Mackinac Island Medical Center, ferry operators, and even federal agencies when conditions require additional support.

One recent emergency revealed just how quickly those partnerships can make a difference. According to island officials, a woman whose water broke unexpectedly required emergency transport off the island. Marine Rescue volunteers quickly mobilized to get her safely to mainland medical care.

Their work often happens behind the scenes and because of their dedication and preparation, visitors can enjoy a carefree vacation knowing a trusted network of professionals is always ready when needed.

“We want to welcome visitors to our beautiful island and have them take comfort in knowing we have a Medical Center for routine doctor’s visits, a twenty-four-hour emergency room for unexpected events, and a dedicated EMS team ready to care for you and provide support through unfortunate events.”

A Safer Island Through Community Connection

For Mackinac Island Police Chief Dwayne Miedzianowski, the island’s safety comes from the people behind the scenes working together each day to protect, guide, and support the community.

“Our team is dedicated to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors, ” Miedzianowski says.

Policing a community surrounded by water and filled with thousands of seasonal guests comes with its own unique challenges.

“It’s a larger number of people in a smaller confined area,” Miedzianowski says. “It’s an amazing experience to be able to guide people where they wish to go and be a part of the memory of their vacation.”

Unlike many mainland communities, officers often patrol by foot or bicycle rather than in traditional patrol vehicles, allowing them to connect more directly with residents and visitors.

“It gives us the chance to meet more people and enhance community policing,” he says.

A major part of the department’s role is helping guests understand how to safely navigate the island’s unique environment, where bicycles, pedestrians, horses, and carriages share the roads.

“Our biggest goal is to keep the visitors safe so they enjoy their vacation and have positive memories,” Miedzianowski says. “We try to remind people not to walk on Main Street with it being a state highway and all of the horse and bicycle traffic constantly in motion.”

The department also works closely with other island organizations, including the Tourism Bureau, Mackinac Connect, and local employers, to help visitors and seasonal workers become familiar with the island’s resources and way of life.

For Miedzianowski, public safety on Mackinac Island is rooted in service, communication, and collaboration.

“We try to correct problems and resolve situations so people can enjoy their vacations,” he says.

Long after visitors return home, they remember the island’s beauty, its charm, and the moments shared with family and friends. Helping safeguard those memories is a dedicated team of first responders whose commitment to serving others is woven into the fabric of Mackinac Island itself.

Grand Staff

Raising a Glass to Michigan: Partnerships that Tell a Story

Beverage Director Tom Wilson shares the spirit behind every collaboration

Celebrating Michigan’s landscapes, flavors, and traditions has long been at the heart of the guest experience at Grand Hotel. Today, that commitment extends beyond the guest rooms and dining tables to the carefully curated beverages served throughout the resort.

From exclusive spirits crafted specifically for Grand Hotel to collaborations with some of Michigan’s most respected distilleries, breweries, and artisans, each partnership helps showcase the craftsmanship behind every cocktail. Together, these Michigan makers, including Iron Fish Distillery, Journeyman Distillery, Bell’s Brewery, Long Road Distillers, Les Cheneaux Distillers, Ethnology Spirits, and Mawby Sparkling Wine bring a diverse collection of bourbon, gin, vodka, whiskey, liqueurs, tequila, sparkling wine, and Michigan-made lagers to guests throughout the resort, alongside select national partners like Campari.

Some partnerships span decades. Others begin with a chance conversation. But for Tom Wilson, beverage director at Grand Hotel, successful collaborations are built on trust, shared passion, and a commitment to creating memorable experiences for guests.

“Just like in life, friendships all begin in different ways,” Wilson says. “My relationship with Bill and Johanna from Journeyman started very differently. When I started at Grand Hotel, I felt they would be a great fit as a partner. I called Bill and we haven’t looked back since.”

Partnerships Rooted in Craft and Creativity

Located in Three Oaks, Michigan, Journeyman Distillery is known for its thoughtfully crafted spirits and commitment to using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, making it a natural fit for Grand Hotel’s focus on celebrating Michigan craftsmanship.

“Our most successful relationships are with the companies that truly see us as partners,” Wilson says. “For me, it’s that mutual respect between two companies that both want to work together, help take care of each other’s needs, and are ultimately both successful.”

That philosophy has helped create some of Grand Hotel’s most distinctive beverage offerings, including the exclusive 1887 Grand Bourbon crafted with Iron Fish Distillery and the recently launched Grand Summer Gin developed with Journeyman Distillery.

The story behind Grand Summer Gin began in an unlikely place.

“The Grand Summer Gin was an idea that came up about 18 months ago,” Wilson says. “The idea was born while Johanna from Journeyman was defeating me in a spirited shuffleboard match.”

What began as a simple idea developed into a year-long journey of collaboration, creativity, and dedication, culminating in something both partners were proud to share.

“It needed to be unique, it needed to be special, and it needed to represent both Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island,” Wilson says.

The resulting gin is infused with lilac, lavender, and geranium petals, featuring floral notes inspired by the island’s famous summer blooms.

A Taste of Michigan, Crafted Into Every Experience

That vision comes to life throughout the resort. Guests can step into Baroque and marvel at shelves lined with rare bourbons, discover a distinctive bottle of gin crafted by Ethnology Spirits in Elk Rapids, or strike up a conversation with a bartender eager to share the story behind the spirit in their glass.

“We buy products from an incredible number of distilleries and breweries in Michigan, and that list is always evolving,” Wilson says. “We are lucky enough to have a very wide variety of bars and restaurants that provide different experiences for our guests. That gives us the ability to showcase a wide range of Michigan companies,” Wilson says.

