Crocker House garden walk takes steps to preserve the past

There's a bouquet of reasons to attend the June 23 Crocker House Museum's Garden Walk.

As a fundraiser it supports the upkeep on the historic Italianate home built in 1869 and former residence of the first mayor of Mount Clemens, Joshua Dickinson. His daughter Katherine, the great-granddaughter of city founder Christian Clemens, and son-in-law George M. Crocker moved into the house after their marriage in 1870. The Garden Walk also funds unique events -- presented by the Macomb County Historical Society and the Crocker House Museum -- designed to give families of this century a taste of what Victorian home life might have been like. Say when Mount Clemens' mineral baths and businesses attracted tourists from all over the world. Also supported by the Garden Walk are programs that teach history through the use of artifacts, rotating exhibits, publications, stories and special educational programs.

If you're a novice gardener, the event presents an opportunity to observe and learn how things are done. Whether it's building a rock garden or planting tomatoes. "We have quite a variety of gardens on the tour this year," said Kim Parr, Crocker House director and avid gardener. "We have small and large gardens, shade gardens and a tiered garden built on the banks of the river."

Previous tours wound their way through several cities and townships but this year the tour is at home in the Clem. "It's an easy path," said Parr. "There's one street that has four gardens all within walking distance." The best part is you'll have a map and you can travel at your leisure -- as long as you cover the ground between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For avid gardeners such as Parr, the Garden Walk serves as an opportunity to share her passion with other gardeners and perhaps discover something new along the way. "I always learn something. Just yesterday I learned about asparagus fern. In putting the tour together, I've had to visit all of the gardens and one of them had this hanging plant. The gardener said she only has to water once a week. It's like a fern but very airy-looking, kind of feathery, but thriving. I have a cabin that I do not get to all of the time and something like this would be great."

The tour also offers gardeners examples of new trends including eclectic gardening.

"One woman has tomato plants smack in front of her house. You would think that's odd, but because she has other plants with it, it doesn't look out of place," Parr said.

Tickets for the Garden Walk are $10 for members of the Macomb County Historical Society and $15 for nonmembers.

Of course, it would not be a true Crocker House event without a guest speaker and an offering of tea. In this case it's a breakfast tea served with homemade scones and Devonshire cream, hard-boiled eggs and fresh fruit. Providing a tete-a-tete during the tea will be hosta expert Andy Torvinen. Guests who wish to attend the 9:30 a.m. breakfast before the tour must make reservations by June 15. Cost: $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers. Call for reservations at 586-465-2488. Walkers also can enjoy a garden lunch at Che Cosa to include chilled berry soup, choice of chicken salad, tuna salad, or a veggie croissant with fresh orzo side salad and an iced tea for $8, with $2 being donated to the Crocker House Museum. Call for reservations at 586-954-2677.

As part of the walk, guests might enjoy the Miller Street Garden Boutique and a display by the Great Lakes Lace Group.

"We have a lot of beautiful gardens behind these old homes in Mount Clemens," Parr said. "People love the tour. It's one of those events that can be relaxing or inspiring."

For more information, visit Crocker House Museum

When baseball was a game

Ever wonder what America's favorite pastime was like in the old days? Throughout the summer a league of vintage baseball teams including a group of locals known as the Regular Base Ball Club of Mt. Clemens will be playing games, set in days of handlebar mustaches. Stop by and watch a couple of innings or pack a lunch and stay for the whole game.

Photo by Ray Pachuta

The summer schedule is as follows:

June 3, 2 p.m.: Fort Wayne, Early Risers (H); June 9, 2 p.m., Crossroads Village, Midland River Hogs (A); June 16, 10 a.m., Sylvania, Ohio Black Swamp Frogs Tourney (A); June 30, NOON - Parade, followed by game, Port Sanilac, Midland River Hogs; July 7, TBA, Mackinac Island Tourney, (A); July 15, 2 p.m., Port Huron, Welkins (A); July 22, 1:30 p.m., GFV (A); July 28, 2 p.m., Bay City, Independents (H); Aug. 4, TBA, Petoskey Fudge Bucket Tourney (A); Aug. 11-12, TBA, GFV World Tournament (A); Aug. 19, 2 p.m., Port Huron, Welkins (A); Sept. 16, 2 p.m., Northville Eclipse (A), Sept. 22-23, Clinton Township Festival of the Senses, GFV La De Dahs (H).

Home field for the Regulars is on the East side of Romeo Plank Road (two-tenths of a Mile North of Clinton River Road by the sledding hill/dog park). 

