Lake Michigan bed and breakfast, Sherwood Forest Bed and Breakfast, Saugatuck, MI

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Sherwood Forest
Bed & Breakfast
Saugatuck, Michigan
1-800-838-1246

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Sherwood Forest B&B December 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. With the cold crisp days and starry nights, what better time to curl up with a good book and a cup of 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 R&R and holiday spirit.

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 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 nights 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. 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 life. Here are the details: dinner is $50 per person, guests provide their own alcohol, and a 2-night minimum stay is required. You pick the date November through April and we'll pick the chef. Black out dates are New Year's Eve and Valentine's 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.

Melt Your Stress Away Package
Upon your arrival, you'll find a beautiful wine and 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. Price: $235 (does not include room rate). If you wish to have this awaiting your arrival, give us a call at 800-838-1246.

Sherwood Forest Cottage (Pet Friendly)
Looking for a quiet, relaxing place to stay? Our Cottage is perfect for that tranquil getaway or for spending time with friends or family. It sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach, and it's pet friendly. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

Massages
Have a massage in the privacy of your room by a certified massage therapist in a style that's just right for you. It's 1 hour of pure relaxation...December special: $60. Schedule some pampering soon.

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

Wine Dinner
Join the folks at Everyday People Café for their wine dinner on December 11 at 6:30 p.m. It's six courses paired up with some fantastic wines with culinary and vine elucidations guaranteed to please your senses. For more information or to make a reservation, visit http://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Judy Garland
Join Michael Holmes for the Judy's Old Fashioned Christmas Show on December 1 & 2 at the Red Barn Theater. The incomparable Michael Holmes, with all of his ladies (Judy Garland, Carol Channing, and Bette Davis), will be doing his best to bring us some old-fashioned cheer. For more info, call 269-857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com.

Blues/Jazz
Join the hip and groovy folks at Everyday People Café every Friday and Saturday in December from 6:30-10:00 p.m. to hear some really cool jazz. You'll see the likes of the Eddy Curtis Jazz Duo and Rick Hicks Blues Guitar. For more info visit http://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Folk
Join our friends at Journeyman Café for music on First Fridays in Fennville in their Music Room. Friday, December 7: Ruth and Max Bloomquist-folk/bluegrass (www.ruthbloomquist.com); Thursday, December 20: The Schrock Bros - folk/ rock. All shows begin at 8 p.m. For more info visit http://journeymancafe.com/events.htm or call 269-561-2269.

Jazz/Blues
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday through December. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalists Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

Holland Symphony Orchestra
On December 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dimnent Chapel enjoy a holiday concert with the Holland Chorale singing A Symphony of Carols with music ranging from popular carols to Puccini's Gloria. For more info, call 616-494-0256 or visit http://www.hollandsymphony.org.

Film Studies at the Red Barn
Local cinema enthusiast and professor Bill Muzzillo will introduce each film and lead a brief discussion afterward during the Red Barn Film Studies. December's screening is The Age of Innocence on December 11 at 7:30 p.m. Admission donation: $5 and free popcorn. For more info call 269-857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com.

Theater
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol will be presented December 7-9 and 14-16 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.

Ar
t The Nines Gallery in Holland will be showing a sampling of Givable Art by each of their artists. The prices are in the thoughtful gift range and there will be something for everyone: still life, landscapes, abstracts, pottery, and photography. They also have several artists who do portrait work in a variety of styles. For more info, visit http://www.theninesgallery.com or call 616-392-4370.

More Art
The Waterstreet Gallery exhibition is Studies from Studios and will be on display until January 4. This exhibit features Aletha Israels and Michelle Gordon and other gallery artists. There are many little treasures starting at $45. Anyone that purchases a piece of art from the gallery will receive a complementary glass-blown ornament. Waterstreet Gallery is now located on Center St., downtown Douglas. For more info, call 269-857-8485 or visit http://www.waterstreetgallery.com.

Even more Art
Good Goods (Downtown Saugatuck) will be hosting artist/writer Nancy Swan Drew this Saturday, Dec 1 from 1 to 4pm for a book signing. Drew's touching and often funny writings deal with the issues such as family life, friendship, and parenting. They are also having their our annual New Year's Eve Sale! On Dec 31st from 10am to 5pm. Champagne will be served and it is the one and only day of the year that they are willing to negotiate on the price! Or more info visit http://www.goodgoods.com or call 888-857-6501.

Artists Market
ThirdStone Gallery and Su Casa Mexican Restaurant have a new event: The West Michigan Artist's Market. Over 20 artists from West Michigan and beyond will be showcasing their work on December 7-9 in the upstairs ballroom at the new Su Casa Restaurant in Fennville. For more info, visit http://www.thirdstoneartgallery.com or call 269-561-8149.

Cabaret
Join the folks at the Red Barn Theatre on December 9 to hear the vocal acrobatics of celebrated singer and actress Kelly Carey in an unforgettable holiday treat with reflections on holidays past, present, and future mixed in with her wicked humor. Labeled one of the best female pop vocalists ever, Kelly promises an evening of warmth, laughter, and song. For more info, visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com or call 269-857-5300.

Winter Greenmarket On December 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. deck your halls with fresh, artful greenery and other holiday decorations during the 3rd annual Winter Greenmarket at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Local farmers and artisans offer fresh holiday greenery from strands of garland and Christmas trees to hand-decorated swags and wreaths. Ornaments/decorations will also be for sale along with refreshments and holiday music. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Santa and Mrs. Claus
Join Mrs. Clause in Fennville for some Christmas festivities on December 7 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. the Christmas parade begins and at 6 p.m. there will be a tree-lighting ceremony and Christmas caroling. For more info, visit http://www.greaterfennville.com.

Christmas Trees
What better way is there to help usher in the holiday season than to cut your own Christmas tree? Our friends at Baragar Pines Farm will help you choose just the right tree for the holidays, from Frasier Furs to Scotch Pines, wreaths, and potted Blue Spruces, too. They're at 2661 64th St. in Fennville. Open Saturdays and Sundays only. For more info call 269-857-4429.

Exhibitions
The Fiber Revolution exhibition focuses on fiber as the prime medium for a group of cutting-edge artists, who dye, paint, cut, tear, stamp, fuse, and embellish fiber. The final step, stitching through the layers of fabric, brings an exciting dimensional depth to the artwork. Look for it in the Bertha Krueger Reid Exhibition Hall in the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, now through December 18. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Museum Exhibition
Through January 6, The Holland Museum will present in the Wichers Gallery an exhibit from the private collection of retired History Professor Paul Millikan who began his collection because he "always had an abiding interest in the genius that was Thomas Jefferson--a true Renaissance man." Nearly seventy 18th- and early 19th-century artifacts, most of them scientific instruments, but also framed maps, furniture, busts, mechanical innovations, and Native American artifacts, replicate the personal scientific collection of Thomas Jefferson at his home in Monticello. For more information, visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/ or call 888-200-9123.

Fenn Valley Winery
Come and taste the first wine from this fall's vintage at the Annual Nouveau Fest on December 1. There will be the featured Nouveau, hors d'oeuvres, cellar tasting/tours, and plenty of space to visit with friends and relatives over a glass of Nouveau. For more info, visit http://www.fennvalley.com or call 269.561.2396.

Movies T
he Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will present Avenue Montaigne on December 3-6 & 8. Directed and co-written by Danièle Thompson, this movie centers around Jessica (Cecile de France), a beautiful young woman from the provinces who comes to Paris and lands a job waiting tables at a chic bistro on fabled Avenue Montaigne, the city's nexus for art, music, theater, and fashion. Jessica's customers include a popular TV actress, a major Hollywood director, a wealthy art collector and an illustrious classical pianist. Precisely because Jessica doesn't know how celebrated these people are, her guileless and completely unintimidated engagement in their lives has a transforming effect on them--and ultimately, her. For more info, call 616-395-7403 or visit http://holland.org/events/1223-knickerbocker-film-series-avenue-montaigne/.

Books
Michele's book of the month is Jesus Land by Julia Scheeves. Julia has written a love story that is as romantic and as sad as any recent memoir you'll read. It's about Julia and David, it's the mid-1980s, and the family has just moved to rural Indiana, a landscape of cottonwood trees and trailer parks - and a racism neither of them is prepared for. While Julia is white, her close relationship with David, who is black, makes them both outcasts. At home, a distant mother, more involved with her church's missionaries than with her own children, and a violent father only compound their problems. When the day comes that high-school hormones, bullying, and a deep-seated restlessness prove too much to bear, the parents send Julia and David to the Dominican Republic - to a reform school there. The Escuela Caribe is governed by a disciplinary regime that demands its teens repent for their sins under boot-camp conditions. Julia and David's determination to make it through with heart and soul intact is told here with immediacy, candor, sparkling humor, and not a note of malice. This is one of the most compelling, page-turning memoirs to come along in years. You can purchase or order this book at the Singapore Bank Bookstore in Saugatuck (269-857-3785) or at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085) or visit http://www.treehousebooks.net.

Honorable Mentions

Christmas Parade, Downtown Saugatuck, Dec 1
December weekends, horse-drawn carriage rides, downtown Saugatuck.
New Years Eve, Midnight Fireworks Display December 31
January 24, Great Performance Series, The Hot Club of San Francisco, Holland 7:30 p.m.
February 1, Great Performance Series, Rachel Price, Holland 7:30 p.m.
January 25, Dinner and the Movies, Saugatuck,
February 5, Mardi Gras Parade, Douglas 7 p.m.
February 21, Visiting Writers Series, Lewis Nordan, Fiction, Knickerbockers, 7 p.m.
February 21-22, Great Performance Series, The Harlem Quartet, Holland, 7:30 p.m.
March 27-28, Great Performance Series, Journey into the Whirlwind, Holland, 7:30 p.m.
March 11, Visiting Writers Series, Mark Yakich, Poet, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
March 11, Visiting Writers Series, Tony D'Souza, Fiction, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
March 15, St. Patrick's Day Festival, Saugatuck
April 16, Visiting Writers Series, Karen Joy Fowler, Fiction, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.

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:

Carol's Black Bean Burgers

This coquettish wispy willow of a siren who lives deep in the woods by a creek that has medicinal healing properties introduced us to these awesome veggie burgers.

Ingredients:

Black Bean Burgers
One-half small yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon wine vinegar
1 small jalapeño pepper (seeds removed), diced
1-teaspoon ground cumin
One-half teaspoon salt
1-tablespoon canola oil
One-half red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
One-half cup cooked brown rice
One-quarter cup chopped pecans
1 green onion, thinly sliced
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1-cup fresh whole-grain breadcrumbs

Instructions:

In a frying pan, heat 1/2 tablespoon of the canola oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the bell pepper and the remaining garlic and sauté until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in one-quarter teaspoon of the salt, transfer the mixture to a bowl, and let cool. Set the pan aside.

In a food processor, combine the beans, onion mixture, brown rice, pecans, green onion, cumin, and the remaining one-quarter teaspoon salt. Pulse several times until the mixture is coarsely pureed. Fold in the eggs and breadcrumbs. Form the mixture into 6 patties, each about three-quarter-inch thick.

In the same pan used for the onion mixture, heat the remaining one-half tablespoon canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until nicely browned on both sides and heated through, 7 to 9 minutes total.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B November 2007 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 of year 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 Cottage (Pet Friendly)
Looking for a quiet, relaxing place to stay? Our Cottage is perfect for that tranquil getaway or for spending time with friends or family. We do have some openings in November and December, 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, and it's pet friendly. 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:

Wine Dinner
Join the folks at Everyday People Café for their first wine dinner of 2007 on Tuesday November 20th at 6:30 p.m. It's your last chance to relax and let someone cook for you, before the Thanksgiving rush. Its six course's paired up with some fantastic wines with culinary and vine elucidations guaranteed to please your senses. For more information or to make a reservation you can visit their website at http://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call them at 269-857-4240.

Night Before Christmas
A retailers' open house in downtown Saugatuck kicks off the shopping season with unique items for the holidays while at the same time giving you the chance to win free prizes from participating stores. There are carriage rides and strolling carolers to make the evening festive. It all starts on November 16 from 6-9 p.m. and will continue through the weekend. More info on the Santa's 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 17 until 9 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.douglasmichigan.com/.

Holland Holiday Open House
The shops of Downtown Holland invite you to visit for holiday treats and goodies. Over 1,500 luminaries line the heated cobblestone sidewalks of historic Downtown Holland on this night. Stroll among holiday carolers, roasting chestnuts, one-of-a-kind shops and galleries, and receive a special treat from Santa on November 17 at 6 p.m. For more info, visit http://www.holland.org or phone 800-506-1299.

Comedy
Experience legendary Second City humor at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on November 24 at 8 p.m. Start the season out right--leave the leftovers behind and get a healthy dose of seasonal satire with The Second City's Dysfunctional Holiday Revue, a raucous blend of sketches, songs, and improv. Tickets are $35. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

More Comedy
The Saugatuck Follies, a revue with skits and musical numbers, is sure to tickle your funny bone while incorporating songs from Jazz, Pop, and Broadway on November 2 and 3. The show is at the Red Barn Theater at 7 p.m. For more information call (269) 857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com.

