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.

My Neighbor's Garden

My neighbor is a gifted and enthusiastic gardener. This is a shot of her garden taken on my walk on Wednesday. Exuberance of early summer blooms!

Fireworks

The "formal" fireworks in the local cities and towns are scheduled for Sunday night, July 3rd, at dusk ( 9:30 ish EST). Go to the beach and you can watch the fireworks from St. Joe all the way south to Michigan City. Sometimes, on a clear night, you can see the fireworks off Navy Pier!

Flag Day Festivities

The Three Oaks Flag Day Festivities have gained a reputation for old- time, small town fun. Take the kids to the parade on Sunday but visit earlier in the weekend to enjoy the Farmer's Market, Petting Zoo, Children's games, Pet Parade and Art in the Park!

The fun kicks off on Friday at 5 pm with a Little League Tournament , followed by a Men's Softball Tournament. Music by Jester, Bone Naked and PS Dump Your Boyfriend at 8 pm.

Saturday sees a continuation of the softball tournaments. The Pet Parade, Petting Zoo and Children's Games start at 10 am. For the adults, a Wine Tent in Carver Park will feature local wines starting at noon.

Evening concerts start at 7 pm with the South Shore Concert Band, followed by Sterovain, Hired Hands and PS Dump Your Boyfriend at three locations.

On Sunday, the Parade starts at 2: 45 pm and is the 59th annual "World's Largest Flag Day Parade"! It will feature a military fly over by the Army National Guard.

Grab your flags and a chair and enjoy the fun!