Sherwood Forest News May 2009

News from the Forest

Spring is upon us, and Mother Nature is stretching her arms wide to show us her new wardrobe. The leaf buds are popping, and the trees are reaching for those sun-filled days. The daffodils are singing a chorus of welcome to the newly arrived tulips, the forsythias are displaying their brilliance, and the trillium and Jack in the Pulpit are letting us know how special our little slice of the planet is. Our cool pool will be open by May 22, and the 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!

Sherwood Forest Cottage (pet friendly)
Our Cottage is getting booked up for the summer, but here's what we have left: May 30-June 5, June 6-12 & 13-19, and August 15-21 & 22-28. It goes for $1250 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 this spring and fall, and yes it's pet friendly. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML.

Bed and Breakfast and Brewery
Looking for a weekend getaway involving brewing your own batch of beer? Sherwood Forest is offering a unique weekend package that includes a 2-night stay plus access to Saugatuck Brewing Company's brew-on-site facilities. SBC will provide the recipes, from light to dark, with more than 70 different recipes available. They'll also provide the ingredients and professional brewing equipment as well as the expertise to take you through the brewing process. You'll brew at least 11 gallons of beer (sixty 22oz. bottles). If 11 gallons of beer is more than you need, bring a friend or two and split the batch. It takes 3-4 hours to brew your batch and you return in 2 weeks to bottle and sample your beer, which takes about 2 hours, or you can have them bottle it and pick it up later (an extra $20). The cost runs from $512 to $695 depending on the time of year and the room. For more info, call Keith or Sue at 800-838-1246.

Bed and Breakfast, Dinner, and Off-Broadway Theater
Looking for a great getaway including fantastic lodging, dinner for two, and two tickets to some awesome off-Broadway theater? Sherwood Forest has put a great package together for you to enjoy this summer: you'll get 1 to 2 nights at Sherwood Forest B&B, dinner for two at either Chequers in Saugatuck, a British-style pub offering English favorites, or Restaurant Toulouse, a French-American restaurant with warm French provincial ambiance. Then you'll be off to the Mason Street Warehouse, where you'll experience professional off-Broadway live theater. The line up for this season is The Full Monty (June 26-July 19), Pump Boys and Dinettes (July 24-August 9), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (August 14-30). Package prices range from $249 to $569. To book this package, please call Keith or Sue at 800-838-1246.

Shopping Specials
We've teamed up with 10 retail stores to offer you some great discounts and promotions in Saugatuck/Douglas, including clothing, food/drink, and art. It's a great way to explore some of the distinctive shops this area has to offer. For more info, call 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.

Massages
Have a massage in the privacy of your room by a certified masseuse in a style that's just right for you, one hour of pure relaxation...$70. For more info, call Keith or Sue at 800-838-1246.

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

Sherwood Forest and Golf
Spend a couple of nights at Sherwood Forest, 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. 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 $404-$645). 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
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 2-9, 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 9, with nearly 50 bands, giant helium-filled balloons, and so many floats you'll lose count. For more info, call 800-822-2770 or visit http://www.tuliptime.com.

Douglas Spring Preview
On May 2 from 5-9 p.m., 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 also be able to enjoy snacks and beverages while strolling through the shops. Visit http://www.douglasmichigan.com.

Theater
The Mason Street Warehouse has announced its 2009 season, which will open June 26 with the Broadway hit The Full Monty about a group of unemployed steel workers who come up with the ultimate money making gimmick (can't tell you what their not wearing). On July 24, the theater will present Pump Boys and Dinettes, an evening of country-western songs performed on high octane with guitars, bass, piano, and some kitchen utensils. Opening August 14 is The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee, a hilarious tale of young overachievers in the throes of puberty overseen by grown ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves. The Mason Street Warehouse is at 400 Culver St. in Saugatuck. For more info, call 269-857-4898 or visit http://www.masonstreetwarehouse.org.

Art
Come see first hand how the Blue Coast Artists create their work. All studios will be open May 2-3 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.

Water Street Gallery
The Water Street Gallery opens their 2009 season with Coming Attractions, works of seven new artists from around the country. The artists were selected for their innovation of their medium, from acrylics to oil paintings to sculpture. Water Street Gallery is on Center St., downtown Douglas. For more info, call 269-857-8485 or visit http://www.waterstreetgallery.com.'

Petter Gallery
The Constance Petter Gallery will exhibit watercolors by Maxine MacLeod, oils by Michael Maitner, Eddie Mitchell, and Sheila Bohanon. The gallery is on 161 Blue Star Highway in Douglas. Call 269-857-7861 or visit http://www.constancepettergallery.com.

Volmod Gallery
Meet the hippest potter with some of the hippest pottery on the planet--you've got to check it out. Pieces include bowls, vases of all shapes and sizes, sinks, tables, lamps, and other lighting units. Stop in and check out the new space at 20 Center Street, Douglas. For more info, visit http://www.volmod.com.

The Nines Gallery
The Nines Gallery is excited to be showing a variety of their talented artists this month. To name a few: abstract paintings by Nicole Brink & Amy Reckley, primitive paintings by Tommy Depree, and a few sweet little paintings by Michael Pfleghaar. For more info, visit http://www.theninesgallery.com or call 616-392-4370.

So Much Music
Jennie DeVoe Band
On May 2 at 8 p.m., listen to the Jennie DeVoe Band as she returns to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts for another high energy, funky pop-rock performance. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Hot Club of Detroit (with swing dancers)
On May 24, the SCA presents the Hot Club of Detroit with some groovy Swing Dancers. Experience the sexy, infectious robust rhythms introducing bop and post-bop elements to gypsy jazz with this five-time Detroit Music Award-winning group. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Marcia Ball
On June 6 at the SCA, listen to Grammy-nominated singer/pianist Marcia Ball, who knows how to raise roofs and tear down walls with her infectious, intelligent, and deeply emotional brand of southern boogie, rollicking roadhouse blues, and heartfelt ballads. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Music
Looking for some great music and microbrew, head over to the Lucky Stone, conveniently located in the Saugatuck Brewing Company so you can have a few pints too. May 16: The Right Now & Why Not Astronaut; May 23: Last Call Band; May 24: Natives of the New Dawn; and May 30: Jim Cooper Jazz. For more info visit http://www.theluckystonepub.com or call 269-857-7222.

