The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing, announcing the arrival of another lovely spring here at the Carriage House. The breezes off the lake have warmed, and one could lose themselves watching the majestic masts of the sailboats roll with the gentle waves in the Harbor.
We are thankful for another spring at the Carriage House, and enjoy the bustle of activity as the city of South Haven prepares for the coming summer months. There is so much to do during the warmer months it is difficult to choose which activity to enjoy next! Look through the list of area happenings we have provided in this issue of the Messenger. There are bound to be many that will stir your enthusiasm!
We hope to see you soon!
Suzanne and David
| May 1- June 5 |
Light Up The Sky local artists South Haven Center for the Arts |
| May 1 | Woodcock Walk at Dunes State Park DeGraaf Nature Center |
| May 2 | Girls Afternoon Out Cooking Seminars at Fenn Valley Winery Reservations 269-857-4240 |
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| May 2 | Jennie De Voe Band Folk-Funk-Rock music Think Bonnie Raitt fused with Tina Turner.at SCA |
| May 2 | Jack Tabler guitarist What Not Inn |
| May 2 | Star of Saugatuck Opens Paddleboat down the Kalamazoo River |
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| May 3 | Entyce Croons The What Not Inn |
| May 3- June 5 |
Local Artists Exhibit South Haven Center for the Arts |
| May 9 | Tuesdays in the Park Concerts - Fennville |
| May 9 | International Migratory Bird Day VanRaalte Farm - DeGraaf Nature Center |
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| May 9 | Harry Lucas & The Lowdown Blues Band The What Not Inn |
| May 9 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| May 10 | Mary Rademacher sings at The What Not Inn |
| May 10 | Michigan Volkswagen Enthusiasts GingerMan Raceway |
| May 12 | West Michigan Drum Circle at Felt Mansion |
| May 13 | Holland Farmer's Market Opens |
| May 16 | Farmers Market Downtown |
| May 16 | Steelheaders Pro-Am Fishing Tournament |
| May 16 | Garden Club Plant SaleSaugatuck |
| May 16 | Entourage sings at The What Not Inn |
| May 16 | Annual Wildflower Sale Sarett Nature Center 269-927-4832 |
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| May 16-17 | Ferrari Club of America GingerMan Raceway |
| May 16 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| May 17 | The Michael Holmes Trio The What Not Inn |
| June 2 | History of South Haven in Story and Song Historical Association of South Haven |
| June 3 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| June 3-7 | The Fire Within Exhibit Khnemu Studio |
| June 4 | Thursday's Riverfront Concert Series Riverfront Park |
| June 5-7 | NARRA GingerMan Raceway |
| June 6 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| June 6 | Festival of Cars Downtown |
| June 6 | Entourage sings The What Not Inn |
| June 6-7 | Friends Good Will Sails |
| June 6 | Lake Macatawa Triathlon Holland |
| June 6 | Marcia Ball 4-time Grammy Nominee. "The bayou queen of the piano" will raise the roof with southern boogie roadhouse blues and ballads.at SCA |
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| June 7 | Tim Johnson Trio The What Not Inn |
| June 9 | Tuesdays in the Park Concerts - Fennville |
| June 9 | Gangsters in Berrien County Historical Association of South Haven |
| June 9 | West Michigan Drum Circle Felt Museum |
| June 10 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| June 10-14 | The Fire Within Khnemu Studio |
| June 11-12 | Friends Good Will Sunset Sail |
| June 12-13 | Michigan Flywheelers Swap Meet and Flea Market |
| June 12-13 | Strawberry Festival Hartford |
| June 13 | Entyce croons The What Not Inn |
| June 13 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| June 13-14 | Sports Bike Track Time GingerMan Raceway |
| June 14 | Mary Rademacher sings The What Not Inn |
| June 17 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| June 17-21 | The Fire Within Khnemu Studio |
| June 18 | Riverfront Concert Series Riverfront Park |
| June 18-21 | Harborfest Lots going on in town |
| June 19 | Michigan Viper Club GingerMan Raceway |
| June 20 | Lane Automotive Car Show GingerMan Raceway |
| June 20 | Saugatuck Art & Craft Show |
| June 20 | Annual Classic Wooden Boat Show by the bridge |
| June 20 | Farmer's Market • Downtown |
| June 20 | Christy G sings The What Not Inn |
| June 21 | Michael Holmes Trio The What Not Inn |
| June 23 | The Many Faces of Family and Local History Historical Association of South Haven |
| June 24 | Live Music in the Park Wicks Park Gazebo in Saugatuck |
| June 24 | Farmer's Market • Downtown |
| June 24-27 | The Fire Within Exhibit Khnemu Studio |
| June 25 | Thursday's Riverfront Concert Series Riverfront Park |
The first fruit to ripen in the spring, Southern Michigan's strawberry harvest begins the third or fourth week in June.
