Where Living is a Vacation

04/01/2026

✨ New Arrival: Positivity Dragons + Positive Statement Cards 🐉

We’ve got something magical for anyone who could use a little more brightness in their day — our brand-new Positivity Dragons, now paired with uplifting, positive statement cards! 🪄

What you’ll love:
Heartening affirmations you can carry with you a collectible baby dragon that sparks joy.
A simple daily reminder to focus on the good in life.
Perfect for gifting a friend, coworker, or yourself

How it works:
Each Positivity Dragon comes with a positive statement card you can read, reflect on, and share.
Swap cards, trade messages, and spread good vibes

Tag someone who could use a smile today, and tell us which dragon is your mood booster! 💖

These are available at our history spot inside Broadway Embroidery & Screen Printing and online WhereLivingisVacation.com

03/24/2026

In the early 1900s, farm equipment were called "implements" because these tools functioned as enhanced, specialized instruments for agriculture, evolving from simple hand tools (hoes/scythes) to more complex horse-drawn and early tractor-powered machinery. Stores were labeled "implement companies" to denote they sold specialized tools meant to improve efficiency in field work.

Based on the angle of this photo and location near the Lake Orion Lumber yard and train depot we gathered this is a view of Southeast Broadway. The Universal Implement Co. building is present day Valentinos Italian restaurant and the building next to it was the former Oat Soda restaurant.

We could not find who owned the Universal Implement Co. during that time period but we do know Charlie Howarth originally built a building at the State Theater site in 1913 for his farm implement factory, close to the depot in order to easily ship his machinery.

This postcard is dated 1917 and on the back was the message:
"Dear. Friend-
Am coming back to stay next week. Wish you could come out to "Pie" Wednesday Eve. Would be glad to see you. It is pretty cool
out here. Bye - Bye"

More LOcal history on WhereLivingisaVacation.com and be sure to visit our history booth inside Broadway Embroidery & Screen Printing in Downtown Lake Orion. We have a vintage chest full of historical prints.

03/15/2026

Are you excited for the Antique LO Show? Yes, back by popular demand the Orion Historical Society will have an antique show Monday 3/16, 7pm at the Orion Township Public Library!

Do you have LOcal antiques to share? We want to see what YOU have! Share your item and historical significance. OHS will also have relics from storage to share.

We will be there to share what we have as well!

03/13/2026

"On the newest episode of Where Living is a Vacation, Joe Johnson & Jimmy Johnson welcome James P. Hoffa, son of Jimmy Hoffa and former Teamsters President. Hoffa talked about his family's connection to Lake Orion."-ONTV

What an experience listening to his upbringing and the many fun times had in Lake Orion Where Living is a Vacation.

Huge thanks to OrionONTV Joe Johnson for arranging this and interviewing. We also talked to the Hagen's that are currently restoring the Hoffa house. Follow their FB page Hoffa House Renovations to see their progress. Looks amazing so far!

Joe Johnson & Jimmy Johnson welcome James P. Hoffa, son of Jimmy Hoffa and former Teamsters General President. Hoffa talks about his family's connection to ...

03/07/2026

LOcal history in the Orion Review! Thank you Haney Farm Bureau for supporting sharing Orion History!

Visit our history popup inside Broadway Embroidery & Screen Printing in Downtown Lake Orion. We have historical prints, apparel and other keepsakes.

03/06/2026

Flashback Friday
Bald Mountain was named Ball Mountain
"Stagecoaches had a regular route through the township. The regular coach stop was an Inn on Bald Mountain, situated on a curve in the road. The passengers would disembark to rest and dine before going on through the Toll Gate north of the Inn.
Bald Mountain was originally called Ball Mountain because the hill was owned by a farmer named Ball. The barren crest of the hill caused the name to evolve into Bald Mountain."
-Courtesy Oakland County Book of Oakland History Center


Be sure to check out our pop-up history booth inside Broadway Embroidery or online WhereLivingisaVacation.com

03/04/2026

Local Orion history prints, apparel, signs and many other LOcal goodies at our Where Living is a Vacation popup! Located inside Broadway Embroidery & Screen Printing in Downtown Lake Orion

03/03/2026

News from the Orion Historical Society:
Back by popular demand! (and just because we like to do it...) Our next presentation will be our ever-popular Antique LO Show! Come see and get the stories on some of our treasures. Do you have some cool old stuff? Bring it along and share what you know about it. We look forward to seeing you on Monday March 16 at the Orion Township Public Library at 7 pm.

03/02/2026

In the early 1900's (approx 1911-early 1930s), Park Island Amusement Park offered roller skating, dancing, picnic areas, a penny arcade, Thriller roller coaster, swimming, and talented acts like this one!

Several double-decker boats offered lake excursions replete with bands and a dance floor on the upper deck. At night, Park Island was illuminated by strings of thousands of lights.
-Courtesy Michigan History Leader

Thank you Drew Holt with the Northeast Oakland Historical Museum for this treasured snap shot in time.

More LOcal history pics and video on WhereLivingisaVacation.com and visit our popup inside Broadway Embroidery & Screen Printing in Downtown Lake Orion.

02/25/2026

Orion history, stitched in comfort! The Silverbell and Lake Orion crewnecks are back in stock online and in our history popup inside Broadway Embroidery & Screen Printing. Limited runs, timeless designs-pickup now and wear the story!

WhereLivingisaVacation.com

02/21/2026

Aerial view of Lake Orion circa 1950s-60s. There was not a specific date. H.C. Tinney was a photographer active in the Pontiac, Michigan area during the mid-20th century, known for capturing historical, architectural, and aerial images. He documented local Michigan landmarks and institutional buildings during the late 1950s and early 1960s. -Image courtesy H.C. Tinney

If you zoom in you can see the Verwood and the State Theater as well as parts of Downtown Lake Orion. What do you see?

More LOcal history on WhereLivingisaVacation.com and be sure to visit our history booth inside Broadway Embroidery & Screen Printing also in Downtown Orion.