Graff Mt. Pleasant Blog

Monday, October 16, 2017

How to Plan the Perfect Halloween Party

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Are you hosting a get-together with friends or family this Halloween? If you want to really wow your guests this year, read on to discover how to plan the perfect Halloween party. You'll be able to create the spookiest surprise of October in no time! If you're on the hunt for go-to inspiration, follow our Pinterest page for everything Halloween and more!

Step 1: The Decorations

The first, and potentially most important step, is to plan out your decorations. Whether you're going for a truly spooky look or more of a family-friendly style, you'll want to make sure all of your decorations throughout your home match and fit the theme! Use a few of these tips to save yourself trouble while decorating:

Decide on a Theme: What kind of get-together are you hosting? Harry Potter? Something spookier? Whatever you're doing, your theme will play a huge part in your decorations!
Set the Scene: Keep in mind who's attending your Halloween party. If it's all adults, you can up the scare factor, but if you're hosting families, make sure it's not too scary!
DIY: One of the most fun and creative ways to spruce up your home for Halloween is with DIY decorations. Create these fun and festive DIY decorations to save time and money this year. You can even get your kids to help you make them!
Don't Forget the Front Porch: Give your guests a frightful introduction to your party by decorating your front porch and doorway. They'll be impressed from the moment they set foot in your driveway!

Step 2: The Food

Next, you'll want to prepare a few spooky snacks for your guests. While candy will certainly be on the menu in October, you'll want to make sure everyone is full and ready to take on the streets with snacks, entree dishes, and other tasty treats. Try these recipes to ease the stress of cooking this Halloween:

Appetizers: Try a few of these Halloween appetizer recipes, like ghost bananas and Venus fly-trap apples to give your guests a spooky start to their holiday festivities at your party!
Entree Dishes: Fill the stomachs of your partygoers with hot dog "fingers", "rat" spaghetti, or even spooky pizzas for a delicious burst of energy before trick-or-treating!
Refreshments: For family-friendly refreshments, try making some spooky grave milkshakes, magic potion punch, or ogre eyes hot cocoa!
Desserts: Kick up the fear factor with sweet treats like the ghostly s'more dip, Dracula dentures, or the creepily cute Jack-o-Lantern bowls!

Step 3: The Entertainment

No Halloween party is complete without some good old-fashioned fun and games! Bring some amazing and unique entertainment to life this year with music, games, contests, and more! You'll definitely want to give all of these suggestions a try at your next Halloween get-together:

Host a Costume Contest: Make everyone dress their best for your party and put together a "panel" of judges to pick the best costume. The winner gets a prize!
Pick a Great Halloween Playlist: You can't beat the music of Halloween. Create a Halloween playlist with everything from Monster Mash, to Thriller, and Ghostbusters this year!
Plan Fun and Games: Plan a scavenger hunt, bob for apples, read fortunes, and paint faces for fun from dusk till dawn!
Arts and Crafts: Hosting a party with younger guests? Set aside an arts and crafts table with a few projects and supplies that they can take home when the night has ended.

Now that you know how to plan the perfect Halloween party, your next event is sure to leave every one of your guests spooked and satisfied with their celebration. If you need help planning your next event, check out our Pinterest page for decorations, recipes, entertainment, and more year-round fun! Additionally, did you know that the changing weather of the fall can affect important components in your vehicle? Consult our Fall Car Care guide to learn about what components can be affected and how you can make sure they're ready to take on the colder weather. If you notice anything that may require attention, contact us and schedule a checkup right away! You'll be thankful you did once the snow starts to fall!

At Hank Graff Mt. Pleasant we strive to provide our customers with a car buying experience that is accommodating, stress-free and fun! Visit us at our Chevrolet dealership located at 4580 E Pickard Rd in Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 or our Buick GMC Cadillac dealership located at 116 N. Mission St in Mount Pleasant, MI 48858.

