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Village

Autumn / Winter 2014-2015ISSUE NUMBER THREE

Grocery delivery has become a popular service in large urban areas, but it hasn’t reached many of the smaller communities. Thanks to Red Apron, the Tri-Cities area will now get to enjoy the convenience of having groceries delivered with the click of a mouse. In addition to the convenience factor, being able to plan out meals for the week helps you make more conscious decisions about what you eat. For most of us, our meal planning happens 30 minutes before dinner time. We run to the store and pick up the foods that are the easiest to prepare (i.e., processed foods). Because there is no plan, we also end up buying too much food and throwing away up to 20% of it (that’s the national average!).

we’re going to the store, need anything?

redaprongrocery.com

The hassle of shopping, lack of time, mobility challenges, and the need for healthier eating habits are just a few of the reasons that compelled locals Craig Cather and Joel VanderBand to develop Red Apron Online Grocery Delivery.

Avoid the time and hassle of grocery shopping with Red Apron. At Red Apron – We Get It!

Red Apron has developed an easy-to-use online ordering system that makes shopping simple and stress-free. Once you create an account, simply pick the store, add products to your shopping list, and select a date-and-time-window for your delivery. It’s that easy! And your list is saved, making future orders even easier. Currently, Red Apron offers a nice variety of stores to choose from. These include Meijer, Orchard Market, The Cheese Lady, Top Butcher Shoppe, and Village Baker, with more to come!

Are you part of a busy family? Are you running from work, to swim meets, to piano lessons? Do you have a parent in the area who needs groceries delivered during the cold winter months? Or would you

simply prefer to avoid the hassle of busy parking lots, crowded aisles, and long lines at the register? Well, Red Apron can help! For a mere $9.95 delivery charge, your

groceries will appear at your front door. Red Apron even has specially designed totes that are insulated to keep your cold items cold and your frozen items

frozen so you don’t have to be home when your groceries arrive. Take a look at redaprongrocery.com and try the service yourself. Sign up, shop, and schedule your delivery.

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2 Red Apron 4 International Wellness Partners

5 Village Baker & the Baker’s Wife

6 Sandi Gentry Team

7 Orchard Market

8 Depot Antiques

9 The Grainery

10 Cara Galbavi Law JB Pro Cleaning Holiday Inn

11 Sabo Skin Care

12 Local Restaurants

14 Michelle Tanner Homes Jennifer Baker Interior Design Doug Taylor Decorating

in this issue

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15 Blue Q

16 SL Fashion Show

17 Gem Source

18 Bread

20 Tandem for Two

21 R House

22 Holiday Order Guide

23 Coupons

24 Pizza

26 Core Computers Wayback Audio

27 The Corner Record Shop Oran’s Audio File Report

28 The Corner Market

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27

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Welcome to Spring Lake, Michigan!

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Sara RathbunGraphic Design & Photography: Todd Johnson, Jennifer SmelkerIllustration: Mary LankaCover Design: Jennifer Rae BakerCopy Taster: Bruce BuursmaProfessional contact information available at Village Baker

Village Appetite Credits

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The Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Duke University Medical Center,

and the University of California-San Francisco are some of the top U.S. hospitals offering acupuncture, meditation, mindfulness, energy therapy, yoga, and other complementary alternative medicine services. CAM, short for Complementary Alternative Medicine, is a newly accepted term in the medical industry. “Complementary,” because the therapies go hand-in-hand with traditional medicine rather than serve as a substitute. All 18 hospitals on U.S. News’ most recent “America’s Best Hospitals” super-selective Honor Roll provide CAM of some type, and 36 U.S. teaching hospitals encourage the blending of CAM services with traditional care.

Spring Lake is home to International Wellness Partners, a Complementary Alternative Medicine office of five practitioners located in the Grand River Professional Suites, across from Vic’s on M-104. Their experienced professionals offer a broad range of holistic health-and-wellness treatments and coaching that has been practiced around the world for hundreds of years. In the next column is an overview of their services and credentials.

Top Hospitals Embrace Alternative MedicineLocally Available in the Village of Spring Lake

“Sometimes we need to go beyond our trips to the gym and visits to the doctor to achieve fitness and wellness. While prescriptions and surgery are necessary for some, there are others like me who are seeking a more holistic vision for their health through lifestyle changes. And who doesn’t want to live their best life?”

~ Lisa W. Lee

Jane Donnelly, Monica Verplank, Irv Marcus, Lisa Cobb and Lisa W. Lee, Owner

Acupuncture is a gentle, painless technique, utilizing single-use sterile surgical steel needles at strategic points on the body. Often used to treat pain, this needle stimulation boosts the activity of your body’s natural painkillers. Irv Marcus is now celebrating 20 years as a Nationally Board-Certified Acupuncturist and Oriental Medicine Physician. Besides administering acupuncture, he prescribes Chinese herbal medicine, offers dietary therapy, and teaches QiGong.

Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda) is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems. Developed thousands of years ago in India, it is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Nationally trained by Deepak Chopra, M.D., and Dr. David Frawley, Monica Verplank is a Certified Master Educator and Ayurvedic Life-Style Consultant, teaching meditation and lifestyle classes.

Emotional Freedom Technique is a treatment of both acupressure and professional counsel. Based on the same energy meridians used in traditional acupuncture, EFT taps into specific meridians on the head and chest to remove negative emotions, reduce food cravings, eliminate pain and implement positive goals. Lisa Cobb, LMSW, is a Mindfulness Practitioner, certified Hypnotherapist, and practices EFT at the center. She also brings 30 years of experience in social work and teaching to the practice.

Yoga Instruction is taught by Jane Donnelly at the International Wellness Partners’ center. Jane is a certified Tantric Hatha Yoga teacher in the style of Para Yoga® and a certified YogaFit teacher. Jane completed the year-long study of Living Tantra led by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D., spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. She also is a Reiki Master and certified in Thai massage.