Jazz
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.

Blues/Jazz
Join the hip and groovy folks at Everyday People Café every Friday and Saturday in May from 6:30-10 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.

Comedy
On May 23, the SCA presents The Wonder Bread Years. This all-ages comedy show is a fresh slice of hilarious baby-boomer Americana that offers genuinely funny observations about our collective youth: sugar-coated cereals, lawn darts, Jiffy Pop popcorn, and those long distance trips in the way back of the Country Squire station wagon. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Movies
On May 9 at 7 p.m. the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society will be showing The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer with Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Shirley Temple, and Rudy Valee. Grant finds himself squiring a love-sick teenager, Susan, in order to avoid a tougher sentence. He finds himself doing things that really don't suit his age. Then on May 21 at 7 p.m. Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House will be shown with Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, and Melvyn Douglas. The Blanding's are looking for their dream house. They end up buying a 170-year-old house for five times more than it is worth. The trouble starts when the house shows its age and has to be torn down. The films will be shown at the Douglas Public Library. For more info, visit http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/calendar.htm.

From June 11-14, 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 info, call 269-857-8351 or visit http://www.waterfrontfilm.org.

Exhibitions
The award-winning Saugatuck-Douglas Museum will unveil its 2009 exhibit: Summertime: A Century of Leisure on the Lake Michigan Shore. Also visitors will be able to view the new permanent interactive "Super Map" exhibit that allows a visitor to learn about the history of sites throughout the Saugatuck-Douglas area. This exhibit will open to the public on May 23 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 269-857-7901 or visit http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/.

Sylvia Randolph: An Art-Filled Life will be on display May 1-June 22 at the SCA. Celebrate the life of artist Sylvia Randolph through selected works from her eight-decade career. The pieces illustrate her remarkable story and the profound influence of the community she called home. A lifelong artist, Randolph graduated from the University of Illinois in 1927, studied painting at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Ox-bow in Saugatuck. Saugatuck's rich landscape--the dunes, the forests and the town itself--were ongoing themes throughout her career. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Through March 2010, The Holland Museum will present Indigenous Art of Indonesia & Melanesia. Walk through the stone-carved temple guardians at the entrance to the Wichers Gallery and you 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 core of this collection was formed by the museum's founder, Willard C. Wichers. For more info, call 888-200-9123 or visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/.

About It! Lecture Series
The Michigan Connection: Lights, Camera, Action! Michigan is wooing the film industry with incentives, creating the most lucrative film production tax program and infrastructure development in the United States and the world. On May 14 at 7 p.m., join the SCA for a conversation about making movies in Michigan, how the film industry is impacting the state's economy, and which Hollywood stars may be spotted in the region this summer. For more info, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

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 25, Memorial Day Parade, Douglas
May 31, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
June 11-14, Waterfront Film Festival, Saugatuck
June, 19, Oxbow Friday night open studios, Saugatuck
June 20, Saugatuck Arts and Crafts Fair, Saugatuck
June 26-July 19, MSW The Full Monty, Saugatuck
June 27, Fenn Valley Wine fest, Fennville
June 28, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
July 3, Oxbow Friday night open studios, Saugatuck
July 4, Waterfront Invitation Fine Art Fair, Saugatuck
July 9-10, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
July 16-17, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
July 17, Oxbow Friday night open studios, Saugatuck
July 23-24, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
July 24-August 9, MSW Pump Boys and Dinettes, Saugatuck
July 25, Village Square Arts and Crafts Fair, Saugatuck
July 26, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
July 30-31, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
July 31, Oxbow Friday night open studios, Saugatuck
July 31-August 1, Saugatuck-Douglas Jazz Festival
August 6-7, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
August 13-14, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
August 14, Oxbow Friday night open studios, Saugatuck
August 20, Sidewalk Sales, Saugatuck and Douglas
August 30, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan

Books
Keith's book of the month is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I will quote Randy: "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." This is an amazing book by one of the most positive people I have ever encountered. At Carnegie-Mellon some professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy? When Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie-Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave-"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"-wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). In this book, Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration, and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. 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.

Melt Your Stress Away
Upon 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. 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.

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:

We woke up last weekend to Uncle William and his camel parked next to our BMW in the driveway. I have no idea how he and his camel Mr. Thirsty ventured all the way from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, but old hippies have a way of appearing. He told us of his recent foray with a Berber tribe where he learned to play a rabab--a one-stringed fiddle--and made salt 'n' peppah breadsticks from a ageless French woman who swears she was married to a Marinid Sultan and this was his favorite snack (hmmmmm-wasn't that dynasty back in the mid 1200s?). Que sera, sera, Uncle William, may you and your camel never go thirsty.

Uncle Williams Salt 'n' Peppah Breadsticks

Ingredients

One-quarter cup organic dark rye flour
One-quarter cup unbleached all-purpose flour
One-half tsp. baking powder
One-quarter tsp. baking soda
One-half tsp. sugar
1 tsp. lemon pepper…or… one half-tsp. smoked black pepper
one-quarter cup buttermilk (shake well before measuring)
2 tsp. butter, melted, cooled
1 large egg white, lightly beaten until frothy
semi-coarse salt (Uncle William prefers Murray River Australian or New Zealand)

Preparation:

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place racks in upper and lower thirds position. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, blend flours, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and pepper with a fork. Using the fork, stir in the buttermilk and butter (dough will be a little sticky). Lightly flour work surface, turn out dough, knead and fold dough about 6 times with the palm of your hand (don't overwork).

