Sherwood Forest B&B December 2003 Newsletter

"News from the Forest"
Discover a winter experience now that December is upon us. With the leaves gone from the lofty canopies high above, it is once again time to enjoy the quiet that Mother Nature places before us. With the deer sleeping in the back yard and cold crisp mornings, what better time to take walks along the beach, cross-country ski, and sip some hot cocoa. It's also a great time to finish your holiday shopping at some of the most unique shops in the Midwest, and to top it all off, dine at some of the finest restaurants in the state. So join us soon for some pre-holiday revelry to put you in the spirit. Happy Holidays and Peace on Earth to All!

P.S. Last-minute gift idea: Sherwood Forest B&B gift certificates--quick, easy, and always appreciated! Call 800-838-1246, or visit our gift certificate page at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/giftcert.html.

Sherwood Forest Gourmet Dinners
Now's the time to gather up that group of friends or family and plan a visit to Sherwood Forest B&B for one of our awesome Gourmet Dinners. From November through April, let us wine and dine you. Book the entire B&B for 2 days or more, and we'll have such a feast catered, your taste palates won't allow any leftovers. We've cornered the market on the best chefs Saugatuck and Douglas have to offer, including Chris Ferris, gourmet cheffette who can cook a Spanish paella like you've never tasted before; Tony & Dona Amato, the creative chefs behind one of Saugatuck's favorite lunch spots, The Red Dock Café; Keaton Stearns, chef extraordinaire of The Piper Restaurant; and Matt Balmer, head chef of one our favorite restaurants, The Everyday People Cafe. These epicurean wizards of gastronomic delights will amaze you in what will be your own private dining room, and you'll have the time of your lives. Here are the details: dinner is $45 per person, guests must provide their own alcohol, and a 2-night minimum stay is required (deposit is nonrefundable if cancellation is made within 30 days of the date). You pick the date (November through April) and we'll pick the chef. Bring your appetite and whatever you need to wet your whistle, sit down, and dinner is served. Black out dates are New Years Eve and Valentine's Day weekend. To book a gourmet dinner, call us at 800-838-1246. You can see some of our past gourmet dinner menus at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/g-menu-sample.html.

Here's what's happening in and around the area:

Theater
Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" will be presented December 12-14 and 19-21 at the Women's Club in downtown Saugatuck. This classic Christmas tale, featuring Ebenezer Scrooge, various ghosts, and an assortment of lovable Londoners, is brought to life by community performers. For performance times or to purchase tickets, call 269-857-1701. .

Art
Art The Nines Gallery and Framing Studio in Holland will be will be showcasing a vast array of beautiful artwork this December for the perfect gift for that special someone, featuring the landscapes of Michael Callihan and the expressionistic abstractions of Amy Reckley; the complex and painterly still-life work of David Zimmermann; the Americana-influenced collection of small farmscape pastel drawings by Anne Corlett Wiley; and the fusion of abstractions and landscapes by Cathy Marashi. For more information, visit their website at http://www.theninesgallery.com or call 616-392-4370.

More Art
ThirdStone's eighth annual holiday show, Holiday Hoopla, will run December 1-January 4, with an assortment of diverse works and gifts, including jewelry, pottery, cards, blown glass, and small (and highly affordable) original paintings and other artworks. Call 616-335-8027 for more info, or visit www.thirdstoneartgallery.com.

Indoor Scratch Golf & Gosh I Need a Massage Package For all you golf addicts who are having withdrawal symptoms because of the wintry weather, we're offering a great golf deal. Starting November 1 through April 30, the Sherwood Forest B&B is offering Scratch Golf Packages: spend 2 nights midweek (Sunday through Thursday) and we'll get you a guaranteed tee time for two at Pebble Beach or Augusta, um, actually the Hilltop Golf Center in Saugatuck, the area's best virtual golf simulator with state-of-the-art technology that provides realistic, fun, and powerful indoor golf. Next you'll be ready for a relaxing massage in the privacy of your own room at the B&B from one of our professional massage therapists in a style suited just for you. Later you can dine at one of the area's best restaurants (along with a $30 voucher good towards dinner). Price for package from $390 to $520 and includes a 2-night stay, 1-hour golf simulator, dinner voucher, and 2 massages. Call 800-838-1246 and visit our website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/ATTRACT.HTML for other packages.

Books
We got our voracious readers together (Sue, Michele, and Mindy) and asked them to come up with a list of Great Winter Reads, i.e., books to keep your interest on a snowy winter day or to keep you up past your bedtime!
1. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Intrigue and menace mingle in one of the finest mysteries ever written. An amazing tale with enigma piled on secrets stacked on riddles.
2. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. Rollicking entertainment, Owen Meany is a meditation on literature, history, and God. It's roomy, intelligent, exhilarating, and darkly comic.
3. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. The author paints colorful portraits of his neighbors, the Provençaux grocers and butchers and farmers who amuse, confuse, and befuddle him at every turn. It's part memoir, part homeowner's manual, part travelogue, and all charming fun.
4. The Little Friend by Donna Tartt. It is what a beautifully written, haunting mystery should be and is told from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl. It's a grandly ambitious and utterly riveting novel of childhood, innocence, and evil.
5. Not Fade Away by Laurence Shames. This is a wise, funny, and intensely true book. It's not maudlin and does not dwell on the medical side as much as it focuses on the spiritual side (not religious) of discerning life's meaning. You can purchase these books at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085 http://www.treehousebooks.net) or at The Old Post Office Shop in Saugatuck (269-857-4553 oldpostoffice@wmol.com) (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith's Comics).

Honorable Mentions:
Sat. & Sun. through December 28, Felt Mansion, Saugatuck, Xmas tour 7-9 p.m.
December 31, fireworks display over the Kalamazoo River, Saugatuck, midnight
January 18, The Perugino Quartet performs Kreisler, Herrick Library, Holland, 3 p.m.
January 27, Great Performance Series hosts Cantus, Dimnent Chapel, Holland, 8 p.m.
February 1, A concert of Cello Ensembles, Herrick Library, Holland, 3 p.m.
February 12, Great Performance Series, Red Priest, Dimnent Chapel, Holland, 8 p.m.
February 24, Mardi Gras Parade, Douglas, 7 p.m.
February 29, Cello & Piano, various duets, Herrick Library, Holland, 3 p.m.
March 29-30 Great Performance Series, John O'Neal, Knickerbocker, Holland, 8 p.m.

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our "Sweetheart Specials." We have all sorts of packages that include Godiva Chocolates, champagne, wine and cheese baskets, floral bouquets, roses, etc. We can also customize a package to your liking, or we can schedule an in-house massage with a certified massage therapist--doesn't get much better than that. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML.

Melt your Stress Away
Upon arrival, you'll find a beautiful wine & cheese basket with a bouquet of fresh flowers. During your visit, you'll each experience a soothing massage in a style suited just for you and a $30 voucher good toward a romantic dinner at a fine restaurant. Upon your departure (which we're sure you'll want to delay as long as possible before returning to the real world), a gift from us: a compact disc of relaxing music and an illustrated guide to massage. The cost for this R&R is $165 with one massage; $235 with two massages. To view more specials on our website you can go to http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/ATTRACT.HTML.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
This is a new recipe from a secret Siren of Sherwood, whose identity we vowed to keep a secret and we tried it recently at Sherwood Forest, and it was a big hit-hope you like it, too!

Artichoke and Ham Strata

Ingredients
3 English muffins, split & quartered
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 Cup chopped ham (approx. 4 oz.)
½ Cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 14-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained & chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 12-oz. can evaporated milk
5 eggs

Assemblage
Arrange muffin pieces, crust side down, in greased 8-inch square baking dish; drizzle with butter. Arrange ham & next 4 ingredients over muffins. Combine milk & eggs and pour over muffin mixture. Cover; refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Bake uncovered strata at 375degrees for 50 minutes or until set. Serves 6.

You can look up all of our delicious recipes at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/RECIPE.HTML

Hope to see you soon!

Keith & Sue
Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast
938 Center St.
Douglas, Michigan
http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com
800-838-1246

P.S. Peace on Earth.

Sherwood Forest B&B November 2003 Newsletter

"News from the Forest"
November is here with its crisp weather and shorter days. There are still some leaves on the trees, but leaf peeping time will soon be over as Mother Nature lays down her multicolored carpet. It's a serene time to take a walk and enjoy the change of season. There's hot apple cider, millions of stars, and a refreshing chill in the air. So join us for some pre-holiday rest and relaxation--bring a good book to curl up with by the fireplace. Also, for those thinking ahead to the holidays, don't forget about Sherwood Forest B&B gift certificates--quick, easy, and always appreciated!

Gift Certificates
Give the most amazing gift on the planet! Imagine receiving a gift certificate from Sherwood Forest B&B. After the recipient jumps up and down and hugs that special someone, he or she will rush to the phone to book a room at Sherwood Forest (just gotta have that fireplace/Jacuzzi suite). Call 800-838-1246, or visit our gift certificate page at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/giftcert.html

Sherwood Forest Gourmet Dinners
Now's the time to gather up that group of friends or family and plan a visit to Sherwood Forest B&B for one of our awesome Gourmet Dinners. From November through April, let us wine and dine you. Book the entire B&B for 2 days or more and we'll have such a feast catered, your taste palates won't allow any leftovers. We've cornered the market on the best chefs Saugatuck and Douglas have to offer, including Chris Ferris, gourmet cheffette who can cook a Spanish paella like you've never tasted before; Tony & Dona Amato, the creative chefs behind one of Saugatuck's favorite lunch spots, The Red Dock Café; Keaton Stearns, chef extraordinaire of The Piper Restaurant; and Matt Balmer, head chef of one our favorite restaurants, The Everyday People Cafe. These epicurean wizards of gastronomic delights will amaze you in what will be your own private dining room, and you'll have the time of your lives. Here are the details: dinner is $45 per person, guests must provide their own alcohol, and a 2-night minimum stay is required (deposit is nonrefundable if cancellation is made within 30 days of the date). You pick the date (November through April) and we'll pick the chef. Bring your appetite and whatever you need to wet your whistle, sit down, and dinner is served. Black out dates are New Years Eve and Valentine's Day weekend. To book a gourmet dinner, call Keith or Sue at 800-838-1246. You can see some of our past gourmet dinner menus at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/g-menu-sample.html.

Here's what's happening in and around the area:

Night Before Christmas
The retailers open house in downtown Saugatuck will kick off the shopping season with unique items for the holidays. At the same time you'll be able to gather secret info about the Grinch's shopping list from participating stores, giving you the chance to win a $1000 shopping spree. It all starts on November 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will continue through the weekend. More info on the Grinch's (where is Whoville anyway?) shopping spree can be found at http://www.saugatuckdouglas.com.

