(upbeat rock music) - [Tom] On this amazing episode of UTR, we're back in Oscoda on the sunrise side for a townie taco tradition, some bonafide ballet, and a fishing tale that's true.

We'll even boast about the sugar sand beaches.

Get ready to explore the cool people, places, and things that make Oscoda your next destination.

(dramatic guitar music) (wine burbling) (patrons chattering) (light jazz music) - Woo!

(glasses clinking) (drummer drumming) - [Narrator] A visit to the Stahls Auto Collection will take you back to a time when cars were more than just a way to get around, a fantastic assortment of gas pumps, neon signs, and automated music machines dating back 150 years that must be seen and heard.

Info@stahlsauto.com.

(upbeat rock music) - I've been around the world, but there's one place I keep coming back to.

And the more I explore, the more I realize it's the place to be.

I'm Tom Daldin, and this is "Under The Radar Michigan."

(upbeat rock music) Now if you've seen our other shows on Oscoda, you probably have heard my city slogan, "You're supposed to go to Oscoda," but if you haven't been here yet, stick around because by the end of this show, I think I know where you're gonna go.

And that's because Oscoda is a Michigan sunrise side sensation.

It's a great four season destination that sits right on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron.

The wonderfully walkable downtown has lots of little interesting shops and comfy places to eat, and they even have a beautiful white sand sunbathing beach, and impressive pier right in town.

The downtown also has an awesome historic and restored theatre, iconic ice cream parlor, and a hip little coffee and sandwich shop.

Oh, and the people are so friendly, you'll feel like you know 'em before you even meet 'em.

And if you're looking for a comfy and colorful place to stay right on the water, you'll find lots.

Lake access on the sunrise side is sensational.

Now if you watched our last Oscoda adventure, you know that we had a really good meal at The Red Fork, a healthy and historic hike at Lumberman's Monument, and some homemade hand-dipped donuts at Cedar Lake Grocery.

We even went to the moon and back, got enlightened, and met little Deb Deb right in town.

Well, this time we've got four more fascinating finds for you to frequent when you get here.

So get ready, get set, let's all go to Oscoda.

And just a quick reminder, Oscoda is located on Michigan's beautiful sunrise side, just 20 minutes due north of Tawas on US-23.

You can't miss it.

They've got signs and everything.

(guitar strums) (air whooshing) You know, every town has that little place that all the locals love, and Oscoda, there's no exception because for years and years, Desi's has been the wonderful little eatery and watering hole in the wall where folks around here went to connect, share, and consume some of the best tacos this side of the state.

And to say this place is a local landmark wouldn't be much of a stretch because the people around here absolutely love it.

Yup, Desi's is one of those magical little places that really reflects the mindset, heartbeat, and appetite of the community.

So to make sure I sufficiently steep myself in this townie tradition, I sat down with head magician Tim Kellstrom.

I gotta tell you, Tim, this place has more up north mojo than any place I've ever been in my life.

I mean, the art and the artifacts and the things, you could come in here a thousand times and still not see everything.

- Oh, absolutely.

Yeah.

Well, I haven't seen everything and I work here every day.

So.

- Oh, yeah, well, you've gotta be a superhero in this community for saving this place.

- Well, you know, it really wasn't that we saved it.

The history of Desi's, you know, Desi started in '58.

He did 30 years, and then Tim, Vicki, and Barry Genitti came in, kept it going, enhanced it, and then they just had run their course.

They definitely weren't gonna bail on the community.

So we didn't save it.

We just are the next generation to make it happen.

So we're very excited about that opportunity.

- Well, you're carrying on a legacy.

- Absolutely.

- And this place is iconic.

It's like I said, you walk in here and it's just like your shoulders drop, you get a sudsy beverage, and all of a sudden, you know you're up north.

- Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Yeah, we have the campground down the road.

That's a huge draw.

For the locals, it's just part of their childhood, part of their traditions.

At Christmas, the whole place is decorated.

People come in from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

You gotta see it.

It's just really neat.

We're very honored just to be a part of it.

We are all locals, my wife and Missy, the other owner.

So it's just part of our childhood also.