Roll dough into a 12-inch log, cut into 16 equal pieces. With your hands, lightly roll each piece into a 12-inch rope. Twist 2 ropes into a braid or cut ropes in half and braid halves together (long ones are nice with dinner, short ones better for a cocktail snack.) Place on parchment lined baking sheet, brush with egg white, and sprinkle lightly with semi-coarse salt of choice.

Bake 10 minutes in lower position, bake 10 minutes more in upper position, and remove from oven and place bread sticks on cooling rack. Yields 8 long sticks or 16 small sticks.

If not using right away, keep in a zip lock bag, bread sticks should be eaten within a day or two, nice if warmed slightly before serving.

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 News April 2009

News from the Forest

Mother Nature is welcoming in spring with warmer weather and longer, sunnier days-yeah! We've seen wild turkeys strutting through the back woods and deer drinking from the creek, 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.

Shopping Specials: Outfitters for Active People Coupon
Landshark's, an awesome outfitters/outdoors clothing store, is offering 15% off any one item in their store. What's cool about Landshark's is their relationship with companies like Patagonia, Chaco, Green Label Organics, Tsonga, and many others who are dedicated to the preservation of the planet. Many of the lines they carry feature recycled products, organic cotton, and are members of 1% For the Planet--an organization dedicated to allocating 1% of gross sales toward environmental issues .

Del Sol
Receive $5 off any purchase of $25 or more from Del Sol, the store that sells the clothes that put color-change fun into everything they make, from color-changing board shorts to color-change sunglasses. Color change nail polish is a popular favorite, and color changing shirts that come in colors and cuts for the whole family.

Wine Sellers of Saugtuck
Receive $5 off any purchase of $25 or more from Wine Sellers of Saugatuck, with more than 200 wines from around the world. Check out their unique gifts, extensive wine rack selection, and wine accessories. They have toppers, chillers, corkscrews, wine bags, wine journals, stoppers, and more.

The Butler Pantry
Receive $5 off any purchase of $25 or more at the Butler Pantry. This is a destination for people looking to explore and fine-tune their passions for food. They carry a wide variety of specialty food items, fine wines, cookware, and other kitchen accessories

Sherwood Forest Cottage
Our Cottage is getting booked up for the summer, here's what we have left: May 30-June 5, June 6-12, 13-19 & 20-26, July 18-24, August 15-21 & 22-28. It goes for $1250 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 this spring and fall and yes it's pet friendly. For more information, you can visit the cottage website at http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML.

April Relax and Rejuvenate Massage Special
Enjoy a soothing massage in the comfort of your own room in a style suited just for you (cost of 1 night stay and 2 massages ranges from $235-$300). We also offer romantic wine and cheese baskets and delicious chocolate lovers packages. Give us a call for more info (800-838-1246).

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 who 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

Bed and Breakfast and Brewery
Looking for a weekend getaway involving brewing your own batch of beer? Sherwood Forest is offering a unique weekend package that includes a 2-night stay plus access to Saugatuck Brewing Company's brew-on-site facilities. SBC will provide the recipes, from light to dark, with more than 70 different recipes available. They'll also provide the ingredients and professional brewing equipment as well as the expertise to take you through the brewing process. You'll brew at least 11 gallons of beer (sixty 22oz. bottles). If 11 gallons of beer is more than you need, bring a friend or two and split the batch. It takes 3-4 hours to brew your batch and you return in 2 weeks to bottle and sample your beer, which takes about 2 hours or you can have them bottle it and pick it up later (an extra $20). You can even design your own labels using Microsoft Word (for an extra $27). The cost of Bed and Breakfast and Brewery runs from $512 to $695 depending on the time of year and the room. For more info, call Keith or Sue 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:

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 2-9, 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 9, 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.

Wine Dinner
On April 25, The Fenn Valley Winery, a local vineyard, will host a culinary excursion to a foreign land. This year Christine Ferris will feature French cuisine that will be paired up with some awesome wines from Fenn Valley. Reservations are required. For more info, call 269-561-2396 or visit http://www.fennvalley.com.

Ballet Folklorico
On April 18 experience the heady rush of tapping heals, dazzling costumes, and pounding rhythms of the internationally acclaimed Quetzalli. Founded in 1985, the group has crisscrossed the globe exciting audiences of all ages. Their visual fiesta of culture and folklore features many regional dances of old Mexico, in particular, their home state of Veracruz. The music, performed live on authentic stringed instruments, punctuates the meticulous movement, colorful clothing, and perfect pulse established by the dancers. The concert is at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Funky Pop-Rock
On May 2, The Jennie DeVoe Band returns to the SCA at 8 p.m. for another high energy, funky pop-rock performance. Her voice--a delicious mix of scratchy blues and sweet low notes (think Bonnie Raitt fused with Tina Turner)--brings her unique blend of music to life. DeVoe sprinkles in rockin' original tunes, hilarious personal stories, and a few well-chosen covers to create a live performance like no other. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Jazz/Blues
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays with Wally Michaels on piano, Jeff Beavan on bass, and Jack Wilkin on the drums. Enjoy the heartfelt show tunes sung by one of Saugatuck's favorites, Michael Holmes, and there's some cool jazz by vocalist Mary Rademacher, Christy G, 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 from 6:30-10 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.

Film Studies
at the Red Barn Local Douglas resident and film concept developer John Hardy will introduce each film and lead a brief discussion afterward during the Red Barn Film Studies. Screenings are: Bulldog Drummond's Bride. In this installment of an extended series of films about Col. "Bulldog" Drummond, a London bank robbery once again postpones the nuptials of Bulldog and his longtime girlfriend, Phyllis. Then on April 21 is The Big Sleep. In this classic film noir drama, tough-as-nails private eye Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) takes on a blackmail case and soon falls for Lauren Bacall, the feisty daughter of a wealthy general. The plot thickens when the murder victims pile up. All screenings are at 6:30 p.m. For more info, call 269-857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com.

