December 27, 2011 > Mitten envy? Wis. promotion draws note in Mich. Mitten envy? Wis. promotion draws note in Mich. Submitted By AP Wire Service KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP), Dec 07 - The use of a mitten as part of a Wisconsin tourism promotion is attracting some attention in Michigan, which is known for its mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula. Alex Beaton, founder of Awesome Mitten, a website launched in June that aims to promote all good things about Michigan, told the Kalamazoo Gazette (http://bit.ly/ueiuqW) she was dismayed to see the mitten image on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism website. Wisconsin Department of Tourism spokeswoman Lisa Marshall said the image of a knit mitten shaped like the state of Wisconsin went into use online Dec. 1. She notes that people in Wisconsin also consider their state to be mitten-shaped. Marshall said the state's advertising agency came up with the concept. It follows a similar campaign used in the fall that featured an image of a colorful leaf shaped like the state. She said there is no slogan connected with the art. ``The mitten was used as a single creative element, you guys still own the mitten,'' she said. ``We'd much rather our travelers consider us the `fun' state.'' Dave Lorenz, manager of public and industry relations for the state of Michigan, said the two state tourism agencies are friendly. ``We understand their mitten envy,'' he said with a chuckle, ``but there is only one mitten state, only one Great Lakes state.'' --- Online: http://www.travelwisconsin.com --- Information from: Kalamazoo Gazette, http://www.mlive.com/kalamazoo