Lisa W. Lee, the proprietor of International Wellness Partners, is a wellness entrepreneur. She is an author, energy therapist, teacher, and Reiki Master of 15 years. She formed this practice in February of 2010. Lee has a life-long commitment to both help and inspire people who are on their quest for improved health and wellness. Her professional center provides support and instruction from several holistic treatment professionals, giving people options when making decisions about their own health care.

InternationalWellnessPartners.com14998 Cleveland St., Suite C, Spring Lake, MI 49456

616.566.1972

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Finally, with the holidays just around the corner, know that both Village Baker and the Baker’s Wife would be honored to be part of your family dinners and holiday get-togethers. Page 22 has a holiday shopping list of all of our best-selling breads, desserts and other baked goods. Feel free to call in your orders or stop in to the bakery, and we will have your order ready for pick up just before your holiday gathering!

Small-Town Bakery, Big-Time Community

Village Baker and the Baker’s WifeDear friends, customers and community members:

It is with great pleasure that I present the third edition of Village Appetite, a local magazine designed to better connect small-business owners in the Village of Spring Lake with you, the fabulous people they serve. It is my hope that

every issue will provide you with new and exciting discoveries about the fantastic offerings available in our village, in hopes that you might visit or become a regular customer of many of our retail stores, restaurants, and professional-service providers.

This issue was especially rewarding for me. First, each issue requires that I get to know every small-business owner and service provider featured in the magazine, and this task is a complete privilege. This particular issue just happens to include a great number of talented female business owners (some in highly non-traditional roles), and it also includes some very inspiring entrepreneurs. Being a business owner myself and having four children, I cheerfully see entrepreneurship and female business ownership as a growing trend and I find it thrilling. Second, in this issue I created a feature celebrating Village Baker’s commercial customers. Working with our restaurant accounts to pull this piece together and seeing all of the beautiful menu items they have created using Village Baker bread left me in a happy state of pride and gratitude. It’s my hope you will find this issue equally as satisfying.

To all of you who have been to the Village Baker in Spring Lake or to our companion store, the Baker’s Wife in Grand Haven, we thank you for coming. We also thank you for bringing your family and dearest friends to our bakeries this summer, and we hope you enjoyed your visits.

Village Baker617 E Savidge, Spring Lake, MI 49456616.935.7312 • villagebaker.usTues - Thur 7:00 am - 8:00 pm • Fri - Sat 7:00 am - 9:00 pmSun 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Closed Mondays in the winter

the Baker’s Wife107 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417616.935.7757Tues - Thur 7:30 am - 6:00 pm • Fri - Sat 7:30 am - 7:30 pmSun 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Closed Mondays in the winter

Holiday Hours:Open Mondays 11/24 & 12/22Closed Thanksgiving 11/27 & Christmas 12/25Winter Two-Week Shut-Down: Closed January 1st - January 15thReopening January 16th, 2015!!!

Are you in the right home for

the holidays?

Village Baker’s

Pumpkin Cheesecake

3 (8oz) packages of cream cheese

1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree

1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condens

ed milk

3 Tbsp of maple syrup2 tsp of ground

cinnamon

1 tsp of nutmeg½ tsp salt3 eggs

Whether buying or selling your home, call the Sandi Gentry

Team for your real estate needs. Immediate phone response

616.502.5551

SANDI GENTRY TEAMTHE LAKESHORE REAL ESTATE LEADER

Pick up your

complimentary recipe

at Village Baker or

Sandi Gentry’s Office

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great personal service

spring lake

fruitport

we carry local products

Gary Gerlach has always had a healthy appetite for the food business.

He took his first taste in 1969, when as a teenager he carried out customers’ groceries to their cars at the Harding’s Market in Coloma, MI, where he grew up. He quickly moved up through the ranks of Family Fare stores for a dozen years, and transitioned to the wholesale side of the grocery business for the next 15 years at Spartan Stores. In time, Gary became the Director of Operations for Roundy’s corporate stores in Michigan – Orchard Markets. After just a few years in that role, he would be given the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning his own stores. In the fall of 2004, Gary and his wife Cindy became the proud owners of the Spring Lake and Fruitport Orchard Markets. Separated by only five miles and situated on opposite ends of Spring Lake, the two stores feel blessed to do business in and serve their great communities. “Taking care of our shoppers is always our top priority, from customer service to cleanliness and everything in between,” says Gary.

At Orchard Markets, being a “hometown” grocery market rather than a “mega-store” means much more customer focus on a personal level and taking the time to go the extra mile to ensure satisfaction.

Investing back into the business is a key for Orchard Markets by making sure that both building and grounds are kept up-to-date and daily conditions are top-notch for customers and community alike. Gary and Cindy believe that investing in the community is equally important through event participation and sponsorship opportunities. “Giving back to community is a privilege indeed,” he says. For the Gerlachs, their servant-leadership philosophy at Orchard Markets focuses on people -- those who make up the Real People – Real Service team at the markets, as well as the valued and discerning shoppers who live within our neighborhoods and communities and who choose to spend their time and money locally. Gary and Cindy know that this is the recipe for enduring success in the food business, and they thank you for your patronage.

www.theorchardmarkets.com

ownersGary and Cindy Gerlach

A true “hometown” store

Hometown MarketsReal People - Real Service

made in michigan products

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Planning your next day trip? One of West Michigan’s most interesting antique shopping experiences, Depot Antiques is home to a treasure trove of collectibles including gorgeous furniture, original signage, home decor, and accessories. The Depot also has a large assemblage of military artifacts and nautical relics for sale. Built in 1884, Depot Antiques resplendently resides in the rescued train depot original to the Village of Spring Lake. Owner Ruth Bisacky and her husband Gary purchased the structure, relocated it to its current location and began renovations in 1998. It was two years before they opened their doors for business in 2000.

