Serving New Buffalo, Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, South Haven, Fennville, Glenn, Douglas, Saugatuck, Holland, Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Muskegon

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Red and Yellow Tulips
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photo: US Coast Guard

Great Lakes historian Dr. Kathy Warnes contributes two items to this issue of Lake Effect Living. The first is a short biography of Captain Henry J. Woods, Keeper of the U. S. Life Saving Service Station at Muskegon. Explore the life of a public servant who was so dedicated to his country that he fought in the Civil War at age 14 -- without enlisting.

GL_10_Muskegon_Storm_1-225pxStorm off Muskegon
photo: Andrea Jaeger Miehls


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In addition, Kathy has submitted a short story, "Fire and Fog". Inspired by an incident relating to the Great Chicago Fire, Warnes' story imagines how it might have affected the life of one Great Lakes light keeper and his family.
Lighting the Lake:
Split Rock Lighthouse

In this issue Lake Effect Living looks at a beautiful lighthouse on the shores of Lake Superior. However a lighthouse isn't erected because of scenic grandeur. One stormy night in late November 1905 two bulk ore carriers foundered on the rocky coastline of what was described as "the most dangerous piece of water in the world." Split Rock Light has stood as majestic guard over the deadly shore since its first light in 1910. Explore the history on our "Lighting the Lake" page.


Split Rock Lighthouse Aerial View

photo: Wikimedia Commons

The west coast of Michigan boasts perfect conditions for growing grapes. The beautiful waters of Lake Michigan prevent extremes in temperatures, which results in a temperate climate and long growing season. In this issue Lake Effect Living introduces a listing of Wineries along the Lake Michigan shoreline. So head out to one of the lakeshore vineyards and enjoy their many exquisite handcrafted wines.

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Food, Glorious Food:
Smoothies
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photo: caliyogurt.biz

Though Waring Blender cookbooks from the 1940's carried recipes for blended fruit drinks, the smoothie really took off in the macrobiotic craze of the 1960's. Today you can enjoy a "healthy shake" by making some of the tasty smoothie recipes found on our Food, Glorious Food page.

MANGO MADNESS SMOOTHIE,
PEANUT BUTTER, BANANA & FLAX SMOOTHIE,
GREEN SMOOTHIE,
FRESH CHERRY SMOOTHIE,
PEACH & SPICE SMOOTHIE,
AUSTRALIAN WORKOUT SMOOTHIE,
COFFEE SMOOTHIE

Photo of two glasses of Peach and Spice Smoothie
photo: TasteOfHome.com
The Summer issue of Recommended Reads reviews:
  • Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime - Non-fiction - by John Heilemann and Mark Halperin
  • I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag: A Memoir of a Life Through Events--the Ones You Plan and the Ones You Don’t - Memoir - by Jennifer Gilbert
  • The Dirty Cowboy - Children's Book - written by Amy Timberlake and illustrated by Adam Rex
  • Bats at the Beach - Children's Book - written and illustrated by Brian Lies
  • Me...Jane - Children's Book - written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell
Life is short, so be on the beach at the right time to catch as many beautiful southwest Michigan sunsets as you can. Like snowflakes, no two are the same. Use our Beaches and Sunset Times pages to make sure you don't miss out.

Don't forget to read the Calendar of Events for June and July. There's always something happening on the lakeshore.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Lake Effect Living photographs
are the work and property of Sharon Pisacreta.