Music
Folk/Blues
On November 3, Nobody's Darlin' and The Salt Miners will be performing at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Nobody's Darlin', an all-girl string band, will swing you with traditional country and western, gospel, and old-timey classics, while The Salt Miners bring their high energy brand of string-band music inspired by old school bluegrass, rock, punk, traditional folk, and blues. Tickets are $25. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Blues
On November 11 join Edye Evans Hyde at the Red Barn Theater for her sultry blues. Come and hear the woman who has accompanied pop singer Michael Bolton, actress Connie Stevens, the late Ray Charles, and Cuban trumpet player Arturo Sandoval. Program starts at 7 p.m. For more info call (269) 857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com.

Judy Garland
Join Michael Holmes for the Judy's Old Fashioned Christmas Show on December 1 at the Red Barn Theater. The incomparable Michael Holmes, with all of his ladies (Judy Garland, Carol Channing, and Bette Davis), will be doing his best to bring us some old-fashioned cheer. The show starts at 8 p.m. For more info call 269-857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com.

Blues/Jazz
Join the hip and groovy folks at Everyday People Café every Friday and Saturday in November from 6:30-9:30 p.m. to hear some really cool jazz. You'll see the likes of the Eddy Curtis Jazz Duo and Rick Hicks Blues Guitar. For more info visit http://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Folk
Join our friends at Journeyman Café for music on first Fridays in Fennville in their Music Room. On November 2 Rachel Davis/folk music and on November 15, Josh Davis/folk. All shows begin at 8 p.m. For more info visit http://journeymancafe.com/events.htm or call 269-561-2269.

Jazz/Blues
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday through November. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

Film Studies at the Red Barn
Local cinema enthusiast and professor Bill Muzzillo will introduce each film and lead a brief discussion afterward during the Red Barn Film Studies. Screenings are Romeo and Juliet on November 13 and Billy Bud on November 27. All screenings are at 7:30 p.m. Admission donation: $5 and free popcorn. For more information call (269) 857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com.

Movies
The Fifth Annual Saugatuck Children's Film Festival, a festival of the best examples of cinematic art for children (the adults will love it too) at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, will be held November 17 and will feature independently produced films for children and young adults that are both entertaining and educational, dealing with such subjects as environmental preservation, cultural diversity, and history. For more info, call 269-857-2399 and you can see the line up at http://www.sc4a.org/cff_films_07.html.

Art
Don't miss The Nines' 9th Anniversary on November 2 from 5-9 p.m. Showing through Nov 30 is Artists of the Leelanau. These artists buck the trendy landscapes trend often found in Northern Michigan. Featuring abstract landscapes by Delbert Michel, wall and tabletop sculpture by Larry Fox, 3-D paintings by Rufus Snoddy, culture-driven mixed media paintings by Joe DeLuca, and abstracts by Charles Murphy. Interrupting this show for one weekend only is Night of 100 Bowls, featuring gift-able handcrafted ceramic bowls by Jeff Blandford. Opening party on November 16 from 5-8 p.m. and closing party November 17 from 5-8 p.m. Call 616-392-3239 or visit www.theninesgallery.com for more info.

More Art
Join the Blue Coast Artists for their annual Holiday Open House of Studios on November 23-25 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 info, visit http://bluecoastartists.com.

Still More Art
The Waterstreet Gallery exhibition for November is Studies in Studios by abstract artists Michelle Gordon and Aletha Israels. Waterstreet Gallery is now located on Center St. downtown Douglas. For more info, call 269-857-8485 or visit http://www.waterstreetgallery.com.

Ox-Bow Exhibition
On November 1-December 1 at the Holland Area Arts Council in the Padnos Gallery is the exhibition Wish You Were Here: Work by Ox-Bow Artists in Residence, featuring artists of many mediums who worked to perfect their art while in residence within the serene and natural environment of Ox Bow. For more info, visit http://www.hollandarts.org or call 616-396-3278.

Visiting Writers
Next in the line up for the Visiting Writers Series is Marjorie Agosin on November 12 in the DeWitt Center of Hope College from 3-4 p.m. Pulling stories from the margins of society, poet and human rights activist Agosin illuminates pain and beauty in the lives of those often overlooked. In her most recent book of poems, Secrets in the Sand: The Young Women of Juarez, as in her more than 20 other published volumes, Agosin focuses on the plight of women in developing countries. For more info call 269-395-7620 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/.

Books
Ms. Carol's book of the month is The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle. This is one of the most exciting fiction debuts in years, a breathtaking and beautiful novel set on a horse ranch in small-town Colorado. Kyle develops a great story: a young girl approaching womanhood in a man's world. The business of raising horses acts as a novel-length metaphor, and Kyle's illuminating details make it fresh. This is a wise and astonishing novel about the different guises of love and the hard-to-learn lessons on the road to adulthood. You can purchase or order this book at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085) or visit http://www.treehousebooks.net.

Honorable Mentions

Thomas Jefferson exhibition The Sciences, Holland Museum . Nov 10-Jan 6
Cabaret w/Lux Land America Story Telling, Red Barn Theatre, Nov 24
Dutch WinterFest, Downtown Holland, November 24
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Holland Civic Theatre, Nov 24
Christmas Parade, Downtown Saugatuck, Dec 1
Fenn Valley Winery Nouveau Fest, first tasting of 2007 vintages, Dec 1
Winter Green Market, Saugatuck, Center for the Arts, Dec 1
Dutch WinterFest: Sinterklaas Eve, Dec 7
Christmas Parade, Downtown Fennville, Saugatuck, Dec 7
Dutch WinterFest Event: Ice Sculpting Competition, Dec 8
Holland Symphony Orchestra - A Symphony of Carols, Dec 8
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides December 1-2,8-9,15-16
Downtown Saugatuck Dickens Christmas Carol December 7-9,14-16
Film Studies at the Red Barn, The Age of Innocence, Dec 11
A Musical Creche, music and art, Red Barn Theatre, Dec 20
New Years Eve, Midnight Fireworks Display, Dec 31

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Ms. Nancy's Great Pumpkin Cookie

Ms. Nancy is a mystery to us. First we saw a broomstick parked next to the kitchen door, and as much as we tried to move it, it wouldn't budge. Next, as we turned around, there was a whimsical, quizzical, curious and just a tad unconventional incredible woman who baked us some of the most delicious pumpkin cookies ever. She then hopped on a broom and was gone in a flash.

Ingredients:

4 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
2 cups quick or old-fashioned oats, uncooked
1 and a half cups butter, softened
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin
1-cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2-teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1-teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Cream butter; gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in morsels. For each cookie, drop one-quarter cup dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet; spread into pumpkin shape using a thin metal spatula. Add a bit more dough to form stem. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets; cool on racks. About 36 cookies.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B October 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

Fall is upon us, and the leaves have just started their journey into the palette of many colors. What a wonderful time of year to go apple picking, take a hike along the lakeshore or in the wooded dunes of the Saugatuck State Park, or plan a color-tour drive (you might even want to share a Sherwood Forest picnic basket).

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 afternoon rendezvous complete. To wet your whistle, choose from spritzers or bottled water (vegetarian selection also available). Price: $55 for two.

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 nights 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. 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 life. Here are the details: dinner is $50 per person, guests provide their own alcohol, and a 2-night minimum stay is required. 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 Year's Eve and Valentine's 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:

Sherwood Forest Golf
Fall is also a great time of year to play the links, and even better, the rates go down! We've come up with some incredible stay-and-play golf packages for you to choose from: spend one night midweek at the Sherwood Forest B&B, and we'll arrange for you to play at The Ravines, an Arnold Palmer Signature Championship Golf Course, a sweeping, eighteen-stanza epic, where nature meets sport in ways you simply must witness to believe. Here's what you get with a 1-night stay (additional nights available at regular room price): a room at Sherwood Forest B&B and 18 holes of golf for two (with a cart) with a guaranteed tee time at The Ravines. Cost ranges from $283-$523. To book this package, call us at 800-838-1246. For more golf specials, visit http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/GOLF.html.

Sherwood Forest Cottage (Pet Friendly)
The Cottage is the perfect place for that quiet getaway or for spending time with friends or family. We do have openings in the next few months, a wonderful time to kick back and enjoy the area. It sleeps up to 4 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.

U-Pick
Crane's Orchards, one of Michigan's finest U-Pick Apple Orchards, is less than 7 miles from our front door. They have 14 different varieties, such as Gala, Macintosh, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Golden Supreme, Jonagold, Empire, Jonathans, Ida Reds, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Red Delicious, Fuji, and Braeburn. Hours are 10-6 daily through October. For more information, call 269-561-8651 or visit http://www.craneorchards.com.

Octoberfest
Downtown Douglas will be the site for this year's Octoberfest on October 6 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 for a beer from the Saugatuck Brewing Company and there will be brats, prizes galore, and music. Entrance fee is $8 ($6 in advance).

Music
Presented by the Lakeshore Jazz Connection, Kevin Mahogony will perform some cool jazz on October 6 at 8 p.m. at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. With his gift for bebop, ballads, blues, and swinging jazz, Mahogany's talents emerged long before he was old enough to spell record deal. With eleven CDs, as a leader, and quite a few as a sideman, Mahogany has proven to be the quintessential jazz vocalist. Tickets are $30 ($25 LJC members). For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

More Music
Singer/songwriter Brian Cutean will perform an evening of acoustic music, wordplay, and imagination. Cutean's unique style is a combination of original folk music and storytelling, with lots of audience interaction--a free-ranging mix of folk, jazz, and blues. The concert will take place at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on October 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Still More Music
Join the hip and groovy folks at Everyday People Café every Thursday through Sunday in October from 6:30-9:30 p.m. to hear some really cool jazz. You'll see the likes of the Eddy Curtis Jazz Duo, Libby York Jazz Vocals, Willy Chacon and Rick Hicks Blues Guitar. For more info visit http://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Some More Music
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday through November. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

Even More Music
Join The Michael Holmes Trio this October as they play some very cool jazz in a variety of locations around Saugatuck and Douglas: October 12 at Jo Jo's Supper Club in Douglas; October 13 at Café Solace in Grand Rapids; October 14 at The Red Barn Theatre in Saugatuck; and October 21 at the What Not Inn in Saugatuck. For more info, visit http://www.thejudyshow.com.

20th Annual Goose Festival
You haven't lived until you've attended the Goose Festival--no really! October 13-14, the weekend-long festival in downtown Fennville will entertain you to your hearts delight. The official parade starts at 1 p.m. on October 13, and you'll be awed by this year's reining beauty queen, Miss Honker, and the musical delights of the Scottsville Clown Band. For more info, visit http://www.fennvillegoosefestival.com/

Chili Cook Off
October 13 is a good time to enjoy some chili from your favorite area restaurants and music from many of your favorite local performers in Wicks Park, Saugatuck, from 1-5 p.m. Admission $5, kids free. For additional information, call 269-857-8899.

Art
In October, The Nines Gallery in Holland will be featuring three artists who have worked very hard to stretch their capabilities and to explore exciting new realms within their creativity. Jill Jepsen's collages are lovely, interesting, colorful, and work on many different levels. The non-traditional landscapes of David Brock have an artistic style that have a playful but painterly style about them. Judy Giles is a Holland area artist, and her new collection of work features a variety of style and form: from a decorative series of abstracts, an aboriginal-inspired series of paintings, to a collection of red barn portraits. The Nines Gallery and Framing Studio is inside 17 W. 10th St., Holland. For more info, call 616-392-3239 or visit http://www.theninesgallery.com.

More Art
The Blue Coast Artists 15th Annual Fall Tour of Studios will be held October 6-7 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Travel the Blue Star Highway between South Haven and Saugatuck to discover some of Southwest Michigan's finest artwork, from stoneware and Raku pottery, sculpture and fine jewelry, to wood marquetry, blown glass, and painting. Visit the unique rural studios, galleries, and showrooms of these 9 professional artists. For more information, visit http://bluecoastartists.com.

Still More Art
Come join more than 20 tri-community galleries for the 27th annual Saugatuck/Douglas Gallery Stroll on October 6-7 from noon-5 p.m. 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. For more info, visit http://www.saugatuckdouglas.com/ART/Index.html

Film Studies
at the Red Barn Local cinema enthusiast and professor, Bill Muzzillo, will introduce each film and lead a brief discussion afterward during the Red Barn Film Studies. Screenings are Becket on October 2; The Lion in the Winter on October 16; and Tom Jones on October 30, all at 7:30 p.m. Admission donation: $5 and free popcorn. For more info, call 269-857-5300.

Halloween
Halloween festivities will be going on in downtown Saugatuck on October 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., including country music, entertainment, storytelling, arts and 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 info, call the Saugatuck-Douglas Visitors' Bureau at 269-857-1701.