If you have not yet been to this one-of-a-kind store, be sure to include it in your next day-trip plan. During cold months I suggest you bring mittens and wear warm clothes so you can visit “the barn,” a newer-built pole barn just west of the cozy-warm train depot chock full of overflowing furnishings and bargain pieces.

Happy day-tripping!~ Sara, the Baker’s Wife

14599 Cleveland St.Spring Lake, MI616.847.7100Mon - Sat - 10 - 5pmSunday Noon - 5pm

a giant pistol, a red milk can, wooden wagon

wheel, a wall clock that must be wound,

ornaments for the Christmas tree,

a tall ship, a covered wagon,

two airplanes, and three propellers

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Many of our customers have come to enjoy the rich flavor of the fresh-ground coffee we sell. But did you know you can experience the same freshness and better texture by milling your oats at Village Baker?

A few years ago, Scott Below, a military veteran, former Kraft and Kellogg executive, then a stay-

at-home father and inventor (or constant tinkerer?), had a crazy idea to build his own flaking mills, even using gorgeous repurposed cherry hardwood from his property. His mills score and flatten groats (hulled, whole-oat kernels) while you wait!

Oats sold at grocery stores are flattened,as well; they are, however, usually steamed to soften them first. By steaming the oats, manufacturers reduce the preparation time, but the result is often lacking in texture, even a bit mushy. Oran and I were so thrilled to bring home a bag, prepare our first pot of oats and discover a superior bowl of oatmeal with a chewy texture, heartier flavor and lovely whole flakes.

Many of you likely are familiar with steel-cut oats. But for those who are not, steel-cut oats are coarser than the Grainery’s pressed and scored oats. They are actually chopped groats as opposed to flattened. Due to the denser, but chopped, kernel, the steel-cut oats take up to 20-30 minutes to prepare. The Grainery’s oats usually take about 8 minutes, just 2 to 3 minutes more than rolled oats from the grocery store.

To the right is a photo of the Grainery’s board of directors: Scott Below, his wife and business partner, Christine, and their two children, Donovan and McKenna. Scott’s wife and children are regular vendors at area farmers’ markets in the summer while Scott builds the mills and delivers to their growing customer base. Since their humble beginnings in 2011, Scott has manufactured and placed over 48 mills in stores across Michigan.

Oats are a famously healthy breakfast choice, being high in soluble fiber and protein. Oran and I think these oats are definitely worth the extra few minutes of preparation time, and your children may pridefully enjoy eating the oats they milled at Village Baker. While supplies last, the Grainery is offering a free recipe card for apple pie oatmeal and cherry drop cookies with your purchase of fresh-milled oats.

Other West Michigan locations for The Grainery’s fresh-milled oats are Simpatico (Holland), Sobie Meats (Walker), Horrocks (Grand Rapids), and Kingma’s (Grand Rapids).

by Sara Rathbun, the Baker’s Wife

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GraineryFRESH MILLED OATS

The

Thoughts from the Baker’s Wife...

Within the past few months a close friend of mine lost a parent unexpectedly. It is tragedies like these that give us pause and reason to review our own legal preparedness in the unlikely event of sudden death.

When we die, our families will be grieving our loss. While grieving they will need to pay our unpaid bills, pack up our homes and divide our assets. Having a will, a power of attorney and an estate plan will make this obligation much easier. Not having one will most likely be a burden to your loved ones with avoidable stress, family tension, and financial loss.

We trust Cara with our business’ legal needs, and are utilizing her personally for estate-planning services, and we feel comfortable recommending her to you.

Located across the street from The Village Bakercara@caragalbavilaw.com | 616.935.1030

My friend’s loss was a reminder to me that… Everyone needs to have an up-to-date will.

We all need to have a power of attorney in place.An estate plan is for everyone. It is the tool we

need to avoid financial loss to our families.

estate planning | business | probate | real estate

Green CleanersWe utilize eco-friendly

products that clean and shine your home.

Professional Cleaning with a Personal Touch

A lovely restaurant in the Village of Spring Lake...with a view of the Grand River

940 W. Savidge, Spring Lake, MI 49456 Telephone: (616) 846-1370jackswaterfrontbistro.com

Residential and CommercialBonded and Insured 18 Years Experience

jbprocleaning@gmail.com616.212.7548

JB Pro Cleaning

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World-Class Anti-Aging and Spa Treatments now available locally.By Sara Rathbun, the Baker’s Wife

Relocated from a second-floor office building on Jackson Street,

this established skin care clinic has made its new home at 701 E.

Savidge in Spring Lake’s East Village. Sabo Skin Care’s intimate

office is absolutely gorgeous, with floor-to-ceiling elegant wood

walls and calming greens, turquoise and blue tones throughout.

Low lighting, respectful privacy and luxurious treatment tables

aid in the transition from “busy day” to “deep therapeutic

relaxation.” Once you begin your treatment and consultation, you

will wish it could last forever!

Cindy Sabo, a Licensed Esthetician, Holistic

Skin-Care Practitioner, and Massage

Therapist is a perfectionist dedicated to

sharing her knowledge, expertise and

passion. Cindy only uses one product line,

Elina Organics skin care products, and she

also retails the line for your at-home skin

care regimen. These products are 100% organic, transdermal

and bio-energized – a totally unique skin care line that is safe,

effective, and locally produced in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

All treatments are customized to each client’s specific needs.

Some Sabo Skin-Care treatments include:

Corrective Herbal Facials

Diamond-Peel Microdermabrasion

Anti-wrinkle warm needle drawing treatment

Acne-Clearing Facial

Crushed-Amber Gemstone Facial

Deep-Rejuvenation Lip Treatment

Intensive Rejuvenating Eye Treatment

Do you have a friend on your gift list who seems to have

everything? “I make sure my gift-certificate clients are given a

fantastic experience,” says Cindy. “A special Holiday $50 Custom

Herbal Facial comes with samples of Elina Organics Intensive

Eye Revitalization Complex and Silky Body Lotion. It makes a

lovely gift!”

