Victoria Resort in South Haven Michigan

Holland's Tulip Time is Ahead of Schedule for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:53:00 +0000

Photo courtesy of Tulip Time Festival brochure

Holland, Michigan celebrates their Dutch Heritage every year in the week leading up to Mother's Day. The city plants thousands of tulips throughout town, lining six miles of city streets.

The unexpected warm weather has accelerated the blooming of tulips, resulting in a blitz of media attention to announce that the tulips are ready! When Tulip Festival has no tulips, local residents call it "stem fest".

Of course, the festival celebrates more than just the flowers themselves. The Klompen Dancers are one of the main attractions, as over a thousand Dutch Dancers perform throughout the week. Wearing the classic wooden shoes and attire patterned after the traditional attire of Dutch provinces, the dancers have been an intregal part of the festival for over fifty years.

Throughout the week-long festival, there are wooden shoe carving demonstrations, traditional Dutch foods to sample, tulip planting & care tips, Dutch style decor, hats and of course, wooden shoes to take home.

If you would like to see the tulips this April or enjoy the festivities at Tulip Time, keep in mind that South Haven is only a thirty-five minute drive from Holland. This year's festival begins on Saturday, May 5th through Saturday, May 12th. If you need accommodations for a group of gals or a family, consider a cottage rental from the Victoria Resort. The rooms in the bed and breakfast are ideal for couples, with cozy fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. Reservations can be made through the website http://www.victoriaresort.com/ or by calling 1-800-473-7376.

Wood-Fired Al Fresco Comes to South Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:34:00 +0000

(Photo borrowed from Google's Street View)

The iconic building at the corner of Eagle and Kalamazoo Streets in downtown South Haven has served a variety of purposes, originally a service station, more recently housing Sea Glass Cottage Decor, and now serving as the home for Brix. The Marcoux family has been working hard this spring bringing in the wood-fired brick ovens and necessary equipment. According to Jay, "Brix" will be ready for families & friends who visit South Haven this summer.

The Marcoux family has already shown steady success with the Phoenix Street, South Haven Catering and Cafe Julia at the Pavillion. We're excited to experience Brix!

2012 Update: Cottage rentals in South Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 01:36:00 +0000

Summer at the Victoria Resort - there's simply no better place to be!

June 9 - 16: Save 20% off the regular weekly rate. Cottage B, Cottage C and Cottage D are available.

June 16 - 23: It's Harborfest on day one, and it's all fun. Cottage E, Cottage B and Cottage C are available.

August 18 - 25: Cottage B and Cottage E are available

When you're ready to make your summer vacation plans, call us directly. But don't wait too long! Looking forward to seeing you this summer!

South Haven's Beaches - Seven and Counting

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:53:00 +0000

South Haven's location on Lake Michigan make it a favorite destination for beach-goers, but many visitors only know about the two iconic beaches near the lighthouse. There are many more access points throughout the city, so here's a quick list from the north to the south.

Newcome Beach - a long walkway from North Shore Drive marks this small public beach access point. The historic Newcome Resort was located here over a hundred years ago, and today's visitors will park along North Shore Drive just south of Baseline Road to access the shore.
Oak Street Beach - a small parking area can host six to eight vehicles, and like Newcome, this beach access has more of a neighborhood beach feel as most visitors walk from the surrounding area. This beach is closest to the Victoria Resort.
Packard Park - A semi-circular driveway from North Shore Drive offers plenty of parking, and a bathroom facility plus some picnic tables are available away from the heat of the beach. This is a relatively long stretch of sand and is located just north of Dyckman Avenue.
Dyckman Avenue Beach - Cross the drawbridge to the North Side and where Dyckman Avenue ends is the Dyckman Beach. Frequently overlooked for the larger, flashier North Beach, this particular access offers a fair amount of parking and a gentle stretch of stairs to the shoreline.
Woodman Beach - Located at the intersection of North Shore Drive and Woodman Avenue, this public beach access is often mistaken for a private parking area. The sand slopes gently down to the waterline, and a short walk past the lakefront homes would bring you to the edge of the North Beach.
North Beach - Volleyball players, concession stand and the most famous cruising strip in South Haven mark the famous North Beach. Aside from all of the comotion, this is a fabulously long stretch of sandy beach and it's a good walk from the parking area to the waterline.
South Beach - The South Beach is best known for it's easy access to the pier featuring South Haven's historic lighthouse and catwalk. Less explored however, is the long stretch of sand passing by Saint Basil Church and the neighborhoods to the south.

