Readers of AnnArbor.com voted Dexter Cider Mill the best Cider Mill in Washtenaw County. Lesser Farms & Orchard and Wasem Fruit Farm rounded out the top three.
One of the oldest operating cider mills in Michigan, Dexter Cider Mill is making cider the same way it was made over 120 years ago. Dexter Cider Mill uses 3 – 5 varieties of locally grown and hand-picked apples that are pressed using an oak rack press to make their delicious apple cider. In addition to apple cider, families from all over come to the Dexter Cider mill to enjoy fresh apples, doughnuts, caramel apples and baked good.
The Dexter Cider Mill, located at 3685 Central Street in Dexter, Michigan, is open from late August to mid-November, Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. For more information about the Dexter Cider Mill visit their website.
The Ann Arbor District Library’s Traverwood branch was among WebUrbanist’s list of 14 Marvelous Modern Libraries. The library’s modern structure, completed in 2008, was designed by InFORM Studio. Described as long, low and geometric, the library has rustic natural tree trunk columns, high ceilings, and white paint to make it feel even more spacious.
Other notable libraries to make the list include:
- Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
- Vancouver Public Library, Canada
- Baton Rouge Downtown Library Concept, Trahan Architects
For the complete list, visit WebUrbanist.com.
Credit: All Photos from WebUrbanist.com.
The 2011 Saline Community Fair kicked-off on Tuesday, August 30th with the annual Miss Saline Pageant.
Promising something for everyone, the 2011 Saline Community Fair features:
- Agriculture exhibits
- Rides
- Games
- Food & Drinks
- Saline’s Got Talent contest
- 2011 Saline Community Fair Parade
- Live Performances
- Tractor Pull
- Antique Appraisals
Coming to town a week earlier than previous years, the Saline Community Fair is open until Monday, September 5th. Daily admission for those 11 and older is $7.00. Children 10 and younger are FREE. Daily specials include:
- Wednesday – Senior Citizen Day
- Thursday – Children’s Day
Ride Armbands $5 from 11-2:00 p.m.
All Rides $1 after 2:00 p.m. – (per ride)
- Friday – Ladies’ Day
Ladies 11 and older $5.00 until 1:00 p.m.
For more information about the 2011 Saline Community Fair visit salinefair.org.
Tucked between a restaurant and retail store on Liberty Street in Ann Arbor is Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair. There is much more to this popular retail store that sells upgrades, add-ons, attachments and gear for robots and robot owners then meets the eye.
Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair is the entrance to 826michigan, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students aged 6-18 with their creative writing skills. In addition, 826michigan strives to help teachers inspire their students to write. 826michigan provides challenging and enjoyable programs that strengthen each student’s power to effectively, creatively and confidently express his or her ideas. And best of all, all 826michigan events and activities are offered completely free of charge.
826michigan is a part of 826 National, an umbrella organization that works to duplicate the success of the original 826 Valencia in San Francisco. Like “the Robot Store”, each 826 has their own store front to raise funds, inspire creativity, and advertise their programs to their local communities. San Francisco’s pirate supply store sells glass eyes and one-of-a-kind peglegs, 826NYC’s Superhero Supply Company offers custom-fit capes and Seattle’s Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company sells all your space commuting appurtenances.
To learn more about 826michigan or Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair, visit their website.
The 74th Annual Chelsea Community Fair opened Tuesday with the Children’s Parade led down Main Street by the 2010 Chelsea Fair Queen, Kennedy Aldrich. Open through Saturday, August 27th, the Chelsea Community Fair promises to have something for everyone including livestock judging, crafts, exhibits and exhibitors, and games.
The daily cost to attend the fair is $7. Children 10 and younger are FREE. Senior citizens 65 and older may enjoy the fair for FREE on Thursday, and ladies pay only $5 before noon on Friday. Season passes are also available – $25 for adults and $15 for seniors and students with a high school or middle school ID. Below is a schedule of events from the Dexter Patch.
Schedule of Events:
Wednesday
All day: Youth Horse Show — senior and junior divisions
8am: Judging of goats
11am: Judging of dairy feeder calves
1pm: Judging of beef
1pm: Rides begin
3pm – 7pm: Colors the Clown
5pm: Judging of swine
7:30pm: Demolition Derby
Chain-saw Wood Carvers — Several shows daily
All day: Nature’s Creation of Life
Thursday
Senior Day — 65 and older enter free
All day: Youth Horse Show — walk/trot, beginner, lead line divisions
10am: Judging of dairy cattle
1pm: Rides begin
2pm: Kiddies Pedal-Power tractor pull
3pm – 7pm: Colors the Clown
7pm: Livestock auction
7:30pm: Figure 8 Demolition Derby
Chain-saw Wood Carvers — Several shows daily
All day: Nature’s Creation of Life
Friday
Ladies Day: $5 entry for ladies before noon
All day: Youth Horse Show — contesting pattern classes
8am: Ladies Day program
1pm: Rides begin
3pm – 7pm: Colors the Clown
7pm: Selection of 2011 Fair Queen
Chainsaw Wood Carvers — Several shows daily
All day: Nature’s Creation of Life
Saturday
9am: Youth Horse Fun Day
1pm: Chelsea Fair Parade
1pm: Rides begin
3pm – 7pm: Colors the Clown
7pm: Sweepstakes Showmanship
7:30pm: Four-wheel and two-wheel-drive pulling contest
Chain-saw Wood Carvers — Several shows daily.
All day: Nature’s Creation of Life
For more information, call 734-475-1270 or visit chelseafair.org.