Learn more about Sabo Skin Care’s products and services at their

website saboskincare.com or call 616.844.5020 to schedule an

appointment, a visit or to order a gift certificate.

Over two years ago, Village Baker began delivery to our very first commercial account. After strong encouragement from owners Steve and Carole Loftis, the breakfast chef and manager of the Dee-Lite restaurant at 24 Washington Avenue in Grand Haven called us for a meeting and added our authentic Polish rye, European style six-grain sourdough (they call it multi-grain) and our ingredient-rich cinnamon raisin bread to their toast offerings. Last spring, the Dee-Lite created two new breakfast sandwiches featuring Village Baker breads. Both the Cheesy BLT, a bacon, lettuce, tomato, egg and cheese sandwich on the famous Village Baker pretzel, and the Sammy, with Swiss cheese, golden hash browns and egg grilled on our thick-slice Challah bread are pictured.

Just a month after our two-week shut-down in January of 2013 and trip to Germany, Mark Boertman of Toast ‘N Jams at 3462 Henry Street in Muskegon paid our bakery a visit, exploring the idea of using our bread for their toast. We deliver our delicious 100% whole wheat, classic San Francisco sourdough, delicious cinnamon raisin, fabulous 9-grain and traditional marbled rye three times weekly to Toast ‘N Jams. Enjoy any or all of these breads for your side of toast with their delicious signature home-made freezer jam. It is SO good! They even have a small bread rack near the counter where they sell loaves of bread for customers to take home. Thoughtful!

In the fall of 2013, The Lake House Waterfront Grille located at 730 Terrace Point on Muskegon Lake joined our family of customers, initially by inviting us to supply rolls and to supplement their desserts for their fabulous event brunches on Thanksgiving,

Local Restaurants with Village Baker on the menu...

Old Boys’

Toast ‘N Jams

Toast ‘N Jams

Old Boys’

by Sara Rathbun, the Baker’s Wife

Mothers’ Day and Easter. After that, our breads joined the menu on some incredible sandwiches. The pretzel slider triplets (pictured) feature turkey, candied maple bacon, brie cheese, apricot & peach jam and a slice of Granny Smith apple. You also can enjoy an Italian melt on garlic and rosemary focaccia with Genoa salami, oven-roasted rosemary ham and Capicola ham, gouda, parmesan, roasted garlic cloves, banana pepper, roasted red pepper and yellow tomato, sun-dried tomato pesto and Italian dressing. Wow! And, finally, built upon the foundation of our delicious pumpernickel rye bread, the Ham & Gouda delights with rosemary-seasoned ham, gouda cheese, fried sweet-hottie pickles, arugula, tomato with red onion fig and caramelized onion jam and a malt vinegar tarragon aioli (pictured).

Spring of 2014 marked the beginning of another new business relationship with our friends down the street -- Old Boys at 971 W. Savidge in Spring Lake. Enjoy a Meatloaf Brisket sandwich with gouda cheese, crispy onions and stout BBQ sauce on Village Baker gouda bread. All of Old Boys’ burgers, their lake perch and pulled pork are served on a “Butter Bun” made special for Old Boys. It is a light wheat & white bun and we make it using their brewers malt! Both the Grilled Ham & Beer Cheese sandwich and the Bowser’s Barreled Kraut sandwich with house-braised shredded corned beef with Swiss and Russian dressing are served on our fabulous marbled rye.

We have a great deal of respect and appreciation for these restaurants. They all desire a better product but it comes with a higher price tag and a shorter shelf life. They are paying more for Village Baker breads, and they carefully inventory the bread because it contains NO mold inhibitors or additives. And by using Village Baker breads they are keeping jobs and revenue local. We hope you are able to visit these restaurants and and try some of their menu items. By the looks of these pictures, the task seems rather delicious, doesn’t it?

Dee-Lite

Lake House

Lake House

Dee-Lite

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“Selecting a builder is one of the most important steps of having a successful and enjoyable experience when building a new home or remodeling. My name is Michelle Tanner, and I would like you to interview me as a candidate to be your builder.”

A fifth-generation builder, Michelle Tanner oversees a home-building company specializing in sophisticated architecture, quality structure, current and cutting-edge offerings in design details, custom aesthetic, and, most importantly, functional features.

“My service starts at our first discovery meeting. We listen, develop an understanding of your needs, evaluate the project scope, and present you with additional building possibilities that you may not have considered. Ideas are exchanged, plans are drawn and then revised, details are finalized, and then finally a contract is signed, permits are pulled, and the project is underway.”

Michelle says that there are two key factors to enjoying a stress-free remodel or new build. The first is maintaining a relationship that is based on open communication and organization, and the second is starting your planning early. Let Michelle Tanner Homes’ expertise in construction logistics and customer service make your building experience one that will be a joy from beginning to end.

Call Michelle Tanner Homes today to schedule a meeting.

616.638.0345 MichelleTannerHomes.com

Doug Taylor is a detail painter for the perfectionist customer. From furniture and cabinetry to large and small interior projects, Doug is my resource for even the most challenging jobs.

doug@dougtaylordeorating.comwww.dougtaylordecorating.com616.634.2161

Jennifer Rae Baker is a local creative consultant and design specialist offering residential new-construction, entire-home or by-room

design service. Other services include corporate interiors, holiday decoration,

and event planning and styling for special occasions.

jennifer rae baker interior design, llc.email: jrb7497@aim.com

phone: 773.354.2402

Making Your House Your Home... A Brush with Perfectionwith a mix of classic and unique items that reflect your personal style and budget.

