When the Benser family invited me to come up and do some free lance writing for their Original Murdick’s Fudge blog, I was 1) flattered; 2) excited; and 3) on board immediately! You know me . . . if it means a trip to magical Mackinac Island, my luggage is packed, and I’m on that midnight train from Georgia (ok, ok – we take I-75 and drive a Ford). Nevertheless, I jumped at the chance to come north before our planned visit in August, and we arrived Sunday afternoon to swarms of midges on the Mackinaw City side (NOT on the island), chilly breezes, and the always-exciting bluster of activity on Mackinac’s Main Street.
During our 1100+ mile ride up, I had a lot of time to think about what writing for a fudge company could mean. Ted and I know the Benser family personally (they own Original Murdick’s Fudge shops on Mackinac Island and on Martha’s Vineyard) and are owners and co-owners of several other businesses on the Island. Our connection with them originally was through the Chippewa Hotel, where we stayed for several summers before we bought our condo here. Through the years, my admiration for this family has grown exponentially. They have those rare qualities of business acumen, attention to detail, and professionalism that any successful business must possess. But they carry it one step further and team successful business strategies with the human elements of a caring spirit, a love of the Mackinac experience and tradition, and a network of “family members” who have been with Original Murdick’s Fudge since it was purchased by the Bensers in 1969. You can read the story of that transition by clicking on “Our Story” www.originalmurdicksfudge.com/about-us.
We’ll be on the Island for the next few days (through June 9th), and while we’re here, I’ll be posting photographs and fudge stories pretty much continuously to the Original Murdick’s Fudge blog site www.originalmurdicksfudge.com/blog. I hope you’ll join me there for nine days of fudge adventures, and hey – if anything you read or see here makes you think you JUST CAN’T STAND IT FOR ONE MORE MINUTE, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOME FUDGE RIGHT NOW, all you have to do is go online and order you up a batch at www.originalmurdicksfudge.com.
Gee, I wish there was a “scratch and sniff” option on blog posts. Wouldn’t it be awesome to just lean into your laptop screen – or hold your iPhone up to your nose – and breathe in the aroma of F.U.D.G.E.
Let’s go to Mackinac!
A little rain on the streets turned everyone’s mind to fudge . . . Original Murdick’s Fudge!
Take five hungry boys from Grand Rapids, place Original Murdick’s Fudge samples in front of them, and watch the smiles begin!
If you’re on Facebook, please go to the Original Murdick’s Fudge Facebook page and join that group. Lots of information and specials there, and they’ll be using some of my photos over the next few days also!
Bree's Mackinac Island Blog 
Two questions-we are coming for the Lilac Parade on the 15th-do you think there will be Lilac’s? Also, what cottage are you in that accept dogs? We have Therapy Dogs and walk in the parade on Sunday but we are quickly running out of places to stay for 3 nights-Friday-blessing of the animals, Sat-Epona and Barkus parade and Sun the Lilac Parade.
Really enjoy your blog.
Claudia
I was there for a few hours on Monday! I thought about you when I walked past the Stuart House. Little did I know you were also on the island! Went on to the Soo and had a great time.