The Seeker

The Seeker

     The sculpture the Seeker 3 Oaks, MI      The Seeker sculpture is a refurbished stainless steel public art piece by Foster Willie      Location  The sculpture is situated in Jean Clark Park in the village of 3 Oaks, Berrien County, MI. It’s placement is designed to highlight the summer solstice, making it both seasonal and cultural landmark for the community.      Artist and Design The artist  was Foster Willie.  It is a medium large, interactive stainless steel sculpture.      Concept The design is intended to engage visitors and connect with the natural light and seasonal changes particularly around the summer solstice.

United Church of Christ

United Church of Christ

This church building at 5712 Sawyer Street, Sawyer ,MI is an old piece of the town history. It was built in 1888. It was previously used by the Christian United Church of Christ. It has a traditional church layout that evolved over the years. 1888 Sanctuary It was originally a simple one room white frame building. Construction costs were $950.; 1927 Structural Relocation The building was moved 20 feet from the road and raised on newly constructed full foundation basement. 1974 Education wing The congregation officially expanded the original 1888 church property by building the educational wing on the west side of the main structure. Structural Additions The project added two dedicated class rooms for Sunday School and adult faith formation. It also delivered a new kitchen and a large all purpose fellowship room to support community meals and local events Site enhancements To accommodate the foot print of the new wing and increase in traffic,the church simultaneously leveled and improved and paved its main parking lot. The current status of the building is uncertain. There is no signage at the site. A real estate web site describes it a for sale. Another site lists it as sold.

        And You Seas is a soaring public sculpture located at the mouth of the Saint Joseph River where it meets Lake Michigan in Saint Joseph, Michigan.

Quick facts about the sculpture

      The artist: Created in 2002 by the world renowned abstract American sculptor Richard Hunt

    Dimensions: roughly 50 to 55 feet tall and is crafted from 8 tons of welded stainless steel.

     Location: Situated at the north end of Silver Beach County Park right along the South Pier

     Purpose: Commissioned through the KrasilArt center as a memorial to Patrick J. Kinney, an avid sailor and former board president of the art center.

Symbolic Design Elements

Richard Hunt incorporated specific nautical themes into the abstract metal work to honor Kinney’s maritime passion:

     The Base: features stylized sweeping curves that mimic cresting waves and rippling water.

     The column: The tower mimics the vertical form of the nearby historic St. Joseph Lighthouses

      The peak: abstracted shapes at the very top evoke soaring seagulls and and fish.

     The inscription: Hidden on the side is the text “D63”, which was Patrick Kinney  actual sail number

     The name: The title originates from a 1951 poem by Saints John Perse, A French Surrealist poet and Nobel Prize winner, expressing a deep love of the sea.

Jesse Owens 1913–1980 Renowned track and field athlete 4 Gold Medals 1936 Berlin Olympics Humanitarian and Civil Rights Advocate On this property stood the house of Jesse Owens and Family, all beloved Gowdy residents

This is historical plaque for Anita King (Anna Keppen). She was born in Michigan City, Indiana. She was orphaned by age 14. Anita went on to become one of the first female race car drivers. She then turnedto to a career as a silent movie actress. Smith’s career took off when she became the first women  to drive alone  across the continental United States.  Her only companions for the drive were a rifle and a six shooter.After she retired from the movie industry,Anita began breeding race horses and started a safehouse for young women in LA.. Despite facing doubt, discrimination and other hardships, she never let anything stand in the way of her goals. She is honered here because Anita herself is a symbol of courage, determination and feminine strength. May she  inspire kindness and determination every day

Oink’s Dutch Treat

     Oink’s Dutch Treat is a beloved, family owned ice cream parlor in New Buffalo, MI serving over 50 flavors of Ashby’s ice cream in a whimsical pig themed environment.     Oink’s was founded by Roger Vink, a long time P.E.teacher at New Buffalo High School who retired after 20–25 years in the early 1980’s.  During summer breaks, Vink and his wife Sharon visited Baldwin, Michigan and were inspired by the lively atmosphere of the ice cream shops like Jones Ice Cream Shop. Observing the joy people experienced on warm summer nights fueled his dream of opening his own ice cream parlor.     In 1986-1987, he purchased a building that formerly was hamburger restaurant. In 1987,he converted this into his into his ice cream parlor called Oink’s Dutch Treat.

