Harbor Country is known for our exciting yearlong calendar or artistic and exciting events. We enjoy consistently celebrating art and the many wonders that branch from it. As a result, we always have something new and exciting to take part in – no matter what season it may be.

As we steadily approach Christmas and the New Year, Harbor Country is preparing for some highly anticipated events. We’re already in the midst of the holiday season, but let us tell you, there is still so much to look forward to.

Check out these amazing upcoming events to take advantage of if you are a resident or just visiting for the holidays.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

Dec 15 – 16, 2012

Saturday, December 15, 2012 9 PM EST

Sunday, December 16, 2012 5 PM EST

Location: Silver Creek Event Center at the Four Winds Casino, 11111 Wilson Rd., New Buffalo

Website: www.fourwindscasino.com/events/index.asp

If you have an affinity for the performing arts, this is something you’ll want to see. Created by Cirque Dreams, which is an American theatrical production company, this winter-themed production, is a must-see. A mix of audio and visual pleasures, the colors, costumes, musical renditions of holiday favorites as well as original scores captivates any audience.

Opera at The Acorn: Annual Christmas Show

Image Courtesy of: www.harborcountry.org

Dec 22, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Location: The Acorn Theater

Website: www.acorntheater.com

 
As a local tradition, come experience the annual Christmas show taking place at The Acorn Theater. Enjoy free hot roasted chestnuts during the show. You will witness stunning vocal stylings of four fantastic singers including Martha Cares, an Acorn favorite mezzo-soprano. Sing along to holiday favorites as the whole audience is tied harmoniously together by the spirit of the holiday.

In Harbor Country, we have a wonderful collection of interesting breweries, distilleries and wineries that make for a fun learning experience when you’re in the neighborhood. If you’re a large fan of spirits, especially around the holiday season, or have a loved one who considers themselves to be an enthusiast, we have just the place to take them!

 
Relatively new to the Harbor Country family is the Journeyman Distillery. First opening its doors in October of 2011, this fully organic distillery boasts a rich history within its walls and a modern notion of utilizing only the purest ingredients from the earth.

 
They’re all about helping the local farmers and putting things in your body that are pure. “Journeyman believes organic demonstrates a respect for the land and its people.” They explain via their website. Journeyman Distillery is a large supporter of the land around us and the goods, which are produced by it. They urge us all to be conscious and eat “with a sense of place.”

 
Coming up in December, you can take a gander at the distillery, hear about the history of the building, learn of the ongoing journey of the Journeyman Distillery and end your trip with a sampling of the goods! On December 1^st and December 8^th, there are still available spots. If you’ll be staying at Garden Grove Bed & Breakfast either of these weekends, it’s only a very short car ride away and is going be something you’ll definitely want to check out!

While nothing can quite replace this unique blend of flavors, we a have a couple great recipes that come close! Check out these awesome ways to integrate the pumpkin spice flavor into your Thanksgiving meal this year and give your friends and family a reason to give thanks for your culinary genius!

Chocolate-Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

For The Crust

20 chocolate wafer cookies (half a 9-ounce package)

2 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For The Filling

2 packages bar cream cheese (8 ounces each)

1 cup sugar

1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin puree

3 large eggs

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

 
Directions

1.)    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides. Set aside.

2.)    In a food processor, blend cookies with sugar until finely ground (you should have about 1 cup crumbs); add butter, and pulse until moistened.

3.)    Transfer crumb mixture to prepared pan, and press gently into bottom. Bake until fragrant and slightly firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.

4.)    Place cream cheese in food processor; blend until smooth. Add sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, flour, pumpkin-pie spice, and salt; process until combined. Set aside.

5.)    Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until melted. Add 1 cup pumpkin mixture; stir to combine. Set aside.

6.)    Pour remaining pumpkin mixture into prepared pan. Drop dollops of chocolate mixture onto pumpkin mixture; swirl. Bake until cheesecake is set but jiggles slightly when gently shaken, 40 to 50 minutes.

7.)    Cool in pan. Cover; chill until firm, at least 2 hours (and up to 2 days). Using overhang, transfer cake to work surface. With a knife dipped in water, cut into 16 squares. Serve.

Ginger Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus room-temperature butter for pan

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (1 3/4 cups)

3 large eggs

Sugar Glaze, (optional)

Directions

1.)    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour two 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch (6-cup) loaf pans (see note, below); set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugars, pumpkin, melted butter, and eggs; add flour mixture, and stir until just combined.

2.)    Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of loaves comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes; invert pans and transfer loaves to a wire rack to cool completely. Glaze, if desired.

Thank you, MarthaStewart.com for these amazing recipes that will undoubtedly keep our kitchens smelling fantastic this week. Check out MarthaStewart.com for these and more amazing recipes for Thanksgiving and the rest of your 2012 holiday meals! Also be sure to check out Garden Grove Bed & Breakfast’s Recipes page for a list of our customer’s favorite recipes!

The Help for Southwest Michigan Advocacy Center is all about helping the community. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Help for Southwest Michigan is entirely volunteer based and aims to assist residents in becoming self-sufficient by using the resources the organization offers them. Anyone is welcome to volunteer his or her time, services, talents or financial funds to the organization – there is no political or religious affiliation.

There is a wide range of resources made available to the public through the organization’s website, Help4SWMI.org. They offer an alphabetical directory making it simple for community members to find the services they seek. Useful resources include help furthering education, animal aid, support fighting against substance abuse, medical assistance, senior care and much more. For those who wish to volunteer their time to those in need, there is also a full list of volunteer services to participate in.

