One year ago, Dorene Michaels, co-host of 96.5 WKLH’s Hometown Morning Show with Dave & Dorene, felt a bit blue about her impending 50th birthday. After reading an article on air about a woman in England who completed 365 new activities , she and co-host Dave Luczak decided she needed to do something similar.
"I declared on the air that I would start that day,” says Michaels. “We were already five days into the year, so I pledged to do 360 new-to-me things by Dec. 31, 2023.”
Michaels named her journey “Dorene Discovers” and posted her adventures to social media with a #dorenediscovers hashtag. Many of the list ideas came from listeners – along with family and friends.
In 2023, Michaels tried more than 360 new expeeriences and has extended her goal into 2024 (she is still taking suggestions.)
"It was an amazing year, but I am not done yet," says Michaels. "I feel I have to continue into 2024."
Out of all of the experiences, Michael's says stand-out endeavors include skydiving, metal cutting and welding, dragon boat racing, a walk-on role for "A Christmas Carol" at the Pabst, driving a Porsche, bee keeping, getting a tattoo and auditioning for "Wheel Of Fortune."
And her least favorite experiences?
"Well, I won’t drink Malort again, that’s for sure," says Michaels.
Most importantly, Michaels says she learned a lot about herself doing so many new things. Some of her "smaller" activities on the list were every bit as meaningful as the big ones, like going to a movie by herself, learning how to whistle through a blade of grass and trying meditation.
"I learned to 'never say never,'" says Michaels. "I said I would never jump out of a plane, get a tattoo, or do the polar plunge – and I did all three."
Michaels designed her new tattoo as a symbol of the wisdom she gained, the changes she made and the generosity of everyone who helped her all year to achieve her goals.
"Turning 50 for me will always be the year I was a complete bad ass," she says. "But I think the best part of the experience was the generosity of complete strangers. So many listeners wrote in and shared their passions, opened their homes and their businesses to me, or told me that I inspired them to try new things."
Dorene Michael's list of new adventures completed in 2023:
- Tried Palmini
- Saw "My First Lady"
- Did a paper face mask
- Made a ticket collage
- Watched 1st Ted Talk
- Put together an office chair
- Learned my name in sign language
- Bought my 1st stock
- Made homemade jam
- Tried candle making
- Made popcorn on the stove
- Did a 1,500 piece puzzle
- Read a book in 1 day
- Tried to crochet
- Cut Tony’s hair
- Drove a Porsche
- Had my 1st espresso martini
- Started an inside grow operation (cilantro)
- Tried calligraphy
- Tried a kumquat
- Went to my 1st book club (then joined)
- Meditated
- Made a Manhattan
- Made snow cream
- Tried bubble waffles
- Downloaded "Couch to 5k" app
- Homemade dog treats
- Started 5k training
- Installed screens in my new window
- Guest on “The Funny Kind” podcast
- Got champagne from a vending machine
- Went to an open house by myself
- Started the 1-second app
- 1st wine with my Angela
- Did "Dave’s Hot Chicken Reaper Challenge"
- Infared tanning bed
- Tried sugaring
- Listened to my 1st book on tape
- Went to the Dominican Republic
- Had beer gelato
- Took an ice bath
- Margarita-making lessons
- Ate at a floating taco bar
- Had a cheeseburger in paradise
- Ate cake next to the ocean
- Played pickleball
- Had OJ coffee
- Went to a silent disco
- Bought a mamajuana kit
- Stepped into the 21st century and got wireless earbuds
- Did an ice faceplant
- Had Hennessey shot
- Went to mass alone
- Tried to learn my sewing machine
- Ate a Raspberry Rally GS cookie
- Took a cricut lesson
- Made homemade perogies
- Tried the Revive app
- Tried Boba tea
- Tried lavender coffee
- Started making limoncello
- Wore a baseball hat in public on purpose for a night out
- Went to the rodeo
- Saw a Drop Kick Murphys show
- Went to the movies alone
- Went to Lebnani House for shawarma
- Made Jell-o shots
- Auditioned for "Wheel of Fortune"
- Attended a mojito tasting
- Trimmed Lulu’s nails
- Signed up for my 1st 5k
- Painted Lulu’s portrait
- Made gimlets
- Tried South African treat "tinkies"
