Travelers Times

Howdy all!

        There’s no excuse for being bored in Michigan, especially if you’re at the Sanctuary at Wildwood.  There is a limitless array of things to do, places to go, foods to sample, goods to buy and stories to be told.

    All of our area farmers markets are overflowing with summer favorites such as corn, zucchini, watermelons, cantaloupe, onions, tomatoes, peppers and more.  All the BEST of summer eating so let’s fire up those grills!

    We look forward to seeing all of you soon so we are sending a short calendar of events for the next few weeks to help you plan your visit.

Aug. 27          Mars Spectacular: Enjoy Our Perfect View

   The Red planet is about to be spectacular!   Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history.  The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.  Due to the way Jupiter’s gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

   The encounter will culminate on August 27^th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky.  At modest 75-power magnification, mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye.  Mars will be easy to spot.  At the beginning of August, it will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.

   By the end of August, when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30 a.m.  That’s pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history.  So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month.

Share this with your children and grandchildren.  No one alive today will ever see this again.          

Sept. 2 – 5                 Labor Day Incentive:

   For a lot of people, Labor Day means two things: a day off and the end of summer.  Stay two nights and get the third for $100.00.  Just for you, we will rustle up our chuckwagon dinner on Sunday evening—free to you!  Guests enjoy a genuine cowboy menu, with all the fixin's, served in buffet fashion including a Dutch oven cobbler for dessert.

Sept 9 - 11                 PAW PAW WINE FESTIVAL

Don't miss this fun annual event.  Enjoy the wine tasting, stomping of the grapes, crafts, food and music.  Wonderful way to spend a memorable weekend.

Sept. 18 – 24             St. Joe County Grange Fair

    This is touted as one of the top five fairs in the state.  The fair will be featuring hot country stars Trace Adkins and Billy Currington.  Harness racing, bull riding, truck pulls, fair rides, food and more.  Lots of good old fashioned FUN!

Oct. 9th                      Fall Color Tours

   There’s no better way to savor the excitement and diversity of fall color than with a drive through the state’s rural countryside. Spectacular views appear at every bend in the road in some areas. We have a special fall color tour map just for you that meanders through Amish Country.  Many of these routes also offer opportunities to stop at nearby parks, forests and nature preserves.

    Take advantage of Mother Nature’s bounty and enjoy a beautiful self-guided driving tour of the fall colors in the area.  The tour includes Hidden Marsh Sanctuary and our LAST chuckwagon dinner of the season.

    Those of you who are a little more adventurous might want to bring your bikes and chart your own discovery tour of the fall colors.  Canoe any of our rivers and get a "double dose" of color.  The reflections of the colors on the water are as breathtaking as they are on the trees.

    As part of the color tour, Three Rivers is having their annual fall celebration.  Come enjoy the Scarecrow contest, activities, entertainment and other seasonal attractions.  October is also a gorgeous time to golf so bring your clubs and play a few rounds before packing them away for the winter.

Oct. 28 – 29   Halloween Party

   Halloween at the Sanctuary?  This becomes a haunted Halloween hideaway!  Details available soon.

Nov. 11, 12th            Scrapbook Weekend

    This fun-filled weekend booked up so quickly that we will be planning an additional Scrapbook Weekend in March of 2006.  Dates to follow in the next newsletter. 

November 4 – 6        A "Stamping” Weekend. 

    Looking for a place to relax and work on your projects without interruption? Do you enjoy being around friends that have the same passion for stamping as you do? We are taking reservations now for a stamping weekend retreat. Theme weekends like this are great fun for all involved!  Details and fees to follow in the next newsletter.

Nov. 24th                   Thanksgiving

    Make Thanksgiving at the Inn your ideal get-away.  Make plans to relax at the Sanctuary and enjoy a delicious, care-free (and clean-up free!) turkey dinner with Dick and Dolly.  Moist turkey, Dolly's special dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, mouth-watering homemade rolls, pumpkin pie and best of all…Peterson's Cranberry wine—always a dinner to remember!

     And don’t forget about college football!  It’s time to plan your Notre Dame Game Weekend at Sanctuary at Wildwood.  Stay with us for two nights and get a tailgate lunch for $30 to take with you to the game!

Game Schedule:

September 17           Michigan State         2:30 pm (Indiana time)

October 14                 USC                           2:30 pm (Indiana time)

October 22                 BYU                           1:30 pm EST

November 5              Tennessee                2:30 pm (Indiana time)

November 12            Navy                           1:00 pm (Indiana time)

A few suites are still available for the Labor Day Weekend, please call for reservations.

20% Discount to ALL Active, Retired, and Reserve Military Personnel
 

Make your reservations at the Sanctuary now. Call 800-249-5910.

email: info@sanctuaryatwildwood.com

Website: www.sanctuaryatwildwood.com