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Find these gifts and more at

Village Baker

theBaker’s Wife&

Storage tins in all different sizes

Pencil zipper pursesjust $6.00

Funny lavatory mists $12

and socks that express your true feelings

Cute coin purses $4.00

Cross-body handbags

$19

Large shopping totes $15

Small shopping totes $10

Lovely bags made from

post-consumer materials

Village Baker is located at 617 E. Savidge, Spring Lake, MI 49456Call 616.935.7312 to have something set aside

Baker’s Wife is at 107 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417To call the Grand Haven store dial 616.935.7757

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Something old,Water’s Edge Boutique

JoC Boutique

Gem Source

Don’t miss the Dinner and a Fashion Show at Village Baker

January 29th, 2015 and March 19th, 2015

By Reservation Only - Tickets on Sale at

Village Baker$20 per person with special

discount coupons for attendees!

Lightly used fashionable clothing and accessories108 W. Savidge in Spring Lake next to the Village Hall

Something new,Trendy affordable new fashions and accessories • 110 S. Lake Ave, Spring Lake – the front door faces Savidge

Something blue.Lovely custom jewelry like diamonds and sapphires and rubies, oh my! 622 E. Savidge, Spring Lake.

Something borrowed,This event will take place at Village Baker, 617 E. Savidge, Spring Lake. Reserve your tickets by calling 616.935.7312 or stop in. This event is limited to 45 attendees, so call right away!

Water’s Edge Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-2pm 616-847-0518

JoC Boutique Tue-Fri 10am-5:30pm & Sat 10am-3pm 616-607-7280

Gem Source Mon-Sat 9am - 5pm 616-846-4842

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Something borrowed,

It’s time to have a chat over coffee with Michelle Dixon, a local jeweler in the Village of Spring Lake. Michelle describes her business

as in the vanguard of “the future of jewelers” – in which professional jewelers forego the storefront and heavy inventory and “get personal,” meaning they work one-on-one with clients and build their business of fine jewelry sales and custom jewelry design mostly by referrals.

Sara: I have to admit, Michelle, that when I heard about your office across the street from our bakery, I thought you dealt in costume not custom jewelry. So I was really quite surprised.

Michelle: You are not alone, Sara. People have asked me if I do home jewelry parties, so I have to tell them I don’t sell that kind of jewelry... Just think DIAMONDS!

Sara: So tell me how you became a jeweler.

Michelle: I graduated from Ferris State University with a degree in marketing. I was not sure exactly what I was going to do with my degree, but I have always been very entrepreneurial and I LOVE diamonds. I explored the training and education required of becoming a jeweler and started growing my business.

Sara: You mentioned that most of your business comes by way of referrals. Maybe I am old school, but I thought that for something as pricey as fine jewelry, people preferred shopping the stores.

Michelle: Yes, but shopping habits are changing and improving, really. In the 1970s consumers were shifting purchases from small independent jewelers to big box stores, which resulted in an over-all degradation of gemstone and precious metals quality. Then, “mall stores” emerged to compete with big box store prices. Today independent jewelers like me are using their

skills, talents and expertise to accomplish exactly what the end-user is looking for, but on a personal-service level without the big expense of huge inventory costs.

Sara: So how would a couple shop for an engagement ring?

Michelle: We meet at my office and decide on the type of desired precious metal, diamond size, cut, clarity and ring style by trying on a variety of rings. I have a digital “catalog” that I present that match my clients’ criterion. I can even custom build a virtual ring at my desk while my clients watch and add input. The most important thing is that my clients have an honest professional who will give them the quality gem and grade of precious metal that they are paying for.

Sara: So tell me what you do the most. What represents the majority of your business?

Michelle: As with most jewelers, engagement and wedding bands is most of my business, and then the rest is all of the purchases and services my clients need after that important decision. Because engagement rings are such a large purchase and important decision, I get most of my referrals for couples looking for their “commitment rings.” After that, I have them for life. It’s a relationship built on trust, and it’s convenient and personal. I just met with a regular client at your store, Sara. He gave me a picture of a necklace from a magazine that his wife had admired, and we decided upon quality and budget. The dialogue will continue through an exchange of emails, and then I will likely deliver the finished piece to his office within a few days. Nice, eh?

Sara: Love it! So Michelle, if readers want to contact you to use your services, how should they do that?

Michelle: Call me at the office 616.846.4842 or on my mobile phone 616.502.9015 or email me for an appointment at info@gemsourcejewelry.com. Also visit my website: gemsourcejewelry.com.

Q and A with Michelle Dixon of Gem Source Fine Jewelry Interview by Sara Rathbun, the Baker’s Wife

622 E. Savidge, Spring Lake, MI 49456gemsourcejewelry.com

I love my role as the Village Baker. Arriving at our bakery as the last hours of one day ebb into the first hours of the next, I often reflect on the thousands of years of history and tradition that have given us one of humanity’s oldest and most important foods.

It was nearly 12,000 years ago that early agricultural communities first began to cultivate cereal grains and make bread. Coarse and

nutritious flour was made by pounding whole grain with stone. Combined with water, kneaded, shaped, and baked in an open hearth, these primitive, unleavened loaves were essential to the food security of our ancestors.

Sometimes the dough, when left unbaked in a warm place,

would begin to ferment. Yeasts naturally present on the husks of grain would spring to life, transforming and leavening the dough into a much lighter and aromatic loaf. Pieces of the active and living dough were saved and mixed in with the next batch of bread. This simple and age-old technique, invented thousands of years ago, has remained to this day. Other methods were used, as well. In the first century A.D., the great Roman philosopher and naturalist Pliny the Elder noted that the Gauls and Iberians were using the foam skimmed from beer to produce “a lighter kind of bread than other people’s.”

By the late 19th century, the work of the French microbiologist Louis Pasteur led to the development of commercial bread yeast. This was the crucial advancement that has made possible modern bread-making. Now bakers could quickly and reliably produce a huge variety of bread that otherwise would be very tricky using the old sourdough method. Rich breads like cinnamon raisin and challah, and all manner of dinner rolls and buns, have become much-loved staples.