- Learned to play "Happy Birthday" on the piano
- Spent the afternoon at Amy’s in Cedarburg making their famous caramel apples
- Went to the selfie museum
- Tried a vesper cocktail
- Churned homemade butter
- Finished and bottled Limoncello
- Went to an election watch party
- Took a cookie decorating class
- Made homemade Nutella
- Learned about my astrology birth chart
- Ran 25 minutes nonstop
- Tried Ecto-Cooler
- Ate a pink pineapple
- Drank a pink pineapple mimosa
- Crafted with EGG Mazing
- Took Lulu to a dog ice cream party
- Went to a Speak Easy
- MADE sushi at Soon’s in Kenosha
- Tried clay sport shooting
- Participated in a Donut Eating Contest
- Tried a spring punch cocktail
- Wore a LED face mask
- Tried pulparindo Candy
- Learned a card trick
- Tried The Alyssa Cocktail
- Made homemade grenadine
- Went trap shooting
- Tried cottage cheese ice cream
- Tried a Mint Julep
- Made homemade pasta
- Went to the Bobble Head Museum
- Downloaded and watched Netflix on my phone
- Flew to Florida alone
- Made homemade pesto
- Placed an online bet down on the Derby
- Captained a boat on the ocean
- Made homemade donuts
- Drove a Caddy with Heads-Up display
- Had a “famous” Publix sandwich
- Installed closet doors
- Took 3 dogs to the dog park
- Tried metal hammering
- Went to a toddler café
- Tried sabering
- Carb-loaded for a race
- Ran my 1st 5K
- Learned to whistle a blade of grass
- Tried a "hillbilly margarita"
- Had an OnMilwaukee article written about my journey
- Did a live TV interview
- Particpated in goat yoga
- Made liquor-infused ice cream
- Tried black garlic
- Tried soju
- Tried Jell-o grapes
- Had a rummage sale
- Cooked live lobster
- Made homemade lobster rolls
- Tried Allgash White Beer
- Assisted with beekeeping
- Attended Julia’s 1st softball game
- Seved as a "human hockey puck"
- Got a permanent bracelet
- Made my daughter’s permanent bracelet
- Mixed a blue bird cocktail
- Tried a Hugo cocktail
- Made homemade Frost Paws
- Went dragon boat racing
- Dressed as a mascot for a game
- Learned to use a lathe
- Made a scoby
- Tried luxe golf
- Made a mandala
- Went to Millennium Park and saw The Bean
- Went to Donut Slut
- Went to the Barbie Café
- Ate a pink radish
- Tried edible glitter mojito
- Went to the Tiffany Store
- Bought a Tiffany bracelet
- Went to the World’s Largest Starbucks
- Tried Oleto olive oil coffee
- Had a martini at Starbucks
- Had a coffee and truffle flight
- Tried White Castle sliders
- Judged a Chihuahua Beauty Contest at OnMilwaukee's Taco Fest
- Tried a birria taco
- Sampled Topochico Tequila
- Tried Thai green curry
- Ate a Chicago Pizza Grinder pot pie pizza
- Held the Honus Wagner $3M baseball card
- Worked in a card store
- Rode a Bubblr
- Tried ketchup and mustard Doritos
- Ate a slice of yellow watermelon
- Tried espresso tonic
- Did a successful boat tie up
- Served as a celebrity "Blu-tender" at Blu
- Restored an old cooler
- Tried Urban Wood Lab sanding technique
- Had a Summerfest Tri-Fecta
- Saw fireworks on a boat
- Played "Ring the Bull" game
- Went down a 30-foot backyard slide
- Made a #4 cake
- Lit my 1st firework
- Made sous vide chicken (and learned how to pronounce it)
- Went canoeing on the Fox River
- Made chainmaille necklace and silver earrings
- Changed the cabin filter in my car
- Tried welding
- Tried metal cutting
- Tried metal detecting
- Sold 50/50 raffle tickets
- Tried a donut peach
- Ate some Piggvar Candy
- Went to Gathering on the Green
- Brought Ann Wilson on the air
- "Blue Beer"
- Went on a 120-mile Harley ride
- Went to Home Run Derby
- Climbed a 75-foot tree
- Drove the claw machine
- Performed "Robotic Gall Bladder Surgery"
- Smelled a Corpse Flower
- Visited Evanescent Bubbles Downtown
- Tried Indonesian Treats
- Did floral arranging at Locker’s
- Rode in a Ferrari
- Went to Exotic Car Shop
- Had custard at the Kiltie Drive-in
- Drove a Ferrari
- Had pizza on a farm
- Got a scalp facial
- Judged the State Fair Sporkies & Drinkies
- Turned 50
- Went sky diving
- Got in a hammock
- Tried paddle boarding
- Drank a White Lake Cocktail
- Tried dam fishing
- Played and won Bunco
- Rode in a Harley side car
- Tried using a band saw
- Tried using a drill press