Film Series
The Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will present I've Loved You So Long at 7:30 p.m. on April 13-18. Kristen Scott Thomas stars in this film in which her character, Juliette, has been estranged from her family for 15 years in prison. She is reunited with her sister after violent circumstances tore them apart. Confronted with the unexpected goodness of her younger sister Léa, who makes Juliette a part of her family, very slowly breaks up the ice and bitterness and she carefully opens up. For more info, call 616-395-7403 or visit http://www.hope.edu/arts/knick/.

More Movies
On April 9 at 7 p.m. the Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society will be showing Mr. Lucky with Cary Grant, Laraine Day, and Charles Bickford. Grant plays gambler Joe Adams who takes on the identity of a dead gangster in order to avoid the draft. Then on April 26, also at 7 p.m., Arsenic and Old Lace will be shown with Cary Grant, Raymond Massey, and Priscilla Lane. Mortimer Bruster is a newspaperman and author known for his diatribes against marriage. We watch him being married at city hall in the opening scene. Now all that is required is a quick trip home to tell Mortimer's two maiden aunts. While trying to break the news, he finds out his aunts' hobby: killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar. The films will be shown at the Douglas Public Library. For more info, visit http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/calendar.htm

Theater
From April 17-19 and 24-26 at 8 p.m. don't miss The Odd Couple--Female Version. This hilarious story is about two friends trying to share an apartment, but their ideas of housekeeping and lifestyles are as different as night and day. This updated Neil Simon comedy will be performed by the Red Barn Players at the historic Red Barn Theater. For more info, visit http://redbarnsaugatuck.com/.

More Theatre
Let the Holland Civic Theatre entertain you with Love, Sex and the I.R.S. A wild farce with twists of fate, sight gags, mistaken identities and hilarious comic lines. Jon and Leslie are out of work musicians who room together in New York City. To save money, Jon has been filing tax returns listing the pair as married. The day of reckoning comes when the I.R.S. informs the "couple" they're going to be investigated. Dates are April 16-18, 23-26, with shows at 8 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. For more info, call 616-396-2021 or visit their website at http://www.hollandcivictheatre.org

Missing Theatre Props
Help the folks from Mason Street Warehouse find their Missing Props on April 18! Search for them among all the real life antiques at the Blue Star Antique Pavilion, 2948 Blue Star Highway, Douglas. You will work up a thirst and appetite during the investigation, so appetizers and drinks will be available for your enjoyment. In addition, prizes will be awarded to the most advanced super sleuths. For more info, call 269-857-4898 or visit their website at http://www.masonstwarehouse.org.

Exhibition
La Loteria--An Exploration of Mexico Paintings by Teresa Villegas will be up at the SCA through April 27. This engaging 54-piece installation explores some of the ubiquitous images of Mexico by using the format of Loteria, a popular Mexican game of chance similar to Bingo. The artwork draws on Mexican traditions, historical figures, gastronomy, and popular culture, translating them into images familiar and recognizable to those who have experienced this distinctive culture. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit www.sc4a.org.

Museum Exhibition
Through March 2010, The Holland Museum will present Indigenous Art of Indonesia & Melanesia. Walk through the stone-carved temple guardians at the entrance to the Wichers Gallery and you 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 core of this collection was formed by the museum's founder, Willard C. Wichers. For more info, call 888-200-9123 or visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/.

About It! Lecture Series
The Michigan Connection: on April 16 at 7 p.m. the Art and Legacy of Diego Rivera by Rebecca Hart will be at the SCA. Hart is the Associate Curator at the Detroit Institute of Arts, home to Rivera's remarkable Detroit industry mural. When installed at the DIA in 1933, the mural created enormous buzz throughout the art world and among Detroit residents. The colorful 27-panel mural depicts Rivera's reverence for technological advancement alongside his deeply rooted faith in ancient Mexican cultural and religious values. Hart will discuss Rivera's place in the modern art world and the impact he continues to have on both Hispanic and non-Hispanic artists. For more, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Visiting Writers
Next in the Hope College Visiting Writers series line up on April 15 is Soft-Word Poetry writer Minton Sparks with guitarist John Jackson. Sparks blends music, storytelling, and poetry to the delight of audiences nationwide. She will be accompanied by virtuoso guitarist John Jackson, who recently finished a stint on Broadway with the Twyla Tharp musical production of Bob Dylan's The Times They Are a-Changin'. She will be reading from selected works at the Knickerbocker Theatre, downtown Holland, at 7 p.m. For more info, call 616-395-7000 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 antique hot spot in the area, the Blue Star Antique Pavilion at 2948 Blue Star Highway in Douglas.

Easter
Douglas Easter Parade 2009- Join the locals during the 14th Annual Easter Parade in downtown Douglas on April 12 at 1:00 p.m. with an opening ceremonial homemade Easter bonnet judging/award ceremony followed by a parade and candy hunt. For more information you can call 269-857-5411.

Town Crier Run
The Town Crier Run will be on April 11 with a 5-K and 10-K RUN-WALK around historic Saugatuck plus a kids' fun run. For more info, call 269-857-1116.