- Now what's the secret to a good taco?

- You know, homemade shell.

You know, homemade shell is we fry our own shells.

You know, I think atmosphere helps everything, so.

- Oh, yeah, when I go out to eat, there's three thing.

It's service, food, and atmosphere, and the atmosphere here, like I said, is just incredible.

Well, how's that make you feel when multiple generations come in here, and this has been a part of their life?

People have probably got engaged here.

They've probably, you know, gotten a tummy ache from too much food here (chuckling).

- Absolutely.

- That's what I plan to do.

But, yeah, it's such a great thing to carry on that tradition.

- You know, we have seven kids, my wife and I.

- Wait a minute.

Thank you for your service.

- (chuckling) Yeah, yeah.

- Oh, my God.

- Yeah, we're helping the school district.

(Tom and Tim laughing) No, it's family's everything, and Desi's is a family.

The customers are family.

And then to hear the traditions, it gives you goosebumps when you hear my grandparents used to take me here.

We come up every September for fishing or those things, camping at Old Orchard Campground.

It's totally about family and only half about food here.

- Yeah, what do you think Desi would say if he could walk in right now and see what you've done.

- I really would love to know.

I really would.

You know, he started just over here.

He was selling bait.

1958, he's selling bait.

And as the story goes, the guys at five o'clock in the morning said, "Hey," you know, "make me some breakfast."

So he literally took his own stove and his own refrigerator, brought it over here, started cooking the guys breakfast in 1958.

You know, 66 years later, here we sit.

I hope his family... His family came in this summer.

They were very appreciative of us.

We love the history of Desi's, and it's everything to us capturing that.

And then hopefully putting our stamp on it moving forward.

- Yeah, and speaking of generations, I mean, even the wait staff.

Like there's a Lucy.

- Oh, yeah, everyone knows Lucy.

Lucy, I think she waited tables here for 40 years.

- [Tom] And she was here today having lunch.

- She came in.

She came in to support.

It's so cool.

Everyone knew Lucy.

She's as much Desi's as Desi.

- And the fact is that you worked someplace for 40 years and you want to go back, that says something about where you work.

- I hope it does.

So we embrace that tradition, and, yeah, Lucy's special.

She's definitely special.

- I love this side.

I love the sunrise side 'cause the lake is so accessible.

You can stretch out.

It's not too crowded.

It's like it's all for one, one for all over here.

- Absolutely.

Very simple people, simple living.

Hopefully, you know, some great traditional values.

You know, yeah, that is definitely how we see Oscoda.

- And a good taco.

- Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah.

(Tom laughing) - Well, after some Tim time, it was time for Tom to partake in some tantalizing tacos, not to mention the rest of their amazing menu.

And everyone here was fun, friendly, and made us feel right at home.

Traditions come in all shapes, tastes, and sizes.

And this little place tasted great and shaped up to be one of the coziest collections of community I've ever encountered.

So if a tasty, toasty taco is in your future, try consuming it in this cool place called Desi's.

I guarantee that before you finish, you'll be one of the gang.

(guitar strums) (air whooshing) Now everyone knows that some of the best cities in the world for the sophisticated study and instruction of ballet are New York, London, Paris, and Oscoda.

(record scratching) Oscoda?

Wait, what?

Well, you heard, and the tips of your toes are about to spin right because two of the world's preeminent purveyors of this artful endeavor have an awesome academy right here in our own Oscoda, Michigan.

Yup, when it comes to ballet, Scott Heinrich and Giuseppe Canale have the chops to choose any place on the planet to set up shop, and they chose us.

Extreme bonus.

So before the next session starts here at the Northeast Academy of Dance, I chose to sit down with the guys and find out how it all happened.

How did you guys meet?

(light music) - We met, I remember I finished up college.

I finished up in 3 1/2 years 'cause I found dance at a very late stage while I was in college, and- - Went to CMU, correct?

- I went to Central, yup.

And my teachers that I was actually studying with were in Pennsylvania, and they were French and Israeli.

And they said, "You know," 'cause I was considered really old, and they said, "You know, the only chance you'll have is if you go to Europe."