Websites: Chevrolet: HankGraffMtPleasant.com and Buick GMC Cadillac: GraffBGC.com

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8 Healthy Alternatives to Halloween Candy

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Who says you have to load up on sugar this Halloween? While candy is definitely one of the best parts of trick-or-treating, too much of it can make you feel sick. Avoid overdoing it on the sugary sweets this year with these 8 healthy alternatives to Halloween candy. They taste just as good as candy and are twice as spooky!

1. Jack-o-Lantern Oranges

Carve your ordinary oranges into cute Jack-O-Lanterns and fill them with fruit for a creative and healthy snack! These fun and tasty treats are perfect for Halloween parties and get-togethers!

Ingredients: Oranges, strawberries, bananas

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes per "Jack-o-Lantern"

2. Tangerine Pumpkins & Banana Ghosts

With a little bit of creativity (and imagination), you can turn an ordinary party platter into a haunted pumpkin patch by transforming your fruits into tangerine pumpkins and banana ghosts!

Ingredients: Bananas, tangerines, celery, and chocolate chips

Prep Time: <5 minutes per "ghost" or "pumpkin"

3. Spiders on a Log

You've heard of "ants on a log", now meet its creepy counterpart! This easy and fun recipe only takes a few minutes and is a great way to spook your arachnophobic family and friends.

Ingredients: Celery, peanut butter, chocolate chips, dark chocolate

Prep Time: <5 minutes per "log"

4. Apple Peanut Butter Teeth

Take a bite of apple peanut butter teeth for a mouth full of flavor! If you really want to spook your friends and family, pair your apple peanut butter teeth with a pair of monster eyes for added effect!

Ingredients: Apple slices, peanut butter, mini marshmallows

Prep Time: <5 minutes per "mouth"

5. Candy Corn Popsicle

Haters of candy corn, don't worry: these popsicles don't taste like normal candy corn! Instead, these tasty treats are a combination of coconut, pineapple, and mango juice for tropical goodness.

Ingredients: Cream of coconut, coconut water, pineapple juice, mango juice, red food coloring

Prep Time: 20 minutes to create, 6 hours to freeze

6. Cracker Spiders

Want a classic and easy crowd-pleasing snack for your Halloween party? Cracker spiders only take a few minutes to make and you can substitute the cream cheese for peanut butter for an even healthier treat!

Ingredients: Ritz crackers, pretzel sticks, raisins, cream cheese or peanut butter

Prep Time: <5 minutes per "spider"

7. Monster Fruit Salad

This monster of a side dish is an awesomely creative way to get your kids to eat their fruits! If you don't feel like using cucumbers for the "eyes", you can give your monster a new look with limes, instead!

Ingredients: Watermelon, strawberries, pineapples, cucumbers, blueberries

Prep Time: 40-45 minutes

8. Veggie Skeleton

If your kids have a bone to pick with veggies, give them a reason to enjoy them by transforming your boring veggies into a spooky skeleton! You can even have them make their own skeleton so they can play with their food and eat it, too!

Ingredients: Lettuce, cucumbers, mushrooms, red peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, ranch dressing, olives

Prep Time: 20-25 minutes

Enjoy the fun of Halloween without any of the sugary sickness with these 8 healthy alternatives to Halloween candy. Once you give these scary good recipes a try, you'll never want to eat your greens the same way again! If you're on the hunt for more recipes, costume ideas, and all things Halloween, make sure to follow our Pinterest page! We regularly update our boards with holiday inspiration so you can find seasonal fun year-round! While you're getting supplies for your healthy recipes, make sure your vehicle is ready to take on the cold weather with our Fall Car Care guide. If you find anything that may require attention, contact us and schedule an appointment for service right away!

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Chevrolet Develops Stain-Resistant Interior for the 2018 Equinox

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Over the past year, Chevrolet paid close attention to social media, noting the experiences and inconveniences their customers faced while on the road. The most common problem was the natural wear and tear on the interior of their vehicles as well as messes and spills that can occur. There was even an issue with dark-wash denim blue jeans staining the fabric of the seats in new vehicles.