Several other unofficial (but still public) accesses are scattered about the area, so feel free to ask the innkeeper at the Victoria Resort about Deerlick or 114th Street or one of the other less popular destinations.

South Haven's Foundry Hall features eclectic sound

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:30:00 +0000

Foundry Hall is known for bringing a wide range of musical styles, from folk singer troubadours to jazz ensembles. The common thread throughout the year is always exceptional, talented musicians whose music defies convention. Saturday, March 24th, Foundry Hall continues it's long-held tradition of non-traditional artists with "Kinobe and the African Sensation."

Kinobe is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer whose early abilities in traditional African music quickly garnered acclaim on the world stage. The African Sensation are premier Ugandan performers representing the inspired synthesis of African roots and global fusion. Driving polyrhythms underlay transcendent melodies on traditional African instruments- koras, kalimbas, adungus, endongos, balaphon, and percussion- to show, once again, that music is the universal language.

The performance begins at 7:30 pm, and tickets will be available just prior to the show. However, purchase tickets online to enjoy discounted admission. For a long, musical weekend plan to attend the Friday evening concert by Montana Skies and include a stay at the Victoria Resort Bed and Breakfast.

South Haven's Foundry Hall looks to Montana Skies

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:25:00 +0000

A must see live concert experience: a duo with the full spectrum of an orchestra crossed with the energy of a rock band. Jennifer and Jonathan Adams create a “new acoustic” sound with their pairing of cello, six-string electric cello, Spanish/classical guitar and steel string guitar. Their music has been featured everywhere from NPR to the Travel Channel. Jennifer Adams' blazing electric cello and Jonathan Adams' guitar wizardry combine to create a sound that is truly remarkable.

The performance is scheduled for Friday, March 23rd at 7:30 pm at South Haven's Foundry Hall. Tickets can be purchased in advance through FoundryHall.com. Visitors coming to the South Haven area for the weekend can reserve rooms at the Victoria Resort Bed and Breakfast.

Sherman's Dairy Still Scooping in South Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Sherman's Dairy began as one of several dairies in the South Haven area in the early 1900s. A horse-drawn wagon would deliver milk to local residents in glass bottles. In the 1950s, one of the Sherman boys started tinkering with ice cream, making small batches in a small freezer. Within a few years, the focus shifted to all ice cream all the time and Sherman's Dairy continues to produce ice cream one batch at a time.

Sherman's Dairy Bar is located just east of South Haven on Phoenix Road, and now boasts a menu of fifty flavors during the peak of the summer season. The classics like Butter Pecan, Mint Chip and Blue Moon have their honored places in the freezers, but then Sherman's will roll out Pistaschio, Black Raspberry Supreme and Coconut Almond Fudge.

When visiting Sherman's, there are a few things you should know. Experienced customers know that you never ask for a double or large, because the counter staff at Sherman's are never bashful with their servings. Inside, you can help yourself to a free cup of coffee or a glass of water - one of the few places that still offers such a service! For those who find the ice cream irresistable, there are gallons of your favorite flavors available and with a cooler & dry ice, you can make the drive all the way home safely! (One of the guests at the Victoria Resort did this successfully from South Haven to Indianapolis so he would have his winter supply of Sherman's ice cream)

If you're headed to South Haven, Sherman's Dairy Bar opens at the beginning of March each year and closes at the very end of October.

Michigan's West Coast welcomes the Third Coast Guitar Trio

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Saturday, March 17th is typically reserved for incredibly loud and overplayed Irish jigs to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Foundry Hall is challenging the established rules by bringing the amazing talents of "Third Coast" to the stage.

