Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate love and connection, and if you’re in Macomb or Oakland County, there’s no shortage of fun and unique experiences to enjoy with your special someone. Whether you’re looking for a cozy night out, a hands-on adventure, or a peaceful retreat, this list has something for every couple.

Savor a wine tasting experience

Where: Filipo Marc Winery, 39085 Garfield Road, Clinton Township

Wine lovers will adore a romantic evening at Filipo Marc Winery, where you can sip on expertly crafted, custom-blended wines in an intimate setting. Elevate your Valentine’s toast with a special bottle to take home. Filipo’s has a pre-Valentine’s event on Feb. 10. Visit filipomarcwinery.com for details.

Where: Michigan by the Bottle Wine Tasting Rooms, locations in Auburn Hills, Royal Oak and Shelby Township

Combining events like trivia, calligraphy classes, live music and more with tastings of fine wines, wine lovers can enjoy an evening of tasting and fun. A full schedule is available at mbtbtasting.com.

Where: OPC Social & Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester

If you prefer an intimate dining experience, attend a wine pairing dinner with expert sommelier Christel Gaillard from Woodberry Wines from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20. This event features paired wines and gourmet dishes in a cozy, romantic setting. Tickets are $40 for OPC members and $45 for nonmembers. Call 248-659-1029 for reservations.

Enjoy a live show together

Where: Meadow Brook Theatre, 378 Meadow Brook Road, Rochester

Immerse yourselves in the magic of live theatre with a Broadway-style performance at Meadow Brook Theatre. This professional venue offers an enchanting date night experience, from musicals to dramas. Starting Feb. 12 is “The Angel Next Door.” It’s “a screwball comedy … about people in love with theater, who know that, sometimes, even reality needs a rewrite to reach a happy ending.”

Where: Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township

From musical performances to plays to dance, The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts is often referred to as the cultural hub of Macomb County, and is a provider of year-round cultural enrichment experiences. Check out February attractions by visiting macombcenter.com.

Where: OPC Social & Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester

Enjoy “A Night with the Stars: Rod Stewart & Elton John Tribute,” a high-energy tribute show featuring the singers’ legendary sounds. This romantic and lively event will have you singing along to timeless classics. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by calling 248-659-1029. The show is 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 13.

Take a cozy winter stroll

Where: Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Drive, Shelby Township

Bundle up and embrace the winter wonderland with a serene walk through Stony Creek Metropark. Enjoy the snow-covered trails, frozen lakes and peaceful wooded paths — perfect for a romantic escape into nature.

Get hands-on with a cooking class

Where: Sur La Table, 2801 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 264, Troy

Why go out for dinner when you can learn to cook a gourmet meal together? Sur La Table offers hands-on cooking classes where you can master everything from pasta-making to decadent desserts. Visit surlatable.com/cooking-classes.

Where: Mirepoix Cooking School, 1203 S. Main St., Royal Oak

A full schedule of February classes, including a Valentine’s Wine Pairing, can be found at mirepoixcookingschool.com. Both in-person and virtual events are held.

Unwind with couples’ yoga or meditation

Where: Your favorite studio

Find your Zen with a couples’ yoga session or meditative Tai Chi experience. These activities promote relaxation and wellness and strengthen your bond through mindful movement and connection.

See a classic movie on the big screen

Where: Your favorite theater

Transport yourselves back in time by catching a throwback movie screening at a local theatre. Many cinemas feature romantic classics or cult favorites around Valentine’s Day, making for a cozy and nostalgic date night. Emagine theater’s Flashback Cinema airs favorites such as “Casablanca,” “Gone with the Wind” and “Moonstruck.” A different movie is presented each week. Visit emagine-entertainment.com/flashback-cinema.

Try a unique artistic workshop

Where: Local artisan studios

Get creative with a painting, sculpture or even a glassblowing class, where you and your partner can craft a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Many studios in the area offer hands-on workshops, allowing you to create something memorable and personal. Check out Painting with a Twist, which has multiple locations throughout the area, or Hawaii Fluid Art, 1426 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, for Valentine’s special deals.