So I started in Germany and then the next place I went to was Holland.

And I met Giuseppe very shortly, just briefly there, and I was doing all kinds of stuff traveling, but eventually we met again.

There was a beautiful dance center in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, and that's where we met, where dancers from all over the world came.

It was like a awesome place.

It was really cool.

- So you were an accomplished, you were obviously born in Europe, born in Italy, and danced throughout Europe.

Then you guys ended up coming to Oscoda.

And I have to be honest, when you say world-class ballet, you don't usually think of Oscoda, but you guys have been here for years now and under all of our radar.

How did you end up here?

- [Scott] Well, again, this was my, I've had family has had roots here since the early '50s.

My grandparents bought a little cabin and then had my mom and my aunt, and my aunt was a teacher at Oscoda schools.

And then my family ended up moving here, you know, after my dad was still working.

I'm from the Flynn area.

My dad was working there.

But anyway, all the summers.

All growing up my whole life, the summer was come to Oscoda and go outside and there you go.

Work and have fun, and that was it.

And we would came when we came here and 'cause we were coming from Europe to vacation, first thing we said, "Oh, let's go see my parents."

And we'd stay here and then travel other places.

- The rest of us go to Europe to vacation, but you came to Oscoda (laughing)?

Were you talked into coming here or did you just love it here?

- No, I just love here.

I was looking for a quiet place actually.

You know, like you said, I've been in ballet world for so long, and I was a little bit tired of politics and all that, and I wanted to be in a quiet area, and this was perfect.

And then I said, "Well, kids are everywhere, so why don't we give a chance to the local people to learn to dance?"

- Yeah, I've read about Giuseppe.

You're an accomplished, I mean, you're a worldwide accomplished dancer.

I mean, and the fact, like, the fact that you guys are here.

You guys could be anywhere on the planet really and be successful.

The fact that you have people coming from all over the world to Oscoda, Michigan for this kind of instruction and inspiration is inspirational for us.

- Thank you, but you know, I think that the main thing that people taking from us is like we really believe what we are doing.

You know, it's not about, yes, of course, you have to make money for living, of course, but it's not only about money.

It's also giving your experience to someone else.

You know, one day we will be gone, so it's nice to pass on the experience, you know?

- It's always been really interesting because, obviously, he much different career than I did.

He was in big companies and that my things were smaller companies, but our experiences were so different, but they complement.

We're on the same page.

We're very different.

I mean, he's more serious (chuckling) and straight and narrow, and I'm a little more crazy.

- A little more Oscoda.

- Well, I don't know if it wouldn't...

I know what that is, but I just know that it's somehow it's always worked.

We say the same things in different ways, and we both, you know, if it doesn't cut through, one method doesn't cut through to a student one way, the other one will.

And then they can go, "Oh," and then it can translate.

So it's just- - And you know, it's nice to see the, yes, we have international students, that they come here, they're perfect, and then they're gone, and most of them now, they are principal dancers.

They're doing wonderful everywhere.

But it's also nice to see the local students, the one from here, that they can have future dance.

You know, if we were not here, probably those kids, they will never be a dancer.

And there are some really incredible dancers here too.

So I feel, we feel, that this is our responsibility to give.

Yes, as wonderful it is to have international students, it is also wonderful to see what you can do for the local talent.

- Well, given all the places you guys have been all around the world, the fact that I'm just thrilled that you're here.

- Thank you very much.

- Thank you.

- And thank you.

Nice to meet you finally.

(everyone chuckling) - Oh, shucks.

Wait till you see me dance.

(everyone chuckling) I'll be completely honest.

I've never actually been to the ballet, but after this compelling conversation with Scott and Giuseppe, I feel completely compelled to do so.

And their passion for both this art form and Oscoda was overwhelmingly contagious.

So if you've got any budding dancers darting around your domicile, you might wanna consider Oscoda and the Northeast Academy of Dance because these two wonderful and worldly gentlemen are the real deal.

(guitar strums) (air whooshing) Hey, everybody, guess what?

Fishing in Oscoda is back!

(laughing) Actually, come to think of it, I don't think the fish actually ever went anywhere.