Honorable Mentions

April 25, Winemaker's Dinner, Fenn Valley Winery
April 26, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
May 2, Spring Preview, Saugatuck and Douglas
May 2, Saugatuck Douglas Spring Preview
May 2, Blue Coast Artists opening weekend
May 2, Jenny Devoe, soulful hippie-funk rock, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck
May 2-9, Tulip Time Festival, Holland
May 7, Free Movie The Bachelor & the Bobby-Soxer, Historical Society, Douglas, 7 p.m
May 14, About it Lecture Series, Michigan Connection, 7 pm Saugatuck
May 21, Free Movie Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, Historical Society, Douglas, 7 p.m
May 23, Wonderbread Years, Comedy, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck
May 24, Hot Club of Detroit, gypsy jazz, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck
May 25, Memorial Day Parade, Douglas
May 31, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
June 11-14, Waterfront Film Festival, Saugatuck
June 20, Saugatuck Arts and Crafts Fair, Saugatuck
June 26-July 19, MSW The Full Monty, Saugatuck
June 27, Fenn Valley Wine fest, Fennville
June 28, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
July 4, Waterfront Invitation Fine Art Fair, Saugatuck
July 9-10, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
July 16-17, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
July 23-24, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
July 24-August 9, MSW Pump Boys and Dinettes, Saugatuck
July 25, Village Square Arts and Crafts Fair, Saugatuck
July 26, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
July 30-31, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
July 31-August 1, Saugatuck-Douglas Jazz Festiva
August 6-7, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
August 13-14, Chamber Music, Saugatuck Women's Club
August 20, Sidewalk Sales, Saugatuck and Douglas
August 30, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan

Books
Sue's book of the month is The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. This novel is like a 20th century American Midwestern Hamlet with dogs. That kind of lead might leave you cold. But be assured: you don't have to love dogs or dote on Shakespeare to adore this fine novel. Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life on his family's farm in remote northern Wisconsin where they raise and train an extraordinary breed of dog. But when tragedy strikes, Edgar is forced to flee into the vast neighboring wilderness, accompanied by only three yearling pups. Struggling for survival, Edgar comes of age in the wild, and must face the choice of leaving forever or revealing the terrible truth behind what has happened. A riveting family saga as well as a brilliant exploration of the limits of language, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is destined to become a modern classic, and you will certainly have a rewarding reading experience. 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.

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:

Melissa is a bee keeper from the Greek Isles, rumor has it she is descended from the Greek Muse Terpsichore, we are almost sure about this because of the beautiful music she plays on the lyre and the birds that seem to come from miles around and sing beautiful notes which resonate ones soul in such a captivating manner.

Melissa's Black Eyed Pea and Cilantro Salad

Ingredients

One-half teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
one-third cup rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1-teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained
one-half large sweet onion, chopped
one-half cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 can (15 oz.) black eyed peas, rinsed & drained
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

Preparation:

Combine salt and garlic in a medium bowl; mash with a fork until a paste forms. Add vinegar, oil, and cumin, stirring with a whisk. Add tomato and next 4 ingredients (through pepper) and toss well. Serve with tortilla chips or as a side salad (serves 4-6).

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 News March 2009

News from the Forest

News flash! Sherwood Forest's website has undergone a major transformation in design, and while we still have a few kinks to work out, we hope you like it. Please feel free to take a cruise and let us know what you think. March is here and Mother Nature could throw in some more snowy days for those who enjoy cross-country skiing or sledding, or there's always sitting around a fire curled up with a good book. We've got lots of 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, shopping, hiking, antiquing, star gazing, or even a sunset or two.

March Wine Special
Enjoy a bottle of wine on us! We've teamed up with Chequers in Saugatuck, a British-style pub offering English favorites, such as their famous Fish and Chips and Shepherd's Pie, and Restaurant Toulouse, a French-American restaurant with warm French provincial ambiance. Here's our gift to you: stay 1 night Sunday through Thursday or 2 nights on a weekend and you'll receive a complimentary bottle of wine at either restaurant (house bottle--not to exceed the price of the combined entrées). Offer good March 2009.

March Relax and Rejuvenate Massage Special
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 of 1-night stay and 2 massages ranges from $225-$295). Offer good Sunday-Thursday March 2009. Give us a call for more info (800-838-1246).

Shopping Special: Outfitters for Active People Coupon
Landshark's, an awesome outfitters/outdoors clothing store is offering a great discount to our guests. Get 15% of any one item in their store. What's cool about Landshark's is their relationship with companies like Patagonia, Chaco, Green Label Organics, Tsonga, and many others who are dedicated to the preservation of the planet. Many of the lines they carry feature recycled products, organic cotton, and are members of 1% For the Planet--an organization dedicated to allocating 1% of gross sales toward environmental issues. We support locally owned family business and hope you will too.

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. We rent it on a weekly basis in the summer, so give us a call and we can let you know what we have available. For more info, visit http://www.sherwoodforestbandb.com/COTTAGE.HTML.

Bed and Breakfast and Brewery
Looking for a weekend getaway involving brewing your own batch of beer? Sherwood Forest is offering a unique weekend package that includes a two-night stay plus access to Saugatuck Brewing Company's brew-on-site facilities. SBC will provide the recipes, from light to dark, over 70 different recipes are available. Summer Wheat to Red Ales to rich Porters. They'll also provide the ingredients and professional brewing equipment as well as the expertise to take you through the brewing process. You'll brew at least 11 gallons of beer (sixty 22oz. bottles). If 11 gallons of beer is more than you need, bring a friend or two and split the batch. It takes 3-4 hours to brew your batch and you return in two weeks to bottle and sample your beer, which takes about 2 hours or you can have them bottle it and pick it up (an extra $20). You can even design your own labels using Microsoft Word (for an extra $27). The cost of Bed and Breakfast and Brewery runs from $512 to $695 depending on the time of year and the room. For more information or to book this package call Keith or Sue 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.

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 14 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. 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.

Wine
The Fenn Valley Winery, a local vineyard, will host a pre-release barrel tasting on March 14-15 and 21-22. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the new wines and taste them before they are bottled. Reservations are required, no charge. For more info, call 269-561-2396 or visit http://www.fennvalley.com.