Bread, an ancient food source and a modern-day stapleBy Oran Rankin, THE Village Baker

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But I still love my sourdoughs.

I use a strain from San Francisco which is known for a complex but subtle flavor, great leavening action, a wonderful crumb, and a sublime crust. To ensure the ongoing purity of our sourdough culture, I carefully pasteurize select wheat and rye flours with boiling water. Once the new liquid-culturing medium cools to about 100° F, it’s inoculated with a couple quarts of fully ripened culture.

And in a couple days, several gallons of frothy and living San Francisco sourdough culture is ready to use.

Sometime around noon of each day the next day’s sourdough is mixed. Six pounds, eleven ounces sourdough culture, 11

quarts of cool water, 14 ounces of sea salt, and exactly one 50-pound bag of a hard red spring wheat patent flour from North Dakota is kneaded for 15 minutes in our big 80-quart Hobart mixer. Next, it’s transferred to a couple of large tubs for a long and cool bulk-fermentation. When I come in at night, it’s ready to roll. After being shaped, it’s proofed for a couple more hours. Then it’s into our big oven, slid right onto the stone decks and hand steamed with a brass wand. About 35 minutes later, 40 loaves or so of our signature San Francisco sourdough is pulled from the oven and onto the cooling rack.

Our popular and lovingly prepared San

Francisco Sourdough is available every day, along with a full range of artisan, made-from-scratch breads.

McClure’s - The best darn pickles ($9.50), relishes ($6) and Bloody Mary mix ($12) money can buy, and made in Michigan -- just outside of Detroit!

Locally designed bucket-list gifts include all the fun things we love about our towns! They include our favorite things to do, local foodswe love, and places not to miss!

Ceramic mugs ($12), acrylic tumblers ($18), note card sets ($12), tote bags ($14), and 18” pillows ($36) make lovely gifts for anyone on your list!

Sugar Bin - Local Maple Syrup at its best, Sugar Bin is delicious and a great value ($12 12-oz to $19 quart).

Mrs. Dog’s MustardMade in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this slightly sweet mustard has a kick of tarragon that cannot be beat! A jar of Mrs. Dog’s ($5.50) and a basket of Village Baker pretzels are a hit at any party or as a corporate office gift. Available at either the Village Baker or the Baker’s Wife.

Gifts for the Holidays Made in Michigan

M-Salt (Michigan Salted) features salt, herbs and spices blended to perfection. This locally made seasoning is an ideal flavor enhancement for meat, eggs, fish, salads, vegetables, sauces, soups and stews. ($8.50 - $20).

Spring Lake Grand Haven Traverse City Glen Arbor Onekama Les Cheneaux Islands Michigan

New Michigan design (who doesn’t love the mitten?) now available at

Village Baker in Spring Lake & The Paper Place in Grand Haven

More gifts online TandemForTwo.etsy.com

Local Artisan Gifts

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Cento Anni - These lovely cutting boards are made in Holland, Michigan, using repurposed American Hardwoods. A quality gift ($15 to $90), these end-grain cutting boards are crafted to last 100 years -- thus the name Cento Anni.

Village Baker Biscotti & Granola - If you are shipping a gift, Village Baker Biscotti ($7) and Granola ($10) have a long shelf life so you can purchase your gift now and they travel well, too! Both are Bakery favorites, made with excellent ingredients, and appeal to a broad audience.

atVillage Baker and the Baker’s Wife

Baskets from Africa

Absolutely gorgeous paper lanterns complete with cord and shade ($25) for either the stars or the globes. These items are highly shippable and a winning gift! Imported.

Beautiful, fashionable, useful and quality-made baskets ($18 - $55). Manufactured in Ghana, mostly by women in an area with poor agricultural conditions, basket making has provided many families with a comfortable living wage. Fair Trade Company.

Paper Lanterns

Vintage-Inspired Skates Filled with holiday florals, these skates are hand-crafted by our in-house designer, Sue. $59.95

Mr. Winterberry Pillow Made of wool and felt, these pillows will cozy up your home for the holidays. $32.98

Wilde Thyme Soups & DipsMade in Holland, Michigan these make great gifts for friends and family. No MSG and no preservatives. $8.49 each

R House Gifts

R House Gift Shop704 E. Savidge St.

Spring Lake, MI616.847.3530

Celebrating 25 years!

Gifts for the Holidays

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Village Baker Holiday 2014 order guide

THanksgiVing, CHrisTmas & new years

Breads:____ Cranberry Walnut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.00____ Cheese and Garlic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.25____ French . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75____ Italian Rosemary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75____ Nine-Grain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75____ Polish Rye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75____ Chocolate Cherry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.00____ Vienna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75____ San Francisco Sourdough. . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75____ Six-Grain Sourdough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75____ Cinnamon Raisin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.25____ French Baguette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.00____ Epi (“budding” baguette) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.00 ____ Holiday Bread (apricots and pecans). . . . . . . . $5.25 ____ Poppy-Seed (poppy and honey swirl). . . . . . . . $5.25____ Christmas Stollen (not at Thanksgiving) . . . . . $9.00

Rolls:____ Soft Buttery Rolls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40¢ ea ____ Dinner Rolls - Small round (serves 10-12) . . . . $8.00____ Dinner Rolls - full wheel - 36 count . . . . . . . . $15.00____ Hard Rolls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50¢ ea____ Horse-Shoe Rolls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75¢ ea

Breakfast Items:____ Veggie Quiche (Serves 8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22.00____ Quiche Lorraine (Bacon, Swiss and Onion - 8). . $24.00____ Home-made Granola by the bag . . . . . . . . $9.75____ Scones $2.00 ea or reserved dozen . . . . . $20.00 Cranberry Almond, Apricot, White Chocolate Cherry, Asiago, Cinnamon Chip, and Chocolate Chip

____ Muffins $2.00 ea or reserved dozen . . . . . $20.00 Blueberry, Cranberry Orange, Banana Chocolate Chip, Health Muffin or Cranberry Bran