In 1992 Miles Kusik formed the Third Coast Guitar Trio with classical guitarists Jackie Zito and John Hosley. Since then they have performed across Southwest Mich., and have added Jane Vaught and Ron Cleveland to form the Third Coast Ensemble. Their instrumentation includes guitar, mandolin, mandola, octave mandola, Irish tenor banjo, concertina, harp and voice. Third Coast's purely acoustic musical styles run the gamut from classical to modern, Americana to American Songbook, novelty to swing.

Tickets can be purchased at the door prior to the show, but discounted tickets can be purchased online through http://www.foundryhall.com/. Overnight accommodations for families or couples can be reserved at the Victoria Resort (http://www.victoriaresort.com/).

Caravan of Thieves hits South Haven Michigan - Foundry Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 23:15:00 +0000

Friday, March 16th at 7:30pm, Foundry Hall welcomes "Caravan of Thieves" for an evening of foot stomping, toe tapping, rousing tunes.

Driving gypsy jazz rhythms, acoustic guitars, upright bass and violin lay the foundation for mesmerizing vocal harmonies and fantastic stories. It's theatrical, humorous, musical and intense. It entertains, dazzles and defies classification while welcoming the spectator to join the band throughout the performance in claps, snaps and sing-alongs.

If Django Reinhardt, the cast of Stomp and the Beatles all had a party at Tim Burton's house, Caravan of Thieves would be the band they'd hire.

Tickets for the performance can be purchased at the door just prior to the show, or purchase in advance through http://www.foundryhall.com/.

Two and three bedroom guest cottages are available at the Victoria Resort, or couples may opt for one of the beautifully appointed guest rooms in the bed & breakfast.

Fenn Valley Winery - Food & Wine Pairing Weekends

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:46:00 +0000

March 10 & 11 ~ March 17 & 18

Fenn Valley Winery has been producing wines for nearly thirty years, and somehow they've never lost the desire to educate and share their knowledge with new wine drinkers. The staff is often wearing jeans and sneakers. At certain times of the year everyone on the crew is helping with bottling and Doug still grudgingly heads to the fields in the dead of winter to pick grapes to make the highly coveted ice wine.

This March, Fenn Valley is introducing to the public their newest wines from the harvest this past fall. It's a sneak peek, because the wines have not fully matured yet. In fact, the wines presented will be ready for pick up this June. But the big draw is the casual, fun and educational tasting and pairing with food. According to the folks at Fenn Valley:

"During this event, we try to unravel some of the mysteries that seemingly surround a successful wine and food pairing, hopefully helping you understand why some wines pair better with certain foods than others. On top of that, we are giving you a sneak peek at some of the wines that will be released during the coming summer, including two red wines from the fabulous 2010 vintage."

Reservations are strongly suggested for this event, due it's popularity with locals and the high number of returning visitors. Fenn Valley can be reached at 269-561-2396, or visit their website for detailed information about the event.

Visitors to the area are invited to reserve accommodations at the Victoria Resort in South Haven, Michigan. Door-to-door driving directions are available, as well as a certificate for a pair of Fenn Valley wine glasses as a keepsake.

The Crossing comes to South Haven's Foundry Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Foundry Hall has welcomed musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds, including young punk garage bands to classical guitarists. On Saturday, March 10th the hall will be filled with Irish & Scottish tunes from the musical group "The Crossing".

The Crossing have been performing a mix of traditional Irish and Scottish, as well as original songs and tunes, since 1984. Though all members but one are natives of the U.S. (Hilde the cellist is from Norway), the roots run deep to the celtic soul that allows their original songs to fit seamlessly with, and be infused by, the old tradition. The themes in their music vary from pure story-telling, accounts of hardship & victory, to setting celtic prayers and psalms to music, to jigs & reels.

Reserve tickets in advance through the Foundry Hall website, http://www.foundryhall.com/. Overnight accommodations are available at the Victoria Resort of South Haven.

South Haven's Foundry Hall welcomes the Bronk Brothers March 9

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Michigan Flywheelers and the Bronk Bros. Band present an exciting night of music, drinks and dancing to raise funds for the Flywheelers Museum! The Bronk Bros, fronted by the brother duo of Heath and Brian Bronk, began their music journey in 1997. They best describe their show as a "Rockin' Hillbilly Extravaganza" - an out of control, pedal-to-the-metal, in-your-face musical journey. The duo uses a mixture of Country and Rock to create their original music and sound.