Wine Dinner
Join the folks at Everyday People Café for their wine dinner on March 24 at 6:30 p.m. It's South of the Equator from Argentina featuring 6 courses paired up with wines from the lands way down south. Culinary and vine elucidations guaranteed to please your senses. For more info, visit ttp://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Music
On March 1 at 2 p.m. the Sky Hempy Keyboard Performance Series will feature Helen Marlais on classical piano with special guest Dr. Arthur Campbell on clarinet at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. They have given collaborative recitals throughout the U.S., Canada, China, and across Europe. Marlais has performed with members of the Chicago, Grand Rapids, and the Beijing National Symphony Orchestras. On March 8 at 2 p.m. the series will feature Kazimierz Brzozowski on classical piano. Brzozowski has garnered international acclaim for his captivating performances, in particular the music of Chopin. On March 15 at 2 p.m. the series will feature Alina Morr with Latin jazz and original compositions. Morr is the pianist for the Grammy-nominated Detroit jazz group, Straight Ahead. On March 22 at 2 p.m. the series will feature Charles Aschbrenner who will perform Robert Schumann's Carnival, a series of works with intriguing musical and literary connections. On March 29 at 2 p.m. the series will feature Andrew Le Poulenc who will perform music by Debussy interspersed with poetry by Verlaine and Baudelaire. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Classical Crossover
The last performance for the Hope College Great Performance Series is on March 31. The Grammy-nominated Quartet San Francisco will perform. As crossover specialists, they excel in multiple styles--from jazz to tango, pop to funk, blues to bluegrass, gypsy swing to big band and beyond. The performance is at the Dimnent Chapel at 7:30 p.m. For more info, visit http://www.hope.edu/arts or call 616-395-7890.

Blues/Americana On March 21, listen to Madcat and Kane with Shimmon and Schrock. Grammy award winner Peter Madcat Ruth teams up with guitarist Shari Kane, multi-instrumentalist Mark Schrock, and percussionist Mike Shimmon for an energetic performance that blurs the lines between delta and Chicago blues, jump blues, folk blues, and jazz. Performance Magazine calls Ruth a harmonica virtuoso who is rapidly approaching legend status. Considered one of the country's most versatile blues guitarists, Kane can take an audience from her raw interpretations of Delta Blues to an up-town Chicago groove with style and ease. The concert is at the SCA at 8 p.m. For more info or tickets, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

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

Movies
Film Studies at the Red Barn On March 10 at 6:30 p.m. Charlie Chan in Honolulu will be shown at the Red Barn. Super sleuth Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) is on the case after a murder takes place on a Hawaiian freighter docked in Honolulu. Next in the line up on March 24 is The Thin Man Goes Home. High-toned sleuths Nick (William Powell) and Nora (Myrna Loy) head to Nick's leisurely hometown of Sycamore Springs for a vacation, only to find themselves enmeshed in a string of homicide cases and intercontinental intrigue. For more info, call 269-857-5300 or visit http://www.redbarnsaugatuck.com.

Film Institute of South Haven
The Film Institute of South Haven will present the movie Camp Forgotten on Sunday, March 8 at 3 p.m.. During the depression era the Civil Conservation Corps was created by President Roosevelt. Teenage boys worked in camps restoring America's damaged natural resources. Overtime the CCC changed the face of America and is recognized as FDR's most successful public works program explores the role of the CCC in Michigan. For more info, call 269-637-1041 or visit http://www.southhavenarts.org/fish.

More Movies
On March 12 at 7 p.m. the Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society will be showing The Philadelphia Story with Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. It's about a haughty divorced socialite, Tracy Lord, who is preparing for her second marriage. Enter Dexter Haven, her first husband, and Macaulay Connor, a tabloid reporter with a distrust of the wealthy. Then on March 26 also at 7 p.m. Talk of the Town with Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, and Ronald Colman will be shown. Leopold Dilg (Grant) is wanted for murder and arson, and persuades the prettiest girl in town, Nora, to hide him in a house that she has rented to a law school dean (Michael) for the summer. Michael becomes Dilg's defense lawyer, and they both try to win Nora's heart. The films will be shown at the Douglas Public Library. For more info, visit http://sdhistoricalsociety.org/calendar.htm.

Theater
On March 28 at 8 p.m. the SCA will present Broadway, Our Way! featuring Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael. One of cabaret's most in-demand duos, they offer a unique blend of whimsy, nostalgia, and unquestionable talent that translates into pure entertainment. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Hope College Visiting Writers
Next in the line up on March 11 is fiction writer Francine Prose. Renowned author Prose has written over 20 books, including National Book Award finalist Blue Angel and the New York Times Bestseller, Reading Like a Writer. Prose's newest novel, Goldengrove, follows 13-year-old Nico through one haunted summer after the drowning death of her sister has plunged her into grief. She will be reading from selected works at the Knickerbocker Theatre, downtown Holland, at 7 p.m. For more info, call 616-395-7000 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/

About It! Lecture Series
On March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Ladies of the Lighthouses by Diana Stampfler will be at the SCA. Stampfler has researched and promoted Michigan's lighthouses for more than 10 years, sharing stories about the beacons and their keepers, and is considered an expert by many in the industry. She will talk about the women's role in lighthouse keeping and share photos and stories from more than a dozen of these women who have tended the light in Michigan. For more, visit http://www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399.

