Saugatuck, MI

When you get to Saugatuck, if you have a chance take a cruise down the Kalamazoo River either with a friend or on the paddle boat that leaves from the end of Water Street several times a day.

Sunset cruises are the best. Every sunset is different. They can be gently pink and blue like this one or more dramatic shades of orange.

The river is meandering and quite picturesque with boats, boat houses, and resort homes. Lots to see.

People are friendly and wave as you pass them.

Sunset is a very special time of day - when you want to "hold time in a bottle" and just savour the experience.

Good friends, a bottle and wine and a beautiful sunset - What could be better.

The trip is slow - no wake zone - and affords plenty of time of reflection.

Allow a couple of hours at least for the experience and let go of everything else - on the water there are no problems, no worries only comraderie and beauty.

Once you are in love with Saugatuck - and you will be, go to www.mysaugatuck.com and check out the homes for sale. You can own a Piece of Paradise.

I finally decided that I was going to go to Oval Beach at least once a week. Otherwise what is the benefit of living in Saugatuck? So I am taking time out for myself to spend one hour at the beach at least once a week. Last week I just wandered over there and watched the waves and had a wonderful Chicago Hot Dog at the Beach Stand at Oval Beach. Really fantastic with onions, fresh tomatoes, and dill pickle. I just sat there and let the gentle breeze caress my body. Then I finally understood the Old Testament saying that God was in the gentle breeze. It was so glorious that it almost brought tears to my eyes. This is what life is all about. The kingdom of God is NOW!

I went back to Oval Beach again yesterday for another hot dog and to take a swim. Now I am traveling around with my lawn chair, noodle, towel, swim suit, etc. at the ready in my trunk. Ever ready for a great day at the beach. It was fantastic! Everytime I go to the beach, it is a new experience. Last time it felt like a God touch and this time I felt like I was eight years old again.

I am no spring chicken but with my noodle out in the waves - this is the closest thing to being eight years old again that I will ever experience but with much more appreciation. The water temperature was perfect and the waves bouncy. All my arthritic aches and pains disappear in the water. Grab a good friend and your sun hat, sun glasses, and noodle and get to the beach! Life is a crap shoot so enjoy every day. When it is all over, you won't regret not having worked more but you will regret missing days at the beach. See you at Oval Beach. Life is a cabaret - Your chair is waiting. And while you are here, check out the real estate at mysaugatuck.com.

Ted Swoboda of Swoboda Images did it again. He climbed to the top of Mt. Baldy over looking the beautiful town of Saugatuck, Michigan.

Perched high above the harbor, Ted snapped some wonderful images of this years fireworks.

Saugatuck has three fireworks displays throughout the year and Ted is over gracious enough to send these photos to his friends. (Glad I'm one of them.)

My bride and I enjoyed the fireworks from ground level at the harbors edge, it was an awesome display once again.

Take the time to visit Ted's web site for local photos, he does a fantastic job. Thanks again Ted.

Al-Van Humane Society set up at Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt last Saturday with puppies, dogs and kittys to take applications for adoption. We are hoping to make this an annual event.

It was organized by Mike Bojko and Edie Spencer of our office and well attended by about twenty five visitors, one of whom signed up to adopt one of the puppies and one of whom dropped off a cat that he was unable to take with him when as he was moving.

This is a great event for recognition in the area for the office. Here is a photo the Humane Society people in green and the realtors in whatever.

Realtors include (standing from the left) Dee Dee Hanson, Mike Bojko, JJeff Wilcox, Tammy Watson-Small and Edie Spencer I am holding my little mascot Papillion, Ilsa. She was not a rescue dog. You can see a larger photo of her at my website www.mysaugatuck.com.

During the event, Tammy Watson-Small had to rescue a bird which had fallen out of the nest over our entry way. This seems to be the season for rescuing birds!

The phone number for the Al-Van Humane Society is 269-637-5062.

This event generates free publicity from the media and is a great community service. It really requires very little effort on our part - only a tent for the animals to sit under. The Humane Society does all the work. You might want to consider such an event in your location.

Here is the photo of Tammy with the bird in her hands.

The Waterfront Film Festival will be returning to Saugatuck on June 12th through the 15th. This is a lot of fun with about four different venues going all day long. You can order your tickets right on line and they are very inexpensive. You can sign up at www.waterfrontfilm.org and they will send you a list of the films as soon as they are ready. Make your reservations and come on over! If you missed Cannes, you don't want to miss this too. See you there. Dee Dee Hanson, Associate Broker, CB Woodland Schmidt, www.mysaugatuck.com