As the buds on the trees start to show and the daffodils find the sunny skies of May, some of the seasonal Island businesses start to re-open. There always seems to be a few changes and additions to what’s available for residents and visitors to explore.
We are getting ready for our “open daily” day on May 18. Patricia Hewitt and Connie Westbrook have been sharing their excellent skills in retail design while setting out the lovely handmade items, yarns and books in the shop this past week.
The Washington Island Art Association will be renting the Walter Studio the week of May 18-22 for its’ Spring Open Workshop and we’ll welcome our first students of the 2015 season on June 2 for Open Quilt Studio.
Today is the re-opening of the Fragrant Isle Lavender Shop, open on weekends until Memorial Day and then daily. They will be hosting their first Lavender Festival the weekend of July 24-26 with demonstrations, food, music and more. http://fragrantisle.com/
Hotel Washington and Studio is under new ownership and management and is preparing for a busy season in a variety of ways. Read more about what they have planned at http://www.hotelwashingtonandstudio.com/ or http://hotelwashingtonandstudio.com/the-news/.
Our friends at the Danish Mill took a few weeks off this winter to make some interior changes to their work area and are open again. Danish kringle and almond bars, anyone?
We’ve found ourselves at the Red Cup Coffee House the last three Friday mornings after their winter break. They’re open weekends at this time.
Next to the Red Cup, the independent bookstore Islandtime Books was sold and will be operated as Fair Isle Books. Besides handpicked books, Fair Trade gifts including jewelry, home goods and garden items will be added to the shop.
Sunset Resort is open this weekend for lodging and are hosting the a WI Art Association watercolor workshop. In a few weeks, those Icelandic Pancakes will be waiting! https://www.facebook.com/sunsetresortwi
For real exploration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that for the first time, “Plum Island will be open to day use by the public from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Kayakers may access the island by landing at the designated area next to the pier by the boathouse. The dock and breakwall will be closed due to safety issues and must be repaired before it is opened for public use. Larger boats may moor off-shore and use a dinghy, or the like, to land on the island at the kayak entry point.” http://www.plumandpilot.org/
This iconic gate on Rock Island State Park, built in the 1930’s, was slated to come down because of it’s poor condition and related safety concerns. That decision has been changed, in large part due to a public outcry to save the structure. http://www.fori.us/
Thinking ahead to your travel to Sievers and Washington Island this year, please allow a little extra time for road construction projects on the north and west of Green Bay, including the ramp closure leading onto the Leo Frigo (Tower) Bridge in Green Bay as well as lane closures along Hwy. 42 in Sister Bay.
When the calendar turns to May, we know we’ll be seeing you again soon!
We can’t wait to come up to Sievers! This year we’ll be camping in the “new” silver bullet + we’ll have more time on the island! C U Soon!
Looking forward to seeing you again Susanne!
It was nice to have an update on Islands businesses. It will good to check them out when I come this year. The year always seems to go better if it has some “Iland time”.