With this in mind, Chevrolet developed a stain-resistant interior for the 2018 Equinox to withstand all the spills, scuffs, and other messes that can occur while driving and through everyday life. The intricate new design was based on the way Equinox customers live, complimenting the crossover's unique style with long-lasting materials to make a fashionable statement both on and off the road.

The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox's durable denim-like seat fabric and available leather seating surfaces are designed for easy cleanup in the event of spills or messes, ideal if you plan on making this crossover the family vehicle. The treatments used on the fabric and leather also resist stains and scuffing that would otherwise leave unsightly marks on a vehicle's interior. With the new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, you can rest easy knowing that its interior will hold up against pretty much everything and look as good as the day you bought it!

“Many fashion trends disappear after a year of two, while the Equinox is designed for the long haul, making the durability of its materials very important,” said Mara Kapsis, color and trim designer for the 2018 Equinox. “By following real people and absorbing the little things in life that help or hinder them — such as photos posted of muddy paws, spilled drinks or stains on the seats — we learned more about how we could make the new Equinox easier to live with and enjoy every day.”

With customers like you and your family in mind, Chevrolet developed a stain-resistant interior for the 2018 Equinox! If you're interested, take a look at the 2018 Equinox Brochure to get a closer look at this cutting-edge crossover's engine specifications, technology features, and more. After you've read up on the Equinox, explore the Equinox Model Overview to compare trim levels, prices, and customer reviews on the vehicle. Then, once you've gathered all the knowledge you can on the new crossover, browse our Equinox Inventory to get a closer look at the models we have in stock! If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to let us know right away! We'd be happy to help you find a new Equinox that is perfect for your lifestyle and budget.

Support Our Bras for a Cause Event at Graff Mt. Pleasant!

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this year, we at Graff Mt. Pleasant have decided to do our part to support the fight against this horrible disease. Stop by Hunter's Ale House on Thursday, October 19th at 7 PM to support our Bras for a Cause event! Grab a bite to eat and bid on our Chevy and Buick GMC Cadillac bras, which will be sported by our very own Jim Messick and Chris Wheeler! You won't want to miss out on this fun free event!

Information on the Event:

Who: Our general managers Jim Messick from Graff Chevrolet Mt. Pleasant and Chris Wheeler from Buick GMC Cadillac dealership will be modeling our Bras for a Cause, in an event you won't want to miss!
What: A free charity event! Participants can support our Bras for a Cause event by bidding on our Chevy and BGC team bras.
When: Thursday, October 19th at 7 PM.
Where: Hunter's Ale House - 4855 E Blue Grass Rd, Mt. Pleasant, MI, 48858

If you plan on supporting our Bras for a Cause event at Graff Mt. Pleasant, make sure to RSVP on Facebook! All proceeds raised will directly benefit the Karmanos Cancer Institute and Community Cancer Services of Isabella County. At Graff Mt. Pleasant, our goal has always been to give back to the community that has given so much to us. Take a look at our Community Involvement page to see how we've contributed to Isabella County, and let us know if you can think of any causes we should support in the future!

Monday, October 9, 2017

The Scariest Haunted Houses Near Mt. Pleasant

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Trying to hunt down some Halloween-themed terror this October? Experience all the frightful festivities of the season at the scariest haunted houses near Mt. Pleasant. We warn you, though– embarking on these terrifying trips will fill your heart with fear! If you're feeling brave, visit any of these haunted houses for a truly bone-chilling experience.

Terror on 27

Located in Ashley, MI, this haunted property is said to be home to the graves of over 100 workers that helped to build the US-127 highway...but some of the workers still inhabit the house. Visit Terror on 27, if you dare!

