Brook Lodge Hotel & Conference Center, one of our area’s hidden gems, is nestled on more than 600 acres of woodland in Augusta. What is a historical site for the founder of Kalamazoo’s Upjohn Company continues to make history for couples and families around the world.
Originally the summer retreat of Dr. W.E. Upjohn, Brook Lodge has transformed into a full-service conference center, now owned by Michigan State University. The 40-acre campus of Brook Lodge has been meticulously kept for more than a century. Gardens, gazebos, nature trails, streams and Old Mill pond outline three halls and eight unique cottages boasting more than 40 rooms.
As a premier wedding site in Southwest Michigan, Brook Lodge offers more than just a pretty landscape. The bride and groom may choose from several sites on the property to host their wedding and reception, including Genevieve’s Garden, the Conference Hall, the Upjohn Ballroom, the Doctor’s Cottage, the Dining Hall or a tent among the gardens.
Brook Lodge prides itself in top-notch guest amenities, a professional and attentive staff and elegant food service. It was recognized by Wedding Wire and The Knot’s “best of weddings” in 2008. Brook Lodge was also recently selected for the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award for demonstrating excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility.
In addition to weddings and weekend getaways, Brook Lodge offers an elegant setting for social affairs, corporate retreats and special events. By partnering with Crux Move Consulting, Brook Lodge hosts corporate team-building exercises, including a secluded ropes course. It also plans elegant dinners and buffets for the general public, including an Easter buffet, a Wine Dinner with the Kalamazoo Wine Taster’s Guild and a Mother’s Day buffet.
Click here to learn more about Brook Lodge's events, services and locations.
Winter is here, and with it comes more than just cold weather. With each season comes a mindset. Suddenly the refreshment that comes with a cold beer on a hot summer day is replaced by the coziness of nice glass of wine at the holiday table. Yes, it is wine season, and Kalamazoo offers some great ways to experience it. more
Kalamazoo's Three Best 'Cozy' Bookstores
Like the feel of a cozy bookstore? Check out these options:
Bookbug, Kalamazoo’s first independent children’s bookstore, will open its doors to the community on February 25 in the Oakwood Plaza on Oakland Drive. To celebrate, Bookbug will feature daily story times, musical performances and free giveaways throughout opening week. The store aspires to be a community hub, where children and their families can read, play, volunteer and give input for book reviews, inventory and website blogs. Boasting over 2,500 titles, Bookbug will host weekly story times, workshops, special events and author visits. The store will attract even the most hesitant young reader as it offers a unique reading area and playhouse covered in a book-shingled roof. Special services include special ordering, book fairs, gift cards/baskets and discounts for schools and educators. To learn more, visit the Bookbug online.
The year 2008 is a milestone year for Kazoo Books - it marks 20 years in Kalamazoo as an independent, family-owned bookstore. Offering two locations (K1 at 407 N. Clarendon, off West Main hill, and K2 at 2413 Parkview with free parking in rear), Kazoo Books sells both gently used and new books -- and the staff ("self-proclaimed book geeks") is happy to order new and out-of-print books for customers. K2 also has an Antiquarian Annex for those who like rare and collectible books. Among the bargains one can find at Kazoo Books is their policy to accept Barnes & Noble, Best Buy and Meijer gift cards (with some restrictions). In addition, they discount for teachers who are stocking their classrooms. Kazoo Books also offers many activities for book lovers. Coming up: Science Fiction Book Group (2/19, 6:30 pm), Soup and Suspense Mystery Group (2/21, 5:30 pm), History Lovers (2/21, 7 pm), Foodie Fun (2/27, 2 pm at Sarkozy's) and Writer's Network (3/11, 6:30 pm). Look for details on the website: www.kazoobooks.com.
Located in the lower level of the Kalamazoo Public Library, The Friends Bookstore features “gently used books very gently priced.” The Friends Bookstore is operated by Friends of the Library, a dedicated group of volunteers who raise money to support literacy programs, help build collections and contribute to special events at the Kalamazoo Public Library. Their recent efforts have helped to sponsor author visits and purchase artwork, paperback collections, library supplies and computer software. In addition to selling used books, The Friends Bookstore also offers audio and videotapes, CDs and KPL logo items. The bookstore is open every Wednesday from 12 p.m. – 7p.m, and Thursday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit The Friends Bookstore for more information or to shop online. To learn about volunteer and donation opportunities, go to Friends of the Library.