Haunted Corn Maize
Have a good scare at Crane's Orchards Haunted Corn Maize, a kaleidoscope of twists and turns and heart stopping boos (weather permitting), Thursday through Saturday, 7-10 p.m. in October. For more info, call 269-561-8651 or go to www.craneorchards.com

Exhibitions
The award-winning Saugatuck-Douglas Museum exhibition, Walls Talking: Stories Houses Tell, features a unique, life-sized composite house representing three very different historic local homes, intended to let the viewer experience earlier times through possessions gathered from each house, evoking the everyday life of people who lived there at a particular point in its past. This exhibit is open on weekends only in the fall. Admission is free. For more information, call 269-857-7900 or http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/histmys/news051507-1.htm

Exhibitions
The Fiber Revolution exhibition focuses on fiber as the prime medium for a group of cutting-edge artists, who dye, paint, cut, tear, stamp, fuse, and embellish fiber. The final step, stitching through the layers of fabric, brings an exciting dimensional depth to the artwork. Look for it in the Bertha Krueger Reid Exhibition Hall in the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, now through December 18. A gallery talk will take place at the SCA on the evolution of the quilting arts on October 16 at 7 p.m. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org

Saugatuck Farmer's Market
Experience great-tasting produce, dairy products, and baked goods--a feast for the eyes and the palette from Michigan's fields, dairy barns, and kitchens. Under the red arches at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on Culver Street in Downtown Saugatuck on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October 12. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Visiting Writers
On October 18 at 7 p.m., fiction and memoir writer Nahid Rachlin will read from her most recent memoir, Persian Girls, which tells the story of Rachlin growing up in Iran, beginning at age 9, when she was taken away from the beloved aunt who had raised her. Publishers' Weekly calls it a lyrical and disturbing memoir that gives American readers rare insight into Iranians' ambivalence toward the United States. That same night Jay Hopler will read selected works of his poetry from Green Squall. He has been characterized as a poet who sounds like no one else, and his poetry creates enthusiasm of the highest order. Admittance is free and the readings will take place in the Otte Room in Phelps Hall at Hope College; jazz at 6:30. For more info, call 616-395-7620 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/

Books
Keith's book of the month is The Judges by Elie Wiesel, a gripping novel of guilt, innocence, and the perilousness of judging both. A plane en route from New York to Tel Aviv is forced down by bad weather. A nearby house provides refuge for five of its passengers. Their host, an enigmatic and disquieting man who calls himself simply the Judge, begins to interrogate them, forcing them to face the truth and meaning of their lives. Soon he announces that one of them--the least worthy--will die. The Judges is a powerful novel that reflects the philosophical, religious, and moral questions that are at the heart of Wiesel's work. You can purchase or order this book at Treehouse Books in Holland, 616-494-5085 or visit http://www.treehousebooks.net

Honorable Mentions

Saugatuck Follies Comedy Night, Red Barn Theatre, Nov 2-3
Concertante, Great Performance Series, Hope College, Nov 9
Cabaret w/ Edye Evans Hyde-Blues, Red Barn Theatre, Nov 11
Visiting Writers Series, Marjorie Agosin, Poet, Nov 12
Film Studies at the Red Barn, Romeo & Juliet, Nov 13
Saugatuck's Merchants Night Before X-Mas, Saugatuck Nov 16
Douglas Holiday Preview, Nov 16
Children's Film Festival, Nov 17
Pot Luck Thanksgiving Dinner, Dunes Resort, Nov 22
Sparkle Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Nov 23
Blue Coast Artist Holiday Open House, November 23-25
Cabaret w/Lux Land America Story Telling, Red Barn Theatre, Nov 24
Film Studies at the Red Barn, Billy Bud, Nov 27
Christmas Parade, Downtown Saugatuck, Dec 1
Judy's Old Fashioned X-mas Show w/Michael Holmes, Red Barn Theatre, Dec 1-2
Fenn Valley Winery Nouveau Fest, first tasting of 2007 vintages, Dec 1
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides December 1-2,8-9,15-16
Downtown Saugatuck Dickens Christmas Carol December 7-9,14-16
Film Studies at the Red Barn, The Age of Innocence, Dec 11
A Musical Creche, music and art, Red Barn Theatre, Dec 20
New Years Eve, Midnight Fireworks Display, Dec 31

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. 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:

Alicia's Caldo Verde Soup

A friend of ours from Portugal who is now one of our favorite Sirens from across the Atlantic brought us a recipe which is considered by most in her native land to be a national treasure. This Portuguese soup is hearty; the broth (caldo) is made green (verde) with lots and lots of shredded kale. This slimmed down, americanized version uses turkey sausage and kale.

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 sweet Italian-style turkey sausages (5 ounces total), casings removed and crumbled
Three-fourths pound all-purpose potatoes, thinly sliced
6 cups shredded kale
3 cups water
1-teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce

Instructions:

In a nonstick Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, stirring often, until it's golden brown and tender, about 10 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add the crumbled turkey sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage begins to firm up, about 5 minutes.
Add the potatoes and kale, stirring to coat. Add the water and salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until the potatoes are falling apart and the kale is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and hot sauce and serve.

Makes 4 servings.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B September 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

The summer is coming to an end, and although the autumnal equinox is still a few weeks away, things have quieted down here on the lakeshore. The squirrels have started gathering their food supply for the fall, the young turkeys are wandering through the woods, and soon the hummingbirds will start their long trek south. The nights are cool; the days are peaceful; the early apples and pears are ready for picking. It's a great time of year to join us for some relaxation and beautiful fall colors.

To toot our own horn, one of our favorite recipes was picked up recently by the newspaper chain Pioneer Press out of Chicago. This delicious breakfast dish, titled Q's Blueberry Bake, can be found in the cookbook section of our website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/RECIPE.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 nights 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. 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 life. Here are the details: dinner is $45 per person, guests must provide their own alcohol, and a 2-night minimum stay is required. 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

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.

Melt Your Stress Away
Upon your arrival, you'll find a beautiful wine and cheese basket and 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. Price: $235 (does not include room rate). If you wish to have this awaiting your arrival, give us a call at 800-838-1246.

Sherwood Forest Golf
We've toured the courses, replaced our divots, tallied up the scores, and we've come up with some incredible stay-and-play golf packages for you to choose from. 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, a sweeping, 18-stanza epic, where nature meets sport in ways you simply must witness to believe. Cost ranges from $251 to $625. For more information, visit http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/GOLF.html

Sherwood Forest Cottage
Looking for a quiet, relaxing great place to stay now that the summer is over? Our cottage has 2 bedrooms, full kitchen, washer/dryer, 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

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

Heritage Festival and Home Tour
On September 16, the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society will sponsor its 6th annual Heritage Festival, showcasing seven houses of different periods that overlook the Lake Michigan shore or the Kalamazoo River. For more information, call 269-857-7900 or visit http://www.wmol.com/fnschmidt/histmys/press01.htm.

Farmers' Market The Green Market at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts is still going strong from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. every Friday through October 12. Local farmers and growers bring fresh produce, flowers, and perennials, plus homemade jams, jellies and baked goods. Experience great-tasting produce, dairy products, and baked goods--a feast for the eyes and the palette from Michigan's fields, dairy barns, and kitchens. For further information, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

U-Pick
Cranes Orchards, one of Michigan's finest U-Pick Apple Orchards in West Michigan and a wonderful place to pick your own apples, is less than 7 miles from our front door. They have 14 different varieties, such as Gala, Macintosh, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Golden Supreme, Jonagold, Empire, Jonathans, Ida Reds, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Red Delicious, Fuji, and Braeburn. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through October. For more information, call 269-561-8651 or visit http://www.craneorchards.com.

Photography
Natural Affinity by Kim Ellen Kauffman is now showing at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts through September. Kauffman exhibits over-sized photographs of botanical specimens using digital artistry. For more information, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Music
Join the hip and groovy folks at Everyday People Café every Thursday through Sunday in September from 6:30-9:30 p.m. to hear some really cool jazz. You'll see the likes of the Eddy Curtis Jazz Duo, Libby York Jazz Vocals, Willy Chacon and Rick Hicks Blues Guitar. For more info visit http://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Music
The performance line up for the Chamber Music Festival of Saugatuck is as follows: August 2-3, Salute to the Flute; August 9-10, A Rasmoumovsky Tribute; August 16-17, The Carnival of the Animals; and August 23-24, Rising Stars. All performances are at 8 p.m. at the Saugatuck Woman's Club. For more info, visit http://www.saugatuckmusic.org

Still More Music
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday through October. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

Music at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts

Jazz
On September 15 at 8 p.m., Chantel Chamberland will perform nightclub jazz. Elegance and sensuality mingle in the music of the smoky-voiced torch singer whose latest acclaimed album, Dripping Indigo, has cemented her role as one of the best interpreters of classic songbook favorites. Tickets are $30. For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Rock/Blues
On September 22 at 8 p.m., Jennie DeVoe's powerful voice and sultry lyrics move beyond the compelling sound of her soulful hippie-funk vocals to a hypnotic, manic energy. DeVoe received first place for Best Pop Song at the Billboard World Song Contest in 2004. She radiates the vibe of a 21st century flower child with a potent gospel voice that tames any crowd she encounters. Tickets are $25. For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Japanese Drumming
On September 29 at 8 p.m., the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble will enthrall you with its mesmerizing, heart-pounding performance of the Japanese drum. Combining thunderous, primal drumbeats with intricate costumes and dazzling choreography, the ensemble produces a multi-sensory experience for audiences of all ages. Tickets are $30 ($15 for students). For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Jazz
Presented by the Lakeshore Jazz Connection, Kevin Mahogony will perform some cool jazz on October 6 at 8 p.m. With his gift for bebop, ballads, blues, and swinging jazz, Mahogany's talents emerged long before he was old enough to spell record deal. With eleven CDs, as a leader, and quite a few as a sideman, Mahogany has proven to be the quintessential jazz vocalist. Tickets are $30 ($25 LJC members). For more information or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Visiting Writers
On September 17, poet and playwright Cornelius Eady will read from his most recent collection of poems, Brutal Imagination, which was a National Book Award finalist in 2001. Eady fuses headlines and history with language that is a field holler, a blues shout, and a hip-hop rap that combusts inside the soul and keeps on burning. The same night, Jack Ridl, poet and Hope College professor, will pay homage to and be reading from select works by Tom Andrews, a favorite poet/friend/student of his who passed away in 2001. Andrew's publications include The Brother's Country, winner of the National Poetry Series; The Hemophiliac's Motorcycle, winner of the Iowa Prize; and On Charles Wright: The Point Where All Things Meet. Admittance is free and the readings will take place at the Knickerbocker Theatre (downtown Holland) at 7 p.m., jazz at 6:30. For more info, call 616-395-7620 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/

Dance
The Philadelphia's Koresh Dance Company will perform September 14-15 at Dewitt Theatre at 7:30 on the Hope College Campus. Renowned for their powerful stage presence and high-energy style, Philadelphia's Koresh Dance Company has been hailed as an extraordinary and vital force in the dance world. This troupe presents an exciting and emotional blend of ballet, modern, and jazz, molded into a style of choreography that is both eloquent and explosive. For more info, visit http://www.hope.edu/arts/gps/ or call 616-395-7890.

Exhibitions
The award-winning Saugatuck-Douglas Museum newest exhibition is Walls Talking: Stories Houses Tell. This exhibition features a unique, life-sized composite house representing three very different historic local homes, intended to let the viewer experience earlier times through possessions gathered from each house, evoking the everyday life of people who lived there at a particular point in its past. This exhibit will is open on weekends only in the fall. Admission is free. For more information, call 269-857-7900 or http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/histmys/news051507-1.htm

Antiques The Allegan County Antique Market will be held the last Sunday in September 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. For more info, call 269-735-3333. And don't forget to visit our hip and groovy friends down at the Blue Star Antique Pavilion on Blue Star Highway in Douglas. For more information you can call them at 269-857-6041 or visit them on the web at http://www.bluestarantiquepavilion.com

Art Here is a sampling of some of the art galleries in the area:

The Nines
Gallery in Holland will be featuring a new artist on their Big Blue Wall every few weeks. Next up in this new series is a collection of stunning and stylish still life compositions by West Michigan virtuoso, Michael Pfleghaar. Pfleghaar's style is both expressive and exaggerated, dealing with subjects ranging from still life, interiors, and landscapes - to figurative images. The Nines Gallery and Framing Studio is inside 17 W. 10th St, Holland. For more info, call 616-392-3239 or visit http://www.theninesgallery.com

The newest Water Street Gallery exhibition is The Looking Glass, with stunning new glass works by Annette Baron and Katrina Ruby. Water Street Gallery is now located on Center St. in downtown Douglas. For more info, call 269-857-8485 or visit http://www.waterstreetgallery.com

Indian Summer offers the best selection of southwestern jewelry personally handcrafted in the Midwest. Indian Summer is at 800 Lake St., Saugatuck. For more info, call 269-857-4570.

The Good Goods Gallery in Saugatuck is featuring objects of art and furniture by Sarah Grant. Good Goods is at 106 Mason St., Saugatuck. For more info, call 888-857-6501 or visit http://www.goodgoods.com

The crickets are in full serenade at Dawn Stafford's The Peachbelt Studio and Gallery, located in an historic one-room schoolhouse. The Peachbelt Studio showcases Stafford's oil paintings, Jill Lareaux's sculpture, and Elaine Decker's handcrafted gemstone jewelry. Open Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5p.m. through October. Visit: http://www.peachbeltstudiogallery.com or call 269-561-5561 for an appointment.