The Michigan Flywheelers are located just three miles east of South Haven, with a museum and working sawmill for demonstrations.

Those headed to the South Haven area are welcome to join in the fun at Foundry Hall, and are invited to reserve accommodations at the Victoria Resort Bed & Breakfast. Tickets for the performance can be obtained through http://www.foundryhall.com/ and room reservations can be made through http://www.victoriaresort.com/.

South Haven welcomes Paul Vondiziano to Foundry Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:58:00 +0000

South Haven's Foundry Hall welcomes classical guitarist Paul Vondiziano to the stage for a performance this Friday, March 2nd at 7:30 pm.

Paul Vondiziano plays music from Bach to Mediterranean composers with brilliant technique. "An aristocrat among guitarists" is how Dutch music critic Evert Lutz described Vondiziano after hearing him perform. "Vondiziano proved himself a soloist of distinction." Vondiziano was born in Larnaca, Cyprus, where he began his study of the guitar at the age of eight. He continued his education in the U.S. in both philosophy and music, and holds a Master of Music degree from Duquesne University.

Tickets are available in advance through the Foundry Hall website (http://www.foundryhall.com/) or at the door just prior to the performance. Overnight lodging is available at the Victoria Resort (http://www.victoriaresort.com/), a longtime supporter of Foundry Hall.

Ice Breaker Festival heats up South Haven this February

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:10:00 +0000

Ice Breaker Festival is the hottest festival during the coldest time of the year, and South Haven is gearing up for the fun on February 3rd, 4th and 5th.

Ice Breaker Festival Map, 2012

Downtown will literally be buzzing with chainsaws as carvers tackle big blocks of ice on the sidewalks. Watch as professionals, students and amateurs go to work with chainsaws, irons, routers, chisels and a host of other tools. Judging begins at 2 pm, with the awards presentation at 5:30 pm in Foundry Hall.

Plan a light breakfast for the day of the chili cookoff, because the public not only enjoys free samples of the competing chilis but they also are the judges. Pick up a ballot to score each sample on heat, consistency, flavor and other factors. Ballots are quickly tallied that afternoon, and bragging rights (plus an awesome trophy to display) are awarded in the evening.

The ice skating rink will host performances by three synchronized skating groups. The Western Michigan University synchronized skating team will be back this year, as well as Grand Valley State University's team and Skater's Edge of West Michigan. Saturday afternoon performances will be 1:30 to 2:15pm and 3:30 to 4:15pm, so bring your camera to capture these talented performers.

For adult participants, the "Pub Slide" focuses on a different method of warming up. Stop by participanting bars and restaurants for special beverages, entertainment and more. South Haven Yacht Club's deck party on the river is always a hot spot, while Joe's Bar & Grill will have a fire pit, BBQ pit, heaters for the outside patio and live music. The Black River Tavern will host a "Don't Break the Ice" challenge Friday evening and live music by TimVelez on Saturday.

Bitter-Sweet Acres will have their team of Belgian horses offering wagon rides through the streets of downtown, sponsored by Chemical Bank in downtown South Haven. In addition to the wagon rides, there will also be a heated bus sponsored by Mervenne Beverage.

Lodging is available for rooms in the bed & breakfast at the Victoria Resort in South Haven. Festival maps and event schedules will be provided to all guests that weekend, and the Getaway Packages are also available. Reserve two nights in select rooms and cottages to receive $50 towards dining in downtown South Haven for free. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-473-7376 or reserve online at http://www.victoriaresort.com/.

South Haven's Cafe Julia Offers Winter Warm Ups

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:27:00 +0000

This winter, Cafe Julia presents a new menu geared toward the modern, mature crowd seeking a little warmth after time spent outside. Located within sight of the outdoor ice skating rink, Cafe Julia already has an outstanding reputation for coffee, lattes and other specialty morning drinks.

Jay and Julia, the owners, have introduced new offerings perfect for the evening hours. Their "small plates" menu includes some warm comfort foods, such as the melted Gouda on sourdough with a cup of tomato soup and a crock of homemade mac 'n cheese. The edamame, tossed with olive oil, sea salt and garlic, is a little more cutting edge. The Mediterranean plate includes hummus, grilled pita and tasty Mediterranean olives. Best of all, these are small portions at a reasonable five dollar price.