- Tried using a sander
- Made a wooden toy duck
- Proofed some vodka
- Bottled some bourbon
- Tried tofu
- Tried a strawberry Frosty
- Had my 1st Pasta Flight
- Spent the day at a dairy farm
- Bottle fed a baby calf
- Pet an hours-old, newborn calf
- Went to a gun range
- Made homemade boozy egg nog
- Poured concrete
- Drove a skid steer
- Tried mochi nut
- Checked out the floating staircase in Mequon
- Went to the whippet races
- Attended Lion’s Fest
- Went on a helicopter ride
- Attended Shrek Fest
- Tried freeze dried candy
- Went to St. Martin’s Fair
- Dyed my hair pink
- Tried Banana Ball
- Went to Oconomowoc Fall Fest
- Drank a spicy pickle whisky Bloody Mary
- Got a henna tattoo
- Went to a SCUBA class
- Made kombucha
- Ate a MRE (meal ready-to-eat)
- Was a VIP on a Sprecher tour
- Tried homemade pickled beans
- Went to "Tacos and Tequila"
- Went to a Lucha Libre wrestling match
- Made cotton candy
- Tried hot forming metal and aluminum
- Rolled metal beams
- Bended steel beams
- Split an H- Beam into 2 T-sections
- Operated a crane and moved a 3,000-pound beam
- Operated a fork lift
- Tried apple crueller bites
- Saw "Run Bambi Run"
- Went mushroom picking
- Ate golden berries
- Tried SWOOP Bungee Aerobics
- Took surfing lesson in Lake Michigan
- Fed the giraffes
- Drove a DeLorean time machine
- Played dart ball
- Went to a rugby match
- Worked in a food truck
- Tried Peking duck
- Used a Sawzall to prune my tree
- Went apple picking
- Inspected a diamond ring and cleaned it at Kesslers
- Resized and soddered back together a ring
- Went to Eagle River, Wis.
- Tried axe throwing
- Did soil sampling
- Went to Omaha, Neb.
- Toured the College World Series Stadium
- Toured Creighton University
- Cartwheeled into 2 states
- Explored under The Bob and found OMAR
- Held a snake
- Served as a WE Energies Cookie Book Judge
- Took a javelin-throwing lesson
- Went to Napa Valley
- Attended 1st wine tasting and pairing in Napa
- Took tour of Pride Vineyards
- Went to Muir National Park Red Woods
- Drove over the Golden Gate Bridge
- Went to Pier 39 in San Fransisco
- Tried Buena Vista Irish Coffee
- Rode a San Fransisco cable car
- Hung out in Ghiradelli Square
- Went to Alcatraz
- Took ferry to Sausalito
- Went to a Shania Twain Concert
- Tried seaweed salad
- Played shuffle board
- Took a Pottery Barn class
- Hosted and emceed Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Ball
- Spoke to a 7th and 8th grade class about my job and journey
- Tried the quince that I picked in Napa
- Learned medical billing
- Drove a Tesla
- Bought Art from a cigarette machine
- Toured MSOE Grohmann Museum
- Took a ride on The Hop
- Played Quiz Master Trivia – and won
- Went to Avli for moussaka
- Dined in a Dome
- Tried quilting
- Got a cupping massage
- Tried "Chicken Holding"
- Had a Ponza Rotta at Jimmy's Grotto
- Went to Mount Mary University
- Met a Food Scientist
- Check out "Enchant"
- Tried Dom Perignon
- Went curling
- Tapped a beer keg
- Tried a Mediterranean gin and tonic
- Mastered making homemade Irish Coffee
- Went back stage for a costume fitting at The Rep
- Tried hot yoga
- Tried dog Grooming
- Had an "Elf"-themed Drink at The Lost Whale
- Sat in a massage chair
- Learned Excel Spreadsheet
- Got sea monkeys
- Cross stitched
- Made a Lulu Paw Print ornament
- Took a “professional” Christmas cookie decorating class
- Went on a Haunted Tour at The Rave
- Worked as a barista at Blend
- Checked out the Central Library
- Went on a "Rare Books Room Tour"
- Tried Jiu-Jitsu
- Tried glass blowing
- Drank a spiced honey Old Fashioned
- Made home espresso
- Had a walk-on part in "A Christmas Carol"
- Tried a flaming Tiki cocktail
- Got a 100 percent customized facial
- Went to Candy Cane Lane
- "Robot jogging" and programming it to pour me a beer
- Made a macrame candy cane ornament
- Conducted a song for the New Berlin Community Band Christmas Concert
- Did a shot of Malort
- Went to Better Together Café
- Walked the MKE Ornament Trail
- Did a paint-by-number
- Smoked bourbon
- Made a weenie roaster at Milwaukee Blacksmith
- Tried Milk Carton Water
- Got a Lash Lift
- Tried a Winter Wonderland Mimosa
- Got a tattoo
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
