HAVE FUN WHILE YOU LEARN AT THE COTTAGE & LAKEFRONT LIVING SHOW
NOVI, MI – February 26, 2009 – Spring is just around the corner and the second annual Cottage & Lakefront Living Show at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, February 26 – March 1, is just the place for new ideas, cost saving projects and other ways to enjoy your cottage more.
A giant medieval sandcastle built by Sand Pirate Janet Schrader of Fairy Godmother Services in Lakeside, MI is one of the show’s special features. She also will offer lessons on the art of sand sculpture from towers and stairs to doors and windows. Showgoers will have the opportunity to turn a pile of sand into sandcastles at The Beach, a giant sandbox complete with sand and carving tools, to participate in a sandcastle contest on Saturday and to storm the castle on Sunday.
Michigan artists will be the focus of the Whisper in the Woods fine art show that includes nature and wildlife sculpture, photography, woodcarvings, watercolors and oil paintings for sale. Photographer Dallas Carlson of Holland will exhibit nature and wildlife photography and share stories and tips from his 20 years of experience taking photos during his presentation of “Nature Photography at Your Cottage.” Other artists’ exhibits will include photography inspired by light from Ron Neihoff of Grand Rapids; angling and sporting watercolors from David Ruimveld of Vicksburg; three-dimensional topographical wood presentations of lakes from Dennis Hinklin of Kalamazoo; Great Lakes landscape and lighthouse photography from Steve Huyser-Honig of Grand Rapids; fine woodworking using Michigan hardwoods, primarily maple, cherry and black walnut from Lisa Ramlow of Pinckney; layered mixed media from Lori Taylor of Pinckney; pencil and ink nature art from Marie Rust of Pinckney; wildlife paintings from Durwood Coffey of Westland and aerial photography of Michigan lakes, islands, cities, bays and marinas from Aerial Graphics of Grand Rapids.
Cottage succession planning will be one of the seminars offered by experts at the Cottage Living Stage. Attorney Trey Brice of Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C. in Southfield will present “Keeping the Family in the Family Cottage.” He will explain family trusts or corporations that can be used if families wish to keep their cottage for several generations and how to avoid increased property taxes upon transfers.
Learn how to protect Michigan’s beautiful lakes by using phosphorus-free fertilizers, alternatives to pesticides and natural cleaning agents during “Protecting the Great Lakes Starts with You and Your Home” workshop presented by Melissa Damanschke of the Sierra Club.
Travel writer and book author Jim DuFresne will highlight “Kayaking Adventures in Michigan” and reveal trips for veterans who own their kayak or first timers who need guides, lessons and rental information.
French voyageurs will journey back to the Fur Trade Era and explain the customs, clothing, tools and trade items during the historical reenactment created by The Voyageurs from the Huron Clinton Metro Park Authority. Discover the pleasure of bird watching at “Start Birding! A Beginner’s Guide to Bird Watching” presented by the Detroit Audubon Society.
Antique wooden boats will be exhibited by the Michigan Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. Attendees will judge photos that best depicts cottage and lakefront living at the Water & Woods Photo Contest Display.
The show is sponsored in part by Michigan BLUE magazine. Rock Financial Showplace is located on Grand River Avenue between Novi and Beck Road in Novi. Show hours are from 2 – 9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10; $4 for children 6-14 and children 5 and under admitted free. Internet Express Tickets are offered online and come with a free pair of flip-flops. Free crossover admission from the Cottage & Lakefront Living Show to Outdoorama. On site parking is available for a fee. For more information, visit www.CottageAndLakefrontLiving.com or call (800) 328-6550.
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MEDIA NOTE: Releases and photos of products or services from the show can be e-mailed to you or are available at our Web site. Contact Nancy Rosen (248) 540-3197 or nancyr@showspan.com