Honorable Mentions

Allegan County Fair, September 7-15
Mount Baldhead Challenge September 15, 15k and 5k
Film Studies at the Red Barn, Beckett, October 2
Blue Coast Artists open house, October 6-7
Saugatuck-Douglas Gallery Stroll, October 6-7
Octoberfest, October 6
Goose Festival, October 13-14
Chili Festival, October 13
Film Studies at the Red Barn, Lion in the Winter, October 16
Visiting Writers Series Nahid Rachkin, Fiction & Memoir, Oct 18
Visiting Writers Series Jay Hopler, Poet, October 18
Great Performance Series, Vienna Boys Choir, October 25
Adult Halloween Parade, October 27, Douglas, 10 p.m.
Film Studies at the Red Barn, Tom Jones, October 30
Great Performance Series, Concertante, November 9
Visiting Writers Series, Marjorie Agosin, Poet, November 12
Film Studies at the Red Barn, Romeo & Juliet, November 13
A Night Before Christmas, Saugatuck, November 16
Fifth Annual Childrens Film Festival, November 17
Blue Coast Artist Annual Open House, November 23-25
Film Studies at the Red Barn, Billy Bud, November 27

Books
Mindy's book of the month is The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Monesis. It's a transporting story of how the sensual, romantic elements of haute Chinese cuisine become the perfect ingredients to lift the troubled soul of a grieving American woman who is trying to get her equilibrium back in the wake of her husband's premature death. Now comes a shock: a paternity claim has been filed against her husband's estate. As Maggie plans a difficult trip to China to investigate the claim, she is offered a chance to profile chef and rising star Sam Liang. As Maggie watches three generations of Liangs prepare sumptuous feasts together, she is moved by the Chinese belief that food must always be eaten in a circle of family and friends and spiced along centuries'-old notions of what heals the heart. You can purchase or order this book at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085) http://www.treehousebooks.net

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Laurie's Zucchini Pancakes

Laurie is an organic siren who hails from a groovy farming community that is transforming our palates with healthy, organic fruits and vegetables year 'round, a welcome addition to our line up of breakfast sirens and trust us, this recipe is delicious.

Ingredients

4 -5 medium zucchini (about 1 1/2 lb.)
Three-quarters of a teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 clove garlic, minced & sautéed
1 Tablespoon finely chopped onion, sautéed
3 quarter's of cup flour
One-half cup grated Parmesan cheese
One-quarter teaspoon ground black pepper

Toppings…any or all:
Mexican sour cream
Dusting of salt & cumin
Salsa
Additional grated Parmesan

Coarsely shred zucchini (about 5 Cups). Toss zucchini with salt. Place in colander with a plate on top; weight with cans. Drain 15 minutes: discard liquid.
In a bowl beat eggs, cumin, garlic & onion. Stir in flour, cheese, pepper, and cilantro just until moistened (batter will be lumpy.) Stir in zucchini just until combined.
For each pancake, spoon 1 heaping T. batter on hot lightly oiled griddle, spread to 3-inch circle. Cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side or until pancake is golden brown. Keep pancakes warm while cooking remaining ones.
Serve topped with sour cream, etc. Or cool, layer in container with waxed paper, and freeze up to 3 months.
To reheat, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place frozen pancakes in single layer on greased baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, 8-10 min. or until hot and slightly crisp. Makes 30 pancakes.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B August 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

Summer is still going strong, and here in The Forest things are as relaxed as can be. Lake Michigan's water temp is hovering around 78 degrees, still perfect for taking a dip, and these next 2 months are a great time of year for enjoying a stroll along Lake Shore Drive or the beach, sharing a picnic basket, or viewing a spectacular sunset. There's lots to do, or nothing if you so choose. So give us a call for that much-needed getaway!

Sherwood Forest Cottage
Our cottage is booked up for the summer, but if you're looking for a relaxing getaway after Labor Day, give us a jingle. It sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, washer/dryer, 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

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

U-Pick
There's a couple of great Michigan U-Picks about 8 miles or less from our front door. Earl's U-Pick Farm is the first. Through August, you can pick raspberries, such as Laurens and Chester's. Then at Krupka's Blueberry Plantation, beginning in early July, blueberries will be in season, with the Dukes and then the delicious Jerseys will be ready right after that. For more info, contact Earl's at 269-227-2074 or Krupka's at 269-857-4278.

Food
The Annual Taste of Saugatuck will be held on August 26 on Water Street in downtown Saugatuck from noon-7 p.m. It's a mini Taste of Chicago street festival, featuring fine foods from area restaurants, a gastronomical event that is sure to please everyone. Sponsored by the Saugatuck-Douglas CVB and area restaurants. For information, call 269--857-1701.

Sidewalk Sale
The Annual Saugatuck Sidewalk Sale will be held August 16-17 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and until 6 p.m. on Friday 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 and will happen rain or shine. Sponsored by downtown Saugatuck merchants. Call 269-857-4005 for more info.

Douglas Socials
On August 9 and continuing every other week on Thursday nights through September 6, the Douglas Socials will be held from 5:30-9 p.m. in downtown Douglas. This is a real hometown happening that includes fun festivities for the whole family, including beer and brats, music, and lively conversation.

Farmers' Market
The Green Market is at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every Friday through October 27. Local farmers and growers bring fresh produce, flowers, and perennials, plus homemade jams, jellies and baked goods (don't forget to visit our friends at the Providence Farms booth--they sell the best organic grass feed meat you'll ever taste). It's all under the red arches at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on Culver Street in downtown Saugatuck. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org

Music
There are some awesome concerts being performed at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts in their performance studio, an intimate, acoustically perfect 50-seat auditorium specifically designed for the individual performer. Don't miss: August 6, Bill Clemens Group, jazz-fusion; August 13, Natalia Zuckerman, steel guitar/folk; August 20, Graig Cardiff, folk; and August 27, Matthew Fox, roots/country/blues. All performances are at 8 p.m. and tickets are $15. To purchase tickets or for more info, go to http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

More Music
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday through September. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com

More Music
Join the hip and groovy folks at Everyday People Café every Friday through Sunday (June-September) from 7-10:30 p.m. to hear some cool jazz and blues. You'll see the likes of the Jim Cooper Jazz Duo, Moments Notice Jazz Duo, and Rick Hicks Blues Guitar. For more info, call 269-857-4240.

Still more Music
Every Wednesday evening in June through September 5 from 7-9 p.m., there is Music in the Park at the gazebo in downtown Saugatuck. These entertainers will charm you by the river as you watch the sunset over the wooded dunes with music that varies from swing to jazz to blues and reggae.

Poetry
Gather at the Fenn Valley Winery on August 5 at 2:30 p.m. to hear Jack Ridl and Jackie Bartley reading poems they've been working on over the past year as well as a few well-aged ones. For more information, visit http://www.fennvalley.com or call 269-561-2396.

Theater
The Mason Street Warehouse has announced its 2007 season: opening August 3 is Lucky Stiff, a zany, offbeat musical murder mystery farce about an unassuming English shoe salesman who stands to inherit a fortune. On August 24 is Shout! The Mod Musical--travel in time, tracking five women as they come to age during the liberating days of the '60s. The Mason Street Warehouse is at 400 Culver St. in Saugatuck. For tickets or more info, call 269-857-4898 or visit http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org

More Theater
On August 11, the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre will have Go Dog Go, a poochie pandemonium. For show times, tickets, and locations call 616-395-7890 or visit http://www.hope.edu/hsrt/

Galleries
Here is a sampling of some of the art galleries in the area and what's happening in their lineup:

Art
The Nines Gallery in Holland will be featuring a new artist on their Big Blue Wall every few weeks all summer long, with fresh selections by Kathleen Putnam, Nicole Brink, and Michael Pfleghaar. The Nines Gallery and Framing Studio is inside 17 W. 10th St, Holland. For more info, call 616-392-3239 or visit http://www.theninesgallery.com

The newest Water Street Gallery exhibition is Between the Lines with water color mixed media artists Dylan Strznski and Helen Gotlib. And starting on August 11 is Site and Insight with oil painters/encaustic artists Kathy Buist and Christopher Skrunk. Water Street Gallery is now located on Center St. in downtown Douglas. For more info, call 269-857-8485 or visit http://www.waterstreetgallery.com

Indian Summer offers the best selection of southwestern jewelry personally handcrafted in the Midwest. Indian Summer is at 800 Lake St., Saugatuck. For more info, call 269-857-4570.

The Peachbelt Studio and Gallery is the creation of local artist Dawn Stafford. Some of her most recent paintings were inspired by the vineyards of Fenn Valley Winery. Visit her website at http://www.peachbeltstudiogallery.com. For more info, call 269-561-5561.

Exhibitions
The award-winning Saugatuck-Douglas Museum newest exhibition is Walls Talking: Stories Houses Tell. This exhibition features a unique, life-sized composite house representing three very different historic local homes, intended to let the viewer experience earlier times through possessions gathered from each house, evoking the everyday life of people who lived there at a particular point in its past. This exhibit will is open to the public daily, noon to 4 p.m., until Labor Day, and on weekends only in the fall. Admission is free. For more information, call 269-857-7900 or http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/histmys/news051507-1.htm

Antiques
The Allegan County Antique Market will be held the last Sunday in August 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. And don't forget to visit our friends down at the Blue Star Antique Pavilion on Blue Star Highway in Douglas.

Honorable Mentions

July 29, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
July 31, Film studies at the Red Barn, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
August 9, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
August 14 Film studies at the Redbarn, Swingtime
August 16 Saugatuck Sidewalk Sale
August 23, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
August 26, Taste of Saugatuck
August 26, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
August 28, Film studies at the Redbarn, West Side Stor
y September 2, Apple picking starts at Cranes Apple Orchard on M-89
September 3, 9-th annual Blue Star Bridge Walk
September 5, Music in the park, downtown Saugatuck
September 6, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
September 7 Green Market, downtown Saugatuck
September 12, Music in the Park-Jim Cooper Trio, downtown Saugatuck
September 15, Mt Baldhead Challenge

Books
Amy's book of the month is Stolen Lives, Twenty Years in Desert Prison, by Malika Oufkir and Michele Fitoussi. Oufkir was the eldest daughter of General Oufkir, the King of Morocco's closest aide. She spent most of her childhood and adolescence in the court harem, surrounded by luxury and privilege. In 1972, her father was executed after an attempt to assassinate the king. Oufkir, her five brothers and sisters, and her mother were immediately imprisoned in a desert penal colony. After 20 years, the Oufkir children managed to dig a tunnel with their bare hands and make an audacious escape. Oufkir was finally able to leave Morocco and begin a new life in exile in 1996. Stolen Lives is an unforgettable story of one woman's journey to freedom. You can purchase or order this book at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085) or visit http://www.treehousebooks.net

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 nights 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. 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 life. 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

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Brook's Blueberry Syrup

Brook is a French countryside siren, a very articulate woman whose cooking modus operandi operates with sublime yet effortless grace. She came to us during blueberry season with this amazing syrup, which we serve with our Cinnamon-Orange French Toast.

Ingredients

1 Cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
one-half cup sugar (or more to taste)
6 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, washed and drained

Combine first 3 ingredients in saucepan and stir until sugar and cornstarch are dissolved, then add blueberries and cook on low heat for half hour, stirring occasionally, then cool and refrigerate (good for up to 1 week refrigerated).

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B June 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

Memorial Day has come and gone, and for us that heralds the start of our summer season. Lake Michigan is not quite warm enough for a dip, but our hip and groovy pool is ready for your enjoyment. 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 Cottage
We just had a cancellation in our cottage, so that leaves just two weeks available this summer: June 23-29 and June 30-July 6. It goes for $1200 for one week and sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, washer/dryer, pool privileges, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. And of course, there is still nightly availability for the fall. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML.

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

Sherwood Forest and Golf
Spend a couple of nights at the Sherwood Forest B&B, and we'll arrange for you to play at The Ravines, an Arnold Palmer Signature Championship Golf Course, a sweeping, eighteen-stanza epic, where nature meets sport in ways you simply must witness to believe. Here's what you get: a 2-night stay at Sherwood Forest, 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 (cost ranges from $252-$625). To book this package, call us at 800-838-1246. We have lots of different packages, so for more info and prices, check out http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/GOLF.html.

Theater
The Mason Street Warehouse has announced its 2007 season, which will open June 22 with the Michigan regional premiere production of Altar Boyz, a high-energy, rafter-raising, singing and dancing musical. On July 13, the theater will present the off-Broadway hit The Food, a hilarious comedy about a neurotically thin poet, her closed-mouth husband, and a couple of other whacky characters. Opening August 3 is Lucky Stiff, a zany, offbeat, and very funny musical murder mystery farce about an unassuming English shoe salesman who stands to inherit a fortune. On August 24 is Shout! The Mod Musical--travel in time, tracking five women as they come to age during the liberating days of the '60s. The Mason Street Warehouse is at 400 Culver St. in Saugatuck. For tickets or more info, call 269-857-4898 or visit http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org.

More Theater
Hope Summer Repertory Theatre opens on June 15 with the musical Godspell, a rock opera based on Jesus' messages of love presented in song, dance, and all forms of theatrical play in this exuberant, rocking, rolling, and riveting production. The Hypochondriac opens on June 22. When your doctors' bills get too high, what do you do? Marry your daughter off to a family of physicians, of course. Call 616-395-7890 or visit http://www.hope.edu/hsrt/.