Whether it’s enjoying a Long Road Raspberry Lemonade at The Jockey Club made with Straits Vodka from Les Cheneaux Distillers in Cedarville and Long Road’s Raspberry Liqueur from Grand Rapids, gathering with friends over Bell’s Flyover Light Lager at Gate House restaurant, or participating in an interactive cocktail class at Baroque while learning about the spirits behind each creation, every experience offers a different window into Michigan craftsmanship.

The Endless Pursuit of Excellence

As Grand Hotel’s beverage program continues to evolve, Wilson remains focused on innovation, creativity, and empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals.

“I love the creative side of what we get to do,” Wilson says. “I like trying to figure out how we can make something better than we made it yesterday.”

That pursuit of excellence can be surprisingly meticulous.

“One of the cocktails we have worked on the most in the past year only has three ingredients, but we’ve tweaked it probably more than 30 times,” Wilson says. “As soon as we felt it was perfect, two days later we were back at the drawing board with another idea to make it even better.”

The adjustments often go beyond the recipe itself, focusing on how ingredients are prepared, how the cocktail is presented, and how the guest experiences the final result.

“We constantly evolve what we do, not just that one cocktail but the entire cocktail program,” he says.

That dedication recently earned national attention when representatives from LALO Tequila and Tito’s Handmade Vodka visited Grand Hotel to photograph one of the team’s signature creations.

“We are very proud of that,” Wilson says.

A Culture of Collaboration and Craft

Equally important to Wilson is the collaborative culture behind the bar.

“The bartenders that work here today have been part of the creation of every single cocktail we make,” he says. “They had input into every single one and that’s something that will continue to be a core part of the beverage team’s process.”

At the same time, Grand Hotel remains committed to honoring its timeless character.

“What’s special about Grand Hotel is that it genuinely feels like you are stepping back in time the moment you get out of a horse-drawn carriage at the hotel’s main entrance,” Wilson says. “We will never stray too far away from the classic vintage-era cocktails, but we will always be testing new techniques and better quality products to make the classics we offer even better.”

For guests, that means every cocktail, beer, and spirit served across the resort tells a story, one rooted in Michigan craftsmanship, inspired by passionate partnerships, and brought to life through Grand Hotel’s enduring tradition of hospitality.

Grand History

A Legacy in Every Swing: 125 Years of Golf at Grand Hotel

For 125 years, golfers have arrived at Grand Hotel seeking more than a round of golf. They come for an experience rooted in history, scenery, and traditions found nowhere else in the world.

Long before golf became a staple at destination resorts across America, Grand Hotel embraced the game. In 1901, renowned golf course architect Tom Bendelow designed the original nine-hole course known today as the Grand Nine. Jerry Matthews, a Michigan-based golf course architect, renovated the Grand Nine in 1987 and designed the Woods Nine in 1994.

“Golf at Grand Hotel dates back to 1901 when the renowned Scottish course architect Tom Bendelow designed the original Grand Nine across from the hotel,” says Grant DeMoss, director of golf at Grand Hotel. “Built to accommodate the exploding popularity of the sport among wealthy Victorian vacationers, it laid the foundation for The Jewel.”

Over the decades, the course evolved while preserving its historic character. In 1994, the Woods Nine expanded the experience into an 18-hole course unlike any other in the country.

“There are two separate nine-hole layouts from different eras,” DeMoss says. “The Grand Nine was built in 1901 and The Woods Nine in 1994. Just like the hotel, it embodies both the past and the present.”

The course has welcomed notable players throughout its history, including Presidents Gerald R. Ford and Bill Clinton. Michigan Governor James Blanchard famously recorded a hole-in-one during a visit in 1987.

Yet perhaps the most memorable aspect of The Jewel is not a famous name or historic milestone, it’s how golfers travel between nines.

“Given there is a horseless carriage ban, a horse-drawn carriage was the only sensible way to commute between the nines with golf clubs,” DeMoss says.

The mile-long carriage ride has become one of the course’s defining traditions.”Horse-drawn carriages are synonymous with Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island, and this is the only golf course in the world where you take a horse-drawn carriage to and from the second nine,” DeMoss says.

The mile-long carriage ride has become one of the course’s defining traditions.

“Horse-drawn carriages are synonymous with Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island, and this is the only golf course in the world where you take a horse-drawn carriage to and from the second nine,” DeMoss says.

The experience reflects the island itself. Unhurried, scenic, and delightfully different.

The two nines also offer dramatically different playing experiences.

“Grand Nine is situated on the land above downtown,” DeMoss says. “The Grand Nine plays above and below the island’s limestone bluff offering a breathtaking collection of views overlooking the Straits of Mackinac and downtown Mackinac Island.”

The Woods Nine offers a completely different setting.

“The Woods Nine is nestled on the interior of the island,” DeMoss says. “The Woods Nine plays through the woods of Mackinac with many tree-lined fairways and secluded holes.”

The island’s geography has always shaped the course’s design.

“Being on an island, we are land-locked, and the course had to be thoughtfully designed to maximize the space available,” he says.

That uniqueness continues to captivate guests generation after generation.

“The Jewel golf experience perfectly captures the signature old-world charm, relaxed pace, and rich history of the island,” DeMoss says.

A century and a quarter after the first golfers teed off above Mackinac’s limestone bluffs, The Jewel remains what it has always been: an experience that could only exist on Mackinac Island.