PLEASE NOTE:

The following information is from the 2013 Cottage & Lakefront Living Show.

Cottage Living Stage

Our seminar stage features seminars on birding, photography, succession planning, environmental practices and much more!

Michael Weil

Mike is an attorney with the Southfield law firm of Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C. in Southfield, Michigan where he specializes in tax and estate planning. He is also a CPA. Mike is a frequent speaker on tax and estate planning matters before such groups as the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants. Mike received both his Bachelors of Business Administration and J.D. degrees from the University of Michigan. He lives in West Bloomfield with his wife Elysa and three children.

Keeping the Family in the Family Cottage

No one succession plan or legal tool meets everyone’s needs, so careful review of your situation and goals is necessary to ensure you keep the family in the family cottage.  Learn about the legal alternatives and strategies for families to retain the family cottage for use by future generations.

Click Here for a full schedule of events!

Janet Schrader - "Sand Pirate"

Janet Schrader is the founder Sand Pirates: Sand Sculpting, Photography, & Beach Art, started in 2006.

After successfully fighting a severe battle with cancer, Janet found comfort walking the shoreline of Lake Mi. Looking for answers among the beach treasure (beach glass, rocks, fossils, & driftwood) Schrader found more then what she was looking for.  What she found was a new way of life, a new philosophy, and a new career.

Come to the show and see in person, how living by the lake has changed her life.

Sand Sculpting Lessons

Come join the fun, and learn the secrets of sand. Professional sand sculptor Janet Moore Schrader - "Sand Pirate", will teach how to make towers, doors, windows, and stairs.

KIDS! Storm the Castle!

What's the best thing about building a sand castle? DESTROYING IT!! First you'll learn how to make sand cannon balls and throw them at toy soldiers guarding the castle ramparts. Then you'll get to stomp the castle to the ground!

Jim DuFresne

Jim DuFresne is a Clarkston-based author of more than 20 guidebooks including Michigan’s Best Campgrounds, Michigan: Off  The Beaten Path and 50 Hikes in Michigan. He is also the main contributor to MichiganTrailMaps.com, a resource website providing trail users maps, descriptions and information on trails and paths in the Great Lakes State.

The Most Beautiful Place in the USA: Sleeping Bear Dunes & Michigan's Other National Parks

Last year Good Morning America viewers voted Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as the most beautiful place in the country. Join noted travel author Jim DuFresne as his shows why Sleeping Bear and Michigan's other national parks are such stunning jewels and worthy destinations for travelers.

Detroit Audubon Society

Start Birding! A Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching

Click Here to see the full schedule of Seminars & Events!

Dallas Carlson - Nature & Wildlife Photographer

Dallas Carlson had the privilege of being raised by his grandparents who loved to spend time exploring Michigan's great outdoors. As a child he spent summers either in their cabin by the river, or traveling extensively throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Camping and exploring the rugged beauty of the north year after year, he developed a deep love and passion for the wilderness and the animals that call this place home.

His training has not been through formal teaching or institutions, but rather by wildlife biologists how to respectfully fit in with the wild creatures he is photographing.

To see some of Dallas' work, check out www.HisHandiworkPhotography.com

Nature Photography at Your Cottage

Get tips on taking great nature photos around your cottage through the lens of professional photographer Dallas Carlson.  Includes a great slide show of Carlson's nature photography work!

Click Here to see the full schedule of Seminars & Events!

Cliff Bloom - Michigan Lake & Stream Association

Grand Rapids attorney Cliff Bloom is one of the foremost experts on water and riparian law in Michigan. In addition to his regular column in the Michigan Riparian Magazine, Cliff is also legal counsel for the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, Inc. (“ML&SA”), as well as co-counsel for the Michigan Waterfront Alliance. Over the years, Cliff Bloom has represented dozens of lake associations and other property owner groups throughout Michigan. He has lectured throughout Michigan on riparian and water law issues, not only for the ML&SA, but also for the Michigan Townships Association and other groups. He has written extensively about lakes, water/riparian law and related issues. Many of his articles can be found at www.BSMLawPC.com.

Buying & Selling Waterfront Property in Michigan

Cliff Bloom is also the author of the new book entitled Buying and Selling Waterfront Property in Michigan, published by ML&SA. In addition, a few years ago, he authored the publication entitled Michigan Lake Associations—The Nuts and Bolts. At the 2012 Cottage & Lakefront Living Show, Cliff will be presenting a seminar regarding his new book Buying and Selling Waterfront Property in Michigan. This new book is a “must” for anyone who is interested in waterfront property in Michigan. The list of people who could benefit from the book includes not only riparians (and would be riparians) but also realtors and real estate agents, attorneys, government officials, surveyors and teachers. This book is a “how to” publication that deals with numerous real estate and waterfront issues, including:

Smart Gardening Seminar Series

Michigan State University Extension’s horticulture educators are embarking on a new campaign this year to help folks become “smart gardeners.” Across America and even throughout Europe, people with a passion for gardening are hungry for ideas that will enable them to be more environmentally savvy, employ earth-friendly techniques and even save a few bucks. MSU Extension has had a long-time commitment of connecting gardeners to the latest research that de-bunks gardening myths as well as improves gardening techniques.

Smart Trees & Shrubs for Lakefront Gardens

Presented by Mary Wilson, MSU Extension Horticulture Educator

Smart Cottage Container Gardens!

Presented by Rebecca Finneran, MSU Extension Horticulture Editor

Smart Tomato Gardens!

Presented by Gretchen Voyle, MSU Extension Horticulture Educator

Smart Gardeners Use Nature's Clues to Control Pests

Presented by Robert Bricault, MSU Extension Horticulture Educator

Smart Lakefront Lawns

Presented by Dr. David Smitley, MSU Department of Entemology

Smart Cottage Veggie Gardens

Presented by Hal Hudson, MSU Extension Horticulture Educator

Smart Gardener's Compost - Make Your Gardens Shine!

Presented by Gary Heilig, MSU Extension Horticulture Educator