Dexter Daze is an annual summer festival taking place in downtown Dexter this Friday, August 12th and Saturday, August 13th. Thousands gather downtown to discover all that Dexter has to offer. Attendees can shop at local businesses, grab a bite to eat at one of the many fabulous restaurants and enjoy free entertainment for the entire family.
Dexter Daze Activities Include:
- Arts & Crafts Booths
- Dexter Daze Parade
- Dexter Library Book Sale
- Horseshoe Tournament
- Live Music Performances
- Pole Vaulting
- Ride the Little Smilin’ Choo Choo
- Tour Gordon Hall
For more information about Dexter Daze 2011 visit their website.
The streets of downtown Saline will come alive with an assortment of activities, attractions, and amusement for Saline’s Summerfest. People of all ages are welcome to join in the festivities on Friday, August 5th and Saturday, August 6th.
Summerfest 2011 will feature the traditional family-oriented food, music, and fun of Saline’s annual Picnic in the Park. In addition, Summerfest will also include a juried art and craft show, a trolley tour of Saline’s historical sites, Casino Night, and a 5K run/walk. Activities for the kids include a fishing contest, volleyball tournament, watermelon eating contest, egg toss contest, bean bag toss, face painting, and an inflatable obstacle course.
On Friday, Summerfest runs from 5pm – 11pm and Saturday, from 8am – 11pm.
Additional information and a continually updated schedule of Saline’s Summerfest activities is available at: www.salinesummerfest.org.
Over 1,100 amazingly talented artists from across the globe travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan in July for one of the nation’s best art fairs. The Ann Arbor Art Fair is comprised of four award-winning independent art fairs – the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original; the State Street Art Fair; the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair; and Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair taking place simultaneously throughout downtown Ann Arbor. The art fair is a free event; bringing over 500,000 visitors downtown to experience the art, live performances, delectable food, sidewalk sales and activities for the kids.
Date & Times:
Wednesday, July 20 – Saturday, July 23
Wednesday – Friday: 10:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Park & Ride:
- Park for free at Pioneer High School or Briarwood Mall (near Sears) and ride the AATA’s The Ride. The shuttle fare is $1.50 each way for adults, $0.75 for K-12 students and AATA Fare Deal cardholders, and free for seniors, A-Ride cardholders and children 5 and younger.
- Trinity Westside will pick up passengers from The Maple Village Shopping Center, where parking is free. Round trip transportation is $3. Children 5 and younger can ride for free.
Getting Around the Fair:
Cool off from the heat in the air-conditioned A2 Art Trolleys, travelling a loop around all four art fairs. A trolley ride is $1 per person per day and children 12 and under ride for free.
Information Booths:
Information booths are located throughout the art fairs and are staffed by trained volunteers who can help answer your questions.
Live Entertainment:
- Ann Arbor Street Art Fair – The Fountain Stage at Ingalls Mall
- Ann Arbor’s South University Art Fair – The 107.1 Main Stage at Church and Willard
- The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair – iSpy Performance Stage on Liberty
> Download the Official Ann Arbor Art Fair Map
> Download the complete guide to the 2011 Ann Arbor Art Fair
MSN Real Estate and Bert Sperling of Sperling’s Best Places recently evaluated the most affordable markets within the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas. Factors such as unemployment lower than the national average and short commute times were considered in addition to cultural and recreational activities to determine the list. The areas chosen for the list of livable cities are places with stable economies and lower stress in addition to lower crime rates, healthy neighbors, access to decent medical care and relatively low rates of suicide and divorce.
Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, made the list for a multitude of reasons. Ann Arbor is a growing hub for the life-sciences and information technology sectors. According to Donna Shirilla, Director of Research and Business Information for Ann Arbor Spark, the number of life-science companies has increased to more than 100 and information technology firms have grown to more than 300 in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor, a bike-friendly and walk-friendly community, was recently recognized as “Walk Friendly Community” by the Pedestrian and Bicycling Information Center. In addition, Ann Arbor was voted one of the healthiest cities in the U.S. by AARP due to the exceptional health care resources in the area as well as the amount of regular exercise by residents. Both of which contributed to Ann Arbor making the list.
For complete list of MSN Real Estate Most Livable Bargain Markets go to
msn.com.
In last week’s Best Of series, AnnArbor.com asked their readers to vote for the best public golf course in Washtenaw County. Stonebridge Golf Club took the lead and never looked back, earning the title Best Public Golf Course in Washtenaw County. Leslie Park Golf Course took second and Lake Forest Golf Club & Practice Center took third place overall.
Stonebridge Golf Club, a public 18-hole championship golf course and driving range, was designed in 1991 by world famous golf course architect Arthur Hills. Sporting lush green turf and a championship layout of water and woods, this well-groomed golf course is a natural beauty. With several tee options, Stonebridge Golf Club accommodates all levels of play. A public golf course with amenities that include a full service Bar and Grille, Pro Shop with name brand golf merchandise, on course beverage carts, and men’s & women’s locker room facilities, Stonebridge Golf Course feels more like a private country club than a public golf club.
Stonebridge Golf Club is located at 1825 Clubhouse Drive in Ann Arbor, MI. For more information or to schedule a round of golf, call (734) 429-8383 or visit their website.
This week “Best Of” is looking to find the Best Ethnic Restaurants in Washtenaw County. Categories include: Chinese, Greek, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mexican/Southwest, Middle Eastern and Thai Food. Cast your vote on AnnArbor.com for a chance to win a $450 in local gift cards.
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