Douglas Holiday Preview
Let the shops of Douglas entertain you this holiday season. The town will be decorated in colorful lights, and there will be music and refreshments to enjoy while shopping for that unique gift on November 22 until 9 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.douglasmichigan.com.

Art
The Nines Gallery and Framing Studio in Holland will be celebrating its Fifth Anniversary Celebration with a special show, Chromascape, on November 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. Featuring the celebrated landscapes of Michael Callihan and the expressionistic abstractions of Amy Reckley, this show promises to be a wonderful conclusion to the season and will run through December 12. Go to http://www.theninesgallery.com or call 616-392-4370 for more information.

Movies
The Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland begins its Fall Film Series with The Cuckoo, showing November 3-7. Set in 1944 and the waning of World War II, The Cuckoo tells the story of three people, none of whom speaks the same language, who walk a road from distrust and devastation to friendship and rebirth. Next is a documentary titled The Trials of Henry Kissinger, showing November 10-14. This film takes a hard and rather scathing look at Henry Kissinger based on the novel by Christopher Hitchens. Next in the line up is an Italian film, Respiro, which runs November 18-22. The story is set on the Italian island of Lampedusa, and is a cheerful life-affirming film. It is in Italian with English subtitles. The series closes with Whale Rider, playing November 28-December 5, and is a rewarding and uplifting film, a coming-of-age tale of a young girl who must defy the odds to achieve her goals. It is in English and Maori with English subtitles. Call the Knickerbocker at (616) 395-7403 or visit www.hope.edu/arts/knick.

More Movies
The Saugatuck Center for the Arts is holding its first Children's Film Festival on November 20-23. The films, for children and young adults, were selected from various film festivals and therefore are new and independent films not available in movie theaters. They include animated versions of award winning children's books and ethnically diverse and educational films from North America, including Native American, Hispanic, and Asian. Tickets are $10 for a weekend pass or $5 per film. The films will be showing at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on Culver Street in downtown Saugatuck. For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Visiting Writers
Next in the line up for the Visiting Writers Series is Janet Burroway. Spanning her 40-year writing career, Burroway's book, Embalming Mom: Essays in Life, delivers insight on gender, motherhood, and daily living. Burroway is the author of plays, poetry, essays, children's books, and seven novels, including Pulitzer-Prize-nominated The Buzzards and Raw Silk. Her most well known work is Writing Fiction, now in its sixth edition, which is the most widely used and respected book on writing. Admittance is free and the reading will take place at the Knickerbocker Theatre (downtown Holland) on November 20 at 7 p.m. Call 269-395-7620 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/visits.

Music
The Hope College Great Performance Series will host Grammy- and Emmy-nominated jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard and his sextet on November 13 at 8 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel. Down Beat magazine named him the 2000 artist of the year and trumpeter of the year. He is director Spike Lee's main composer, having written the music for 10 of his films. Blanchard recently joined the legendary Blue Note Record label and released his first album on that label, titled Bounce. To order tickets call 616-395-7890, or visit http://www.hope.edu/arts./

Mason Street Warehouse Fundraiser
Last summer was the first season for the Mason Street Warehouse Theatre, and WHAT A SEASON IT WAS. I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Dirty Blonde, and Our Sinatra were so good we found ourselves pinching each other to make sure the things we were seeing were real, and not imagined. We certainly don't throw around terms like Broadway quality or national talent on an everyday basis, but this is definitely what the Mason Street Warehouse Theatre has brought to Saugatuck. Yes, we have tasted the magic elixir, and now we will do anything it takes to make sure there is another summer of excellent theater here in Saugatuck. This, my friend, is the gig: we have set aside 3 weeks in December as a fundraiser for the Mason Street Warehouse Theatre. If you can spend one, two, or more nights at our B&B on any Sunday through Thursday from November 30 to December 18, we'll donate 50% of the room price to MSW and you will receive the best of both worlds: you get to stay at one of the Midwest's finest B&Bs, and at the same time, will help support a worthy arts organization. To book a room, give us a call at us at 800-838-1246, and visit the Mason Street Warehouse website at http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org/.

Books
This month's book has been picked by Sue and Michele and is The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. Though many might view this as yet another sympathetic retelling of Anne Boleyn's rise and fall, one could not be more mistaken. Gregory, a noted historical novelist, tells the story instead through the eyes of Mary Boleyn, Anne's sister. She uses the perspective of this other Boleyn girl to reveal the rivalries and intrigues swirling through England and the court of King Henry VIII. It's a wonderful retelling of the rise and fall of the Boleyn faction through the eyes of an unexpected heroine. This book is another great addition for your winter season. You can purchase it at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085 http://www.treehousebooks.net) or at The Old Post Office Shop in Saugatuck (269-857-4553 or oldpostoffice@wmol.com) (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith's Comics).

Honorable Mentions
Jazz Combos, Hope College, Nov. 18
King Lear, Hope College, Nov. 19-22
Hope College-Choreographed Dance Concert, Nov. 25-26
Holiday Lighting Ceremony, November 28, Wicks Park, Saugatuck
Arts & Crafts Fair, November 28-29, Saugatuck
Blue Coast Artists Studio Tour, November 29-30, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Visiting Writers Series, Kellie Wells, December 4, Knickerbocker Theatre, 7 p.m.
Christmas Parade, December 7, Saugatuck
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, December 13-15 & 20-22, Saugatuck
New Years Eve Fireworks display, December 31, midnight, Saugatuck
Great Performance Series hosts Cantus, Jan. 27, Dimnent Chapel.

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our "Sweetheart Specials." We have all sorts of packages that include Godiva Chocolates, champagne, wine and cheese baskets, floral bouquets, roses, etc. We can also customize a package to your liking, or we can schedule an in-house massage with a certified massage therapist--doesn't get much better than that. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML.

Indoor Scratch Golf & Gosh I Need a Massage Package
For all of you golf addicts who are having withdrawal symptoms because of the wintry weather, we're offering a great golf deal. Starting November 1 through April 30, the Sherwood Forest B&B is offering Scratch Golf Packages: spend 2 nights midweek (Sunday through Thursday) and we'll get you a guaranteed tee time for two at Pebble Beach or Augusta, um, actually the Hilltop Golf Center in Saugatuck, the area's best virtual golf simulator with state-of-the-art technology that provides realistic, fun, and powerful indoor golf. Next you'll be ready for a relaxing massage in the privacy of your own room at the B&B from one of our professional massage therapists in a style suited just for you. Cost ranges from $390 to $520, which includes a 2-night stay, 1-hour golf simulator, and 2 massages. Call 800-838-1246 and visit our website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/ATTRACT.HTML for other packages.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
Sue's Autumn Butternut Squash Soup

This recipe from the original Siren of Sherwood is totally in season and totally delicious.

Ingredients
1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and coarsely diced
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 small yellow onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 Tablespoon dried thyme
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
2 Cups low-sodium vegetable stock
2 Cups water
1 teaspoon salt pepper to taste

Assemblage
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place squash in bowl with 2 Tb. olive oil and coat squash thoroughly, then place squash on cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes ('til edges are slightly brown). Remove from oven and let cool slightly. In stockpot heat 1 Tb. olive oil and sauté onion for 3 minutes, then add garlic and sauté 1 more minute. Add thyme, apple, vegetable stock, water, and squash. Bring to a boil and cook 15-20 minutes. Let cool slightly, add salt & pepper, then puree in blender or food processor. Serves 6 to 8.

You can look up all of our delicious recipes at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/RECIPE.HTML

Hope to see you soon!

Keith & Sue
Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast
938 Center St.
Douglas, Michigan
http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com
800-838-1246

P.S. Peace on Earth.

Sherwood Forest B&B October 2003 Newsletter

"News from the Forest"
October is here at Sherwood Forest B&B, and the leaves are starting their wondrous transformation. You can head out to several area orchards for apple or pear picking, or try the corn maze. The nights are cool and crisp, and the stars stretch forever at the beach. The Saugatuck State Park has so much to offer this time of year, with its beautiful hemlocks, beach, oak, and maple trees all competing for Best of Show. So join us soon for some relaxation and beautiful fall colors--and Happy Halloween to you all!

Here's what's happening in and around the area:

Mason Street Warehouse Fundraiser
Last summer was the first season for the Mason Street Warehouse Theatre, and WHAT A SEASON IT WAS. I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Dirty Blonde, and Our Sinatra were so good we found ourselves pinching each other to make sure the things we were seeing were real, and not imagined. We certainly don't throw around terms like Broadway quality or national talent on an everyday basis, but this is definitely what the Mason Street Warehouse Theatre has brought to Saugatuck. Yes, we have tasted the magic elixir, and now we will do anything it takes to make sure there is another summer of excellent theater here in Saugatuck. This, my friend, is the gig: we have set aside 3 weeks in December as a fundraiser for the Mason Street Warehouse Theatre. If you can spend one, two, or more nights at our B&B on any Sunday through Thursday from November 30 to December 18, we'll donate 50% of the room price to MSW and you will receive the best of both worlds: you get to stay at one of the Midwest's finest B&Bs, and at the same time, will help support a worthy arts organization. To book a room, give us a call at us at 800-838-1246, and please visit the Mason Street Warehouse website at http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org/.

Sherwood Forest Gourmet Dinners
Now’s the time to gather up that group of friends or family and plan a visit to Sherwood Forest B&B for one of our awesome Gourmet Dinners. From November through April, let us wine and dine you. Book the entire bed and breakfast for 2 days or more and we'll have such a feast catered, your taste palates won't allow any leftovers. We've cornered the market on the best chefs Saugatuck and Douglas have to offer, including Chris Ferris, gourmet cheffette who can cook a Spanish paella like you've never tasted before; Tony & Dona Amato, the creative chefs behind one of Saugatuck's favorite lunch spots, The Red Dock Café; Keaton Stearns, chef extraordinaire of The Piper Restaurant; and Matt Balmer, head chef of one our favorite restaurants, The Everyday People Cafe. These epicurean wizards of gastronomic delights will amaze you in what will be your own private dining room, and you'll have the time of your lives. Here are the details: dinner is $45 per person, guests must provide their own alcohol, and a 2-night minimum stay is required (deposit is nonrefundable if cancellation is made within 30 days of the date). You pick the date November through April and we'll pick the chef. Bring your appetite and whatever you need to wet your whistle, sit down, and dinner is served. Black out dates are New Years Eve and Valentine’s Day weekend. To book a gourmet dinner, call Keith or Sue at 800-838-1246. You can see some of our past gourmet dinner menus at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/g-menu-sample.html.

Art
The Nines Gallery and Framing Studio, located at 17 W. 10th St. in downtown Holland, will be continuing its Inspired by Nature show through the month of October. Featuring the complex and painterly still life work of David Zimmermann, the Americana-influenced collection of small farmscape pastel drawings by Anne Corlett Wiley, and the fusion of abstractions and landscapes by Cathy Marashi. Selections of the show can be found in the Sneak Preview section of http://www.theninesgallery.com.

