Of course the Chequamegon Bay area is proud to have the northern-most brewery recognized: South Shore Brewery which is connected with Deep Water Grille located in Ashland, just 25 miles south of Bayfield.

South Shore is known for their flavorful and innovative products. On tap, there’s usually always a Cream Ale, Honey Pils, Nut Brown Ale and Stout. Seasonal beers rotate between
Red Lager, Mai Bock, Bavarian Wheat, Applefest Ale, Bracket
and Porter.

Word has it that the Applefest Brew went into the fermenter about a week ago! This annual favorite is anticipated by locals and visitors.

It is also great to share that South Shore Brewery and their affiliate restaurant Deep Water Grille are actively involved as a local “Green Team” working to create more sustainable and green operations within their business.

So enjoy the microbreweries all around this great state – but be sure to come north! We look forward to seeing you.

Weather like this may be dreary to some, but it is lovely to me. I see this as an opportunity to settle down with a great book and enjoy the sounds of the wind and the company of good words. If you’re in town, you should stop by the Apostle Islands Booksellers – Bayfield’s new independent bookseller. They have created a truly charming space with a variety of both local, regional authors, bestsellers and a little bit of everything else.

Finally, today is a day for baking! With the harvest season upon up, I love playing with new recipes with the local apples. Here is a recipe that I have been playing with lately, using the apples in a more savory way rather than sweet:

Buttermilk Apple-Parmesan Muffins

Makes 12 standard muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

1/3 cup corn oil

1 egg

1 small apple (preferably Dudley apples from one of Bayfield‘s orchards)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter or spray muffin tins

In a medium bowl, stir and toss together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Set Aside. In a small bowl whisk together the buttermilk, oil and egg until smooth. Note: these will bake far more evenly if you have ALL ingredients at room temperature before putting in the oven. Add the combined dry ingredients, along with the finely chopped apple and the parmesan cheese. Stir until just blended.

Spoon into the prepared muffin tins, filling each cup about 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick or knife comes out clean – about 20 minutes. Cool before removing from tins.

Enjoy these delicious muffins anytime, but on a cool blustery day like today they are perfect!

Take advantage of this wonderful time of year in Bayfield by taking advantage of the different fall promotions happening both at Pinehurst Inn, but throughout Bayfield.

We are happy to be participating in the Bounty of Fall Celebration. If you book 3 nights (Sun.-Thursday), you will receive 25% off of your third night AND a $25 Bayfield Gift Certificate good at any Bayfield Chamber member business (gift certificates valid only for dates of September 22 – November 6, 2010).

• Must mention Fall Harvest Package to receive the discount
• Valid Sunday – Thursday only, September 6 – November 6
• Cannot be combined with other packages
• Valid for new reservations only.

Book online or call 877-499-7651 to reserve your space and get ready to enjoy fall in Bayfield! And be sure to note that you want the Fall Harvest Package.

One of our more popular fall dishes is our Apple Cheddar Muffins, and of course we use apples from one of Bayfield’s many orchards. These muffins go very well both with an omelet at breakfast or with chicken or pork as a side dish.

We encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful time of year in Bayfield by taking advantage of the different fall promotions happening both at Pinehurst Inn, but throughout Bayfield. We are happy to be participating in the Bayfield Fall Harvest Lodging package. If you book 3 nights (Sun.-Thursday), you will receive 25% off of your third night AND a $25 Bayfield Gift Certificate good at any Bayfield Chamber member business.

So, while you enjoy your Labor Day holiday this weekend, don’t forget to make your fall plans and be sure to include Bayfield and the Pinehurst Inn.

The gardens are lush this year. And the produce baskets are overflowing. Yes, zuchinni, carrots, greens, beets (ah, beet greens!), peppers, and more. So the idea of World Kitchen Garden Day really struck us – a wonderful way to celebrate this time of year when we are blessed with this fantastic array of food.

World Kitchen Garden Day is an opportunity to
celebrate the multiple pleasures and benefits of home-grown, locally grown foods.