 
Charity is a large part of what makes a community tick. Without the good nature of our neighbors, so much of the services and resources we have at our disposal would not be available to us. If you live in Harbor Country or wish to visit for some holiday shopping, relax with local winetasting or just a romantic getaway, and wish to contribute to a charitable cause this holiday season – we have the perfect event for you.

On Saturday, November 17^th, 2012, Craig Smith Gallery and Timothy’s Restaurant are hosting a wonderful Benefit Dinner for Help for Southwest Michigan Advocacy Center at the Gordon Beach Inn. Take this unique opportunity to enjoy a sophisticated evening filled with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the gallery and followed by a gourmet three-course dinner at Timothy’s. Tickets are $60 per person, but for this event Garden Grove Bed & Breakfast would like to extend the following offer:

Stay 2 nights at Garden Grove Bed & Breakfast on Nov 16 & 17
Receive 2 tickets to the 3-course dinner at Timothy’s! ($120 value)

B&B Standard room – $298

Jacuzzi/Fireplace – $398

Call 800-613-2872 for reservations!

New Jersey was slammed with an aggressive smack to its shore sending a reported 13-foot wave of sea at NYC – higher than predicted. The surge of water caused subsequent flooding of subways and tunnels throughout New York City as the storm left the city in widespread darkness.

The darkness seemingly covered the area with the exception of the fires that raged through Breezy Point, a borough of Queens, NY that had been under mandatory evacuation. The private beach community was hit with more than one of Mother Nature’s destructive elements, combatting high winds, flooding waters and blazing flames – those which destroyed dozens of homes despite firefighter’s attempts.

According to The National Hurricane Center, as of very early this morning, the storm was moving across southern Pennsylvania and centered about 90 miles west of Philadelphia.

Michigan, too, is said to be preparing for the wrath of Superstorm Sandy. Our state will be feeling her presence in the form of wind, waves and rain. As reported by The Detroit News, winds created large waves on the Great Lakes. This has caused ships to seek shelter, cut off power to thousands and ruined countless Michigan and Midwest travel and transit schedules.

Also reported by The Detroit News, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System offered information that area winds were expected to crank up overnight peaking at 50 and 60 mph. With the wind comes storms on the water; waves on parts of Lake Erie and Lake Huron are predicted to reach over 20 feet today.

While Hurricane Sandy is beginning to calm herself, the damage is not over. Those most heavily affected by the storm are still at the mercy of the storm as weather warnings continuing to press on. It’s apparent the devastation from the storm has taken a financial and emotional toll on the U.S. especially and will certainly take time to recover from.

…Read CNN updates on Hurricane Sandy by clicking here.

If you’re a resident of Harbor County or have visited in the past, you know there is always an abundance of fun and exciting activities and events to partake in. As proud members and enthusiasts of Harbor Country, Michigan, Garden Grove Bed and Breakfast loves to keep our visitors up to date on all there is to do. We want to help you get the absolute most out of your stay here and by taking part in area activities, we assure you’ll get just that! Take a look at just a few of the Halloween festivities coming up soon. Get your ghoulish gear on and get ready to do the “Thriller” at these and other spooky Harbor County events!

Halloween Festivities

Hausefest 2012 Halloween Bash – October 27^th, 2012
Time: 07:00 PM To 12:00 AM
Location: Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Dr, Three Oaks
Website: www.events.org/hausefest2012
Phone: 269-469-2090
“Kurt Hauseman and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Charitable Foundation will host a fundraising event to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

You will be treated to a night of fun including Musical Entertainment, Food presented by Harbor Country’s® favorite Restaurants, Silent Auction, Dancing, Halloween Costume Contest, and Testimonials from families that have benefited from Ronald McDonald House.”

Three Oaks Lions Club Haunted House – Oct 5 – 27^th, 2012
Time: 07:00 PM To 11:00 PM
Location: Watkins Park, Nels Dr, Three Oaks
“Friday and Saturday evenings in October! Be prepared to be SCARED! Not suitable for small children. Meet at Watkins Park for the hay-ride of fear!”

Halloween Costume Party @ Fitzgerald’s – Oct 27^th, 2012
Time: 09:00 PM
Location: Fitzgerald’s, 5875 Sawyer Rd, downtown Sawyer
Website: www.fitzsawyer.com
Phone: 269-426-3489
“Ghoulish fun and freaky festivities are the order of the night, so get togged up and get on down to Fitz for drama on the dance floor with DJ Milroy. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes by our roving judges, so strut your stuff and be seen but not recognized!”

New Buffalo Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat – Oct 28^th, 2012
Time: 01:00 PM To 04:30 PM
Location: North Thompson, New Buffalo
Website: www.newbuffalo.com
Contact: Bonnie Keefer
Phone: 269-469-3715
“Participated in the New Buffalo Halloween Parade & Trick or Treat! Judging starts at 1:00 SHARP, then parade steps off at North Thompson Street, trick or treat is scheduled 2:30 – 4:30 pm. For additional information, contact Bonnie Keefer @ (269) 469-3715”

Spooktacular! –  Oct 27^th, 2012 (Family Friendly)
Time: 07:00 PM To 09:00 PM
Location: NB Twp Memorial Park, 17425 Red Arrow Hwy, New Buffalo
Phone: 269-469-2933
“New Buffalo Township Library and Park brings you creepy stories to wrap up the spooky trails with s’mores and coco around the fire.”

The above are just a few of the great ways to celebrate the Halloween season while vacationing in Harbor Country. Click here to see a full list of upcoming activities from HarborCountry.org and stay posted to see more updates from your friends at Garden Grove Bed and Breakfast! Have a safe and happy Halloween!