More Art
Come see firsthand how the Blue Coast Artists create their work during their 13th Annual Fall Tour of Studios on October 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Travel the scenic Blue Star Highway between Saugatuck and South Haven to discover some of Southwest Michigan’s finest artwork from pottery, sculpture, and jewelry, to weaving, blown glass, and paintings. For more information, visit their website at http://bluecoastartists.com

Still More Art
Come join over 30 tri-community galleries for the 26th annual Saugatuck/Douglas Gallery Stroll. You'll be able to cruise through some of the Midwest's finest art, sip wine, nibble hors d'oeuvres, and discern brushstrokes, pottery glazes, and photography techniques. You'll also have the chance to meet and greet some red-hot emerging artists. Gallery Stroll will be held October 10 and 11 from noon to 5 p.m., and there will be a trolley available to take you between Saugatuck and Douglas. For more specifics, contact the individual gallery owners on the web at http://www.saugatuckdouglas.com/ART/Index.html.

Octoberfest
Downtown Douglas will be the site for this year's Octoberfest on Saturday, October 11, from 6-9 p.m. While it’s not Munich, Germany, it does have a festive atmosphere to help you celebrate the traditional season’s first batch of new brew. So drop in to Octoberfest for beer from Roffey's Brewing Company (a local brewery), brats, prizes galore, and music of course. There's an $8/person entry fee at the door, $6 in advance.

Music
Lakeshore Jazz Connection is proud to present for its last concert of the 2003 season the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. Aquinas College Professor Paul Brewer leads the 18-piece group with some of the best jazz musicians in West Michigan. Performing with the GRJO are two local favorites, vocalist Eyde Evans Hyde and drummer Tim Froncek. Hyde recently opened for Ray Charles and Arturo Sandoval. Froncek is arguably the swinginest drummer in West Michigan and always puts on a great show. The concert will take place on October 11 at 8 p.m. For tickets, call 269-857-2287, or visit their website at http://www.lakeshorejazzconnection.org/.

More Music
Blue Dahlia will perform on October 17 to Buster Keaton's Seven Chances at the Knickerbocker Theatre at 7 and 9 p.m. Silent film and live music have a long tradition, but rarely are found together today. Blue Dahlia beautifully blends music and vocals to silent film. Tickets are $6. The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. 8th St., downtown Holland.

Visiting Writers
Simon Ortiz is next in line for the Hope College's Visiting Writers Series on October 30. His biography states: growing up in the Acoma Pueblo Homeland in the small village of McCarty, he developed an ear for language at a young age. Ever since he was a child, he’d listen to everything. Listening to people, to wind, whatever is murmuring, has been an important part of how he perceives and how he learns. Ortiz has published numerous collections of poetry, short fiction, and essays. Admittance is free and the reading will take place at the Knickerbocker Theatre (downtown Holland) at 7 p.m. For more information, call 269-395-7620 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/vws/visits.

Exhibits
Norman Rockwell, Beginning in 1916 and for Five Decades, will be at the Holland Museum from October 4 – January 4. Rockwell illustrated 321 covers of the Saturday Evening Post. During this period, he became one of America’s most famous and well-known illustrators. His work, set against the backdrop of the 20th century’s momentous changes, focused on images of children, young love, old folks, and family life. This exhibit presents 46 Norman Rockwell cover illustrations on loan from the Curtis Publishing Company Collection at the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History. For more information, call 888-200-9123, or visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/.

Art and Photography
The gallery of the De Pree Art Center at Hope College will feature an exhibition of Jill Hartley and Teresa Villegas’s variations on the traditional Mexican game, Loteria, September 29 - November 8. Loteria originated in Italy, moved to Spain, and finally came to Mexico in 1769. Initially played by the colonial Mexican elite, it was eventually embraced by all social classes. The game is similar to American Bingo, but in Loteria, a card with a colorfully illustrated image is drawn from a special deck and the board (tabla) has a random pattern of images matching those found on the cards. Hartley is an American photographer who resides in Paris and Mexico City and has produced a series of photographs that are based on the traditional list of Loteria themes but drew images from contemporary life as she has encountered it in her travels in Mexico. Villegas has created a series of paintings that are variations on the traditional Loteria images, and her themes reflect contemporary Mexican icons. Admission is free. The gallery’s hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The De Pree Art Center is on Columbia Avenue at 12th Street. Call (616) 395-7500 or visit Hope Colleges web site at http://www.hope.edu/arts.

Halloween
On October 25 there will be Halloween festivities going on in downtown Saugatuck from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including country music, entertainment, storytelling, arts & crafts, and a kids parade That evening you do not want to miss the Douglas Halloween Celebration and Adult Parade at 10 p.m. It's definitely a fashion statement, whether you wish to partake (pull out that I Love Lucy costume) or if you're there for some interesting viewing (you'll laugh till you cry). For more information, contact the Saugatuck/Douglas Visitor's Bureau at 269-857-1701.

19th Annual Goose Festival
You haven't lived until you've attended the Goose Festival--no really! On October 11th, the daylong festival in downtown Fennville will entertain you to your hearts delight. The official parade starts at 1 pm, and you'll be awed by this years reining beauty queen, Miss Honker, and the musical delights of the Scottville Clown Band, whose members dress up like clowns, tramps, and women in drag, besides marching in the parade. Their official performance starts at 2 p.m. For more information, call 616-857-2236 or e-mail them at goosefest@i2k.com.

Books
Mindy, one of our bookworm friends, recommends The Language of Blood by Jane Jeong Trenka. Original and beautifully written reflections fill Trenka's memoir, a brave exploration of her identity as a Korean adoptee and pensive young woman trying to negotiate between two mothers and two lives. She traces her life from young, eager-to-please child to questioning adolescent. Finally, she brings readers with her to Korea, where she is reunited with her birth mother and homeland. Unlike some first-time writers, Trenka is unafraid with her prose and rarely falls into clichés, which is especially admirable given the subject matter. Her journey, from the conservative roots of rural Minnesota to her cramped homeland of Korea, is winding, but it ends at an important place for both reader and writer: transformation. A truly enjoyable fall season read. You can purchase this book at Treehouse Books, 37 E. 8th St., or call them at 616-494-5085; and it can also be purchased at the Old Post Office Shop, 131 Mason--downtown Saugatuck. For further info, e-mail oldpostoffice@wmol.com or call 269-857-4553 (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith’s Comix).

Golf, Golf, and More Golf
We’ve teamed up with the area golf courses to bring you a great fall season of golf. We have come up with some packages to please everyone. We can hook you up with talented golf instructors for some very valuable lessons (eliminate that hook, increase your drive, and sink that putt). We can also show you the way to the coolest double-decker driving range, book some preferred tee times, and to top it off, we can make reservations at an area restaurant for an awesome dining experience after a day of golf. For more info, check out http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/GOLF.html or give us a call at 800-838-1246.

Honorable Mentions
Snapshots: A Saugatuck Album, Saugatuck/Douglas Historical Museum, weekends through October
Jim McNeely Jazz, Oct. 17, Wichers Auditorium
Jazz Combos, Nov. 18, Hope College
King Lear, Hope College, Nov. 19-22
Visiting writer Janet Burroway, Nov. 20, Knickerbocker Theatre
Hope College-Choreographed Dance Concert, Nov. 25-26
Night Before Christmas, Saugatuck, Nov. 21
Douglas Holiday Preview, Nov. 23
Arts & Crafts Fair, November 28-29, Saugatuck
Christmas Parade, December 7, Saugatuck
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, December 13-15 & 20-22, Saugatuck
New Years Eve Fireworks display, December 31 midnight, Saugatuck

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our Sweetheart Specials. We have all sorts of packages that include Godiva Chocolates, champagne, wine and cheese baskets, floral bouquets, roses, etc. We can also customize a package to your liking, or we can schedule an in-house massage with a certified massage therapist--doesn't get much better than that. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
Zen Jen, another groovy Sherwood Forest Siren, loves this fall recipe and makes it for her daughter Mazi, who just adores running through huge piles of leaves.

Zen Jen’s Apple Orange Spice Cake
Cake:
4 large eggs
1¾ Cup sugar
3 Cups flour
1-tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
½ Cup fresh orange juice
½ Cup vegetable oil
1-teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Cups thinly sliced tart apples
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze:
¼ Cup sugar
2 tablespoons buttermilk
¼ teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 10-inch tube pan with cooking spray and dust with 1-tablespoon flour. Beat eggs and add sugar. In separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, and next four ingredients and stir. Combine rind, juice, oil, and vanilla. Add flour mixture to egg mixture alternately with juice mixture. Combine apples, 2 teaspoons sugar, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Arrange half of apple mixture over batter, overlapping slightly. Repeat with remaining batter and apples. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Cool on wire rack 20 minutes, then remove from pan. For glaze, cook ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat for 2 minutes or until foamy, stirring constantly. Drizzle over warm cake. Cool completely.

You can look up all of our delicious recipes at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/RECIPE.HTML

Hope to see you soon!

Keith & Sue
Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast, 938 Center St., Douglas, Michigan
800-838-1246

P.S. Peace on Earth.

Local Calendar of Events
It's a long list so we added a link. To see a detailed list of what's happening in the area, check out: www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/CALENDAR.HTML

Sherwood Forest B&B August - September 2003 Newsletter

"News from the Forest"
Summer is still upon us, and here in the forest things are as relaxed as can be. Lake Michigan's water temp is still hovering around 70 degrees, still purrrfect for taking a dip, and these next 2 months will be great time for enjoying a stroll along Lake Shore Drive or the beach, sharing a picnic basket, or viewing the spectacular fall colors. There's lots to do, or nothing if you so choose. So give us a call for that much-needed getaway!

Sherwood Forest Gourmet Dinners
Now's the time to gather up that group of friends or family and plan a visit to Sherwood Forest B&B for one of our awesome "Gourmet Dinners." From November through April, let us wine and dine you. Book the entire bed and breakfast for 2 days or more and we'll have such a feast catered, your taste palates won't allow any leftovers. We've cornered the market on the best chefs Saugatuck and Douglas have to offer, including Chris Ferris, gourmet cheffette who can cook a Spanish paella like you've never tasted before; Tony & Dona Amato, the creative chefs of behind one of Saugatuck's favorite lunch spots, The Red Dock Café; Keaton Stearns, chef extraordinaire of The Piper Restaurant; and Matt Balmer, head chef of one our favorite restaurants, The Everyday People Cafe. These epicurean wizards of gastronomic delights will amaze you in what will be your own private dining room, and you'll have the time of your lives. Here are the details: dinner is $45 per person, guests must provide their own alcohol, and a 2-night minimum stay is required (deposit is nonrefundable if cancellation is made within 30 days of the date). You pick the date November through April and we'll pick the chef. Bring your appetite and whatever you need to wet your whistle, sit down, and dinner is served. Black out dates are New Years Eve and Valentine's Day weekend. To book a gourmet dinner, call Keith or Sue at 800-838-1246. You can see some of our past gourmet dinner menus at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/g-menu-sample.html.