Travel Time from Mt. Pleasant: 30 minutes

Scare Level: 4/5

Hinterland Haunted Attraction

The Scariest Haunted Houses Near Mt. Pleasant

Experience gut-wrenching horror, heart-pounding suspense, and more at the Hinterland Haunted Attraction, located in Ashley, MI. Think you're up to the task? Visit the Hinterland Haunted Attraction to find out for yourself.

Travel Time from Mt. Pleasant: 40 minutes

Scare Level: 4/5

Midland Code Breakers

Put your minds and bodies to the test at the Zombie Escape attraction at Midland Code Breakers! Do you have what it takes to make it through the zombie-infested challenges that lie ahead?

Travel Time from Mt. Pleasant: 35 minutes

Scare Level: 2/5

Night Stalkers Haunted House

Located in a massive 5 story, 60,000 square foot building, Night Stalkers will bring your darkest fears to life in Mid Michigan's largest haunted house. Try your best to escape the terrors that await you at Night Stalkers in Saginaw!

Travel Time from Mt. Pleasant: 1 hour

Scare Level: 5/5

The Edson Incident

For a truly terrifying experience, the Edson Incident, located in Bay City, offers 5 levels of exploration on a Vietnam-era US Navy Destroyer. Will you survive the twists and turns of the USS Edson? Find out for yourself this Halloween!

Travel Time from Mt. Pleasant: 1 hour

Scare Level: 4/5

Trail of Terror

Known throughout Mid Michigan as the most intense haunted trail of its kind, the Trail of Terror in Williamston will give you and your group a truly terrifying experience as you make your way through its horrors!

Travel Time from Mt. Pleasant: 1 hour 15 minutes

Scare Level: 3/5

If you're looking for a good scare this Halloween season, look no further than the scariest haunted houses near Mt. Pleasant. You'll discover the true meaning of terror after setting foot in one of these supremely spooky locations! Before you head out to any of these haunted houses, make sure your vehicle is ready to take on the changing seasons with our Fall Car Care guide. If you find anything that may require attention, bring your vehicle in for service and we'll get it looked at and repaired right away! If you're on the hunt for Halloween inspiration for your cooking, costumes, and decorations, follow our Pinterest page for updates on all things Halloween!

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Cadillac Drives Coast-to-Coast With Hands-Free Technology

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – This October, Cadillac will make history. Cadillac will drive coast-to-coast with hands-free technology, making the first journey from New York City to Los Angeles, California with the industry-leading Super Cruise feature. Super Cruise technology is the first hands-free highway driving system of its kind. Using radar technology and a driver attention system, Super Cruise brings a new level to highway driving, allowing you and your passengers to rest easy on the road while their vehicle's automatic lane-centering keeps everyone safe while on the freeway.

Beginning their journey in New York City, a twelve vehicle caravan of Super Cruise-equipped 2018 Cadillac CT6s will travel from coast-to-coast, crossing through 16 states and Washington DC. The fleet of CT6s will make stops in several major U.S. cities including Cleveland, Chicago, Memphis, Dallas, Santa Fe, and Phoenix. This revolutionary Super Cruise technology enables this hands-free driving across over 130,000 miles of limited access, divided freeways throughout the United States.

“Cadillac is setting new industry standards with ground-breaking driver assistance technologies like Super Cruise, the world’s first true hands-free driving system for the freeway,” said Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac president. “We are excited to bring Super Cruise, a true testament to Cadillac’s innovative spirit and technical capability, on its first-ever hands-free drive on freeways from coast to coast.” - Cadillac

Available on the new 2018 Cadillac CT6, Super Cruise technology redefines safe highway driving. It also works to ensure that the driver is aware of the road ahead of them even when the technology is in effect. This driver attention system is designed to help prevent accidents from occurring by keeping the driver alert and attentive to traffic and road conditions with various alerts such as a steering wheel light bar, visual indicators on the center vehicle display, and sound notifications.