Wineries
Head out to Fenn Valley Winery on June 23 for their open house from 1-5 p.m. where once again they'll kick off the beginning of summer as they open their cellars for wine tasting, ethnic foods, and live music. Call 269-857-2396 or visit http://www.fennvalley.com.

Music
The Wailin' Jennys Imagine if the crazy scientists from Jurassic Park put Gillian Welch, EmmyLou Harris, and the Dixie Chicks in a blender, and then formed a musical trio from the resulting puddle of DNA. What you'd here is the stunning songwriting, sweet harmonies, and sultry sound of Canada's The Wailin' Jennys. The three Jennys are extraordinary with their folk-roots and rock. They recently picked up a trophy at the 2nd annual Folk Alliance Awards in Memphis for Contemporary Release of the Year. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Mo Music
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday in June. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

Still more Music
Every Wednesday evening in June through September 5 from 7-9 p.m., there will be Music in the Park at the gazebo in downtown Saugatuck. Various entertainers will charm you by the river as you watch the sunset over the wooded dunes with music that varies from swing to jazz to blues and reggae.

Movies
Head to Saugatuck for the coolest event of the year, the Waterfront Film Festival, June 7-10. With close to 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 7 starts with a street party on Water Street at 7 p.m. featuring a musical performance by The Damnwells, (opening band for The Fray, Dixie Chicks, and Cheap Trick). Enjoy the Beer Garden, followed at dusk with an outdoor screening a free outdoor screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind in celebration of its 30th anniversary. For more info, call 269-857-8351 or visit http://www.waterfrontfilm.org.

Art
Enjoy Art 'Round Town, the annual, year-long, outdoor sculpture art exhibit in the downtown areas of Saugatuck and Douglas. This is A.R.T.'s 7th year, and the 2007 exhibit features over 40 sculptures in a variety of mediums, from bronze to limestone, steel to aluminum, and granite to fiberglass. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the Visitor Information Booth in downtown Saugatuck, or visit http://www.artroundtown.com.

More Art
Come see first hand how the Blue Coast Artists create their work and welcome them to their 2007 season. All studios will be open May 5-October 15, Friday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Travel the scenic Blue Star Highway between Saugatuck and South Haven to discover some of Southwest Michigan's finest artwork, including pottery, sculpture, jewelry, weaving, blown glass, and paintings. For more info, visit http://bluecoastartists.com.

Galleries
Here is a sampling of some of the art galleries in the area and what's happening in their lineup:

The Nines Gallery is currently hosting the landscapes of Michael Callahan, Kathleen Putnam, and a new artist, Samantha Strand. The Nines Gallery and Framing Studio is inside 17 W. 10th St., Holland. For more info, call 616-392-3239 or visit http://www.theninesgallery.com

The Waterstreet Gallery exhibition for June is Ways of Wax by artists Martha Ceccio and Walter Horak. Waterstreet Gallery is now located on Center St. downtown Douglas. For more info, call 269-857-8485 or visit http://www.waterstreetgallery.com.

The Constance Petter Gallery is currently showcasing the marbled sculpture of Gert Olsen. Petter gallery is at 161 Blue Star Highway, Douglas. For more info, call 269-857-7861 or visit http://www.constancepettergallery.com The Good Goods Gallery is featuring the one-of-a-kind furniture of Floyd Gompf.

Good Goods is at 106 Mason St., Saugatuck. For more info, call 888-857-6501 or visit http://www.goodgoods.com.

Indian Summer offers the best selection of southwestern jewelry personally handcrafted in the Midwest. Indian Summer is at 800 Lake St., Saugatuck. For more info, call 269-857-4570.

Exhibitions
The award-winning Saugatuck-Douglas Museum will unveil its 2007 exhibition: Walls Talking: Stories Houses Tell. This exhibition features a unique, life-sized composite house representing three very different historic local homes, intended to let the viewer experience earlier times through possessions gathered from each house, evoking the everyday life of people who lived there at a particular point in its past. One room features the 1870s-era house built in the pioneer town of Singapore, where the Kalamazoo River meets Lake Michigan. A second room portrays a farmhouse of the same era that still stands today along 140th Street northeast of Saugatuck. This was the lifelong home of Goldie Kleinheksel, the fourth generation of her family to live there. At her death in 2006, she left to the Historical Society the entire contents of her home, comprising several thousand objects, including Victorian furniture, pottery, jewelry, books, photos, historical documents, and farm memorabilia. A third room depicts the lakeshore cottage of John Norton, one of Chicago's best-known muralist/artists. Designed by renowned architect Thomas Eddy Tallmadge, the Norton cottage is featured as a study in cottage life from the 1920s to the present, showing how this classic Arts & Crafts design reflected the interest in merging art and nature in summer. Surrounding this central display is a three-wall panorama portraying the 176-year evolution of this area's buildings and architecture, showing how our built environment continues to preserve community traditions in renovation and new construction. This exhibit will open to the public on May 27 and will be open daily, noon to 4 p.m., until Labor Day, and on the weekends only in the fall. Admission is free. For more information, call 269-857-7900 or http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/histmys/news051507-1.htm.

Holland Museum
The Elegant 2nd floor galleries now house the museum's extensive Dutch Collection of Fine & Decorative Arts. On exhibit are fifty-six 17th to 19th century Dutch paintings, including the 17th-century Dutch Portraits of Cornelis van Beresteyn and Jannetje Berckel the by Michiel Van Mierevelt, and 30 other Dutch Impressionist paintings. The Holland Museum is at 31 W. 10th St., downtown Holland. For more information, visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/ or call 616-392-9084.

Farmers Market
The Green Market is at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every Friday. Local farmers and growers bring fresh produce, flowers, and perennials, plus homemade jams, jellies and baked goods. For further information, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Antiques
The Allegan County Antique Market runs the last Sunday of the month 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, through September). For more info, call 269-735-3333. And don't forget about the newest antique hot spot in the area, the Blue Star Antique Pavilion at 2948 Blue Star Highway in Douglas.

Honorable Mentions

June 15-16, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Red Barn Playhouse
June 16, Saugatuck Arts & Crafts fair, Saugatuck
June 30, Waterfront Invitational Art Fair
July 3, Filmstudies at the Red Barn, The King and I
July 4, Parade and Fireworks
July 6, 12, 20, 27 Farmers Market, downtown Saugatuck 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 7 Oxbow Summer Benefit Art Auction
July 13, Mason Street Warehouse opening of Food Chain
July 13, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre opening of She Loves Me
July 12, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
July 12-13, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens' Club
July 14, Home and Garden Tour, Saugatuck Garden Club
July 17, Filmstudies at the Red Barn, Showboat
July 18 Hope Summer Repertory Theatre opening of Go Dog Go
July 19-20, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens Club
July 20, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre opening of Lost in Yonkers
July 26-27, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens Club
July 26, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
July 28, Village Square Art and Fine Arts Fair, downtown Saugatuck
July 28, Venetian Festival, lighted boat parade and Fireworks
July 29, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
July 31, Filmstudies at the Red Barn, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
August 2-3, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens Club
August 3, Mason Street Warehouse opening of Lucky Stiff
August 9-10, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens Club
August 16-17, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens Club
August 9, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
August 14 Filmstudies at the Redbarn, Swingtime
August 16 Saugatuck Sidewalk Sale
August 23, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
August 24, Mason Street Warehouse opening of Shout
August 26, Taste of Saugatuck
August 26, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
August 28, Filmstudies at the Redbarn, West Side Story

Books
Sue's book of the month is The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad. In Afghanistan, just after the fall of the Taliban, a bookseller named Sultan Khan allowed a Western journalist to move into his home and experience firsthand his family's life in the newly liberated capital city of Kabul. In this remarkable portrait, Norwegian journalist Seierstad recounts with brutal honesty the day-to-day lives of one Afghani family persevering through life in a country beset by chaos. Sultan, a man whose love of books has exposed him to great risks over his 30 years in the trade has seen his volumes censored, ripped apart, even burned in the street by the Communists and the Taliban. Each time he rebuilds his business, hiding the most controversial texts, surviving prison, traveling treacherous back roads to Pakistan to order much-needed schoolbooks. He takes joy in selling books of history, science, art, religion, and poetry, and defends his business against competitors and theft with a primal ferocity. With the assent of the Khan family with whom she lives, Seierstad gives us intimate access to a world were women have few privileges, and where an attitude of hope seems uncommonly rare. You can purchase or order this book at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085) http://www.treehousebooks.net.

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 (does not include room rate). To view more specials on our website you can go to http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/ATTRACT.HTML.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Q's Black Bean and Corn Salad

Q is back, as in the past we won't reveal her real name, she is our secret agent baker, a legend in her own time, she enters the bed and breakfast utilizing her secret agent baker disguise, she never wears the same disguise twice, weaves her magic and right before our very own eyes a new dish appears.

Ingredients:

One-quarter cup balsamic vinaigrette
One-quarter cup olive oil
1-teaspoon hot sauce
2 15-ounce cans black beans
1 4-oz can diced green chilies
1 cup cooked corn
One-half cup diced red pepper
Salt/pepper to taste

Instructions:

Whisk olive oil and hot sauce into vinaigrette and set aside. Combine next 4 ingredients; add oil blend and salt/pepper to taste. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight, stirring occasionally.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B May 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

Spring is upon us, and Mother Nature is stretching her arms wide to show us her new wardrobe. The leaves on the trees are popping and reaching for those sun-filled days, the daffodils are singing a chorus of welcome to the newly arrived tulips, the forsythia is a brilliant yellow, and the trillium and Jack in the Pulpit tell us how special our little slice of the planet is. Our cool pool will be open by May 26, and our Schwinn bikes are all tuned up for that awesome ride along Lake Shore Drive or into town, so we hope you can make it for a visit soon!

May Gourmet Dining Package
Spend one night (or more) Sunday through Thursday in May and dine at the Everyday People Café in Douglas and you'll experience the best of both worlds. Lake Magazine awarded Sherwood Forest the Best in Personal Luxury and Matt Balmer of Everyday People Café took Best Chef. Here's what you'll receive: a stay at Sherwood Forest and an awesome dinner (appetizer, 2 entrees, and desert); cost ranges from $180 to $255. Offer expires June 1, 2007. Give us a call at 800-838-1246 for more info.

Sherwood Forest Cottage
Our Cottage is getting booked up for the summer, here's what we have left: June 2-8, 9-15, 16-22; and August 25-31. It goes for $1200 for the week and sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, washer/dryer, pool privileges, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. And of course, there is still nightly availability for the spring and fall. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML.

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

Sherwood Forest and Golf
Spend a couple nights at the Sherwood Forest B & B, and we'll arrange for you to play at The Ravines, an Arnold Palmer Signature Championship Golf Course, a sweeping, eighteen-stanza epic, where nature meets sport in ways you simply must witness to believe. Here's what you get: a 2-night stay at Sherwood Forest, 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 (cost ranges from $252-$407). To book this package, call us at 800-838-1246. We have lots of different packages, so for more info and prices, check out http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/GOLF.html.

Tulip Time Festival
Can you believe it? 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 75 years ago. From May 4-12, 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 May 12, with nearly 50 bands, giant helium-filled balloons, and so many floats you'll lose count. You can learn more by calling 800-822-2770 or visit http://www.tuliptime.com.

Douglas Spring Preview
On May 5, preview some of the most exciting new items offered by the downtown shops of Douglas, from furniture and original paintings by area artists to accessories for the home. Douglas is being referred to as 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 Everyday People Café. Visit http://www.douglasmichigan.com.

So Much Music
We can almost say that May is music month with all the happenings in the area.

There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday in May. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

On May 12 at 8 p.m. listen to Tin Pans and Rags at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts with local favorite Michael Holmes, Mark Kahny, and Francesca Amari. This performance is a retrospective of Tin Pan Ally and Ragtime music and its influence on American pop culture. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Join the Mack Sisters on May 19 at 8 p.m. at the SCA. Hailed for the power and virtuosity of their playing, the Japanese-born duo pianists have dazzled audiences on three continents, performing works and double concertos. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

On May 25 at 8 p.m. experience the rock group 10,000 Maniacs at the SCA. Some of their mega hits include These Are Days, Because the Night, and Candy Everybody Wants. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

On May 27 at 8 p.m. join the The Lakeshore Jazz Connection for CUBA meets BRAZIL. Move to the rhythms of the mambo, cha-cha, and rumba when Cuban ensemble Tumbao Bravo splits the bill with Brazilian-born Paulinho Garcia and vibraphonist Jim Cooper for a memorable evening of Latin jazz at the SCA. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Michael Feinstein will be performing at the SCA on May 31 at 8 p.m. Recognized as one of the foremost experts and interpreters of George Gershwin's music, Feinstein is a 4-time Grammy nominee and one of the premiere pianists of American song. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Movies
From June 7-10, head to Saugatuck for the coolest event of the year, the Waterfront Film Festival. With close to 60 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 7 starts with a street party at 7 p.m. on Water Street, followed at dusk with an outdoor screening of a soon-to-be-named film. For more information, call 269-857-8351 or visit http://www.waterfrontfilm.org.