Golf Package
Spend a night or two at Sherwood Forest B&B, and we'll make all the arrangements for you to play at The Ravines, an Arnold Palmer Signature Championship Golf Course, located just 3 miles north of downtown Saugatuck. This sweeping, eighteen-stanza course, where nature meets sport in ways you simply must witness to believe, has wide fairways, generous landing areas, and four tee positions per hole to let you play it safe. Once you experience The Ravines for the first time, you'll be surprised by how this course's breathtaking backdrops and cunning golf architecture emboldens the true golfer in you. With a 1-night stay you get 18 holes of golf for two (with a cart) with a guaranteed tee time at The Ravines and some great dinner recommendations. Package cost: $220 - $568. To book this, call us at 800-838-1246.

Golf, Golf, and More Golf
We've teamed up with the area golf courses to bring you a great fall season of golf. We have come up with some packages to please everyone. We can hook you up with talented golf instructors for some very valuable lessons (eliminate that hook, increase your drive, and sink that putt). We can also show you the way to the coolest double-decker driving range, book some preferred tee times, and to top it off, we can make reservations at an area restaurant for an awesome dining experience after a day of golf. For more info, check out http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/GOLF.html or give us a call at 800-838-1246.

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our "Sweetheart Specials" (we now can include Godiva Chocolates), or you can try one of our in-house massages--doesn't get much better than that. And of course, there's our ever-popular "Famous Chefs of Saugatuck Gourmet Dinners" November through April. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML Here's the link for gourmet dinner details and a sample menu: http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/DINNERS.HTML

Sherwood Forest Picnic Baskets
Venture forth from Sherwood Forest with your own basket of goodies. The picnic includes a fine selection of Italian meats, cheeses, and baguettes, along with fresh fruit and sweets to make your rendezvous complete. To wet your whistle, choose from spritzers or bottled water (vegetarian selection also available). Price: $55 for two.

Music
On September 13, the Lakeshore Jazz Connection will present the Jim Cooper Sextet. Vibraphonist, composer, and artistic director of Lakeshore Jazz Connection, Jim Cooper received a 2002 West Michigan Composers Grant to perform his own compositions. This year, he keeps the creative juices flowing with new compositions and arrangements for sextet. They will also be playing selections from his three CDs. Performing with Cooper is James Daniels, trumpet; Ken Morgan, saxophones; Terry Lower, piano; Tom Lockwood, bass; and Larry Ochiltree, drums. The show starts at 8 p.m. General admission is $15; $12 for members, $10 students. For more information or tickets, call (616) 857-2287, or you can visit their website at http://www.lakeshorejazzconnection.org

Art
On August 23, The Nines Gallery will present "One Night Stand," a 1-night, open-air exhibit hosted in conjunction with The Old Post Office Shop. Featuring one new work of art by a dozen different artists, this event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the alley adjacent to The Old Post Office Shop at 131 Mason St. in downtown Saugatuck. Don't blink or you'll miss it! Call 616-392-3239 for details, or visit www.theninesgallery.com Then on September 19, The Nines Gallery presents "An Ode to Color," celebrating the return of new fruit-based still lifes by David Zimmermann, a compilation of striking farm-scapes in pastel by Anne Corlett Wiley, and a venture into abstracts from nature by Cathy Marashi. The art opening will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at their Holland location, 17 W. 10th St. For more information, call 269-857-9997, or visit http://www.theninesgallery.com

Film Series
The Knickerbocker Theater in downtown Holland will show "Blind Spot: Hitler's Secretary," which has been receiving great critical acclaim, and will run August 25-30, with showings at 7 and 9 p.m. "Blind Spot" centers around Traudl Junge, who became Hitler's personal secretary. After nearly 60 years of silence, this soft-spoken elderly woman provides a riveting look at the rise and collapse of Nazi Germany. For its final film, the Knickerbocker welcomes "Winged Migration," showing September 1-6 at 7 and 9 p.m. This documentary received rave reviews at the 2003 Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, and has something for every member of the family. "Winged Migration" is dedicated to birds and their movements according to the seasons. The Knickerbocker Theater is at 86 E. 8th St., downtown Holland. Call 616-395-7403 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/pr/releases/showpr.cgi?page=films

Books
Michele's (a friend of ours who owns a hip and groovy bookstore called Treehouse Books in Holland) pick of the month is "Book of the Dead Birds" by Gayle Brandeis. "This book caught me on the first page and didn't let me go." Interweaving the past and the present, the narrator tells the story of her Korean mothers horrific past while trying to find her own path in life. The unusual title refers to a book her mother keeps about her daughter's uncanny ability to kill every pet bird she attempts to care for. The daughter's quest for independence and identification with her mother leads her to the Salton Sea, where an ecological nightmare has occurred. You can purchase this book at Treehouse Books, 37 E. 8th St., or call them at 616-494-5085; and it can also be purchased at The Old Post Office Shop, Saugatuck (oldpostoffice@wmol.com or call 269-857-4553) (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith's Comics--this month's vintage collection includes Turok-Dinosaaur Hunter).

Saugatuck-Douglas Heritage Festival
On September 20-21, the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society will sponsor it's second annual Heritage Festival, including an Historical Homes tour, trolley tours of the area, a Native American drumming and dancing ceremony with storytelling, guided tours of Cranes Orchards and Fenn Valley Winery Vineyards, a traditional Clothesline Art Show, a vintage baseball game, historic church services in historic churches, and an old-fashioned band concert followed by the spectacle of "riverfire" to kick off the weekend's festivities. It's everything that small-town America is all about. Discover the rich historical, architectural, and agricultural heritage of Saugatuck-Douglas. For more information, call 269-857-8902 or 269-857-1183.

Visiting Writers
Rick Moody will be opening Hope College's Visiting Writers Series on September 17. Moody, who has written 13 books, will be reading from selected works. His book "Joyful Noise" pulls the Bible back from the far right with personal essays on the relevance of faith in our increasingly faithless times. His book "The Black Veil: A Memoir with Digressions," is fiction-nonfiction--sometimes it's really honest about life, other times it's about completely other things--concealment and revelation, never one without the other. Admittance is free and the reading will take place at the Knickerbocker Theatre (downtown Holland) at 7 p.m. For more info, call 616-395-7620 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/vws/

Sidewalk Sale
The Annual Saugatuck Sidewalk Sale will be held August 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Saugatuck. This is a great event while merchants unload their summer goods to make way for fall fashions and giftware. There will be bargains galore. Event will happen rain or shine. Sponsored by downtown Saugatuck merchants. Call (616) 857-3133 for more info.

Food
The Annual "Taste of Saugatuck" will be held on August 24 on Water Street in downtown Saugatuck from noon-7 p.m. It's a mini-"Taste of Chicago" street festival, featuring fine foods from restaurants in the area such as Clearbrook, the Sea Wolf, Mermaid Bar & Grill, Coral Gables, and the White House Bistro, just to name a few. There will also be homemade sorbetto and gelato from Palazzolo's to cleanse your palate. A gastronomical event that is sure to please everyone. Sponsored by the Saugatuck-Douglas CVB and area restaurants. For information call (616) 857-1701.

Honorable Mentions
Blue Star Bridge Walk, September 1, a true test of fitness over a 600-foot bridge--HUH?
Shared Impressions--September 5-19, a print collection of Amsterdam, artist Cyril Lixemburg
Chili Festival-September 27
Ariel Dance Theatre-September 26-27
Blue Coast Artists open house, October 4-5
Lakeshore Jazz Connection--October 11
Goose Festival, October 10-12
Saugatuck Douglas Gallery Stroll, October 11-12
Octoberfest--October 11
Adult Halloween Parade, October 25, Douglas, 10 p.m.

Sherwood Forest Cottage
The Cottage is the perfect place for that quiet getaway, or if you wish to spend a weekend with some friends, we do have openings after Labor Day, which is also a wonderful time to kick back and enjoy the area. It sleeps up to 4 people or two couples, has a full kitchen, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
Lorraine's Smoked Salmon (Lox) Scrambled Eggs Lorraine is a tribe member from the old country, and she has visited with us since we opened 12 years ago. This recipe is delicious and is enjoyed by many of our guests at the B&B. Serves four.

Ingredients
2.5 oz. butter
4 spring green onions - chopped
8 eggs, beaten
4 ounces smoked salmon (lox) chopped
1/3 teaspoon ground pepper
3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature, cut into squares

Assemblage
Over low heat in a large nonstick pan, melt the butter. Add ½ of the green onions to the pan and simmer until soft, then pour in the egg and black pepper mixture and continuously stir until the eggs are almost firm. Remove from heat and fold in the cream cheese and salmon, return to low heat and melt the cream cheese, and it's ready to serve! Sprinkle with the rest of the onions and you'll have some very happy guests.

Hope to see you soon!

Keith & Sue

Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast,
938 Center St.,
Douglas, Michigan
http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com
800-838-1246

P.S. Peace on Earth.

Local Calendar of Events
It's a long list so we added a link. To see a detailed list of what's happening in the area, check out: www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/CALENDAR.HTML

Sherwood Forest B&B July 2003 Newsletter

"News From The Forest"

Happy Independence Day! The Fourth of July fireworks were fantastic as we celebrated our country's birthday, and now the summer season is in full swing, Lake Michigan is a balmy 65 degrees, and our hip and groovy pool is 85 degrees. We have some great new golf packages we've put together for those of you who like to hit the links, or we've got an awesome picnic basket for you to enjoy at the beach or park. We hope you'll be able to make it for a visit soon to enjoy this delightful time of year. A lot of the weekends are already booked, but we can treat you like royalty Sunday-Thursday.

Golf Package
Spend a night or two at Sherwood Forest B&B, and we'll arrange for you to play at The Ravines, an Arnold Palmer Signature Championship Golf Course, located just 3 miles north of downtown Saugatuck. This sweeping, eighteen-stanza course, where nature meets sport in ways you simply must witness to believe, has wide fairways, generous landing areas, and four tee positions per hole to let you play it safe. Once you experience The Ravines for the first time, you'll be surprised by how this course's breathtaking backdrops and cunning golf architecture emboldens the true golfer in you. With a 1-night stay you get 18 holes of golf for two (with a cart) with a guaranteed tee time at The Ravines and some great dinner recommendations so you don't have to do the hit and miss thing. Package cost: $220 - $568. To book this, call us at 800-838-1246

Another Exciting Golf Package
We have teamed up with the area golf courses to bring you a great season of golf. We can hook you up with talented golf instructors for some very valuable lessons (eliminate that hook, increase your drive, and sink that putt). We can also show you the way to the heated, double-decker driving range, book some preferred tee times, and to top it off, we can make reservations at an area restaurant for an awesome dining experience after a day of golf. For more info check out http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/GOLF.html or give us a call at 800-838-1246.