Michigan, often overlooked in discussions of architectural brilliance, is taking center stage in Peter Forguson’s latest book, “Contemporary Michigan: Iconic Houses at the Epicenter of Modernism.”

This follow-up to his 2022 bestseller, “Detroit Modern: 1935-1985,” offers a comprehensive exploration of Michigan’s modernist residential architecture from 1910 to the present day.

Forguson, a landscape designer based in metropolitan Detroit, has dedicated his career to documenting the state’s modern architectural treasures.

“Residents of Detroit, and indeed the entire state of Michigan, have been living with some of the finest work by such Modern masters as Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, and Eliel Saarinen since the dawn of the 20th century,” he said.

His fascination with these homes led to “Detroit Modern,” which sold out within nine months. Encouraged by its success, Forguson expanded his focus to include residences across the lower peninsula.

The journey to compile “Contemporary Michigan” was extensive. Forguson scoured archives, consulted scholars and even explored Michigan’s coastlines and university towns in search of architectural marvels. The book features over 100 homes, including the Alden B. Dow Home & Studio in Midland, Frank Lloyd Wright’s visionary Broadacre Community homes, and a lakeside vacation retreat commissioned by the Briggs family.

Each home is paired with vintage automobiles, allowing readers to trace the evolution of auto design alongside modernist architecture. Forguson’s attention to detail is supported by photographer Jason Grube and graphic designer Marla Meltzer, who helped bring the book to life despite challenges such as coordinating shoots across hundreds of miles.

Why Michigan?

Forguson is adamant that Michigan is an architectural powerhouse.

“What outsiders have yet to discover is that Michigan’s contributions to the modern aesthetic are unparalleled,” he said. “Institutions like Cranbrook, the University of Michigan and Lawrence Tech have fostered world-renowned architects and designers, from Eliel and Eero Saarinen to Charles and Ray Eames”.

Forguson emphasizes that Michigan’s heritage extends beyond architecture, encompassing industrial design, decorative arts and even boat building.

“In this book, you will see houses situated in a host of different settings, such as: located in a long-standing densely populated neighborhood of revival-style houses, growing from a hillside overlooking a stream in the suburbs, nestled into a postwar subdivision in a university town, or projecting from a bluff suspended high above Lake Michigan,” Forguson said. “All of these scenarios have come to life thanks to the vision of intrepid clients and architects who collaborated to challenge traditionalists and create unique masterpieces of modern domestic design.”

The book is dedicated to Don Paul Young, a Frank Lloyd Wright disciple and prolific Michigan architect who died in 2024 at 97. Forguson describes Young as a “treasure” whose work brought the Prairie Style full circle in Michigan.

“Throughout his seven-decade career, Don created modernist spaces that stood the test of time while honoring his deep roots in the organic nature of the Prairie School,” Forguson said.

Both of Forguson’s books are available at peterforguson.com.

For those who have long admired Michigan’s unique contributions to modernism — or are just discovering its architectural riches — “Contemporary Michigan” promises to be a visual and historical feast.

“I hope readers will gain an appreciation for how lives are enriched through architecture by taking full advantage of the seamlessly unlimited natural splendor of the state of Michigan,” Forguson said.

For the second season in a row, a Michigan native has won CBS’s “Survivor” competition series, claiming the title of Sole Survivor and walking away with the show’s $1 million top prize.

Rachel LaMont nabbed the Season 47 title on the Dec. 18 finale.

LaMont’s victory on “Survivor” will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most dominant wins in the show’s history. She solidified her place in “Survivor” lore with multiple immunity challenge victories, savvy strategic moves and a knack for leveraging the tools at her disposal. Her triumph culminated in a nearly unanimous jury vote of 7-1, with only one vote going to her competitor, Sam Phalen. Sue Smey received zero votes.

