On Wednesday, May 7th, the Plymouth District Library hosted “An Evening with Viola Shipman” in collaboration with the Penn Theatre. Shipman is the pen name of Wade Rouse, which serves to honor his grandmother. USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and #1 international best selling author, Wade Rouse has penned twenty books, including memoirs, holiday novellas, and Michigan-set novels. I had the pleasure of meeting Viola Shipman at his Plymouth event.
“This is her Super Bowl,” my sister told Wade as he reached out and offered me a hug. My sister, Joanna, was right. From the moment I found out he would be speaking just down the street from my home, I instantly started to rearrange my Wednesday evening schedule to attend. It was certainly worth it. In addition to the speaking and book-signing event with Viola Shipman, there were tables of Shipman inspired merchandise featuring various quotes.
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Meet Urban Vine
As I took a look at various Viola Shipman items from writing journals and tea to candles and embroidered dish towels, I met Amy from Urban Vine who elaborated on these unique gifts. Urban Vine is a Michigan-based, female owned business. The owner, Amy Vine, is an herbalist. In listening to her speak about her organic, family-owned “Promise Land Farm” and small batch, handcrafted teas, I had to make a purchase.
In addition to appreciating these quality products made from locally grown ingredients, her mission is incredibly inspiring. Urban Vine has built a workspace for adults with functional needs, providing amazing people with the opportunity to create, interact, and blossom in a safe environment. The need for this creative and adaptable place of employment stemmed from Amy’s own son who is on the autism spectrum, and her brother and sister who have functional needs.
The great work at Urban Vine has not gone unnoticed. Urban Vine recently earned the Easter Seals “Seal of Approval” recognizing businesses that support individuals with autism and/or functional needs. Located in Clarkston, Urban Vine provides individuals with the opportunity to find their passion and purpose.
Their mission aligns well with that of Wade Rouse, who Amy met in Frankenmuth at “Books in Bloom” where he was keynote speaker in 2022. Amy, a vendor at the event, had made a lovely tea companion for “The Heirloom Garden” and asked Rouse to stop by her table when the event ended. Just a few months later, Wade Rouse, and his husband Gary, reached out to ask Urban Vine to develop merchandise for the Viola brand. A beautiful team was born!
Here’s the Tea!
Urban Vine and Viola Shipman have a tea-rific collaboration. While at Shipman’s author event, I purchased the Tea Time Passport Book, which provides a set of eight different teas. Each individual tea has been crafted to accompany one of Shipman’s novels.
If you have not yet read Viola Shipman, his novels vividly depict various picturesque Michigan settings. Shipman brings heart, humor, and hope to the page and simultaneously portrays the beauty of the Great Lakes state impeccably.
It is hard to believe he is not originally from Michigan. His most recent release, The Page Turner is set in South Haven and is an engaging read about Emma Page, the publishing industry, and a family’s legacy. Learn more about The Page Turner in this feature from PEOPLE magazine which includes an excerpt of his work.
Another fan favorite The Wishing Bridge explores Frankenmuth with Michigan readers delighting in the familiar chicken restaurant and Christmas store references. Shipman’s novels move around the state of Michigan as illustrated below in the graphic “Where in Michigan is Viola Shipman?” provided by Shipman and Vine.
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Tea and Book Pairings
If you are inclined to choose a Shipman novel with a tea pairing here is a list of the teas featured in the Tea Time Passport Book…
Michigan Cherry Almond pairs well with Famous in a Small Town
Friends FOUR-ever pairs well with The Clover Girls
Ozark Pearls pairs well with The Edge of Summer
Cozy Cottage Summer Spritzer pairs well with The Summer Cottage
Garden of Roses pairs well with The Heirloom Garden
Maple Penuche pairs well with The Charm Bracelet
Rest & Restore Herbal pairs well with The Hope Chest
A Novel-Tea pairs well with The Page Turner
Pour yourself a cup of tea and grab a Viola Shipman book of your choice. It is time to savor our summer, Michigan. Viola Shipman and Amy Vine provide us with the necessary ingredients in these lovely pairings. What Michigan city will Viola Shipman take us to next? Happy reading!
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