Sherwood Forest Picnic Baskets
Venture forth from Sherwood Forest with your own basket of goodies this summer. The picnic includes a fine selection of Italian meats, cheeses, and baguettes, along with fresh fruit and sweets to make your afternoon rendezvous complete. To wet your whistle, choose from spritzers or bottled water (vegetarian selection also available). Price: $55 for two.

Here's what's happening in and around the area:

Museum Exhibits
The Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society is presenting "Snapshots: A Saugatuck Album." Over a century ago, Kodak produced a machine so easily operated and transported that "you press the button, and we do the rest" became a reality. The amateur photographer now had a way to record all sorts of events--particularly happy ones--and to preserve (and invent) memory. This year's exhibition presents amateur photography as a way of understanding the "new world of leisure" that appeared (and was invented) in places like Saugatuck at the end the 19th Century. The photographs were selected from many private collections and from the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society archives, most being amateur "snapshots" and all focused on "good times." Others are from local "professional" photographers, like Herman Simonson, who carried his cameras and camera props (including a donkey named Dynamite) to the beach to make a living off the tourist trade. The museum is open every day through Labor Day, noon to 4 p.m., and weekends in the fall. Admission is free but contributions are always welcome. For more information, call (269) 857-7900, or visit their website at http://www.accn.org/~sdhistory/Home.php

Art
On Friday, July 25, from 5-8 p.m., the Nines Gallery in Downtown Holland will be hosting its 5th Annual "Petite Art by Colossal Artists" show: a celebration of the best size challenged artwork that money can buy. Traditionally hailed as the Nines' most popular show of the year, the small-format show will feature specially created artwork by a number of artists, The Nines Gallery will be featuring new photographic prints by Tommy Allen, rural monotypes by Bonnie Murray, modern still lifes by Carol Redmond, objects in combinations with cherries and apples by David Zimmermann, stylized earthenware florals by Michael Pfleghaar, and debuting the beautiful landscapes of Susan Brightheart with special guest Ken Carls and his spontaneous collages. The exhibit will run through August. The Gallery is located at 17 W. 10th St., Holland. For more info, call them at 616-392-3239 or visit their brand new web site at http://www.theninesgallery.com

Chamber Music
The Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck will be conducting six performances: July 10-11 is a piano quartet in G Minor with Fortepiano by Mozart, an Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70, and a Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 32 by Anton Arensky; July 17-18 is Six Studies in English Folk Song by Ralph Vaughn Williams and Rhapsodic Quintet for Clarinet and String quartet, Op. will be performed; July 24-25 is the Merling Trio performing a piano trio in C Minor by Haydn and De Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas by Astor Piazzolla. All performances are at 8 p.m. at the Woman's Club, downtown Saugatuck. Call 269-543-9001 or visit their website at http://www.saugatuckmusic.org

Theater
Mason Street Warehouse, one of Saugatuck's newest groups performing professional theater, will be hosting three shows this summer. The first, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" a musical about dating, romance, and relationships, will run from July 2-13. The second, "Dirty Blonde," is a funny, touching story about film superstar Mae West as told through the eyes of two of her biggest fans and will run from July 16-27. The third, "Our Sinatra" brings the New York cast to Saugatuck. It's filled with the songs that Frank made famous. Mason Street Theatre is at 400 Culver St., Saugatuck. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-4898, or visit their website at http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org

More Theater
The Red Barn Theater, in its unusual, rustic location, is one of the few remaining "barn" theaters in the United States. This summer's line up includes "Cabaret,"--welcome to the divinely decadent world of 1930's Berlin-will run from June 27-July 13, "Once Upon A Mattress" is a quirky retelling of the fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea." Everyone lives happily ever after when Princess Winnifred foils the evil Queen's impossible test involving a myriad of mattresses and one tiny pea-runs from July 18-Aug 3. "Forever Plaid" is next and tells in lavish harmonies the story of four unlikely heroes "snuffed out mid coda" in a collision with a school bus in 1964. These angelic crooners come back three decades later with a second chance to do the first-rate show they never accomplished in life and runs from August 8-24. For more info or to purchase tickets, call 269-857-7707, or visit their website at http://www.redbarnplayhouse.com/

Still More Theater
Hope Summer Repertory Theater (Hope College Campus) features several plays, the first being "The Game of Love and Chance," an 18th-Century comedy focusing on the idea of class, especially as seen in the servants and masters of the Enlightenment era, and will run through July 17. "The Caine Mutiny" is next--WWII naval officer Stephen Maryk is charged with mutiny after taking command from Lt. Com. Queeg of the U.S.S. Caine. This riveting drama runs through August 8. "The Guys" is about a New York journalist who tries to make sense of the September 11 tragedy as a grieving fire captain approaches her faced with giving the eulogies for most of the men in his company. This play runs through August 2." Call 616-395-7890, or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/hsrt/ for more information and show times.

Books
Sue's pick of the month is "Atonement," by Ian McEwan. It's an engaging story and so finely written that the reading is both effortless and seductive. Set during the seemingly idyllic summer of 1935 at the country estate of the Tallis family, a single event moves Briony Tallis, a precocious 13-year-old with an overactive imagination. Briony takes steps that will alter the entire household's lives forever. "Atonement" takes the reader from a manor house in England to the retreat from Dunkirk in 1941; from London's World War II military hospitals to a reunion of the Tallis clan in 1999. You can purchase it at 131 Mason--downtown Saugatuck in the Old Post Office Shop. For further info, e-mail oldpostoffice@wmol.com or call 269-857-4553 (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith's Comics--this month's vintage collection includes Spiderman), or for our Holland friends, you can purchase it at Treehouse Books on 8th St or call them at 616-494-5085.

Honorable Mentions:
Farmers Market, Holland Civic Center, Wed. & Sat. in July & Aug., 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Centennial Park Concerts, Holland, bring a blanket or chair, every Friday at 8 p.m.
Allegan Antique Market, July 27, downtown Allegan
Art 'Round Town--all summer long
Lakeshore Jazz Connection Concerts, September 13, and October 11
Venetian Night Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks Display, July 26
Sidewalk Sale, Saugatuck, August 21
Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society Heritage Festival, September 19-20

Sherwood Forest Cottage
We're all booked up in the cottage for the summer, but we do have openings after Labor Day, which is also a wonderful time to kick back and enjoy the area. It sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

Summer Weekly Rentals
If your still looking for a weekly rental this summer, we have two friends who have space and they both have some weeks open in July and August: Rob has a brand new condo for rent (about a half mile from Lake Michigan)-you can call at 616-836-2816, and the other is our friend Jill's condo at Mariner's Cove (#358) on the river with a boat slip, call Mandy at 269-857-7829.

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our "Sweetheart Specials" (we now can include Godiva Chocolates), or you can try one of our in-house massages--doesn't get much better than that. And of course, there's our ever-popular "Famous Chefs of Saugatuck Gourmet Dinners" November through April. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML Here's the link for gourmet dinner details and a sample menu: http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/DINNERS.HTML

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe. And as Keith is the only Sherwoodian who doesn't have a recipe, the Sirens decided to name it after him because he just loves these cookies.

Keith of Sherwood's Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated [white] sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
2 eggs
3 cups Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; gradually beat in flour mixture, add milk and stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE in preheated 375-degree oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes; remove to wire racks and cool.

Hope to see you soon!

Keith & Sue
Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast, 938 Center St., Douglas, Michigan
http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com
800-838-1246

P.S. Peace on Earth

Sherwood Forest B&B June 2003 Newsletter

"News From The Forest"

Memorial Day has come and gone, and for us that heralds the opening of our summer season. Lake Michigan is not quite warm enough for a dip, but our hip and groovy pool is a “swimable” 84 degrees. The days are getting longer as we head toward the summer solstice, and we hope you'll be able to make it for a visit soon to enjoy this delightful time of year. A lot of the weekends are already booked, but we can treat you like royalty Sunday-Thursday.

Sherwood Forest Golf
We have teamed up with the golf courses in the area to bring you a great summer season of golf. We can get hook you up with talented golf instructors for some very valuable lessons (eliminate that hook, increase your drive, and sink that putt!). We can show you the way to the heated double-decker driving range, book some preferred tee times, and to top it off, we can make reservations at an area restaurant for an awesome dining experience after a day of golf. For more info, give us a call at 800-838-1246.

Sherwood Forest Picnic Baskets
Venture forth from Sherwood Forest with your own basket of goodies this summer. The picnic includes a fine selection of Italian meats, cheeses, and baguettes, along with fresh fruit and sweets to make your afternoon rendezvous complete. To wet your whistle, choose from spritzers or bottled water (vegetarian selection also available). Price: $55 for two.

Here's what's happening in and around the area:

Waterfront Film Festival
Join us for Saugatuck's coolest event on June 12-15: the Waterfront Film Festival. With over 70 films (ranging from shorts, documentaries, comedies, and dramas), seminars, and panel discussions with experienced film industry veterans, it promises to be a great event. The annual free flick on June 12 starts with a "street party" at 7 p.m. on Water Street, followed at dusk with an outdoor screening of "Local Boys,” about two brothers chasing waves off the beaches of Southern California and the thrilling freedom that comes along. The Film Festival will truly celebrate independent film and filmmakers. For more information, a list of films, and to purchase tickets, call (269)-857-8351, or visit their website at www.waterfrontfilm.com

Museum Exhibits
The Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society is presenting “Snapshots: A Saugatuck Album.” Over a century ago, Kodak produced a machine so easily operated and transported that "you press the button, and we do the rest" became a reality. The amateur photographer now had a way to record all sorts of events--particularly happy ones--and to preserve (and invent) memory. This year’s exhibition presents amateur photography as a way of understanding the “new world of leisure” that appeared (and was invented) in places like Saugatuck at the end the 19th century and beginning of 20th. The photographs were selected from many private collections and from the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society archives, most being amateur “snapshots” and all focused on “good times.” Others are from local “professional” photographers, like Herman Simonson, who carried his cameras and camera props (including a donkey named Dynamite) to the beach to make a living off the tourist trade. The museum is open every day through Labor Day, noon to 4 p.m., and weekends in the fall. Admission is free but contributions are always welcome. For more information, call (269) 857-7900, or visit their website at www.accn.org/~sdhistory/Home.php

Art
The Nines Gallery in Downtown Holland is celebrating spring with fresh landscapes by northern Michigan artist Sue Brightheart. Painting with oil on masonite, she excels in capturing the pastoral beauty of the Heartland, including blooming orchards, isolated farm fields, and long rolling vistas. Also featured in June are new ceramic creations by Michael Pfleghaar, which are colorful, full of whimsy, and stylishly sculpted. Also, don't miss out on David Zimmermann's incredible new still lifes. For questions, call The Nines at 616-392-3239, or drop by the gallery at 17 W. 10th St., downtown Holland, or visit www.theninesgallery.com