LaMont’s path to the $1 million prize was built on a combination of physical prowess, social connections and strategic acumen. She clinched the final immunity challenge, ensuring her place in the final three, and managed to sway almost every juror in her favor. Her ability to win four individual immunity challenges tied her with “Survivor” greats like Kim Spradlin, Jenna Morasca and Kelly Wigglesworth, making her one of only a handful of women to achieve such a feat in a single season.

“Learning to stay in the moment was a key strategy,” LaMont said. “I really feel like I learned to be more present. When you’re out there, you have nothing to distract you. … It was incredible to put all my attention into one thing. As we ring in the new year, I hope to apply that ability to my life back at home.”

The Michigan connection

While LaMont was the season’s star, another Michigan native also made waves on “Survivor 47.” Cheboygan’s Kyle Ostwald, 31, was a formidable competitor before becoming the fourth member of the jury. His presence added a layer of hometown pride for Michigan viewers.

In Season 46, Michigan native Kenzie Petty emerged victorious. Petty is a former Gibraltar resident and now lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mastering the game

LaMont’s strategic gameplay was a highlight of the season. One standout move was her use of the Shot in the Dark to gauge the intentions of her tribemates, allowing her to plan accordingly. She later boldly played with her immunity idol at the Tribal Council, flipping the game in her favor while cementing her reputation as a strategic mastermind.

“When you’re out there, you have to play the game before you,” LaMont said. “Every move I made was calculated to position me for the win. Luck played a part, sure, but I made the most of every opportunity. I am an incredibly competitive person.”

LaMont’s four individual immunity wins set her apart as a physical threat. Her performance in these challenges kept her safe and earned the respect of her competitors and the jury. Her confidence during these moments was palpable, and her ability to deliver under pressure made her an unstoppable force.

Her path to “Survivor 47” was not without hurdles. Initially an alternate for Season 46, she used the extra time to prepare mentally and emotionally for her second chance.

“Being an alternate gave me perspective,” LaMont said. “By the time I made it to Fiji for Season 47, I was playing with house money. That mindset made all the difference.”

One of the not-seen but essential relationships within the game was her relationship with Caroline Vidmar, the 12th person voted off the game.

“We had connected early on, and she was a big factor in my game, but it was incredible to me that not one scene was aired with the two of us,” she said.

Knowing she was a winner prior to the Season 47 airing was a secret that was tough to keep, LaMont said. As family and friends watched her progression on the show, she had to stay mum.

LaMont now leads a creative and fulfilling life as a user interface designer. “I basically make apps that you interact with look pretty,” she said. “So I design what they look like, the colors, and all of that good stuff.”

LaMont is also deeply rooted in her personal life. She is married to Derek LaMont, and the couple shares their home with two beloved pets — a dog named Eva and a cat named Maeby.

Jury dynamics

Despite her commanding gameplay, LaMont faced moments of doubt during the final Tribal Council. “I was so nervous,” she said. “When Jeff went to read the votes, my stomach was in complete knots. I kept thinking, ‘Did I just lose?’”

Ultimately, her gameplay resonated with the jury. While Ostwald cast his vote for Phalen, most jurors recognized LaMont’s dominance. Her ability to navigate complex relationships and balance social and strategic gameplay proved decisive.

Legacy and future

LaMont’s victory has already drawn high praise from host Jeff Probst, who, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, said: “I think Rachel will go down as one of the best overall players to ever compete on ‘Survivor.’ She made the most of every opportunity and when in trouble, always found a way out.”

Now back at home with the million-dollar prize, LaMont said she’ll use the money to enjoy life.

“We’ll pay off those student loans, deal with some home repairs we’ve been working on, and put a lot of savings into retirement,” she said.

As for what’s next on the horizon, she said: “Frankly, I don’t know. This whole experience has been time-consuming and has been amazing. Just being on ‘Survivor’ and then winning it, was a lofty pipe dream. I’m enjoying that for now.”