• celebrate the positive role of organic kitchen gardening (good health, good community, and it taste’s so good!)
• To raise awareness about the benefits of eating local and to encourage people to explore local food options in their areas
• To build community spirit, at local and international levels, around the universal experiences of gardening, cooking, and eating (think Farmers Markets, community gardens, and more)

The concepts and ideas of this “celebration” are so important – and should be considered every day of the year. But today, look around your own community and get to know your local farmers and growers.

At Pinehurst Inn in Bayfield, we are thrilled to build our breakfast using not only our own produce, but numerous delicious veggies and fruits from our area orchards and farms. This morning we serve our very popular Pinehurst Blueberry Oven French Toast (using wonderful blueberries from Highland Valley Farm in Bayfield). And tomorrow we will be doing something wonderful with those fresh beet greens – stay tuned! We might even share another recipe.

Happy harvesting!

This includes a wonderful group of inns that have innovative and creative practices highlighting their green efforts.  Happy to be among such a great group.

More information on our sustainability efforts can be found on the Pinehurst Inn Website.

The “rejuvenation” component is certainly enhanced by Enso Wellness Center & Day Spa – we are thrilled to partner with this wonderful spa in offering our guests and area visitors the opportunity of  self-care, relaxation and rejuvenation.

Consider these benefits of massage:

- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body’s largest organ – the skin.

- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles

- Reduces spasms and cramping, increases joint flexibility.

- Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

- Releases endorphins – the body’s natural painkiller – and is being
used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and
relieve pain.

- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.

- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.

- Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less
need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital
stays.

Plus, it is simply enjoyable and a great way to round out your stay. Be sure to check out the Pinehurst /Enso Packages as well.

Deanna Eckels & Peter Skoro, Eckels Pottery & Fine Craft Gallery, Bayfield WI

The Bayfield, Wisconsin area is well known for the local artisans – this has become a great destination for creative souls seeking a place that fosters creativity. Potters, painters, writers, weavers and more live and work throughout this area.

This past week marked a very special anniversary for a long standing pottery studio in Bayfield: Eckels Pottery and Fine Craft Gallery, located just south of Bayfield, celebrated their 50th year in business. This studio is marked by the large, ceramic pot standing in the yard of the gallery.

The studio and gallery were started by Bob Eckels, a trained painter and sculptor who dedicated himself to ceramics. Bob was hired in the 1950’s as an art professor at Northland College in Ashland, to start the art department that continues today.

Today Eckels continues to offer magnificent pottery along with a wide variety work from local and national artists.  Deanna Eckels, a re-nouned potter in her own right, operates the studio today with her husband, Peter Skoro. This landmark studio is one that frequent visitors to Bayfield are sure to visit.

Eckels is just one of many great studios in Bayfield. Just one more reason Bayfield is such a great destination.

Madeline Island Museum, just a short walk from the ferry dock.

Once you have made your way across the Chequamegon Bay on the Ferry to Madeline Island many people wonder what they should do next. In a previous post we mentioned having a meal at Lotta’s Lakeside Cafe, which is of course a culinary delight including local foods and a fabulous wine list.

But there is so much more. Just a few steps from the ferry dock you’ll find the Madeline Island Museum. This small museum will show you so much about the history of Madeline Island and the Village of La Pointe. Did you know that La Pointe was founded before Bayfield? There are amazing fur trading exhibit, Ojibwe exhibits and a wonderful short film for all to watch with music provided by the performers at Big Top Chautauqua.

What’s next?

The bridge over the lagoon at the Madeline Island Town Park

Why not drive or bike out to the Madeline Island Town Park? Here you will find some of the most beautiful beach on the Island. The water at the town park is generally quite shallow and perfect for the kids to play.

There is also a breathtakingly beautiful lagoon perfect for canoeing and birdwatching – there is a certain serenity and peacefulness in this area that truly takes you away from the outside world.  The other great thing about this lagoon is the warmth of the water. If you are not the type to enjoy the “refreshing” coolness of Lake Superior, try the lagoon!

There are many other wonderful places to explore on Madeline Island – the shops, the state park with its brownstone cliffs, the golf course and the restaurants. These are just a few of the things that our family loves about Madeline.  Most of all it is a great place to escape to and enjoy the history and beauty of this area that we are so very lucky to call home.