Art
Come see first hand how the Blue Coast Artists create their work and welcome them to their 2007 season. All studios will be open May 5-October 15, Friday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Travel the scenic Blue Star Highway between Saugatuck and South Haven to discover some of Southwest Michigan's finest artwork, including pottery, sculpture, jewelry, weaving, blown glass, and paintings. For more info, visit http://bluecoastartists.com.

Comedy
Experience legendary Second City humor at the SCA on May 26 at 8 p.m. Sure, good-old American excess and clueless self-absorption are easy targets for comedy, but few hit them with more pointed accuracy than The Second City. Join the travel troupe for Truth, Justice, or The American Way, which illustrate what perfect bull's-eyes we can make of ourselves. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Exhibitions
The award-winning Saugatuck-Douglas Museum will unveil its 2006 exhibition: Raising the Roof, The Buildings and Architecture of the Saugatuck/Douglas Area-Second Story. This exhibit will open to the public on May 29 and will be open daily, noon to 4 p.m., until Labor Day, and on the weekends only in the fall. Admission is free. For more information, call 269-857-7900 or visit http://www.accn.org/~sdhistory/Home.php.

Plane Wrecks
The Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates will present its 9th annual Mysteries and Histories Beneath the Inland Seas with four presentations. The first is Adventures of a Shipwreck Hunter presented by Ralph Wilbanks; second is Amazing Underwater; third is Discovery of the Barge Hennepin; finally, the mystery of lost flight 2501. This event will take place at the Knickerbocker Theater in downtown Holland on May 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are $12.50 in advance, $15.00 at the door. For tickets or more info, visit http://www.michiganshipwrecks.org.

Antiques
The Allegan County Antique Market runs the last Sunday of the month 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, through September). For more info, call 269-735-3333. And don't forget about the newest antique hot spot in the area, the Blue Star Antique Pavilion at 2948 Blue Star Highway in Douglas.

Honorable Mentions

May 4, Music, Claudia Schmidt, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
May 5, Douglas Spring Preview, downtown Douglas
May 13, Herrick Library Concert Series, Holland Symphony Orchestra, 3:00 p.m.
May 27, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
May 26-28, Memorial Day Weekend
May 28 Memorial Day Parade, Douglas
May 28, Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Museum opens w/Stories of People & Places
June 2, Art Around Town Artist Reception, Candace Petter Gallery
June 7-10 Waterfront Film Festival, Saugatuck
June 8,15,22,29 Farmers Market, downtown Saugatuck 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
June 15-16, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Red Barn Playhouse
June 16, Saugatuck Arts & Crafts fair, Saugatuck
June 22, Mason Street Warehouse opening of Altar Boyz
June 24, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
June 30, Waterfront Invitational Art Fair
July 3, Filmstudies at the Red Barn, The King and I
July 4, Parade and Fireworks
July 6,12,20,27 Farmers Market, downtown Saugatuck 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 7 Oxbow Summer Benefit Art Auction
July 13, Mason Street Warehouse opening of Food Chain
July 12, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
July 13-14, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens' Club
July 14, Home and Garden Tour, Saugatuck Garden Club
July 17, Filmstudies at the Red Barn, Showboat
July 19-20, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens Club
July 26-27, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Womens Club
July 26, Douglas Social, downtown Douglas
July 28, Village Square Art and Fine Arts Fair, downtown Saugatuck
July 28, Venetian Festival, lighted boat parade and Fireworks
July 29, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
July 31, Filmstudies at the Red Barn, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

Books
Michele's book of the month is The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. When a motherless American girl living in Europe finds a medieval book and a package of letters, all addressed ominously to "My dear and unfortunate successor…" she unwittingly assumes a quest she will discover is her birthright--a hunt that nearly brought her father to ruin and may have claimed the life of history professor Bartholomew Rossi. What does the legend of Vlad the Impaler, the historical Dracula, have to do with the 20th Century? You can purchase or order this book at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085) http://www.treehousebooks.net.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Tranquility Carol's Asparagus Soup

This recipe is from Tranquility Carol, a wispy siren who sings the songs of the deep woods. She brings us this springtime recipe just as the days are warming up. This soup has a wonderful, delicate flavor, and is best made with young asparagus, which are tender and blend well.

Ingredients:

1-pound young asparagus
3 tablespoons butter
6 shallots, sliced
1-tablespoon all-purpose flour
2.5 cups vegetable stock
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1-cup milk
One-half cup light cream
1 teaspoon chopped fresh chervil
Salt and pepper to tast

Instructions:

Cut 1 and half inches off the tops of half the asparagus and set aside for a garnish. Slice the remaining asparagus.
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan and sauté the sliced shallots until soft.
Add the asparagus and sauté over low heat for 1 minute.
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the stock and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, slightly cover the pan, and simmer for 15 minutes until asparagus is tender.
Cool slightly and then process in a blender/processor until smooth. Press the pureed asparagus through a sieve into a new saucepan. Add the milk by pouring it though the sieve with the asparagus to extract the maximum amount of asparagus puree.
Melt the remaining butter and sauté the remaining asparagus tips gently until they soften.
Heat the soup gently, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the cream and the asparagus tips, continue to heat gently, serve sprinkled with chopped fresh chervil.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B April 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

Mother Nature is welcoming in spring with warmer weather and longer days, and we've seen turkeys strutting through the woods, along with the return of the robins. It's 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 we hope you can plan a visit soon, and we'll help you shake off those winter blues.

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

Relax and Rejuvenate Massage Packages
Enjoy a soothing massage in the comfort of your own room in a style suited just for you (cost of 1 night's stay and 2 massages ranges from $200-$250). We also offer separate wine and cheese baskets and chocolate lovers baskets. Offer good Sunday-Thursday nights through April 2007.

Sherwood Forest Cottage
Our Cottage is getting booked up for the summer, here's what we have left: June 2-8, 9-15, 16-22, and June 23-29; July 14-20; and August 25-31. It goes for $1200 for the week and sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, washer/dryer, pool privileges, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. And of course, there is still nightly availability for the spring and fall. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML.

Chocolate Lovers Packages
We've got some great new Chocolate Packages to let your significant other know you're at the top of your game, from white and dark chocolates to crèmes, caramels, and nuts, ranging from $50 to $300, you can check them out at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/chocolate.html.

Private Golf Lessons
Now that spring is here it's time to dust off those golf clubs and hit the links. We've teamed up with the Ravines Golf Club, an Arnold Palmer Signature Championship Golf Course with some awesome PGA professionals, to offer golf lessons for one or two persons. You'll get a 1-night stay at Sherwood Forest and a 30- to 45-minute golf lesson with a guaranteed lesson time at the Ravines Golf Club. We have lots of different packages, so for more info and prices, check out http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/GOLF.html.

California Wine Dinner
Join the folks at Journeyman Café in Fennville for a wine dinner on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. (reservation only). There will be a 5-course meal paired with wines from the Peter Franus Winery of Napa Valley, a unique event not to be missed. Cost is $75 per person. For more info, visit http://www.journeymancafe.com or call 269-561-2269.

Mediterranean Wine Dinner
Everyday People Cafe in Douglas will host a Mediterranean Wine Dinner on April 17 at 6:30 p.m. (reservation only). Wine pairings to be announced. Dinner is $65 per person. For more info, visit www.everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Music
Music On April 21, Jimmy Dillon and the Werewolves will be performing at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Jimmy Dillon, who has toured extensively, playing with such major artists as John Lee Hooker, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Clarence Clemons, is backed by The Werewolves, a 7-piece band of veteran musicians. Their eclectic performance will include Cuban jazz, blues, Euro Pop, and flat out rock. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-239.

More Music
More Music The Jim Cooper Trio with Daryl Tidabeck and Mike Van Lente will sooth your soul with some cool Jazz in the Performance Studio at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on April 28 at 8:00 p.m. Performing the best in straight-ahead jazz, the Jim Cooper Trio features a unique combination of vibraphone, bass, and drums. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on-line via http://www.sc4a.org or by phone at 269-857-2399.

Still More Music
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday in March. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. You can also take the stage on Monday nights for Jazz Jam with Jack Wilkin and Eddie Curtis. Jam times are 6-10 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

Even Still More Music
Join the hip and groovy folks at Everyday People Café every Friday from 7-10 p.m. through April to hear some really cool jazz and blues. You'll see the likes of the Eddy Curtis Jazz Duo, Libby York Jazz Vocals, Willy Chacon, and Rick Hicks Blues Guitar. For more info, visit http://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Arts & Culture Workshop
Join the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and Professor Kimiko Gunji on April 28 for a workshop bringing an intriguing taste of the arts and culture of Japan. The daylong experience is designed to help participants understand and appreciate various forms of Japanese aesthetic expression. A native of Japan, Professor Gunji will open minds and hearts to a world of aesthetics and cultural experience that will bring a contemporary appreciation and meaning to ancient philosophies and traditions. For more information or to book a reservation, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Hitchcock Film Series
Bill Henderson hosts the Hitchcock Film Series on the second and fourth Wednesday through April at The Red Barn Playhouse in Saugatuck. April's line up will be Marnie with Sean Connery and Tippi Hedren, then Family Plot with Barbara Harris and Bruce Dern, with brief comments before each film and audience discussion afterward. Suggested donation: $5/person. For more info, call 269-857-5300 .

Visiting Writers
Joan Silber will be next in the line up for the Hope College Visiting Writers Series on April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Knickerbocker Theater. Her most recent book, Ideas of Heaven: A Ring of Stories, a collection in which a minor element in one story becomes a major element in the next, was a finalist for a National Book Award and The Story Prize. For more info, call 616-395-7403 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/.

Antiques
The Allegan County Antique Market will start up the last Sunday in April 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. And don't forget about the newest antique hot spot in the area, the Blue Star Antique Pavilion at 2948 Blue Star Highway in Douglas.

Papermaking
On April 28 learn the ancient craft of papermaking with Eve Reid at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Plunge your hands into the pure pulp and capture the moment of papermaking. Participants will create a variety of pigmented and textured sheets, which can be used for art projects, cards, books, boxes, and more. Reid has exhibited her work in the US, Japan, Korea, and Germany. Class participation is limited and is $65, which includes materials. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Brew Your Own Bee
r Let Saugatuck Brewing Company be your host as you brew your own batch. From light to dark, over 70 different recipes are available from summer wheat's to red ales to rich porters. They provide the recipes, ingredients, and professional brewing equipment, as well as the expertise, to take you through the brewing process. To schedule some brewing call 269-857-7222 or for more information you can visit their website at http://www.sbrewing.com.

Theater
The Holland Civic Theatre presents Steel Magnolias. Set in the local beauty parlor of a small Louisiana town, Steel Magnolias centers around a group of eccentric women who, laugh, cry, gossip and survive the hardships and splendors of life. The play runs April 12-14, 19-22, 26-28; showtime is 8 p.m. For more info, visit http://www.hollandcivictheatre.org or call 616-396-2021.

Books
Sue's book of the month is Until I Find You by John Irving. Irving's eleventh novel contains multitudes, building and building on the questionable memories of perhaps his most autobiographical character to date. Until I Find You, the story of the actor Jack Burns. His mother, Alice, is a Toronto tattoo artist. When Jack is four, he travels with Alice to several North Sea ports; they are trying to find Jack's missing father, William, a church organist who is addicted to being tattooed. But Alice is a mystery, and William can't be found. The author's tone, indeed, the narrative voice of this novel, is melancholic. Until I Find You is suffused with overwhelming sadness and deception; it is also a robust and comic novel, certain to be compared to Irving's most ambitious and moving works. You can purchase this book at Treehouse Books in Holland (616-494-5085) http://www.treehousebooks.net.

Sherwood Forest Staples
Pamper yourself 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.

Honorable Mentions
April 6, Schrock Brothers Folk Music, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
April 11, Film Studies at the Red Barn Presenting Marne by Hitchcock
April 11, Visiting Writers Series, Joan Silbe, Fiction, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
April 14, Saugatuck, Town Crier 5K and 10K
April 15, Herrick Library Concert Series, the Craioveanu's, Violin 3:00p.m.
April 21, Jimmy Dillon Concert at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts
April 22 Herrick Library Concert Series, Perugino Quartet, 3:00 p.m.
April 21-22, Avalon Theater at the Red Barn, Run for your Wife
April 24, Film Studies at the Red Barn, Family Plot by Hitchcock
April 28, Japanese Flower arranging with Kimiko Gunji at the SCA
April 29, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
May 4, Music, Claudia Schmidt, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
May 4-6, Blue Coast Artist opening weekend
May 5, Douglas Spring Preview, downtown Douglas
May 5-12, Tulip Time Festival, Holland
May 13, Herrick Library Concert Series, Holland Symphony Orchestra, 3:00 p.m.
May 27, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
May 27, Lakeshore Jazz Connection at the SCA
May 26-28, Memorial Day Weekend
May 28 Memorial Day Parade, Douglas
May 28, Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Museum opens w/Stories of People & Places
June 2, Art Around Town Artist Reception, Joyce Petter Gallery
June 7-10 Waterfront Film Festival, Saugatuck
June 8,15,22,29 Farmers Market, downtown Saugatuck 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
June 15-16, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Red Barn Playhouse
June 16, Saugatuck Arts & Crafts fair, Saugatuck
June 22, Mason Street Warehouse opening of Altar Boyz
June 24, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
June 30, Waterfront Invitational Art Fair

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Howie and Jake's Carrot/Pecan Muffins

Howie and Jake, two conspicuous compatriots from Douglas who love to rough house and swim in the big lake, practically stand up and beg for these tasty treats.