Pies:____ Pumpkin Pie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00____ Dutch Apple-Cranberry Pie . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14.00____ Blueberry Pie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14.00____ Cherry Pie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14.00____ Pecan Pie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.00

Cheesecakes:____ Pumpkin Cheesecake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40.00____ Chocolate Cheesecake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $40.00____ Vanilla Bean Cheesecake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.00

Other Desserts: ____ Cookie Box (2 holiday, 1 breakfast, 1 chocolate crinkle 2 signature chocolate chip, 2 molasses, 2 sugar. . . . $10.00____ Box of 8 Holiday Cookies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 ____ Box of Bars (3 pecan, 3 congos, 3 brownies) . . . . . $20.00

Dishes to Pass:____ 12 Bavarian Pretzels & Mustard . . . . . . . . . . $25.00____ Pretzels individually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.00____ Spinach & Artichoke Dip with a Pumpernickel Bread Boule . . . . . . . . . $16.00____ Focaccia Bread tomato and herb, onion and dill, gorgonzola and mushroom, pepperoni, or jalapeño and pineapple . . . . . $5.00

PHone order: 616-935-7312Village Baker Hours 7am - 8pm Tues - Thurs

7am - 9pm Friday and Saturday 8am - 7pm SundayOpen Monday 11/24 but closed Thanksgiving Day

Open Monday 12/22 but closed ChristmasOpen New Year’s Eve 8am - 4pm

Closed Jan 1st - Jan 15th OPEN JAN 16th

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$1 of any sandwich on the menu

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

Village Baker Coupon. Offer valid through April 1st 2015.

$1 of build your own sandwich

$1

$1 Of any salad on the menu on the menu$1 of any egg sandwich

$1 of any breakfast entree

$1 of our delicious home-made quiche

$1 of any$1 of any$1 of any

PIZZA! PIZZA!PIZZA!

I’ll always remember the neighborhood pizzerias in San Francisco that our family frequented on those

special nights out. The places always seemed so cozy on the city’s famously cool and foggy

nights. In my mind’s eye, I can still summon up the red-glass pizzeria candles glowing

at each table and the air heavy with the rich aroma of tomatoes, cheese, and roasted garlic. The pizza, of course, was always delicious. The crust was thin, the sauce thick and spicy, and the cheese perfectly browned and melty.

Naturally, I’ve tried to rekindle some of my romanticized memories at Village Baker. Our pizzas are built on the classic thin crust, with the sauce a blend of quality

tomatoes and many herbs and spices, and our house cheese a tasty

mix of mozzarella and asiago.

So, call or visit to order a great pizza from Village Baker! They are available

daily beginning at 3:00 p.m., and if you bring the kids to eat out at our warm and friendly

bakery they, too, may be inspired to romanticize the neighborhood pizzeria when they grow up!

Many of our customers have asked if they could purchase pizza dough and sauce for creating their own

pizza masterpieces at home, and the answer has always been: “Si, certo!” Dough balls that are scaled for a 12” pizza are only

$3.00, and an 8 oz. container of sauce is also $3.00. Buon appetito!

PIZZA at the bakery

village baker 617 E. Savidge Street

Pizza guyZach Bugeilski

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Spring Lake, MI 49456 Phone: 616.935.7213

Baker’s Wife $10

Chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts and gorgonzola cheese on basil

pesto, dotted with red sauce

Roasted Garlic & Chicken $10

White sauce, chicken, roasted garlic, balsamic reduction and arugula

Texas Chicken $9

Barbecue sauce, asiago cheese, chicken, bacon, red onion and

jalapeño peppers

Oranator $10 Pepperoni, sausage, bacon, bell

peppers, red onion, and mushrooms on red sauce

The Villager $10

Red sauce, sausage, red onion, fresh basil, balsamic reduction

and panko bread crumbs

Rustica $10 This European pie features green

olives, gorgonzola cheese and a red vodka sauce

Garlic & Greens $9

White sauce with spinach, artichoke hearts, roasted garlic and panko

bread crumbs

Margherita $10

Fresh basil, fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced tomatoes and fresh

roasted garlic on olive oil

Portobello MushroomsFresh Mushrooms Spinach Bell PeppersArtichoke HeartsJalapeñosFresh Basil

Pineapple Green Olives Kalamata Olives Red OnionsFresh Tomatoes Roasted Garlic Sun-dried Tomatoes

Cheeses: FetaHouse Cheese Blend GorgonzolaFresh MozzarellaGoat Cheese Parmesan

Meats: Roasted ChickenPepperoniItalian SausageBaconSalamiHam

Customize your Village Pizza $1 for each added topping

Sauces: Classic Red SauceOlive OilBasil PestoRoasted Red PepperBarbecue SauceWhite Béchamel Sauce

Vegetable Toppings:

Cheese Pizza $7 12” includes sauce and our cheese blend

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124 W. Savidge in Spring Lake

616-850-0395STORE HOURS:

M-F: 10am-6pm | Sat: 10am-2pm

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Dear Santa,1. 21” iMac with Wireless Keyboard and Mouse2. Apple Battery Charger with Reusable Batteries3. Apple TV and Apple Remote4. Magic Trackpad 5. Airport Express 6. Apple Magic Mouse 7. Lightning to USB connector8. iPad Air and iPad Mini 9. 27” iMac with Retina 5k display10. Gift Certificates Wrapped and ReadyI’ve been good this year!

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Wayback Audio3562 Chicago DriveGrandville, MI 49418(616) 329-0029

For the best in musical playback, the professionals at Wayback Audio will help you build a fantastic stereo to fit your budget. With more turntables set up and ready to demo than any other dealer around, and great electronics to audition them with, you will be amazed to discover what a joy it is to listen to a great two-channel system. 

