NAN SANDERS POKERWINSKI
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HeartWood
A blog about cultivating
creativity, connection and contentment
wherever you are

Exploring the Enchanted Forest

5/4/2016

9 Comments

 
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​​Skies were dreary and drippy, but last Saturday and Sunday were fine days in Fairyland (also known as Camp Newaygo), as droves of visitors wandered through woods and wetlands in search of fairy houses. 

PictureFoster Arts and Crafts Lodge
​The occasion was the camp's Enchanted Forest event, two afternoons of fun and fundraising to support improvements to the camp's Foster Arts and Crafts Lodge. Generations of campers have explored painting, pottery, dark room photography, nature crafts, jewelry making, tie dye design, wood burning and other activities in that building. But the crafts lodge, built in 1949, is no longer adequate for the camp's growing number of campers and programs.

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"Marcia's Gnome-acile" by Marcia Holcomb
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When Camp Newaygo put out the call to artists and craftspeople, asking them to create and donate fairy houses, event organizers hoped to get twenty-five to thirty houses. They received forty-two little dwellings fashioned from logs, twigs, stones, clay, glass, felt, feathers, acorn caps, pine cones, moss and generous amounts of imagination.


"We want to send a big thank you to all of the artists who took the time and consideration to donate all of the beautiful houses," said Jane Vitek, Camp Newaygo's Executive Director. "Without them, the event couldn't have been possible."
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"Pebble Cottage" by Mary Beth Cooper
Picture"Fairy Chateau" by Linda Cudworth
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​Camp staff and volunteers hid the fairy houses, gnome homes, pixie palaces and elf abodes in the woods for visitors of all ages to discover (with the help of trail maps, helpful guides and a display showing photos of all the houses to be found).


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A trail map pointed out the routes to follow
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A photo display showed forest explorers what to look for
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Guides Morgan Pope and Jennifer Bell helped visitors navigate the trails
PictureI know it's in there somewhere!
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​Ray and I had an edge, having helped hide some of the houses Saturday morning. But even we had to look closely to spot some of them. And once guests began arriving—many sporting fairy wings and other whimsical garb—we had fun watching them search and then react with delight when they spied a tiny house nestled in the leaves or in the hollow of a tree stump. 

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Violet Jenerou had the look!
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Calla Casler wore fairy frou-frou
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Emery and Isla Casler flitted in for the afternoon
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Fairy Godmother Brenda Huckins Bonter spread magic all around
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It's an imp! It's a leprechaun! No, it's an enchanted Mark Kane!
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Could a house be hidden here?
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Here's one!
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Look at this one!
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A young visitor pauses to read Sally's poem
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Two houses offered extra surprises. Alongside Sally Kane's "Wee One's Stone Abode" was a poem Sally wrote about the house, and Ray's "Rustic Retreat" featured a story he wrote about its inhabitants.
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Brenda reads Sally's poem to another forest explorer
​Some fledgling fairies made wands or gnome hats at the crafts station and enjoyed a tea party of punch and cookies. Other visitors browsed the garden plants and accessories offered for sale by local shops.
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Olivia Jenerou made a happy wand!
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Did I hear tea party?
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Zoe Hance approved of the cookies
​Over the two days, a total of 627 visitors toured the Enchanted Forest.
"We were ecstatic about the positive responses we got about the event on social media, and we were so happy with the turnout," said Christa Smalligan, Director of Events and Operations. "It was wonderful to see families and friends outside exploring and enjoying themselves in nature."
​Wish you'd been there? Or wish you could visit again? Then come along for a walk through the pictures below or a virtual stroll with WOTV4's Maranda.
​If a fanciful creation catches your eye, drop by eBay to bid on one or more of the fairy houses. The auction runs until 11 a.m., Monday, May 9, and proceeds go to the Foster Arts and Crafts Lodge renovation project.
The houses will also be on display at Camp Newaygo, 5333 Centerline Rd., Newaygo, during the Mother's Day Brunch, Sunday, May 8. Between now and then, the public is welcome to view them during business hours,  Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.  
Ready for that walk in the woods? Let's go!
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"Woodland Whimsy" by Amy Gallmeyer
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"Sue's Cabin" by Sue Barthold
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"Eric's Abode" by Eric LeMire
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"Green Glass Cottage" by Eileen Kent
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"Pixie Twist" by Dawn Campbell
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"Woodland Hollow" by Christina Sutherland
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Entry to "Will-o-Wisp" by Diane Sack
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"Fairies of the Three Fires" by Connie Harrison
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"Stew Stump House" by Sue Monterusso
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"Ladybug Chalet" by Marcia Holcomb
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"Kendra's Cob House" by Kendra McKimmy
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"Unicorn and Fairy Dream House" by Linda Kilmer
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"Shelby's Hide-Away" by Shelby Prickett
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"Blueberry Hacienda" by Maureen Roslanic
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"Wee One's Stone Abode" by Sally Kane
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"Gnome Sweet Gnome" by Eileen Chamberlin
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"Rustic Retreat" by Ray Pokerwinski
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"Glass Cathedral" by Ellen Chamberlin
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"Flying Fairy House" by Lindy Columbini
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THE END
9 Comments
Jane link
5/4/2016 07:18:48 am

Nan, What a wonderful journey through the Enchanted Forest. It has been so fun to share camp with so many who love a walk in the woods.
Thank you again to all of the creative types out there that were part of this grand adventure. Stay tuned for details for next years event.

Reply
Nan
5/4/2016 07:20:57 am

Jane, it was a terrific event and such an fun project for the creative community. We're all looking forward to finding out what's next!

Reply
Linda Curatolo link
5/4/2016 07:38:06 am

How enchanting, indeed. What a great fundraising idea, too. Can't wait to watch the video at least.
Thanks!

Reply
Sally Pobojewski
5/4/2016 08:32:28 am

Absolutely charming!!! Will this be open while during my visit? I'd love to see it.

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Nan
5/4/2016 08:36:15 am

Unfortunately, no, Sally. It was just a two-day event. But we can visit the camp's wetland trail, which is open to the public and you can imagine fairy houses along the way.

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Mark Kane link
5/4/2016 08:55:55 am

Yours words and photos are enchanting. You are "blessed" to be able to "capture" all of these wonderful other world habitations. Maybe you are on of "them"
This experience will forever be. Thank you,
Marcos

Reply
Nan
5/4/2016 09:20:15 am

Thanks, Marcos. It was magical, wasn't it?

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J.Q. Rose link
5/4/2016 10:09:07 am

Thank you so much for the photos and story on this event. What fun! I studied each darling fairy house and couldn't decide which I liked better. So many creative folks with big imaginations. I especially enjoyed the photos of the children in their wings and hairpieces searching for the houses and reading the poem and story. You never told me you were a photojournalist along with all your other talents. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Nan
5/7/2016 08:26:26 am

Ha - thanks, Janet! I'm not sure my photojournalist friends would include me among their ranks, but have been having a lot of fun with my cameras lately.

Reply



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    Nan Sanders Pokerwinski, a former journalist, writes memoir and personal essays, makes collages and likes to play outside. She lives in West Michigan with her husband, Ray.

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