Oink’s Dutch Treat

    From its inception, Oink’s Dutch Treat became famous not only for its ice cream but also for its whimsical and elaborate decor.  The shop is adorned from floor  to ceiling with thousands of pig themed items and nostalgic ice cream memoribilia creating  a visually engaging, immersive environment for the customers.  Over the years, the shop has expanded its offerings  to include over 50 flavors of Ashby Ice Cream, low fat and sugar free options and selection of candies, chocolates and souvenirs at the adjacent Oink’s Chocolate Pig Store.      Roger ran Oink’s Dutch Treat for 33 seasons, earning strong community recognition.  In 2020, after over 35 years of ownership, he decided to retire.  He successfully sold the shop, which included both the business and its collectibles to Michael Schimanski with the transaction facilitated by Small Business Deal Advisors.

Timothy’s Restaurant

     Timothy’s Restaurant is an upscale New American destination just a few minutes outside New Buffalo, MI      It has a rich, resilient 25 year history in the Harbor Country region, heavily intertwined with both its founder’s culinary journey and the deep history o f its physical locations

Timothy’s Restaurantom

     Chef Timothy Sizer’s Early Career After graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, Chef Tim Sizer built a reputation as the Executive Chef at the Ragtime Inn and Seafood Grille  in Atlantic Beach, Florida.  Pulling from his family roots in Southwest, Michigan, he returned to the area in the early 2000’s to launch his own venture.    The Gordon Beach Inn Era (2000-2017).Timothy’s officially opened in 2000  anchored inside the historic Gordon Beach Inn in Union Pier

Same as above

     The Gordon Beach Inn (2000–2017) Timothy’s officially opened in 2000, anchored inside the historic Gordon Beach Inn in Union Pier The 2001 Fire: Just into their second year of operation, a catastrophic kitchen fire broke on.August 1–the busiest month of the resort season.  Sized managed to rally contractors and completely rebuild,remarkably reopening the restaurant in just 3 weeks Growth and Legacy Operating out 0f a 3,000 square foot space, the res spent 17:years building a massive local and regional  following for its innovative Asian inspired seafood,distinctive signature sauces, fine dininng atmosphere The move to Red Arrow Hwy (2017–present) As the restaurant outgrew its original  home and contract negotiations at the Inn faltered, Chef Sizer chose to relocate a few hundred yards down the road.  Timothy’s officially debuted at its current location, 16409 Red Arrow Hwy, on Valentine’s Day in 2017 The property that Timothy’s currently occupies has a colorful past dating back nearly century.      Prusa’s Cafe:  Decades ago,the site originally  began  as Prusa’s Cafe and Tourist Cabins before’ transitioning into a local biker bar.      Miller’s Country House: From the mid–1980’s until the mid 2000’s, it operated as the famous Miller’s Country House, run by Ron and Trisha Miller.  Coincidentally,Chef Tim Sizer actually worked as a chef at Miller’s Country House early on in his local career.     Mickey’s Bar and Grill: prior to Sizer buying the building, he.had a brief stint at Mickey’s Sports Bar

Stairs to the Beach

     Harbert Road Beach Access in Harbert, MI.offers a serene sugar white Lake Michigan beach, ideal for sun bathing,swimming, and relaxing in a peaceful natural setting.

Stairs to the Beach

  Location: Beach Trail Harbert (also referred to as Harbert Road End Beach)     Access: Beach is reached via a road end access and a 35 step descent to the beach.     Parking: limited roadside parking

Beach access

     Highlights: Offers a natural and tranquil atmosphere, part of the Harbor Country, known for its pristine beaches.      Beaches stretches for more than 50 yards along Lake Michigan and provides scenic views of the crystal clear water.

. The Michigan City Lighthouse aka East Pierhead Lighthouse is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan City Indiana It was constructed in 1904 It is notable for its iron catwalk. It has a concrete foundation pier, steel bricks. It is 49 feet tall. It is listed on the national register of historic places . The Michigan City Lighthouse aka East Pierhead Lighthouse is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan City Indiana . It was con . The Michigan City Lighthouse aka East Pierhead Lighthouse is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan City Indiana . It was con . The Michigan City Lighthouse aka East Pierhead Lighthouse is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan City Indiana . It was con . The Michigan City Lighthouse aka East Pierhead Lighthouse is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan City Indiana . It was con