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

Festive Us

12/20/2017

8 Comments

 
​Whether you celebrate Christmas, Solstice, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Pancha Ganapati, Seinfeld's Festivus for the Rest of Us, or some other winter observance, this is a festive time of year. The lights, the sparkle, the special treats, the gatherings with people you love (or try to) all combine to brighten the season. 
​Now that I think about it, this whole year has been pretty festive. Sure, it's also been stressful in a lot of ways, but there's been a lot to celebrate and plenty of events centered around celebration. Though we didn't set out with this goal in mind, Ray and I ended up attending a record number of festivals this year, from the Baby Food Festival in Fremont to the Blueberry Festival in South Haven. 
​I've taken HeartWood readers along to some of these events, but looking back over the year, I realized there were several I hadn't shared with you.
​So take a break from the holiday bustle and join me as we hit the highlights. 

National Blueberry Festival, South Haven

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Scenic South Haven on a summer day
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Blossoms and boats
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We arrived too late for most of the blueberry-themed events, so this guy and his offering were the only blueberries we saw
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But we weren't too late to catch the car show
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Shiny things -- always an attraction
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A show-stopper
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Grrrrrille
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We enjoyed the balloon rides -- from the safety of the ground, looking up at the less acrophobic folks above
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And we were just in time for the garden tractor pulls
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Interesting to see how they modify these machines for competition
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And how intense the competition can be!
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An impromptu performance along the channel

Newaygo Logging Festival

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A work-in-progress by Alonzo Montoya, who carved the bear that stands in front of our house
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Timed chainsaw competition
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Let the chips fall . . .
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Log-rolling competition
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Don't faaalllllll!
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Rock painting: No clear connection to logging, but it appears to take just as much concentration as log-rolling
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More of Alonzo Montoya's artistry
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Detail from a bench carved by Alonzo
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Muskegon Polish Festival

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Plenty of this going on
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This had to be the most colorful festival of the year
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If you weren't wearing a flower wreath, you just weren't with it
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She was with it
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Polish pottery for sale
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Polka partners
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Me too, apparently. I took more photos at this festival than at any other.
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The Kielbasa Kings kept the music going
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I think this speaks for itself
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No excuse for being wreathless
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ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three
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Pisanki for sale. I'll take a dozen!
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I hope he's leading. Someone has to see where they're going.
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And another thing . . .
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Daj mi buzi!
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Yeah! Pass the pierogi!
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Serving 'em up
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The perfect accompaniment to Polish food
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My outfit for next year's Polish Festival?

Newaygo Christmas Walk

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The Newaygo High School jazz band livened up the opening ceremony
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The night was mild, but the bonfire still welcome
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Decorations at the Newaygo County Museum & Heritage Center
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Snowflakes in the old-fashioned schoolroom exhibit
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A young visitor takes in the train and tiny town
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The ice sculptor captivates Christmas walkers of all ages
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Donuts in the making
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River Stop Cafe looked warm and welcoming
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You know you're in Newaygo when even the Christmas trees are wearing these
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Shoppers and strolling carolers mingle in Flying Bear Books
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Charlie sports a twinkly topper
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MaryAnn enjoys the music
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Sweet moment
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A portrait of the (portrait) artist
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The evening left us all aglow
8 Comments
Marsha Reeves
12/20/2017 07:28:36 am

Great photos! It's lovely to 'be' at all these festivals, getting us truly in the spirit of things.

Reply
Nan
12/20/2017 07:45:28 am

Thank you, Marsha! It was wonderful to see Flying Bear Books getting into the Christmas Walk festivity.

Reply
Sally Kane
12/20/2017 09:32:10 am

I enjoyed reviewing the 2017 year through festivals rather than politics.
As always, lovely photos.

Reply
Nan
12/21/2017 06:01:22 am

Yes, I thought we could all use a break from politics and other concerns!

Reply
Sue Schneider
12/24/2017 05:43:55 pm

Thanks Nan for the wonderful photo journey.

Reply
Nan
12/25/2017 07:53:43 am

Thanks for coming along, Sue!

Reply
Susan Stec
11/8/2018 07:05:04 am

Amazing shots - the log rolling child my favorite. Well done.

Reply
Nan
11/10/2018 08:59:10 am

I loved the log-rolling girl's socks. Fun to look back at these.

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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