The cocktail offerings are worth noting, because what could be better than watching the snow fly with a warm drink in hand? Autumn Mist features hot tea with a twist of Grand Marnier and the Fireside cocktail includes cider, honey, lemon, ginger, bitters and Makers Mark. Local residents extoll the espresso martini, which includes the house made Kahlua, vanilla vodka and chilled espresso.

For those with a sweet tooth in the evening hours, the Italian Almond Torte and Mocha Latte Torte are divine - beautiful to behold and heaven in each bite. The surprise success through, has been the Affogato. An affogato is a traditional Italian espresso-based treat that you’ll find on the menu at many Italian restaurants, as well as at many cafes serving espresso and other coffee drinks. The full name is really “affogato al cafe” or “drowned in coffee,” in Italian. The name really suits the dessert, as it consists of a scoop of ice cream/gelato with a shot of espresso poured over the top.

Venitia Sekema performs at Foundry Hall in South Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:27:00 +0000

Foundry Hall welcomes singer/songwriter Venitia Sekema with musician Danny Dine for a performance this Friday, January 30th at 7:30 pm.

Venitia's style is hard to pin down, a typical performance ranges from delta Blues to uptown Jazz, down-home Country to the most modern Folk. Even with so much variety, the audience connects with what she has to say, since deep down she has the heart of a storyteller, and each person can find something in her songs that relates to their own life. Sekema's brand new album, "Boomland," is about achieving dreams, empowerment, love....lost and found, a little bit of heartache, humor and hope.

If you are headed to the South Haven area this weekend, tickets for the show are just $5 per person and can be purchased in advance through http://www.foundryhall.com/. Overnight accommodations are available at the Victoria Resort Bed & Breakfast in South Haven.

Cottages at Victoria Resort for Weekly Rental - 2012 update

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:24:00 +0000

While the calendar still reads winter, the summer season is on the horizon. The Victoria Resort's guest cottages are available for weekly rentals in June, July and August. The following weeks are available as of this posting:

June 16 - June 23, two bedroom/one bathroom Cottage D, featuring a beautiful whirlpool tub in the bathroom, king bedroom with flatscreen tv/dvd, living room with large fireplace and flatscreen tv/dvd, second bedroom with a bunkbed. $1470

June 16 - June 23, three bedroom/three bathroom Cottage C, offering space for a big family gathering with two queen beds and two twins, large living room with a fireplace, $1630

June 23 - June 30, two bedroom/one bathroom Cottage B, one queen, two twin beds, bathroom with extra long whirlpool tub, screened porch. $1470

July 14 - July 21, two bedroom/one bathroom Cottage A, one queen, two twin beds, nice size living room, eat in kitchen and long screened porch. $1470

July 21 - July 28, two bedroom/one bathroom Cottage D. $1470

August 4 - August 11, three bedroom/three bathroom Cottage E, $1630 and two bedroom/one bathroom Cottage A, $1470. Together, they accommodate ten people for a great family reunion opportunity!

August 18 - August 25, two bedroom/one bathroom Cottage B, $1470

August 25 - September 1, the very last week of summer! If you stay the week, you have the option of adding on two more nights at only $100 per night to stay through Labor Day (Monday, September 3rd).

If you are looking for any other weeks in June, July or August, please call us directly. This is the time of year that the most changes happen, and there may be a spot open that we haven't had time to post! Get ready for your summer vacation in South Haven by calling 1-800-473-7376.

Winter Sports in West Michigan (and the best place to recover)

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:42:00 +0000

After a very long wait, snow has arrived in West Michigan. The sleds, snow shoes, skis, boots, gloves and assorted winter gear will finally have a purpose.

Sarett Nature Center, a non-profit organization, offers cross country skiing on their property. Nearly five miles of trails loop through the lowland marsh, the upland prairie and a particularly beautiful stretch goes through a grove of pine trees. Snow shoes are also available to rent, and designated trails are available for anyone on snow shoes. Sarett Nature Center is located just off I-196, about twenty minutes from South Haven.

