Sherwood Forest News January 2010

News from the Forest

Happy Valentine's Day to all! We've just returned from Indochina, to be specific, Vietnam and Cambodia, where we hiked through rice paddies and had lunch with a local Hmong family in Sapa. We played human dodge ball in Hanoi as we tried to avoid being hit by motor scooters as we crossed the traffic-packed streets. While kayaking through the floating fishing villages in Halong Bay, we were yelled at by monkeys on the shoreline, and bicycling past 400-year-old buildings in Hoi An was an adventure because of the absence of traffic laws. While on the back of motorbikes, we rode by flower plantations and wound through the verdant hills of Dalat. On the island of Phu Quoc, we relaxed, snorkeled, and soaked up some sun, and then took a speed boat from Chou Doc to Phomn Phen, then on to Siem Reap, where we had the chance to personally discover the wonders of the lost city of Angkor Wat.

Right now, as we are re-entering the universe of Sherwood Forest, the landscape looks a little different, with a couple of feet of snow! We hope you can make it for a visit soon to enjoy this winter wonderland--a great time to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa, or sled or cross-country ski. And don't forget, it's also a great time to take advantage of sales 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
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.

Shopping Special
We've teamed up with some select stores in Saugatuck/Douglas to bring you fantastic discounts, deals, and freebies, from hip and cool clothing to kitchen appliances, wines from far away places, spices from the Orient, body butters, antiques, and artwork. If you're looking for that great holiday gift or just want to splurge on yourself this season, all you need to do is book a night or two and then go exploring at some of the most distinctive shops the area has to offer. For more info, give us a call at 800-838-1246 or visit http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/ATTRACT.HTML.

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:

Winterfest Gallery Stroll
The Saugatuck/Douglas art galleries have gotten together for a winter gallery stroll event over the weekend of February 13-14. Meander to the different galleries, sample hors d'oeuvres, and sip libations while viewing some of the finest artwork anywhere. From contemporary to traditional, metal sculpture to wood working, there is something for everyone.

Movies
Another great flick is playing at the Saugatuck-Douglas Library on February 11 at 7 p.m.: Midnight, with Claudette Colbertand and Don Ameche.

Film Studies at the Red Barn (Saugatuck Brewing Company)
At The Saugatuck Brewing Company, Douglas resident and film concept developer John Hardy will continue with the film series: February 16, Harvey, starring James Stewart and a 6-foot-tall invisible rabbit; February 23, Sherlock Holmes and the Spider Woman with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce; March 2, The Informer with Victor McLaglen and Heather Angel. For more info, call 269-857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com/schedule.htm.

Film Series
The Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will present Coco before Chanel, the story of Gabrielle Coco Chanel, who began her life as headstrong orphan, and through an extraordinary journey became the legendary couturier who embodied the modern woman and became a timeless symbol of success, freedom, and style. Screenings at 7:30 p.m. on February 8-13. For more info, call 616-395-7403 or visit http://www.hope.edu/arts/knick/

Real to Reel Cinema Series
On February 18 at 7 p.m. the Saugatuck Center for the Arts will be showing Standing in the Shadows of Motown. In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. gathered the best musicians from Detroit's thriving jazz and blues scene to begin cutting songs for his new record company. Over a 14-year period, they were the heartbeat on every hit from Motown's Detroit era. This unheralded group of musicians, who call themselves the Funk Brothers, have reunited 41 years after they played their first note on a Motown record and three decades since they were all together, reunited back in Detroit to play their music and tell their unforgettable story. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Cooking Demonstration and Tasting
Experience the culinary artistry of Patricia Christopher during this mouth-watering tour of hand-made chocolate confections on February 13 at the SCA. Trained at the French Pastry School in Chicago, she creates recipes that combine cocoa, fresh butter, and creams with exotic varieties of imported spices, fresh herbs, fruit purees, coffees, teas, and fine liqueurs. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Blues
On February 27 at 7 p.m. at the Saugatuck Brewing Company, the Vincent Hayes Project will be performing, led by guitarist/vocalist Vincent Hayes. The Vincent Hayes Project is a high-energy, experimental blues band on the rise. What makes this group unique is its raw power coupled with subtle dynamics and versatility. For more info, call 269-857-7222 or visit http://saugatuckbrewing.com.

Jazz/Blues
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (with Wally Michaels on piano, Jeff Beavan on bass, and Jack Wilkin on the drums) and Wednesdays through February. 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.

Blues/Jazz
Join the hip and groovy folks at Everyday People Café every Friday and Saturday in February 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.

Mo' Music
Visit Salt of the Earth in Fennville for music on February 13, Rick & Krys (love songs); February 19, Red Tail Ring (Appalachian Old Time/Folk); February 20, Tessa Perez (Folk/Jazz); February 21, Madcat, Kane, & Maxwell St. (Acoustic Blues); February 26, Drew Nelson (Singer-Songwriter); February 27, Bob Allison and Dale Hein (Folk-Blues); March 5, Sam Corbin with Drew Howard (Singer-Songwriter); and March 6, Andrew Schrock and Friends. For more info, call 269-561-7258 or visit http://www.saltoftheearthfennville.com/

Exhibitions
Micro/Macro: Fresh Views of Saugatuck/Douglas through March 1 at the SCA. View anew the environmental treasures of the Saugatuck/Douglas communities through these remarkable works from local photographers John M. Fleming and Bill Werme. Micro/Macro features Werme's aerial views of the Saugatuck/Douglas landscape juxtaposed with John Fleming's lush close-ups from the same spaces. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Exhibitions
Through March, The Holland Museum is exhibiting Indigenous Art of Indonesia and Melanesia. Walk through the stone-carved temple guardians at the entrance to the Wichers Gallery and encounter two 65-foot-long Balinese temple paintings on cloth, depicting Hindu legends, which are the centerpiece of this exotic exhibit. Ider-ider paintings, as these traditional artworks are called, are extremely rare. More than 60 other exotic pieces of art and artifacts--weapons, puppets, batik, tribal masks--give a glimpse of the diverse cultures within the island archipelagos of Indonesia and Melanesia. The museum's founder, Willard C. Wichers, formed the core of this collection. For more info, call 888-200-9123 or visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/.