Chamber Music
The Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck will be conducting six performances: July 10-11 is a piano quartet in G Minor with Fortepiano by Mozart, an Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70, and a Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 32 by Anton Arensky; July 17-18 is Six Studies in English Folk Song by Ralph Vaughn Williams and Rhapsodic Quintet for Clarinet and String quartet, Op. will be performed; July 24-25 is the Merling Trio performing a piano trio in C Minor by Haydn and De Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas by Astor Piazzolla. All performances are at 8 p.m. at the Woman's Club, downtown Saugatuck. Call 269-543-9001 or visit their website at www.saugatuckmusic.org

Theater
Mason Street Warehouse, one of Saugatuck's newest groups performing professional theater, will be hosting three shows this summer. The first, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” a musical about dating, romance, and relationships, will run from July 2-13. The second, “Dirty Blonde,” is a funny, touching story about film superstar Mae West as told through the eyes of two of her biggest fans and will run from July 16-27. The third, “Our Sinatra” brings the New York cast to Saugatuck. It’s filled with the songs that Frank made famous. Mason Street Theatre is at 400 Culver St., Saugatuck. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-4898, or visit their website at www.masonstreetwarehouse.org

More Theater
The Red Barn Theater, in its unusual, rustic location, is one of the few remaining "barn" theaters in the United States. This summer’s line up includes “Nunsense,” an irreverent and hilarious spoof about a bunch of fun-loving habits, and will run from June 6-22; and “Cabaret,”--welcome to the divinely decadent world of 1930’s Berlin—will run from June 27-July 13. For more info or to purchase tickets, call 269-857-7707, or visit their website at www.redbarnplayhouse.com/

Still More Theater
Hope Summer Repertory Theater (Hope College Campus) opens it’s summer season with “Guys and Dolls,” a story about Nathan Detroit who is trying to find a location for “the oldest established permanent floating crap game in New York.” Performances and show times will run in rotation from June 13 through July 29 at the DeWitt Center, 12th St. and Columbia Ave., Holland. Call 616-395-7890, or visit their website at www.hope.edu/pr/releases/showpr.cgi?page=guysdolls.

Books
Sue's pick of the month is “Let’s Not Go to the Dogs Tonight,” by Alexandra Fuller. A classic is born in this tender, intensely moving, and even delightful journey through a white African girl's childhood during the Rhodesian civil war (1971-1979). With a unique and subtle sensitivity to racial issues, Fuller describes her parents' racism and the wartime relationships between blacks and whites through a child's watchful eyes. The farm is taken away for "land redistribution,” and the family constantly sets up house in hostile, desolate environments as they move from Rhodesia to Zambia to Malawi and back to Zambia. This work captures the tone of a very young person caught up in her own small world as she witnesses a far larger historical event. It’s a real page-turner. You can purchase it at 131 Mason--downtown Saugatuck in the Old Post Office Shop. For further info, e-mail oldpostoffice@wmol.com or call 269-857-4553 (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith's Comics-this months vintage collection includes Spiderman), or for our Holland friends, you can purchase it at Treehouse Books on 8th St.

Honorable Mentions:
Art on Center, Douglas, June 21-22, gallery and studio receptions
Farmers Market, Holland Civic Center, every Wednesday in June, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Centennial Park Concerts, Holland, bring a blanket or chair, every Friday at 8 p.m.
Allegan Antique Market, June 29, downtown Allegan
Art ‘Round Town--all summer long
Lakeshore Jazz Connection Concerts, July 5, September 13, and October 11
Venetian Night Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks Display, July 26
Sidewalk Sale, Saugatuck, August 21
Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society Heritage Festival, September 19-20

Sherwood Forest Cottage
We’re all booked up in the cottage for the summer, but we do have openings after Labor Day, which is also a wonderful time to kick back and enjoy the area. It sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

Summer weekly rentals
If your still looking for a weekly rental this summer, we have two friends who have space: Rob has a brand new condo for rent (about a mile from Lake Michigan)—you can call at 616-836-2816, and the other is our friend Jill’s condo at Mariner’s Cove (#358) on the river with a boat slip, call Mandy at 269-857-7829.

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our "Sweetheart Specials" (we now can include Godiva Chocolates), or you can try one of our in-house massages--doesn't get much better than that. And of course, there's our ever-popular "Famous Chefs of Saugatuck Gourmet Dinners" November through April. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML Here’s the link for gourmet
dinner details and a sample menu: www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/DINNERS.HTML

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
This is a staple at Sherwood Forest; we’ve been preparing it since the day we opened. Holly, a good friend of ours, didn’t have a kitchen (don’t ask), so she would hang out and help around the place, and she absolutely loves this coffee cake. We named it for her, one of the first Sirens of Sherwood.

Holly’s Sour Cream Cinnamon Coffee Cake
2 sticks butter (room temperature)
1 Cup sugar
2 Cups flour
1 ½ tp. baking powder
2 eggs
½ tp. Baking soda
1 tp. vanilla extract
1 Cup sour cream

Filling and topping:
¾ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
1 tp. cinnamon
2 tp. sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9- or 10-inch tube or bundt pan. In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the butter, sugar, and eggs; mix in the sour cream. In a second bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and powder and add it to the large (first) mixing bowl, beating until blended. Spoon half the batter into the pan.
Next, thoroughly mix the nuts, cinnamon, and sugar. Sprinkle half the mixture over the batter in the pan. Pour in the remaining batter and then sprinkle the rest of the topping on the top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan. Yum yum!

Hope to see you soon!
Keith & Sue
Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast, 938 Center St., Douglas, Michigan
www.sherwoodforestbandb.com
800-838-1246

PS Peace on Earth

Local Calendar of Events
It's a long list so we added a link. To see a detailed list of what's happening in the area, check out: www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/CALENDAR.HTML

Sherwood Forest B & B May 2003 Newsletter

"News from The Forest"

Spring has truly sprung, and Mother Nature's leading indicator around here is Woody the Woodchuck, who lives behind the B&B close to the creek, and who has been busy scurrying around doing his (or her) woodchuck thing. The daffodils are in full bloom, we saw a small flock of sandhill cranes circling over the house, and in general, it's a wonderful time of year. The bicycles are out of the basement and ready to roll, and we've got some new beach chairs and umbrellas for the "cool pool" opening, hopefully May 23.

Mother's Day Package
Spend one or more nights at Sherwood Forest B&B (Sunday through Thursday) from May 11-15 and you will be greeted with a bottle of wine and a bunch of tulips (on us!)--a great way to celebrate motherhood and enjoy the springtime. So treat mom to something special and give us a call at 800-838-1246

Sherwood Forest Cottage
The third week of June is still available in our Cottage (but the rest of the summer is booked). During the summer, we rent it on a Saturday-to-Saturday basis and it goes for $950. It sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, pool privileges, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. And of course, there is still availability for the spring and fall on a nightly basis. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

Here's what's happening in and around the area:

Tulip Time Festival
Who would think that the third largest festival in the United States is just 15 miles north of Saugatuck/Douglas?The Tulip Time Festival dates back to 1929, and today you can still experience some of the same traditional shows that started more than 70 years ago. From May 3-10, there will be Klompen Dancers who perform Dutch folk dances, and of course you can tour Windmill Island (Queen Beatrice did) with an original working windmill. The grand finale of the festival will be the Muziekparade at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, with nearly 50 bands, giant helium-filled balloons, and so many floats you'll lose count. You can learn more about this festival by calling 800-822-2770 or visit their website at http://www.tuliptime.org/index.html

Douglas Spring Preview
On May 3, preview some of the most exciting new items offered by the downtown shops of Douglas, from furniture, original paintings by area artists, to accessories for the home. Douglas is being referred to the "Design Center of West Michigan," with many interior decorators, designers, and architects. You'll be able to enjoy snacks and beverages while strolling through the shops, and afterward enjoy dining at either Chaps or Everyday People Cafe, two of the areas finest restaurants. Visit their website at http://www.douglasmichigan.com.

Exhibitions
The exhibition "Reflections of Superior: Artists Under Sail" will be held May 2-June 14 at the Holland Area Arts Council. The artwork reveals the mysterious beauty of the world's largest freshwater lake, "Superior." Seven visual artists circumnavigated Lake Superior in the traditional wooden sailboat, Alwihta, built and captained by Fritz Seegers of Kalamazoo, Mich. Artists under Sail exhibition is a collection of 40 artworks including oil paintings, etchings, photography, book art, digital illustrations, video, and woodcut prints -- all resulting from a sailing circumnavigation of Lake Superior during the summer of 2001.The artists' voyage required several years of preparation and was a longtime dream of the captain. The crew of artists traveled in week- to month-long stages from June 1 through September 30, 2001. Each crew member had the opportunity to combine their love of creating from nature with their passion for the geography. The result is this thematic traveling exhibition. One of the artists who participated and has her work hanging at Sherwood Forest is Mary Brodbeck, a woodcut artist who studied and continues to do so under masters of her art in Japan. Her companions included Fritz Seegers (digital prints), Ladislav Hanka (etchings and drawings), Cynthia Cote (small paper collage works), Brent Spink (painting), Scott Spink (b & w photography), and Mark Spink (video). For more info, call 616-396-3278 (they are located at 150 E. Eighth Street in downtown Holland) or visit www.hollandarts.org

Music
The Lakeshore Jazz Connection presents the Sunny Wilkinson Quartet on May 25. One of the most inventive and flexible singers of her generation, Sunny has a mischievous vocal style and loves to toy with rhythm and tone colors. She will be joined by her husband Ron Newman on piano, with Larry Ochiltree on drums, and Ed Fedewa on bass. You won't want to miss this performance at 8 p.m. at the Saugatuck Women's Club in downtown Saugatuck. For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2287 or visit their website at http://www.saugatuckart.net/ljc/

Exhibitions
Opening May 25 at the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Museum: "Snapshots: A Saugatuck Scrapbook." The museum is mining a rich vein of old photographs and albums from area residents and vacationers. The museum is located at 735 Park Street (at the foot of Mt. Baldhead) and is open noon-4 p.m. daily until Labor Day, weekends in September and October. For more information, call 269-857-7900 or visit their website at http://www.accn.org/~sdhistory/Home.php

Dance
The Aerial Dance Theatre welcomes the GrossoModo dance company from Queretaro, Mexico, for two performances on May 16 and 17 at 7:30 pm. Dancers from both companies will perform the work Bolero. The performance will take place at the Knickerbocker Theatre at 86 E. 8th St. in downtown Holland. For more information, call Hope Arts at 616-395-7000 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/arts/

Art
Art 'Round Town (ART.), the juried outdoor sculpture art exhibit in the downtown areas of Saugatuck and Douglas, begins its official third season on May 31. ART brings outdoor sculpture to the downtown areas, introducing the public to sculpture art; enhancing the area's reputation as an art center; and providing the public a chance to see how art can weave nature and an urban setting into one. What better way to spend an hour or two critiquing and enjoying sculpture. Since the inception of ART, the two communities have added six permanent pieces to their outdoor sculpture collection. ART work will remain on display through March 2004. Walking-tour maps are available at lodging establishments. For more information, call 616-393-5555 or visit their website at http://www.artaroundtown.com

More Art
ThirdStone Gallery Show: May 3-June 12: "Springa-Sproinga-Boinga-Thinga". Featuring works on paper by Tom DePree (paintings & drawings), Alicia Kelly (mixed-media), and Nele Zirnite (zinc plate etchings). Also new works from Liz Paxson and John Rossi and introducing new ThirdStone artists Tara Hackett, Laura Wrsesinski, Annalisa Snow, and Jeff Blandford. The artists' reception and show opening party will be May 10 from 7-10 p.m. For more information, visit www.thirdstoneartgallery.com. ThirdStone is located just outside Saugatuck at the corner of 64th St. and 140th Ave., or call 616-335-8027 or visit their website at thirdstoneartgallery.com.

