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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Lost to the Lake: The Disappearance of the Alpena
Drawing of the wreck of the steamship Alpena in a storm in 1880
The sidewheel steamship Alpena went down in 'The Big Blow' of 1880. Wreckage washed ashore for several years, and a beach north of Holland is known as Alpena Beach because her paddlebox nameboard was found there in 1909. But she still has not been found on the bottom of Lake Michigan. Learn more on our Lost to the Lake page.

Stormy waves on the water
photo: Google Images


Picture outside Sunrise Orchards Farm Market
Despite this summer's drought conditions, lakeshore farmers markets still offer a wide array of local produce, plants and baked goods. Visit our Farmers Markets page to learn when and where to get the freshest goods near you. Most of the markets run through October, while a few stay open well into November.

Lighting the Lake:
Marquette Harbor Light

In this issue Lake Effect Living looks at the light station leading ships into the safe harbor at Marquette on Lake Superior. Mining companies convinced the government to build the first light in 1853. The elements quickly took their toll and the light had to be rebuilt in 1865 to protect the supply of iron ore. Explore the history on our "Lighting the Lake" page.


Picture of the Marquette Harbor Light Station

photo: Marquette Maritime Museum

The warm spring, late April frost and subsequent hot summer resulted in an early, albeit diminished, apple harvest this year. Though the crop was reduced by the weather, the apples are still delicious. Make sure to visit our Apple Orchard page earlier than usual this year, and plan on picking some of your favorites soon. With fewer apples available, the reduced crop is certain to go very fast.

Closeup picture of red apples hanging in a tree

Food, Glorious Food:
Paninis
Picture of a Chicken Caesar Panini
photo: recipe.com

We call it a grilled sandwich. To Italians, it's a panini. No matter which name it goes by, a panini is one of the most popular and versatile sandwiches around. And while a panini press is not mandatory, if you do develop a taste for these delicious sandwiches, think seriously about investing in a press. Meanwhile pull out a skillet, grab some bread and sandwich filling....and enjoy!

CHICKEN CAESAR PANINI,
TUNA AND ARTICHOKE PANINI,
ROASTED VEGGIE PANINI,
ITALIAN ROAST BEEF PANINI,
TURKEY AND TOMATO PANINI,
PROSCIUTTO PROVOLONE PANINI,
CAPRESE PANINI


Picture of a Roasted Veggie Panini
photo: allyou.com
The Summer issue of Recommended Reads reviews:
  • Gone Girl - Fiction - by Gillian Flynn
  • Dead of Night: A Zombie Novel - Fiction - by Jonathan Maberry
  • Beaten, Seared, and Sauced: On Becoming A Chef at the Culinary Institute of America - Memoir - written by Jonathan Dixon
  • Lady of Devices and Her Own Devices - Victorian Steampunk Fiction - written by Shelley Adina
  • If You Give A Dog A Donut - Children's Book - written by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond
  • A Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes - Children's Book - written and illustrated by Salley Mavor
  • Zoe Gets Ready - Children's Book - written and illustrated by Bethanie Deeney Murguia
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 August and September. There's always something happening on the lakeshore.

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