For information visit Regular Ball Club of Mount Clemens

DAYTRIPPING

Garden walks and baseball games, book sales and art festivals, take a look at our list of family-friendly events going on in the next couple of weeks:

Scottish Fest 2012

Old World Canterbury Village and the Scottish American Society of Michigan present their annual Scottish Highland Games and Festival, June 30 and July 1. The games will feature heavy athletics, Highland dancing, Celtic fiddling, Michigan Scottish pipe bands both days, great food and activities for children. Event will go on rain or shine. Canterbury Village is at 2369 Jocelyn Court in Lake Orion. Admission: $5 per adult; kids under 8 free, plus no charge for parking. Visit www.scotsofmichigan.com for more information.

Flea market

Fraser Historical Commission presents flea market, rummage and plant sales, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 3, at Baumgartner Museum, 18577 Masonic at Kelly, Fraser. Rain date: June 10. For information, 586-293-7477 or 586-293-8252.

For the sake of others

Diabetes benefit 1-4 p.m., June 3, at Hair Edition, 35422 Jefferson, Harrison Township: Haircuts $10 with all proceeds to juvenile diabetes. For appointments: 586-791-8430; walk-ins taken in order of arrival.

Bowling for Hunger, 3 p.m. June 3 at Continental lanes, 31055 Gratiot, Roseville, presented by Erin's (church) Feeding the Need. Tickets $20, include bowling, shoe rental, pizza, soft drinks. For tickets, 586-872-5229.

Pasta dinner to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk takes place 11 a.m.-11 p.m. June 7, at the Boatyard Grille, 48780 Jefferson at Sugarbush Road in Chesterfield Township. The $8 admission includes Charity walk: Older Persons' Commission 5K/Walk to benefit Meals on Wheels program, June 2, at upper parking lot of OPC office, 650 Leticia, Rochester. Registration 7:15-7:50 a.m., race/walk begins 8 a.m. Fee $25 on race day. Call 248-608-0251 or www.opcseniorcenter.org.

Concert to benefit Angels' Place, 8 p.m. June 9, at St. Andrew Church, 1400 Inglewood, Rochester. Entertainment by Mark Tisdel and Phyllis Bengry. Free, donations accepted. Angels' Place provides Christian homes and services for adults with developmental disabilities. For more information, call 248-350-2203 or www.angelsplace.com.

Shores Library

Upcoming programs at the St. Clair Shores Public Library, 22500 11 Mile Road, include free "Classic Movie Fridays," June 1-29; free "New Release Thursdays," 6:30 p.m. June 7; free Tea Party Fashion Show, 2 p.m. June 14, registration required; Selinsky-Green Farmhouse Museum's Annual Garden Tea Party, 2-4 p.m. June 20, at the museum behind the library, $3 adults, 50 cents for children. To register or for program information, 586-771-9020 or www.scslibrary.org. Also, summer reading club begins with open house 6-8 p.m. June 5 for children to pick up reading logs and make a craft; registrations accepted through July 27.

Meadow Brook tours

Summer tours at Meadow Brook Hall on the Oakland University Campus in Rochester are under way at 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. A new architecture tour includes interior and exterior highlights of the design and construction process, 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Behind-The-Scenes tours include the staff wing are noon and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; each tour admission is $15 adults, $10 seniors, free ages 12 and younger. Twilight Tuesdays are 6-9 p.m. June 12, July 13 and Aug. 28, $10 adults, free ages 12 and younger. Call 248-364-6200 or go to www.meadowbrookhall.org.

Artist unite

Mount Clemens Art Fair, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. June 2, and noon-6 p.m. June 3, along Macomb Place in downtown Mount Clemens, sponsored by Anton Art Center. Call 586-469-8666 or visit www.theartcenter.org.

Italian 'Festa'

The Council of Presidents, COMITES, and the Italian American Cultural Society in cooperation with more than 22 Italian clubs and Associations, hold "Festa della Repubblica Italiana," June 3, at Italian American Cultural Center, 43843 Romeo Plank, Clinton Township. Doors open 2 p.m., program 3-4:30, displays and food tasting 4:30-6 p.m., dancing and pizza 6-8:30 p.m. Call 586-228-3030.

Summer sounds

Concerts/dancing at Lake St. Clair Metropark take place 6:30-10 p.m. Sundays throughout the summer, starting June 3 with Purdy Good country rock; June 10 Rhythm Society orchestra; June 17 Rich Eddy's Rockin' Oldies, June 24 Dr. Pocket. Programs are free with Metropark vehicle entry permit, $25 season, $15 ages 62 and older, or $5 daily. Visit www.metroparks.com or call 586-463-4581.

