A Week in South Haven - Packing the Kitchen

If you're planning a family vacation to South Haven, there are a few tips to make packing a little easier.  Here are some ideas for the kitchen...
Aluminum Foil ~ Works perfectly for wrapping up a few leftovers or wrapping potatoes for the grill
Salt-Pepper-Garlic ~ Use an old spice container for a mix of sea salt, ground pepper and a little garlic powder.  It's an easy, all purpose seasoning for steaks, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and more.
Ketchup, Mustard, BBQ, Ranch & Italian ~ For dipping or dousing burgers, and the Italian dressing can double as a marinade.
Zip This Up ~ Use a quart size bag for sugar and ground coffee, and it's less to pack when you head home.

So what can you leave at home?  Dish soap, dish cloths & dish towels, garbage bags, coffee filters and dish soap.  Feel free to write with any questions as you begin to pack...and if you have any ideas to share, feel free to post them below!

Light Up the Lake Fireworks in South Haven

South Haven's annual fireworks display is scheduled for Monday evening, July 5th.  The sparks fly at dark for the best viewing by everyone along the shore...typically closer to 10:30 pm.  If you're planning to be in South Haven for the show, we have few suggestions.  Bring an extra layer for the cool lake breezes and a couple of beach towels for the sand.  Since the fireworks are set to music, consider bringing a portable radio to tune in to Cozy 98.3 FM.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Michigan Maritime Museum tall ship sails on May 28

The Michigan Maritime Museum opens the sailing season May 28th, 2010 aboard the replica tall ship "Friends Good Will".  Throughout May the single mast sloop was scrubbed clean, checked over and re-rigged for the busy summer ahead.  On Friday, May 28th the museum hosts a "blessing of the fleet" at 4:30 pm, and that evening is the first scheduled sunset sail on Lake Michigan.

Most visitors to the area will notice the sizeable wooden mast along the docks as they cross the drawbridge in South Haven. The Victoria Resort is located three blocks away from the Michigan Maritime Museum and the docks, which makes for an easy walk to your sailing adventure.  Explore your options for afternoon or sunset sail on the Friends Good Will and your lodging options at the Victoria Resort.

Michigan's Foundry Hall welcomes Jamestown Story on May 20

Thursday, May 20th at 7:30 pm South Haven's own Foundry Hall brings an acoustic/pop/alternative one-man-band from Minnesota to the stage.  Jamestown Story, formerly known as And Then I Turned Seven, started is an American acoustic indie rock band from Duluth, Minnesota that formed in 2003. Jamestown Story is now a one-man band consisting of vocalist/guitarist/bassist/drummer Dane Schmidt. The band has toured 35 states in the US since 2005, and has amassed a large worldwide following through Myspace and other social network and music-based sites. The band's best-known songs include "I Miss You" and "Goodbye (I'm Sorry)."  Advance tickets are available on the Foundry Hall website or at the door for a little more.

Southwest Michigan welcomes guitarist David Grier May 18

Bluegrass/New-grass guitarist David Grier performs Tuesday, May 18th at Foundry Hall in downtown South Haven Michigan.

The most award-winning guitarist in recent memory is David Grier. For the past several years, he has been voted by the members of the International Bluegrass Music Association as Best Guitar Player of the Year. He has appeared on two Grammy-winning recordings: "True Life Blues-A Tribute to Bill Monroe" and "The Great Dobro Sessions," and is included in the book, "1,000 Great Guitarists." He was inspired to play guitar by Bill Monroe, whose band included Grier's father, Lamar, in the mid 1960's.

Listen carefully and watch his fingers fly over the frets on a video posted on Foundry Hall's website. Use the site to purchase tickets in advance, or get tickets at the door for a little more.  Indulge a few other senses with an elegant room at the Victoria Resort and our delicious full homemade breakfast in the morning.

South Haven's Foundry Hall presents...May 14th

Friday, May 14th Foundry Hall welcomes the Lowdown Brass Band and George Worthmore: genre-defying - New Orleans-style eclecticism; ragtime, blues, Bach and a nine-piece brass band!

George Worthmore's show is a tour de force of solo acoustic guitar: Ragtime to Blues, with some Bach thrown in for luck. The music is interlaced with humorous comments and amusing stories about the songs and his experiences. The Lowdown Brass Band from Chicago is a nine-piece, horn-driven ensemble with strong roots in the New Orleans 2nd Line Tradition. While taking a page from the jazz and blues giants of the past, the LDB melds funk, hip-hop, reggae and pop into a style all their own.


On Foundry Hall's website, there's a 3 minute video clip of George playing solo acoustic guitar - and twice he is asked the name of the songs.  His response?  "Yeah, I don't know - I made it up"  At 1:55 in the video the tempo really picks up - amazing!

Come kick up your heels in South Haven over the weekend. Accommodations are available at the Victoria Resort Bed & Breakfast, the restaurants will feed you well, the residents will greet you with a smile and you'll be glad you came to visit.  Get tickets for the show on the Foundry Hall website in advance, or at the door for a little more.

South Haven Steelhead Fishing Tourney May 15

South Haven hosts the annual Big Jon Pro/AM Steelhead Fishing Tournment on Saturday, May 15th.  This is always great fun for the spectators as they bring in their catch.  Head down to the south beach (where the pier and lighthouse are located) to catch a glimpse of this serious tourney in action.  Eligible for the tournament are Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead or Rainbow Trout. With a top prize of $5000 at the pro level and $2500 for the best amateur catch, it's a hot competition no matter what! Fishing begins at 6:45 am and by 1:30 pm all boats must be between the piers.  Weigh-in will be conducted after 1:30 pm at the South Side Marina, which is halfway between the pier and downtown.