Timber Ridge is celebrating fifty years of downhill skiing, and has opened all runs & lifts on their ski resort. Snowboarders are welcome to have some fun on the resort, and of course the tubing runs are great for kids of all ages and sizes. Timber Ridge is located in Gobles, Michigan - about a forty-five minute drive from South Haven.

Once again, the Victoria Resort Bed & Breakfast has teamed up with Timber Ridge to put together the ultimate ski package. Stay two nights, and two all-day lift tickets are included! Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the inn, hit the slopes, then return in the evening to enjoy the warmth of the whirlpool tub and fireplace in your room. Packages begin at $135 per night, depending on the room selected. Rooms at the Victoria feature large whirlpool tubs, gas fireplaces, and even some guest cottages with wood fireplaces.

The city of South Haven proudly reports that the outdoor ice rink is open six days a week for public skating time - more than any other rink in the area. Each evening the snowflake lights illuminate the rink, and just steps away are local restaurants, bars and coffee shops to warm up. This is also the second year that the South Haven Ice Rink has offered curling, a sport less familiar to most winter enthusiasts. To read more about opportunities to try curling, click here.

Packing the Kitchen for a Week in South Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

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, Mayo: Bring the basics to keep kids happy, or bring the upscale versions to spice up your meal times.
BBQ, Ranch and Italian Dressing: For dipping, for dousing burgers and for keeping the kids happy. Of course, the Italian dressing can double as a marinade.
Can of Cooking Spray: Even the open one from your cupboard will be fine - it's only a week!
Zip Bags: Pack a variety of zip bags into one large bag. You'll need a few for munchies, marinating grill food and saving some leftovers. Use a quart size bag for some basics from home (sugar, ground coffee) to make packing easier.
Disposable Drinkware & Sharpie marker ~ Let the kids write their names or make their mark on their cup for the day. It will save your stack of cups and settles arguments!
Disposable Plates & Silverware: Perhaps not the most eco-concious item to pack, but it sure saves a lot of dishwashing (it is a vacation, after all)
Paper Napkins & Paper Towel: There's a roll of paper towels provided, but your family may need more.

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

South Haven to host the Queen's Cup in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:28:00 +0000

The Milwaukee-based Queen's Cup annual yacht race will come to South Haven in 2012. The Milwaukee club announced it has accepted the South Haven Yacht Club's invitation to host the 2012 Queen's Cup, the organization's 74th annual race. Next year's race will begin in Milwaukee the evening of June 29 and finish in South Haven throught the day on Saturday, June 30th.

“We are pleased to have South Haven as our finish destination in 2012,” Queen’s Cup Committee chairman Dave Wehnes said in a written statement. “All can join the excitement of the post-race festivities in South Haven where I expect that the hospitality will be outstanding.”

“The Queen's Cup is a terrific way for us to showcase South Haven, a premier Lake Michigan beach town and boater's paradise,” South Haven Mayor Bob Burr said in a news release.

More than two hundred craft take part in the event every year, and requires nearly 1,400 crew members to make the 76 mile crossing of Lake Michigan. The finish line will be located about a mile off shore, with the replica tall ship Friends Good Will marking the official end of the race.

Visitors to the area this June should be able to spot many of the yaghts on their last leg of the journey from the beaches. Guests of the Victoria Resort are encouraged to pack a pair of binoculars for an even better view of the participants. Reservations for rooms in the bed and breakfast should be booked soon for the best availability.

A New Restaurant in South Haven with a Familiar Face

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:26:00 +0000

Sophie's Steakhouse opened the doors very quietly in October, and as the months have passed the opinions have started circulating around town. Fabulous food, beautiful decor, melt in your mouth dry aged beef...

You may recognize the owner from his three other successful restaurants in the area - Tello Bistro, the Pullman Tavern and the Thirsty Perch. Dave Militello is keeping busy with all four establishments this year!

If you're headed to South Haven, Sophie's Steakhouse is open seven days a week for dinner. Less than a mile away, you'll find the Victoria Resort Bed & Breakfast, where every room has a cozy fireplace to enjoy after a fabulous meal at Sophie's. For Sophie's menu, visit http://www.sophies-steakhouse.com/. For room reservations, visit http://www.victoriaresort.com/.