Grosse Pointe Village Association's Music on The Plaza free outdoor jazz concert series presented by St. John Hospital & Medical Center, begins June 7 and continues at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 2, on Village Festival Plaza at Kercheval and St. Clair in downtown Grosse Pointe. Call 313-886-7474 or www.thevillagegp.com.

On stage

Gospel musical comedy "Smoke on the Mountain" plays 8 p.m. June 2, 7, 10, and 2 p.m. June 3 and 10, at the Box Theatre in downtown Mount Clemens. For tickets $25, a portion of proceeds benefit Cystic Fibrosis Support Network of Michigan, call 586-329-6570 or go to www.centerstagemacomb.com.

Avon Players present the musical "The Secret Garden," 8 p.m. June 1-2, at the theater, 1185 Washington Road, Rochester. For tickets, $16-$18, call 248-608-9077 or visit www.avonplayers.org.

"The Divine Sister," June 2, 4, at Ringwald Theatre, 22742 Woodward, Ferndale. For tickets, $10-$20, visit www.TheRingwald.com or purchase at show time at the box office.

Detroit Repertory Theatre premieres "Taking Care of Mimi," Thursday through Sunday, through June 24, at the theater, 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit. Call for tickets: 313-868-1347 or www.detroitreptheatre.com.

Farmington Players auditions for "Avenue Q," 2 p.m. June 3 (registration 1:30), with callbacks 7 p.m. June 4, at the Barn Theater, 32332 W. 12 Mile road, Farmington Hills. Contact Avenueq@farmingtonplayers.org.

Stagecrafters presents "the Bad Seed," Thursdays through Sundays, through June 17, at the Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak. Advance tickets $16 and $18 at www.stagecrafters.org or 248-541-6430, or at box office one hour before show time for additional $2 per ticket.

"Robocop: The Musical" 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, through Aug. 3, at Go Comedy! Improv Theater, 261 Nine Mile Road, Ferndale. Tickets $15. Visit www.gocomedy.net.

Art shows

"Faces and Portraits" at Grosse Pointe Art Center, through June 2, art by guests of Capuchin Soup Kitchen, at 16900 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-821-1848.

Paint Creek Center for the Arts Student and Faculty Art Show, June 8-22 at the Center, 407 Pine St., Rochester. Opening reception 7-9 p.m. June 8; show hours 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Call 248-651-4110. Also, the center's Second Annual Regional Arts & Culture Awards presented June 7 at The Royal Park Hotel; social hour 6 p.m. with cash bar, dinner and awards starting 7 p.m. For tickets and details, $50 per person, go to www.pccart.org or call 248-651-4110.

Bead sale

Eastwood Rebekah Lodge No. 499 selling Beads for Breast Cancer during the Gratiot Cruise, 6-9 p.m. June 15 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. June 16, at the Oddfellows Hall, 23322 Gratiot, Eastpointe. Proceeds to Karmanos Cancer Institute. Call 586-489-5073.

Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold low-impact dance/exercise classes through May (unless otherwise noted), 5:45 p.m. Mondays, 6:30 p.m. Fridays, also 10 a.m. Saturdays (through May 19), all at Sacred Heart Church, 18430 Utica Road, Roseville; 11 a.m. Wednesdays and 6 p.m. Thursdays at Father Solanus Casey Knights of Columbus Hall, 16831 12 Mile Road, Roseville; 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Erin Presbyterian Church, 30000 Gratiot, Roseville. Fee $4 for 1-hour class; call 586-634-5844 or billshoe@live.com.

Fishing clubs

Vanguard Trout Unlimited for fishing enthusiasts meets 7:30 p.m. second Thursday monthly at Rochester's Dinosaur Hill. Also, Fishing Buddies Fishing Club gathers 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays at Rochester Hills OPC, 650 Leticia Drive. Call 248-375-1931.

Blind bowlers

Macomb Blind Bowlers for visually impaired and/or blind individuals 18 and older, league bowling 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Fraser Star Lanes, northeast corner of 14 Mile and Garfield roads. Fee $10 per week. Call 586-360-9543.

Square dancing

Patches Squares dance club hosts beginning square dance lessons, 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays at First United Methodist Church of Warren, 5005 Chicago Road. First class (no matter when dancers start) is free, $3 for following sessions. Call 248-613-3169.

Senior club

2nd Horizon Club for ages 60 and older, meets noon Fridays at Mount Clemens Rec Center, 300 Groesbeck, light lunch, cards and socializing. For details, 586-463-7711. No fee to join.

Features editor Debbie Komar contributed to this list.

TODAY'S MUSE
Weather means more when you have a garden. There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in and around your green beans -- Marcelene Cox