While Cadillac drives coast-to-coast with hands-free technology, you can commute to work, head out on a road trip, or pick your kids up from school with the hands-free highway driving of the 2018 Cadillac CT6! Take a look at our Cadillac CT6 Model Overview to view what trim levels are compatible with Super Cruise technology. After exploring the CT6 Model Overview, take a look at our CT6 Inventory to find a vehicle to match your needs, and then schedule a test drive with us to give the Super Cruise feature a try for yourself!

The Best Places to View Fall Colors in Michigan

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – Nothing beats the changing colors of fall. Lush and vibrant greens become breathtakingly beautiful reds and oranges, and ordinary drives turn into works of art. If you're on the hunt for the best places to view fall colors in Michigan, you've come to the right place! This fall, discover the best scenic drives, viewpoints, and must-see destinations the Mitten has to offer!

U.S. 2 - St. Ignace to Naubinway

The Best Places to View Fall Colors in Michigan

One of the Upper Peninsula's most breathtaking drives, this route includes all of Michigan's best features, such as beautiful stretches of sandy beaches along Lake Michigan, a vast expanse of the Sault St. Marie State Forest, and the gorgeous Cut River Bridge, pictured above!

Total Drive Time: 45 minutes

Must-See Destination: The stunningly scenic US-2 Scenic Overlook!

M-22 - Traverse City to Empire

A scenic route so famous that it has a clothing brand named after it, M-22 has been named the Best Scenic Drive in the United States for its incredible display of fall colors and unforgettable viewpoints.

Total Drive Time: 2 hours

Must-See Destination: The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park!

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - Sleeping Bear Dunes

If you plan on visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park any time soon, you won't want to miss out on the 7.4-mile drive along the spectacular view of the Glen Lakes, Lake Michigan, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes themselves!

Total Drive Time: 15 minutes

Must-See Destination: Hike through the Cottonwood Trail for a closer look at the fall colors!

M-119 - Cross Village to Harbor Springs

Also known as the "Tunnel of Trees", this twisting two-way drive is a little off the beaten path, but without a doubt one of the prettiest drives in Michigan due to its vibrant and colorful surroundings.

Total Drive Time: 45 minutes

Must-See Destination: Stop by the Crooked Tree Breadworks on your journey and try their famous pepper parmesan rolls!

National Black River Scenic Byway

Located on the western side of the Upper Peninsula, the National Black River Scenic Byway is approximately 14 miles long and is packed with scenic stops and parks to explore!

Total Drive Time: 30 minutes

Must-See Destination: The breathtakingly beautiful Rainbow Falls!

M-123 - Newberry to Paradise

Another incredible drive through the Upper Peninsula, M-123 takes you through the Newberry State Forest and the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, ending near Lake Superior in Paradise, Michigan.

Total Drive Time: 45 minutes

Must-See Destination: The tranquil and scenic Tahquamenon River!

M-65 - River Road National Scenic Byway

Beginning in Oscoda and ending in the Huron-Manistee National Forest, all 22 miles of this beautiful byway is packed full of scenic stops and trailheads for you to explore!

Total Drive Time: 1 hour

Must-See Destination: The Westgate Overlook or any of the drive's other noteworthy stops!

Huron River Drive - Ann Arbor to Dexter

For a colorful drive through the Lower Peninsula, the Huron River Drive out of Ann Arbor travels along the winding Huron River for the entirety of its journey, finishing off at the Hudson Mills Metropark.

Total Drive Time: 30 minutes

Must-See Destination: Take in the unforgettable view at the Bird Hills Nature Area in Ann Arbor.

If you have adventure in your heart and are yearning for new experiences, take a trip to see the best places to view fall colors in Michigan! You won't regret the opportunity to witness the beautiful color palette the Mitten will have on display this season. Before you head out on your road trip, take a look at our Fall Car Care guide for tips on keeping your vehicle in top shape as the temperatures begin to drop. If you find anything that may require attention, schedule a service appointment with us to have your vehicle looked at right away! Our ASE-Certified technicians will get your vehicle ready to go for your road trip in no time!