Exhibition
La Loteria - An Exploration of Mexico Paintings by Teresa Villegas will be up at the SCA through April 27. This engaging 54-piece installation explores some of the ubiquitous images of Mexico by using the format of Loteria, a popular Mexican game of chance similar to Bingo. The artwork draws on Mexican traditions, historical figures, gastronomy, and popular culture, translating them into images familiar and recognizable to those who have experienced this distinctive culture. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Museum Exhibition
Through March, The Holland Museum will present Indigenous Art of Indonesia & Melanesia. Walk through the stone-carved temple guardians at the entrance to the Wichers Gallery and you 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 sixty 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 core of this astonishing collection was formed by the museum's founder, Willard C. Wichers. For more info, call 888-200-9123 or visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/

Honorable Mentions

April 7, Film Studies at the Red Barn, Bulldog Drummond's Bride,
April 9, Free Movie, Mr. Lucky, SD Historical Society, Douglas, 7 p.m.
April 11, Town Crier Run- 5Kand 10K, Saugatuck
April 13-18, I've Loved You So Long, Knickerbocker Theatre Films Series
April 16-18,23-26, Love, Sex and the I.R.S., Holland Civic Theatre, Holland
April 16, Visiting Writers Series, Minton Sparks, Poetry, Knickerbocker, 7 pm
April 16, About it Lecture Series, Michigan Connection, The Art and Legacy of Diego Rierva. SCA 7 p.m.
April 18, Ballet Folklorico, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck 8 pm
April 21, Film Studies at the Red Barn, The Big Sleep
April 23, Free Movie, Arsenic and Old Lace, SD Historical Society, Douglas, 7 p.m
April 25, Winemaker's Dinner, Fenn Valley Winery
April 26, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
May 2, Saugatuck Douglas Spring Preview
May 2, Blue Coast Artists opening weekend
May 2, Jenny Devoe, soulful hippie-funk rock, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck
May 7, Free Movie The Bachelor & the Bobby-Soxer, Historical Society, Douglas, 7 p.m
May 14, About it Lecture Series, Michigan Connection, 7 pm Saugatuck
May 21, Free Movie Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, Historical Society, Douglas, 7 p.m
May 23, Wonderbread Years, Comedy, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck
May 24, Hot Club of Detroit, gypsy jazz, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck
May 25, Memorial Day Parade, Douglas
May 31, Allegan Antique Market, Allegan
June 11-14, Waterfront Film Festival, Saugatuck
June 20, Saugatuck Arts and Crafts Fair, Saugatuck

Books
Sue's book of the month is The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Things have never been easy for Oscar, who is maybe the last true romantic left on the planet. A sweet but disastrously overweight, lovesick Dominican ghetto nerd, a fierce lover of women, though his major problem lies in them loving him back, and he is a writer of Science Fiction who dreams of becoming the Dominican J. R. R. Tolkien. Diaz immerses us in the tumultuous life of Oscar and the history of the family at large and the curse that has haunted Oscar's family for generations. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a wonderful and moving book about not fitting in, and finally having something to live for. 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.

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:

Cookies from a goddess, this is another amazing recipe from Tranquility Carol, the wispy siren who sings the songs of the deep woods. She captivates us with tastes that liberate our souls with subtle touches and scintillations.

Tranquility Carol's Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies (healthier than most!)

Ingredients

One cup whole wheat flour
One-quarter cup all-purpose flour
Three-quarter cup regular oats
One teaspoon baking soda
One-half teaspoon salt
One and one-half cups packed brown sugar
One-quarter cup butter, softened
One-quarter cup reduced-fat sour cream
One teaspoon vanilla extract
One large egg white
Three-quarter cup sweetened dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
One-half cup pecans, coarsely chopped
One-half cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours, oats, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Place sugar, butter, and sour cream in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until smooth. Add vanilla and egg whites; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture, stirring until blended. Fold in cranberries, pecans, and chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded spoonfuls 2 inches apart onto 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until edges of cookies are browned. Cool on pan 5 minutes. Remove cookies from pan; cool on wire racks.

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 News February 2009

News from the Forest

Happy Valentine's Day to all! We've just returned from the sunny southern reaches of the Caribbean in the Dutch Netherland Antilles (Curacao), 70 miles off the coast of Venezuela. We swam with some dolphins, rode the backs of seas turtles, and saw multitudes of fish that covered the spectrum of colors. Not to mention just getting some fantastic beach time. There wasn't much to do except take long walks, a few naps, eat fresh seafood, and get some much-needed R & R. So on our return to Sherwood Forest, the landscape looked a little different 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 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.

Valentin's Offer
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
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.

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:

Art Gallery Stroll
The Saugatuck/Douglas art galleries have gotten together for a winter gallery stroll event over the weekend of February 14-15. 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.

Wine Dinner
Join the folks at Everyday People Café for their wine dinner on February 20 at 6:30 p.m. It's the Chef's Favorites Wine Dinner, with 5 courses paired up with some fantastic wines from down under and culinary and vine elucidations guaranteed to please your senses. For more info, visit ttp://everydaypeoplecafe.com or call 269-857-4240.

Fat Tuesday
On February 24, enjoy the Mardi Gras Parade at 7 p.m. This New Orleans-style parade will meander through downtown Douglas and end at local restaurants and bars for prizes and dancing. For more info, call 269-857-1438.

Film Series
The Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will present Pray the Devil Back to Hell. This is the gripping account of a group of brave and visionary women who demanded peace for Liberia, a nation torn to shreds by a decade-old civil war. Combining contemporary interviews, archival images, and scenes of present-day Liberia, the film recounts the experiences and memories of the women who stood up to their country's tyrannical leader and brutal warlords, in order to bring peace to their tormented country. Screenings are at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 2-4 & 6-7. For more info, call 616-395-7403 or visit http://www.hope.edu/arts/knick/.

The Film Institute of South Haven will present the movie Once on February 8. A Dublin-based busker and vacuum cleaner repairman enters into an interesting relationship with a piano-playing florist who can't afford a piano of her own. Together they discover each other's talents. As their musical sensibilities quickly converge, they soon are determined to record an album together. The film's theme song, Failing Slowly, won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Song of the Year. For more info, call 269-637-1041 or visit http://www.southhavenarts.org/fish.