More Art
The Nines Gallery at 17 W. 10th Street in Downtown Holland is currently featuring an exceptional collection of new paintings by David Zimmermann. Known for his masterful Dutch-styled still life and floral work, Zimmermann continues to experiment with the melding of traditional subject matter and a new compositional style, which can only be described as innovative and contemporary. Also featured are new landscapes by Michael
Callihan and Cathy Marashi. Marashi has recently produced a small collection of abstractions, with only a few remaining, so hurry if you are interested. The Nines is open Mon.-Fri: 10-5:30, Sat: 10-3. Closed Sundays and closed May 7-11 to celebrate Tulip Time. For more information, visit their website at http://www.theninesgallery.com or call 616-392-4370.

Antiques
The Allegan County Antique Market will be held the last Sunday in May from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Allegan County Fairgrounds. The 400 exhibitors will be there rain or shine--200 indoor and 200 under canopies (the market is always the last Sunday of the month, April through September). For more info, call 269-735-3333.

Theatre
Mason Street Warehouse, one of Saugatuck's newest performing professional Theatre will be hosting this year's Tony Award Winner and current star of Broadways smash hit "Thoroughly Modern Millie", Miss Sutton Foster, for one performance only Sunday May 4, at 3 pm. There will be a champaign brunch beforehand, mason Street Theatre is located at 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, for tickets or more information you can call them at 269-857-4898 or visit their website at http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org

More Theatre
At Hilltop Center on May 24th at 8:00 P.M. 3rd Coast Theatre presents Brian Damson who will perform a one man Cabaret act with a big band called Magic, Brian has spanned the globe as an entertainer. In Los Angles Nightclubs he performing his critically aclaimed show "Brian and the Divettes" for wich he won Best New Entertainer. He will be performing various acts from popular musicals for all to enjoy. For more information or tickets, you can contact Hilltop Center at 269-857-1044 or visit their website at http://www.hilltopcenter.com/3c.html

And still More Theater
The Holland Civic Theatre will present "And the World goes Round" from May 3-17. If you loved the recent Academy award-winning adaptation of the musical Chicago, you'll love this musical celebration of select composers who wrote classics from Broadway musicals such as Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider-Woman, and New York New York. For more information, call 616-392-2021 or visit their website at http://www.hollandcivictheatre.org

Honorable Mentions
May 16, Jazz at Butch's Dry Dock with Sam Lindberg, Holland
June 12-14, Waterfront Film Festival, Saugatuck
July 2-13, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck
July 4, Parade at 2 p.m., fireworks at dusk, downtown Saugatuck.
July 5, Lakeshore Jazz Connection, Dick Reynolds & Brazilian Jazz, Hilltop Center, Saugatuck
July 16-27, Dirty Blonde, Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck
July 26, Venetian Night lighted boat parade and fireworks display, Saugatuck

Books
Sue's pick of the month is "The Hours" by Michael Cunningham. In this novel, we are subjected to the marriage of fiction and historical appreciation at its finest. Cunningham brilliantly paints a picture of one day in the lives of three different women in three different era's. First is Virginia Woolf, famous and eccentric writer, plagued by her past and a mind she can't control. Then there is the present day Clarissa Vaughan, who creeps into the visions created by Virginia's mental weakness and helps shape the famous literary character, Clarissa Dalloway. Caught up in the middle of this weaving tale is Laura Brown, a 1950's housewife battling her own conflicts and reading Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway." Cunningham constructs this story so smoothly that it's hard to put down and in a style that is comforting because it blends together new and abstract ideas with familiar detail and images of everyday objects. You can order this book at 131 Mason--downtown Saugatuck in the Old Post Office Shop. For further info, e-mail oldpostoffice@wmol.com or call 269-857-4553 (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith's Comics).

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our "Sweetheart Specials" (we now can include Godiva Chocolates), or you can try one of our in-house massages--doesn't get much better than that. And of course, there's our ever-popular "Famous Chefs of Saugatuck Gourmet Dinners" November through April. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML Here's the link for gourmet dinner details and a sample menu: DINNERS.HTML.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
Marsha is one of the original Sirens of Sherwood and is also one of our innkeepers who minds the store while we are away gallivanting around the planet. This is a one of her favorite breakfast cakes.

Marsha's Cocoa Cake
2 Cups flour
3/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tp. baking soda
1/2 tp. salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 Cup) butter, softened
1 3/4 Cups light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tp. vanilla
1 1/3 Cups water
Confectioners sugar for dusting

Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Beat together butter and brown sugar, then add eggs, then beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture and water alternately until combined. Pour into greased 9x2 inch round cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. Test for doneness, then cool in pan 1 hour. Dust with confectioners sugar.
For more hip and groovy recipes check out our recipes webpage at RECIPE.HTML

Hope to see you soon!

Keith & Sue

Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast
P.S. Peace on Earth

"News from The Forest" April 2003

The Sherwood Forest ground hog went back into his hiding place, but it seems that Mother Nature can't wait, and spring has sprung. The daffodil tips are poking through the ground cover, the robins have returned, the geese are making their way back up north, and we've seen wild turkeys pecking around the bird feeder. It's been beautiful to witness, and it's a great time of year to stretch your legs either at the beach or the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. So plan a visit soon to and we'll help you shake off those winter blues!

The Spring Has Sprung Package
Stay 2 nights at Sherwood Forest B&B (Sunday through Thursday) and get 50% off your second night's stay--a great deal to enjoy some rest and relaxation (offer good through April 30, 2003).

Sherwood Forest Cottage
The last 3 weeks of June are still available in our Cottage (July and August are booked up). During the summer, we rent it on a Saturday-to-Saturday basis and it goes for $950. It sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, pool privileges, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. And of course, there is still availability for the spring and fall. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

Here's what's happening in and around the area:

Music
The Lakeshore Jazz Connection presents the Jeff Hass Trio with Marcus Belgrave and Rob Smith for an evening of original music, with an engaging and dynamic blend of jazz and ethnic vibes from the Jewish and African-American traditions. Performing with pianist Hass will be bassist Chuck Hall and drummer Alex Trajano. You won't want to miss this performance on April 26 at 8 p.m. at the Saugatuck Women's Club in downtown Saugatuck. For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2287 or visit their website at http://www.saugatuckart.net/ljc/

More Music
Camerata Sweden will perform at Hope College (through the Great Performance Series) on April 4 at 8 p.m. in Dimnent Chapel in Holland. Sweden's leading chamber orchestra, selected from the finest Scandinavian players, enjoys a distinct reputation as an amazingly unified and musically balanced camerata (conductor-less chamber orchestra). Led by Terje Toennesen, Norway's charismatic violinist and winner of the prestigious Grieg Prize, the ensemble is known for its intensely expressive performances of diverse works by Scandinavian composers ranging from the Baroque to the contemporary. For tickets, call 616-395-7890 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/arts/gps/

Still More Music
Mezzo-soprano Martha Hart will perform "The Return of the Native" at the Herrick Library on April 6 at 3 p.m. Hart, who is the daughter of prominent Holland musicians Henry and Mary Vanderlinde is currently attending Graceland College in Iowa. She has sung with Robert Shaw Chorale, the Calvin Oratorio Society, in oratorios with the Grand Rapids Symphony, and throughout the nation. For more information, call 616-355-1400 or visit their website at http://www.herrickdl.org/

Visiting Writers
Bonnie Jo Campbell and Mong-Lan will be reading from selected works at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland on April 22 at 7 p.m. Campbell wrote "Women and Other Animals," a collection of 16 short stories. In her debut collection, she features women from Michigan's Lower Peninsula who bite, claw, flee from danger, and follow their instincts, revealing their untamed inner selves, and for which she won the AWP Short Fiction Award. Mong-Lan is a poet, painter, photographer, dancer, and self-described "world-class sleeper." Mong-Lan was born in Saigon and immigrated to America at the age of 5. Her first book of poems, "Song of the Cicadas," won the 2000 Juniper Prize and was a finalist for the Norma Faber First Book Award from the Poetry Society of America. "Trail," one of her works, was anthologized in the Best American Poetry of 2002. For more information, call 616-395-7620 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/vws/visits

Antiques
The Allegan County Antique Market will be held on Sunday, April 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Allegan County Fairgrounds. The 400 exhibitors will be there rain or shine--200 indoor and 200 under canopies (the market is always the last Sunday of the month, April through September). For more info, call 269-735-3333.

Theater
The Holland Civic Theatre will present "Over the River and Through the Woods" from April 3-19 at 8 p.m. In this play, an up-and-coming executive has been given the promotion of his career, but he must move to Seattle to take the job. Will he go? Over his Italian grandparents dead body! Family dysfunction abounds in this hilarious comedy. For more information, call 616-392-2021 or visit their website at http://www.hollandcivictheatre.org

Honorable Mentions
April 4, Romanian Violinist Titus Munteneau will perform at Nykerk Hall, Holland
April 14, Hope College Jazz Combos Concert at Wicher's Auditorium, Holland
May 3-10, Tulip Time Festival, Holland
May 16-17, Aerial Dance Theatre at the Knickerbocker, Holland

Exhibitions
"In the Mail," documents the work of Ingrid Lindfors and Tom Hicks. Several years ago, Lindfors and Hicks began sending each other objects in the mail, testing the boundaries of the postal system. Soon this became a game to see who could send the most peculiar object. An orange, a piece of toast, baseball, shoe, carrot, beer bottle, and hotdog are just a few of the unpackaged items that have made it through. Visit the Holland Area Arts Council to scratch your head and laugh out loud at this comical and intriguing exhibit, up until April 19. For more information, call 616-396-3278 or visit www.hollandarts.org

Books
Our friend Sarah's pick of the month is "Crow Lake," a novel by Mary Lawson. This novel so quietly assured, so emotionally pitch perfect, you know from the opening page that this is the real thing -a literary experience in which to lose yourself. The story, narrated by 26-year old Kate Morrison, is set in Crow Lake, an isolated rural community where time has stood still. The story begins with Kate thinking back on those days that shaped her adult life: when both parents were killed in a car accident. In this beautifully written first novel, the descriptions of the difficulties that the Morison's face are real, painful, humorous, and agonizing, and the characters and the setting are well defined and easily visualized. This is not a fast-paced story, but it is hard to put down. You can order this book at 131 Mason--downtown Saugatuck in the Old Post Office Shop. For further info, e-mail them oldpostoffice@wmol.com or call 269-857-4553 (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith's Comics).