I just have to proselytize for a second: You NEED a good stereo (and you may tell your spouse I said so). So VISIT the experts at Wayback Audio. When I purchased a phono cartridge, I MIGHT have been able to save a few bucks buying one from an unknown source on the internet, but it would not have been exactingly installed and backed up by the great people at Wayback Audio.

A few of the great lines they represent: Clearaudio, Pro-Ject, Cambridge Audio, Rogue Audio, KEF Loudspeakers, Focal, Soundsmith phono cartridges, Jolida.

Oran’s Recommendations is written by Oran Rankin who, in addition to being THE Village Baker, is also a music and stereo enthusiast and author of the regular column, the Audiophile Report. 

Oran’s Recommendation:

Just a few observations, updates, and random musings in this edition of Oran’s Audiophile Report.

We have added four more zones to our sound system. Now there is a much more even distribution of music in the hallway, and in the “green” dining room. I was able to buy a very nice used Rotel four-channel amplifier and some stereo pairs of Definitive Technology ceiling speakers. The tricky part was getting the line level signal from the front counter all the way over to a closet next to Sara’s office. I was able to find a 125-foot-long RCA cable and fished it up the column by the register, and through walls and above ceilings and finally to the back of the Rotel. Sounds great!

One of our customers brought in a stack of old records for me to see. I love the gems that hide out in these old collections. There were two 45s that caught my eye, by The SoulBenders. A little Google search later and I was reading an interview from a British magazine with Grand Rapids’ own Aris Hampers, one of the great radio personalities and DJ at WLAV. It

turns out that the SoulBenders were a garage band that he formed in the ‘60s and they really had talent. They almost hit it big. I was able to contact Aris and he was thrilled to get them back. There are very few copies left.

I have a soft spot for classic vacuum-tube stereo gear and was so tempted to buy a 50-year-old McIntosh preamplifier and AM/FM tuner. But I really felt I needed to know much more about electronic theory and circuits before I spent a good deal of money on an antique. I thought, “I should study for an amateur radio license -- that will cover what I need to know!” I never bought the McIntosh, but I did earn a general class ham radio license and my call sign is KD8ZGS. So now I’m in the early stages of setting up some sort of radio station.

By the way, there are still some actual places to purchase good stereo equipment in the area. Wayback Audio in Grandville is wonderful. They don’t have a huge selection of brands but what they do have is very well chosen. Northwoods

Audio & Video located on Plainfield Ave. on Grand Rapids’ northeast side is another store for the purist, and of course Bekins Appliance in Grand Haven carries several good lines, including Paradigm loudspeakers and the venerable McIntosh, both of which are not available through the internet or at mega-stores.

ran’s Audiophile ReportOran’s Audiophile Report • Tunes to Dine To • ©2014 Oran Rankin, The Maste

r Bre

ad Bak

er

Side One1. Sourdough Melody - How I love to Watch You Rise

2. Yeastorama 3. French Kiss 4. Brioshe Smeosh

Side Two1. Muffin Madness 2. Coffee In Your Ear 3. Turn It Down

4. Sara’s Coming - Get to Work! 5. My Loaf Won’t Rise

By Oran Rankin, THE Village Baker

The Corner Record Shop3562 Chicago Drive, Grandville, MI 49418 (616) 531-6578

Yes, you still can browse through thousands of LP’s and 45’s and CD’s in an actual store! Whether trying to find that rare, out-of-print gem that you remember from your college days, or new and pristine vinyl from some of today’s cutting-edge artists, The Corner Record Shop in Grandville will please all who truly love music.    On my visit there today to snap a few pics for this piece, I just HAD to flip through the enticing bins. Well, I bought a few: Steely Dan Aja, U2 War, Kate Bush (Limited Edition) This Woman’s Work, Pat Metheny Group Pat Metheny Group, Imogen Heap Sparks, Burning Spear Live in Paris, Zenith ’88. See what I mean?

In business since Thanksgiving Day 1999, The Corner Record Shop has expanded to include the repair, restoration, and sale of phonographs, and even hosts the occasional live show. Check their website for much more information, cornerrecordshop.com.

Oran’s Recommendation:

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Looking for a six-pack of Founders’ All Day IPA, Odd Side’s Citra Pale Ale, or New Holland’s Kourage Brown? Boasting a selection of more than 400 craft beers, the Corner Market is sure to satisfy your epicurean curiosity. Home of the mix-and-match six -pack, Angie and Ricky, proprietors of the Corner Market at M104 and 148th, encourage their customers to enjoy a variety of craft brews, one bottle at a time.

Their recent expansion includes an entire room dedicated to supplies and equipment for wine-making and home-brewing fun. Hops, barley, malts, and brewers’ yeast along with fermenting vessels, bottles, caps, and cappers are all available at the Corner Market.

“Our plans to expand continue based on the requests of our customers,” report Angie and Ricky, who not only are owners but also dedicated beer lovers. “Just as with our craft-beer inventory, our customers tell us what they want and we supply it!”

Personal service is what sets the Corner Market apart from other beer and wine shops. While enjoying a fantastic bottle of wine at

a restaurant in Grand Rapids recently, I photographed the label and emailed it to Angie at corner.market@hotmail.com with the words “Case price?” in the memo. Only days later, I collected my own box of Corvina 2011s at a discounted case price.

*****************ECRWSS**** LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER

VILLAGE BAKER617 E SAVIDGE STSPRING LAKE MI 49456-1956Phone: 616-935-7312

PRSRT STDECRWSS

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

EDDM RETAIL

Extensive selection of craft beers and NOW... gear to craft your own beer!

Life is good!

by Sara Rathbun, the Baker’s Wife

BEER & GEAR

The CornerSPIRITS LLC

M A R K ET

The CornerSPIRITSLLC

M A R K ET

14785 Cleveland • 616.846.0088 • Mon-Thu: 7am-11pm • Fri: 7am-Midnight • Sat: 8-Midnight • Sun: 9am-10pm