Make the Discovery Center trails your happy place

One of the big selling points to relocating to Chelsea 10 years ago was the easy access to miles and miles of woodland trails. Today, I can honestly say that the Discovery Center trails are my happy place. Every week, at least once a week, Moose (my dog) and I make the 10 minute drive to the trails and enjoy morning treks. The fresh air and solitude of these morning hikes have been vital to my healthy life outlook. We've enjoyed the trails and boardwalks through every season and every type of weather.

Family hikes (I jokingly call, "forced family fun") around the trails have also been critical to my family's outdoor connection and health. I'm hopeful that most Chelsea families have enjoyed the Discovery Center trails and programs. (For fun, attend the upcoming Maple Syrup fest on March 9 and 10.)
 
Now the Waterloo Natural History Association needs our help in replacing the boardwalks, which were first built in the 1970s. The boardwalks are rotting and, in some cases, breaking apart. Some folks have even been injured by breaking boards.


You can write a check directly to the Waterloo Natural History Association. And, you can also enjoy a delicious Yellow Door lunch on Saturday, March 2, which benefits the association and will help pay for new boardwalks so that many more generations will enjoy this regional gem.

The scoop:

* Saturday, March 2  / Noon to 2:00 p.m.

* @ Chelsea Alehouse in Clocktower Complex

* $15 or more donation / Write check directly to Waterloo Natural History Association

* Goal is to raise $5,000 with 100% of proceeds helping to pay for new boardwalks

Eat local foods this Saturday to raise funds for new Discovery Center boardwalks

~ Waterloo State Park's Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center needs new boardwalks. You can help by eating a delicious Michigan-inspired lunch this Saturday. ~ 
 

* Saturday, March 2  /  Noon to 12 p.m.

* @ Chelsea Alehouse (in Clocktower Complex in downtown Chelsea)

* $15 (or more!) donation for lunch
* Goal: Raise $5,000. Donate 100% of money to the Waterloo Natural History Association to replace boardwalks

Lunch choices:

1) Michigan Roast Beef Sammie on a Baguette with horseradish cream cheese spread 

&

2) Pulled BBQ Pork on a Challah Bun

Both sandwiches are served with Kettle Cooked Great Lakes Potato Chips and The Brinery's turnip pickles. Beverage options included are Mighty Good Coffee and Calder Dairy Milk. (Chelsea Alehouse brews are also available for an additional cost.)

Local food sources (coordinated through Lunasa.us):
Back Forty Acres, Calder Dairy, Ernst Farm, Great Harvest Bread Company of Ann Arbor, Great Lakes Potato Chips, Greystone Creamery, La Baguette, Mighty Good Coffee, The Brinery

A big THANK YOU to the following donors: Jim & Nancy Paul, Dave & Joanne Rowe, Rick Taylor (of Reinhart Realty)

December 31. Nine to Noon. Eat good food and support Faith in Action

Say bye-bye 2012 with a belly full of yummy local food. Wake up, stretch, gather your family together and meet friends at Chelsea Community Fairgrounds to support Faith in Action. Yellow Door is open and delighted to serve you!

Monday, December 31 
9 to Noon
Chelsea Fairgrounds
$15 donation per breakfast suggested
All proceeds benefit Faith In Action
*checks may be made directly to Faith in Action*

(We're also collecting paper bags, canned goods,
non-perishable items to donate to Faith in Action.)

Yellow Door New Year's Eve Breakfast Menu:

1) Paul Cousins Signature: two poached eggs on country toast rounds with creamed leek sauce, maple glazed bacon and a side of Michigan winter greens

2) Yellow Door favorite: Blueberry bread pudding with pork sausage links and famous Tantre Farm shredded kale, beet and carrot slaw

3) Red Quinoa salad with shaved Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes and a plain yogurt parfait with Michigan blueberry compote and homemade granola
 
Drinks: coffee, tea and milk

Thank you farmers, volunteers and underwriters!

All of Yellow Door New Year's Eve breakfast proceeds benefit Faith in Action, you say? Yes -- thanks to local volunteers and these awesome businesses:

* The Common Grill -- eat here for great food
* Susan Jacobs, CPA, P.C. -- hire Sue to get your taxes done right
* Raymond Howe, D.D.S., M.S. -- go here for straight, pearly whites

Thank you, Larry and Stephanie Doll and the Chelsea Fair board of directors, for making the event location possible.

Thank you food team: Jane Pacheco of Lunasa.us, Paul Cousins, Jen Alford, Melissa Johnson, Dennis Crawley and Deb Lentz

Local food sources (purchased through Lunasa.us): Back Forty Acres, Calder Dairy, Eden Foods, Ernst Farms, Great Harvest Bread Company of Ann Arbor, Greystone Creamery, Hammberberg Garden, Iceni Tea, Kelly Farm, Mighty Good Coffee, Pleasant Lane Farm, Tantre Farm, Terry B's and Thomas Creamery

Thank you breakfast workers: Tracey Weir, Marijane Nelson, Janice Ortbring, Todd Ortbring, Janet Kuras, Jim Randolph, Mary Randolph, Marie Stanyar, Julia Porter, Sharon Kegerreis

Invite friends to Yellow Door's New Year's Eve breakfast

(Wow, two postings in one night. I've tripled the postings for 2012!)

Recently, I attended a holiday gathering and Yellow Door came up and, specifically, the topic of the upcoming New Year's Eve breakfast. A handful of ladies were keen to learn more about Yellow Door and, it made me think... there are many people who missed Yellow Door's heyday... and, therefore, may miss these every-so-often, truly amazing breakfast fundraisers.

So, Yellow Door friends, let's spread the word, shout the news, tweet, post, share, instagram, whatever...you get the picture.

Together, let's raise a ton of money for Faith in Action at Yellow Door's New Year's Eve breakfast (9 to noon @ Chelsea fairgrounds).