These yummy muffins are low fat and very moist.

Ingredients:

1-cup all-purpose flour
One-half cup whole-wheat flour
1-cup sugar
One-half cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups grated carrot
1 and one-quarter cup crushed pineapple, drained
One-third cup chopped pecans

Instructions:
Combine first eight ingredients in a large bowl and stir. In another bowl, combine rest of ingredients (except pecans) and stir well. Pour wet ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients and stir until moistened, then add pecans and stir gently. Spoon into 16 greased muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack then remove from pan.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B March 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

March is here and Mother Nature has thrown in some warmer days, and spring may actually be just around the corner (Punxsutawney Phil saw no shadow). As the vernal equinox approaches, we here at Sherwood Forest officially declare winter over and cabin fever kaput. We've got lots a wonderful things for you to enjoy in our neck of the woods, so give us a call and we can hook you up with some great dining, massages, hiking, antiquing, star gazing, and even a sunset or two.

Relax and Rejuvenate
Massage Package Take advantage of our March special: you can each enjoy a soothing massage in the comfort of your own room in a style suited just for you (cost ranges from $225-$295). Offer good Sunday-Thursday nights in March 2007. Please give us a call for more info (800-838-1246).

Sherwood Forest Cottage
Our Cottage is booking up for the summer, but we do still have the following weeks open: June 2-8, 9-15, 16-22 and 23-29; July 7-13, 14-20, and 21-27; or August 25-31. It goes for $1200 for the week and sleeps up to 5 people, has a full kitchen, washer/dryer, pool privileges, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach. And of course, there is still nightly availability for the spring and fall. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.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. Now 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. 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:

St. Patrick's Day
There's a whole lot of green happening on March 17 in Saugatuck and Douglas. Did he really chase all the snakes out of Ireland and teach the Trinity using a shamrock? You'll have to debate this one for yourself over a green pint or two. Here's the line up for all you leprechaun lovers: area restaurants will be serving up corned beef and cabbage, Irish Stew, and fabulous desserts such as Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake, and don't miss the St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Saugatuck at 2 p.m. Immediately following the parade there will be a St. Patty's Day Party at the VFW with Irish music and Celtic dancing. For more info, call 269-857-1701 or visit http://www.saugatuck.com. There will also be a Stout Festival at the Saugatuck Brewing Company, call 269-857-7222 or visit http://www.sbrewing.com. There will also be an Irish Pub Party at Coral Gables in Saugatuck from 6-9 p.m. and proceeds will benefit the Saugatuck/Douglas Historical Society.

Music
Music Blues guitarist/songwriter Keith Scott brings his heavy blues/acoustic style to the SCA's Performance Studio. One of Chicago's most vibrant musicians, Scott plays regularly at the House of Blues, Metro, and the Chicago Blues Fest. The show will take place on March 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets: $15. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-239.

More Music
Pianist Jean Prosper fills the Saugatuck Center for the Arts with the sounds of jazz. Prosper, originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, received classical piano training at Canada's Royal Conservatory Program. A true jazz artist, Prosper's music, which includes Latin rhythms, is rich and soulful with color and rhythm reflecting his international background and experience. The concert will take place on March 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more info visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Still More Music
The Simon Shaheen Ensemble will be next in the line up for the Great Performance Series at Hope College. His soaring technique, melodic ingenuity, and unparalleled grace have earned him international acclaim as a virtuoso on the oud and violin. The performance is on March 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Dimnent Chapel in Holland. For more info, call 616-395-7890 or visit http://www.hope.edu/arts/gps/

Even Still More Music
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday in March. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

Hitchcock Film Series
Every second and fourth Wednesday at The Red Barn Playhouse, Saugatuck, through April. Bill Henderson hosts this series, which will screen eight of the great filmmakers best films made during his years in Hollywood. March's line up will be North by Northwest and Psycho. Brief comments before each film; audience discussion afterward. Suggested donation: $5/person. Popcorn is free. For more information you can call 269-857-5300.

Basic Beads
Fire up the torches and learn to create your own sparkling glass beads. During Basic Beads, led by glass artist Jessica Bohus (www.blueroanstudio.com), participants will learn the skills for blowing their own glass beads. The class runs March 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. To register, call 269-857-2399 or e-mail http://www.sc4a.org.

Wine
Join the folks at Fenn Valley Winery, a cool local vineyard, for their pre-release barrel tasting on March 10-11 and 17-18. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the new wines, and taste them before they are bottled Order any that you like and get 25-30% off. Reservations required, no charge. For more information, call 269-561-2396 or visit http://www.fennvalley.com.

Visiting Writers
Poet's Anele Rubin and Mary Ann Samyn will be next in the line up for the Hope College Visiting Writers Series on March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Knickerbocker Theater. Rubin's poems are artful, subtle, and modest, you can admire her talent for encountering the world and capturing the extraordinary in the everyday in language. Samyn's latest collection of poetry is titled Purr and is a dazzling collection that is hip, elegant, sorrowful, witty, and new. For more info, call 616-395-7403 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/.

Holland Museum
The newest exhibit, Under Cover, Quilted Textiles from The Holland Museum Collection, has a range of clothing and bed covers, from the utilitarian to the purely decorative and simple in design and craftsmanship to intricate and highly technical. This exhibit is from the museum's private collection and is a great slice of American/European history. The Holland Museum is at 31 W. 10th St., 616-392-9084 or visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/.

Exhibitions
Artist Katherine Sullivan's exhibition, Snakepit, opens at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on March 9, with an artist reception from 5-7 p.m. in the Bertha Krueger Reid Exhibition Hall. The works in Snakepit are a departure from Sullivan's more recent figure studies. For more info, visit www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Film
The Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will be showcasing Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles on March 2-3 and 5-10 at 7 and 9 p.m. It is the latest film from acclaimed director Zhang Yimou and marks his return to smaller-scale films examining the purity of rural China against the inhumanity of big cities. For more info, call 616-395-7403 or visit www.hope.edu/arts/knick.

Honorable Mentions
March 2, Music, Jim Cooper Jazz Trio, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
March 25 Herrick Library Concert Series L.Floyd-Soprano, R.Floyd-clarinet, J.Conway-Piano 3:00 p.m.
April 6, Music, Schrock Brothers Folk Music, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
April 11, Film Studies at the Red Barn Presenting Marne by Hitchcock
April 11, Visiting Writers Series, Joan Silbe, Fiction, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
April 14, Saugatuck, Town Crier 5K and 10K
April 15, Herrick Library Concert Series, Mihai & Deborah Craioveanu, Violin 3:00p.m.
April 21, Jimmy Dillon Concert at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts
April 22 Herrick Library Concert Series, Perugino Quartet, 3:00 p.m.
April 21-22, Avalon Theater at the Red Barn, Run for your Wife
April 24, Film Studies at the Red Barn, Family Plot by Hitchcock
April 28, Japanese Flower arranging with Kimiko Gunji at the SCA
April 29, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
May 4, Music, Claudia Schmidt, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
May 4-6, Blue Coast Artist opening weekend
May 5, Douglas Spring Preview, downtown Douglas
May 5-12, Tulip Time Festival, Holland
May 13, Herrick Library Concert Series, Spotlight on Holland Symphony Orchestra, 3:00 p.m.
May 27, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
May 27, Lakeshore Jazz Connection at the SCA
May 28, Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Museum opens with Stories of People and Places

Books
Keith's book of the month is The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier. This book is original, thought provoking, gorgeously written and, ultimately, very moving. The novel alternates between the adventures of Laura Byrd, a Coca Cola researcher stranded in the Antarctic, and the City of the Dead. There was been a war on earth in which the combatants are virus's. Brockmeier's notion of an afterlife is a way station where people must stay until people whom they have known on earth have also died. Over half of them have known Laura Byrd. The people who live in the City of the Dead are not ghosts. They will remind you of your next-door neighbors. They get up, have breakfast, and go to work, just like normal people. They appear to have corporal bodies. One of the characters, the Blind Man, wonders about this. He has a theory about the difference between the spirit and the soul. He believes the spirit connects the body and the soul, and that when the spirit dies, we move on to the next life. It's a treat to find a truly original young writer and I recommend it highly. You can purchase this book at Treehouse Books in Holland 616-494-5085 http://www.treehousebooks.net.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Tres Mamacita Horseradish Mustard

The Tres Mamacitas (Sirens from south of the border-Kate, Mary, and Ruth) brewed up a wicked batch of this horseradish mustard while on tour spreading unconditional harmony through out Michigan this winter. I asked them exactly what that meant, but they refused to give out any more info. They did, however, give up the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup dry English mustard
1 cup horseradish white wine vinegar
1 quarter cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons horseradish--fresh and grated
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic-minced
1 half teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 half teaspoon hot red pepper sauce
1 quarter teaspoon ground allspice

Instructions:
Combine first 4 ingredients in a nonreactive bowl. Let sit for 4 hours, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Pour into the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir in remaining ingredients and cook for 10 minutes or until mixture has thickened, stirring often. (Mustard will be thicker when cooled.) Pour into sterilized jars and cap tightly and store in refrigerator. Wait several days before use to allow flavors to blend. Makes 2 cups.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B&B February 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

Happy Valentine's Day to all! We've just returned from an amazing adventure in South America. We journeyed to the land of the Incan Empire in Peru and walked the 4-day Inca trail through jungles and over mountaintops (14,000 feet) to the Lost City of Kings: Machu Picchu. We then ventured to the Galapagos Islands and walked in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, the famous evolutionary explorer. We saw 100-year-old land tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and hordes of sea lions, and also were able to spend time in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, with our friends who work for the state department. A great getaway.

So on our return the landscape looked a little different here with 3 feet of snow! It's a great time to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa, or sled or X-country ski. And don't forget it's also a great time to do some sale shopping at some of the most unique shops in the Midwest.

Valentine's Offer
Stay one night (or more!) in any of our beautiful rooms Sunday through Thursday in February and receive a beautiful red rose and a bottle of Michigan champagne for you and your loved one to enjoy..

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 now through April, let us wine and dine you. Book the entire B&B for 2 nights 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. 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 life. Here are the details: dinner is $50 per person, guests provide their own alcohol, and a 2-night minimum stay is required. 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 Year's Eve and Valentine's 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.

Melt Your Stress Away Package
Upon your arrival, you'll find a beautiful wine and 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. Price: $235 (does not include room rate). If you wish to have this awaiting your arrival, give us a call at 800-838-1246.

Sherwood Forest Cottage (Pet Friendly)
Looking for a quiet, relaxing place to stay? Our Cottage is perfect for that tranquil getaway or for spending time with friends or family. It sleeps up to 4 people, has a full kitchen, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach, and it's pet friendly. For more info, visit http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

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.

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

Hope College Visiting Writers
Next in the line up on February 15 is fiction writer Percival Everett, author of 15 novels, 3 short story collections, and 1 volume of poetry, who is well known and much admired for his searing wit and lyrical prose. His most recent book, Wounded, is a haunting depiction of intolerance and redemption. He is most famous for his 2001 satirical novel, Erasure, which takes aim at black cultural stereotypes. He will be reading from selected works at the Knickerbocker Theatre, downtown Holland. Jazz begins at 6:30 p.m.; reading begins at 7:00 p.m. For more info, call 616-395-7000 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/.

Music
Join the Jim Cooper jazz trio with David hay and Michael Van Lente on February 10 for an evening of cool sounds. The trio will perform music from Cooper's latest CD, Itching to Groove, and Hay's two releases, along with standards by Thelonious Monk, Cedar Walton, and Horace Silver. The concert is at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

More Music
Join folk/rock singer Venitia Sekema in concert on February 24. Sekema found many influences as her identity developed. Spending countless hours listening to folk music legends such Bonnie Koloc, Bob Dylan, and Joan Baez, rock's Blind Faith and the Rolling Stones, country's Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, and the soul of Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. The list goes on, but nothing seemed to influence Sekema more than her own desire to express how important music has been to her and the connection that it brings to each one of us. The concert will be at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Even More Music
Next in the line up for the Hope College Great Performance Series is the Ahn Sisters, who will perform on January 26 at Dimnent Chapel at 7:30. The Juilliard-trained Ahn sisters are taking classical music to a whole new realm, proving their worth with award-winning recordings by Dvorak, Ravel, Shostakovich, and others. For more info, visit http://www.hope.edu/arts or call 616-395-7890.

Still More Music
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday and Sunday through December. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher and Edye Evans Hyde. Show times are 7-11 p.m. For more info, call 269-543-3341 or visit http://www.whatnotinn.com.

