After the leaves have fallen and the days have gotten shorter, nothing can warm up a cold day like sharing. Of course, while November is a month of gathering the family and giving, others can't wait to get into the holiday spirit early. Here are a few things for you and some of your loved ones to do this month, prior to the snowfall.
Before the craziness of the holiday season begins, consider taking a mini-autumn vacation. Head to the Kirby House (294 Culver St.) in cozy Saugatuck and have a weekend away with your honey or group of friends. Sign up to master the art of French cooking with a weekend long class at the bed and breakfast. Chef Ray Riker will host a cooking class on Nov. 6 and 7 that will focus on a menu similar to what Julia Child learned while living in France. He'll be teaching the ins and outs of chopping, seasoning and cooking, all for a worthwhile conclusion; enjoying the foods with a perfectly paired wine.
"This is a great girlfriends weekend," Jim Gowran, who is part-owner of Kirby House, said. "We get lots of women who just want a weekend away before the madness of the holiday's starts!"
The modest class size allows one-on-one attention and encourages you to get to know your classmates, as a Friday evening meet-and-greet begins the class while the official class kicks off on Saturday at 12 p.m. For $495 per couple, you'll receive a complete weekend away: two nights, gourmet meals, and the souvenir of your experience and knowledge you've absorbed.
If you missed out on the cooking class and you're too comatose from Turkey Day, get out of the house and see the Saugatuck Sparkle, a family fun event in Saugatuck on Friday, Nov. 27. Show up at Wick's Park just before 7 p.m. and wait for the Village to set aglow with thousands of lights. This mesmerizing event should start anyone's Christmas season off on the right foot. Stick around late or come early to walk the streets to enjoy the lights in their full glory. Get prepared to enjoy the shopping of downtown or grab dinner at one of Saugatuck's awesome restaurants. Wick Park Bar & Grille (449 Water St, Saugatuck) has a menu to make anyone happy and is located near the water and festive lights.
Another opportunity to get in the festive Christmas mood is stopping by the Festival of Giving, a three-day event that allows the Holland community to admire an array of decorated trees and wreaths displayed at Claremont Court (29 W 8th St, Holland) Nov. 21-23. On the Nov. 23, the public can attend an auction to purchase the festooned trees and wreaths. All the proceeds go to the Holland Free Health Clinic (99 W 26th St, Holland), who provides healing ministry by assisting those in need of health care in the Holland/Zeeland area.
Still in downtown Holland and have some Christmas shopping to take care of? Stroll the sidewalks of 8th Street and revisit the memories of summer with fresh fruits and veggies. Check out the many homemade items available at The Holiday Kertsmarket, which will be downtown on weekends, starting after Thanksgiving. Vendors will be selling yummy warm treats, greenery and Dutch knick-knacks perfect for hiding under the tree next month.
If nothing else sparks your Christmas mood, perhaps a good old fashioned decorated tree will do the trick. Head on out to the Muskegon Festival of Trees for a 10-day event of festive fun. Beginning Nov.19, the activities include a Party in the Pines, a spiffy night of jazz and cocktails and a Teddy Bear Breakfast on Saturday for the kiddies. Besides the multitude of professionally decorated trees, there will be music, food, gifts and more.
Though celebrated in Mexico and by North American Latinos on Nov. 2, the Day of the Dead is the focus of the Muskegon Museum of Art's (296 W Webster Ave, Muskegon) Super Saturday program on Nov. 14. Take advantage of the free admission and learn about this ancient holiday that offers respect to those who have passed away. Watch a film, get a tour and decorate a skull replica at the museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Sushi Night at CitySen Lounge, Thursday nights
Before the weather turns cold and the roads become undrivable (yes, winter is coming again), head out to experience some lakeshore color, food and activities.
Apples come in many forms: big Red Delicious, small and tart, but there's nothing that beats apple cider and doughnuts. The best place to go is Crane's Orchard (6054 124th Ave., Fennville). West Michigan grows some great apples and Crane's is one place that has bragging rights, as they've been around since 1917, growing several varieties of apples on 200 acres of orchard. You can go out with a basket and pick until your heart's content for 65 cents a pound.
Not so much into the juicy fruit? Just wait till the sun goes down. After dark, they have a 3D special effects barn and the haunted corn maze. Creeps and ghouls will pop out of nowhere to give you a seasonal fright. The fun starts Oct. 2 and runs every weekend until the end of the month beginning at dark and ending at 10 p.m. If you're not into running around in the dark, head out there earlier and finding your way through the corn maze. It's open daily and $7 for adults, $5 for kids under 10 and free for those under 5 years of age.
Not sure where to grab a light dinner on a Thursday evening? Check out CitySen Lounge's Sushi Night, every Thursday from 7-10 p.m., located in Holland's only LEED certified Hotel, City Flats Hotel (7th ave, Holland). The menu is full of hand-rolled sushi dishes including fish dishes and vegetarian options. Live music every week adds a bit of ambiance while Chef Rash rotates around the bar and hand-rolls sushi with fresh ingredients right in front of you. Pair that with a glass of wine or a saké beer and expect a worldly evening out at one of Holland's hottest bistros. Prices range from $2-7 and no reservations are required.
About It! series, Oct. 15 with GR Ballet
Lectures get a bad rap for being boring. The Saugatuck Center of Arts is putting fun and informational back together with their "About it!" series with talks about art, design and culture. On Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Michigan's only professional Ballet Company-The Grand Rapids Ballet Company-is scheduled to appear in the series. This special appearance will feature a behind-the scenes look at dance, a conversation with internationally-acclaimed artistic director and choreographer Gordon Peirce Schmidt (see an exclusive interview with Schmidt in the dance section), as well as a sneak peak at the upcoming season for the GR Ballet and a demonstration of some dance moves.
"Dance is going to be the next hot craze," says SAC Executive Director, Kristen Armstrong, "we're excited for the Ballet to come and share."
Admission to the talk is free and donations are accepted. Tickets for the Ballet's upcoming season (September through May) will also be available to purchase at the lecture.
With fashion changing as fast as fall is approaching, downtown Grand Haven is turning the second block of Washington Ave. into a fall fashion runway. On Oct. 3 at 1:30 p.m., various shops from downtown Grand Haven will feature fashions and styles for all ages and people will strut their stuff down the street. Shops include Dock Side Clothing (41 Washington Ave # 170), Down to Earth (105 Washington Ave), That Hat (41 Washington Ave # 135), and many more. For $10 you'll also be able to enjoy live music and food from local restaurants, as they will have a spread of samples for you to taste. If you don't have $10, no worries. Just bring a gently used instrument to donate, as this event is partnered with the Spread the Music Foundation, and your fee will be waived.