Kalamazoo has many distinctions when it comes to livability, among them being rated the third-most livable city in the United States for people who are blind or visually impaired.
According to the American Foundation of the Blind, Kalamazoo stands out not only for the wide array of services available, but also because citizens are aware of blindness and people who are blind, friendly, helpful and accommodating.
Because of the university degree/certification programs in blindness located at Western Michigan University and the Commission for the Blind Training Center, people are accustomed to seeing blind or visually impaired people in the streets and in the community. On top of that, Kalamazoo has a record of hiring people with sensory disabilities. Kalamazoo offers cultural programs and cultural opportunities for people who are blind and visually impaired. Public transportation is also a plus. And, in addition to the Commission, the long-standing Michigan Foundation for the Bind and Visually Impaired, serving the greater Kalamazoo area, provides outreach to help seniors who are losing their eyesight. A therapist trains seniors and their families in adaptation skills.
Oh, the two cities judged more livable for the blind and visually impaired? Charlotte, N.C. and Berkeley, CA.
Lillian Anderson Arboretum
One of the best-kept secrets of the beauty in and around Kalamazoo is the Lillian Anderson Arboretum. It's private property, but if you'll adhere to the policies of the owner, Kalamazoo College, you can enjoy 130 acres of marsh, meadow, pine plantation and second-growth deciduous forest at this lovely Oshtemo Township Retreat.
No, no bikes, fires or horses, and pets must be kept on a leash. Read the posted signs and then enjoy.
Bill Krasean captured this "Avenue of the Trees" there.
Find directions to the Arboretum here.
AL SABO
The Al Sabo Land preserve contains a mix of woods, wetlands and open meadows spanning over 740 acres.
Popular among cross-country ski enthusiasts, the preserve contains 25 miles of trails and there is no fee for admission or parking.
The entrance to the preserve is located on Texas Dr. between 10th St. and 12th St. in Texas Township.
Parking is available near the entrance to Camp Rota-Kiwan on Texas Dr.
To view a map of the preserve, visit
ASYLUM LAKE PRESERVE
Owned by Western Michigan University, the Asylum Lake Preserve consists 274-acres of lake, forest and prairie.
The preserve is located in the southwest corner of the City of Kalamazoo, with boundaries along Stadium Dr., Drake Rd. and Parkview Ave.
Asylum Lake parking is available on the west side of the preserve along Drake Rd.
MILHAM GOLF COURSE
The Milham Golf Course, located on Kalamazoo's east side, is another attraction for local cross-country skiers.
The smoothly groomed, gently rolling trail runs along the perimeter of the course and measures approximately 2 miles.
Parking for skiers is available at Milham Golf Course's lower lot on Lovers Lane, north of Kilgore Rd.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Kleinstuck Preserve, Lillian Anderson Arboretum,
Arcadia property at WMU.
Disagree? Share with us your favorite spot(s).
The Three Best Deals for Grandparents in Kalamazoo
Did you know that for only $150, grandparents can take their children AND grandchildren on unlimited, admission-free explorations to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo? For more information on the Air Zoo and exclusive member benefits and discounts, visit www.airzoo.org. In addition to boasting the world's largest mural, the Air Zoo features more than 35 aircrafts, rides and simulations and ranks fourth in the nation for displaying the largest number of Smithsonian Institution and National Air and Space Museum artifacts.
If $5 balcony tickets to the Kalamazoo Symphony weren't enough of a bargain in "Harvey's Hideaway," take note that unused tickets of regular patrons -- including some of the best in Miller Auditorium -- are handed out in a drawing to Hideaway ticket purchasers when they're available. Next KSO performance is January 19. To purchase tickets and enter the drawing, go to . To choose a concert and to enter the Hidden Treasures raffle, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.
Looking for something a little more active and a little less pricey? Take the grandkids ice skating at WMU's Lawson Ice Arena. It's $3 on weekends, and only $1 on lunch hours Monday through Thursday. Skate rental is also only a buck. For more information, visit www.wmich.edu/lawson.
HONORABLE MENTION:
It's seasonal and weather-permitting, but keep an eye out for sleigh rides at the Kalamazoo Nature Center.
Don't have the grandkids at the moment? Consider an animal tracking outing at the Nature Center on January 29 for people 55 and over. Visit www.naturecenter.org. And don't forget to buy the grandkids those educational gifts at Nature Connection downtown in the Epic Center.
Disagree? Share with us your favorite spot(s).