Exploring Harbor Country's Natural Side

Chikaming Open Lands is a land conservation organization headquartered in downtown Lakeside.  Apart from the great work that they do conserving natural habitats and keeping our area from overdevelopment, they also offer a number of delightful outreach events.  Many, but not all, of these are held in the summer, so put these dates on your calendar!

Thursday May 13st: 8:45 p.m. at the New Buffalo Public Boat launch.  The Voyager canoe moonlight cruise will be led by Love Creek naturalists Kip Miller and Pat Underwood as they guide you through the still waters of the Louis J. Sima Marsh.

Saturday June 23rd: 9:45 a.m. at the COL office. COL Stewardship Committee chair Bob Tatina will lead a hike through Robinson Woods to discover the flora and fauna in this lovely wood.

Saturday July 14th : 10 a.m.   at Weko Beach in Bridgman.  Nauralist Pat Underwood will lead this exploration of the wild side of a Lake Michigan beach to look for beach plants, signs of animals and learn what Indian beads used to be.

Saturday July 28th: 1 p.m. at the New Buffalo Performing Arts Center. Aimee Pico, raptor expert, will bring in 5 species of owls from the Lake Milton Raptor Education Center.  Learn where they live and where to spot them and what they live to eat.

Saturday August 25th: 1 p.m. at the New Buffalo Public Boat Launch.  A daytime glide through the Louis J. Sima marsh, to see all the work that has been done to eradicate non-native species  this marsh, thanks to grants and donations.

Saturday October 20th: 2:30 p.m. at the Chikaming Township Park. Naturalist Pat Underwood will lead a visit to the best fall color spots.

 For more information please fisit www.chikamingopenlands.org

Attack Art to Kick Off Spring

Next weekend- April 27th,28th and 29th, is Art Attack weekend in Harbor Country. Lots of arts exhibits, fun activities ! Visit Middlebrook Farm, a working grass-fed beef farm in Three Oaks.  Learn how to rewire your lamp at Catherine's in New Buffalo. Take an acrylic painting class at JLN Studio in New Buffalo.  Sip wine at St. Julian winery in Union Pier with cheese pairings. Listen to  Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues Band or the Pokagon tribal drumming and dancing.  There are too many things going on next weekend to even count, so come on out,  especially if the weather is good.  And get a sneak preview of some of the new places that have opened in your absence over the winter!  Visit harborcountry.org for a complete listing of events.

Spring Welcome

After a lovely, short winter, we're back, bringing you news and notes of what is going on in Harbor Country! There are some new faces this spring-- fun things to do and visit! And old favorites continue to delight! Come out and visit us, this early spring. It feels like May and looks like April!

Violets Color Blocking for Spring

Color blocking is one of the in things for spring fashion, and this band of violets seems to au courant! They grow in a swath about a food wide along the side of the road and last for about 5 days.

Come out and catch the violets while you can!

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.