By Kristi Gutowski
HPR Media Services

Ever smooched a moose or wondered why there was an enormous tire by the side of eastbound I-94 on your way into the city from Detroit Metropolitan Airport?

These phenomena and many more are explained — from “Motown and More,” to “Beyond the Mighty Mac,” —in “Michigan Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities and Other Offbeat Stuff,” written by Colleen Burcar with Gene Taylor.

Burcar has been a reporter, producer and on-air radio and TV personality in the Detroit area. She now does commercial voice work, public relations and media consulting.

Taylor was the writer and executive producer of Dick Purtan & Purtan’s People morning show.

Taylor was the original author of the book until his death in January 2001.

“He literally died writing this book with his pen and notebook in hand,” Burcar said. “I have the last words he ever wrote on my desk.”

Taylor wrote 22 of the 173 stories compiled in the book.

The project sat dormant for several months, Burcar said. It wasn’t until a short time after her mother died in August 2001 that Burcar was offered the opportunity to finish the book through friends of friends.

“I really think it was divine intervention,” she said.

Burcar did know Taylor was working on the book — besides the fact that the two had worked side by side for 13 years, although it had been a few years since they had worked that closely.

“It was a real privilege to take over the book.,” she said. “I knew because of the way he passed away, the book had to be continued. I didn’t actively pursue it. It came to me and I think God and Gene were looking over my shoulder.”

Burcar was soon collecting all of Taylor’s stories as well as beginning to get busy on her own. She said she called every small town, every Chamber of Commerce, Travel Michigan and even stopped strangers on the streets for their input in the book.

“It’s a fabulous state,” said the suburban Detroit author. “It was a wonderful experience for me.

“As soon as I flipped through the book there were lots of ‘oddities’ that caught my eye, especially as a person who has grown up in the state. Many of them were things that I have seen with my own two eyes…I’ve been to Hell (Michigan, of course); I’ve smooched the moose; and the sight of the Uniroyal tire on the side of the road means home is close by for me.”

But it’s the history behind these things that Burcar has added that makes them, well, more interesting than they were before.

Did you know that the Uniroyal tire is eight stories tall and weighs 12 tons? And that the moosehead that is in Sleder’s Family Tavern in Traverse City is 1,500 pounds and 90 years old? I didn’t.

Burcar is hoping that you didn’t know these little-known facts either and that you’ll want to read her book.

Some of her favorite things in the book are from far and near.

In Mears, Burcar enjoyed cruising in a dune buggy at Silver Lake Sand Dunes. In Putney Corners there was a seemingly “electric” experience where you’re literally at an intersection, and at the bottom of a hill, and your car is pulled backwards up the hill.

“It was very cool — it works and I did it over and over again,” she said. “It literally costs nothing.”

In Midland Burcar met the people who own and operate the world’s oldest Santa Claus school.

“They have reindeer for pets,” she said.

The book is a quick read with a short story on each item. It also divides the states into section with clever names such as the “Not-So-Wild West” and “The Middle Fingers.”

The book is priced at $12.95 and would be a great addition to any family library, not to mention your family history buff.

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