Theater
Considered by many as the best touring theater company in the U.S., the Acting Company received the 2003 Tony Honoree for Excellence in Theatre. They return this year with Polly Teale's adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, which had an acclaimed run in London's West End. The extraordinary coming-of-age story showcases one of literature's most independent and strong-willed women. There will be two performances on February 21 and 22 at 7:30 pm at the DeWitt Theatre on the Hope College campus. For more info, visit http://www.hope.edu/arts/gps/0607/gps/0607/tac.html or call 616-395-7890 .

Fat Tuesday
On February 20, join in the Mardi Gras Parade. This New Orleans-style parade will meander through downtown Douglas and end at a local restaurant and bar (the Douglas Dunes Resort (269) 857-1401) for prizes and dancing. DJ, show, food, immediately following Douglas Mardi Gras Parade. Starts at 7 p.m. For more info, call 269-857-1438.

Drawing
Join multi-media artist Peggy Boyce for her 6-session course, Learn to Draw What You See. Boyce will begin with pencil and charcoal, progressing to drawing still life, perspective studies, and landscapes. Boyce is a seasoned instructor with a background in oils, acrylics, watercolors, and fibers, plus metalworking. Classes will be held at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on February 5, 12, and 19 from 10 a.m.-noon. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Las Vegas Night
There will be live music, dancing, drinks, food, a silent auction, and more than 20 Black Jack, roulette, and dice games on February 17 from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. at Coral Gables in Saugatuck. All proceeds will benefit the Community Recreation Department (must be 21 or older to participate.). For more info, call 269-857-1389.

Open Figure Studio
Artists are invited to attend Open Figure Studio, which will provide an independent study forum for the maintenance and development of artistic skills and allow for uninhibited experimentation. Draw, paint, or sculpt in clay the nude and costumed figure in this open studio session for all levels of artists. Artist Dawn Stafford (http://peachbeltstudiogallery.com) will guide each session and provide assistance if requested, although this is not an instructed coarse, and will be held every Tuesday through February 27 at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts from 7-9:30 p.m. For more info visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Hitchcock Film Series
Every second and fourth Wednesday at The Red Barn Playhouse, Saugatuck, through April. Bill Henderson hosts this series, which will screen eight of the great filmmakers best films made during his years in Hollywood. Brief comments before each film; audience discussion afterward. Suggested donation: $5/person. Popcorn is free.

Book of the Month
Sue's book of the month is Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. This story is at once a comic tale of struggling to find one's balance in the adult world, and a witty exploration of why - and how - we cook. Gastronomes, as well as those more inclined to order take-out, will enjoy Powell's down-and-dirty journey into French cuisine, but her depiction of America is the secret ingredient that holds the whole recipe together. Julie is 30 years old, living in a rundown apartment in Queens and working at a soul-sucking secretarial job that's going nowhere. She needs something to break the monotony of her life, and she invents a deranged assignment. She will take her mother's dog-eared copy of Julia Child's 1961 classic Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and she will cook all 524 recipes. In the span of one year. At first she thinks it will be easy. But as she moves from the simple Potage Parmentier (potato soup) into the more complicated realm of aspics and crepes, she realizes there's more to Mastering the Art of French Cooking than meets the eye. With Julia's stern warble always in her ear, Julie haunts the local butcher, buying kidneys and sweetbreads. She sends her husband on late-night runs for yet more butter and rarely serves dinner before midnight. She discovers how to mold the perfect Orange Bavarian, the trick to extracting marrow from bone, and the intense pleasure of eating liver. And somewhere along the line she realizes she has turned her kitchen into a miracle of creation and cuisine. She has eclipsed her life's ordinariness through spectacular humor, hysteria, and perseverance. A nourishing read if you love to cook or would rather stay out of the kitchen altogether. You can purchase this book at Treehouse Books in Holland 616-494-5085 http://www.treehousebooks.net.

Honorable Mentions
February 20, Mardi Gras Parade, Douglas, 7 p.m.
February 25, Herrick Library Concert Series, Dawn Gingrich, Violin, 3:00 p.m.
March 2, Music, Jim Cooper Jazz Trio, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
March 6, Katherine Sullivan Exhibit opens at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts
March 9, Great Performance Series, Simon Shaheen Ensemble, Holland, 7:30 p.m.
March 13, Visiting Writers Series, Anele Rubin, Poet, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
March 13, Visiting Writers Series, Mary Ann Samyn, Poet, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
March 17, St. Patricks Day
March 25 Herrick Library Concert Series L.Floyd-Soprano, R.Floyd-clarinet, J.Conway-Piano 3:00 p.m.
April 6, Music, Schrock Brothers Folk Music, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
April 11, Visiting Writers Series, Joan Silbe, Fiction, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
April 15, Herrick Library Concert Series, Mihai & Deborah Craioveanu, Violin 3:00p.m.
April 22 Herrick Library Concert Series, Perugino Quartet, 3:00 p.m.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Alicia's Ecuadorian Canapés of Smoked Salmon

This Tasty little appetizer came to us via our visit to friends down in Ecuador while we were visiting the Galapagos Islands, one of our South American Sirens, Alicia said her Ecuadorian friends just raved about this dish when she served it at social functions, we agreed it's wonderful and the horseradish really compliments the salmon.

Ingredients:

One-quarter cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
6 slices black bread, like pumpernickel, cut into quarters
One-quarter pound thinly sliced smoked salmon
4 tablespoons sour cream
One-quarter jar capers

Instructions:
Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks, then fold in the horseradish. Spread this mix on the bread and top with the salmon, add one-half teaspoon of sour cream and 3-4 sprinkle capers on top. Makes 2 dozen.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

[return to top of page]

Sherwood Forest B&B January 2007 Newsletter

News from the Forest

The big news here is that your friendly innkeeper Keith just received a $12,000 haircut! Yes, Keith's head is shaved and his 15-inch ponytail was razed in front of 200 people, which raised over $12,000. Locks of Love has received the hair along with $2000, while the remaining $10,000 was presented to the Allegan County Health Department for women who can't afford mammograms. At about $100 each, 100 women will be able to receive free screening for breast cancer, which affects 1 out of 8 women.

So all that said, with the crisp days and starry nights, what better time to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. It's also a great time to do some sale shopping at some of the most unique shops in the Midwest. But most important, Happy New Year to everyone, may your new year be peaceful, healthy, and prosperous.

Melt Your Stress Away Package
Upon your arrival, you'll find a beautiful wine and 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. Price: $235 (does not include room rate). If you wish to have this awaiting your arrival, give us a call at 800-838-1246.

Sherwood Forest Cottage (Pet Friendly)
Sherwood Forest Cottage (Pet Friendly) Looking for a quiet, relaxing place to stay? Our Cottage is perfect for that tranquil getaway or for spending time with friends or family. It sleeps up to 4 people, has a full kitchen, and is only 1/2 block from Lake Michigan and the public beach, and it's pet friendly. For more info, visit http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML or call us at 800-838-1246.

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.

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

Hope College Visiting Writers
Next in the line up on January 23 is fiction writer Michael Martone, who has published more than a dozen books of fiction, poetry, and prose. His comic sensibility and penchant for blending fact and fiction are fully displayed in his most recent book, the self-titled Michael Martone, a collection of 50 hilariously fictionalized contributor's notes, many of which originally appeared in America's top magazines and literary journals. For more info call 616-395-7000 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/.

Photography
In 1999 the Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society commissioned photographer Vicky Stull to produce a suite of photographs of area architecture as the central component of the exhibition, Raising the Roof: The Buildings and Architecture of the Saugatuck and Douglas Area and book of the same title. The photographs in this exhibit were selected from that suite. The exhibit highlights some of the buildings of Lake Michigan port villages of Saugatuck, Douglas, and Pier Cove as a mirror of the life and times of people who live(d) here and how they interact(ed) with each other, their environment, and the outside world. Exhibit will be up through the end of January. For more information, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Music
Musician Carl Payne and his one-man show will perform the mystical sounds of the Celtic harp to intricate instrumentals on his flattop guitar. Payne introduces an array of styles on stringed instruments, many of which he handcrafted. By layering recordings, Payne accompanies himself, creating a live show featuring as many as five musical instruments. The concert will take place at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on January 27 at 8 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

More Music
Vocalist Typhanie Monique and guitarist Neal Alger have performed critically acclaimed sounds together for 5 years, developing a repertoire that spans genres from jazz to contemporary rock and pop to R&B/soul music. Their stylistic breadth has given the duo visibility beyond the conventional jazz audience and an appeal that crosses over to listeners of other musical genres. They will perform at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on January 20 at 7 p.m. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or by call 269-857-2399.

Drawing
Join multi-media artist Peggy Boyce for her 6-session course, Learn to Draw What You See. Boyce will begin with pencil and charcoal, progressing to drawing still life, perspective studies, and landscapes. Boyce is a seasoned instructor with a background in oils, acrylics, watercolors, and fibers, plus metalworking. Classes will be held at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, and 19 from 10 a.m.-noon. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Basic Beads
Fire up the torches and learn to create your own sparkling glass beads. During Basic Beads, led by glass artist Jessica Bohus (www.blueroanstudio.com), participants will learn the skills for blowing their own glass beads. The class runs January 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. To register, call 269-857-2399 or e-mail http://www.sc4a.org.

Open Figure Studio
Artists are invited to attend Open Figure Studio, which will provide an independent study forum for the maintenance and development of artistic skills and allow for uninhibited experimentation. Draw, paint, or sculpt in clay the nude and costumed figure in this open studio session for all levels of artists. Artist Dawn Stafford (http://peachbeltstudiogallery.com) will guide each session and provide assistance if requested, although this is not an instructed coarse, and will be held January 23 through February 27 at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts from 7-9:30 p.m. For more info, call 269-857-2399.

Art
The Nines Gallery in Holland will be showing a sampling of Givable Art by each of their artists. The prices are in the thoughtful gift range and there will be something for everyone: still life, landscapes, abstracts, pottery, and photography. They also have several artists who do portrait work in a variety of styles. For more info, visit http://www.theninesgallery.com or call 616-392-4370.

Book of the Month
Keith's Book of the month is The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks, the first in a projected trilogy called The Fourth Realm. This novel is powerful, mainstream fiction built on a foundation of cutting-edge technology laced with fantasy and the chilling specter of an all-too-possible social and political reality. The time is roughly the present, and the U.S. is part of the Vast Machine, a society overseen by the Tabula, a secret organization bent on establishing a perfectly controlled populace. Allied against the Tabula are the Travelers and their sword-carrying protectors, the Harlequins. The Travelers, now almost extinct, can project their spirit into other worlds where they receive wisdom to bring back to Earth, wisdom that threatens the Tabula's power. This book is a great read to start off the New Year. You can purchase this book at Treehouse Books in Holland 616-494-5085 http://www.treehousebooks.net.

Honorable Mentions
February 2, Music, Iowa Rose Quartet, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
February 4, Herrick Library Concert Series, GVSU Early Music Ensemble, 3:00 p.m.
February 15, Visiting Writers Series, Percival Everett, Fiction, Knickerbockers, 7 p.m.
February 20, Mardi Gras Parade, Douglas, 7 p.m.
February 21-22, Great Performance Series, The Acting Company in Jane Eyre, Holland, 7:30 p.m.
February 25, Herrick Library Concert Series, Dawn Gingrich, Violin, 3:00 p.m.
March 2, Music, Jim Cooper Jazz Trio, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
March 9, Great Performance Series, Simon Shaheen Ensemble, Holland, 7:30 p.m.
March 13, Visiting Writers Series, Anele Rubin, Poet, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
March 13, Visiting Writers Series, Mary Ann Samyn, Poet, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
March 25 Herrick Library Concert Series L.Floyd-Soprano, R.Floyd-clarinet, J.Conway-Piano 3:00 p.m.
April 6, Music, Schrock Brothers Folk Music, Journeyman Café, Fennville, 7:30 p.m.
April 11, Visiting Writers Series, Joan Silbe, Fiction, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
April 15, Herrick Library Concert Series, Mihai & Deborah Craioveanu, Violin 3:00p.m.
April 22 Herrick Library Concert Series, Perugino Quartet, 3:00 p.m.

From the Sherwood Forest Files:
This is a nice comfort-food recipe for January.

Rose O'Brien's Chicken Cacciatore

Rose O'Brien is the young Siren whose parents own a Organic Farm, and we'll tell you, or she'll tell you that even though any dish made with her parents chickens are delicious, her fab is the Chicken Cacciatore, Rose we know the world is a better, happier and much healthier place with the food your parents raise.

Ingredients:

2 medium onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
Oil for frying
1 16-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 medium green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 dozen fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt Pepper to taste

Instructions:
In a large skillet sauté onions and garlic in hot oil till tender, then remove and set aside. Add more oil if necessary and add chicken; cook about 15 minutes, turning to brown pieces evenly.

Combine onions/garlic and rest of the ingredients, then pour mixture over chicken and cover and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, then stir in one-quarter cup dry white wine. Cook, uncovered, another 15 minutes till chicken is tender. Skim off fat and discard bay leaf. Serve with rice or noodles. Makes 6 servings.

For more hip and groovy recipes, you can visit our recipes page on our website 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

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Sherwood Forest B & B - 938 Center Street - P.O. Box 315
Saugatuck, MI 49453
1-800-838-1246 for reservations or: