A Quieter, Gentler Time in Harbor Country

The summer is over, but honestly, September is one of the most beautiful months of the year out here. The weather is lovely ( 70s and sunny as I write), the beaches aren't crowded, the restaurants are open, serving wonderful local produce and the pace is a bit more relaxed! There is still plenty to do this month-- walk on the beaches; pick apples or peaches at a local orchard; watch the 5,000 cyclists as they ride in the Apple Cider Century on September 25th, enjoy the early leaves turning!

On Saturday, September 24th, the Tabula Rasa gallery will have their opening party from 1-5 p.m. The gallery is at 8918 First Street in Baroda.

Chikaming Open Lands' annual fall event at Middlebook Farm will be held from 5-7 pm onSaturday September 24th. Call 269-469-2330 for more details.

17TH ANNUAL OUTSIDERS OUTSIDE FAIR

Judith Racht is at it once again. This Friday, September 2nd, kicks off her 17th annual Outsiders Art Fair with its opening party starting at 6 pm EST. Get a first look at the art, listen to music by String Theory, raise a glass of your favorite beer and help Chikaming Open Lands raise money.

Admission $20 per person and includes admission throughout the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday 10-6 pm EST. Admission $10 each day; kids under 12 free.

Judith Racht Gallery Prairie Road and Red Arrow Highway Harbert

Copper Capers

Times are tough for many people, particularly here in Michigan... so tough that some enterprising thieves have apparently been keeping an eye on my brother's house this summer and finally got their opportunity! Using prybars, they ripped all the copper gutters off the house.

Sad to see it now, denuded and banged up.

But!! The wonderful Chikaming Police Department went to work and may have a suspect already, by contacting recycling and metals dealers. Keep your fingers crossed that some sort of justice may be done.

Our story is not the only one--- friends sold an older home in Chicago that had been in the family for a long time. Just before the closing --- I am told this is a pattern these days-- the thieves hit, taking all the copper pipes and plumbing fixtures. What a mess!! After a lot of work and expense and hassle, the house finally closed.

ReSale at Ship and Shore Festival

Just down the street from the center of Ship and Shore Days, visit the Goodwill Donation Center at 601 W. Buffalo Street ( on Red Arrow Highway), Auguts 12th-14th for antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing and more. Friday and Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 11- 4.

Small Gem

I'm highlightingone of my favorite stores this week. Worth a visit!

Catherine Doll- Fashion for Green Living. Clothing designer Catherine Doll has always been a leader and a visionary, as she shows in her eminently wearable, comfortable clothes. "Recycled, redone, remastered, deconstructed clothing at its best", she says. Located in the old Sawyer Fire Station in downtown Sawyer, just down from the Greenbush Brewery, a visit to Catherine Doll's is a must.

11- 5 pm daily except Wednesday. www.catherinedoll.com

July is Bustin' Out All Over

Pictures of some of my favorite flowers from my walks with the hounds.

Boats on the Water

I'm sorry to say that the lovely weather over the 4th of July seems to have brought out the ginormous boats and many boaters who have lifted more than a few brews while on the water.

I had a very unpleasant interaction with a drunk boater who was aggressive, threatening, cursing and so on. He retreated to his boat when I called in my brother and his family and the local police. But it is a sad time when a woman can't sit on her beach without being faced with a power boat 10 feet off the beach--- so close that I couldn't have gone for a swim- and then is screamed at when I asked him nicely to just push back 20 feet! Even his kids seemed embarassed after a while by the stand-off. It is sad that the landowners seem to have lost much of their rights to the beaches--- many who pay the majority of the real estate taxes due to the second home tax structure, while the boaters, who pay a yearly license fee, seem to have greater rights. Just a sad situation for our area.