Oh, well.

Oh, I got me a marlin!

It's a biggin'.

Now even though what I just said doesn't make much sense, it's true.

Fishing in Oscoda is better than ever, and anglers from all over are grabbing their rods and reels and reel them in, in record numbers.

If you're a fishing fan, this is an area you need to plan to come to.

And if you wanna be in the know in these parts, there's a place you need to go, and that's Wellman's Bait & Tackle.

It's where owner Roger Byrne is living his dream by sharing his love of this slippery sport with the entire world.

There's something zen about fishing.

I haven't discovered it yet because I'm a terrible fisherman, but we talked earlier, and you were explaining how this really is your dream.

- Yeah.

- To have this shop.

Why?

- I mean, it started back in childhood.

It was just the thing I fell in love with, especially salmon and steelhead fishing.

Dad took me out fishing once and hooked a big old fish and, "Oh, no, you're fighting this one on your own" type story, and landed it, and it was an accomplishment.

- Now why did you choose Wellman's?

I mean, this is an institution, right?

- This is a cornerstone in the salmon fishing east side, period.

It's one of the originals, and anybody that's fished Lake Huron knows what Wellman's is.

- Yeah, when you come in here and you see all this stuff that you're telling me is made by Michigan anglers, right?

- Yeah, well, this section is all Michigan fishermen that's living their dream making Michigan tackle.

- And a lot of the stuff you said is hand painted.

- Yeah, these beads in this whole corner, these lures up top, they're hand painted.

And this is garage, making their own paint with production.

This isn't, you know, large scale, running 'em through a machine.

This is tedious.

- Plus, they're people that know this area, they know the water, they know the fish.

I don't know if it's by name.

Tell me about the guys that do this.

- For the bead section, this is what I would call the new generation, myself, in that.

It's salmon, steelhead, fishermen that love that, that traditional style, but they found different ways.

On the spoon side, that's more of exactly what we talked about a little earlier.

These are tried and true since, you know, 1970 patterns that guys had been out there and tried every color, every combination, every shape, every size, and they've narrowed it down to a pattern and just the way it swims through the water.

And that's why I like to use these.

- So you guys sell bait here, obviously, but even if you're not a fisherman, people come into here for all kinds of edible fish stuff.

- Correct, correct.

This store has evolved over the years.

It started in '72, and when fishing died, the base closed, 'cause there was the Air Force base.

They've always been able to find themselves and reinvent themselves to become.

All their recipes on smoked fish are original.

I've kept those and continued 'em.

We've got a very large red meat selection that we get from U.S. beef that's aged, one of the better selections in northern Michigan for sure.

And we try to be creative.

We come out with different things.

We've got a white fish sausage.

We've got a lake trout sausage.

We do our own beef jerkies.

We do our own hunter sticks.

We smoke venison for customers during gear season.

- Wow.

Any charters out of this area?

- Yes, there's two that are original.

We're up to five now.

Again, as the lake gets healthier and healthier, we're seeing an influx in that.

Even local neighborhoods to us, Tawas, Harrisville, they're seeing increases in charter boat captains and fishing.

- And with the lake levels being higher, it's easier now because the fish are closer.

- Correct, correct.

And then in the river systems, there's charters for that as well.

You know, it's a different style of fishing, so it takes a different captain to learn that.

So there are charters that do that as well.

So if it's someone that doesn't like going out in the big water, has a tendency to get sick, there's an option in the river system.

- Would you teach me how to fish?

- Absolutely.

- Really?

- Why not?

- Deal.

(light music) I'm telling you, Roger and this place are so legit that they even have a fish scaler in back made out of an old beer keg.

And the fishcuterie boards they make up here will be the absolute hit of your next post-fishing party.

Like I said in the intro of the show, this is a fishing tale that's absolutely true.

So instead of talking about the one that got away, make your way to Wellman's Bait & Tackle in Oscoda.

They've got everything you need to fool the fish right into your freezer.

(upbeat music) (air whooshing) You know, there's this rumor going around that all the beaches on Lake Huron on the sunrise side are really rocky and rough on your feet (laughing), But the sugar sand beaches we found were pretty darn sweet.