Cooking Demonstration and Tasting
Experience culinary artistry during these demonstration classes with Chef Jim LaPerriere, featuring symphonies of flavor, colorful dishes, and unique presentations, along with Q&A and tasting at the SCA. Class type: A Romantic Do-Ahead Menu for Two on February 4 and Valentine's Sweets on February 11. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or http://www.sc4a.org.

Theater
Next in the line up for the Great Performance Series on February 13 is The Illiad, Homer's epic story of Achilles and the Trojan War. Told in the context of the Normandy invasion of World War II, the performance is an action-packed, intense evening of drama. On February 14, the wide range of the company will be seen the next night when they turn to Comedy of Errors, one of Shakespeare's most vibrant and sparkling comedies. The performances are at 7:30 p.m. at the Knickerbocker Theatre, downtown Holland. For more info, call 616-395-7890 or visit http://www.hope.edu/arts/gps/20082009.html.

Jazz
On February 22 at 2 p.m. head to the Saugatuck Center for the Arts for the Sky Hempy Keyboard Performance Series featuring Steve Talaga, who has been performing professionally for more than 25 years. Chosen as the West Michigan Jazz Society's 2008 Jazz Musician of the Year, he is co-leader of Mind's Eye, a jazz quartet with four compact discs to its credit. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Folk/Americana
On February 28 at 8 p.m. at the SCA, Grand Rapids-based artist Drew Nelson will perform his simple, direct expressions via mere melody and a handful of guitar chords. His songs make a mark in his home state of Michigan. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org.

Jazz/Blues
There is some awesome music being played at the What Not Inn (a neat little restaurant) every Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays (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.

Hope College Visiting Writers
Next in the line up on February 16 is poetry writer Lynne Thompson, who won the 2008 GLCA New Writers Award for Beg No Pardon, a collection of poetry that reflects on the journey of life from childhood through adulthood. Her poems seduce and confront and refuse to be anonymous--or they revel in the transgressions anonymity affords. She will be reading from selected works at the Knickerbocker Theatre, downtown Holland, at 7 p.m. For more info, call 616-395-7000 or visit http://www.hope.edu/vws/.

Museum Exhibition
Through February, The Holland Museum will present The Paintings of William Kubiak, an exhibit of accurate representations of Michigan's native peoples. A Grand Rapids artist and historian, Kubiak took it upon himself to both research and visually represent Michigan's original inhabitants. He wanted to know what a Miami looked like, how a Pottawatomie dressed, how a Huron fixed his hair. Thirty-six of these paintings are being exhibited, all of which focus on Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. For more info, call 888-200-9123 or visit http://www.hollandmuseum.org/.

Exhibitions
Yesterday on the West Michigan Pike with Photographs by Vincent J. Musi will be on display through March 2 at the SCA. Internationally acclaimed photographer Musi spent 2 weeks during the summer of 2008 photographing people and places along US Route 31, often referred to as Michigan's Route 66. The 40 striking color prints included in this exhibit capture the timeless beauty and traditions of a unique slice of Americana. For more info, call 269-857-2399 or visit http://www.sc4a.org..

Art Classes
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 2 1/2 hour open studio session for all levels of artists. Participants should bring their own supplies. The model's pose lengths can be arranged according to the classes' preference. This is not an instructed course. Classes will be held at the SCA on Thursday mornings in February from 10:00 - 12:30 pm. For more info, visit www.sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399 .

Book of the Month
Bill's book of the month is Waking Giant: America in the Age of Jackson by David S. Reynolds. Reynolds provides a broad survey of the United States of America between 1815 and 1848, commonly referred to as the Age of Jackson. After reaffirming its independence from England in the War of 1812, the United States emerged as a world power brimming with a cast of first-generation American politicians, soldiers, scientists, writers, and artists. Jackson helped found the modern Democratic Party while the Whigs grew weaker due to divisions over the slavery issue. The Republicans emerged in the 1850s as a party of abolition and free soil. This book offers a fine addition to the literature on pre-Civil War American history. 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

February 5-7,12-15,18-21, The Spitfire Grill, Holland Civic Theatre, Holland
February 13-14, Holland Chorale, Love Notes V, Park Theatre, Holland
March 8, Film Institute of South Haven, Camp Forgotten
March 7-8, Wine Maker's pre-release dinner, Fenn Valley Winery
March 14-15, Pre-Tasting from the barrel, Fenn Valley Winery
March 11, Visiting Writers Series, Francine Prose, Fiction, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
March 14, ST. Patrick's Day Festival, Saugatuck
March 21-22, Pre-Tasting from the barrel, Fenn Valley Winery
March 31, Great Performance Series, Quartet San Francisco, Holland, 7:30 p.m.
April 13-18, I've Loved You So Long, Knickerbocker Theatre Films Series
April 16-18,23-26, Love, Sex and the I.R.S., Holland Civic Theatre, Holland
April 16, Visiting Writers Series, Minton Sparks, Spoken Word Poetry, Knickerbocker, 7 p.m.
April 25, Winemaker's Dinner, Fenn Valley Winery

From the Sherwood Forest Files:

This simple recipe comes to us from an immortal who was traveling around the globe for the bazillionth time. He said he was a sailor originally from Phoenicia, and we were like hmmmmm. He told tales no one could of made up, they were of great maritime adventures on the Erythraean Sea, of Atlantis before it disappeared in to the mists. Of doors and hallways through the slipstreams of time. He did give us a simple dish, which is said to heal and prolong.

Osiris' Baked Acorn Squash

Ingredients

1 acorn squash
1-tablespoon butter
Cinnamon
Sugar
Ginger
Nutmeg

Cut 1 acorn squash in half. Scoop out seeds. Put 1 teaspoon of butter in the center of each half, then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, ginger, and nutmeg. Place both squash halves in a pan with 1/4 inch water and bake at 350°F for one hour. Serves 2.

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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