Art Classes
Open figure studio provides an independent study forum for the maintenance and development of artistic skills and allows for uninhibited experimentation essential for creative development in all media. Draw, paint, or sculpt in clay the nude and costumed figure in this open-studio session for all levels of artists. Classes will be held at the SCA on Thursday mornings through March 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 pm. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Book of the Month
Micheles Book of the Month is Perfume Dreams, a brilliant first collection of the work of frequent NPR contributor, journalist, and Pacific News Service Editor Andrew Lam. He uses his work over the last two decades to explore his life as an American and to return to his Vietnamese heritage. His struggle and that of a million other Vietnamese expatriates is much the same as many others who belong to two countries. His insights point out the unique situation of today and what it is like to go home. Andrew Lam writes with such great passion and sensitivity that one becomes totally absorbed in his essays that are in his award winning book Perfume Dreams. Truly a gifted effort that delivers a literary image of what it feels like to be a Vietnamese-American immigrant. 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
February12-16, Winterfest Weekend, Saugatuck & Douglas
February 25, Movie- Design for Living, Saugatuck-Douglas Library
March 7, Sky Hempy Piano Performance Series, Aebersold and Neiweem
March 9, Visiting Writers Series, Terrance Hayes, Poetry, Knickerbocker
March 10, Great Performance Series, Mahanthappa's Indo-Coalition, Holland
March 11, Movie- Thirty Nine Steps, Saugatuck-Douglas Library
March 13, St. Patrick's Day Festival, Saugatuck
March 14, Sky Hempy Piano Performance Series, Giuseppe Lupis
March 18, Cowboy Junkies, Saugatuck Center for the Arts
March 14, Sky Hempy Piano Performance Series, May Phang
March 14, Film, Outsourced, South Haven Center for the Arts, SH
March 25, Real to Reel Cinema Series: The September Issue, SC4A Saugatuck
March 25, Movie-Ball of Fire, Saugatuck-Douglas Library
March 28, Sky Hempy Piano Performance Series, Winston Choi
March 29-Apr 3, Movie, Amreeka, Knickerbocker, Holland
April 6, Great Performance Series, Kronos Quartet, Holland
April 12, Visiting Writers Series, George Saunders, fiction, Knickerbocker
April 13-17, Movie, An Education, Knickenbocker, Holland
April 16-18 and April 23-25, Always . . . Patsy Cline, Red Barn Playhouse
April 24, Nagata Shachu Japanese Drumming Ensemble, SC4A, Saugatuck

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

Chris is an absolutely ethereal siren chef extraordinaire who lives in a secret garden that is home to Elves who provide her with mystical grains for her breads, dwarfs who pick delectable mushrooms for sautéing, fairies who harvest only the freshest berries for baking. One fine day she graced us with this wonderful recipe that has is so delectable and delicious we just had to say feel free to stop by any time.

Chris's Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Enchiladas
With roasted Poblano peppers

Ingredients

1 small butternut squash-split, seeded scraped out and roasted at 350 degrees until soft (about 45 minutes)
4 Tb olive oil
4 poblano peppers- roasted over an open fire until lightly charred then peeled and seeded
1 onion- cut lengthwise into thin strips
1 jalapeno - seeded and minced
2 cloves of garlic
½ pound of Evergreen Lane's fresh chevre-crumbled
10 freshly made whole wheat tortillas
Sometimes I add shredded roasted chicken if I have some leftover)

2 of the roasted poblanos from above
1 pint of heavy cream (this is not a low fat dish)
2 cloves of garlic-minced
4 oz cream cheese

Preparation

1. In a large mixing bowl, scrape the cooked butternut squash, until you have about 5 cups of cooked squash. Once the charred poblanos have cooled, skin and seed them then cut them into long thin strips. Add 2 of them to the squash and set the other two aside for the sauce.
2. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the onion and shake in the pan for a few minutes before adding the garlic and minced jalapeno, then continue to shake the pan with the jalapeno and garlic for another minute or two. Add this to the bowl with the squash and Poblano. Gently stir the ingredients together.
3. Add the crumbled goat cheese gingerly and just barely fold the ingredients together. I like to taste melted chunks of goat cheese in the enchiladas. I bet mushrooms would be a good addition to this!
4. Put about one half cup of filling into each tortilla and roll loosely. Place the filled tortillas in a 9" x 13" baking pan. Leave a fingers width between each enchilada.
5. To make the sauce, pour the heavy cream into a sauce pan and bring to a simmer. Add the poblanos (dice the strips first) and the garlic then simmer for a few minutes. Turn off the heat and add the cream cheese in little spoonfuls. Just let it sit in the hot sauce for a few minutes until it melts - then whisk it in.
6. Pour the sauce over the enchiladas and bake them for about 30 minutes at 375 degrees - or until heated thru and the edges get a little crisp.
7. Serve immediately with a side of black beans ( I garnish the whole plate with freshly chopped cilantro then zest a lime with a microplane over the plate!

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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