And as you can see, and your toes will soon feel, there are big and beautiful white sand beaches all along the sunrise side, and the Oscoda area boasts some of the best.

But so you don't just have to take my word for it, I stopped by the luxurious Huron House Bed & Breakfast for a conversation with owner and sandman himself, Al Heminger.

Al, I gotta tell you, I'm upset, and I don't get upset that often, but there's this misconception that on this side of the state, that all the beaches are rocky, they're dirty, or they're cliffy.

I've never seen more white sand beaches before in my life.

- Ah, you're absolutely right.

We have miles and miles and miles of sandy beach here that's really all accessible for various visitors and tourists that come up to Oscoda.

You know, I think the one thing that probably separates us from the west side of the state on Lake Michigan is just how many resorts we have here as opposed to on the west side.

Most of it's just private homes.

So guests that come to Oscoda, they really get a chance to come, relax, and hang out, right?

And be right on the beach.

- And the resorts along here you can find...

There's Sunkist.

I mean, talk about some of the resorts 'cause there's everything from family to romance to everything.

- Yeah, it all depends on what the tourist is looking for.

If you wanna bring your family up here, I think that's really probably the one thing that makes Oscoda unique, is we really cater to families.

We want to be that destination that generations continue to come to.

I run into people all the time that when I mention Oscoda, maybe they grew up in the Midland Bay City area or Detroit, and when I mention Oscoda, they go, "Oh, I used to go there as a kid."

And to me that really is what summarizes Oscoda, is just being that generational destination for families to come and get away.

It's almost a throwback in time.

You just don't see places like this anymore.

And we have a lot of places that cater to family getaways, Sandcastle, Sunkist.

I mean, there's countless resorts here.

- Well, it's a four season place in that you've got great hiking trails, great snowmobiling.

The fall colors here are incredible.

The canoeing that you can do up and down the river, Au Sable River, is amazing.

But yeah, you can't beat an Oscoda summer.

And like you said, so many families come up here year after year after year because it's almost like it's a secret (chuckling) that we're telling everybody about.

- Yeah, the locals might not appreciate you.

(Tom and Al chuckling) And I've noticed, I've been here 12, 13 years now, and I think the secret's starting to get out that, you know, if you want to actually relax and not suffer from festival fatigue, you come to Oscoda.

And it's just one of those rare untouched places that just hasn't tried to be something that it's not.

- Right, right.

Yeah, I've got two friends that saw one of our earlier shows on sunrise side shows, two that came up here and ended up buying houses right on the water up here, so that says it all.

- Well, and sometimes the Huron House, we've been victims of guests come and stay and then they buy.

Sandcastle Resort is a result of staying with the Huron House and then saying, "You know, maybe we'd like to own a resort."

So we've had other guests that come up here and fell in love with Oscoda and now are homeowners.

- Yeah, we were at Desi's just yesterday filming, and there were two couples there that were up here looking for a house on the water.

I'm like, they figured it out.

The secret's out.

- I like it.

(Tom laughing) Like I said, you're not gonna be a big fan with the locals.

(Tom and Al laughing) - So, Al, 'cause we're two guys sitting on the beach talking about the beaches, does that mean we're The Beach Boys?

- (chuckling) I hope not.

(Tom laughing) - [Tom] Well, obviously, the rumor you heard about all the beaches here being rocky is dead wrong because we found enough beautiful white, sunny sand to play beach blanket bingo, chess, Yahtzee, and even checkers.

So go ahead, soak in some sun and silky summer sand on the sunrise side real soon.

And if you're looking for a four season destination for your next UTR-type adventure, remember what I always say, "You're supposed to go to Oscoda."

(light rock music) (wine burbling) (patrons chattering) (light jazz music) - Woo!

(glasses clinking) (drummer drumming) - [Narrator] A visit to the Stahls Auto Collection will take you back to a time when cars were more than just a way to get around, a fantastic assortment of gas pumps, neon signs, and automated music machines dating back 150 years that must be seen and heard.

Info@stahlsauto.com.

(upbeat rock music) (gentle tones resonating)