Art
ThirdStone Art Gallery's new show, "Fresh Juice," will be running until April 24. . The show features new works from many of the ThirdStone regulars including, Tom DePree, Bruce Joel Cutean, Holly Fisher, Ingrid Lindfors, and Heather MacIntyre. Also featured is sneak preview of several new artists for 2003, including Latvian printmaker, Nele Zirnite, Carl Oxley III (known as Popartmonkey), Vani, Becky Wehmer, Nancy Price, Christine Haynes, Brenda Stumpf, Deanna Mance, and Mary DeKok. ThirdStone's next exhibition, "Spiral Path" will open friday night April 25th and will feature a group showing from the "regulars"; an array of intensely personal works of though-provoking beauty & the inner light of the spirit. Just to keep things in balance, there will be "worldly & whimsical" works from new ThirdStone artist, Tara Hackett. ThirdStone is located at the corner of 64th St. & 140th Ave, 2 miles north of Blue Star Highway call 616-335-8027 for more information or visit the website at www.thirdstoneartgallery.com

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our "Sweetheart Specials" (we now can include Godiva Chocolates), or you can try one of our in-house massages--doesn't get much better than that. And of course, there's our ever-popular "Famous Chefs of Saugatuck Gourmet Dinners" November through April. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML Here's the link for gourmet dinner details and a sample menu: DINNERS.HTML.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
This dish is easy to make-ahead, and it's delicious! We call it Kate & Ray's Asparagus & Cheese Strata, Ray is a hip little two year old who loves to help his mom-Kate around the kitchen, this is one of his favorite's.

Kate & Ray's Asparagus and Cheese Strata (serves 8-10)

1 loaf French or Italian bread, cut into 1" cubes
½ medium onion, chopped
¾ pound asparagus, cut into 1" pieces
6 slices Canadian bacon (optional)
8 oz. Swiss cheese, grated
4 oz. fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
6 eggs
3 Cups milk
2 Tb. Dijon mustard
salt/pepper to taste

Layer ½ loaf of cubed bread in greased 9x13 pan. Sautee onion in 1 Tb. oil for 5 minutes, stirring often, then add asparagus to pan and cook 2 more minutes (just till tender). Layer half of asparagus/onion and bacon on cubed bread, and top with half of cheeses, then layer rest of bread on top, and put remaining asparagus, bacon, and cheeses on top. Whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour egg mix over all and cover and refrigerate overnight. In morning, bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes (till lightly browned). Cool slightly and cut into squares.

Hope to see you soon!

Keith & Sue

Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast, 938 Center St., Douglas, Michigan
800-838-1246

P.S. Peace on Earth

Sherwood Forest B&B February 2003 Newsletter

"News from The Forest"

"Bonjourno" to all our friends as we just returned from a fantastic trip to Italy. We walked through Pompeii (and ate awesome pizza in Naples), toured the Coliseum in Rome, and sipped espresso in Florence. We also learned some breakfast secrets we'll be cooking up for you, too! Back here in our wintry wonderland, we have great snow for cross- country skiing and sledding, and the ice flows on Lake Michigan stretch as far as the eye can see. We hope you can make it for a visit soon!

The Sherwood Forest Winter Break Package
Stay one night (or more!) Sunday through Thursday in February or March 2003 and receive a beautiful red rose and a bottle of Michigan champagne for you and your loved one to enjoy!

Here's what's happening in and around the area:

Art
The Saugatuck/Douglas art galleries have gotten together for a Winter Break event over Valentine's weekend, February 14-16. Meander to the different galleries, sampling hors' doeurves and sipping libations, while viewing some of the finest artwork anywhere. From contemporary to traditional, metal sculpture to wood working, there is something for everyone.

Theater
Some of England's top theatrical talents are coming to Hope College to present "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare at the Knickerbocker Theatre. Some of Shakespeare's most memorable characters, including Prospero, Miranda, and Caliban, help create one of the bard's most beloved plays. "Actors from the London Stage" features Guy Burgess, Caroline Devlin, Paul Moriarty, Edward Peel, and Terence Wilton. These veteran classical theater actors have experience in such companies as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and the English Shakespeare Company. "The Tempest" tells the fantastical story of Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, who are exiled to an island when Prospero's brother takes over his land. The island's inhabitants, Ariel and Caliban, fall under the control of the magical Prospero. When Prospero's brother and others are shipwrecked and land on the same island, Shakespeare's classic exploration of human relationships reaches its peak. Show times: February 26, February 28, and March 1 at 8 p.m. For more information, call 616-395-7620 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/arts/

Movies
"The Business of Fancydancing" will be at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland on February 14-15 and February 17-22 at 7 and 9 p.m. Written and directed by Sherman Alexie ("Smoke Signals"), the film tells the story of two men who were best friends and co-valedictorians in high school, but whose lives take very different paths when they move off of the Spokane Indian Reservation. Seymour becomes an accomplished poet, while Aristotle finds it difficult to adjust to the "white world," causing a rift to grow between the two. Sixteen years later, the suicide of a mutual friend brings Seymour back to the reservation, where he must deal with his past and the present. For more information you can visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/pr/releases/showpr.cgi?page=films or call 616-395-7403.

Music
The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ), 2003 Grammy nominees, will perform at Hope College (through the Great Performance Series) on February 18 at 8 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel. The LAGQ is recognized as one of the world's premier instrumental ensembles. One of the finest classical guitar quartets in the world, LAGQ's performance of DeFalla's "Fire Dance" was nationally broadcast as part of the PBS special "Evening at Pops." All four guitarists are seasoned soloists who combine to create a unique and powerful sound. For tickets, the box office will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at 616-395-7890 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/pr/releases/showpr.cgi?page=gps/

More Music
Soprano Laura Floyd, who sang with the Grand Rapids Symphony, along with forte pianist (the instrument for which Mozart and Beethoven composed many of their finest keyboard works) Leslie Tung will be performing highlights from Beethoven Sonatas at the Herrick Library on February 16 at 3 p.m. For more information, call 616-355-1400 or visit their website at http://www.herrickdl.org/

Visiting Writers
Glenis Redmond will be reading from selected works at the Knickerbocker Theater on February 27 at 7 p.m. For 7 years, Redmond has been writing and performing poetry and leading motivational writing workshops. Countless audiences' minds and souls have been captivated by Redmond's vision. Redmond does not simply read, she speaks her poetry into life through full performances with body motion and rhythmic style. Her works include "Backbone," a book of poetry, "Mama's Magic," a video of her performances, and "Coming Forth," a poetry audiotape. For more information, call 616-395-7620 or visit their website at http://www.hope.edu/vws/visits.

Honorable Mentions
Jim Cooper "the Chicago Jazz Man" every Friday in February from 7-9 p.m. at Butch's in Holland
Mardi Gras Parade - March 4 at 7 p.m. in downtown Douglas
Lakeshore Jazz Connection - March 8 at the Women's' Club in Saugatuck
Film: Mostly Martha - March 10-15 at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland
Visiting Writers - Elizabeth Dewberry & Robert Olen Butler--March 27 at the Knickerbocker Theatre in Holland

Exhibitions
Electrical Kitchen: January 17 - February 21 Everyday kitchen appliances are the subjects of an exhibit at the Holland Area Arts Council. The collector, Herbert Pfabe, has lost no time during his retirement haunting antique malls for whimsical kitchen appliances. Pfabe, a member of the Toaster Collectors Association, says the attendees will be amazed at what was devised to toast, mix, whip, or churn. For more information, call 616-396-3278 or visit www.hollandarts.org

Books
Keith and Sue's pick of the month is "Travelers' Tales--Italy," with true short stories of experiences in Italy. Edited by Anne Calcagno, this book is a veritable treasure trove of reckonings and accountings; yarns spun and tales told by visitors to a country rich in art, religion, food, and culture. Some of the storytellers are there for the first time, others just can't stay away. All are in awe. We both read this book before we sojourned to Italy and loved it. You can order this book at 131 Mason--downtown Saugatuck in the Old Post Office Shop. For further info, e-mail them oldpostoffice@wmol.com or call 269-857-4553 (for the comic book lover in you, don't forget to cruise Uncle Keith's Comics).

Sherwood Forest Cottage
We still have the last three weeks in June available in our Cottage (July and August are booked up). During the summer, we rent it on a Saturday-to-Saturday basis and it goes for $950. It sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, pool privileges, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. And of course there is still availability for the spring and fall. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

Sherwood Forest Staples
We will pamper you to your heart's content with one of our "Sweetheart Specials" (we now can include Godiva Chocolates), or you can try one of our in-house massages--doesn't get much better than that. And of course, there's our ever-popular "Famous Chefs of Saugatuck Gourmet Dinners" November through April. You can link to our Sweetheart Specials at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/SWEETHEART.HTML Here's the link for gourmet dinner details and a sample menu: http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/DINNERS.HTML.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
This dish is called Filoscio, a smoked cheese frittata that can be served as a nice change for breakfast. We discovered this during our trip to Italy in a region known as Campania in Southern Italy. It is a traditional Neapolitan frittata.

6 eggs
1/3 Cup milk
leaves from 1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
salt and freshly ground pepper
½ lb mozzarella cheese, diced
½ lb smoked provolone cheese, diced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Lightly whisk together the eggs, milk, and parsley until blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper and divide into six equal portions. In another bowl, mix together the 2 cheeses and then divide into six equal portions.

In a deep nonstick frying pan over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon of the oil and pour in the first portion of the egg mixture. When it begins to set, add 1 portion of the cheeses and stir gently till set. Pour another portion of the egg over the top to form a second layer. When it sets, add another portion of the cheese. Continue in this way with the remaining egg and cheese portions, taking care to shake the pan occasionally so that the eggs don't stick. When the frittata is set, invert it browned side up onto a flat plate. Add the remaining 1 Tb. oil to the pan, and when hot, slide in the frittata browned side up. Cook over low heat until the second side is golden, just a few minutes, and it's ready to serve. Serves 6.

Hope to see you soon!

Keith & Sue

Sherwood Forest Bed & Breakfast, 938 Center St., Douglas, Michigan
800-838-1246

P.S. Peace on Earth