What is Curling? South Haven invites you to find out!

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:00:00 +0000

Say the word "curling" and the most common reaction is confusion or a brief moment of recognition, and then it's gone. Banish the images of the Revlon curling iron, because the hottest sport in South Haven Michigan takes place on the ice rink this winter.

For most people, their exposure to curling came through the Winter Olympics television coverage of the event. It was like shuffleboard on ice - highly controlled, incredibly serious and not much fun. Contrast that to the raucous, laughter filled pavilion in downtown South Haven, and you can see why so many people are trying curling in South Haven.

The random factors make curling at South Haven's rink fun - a dusting of snow, a breeze from the east instead of the west, the mixture of young and old participants, the multitude of approaches to sliding the forty pound granite stones across the ice. You might meet Barb one evening, whose Canadian heritage includes previous experience in curling. You'll find the rink manager running around the facility, but when Spencer decides to place a stone in dead center there's no stopping him. One of the gals is notorious for falling down every time she releases a stone...and her aim is deadly, although the delivery is unconventional.

New participants are welcome any time. Tuesday evening, the rink is ready for curling around 7:15pm and Saturday morning stop by around 10:30am. The cost is $10 per person, and all of the stones, sweeps, blocks and other supplies are provided. Wear several layers of warm clothes, boots or shoes with decent traction, hats, gloves...and a smile, because this is going to be fun!

Resources:
http://www.shicerink.com/ for skating times, curling information and contact phone number.
http://www.victoriaresort.com/ for overnight lodging in the area (and ask Amanda about curling!)

Spicy Cheese Quick Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:14:00 +0000

I found this recipe on AllRecipes.com while chatting with Lacey about some ways to prepare for the onslaught of family and friends during the holiday season. The challenge during this season is to be a gracious hostess, prepared for the unexpected. Our expertise has always been in the breakfast arena, so having a few tricks up our sleeves for those other two meals can come in handy! This sounds particularly tasty, so I'm loking forward to giving it a try!

Spicy Cheese Quick Bread, for a 9 x 5 loaf pan
Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions
1.Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan and set aside.
2.Mix flour, baking powder, salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and Cheddar cheese together in a large bowl. Whisk in half-and-half cream, milk, and vegetable just until blended. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
3.Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

All creative credit goes to "ecolter" on AllRecipes.com.

Ice Rink Opens for the Season in South Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:57:00 +0000

The ice rink in downtown South Haven has opened for another Michigan winter, and this year the indoor space has been expanded. The additional 2,000 square feet comes from the former Carlson and Associates real estate office. A doorway was opened between the original rink office space into the new space, giving skaters additional space to don their skates and warm up indoors.

The iconic rink is housed under the large pavilion downtown, and the skies darken, the snowflake lights provide a romantic touch for evening skaters. Just steps away is Cafe Julia, which welcomes skaters with hot chocolate, lattes and new this year, adult beverages like red wine, hot toddies and Irish coffee.

Visitors to South Haven will find the daily passes and skate rental quite affordable, at only seven dollars per person for a full day of skating. The rink is open every day of the winter season, beginning on Thanksgiving Day through the beginning of March.

Martha Bassett in South Haven Michigan November 26

noreply@blogger.com (Victoria Resort in South Haven) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Raised on the bluegrass and gospel native to West Virginia farmland, then later classically trained with her crystal clear voice, Martha Bassett has a signature blend of jazz, folk and country. That unique blend is what audience members react to - combined with her crystal clear voice and heartfelt honesty. Foundry Hall is thrilled to introduce Bassett to South Haven for a performance on Saturday, November 26th. Tickets are available through the Foundry Hall website, http://www.foundryhall.com/, or can be purchased at the door just prior to the 7:30 pm performance.

Visitors to the South Haven area can find exceptional lodging and packages at the Victoria Resort Bed and Breakfast that weekend, as the area opens it's doors for the bright, beautiful beginning of the holiday season. For more information about guest cottages and room reservations, visit http://www.victoriaresort.com/.