The strawberry, a member of the rose family, is the only fruit with it's seeds on the outside. An average berry has 200 seeds.
Have fun picking strawberries at our local farms:
Earl’s Farm Market
South Haven, 269-227-6312
Dutch Farm Market
South Haven, 269-637-8334
Kismit Organic Fruit Farm
Fennville, 616-510-9113
Stovers
Berrien Springs, 269-471-1401
L.H. Piggott
Benton Harbor, 616-925-8079
Call to make sure they are ready to pick and have some berries left!
Picking tips for strawberries:
Always look for dry, firm, bright red berries with fresh green caps on.
When you remove the caps, you tear cells in the berries, activating ascorbic acid oxidase, an enzyme that destroys
Vitamin C.
1. Grasp the stem just above the berry
between the forefinger and thumbnail
and pull with a slight twist motion.
2. With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into your palm.
3. Repeat using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries.
4. Carefully place the fruit into your
containers.
5. Don’t overfill your containers or pack the berries down.
| May 18 | Great Lakes Lotus Club GingerMan Raceway |
| May 22-24 | Memorial Day Weekend Concert Series at SCA |
| May 23 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| May 23 | The Wonder Bread Years Baby-Boomer Comedy at SCA |
| May 23-30 | Wildflower Sale DeGraaf Nature Center |
| May 23-25 | Friends of Good Will Tall Ship Sails |
| May 25 | Memorial Day Parade South Haven 9AM |
| May 26 | Saugatuck Green Market Opens every Friday - parking lot of SCA |
| May 26-30 | The Full Monty Live at the Mason Street Warehouse in Saugatuck |
| May 27 | History of the House of David Historical Association of South Haven |
| May 27-31 | The Fire Within • Khnemu Studio |
| May 28 | Riverfront Concert Series Riverfront Park Concerts throughout the spring & summer |
| May 29-30 | River Valley Kart Club GingerMan Raceway |
| May 30 - 31 | Friends of Good Will Tall Ship Sails |
| May 30 | Farmer's Market • Downtown |
| May 31 | Allegan Antique Market 400 exhibitors Allegan Fairgrounds |
| June 26- July 19 |
The Full Monty Saugatuck's Mason Street Warehouse |
| June 26-28 | Windy City BMW GingerMan Raceway |
| June 27 | Farmer's Market Downtown |
| June 27 | 15th Annual South Haven Cottage Walk |
| June 27- Aug 5 |
South Haven Self-Guided Tour |
| June 27 | Volleyball Tournament North Beach |
| June 27 | Fenn Valley Wine Fest Tours, wine tasting food live music 1-5PM Fenn Valley Winery |
| June 27 | Jack Tabler - guitar What Not Inn |
| June 27-30 | Friends Good Will Sails |
| June 28 | Annual Sherman's Ice Cream Social Hartman School |
As soon as we saw the Carriage House at the Harbor, we were in love. The historic home,
set amongst the hundred year old mature trees, stole our hearts. There is something about this place that soothes the soul. Some call it “positive energy” or perhaps “good karma”. Whatever it is, we feel this is a special place.
When we learned that our beloved inn had earned top honors this year, we felt like proud parents. Named one of the “Top Ten Most Romantic Inns” in the country by ILoveInns.com, as well as voted “Best of the Great Lakes” by BedandBreakfast.com, it has become clear that we are not the only ones who recognize the unique and magical ambiance of the Carriage House.
Can you believe we were mentioned in such prestigious magazines as the LA News, Dallas Morning News, Forbes Travel Guide and more? We are so excited that 2009 has begun
with such prestigious honors, and look forward to welcoming our guests with the warmth
and character that this beautiful place deserves.
Carriage House Harbor • 118 Woodman • South Haven, MI 49090
Phone: 269-639-2161 •Fax: 269-639-2308
innkeeper@carriagehouseharbor.com • www.CarriageHouseHarbor.com