Cottage Living Stage

Our seminar stage features seminars on birding, photography, succession planning, environmental practices and much more!

Deborah Baughman

orah L. Baughman is a shareholder in the Southfield office of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss P.C.. She is a member of the Firm’s tax practice group, specializing in employee benefits and ERISA, and a member of its estate planning practice group.

Ms. Baughman earned her Bachelor’s degree from Frostberg State University and received her Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Investment from George Washington University. She is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. Ms. Baughman is a registered certified public accountant in the District of Columbia. She lives in Troy, Michigan with her husband Wallace Long.

Keeping the Family in the Family Cottage

No one succession plan or legal tool meets everyone’s needs, so careful review of your situation and goals is necessary to ensure you keep the family in the family cottage.  Learn about the legal alternatives and strategies for families to retain the family cottage for use by future generations.

Click Here for a full schedule of events!

Dr. Craig Purdue - Shadow Speak

Craig Perdue runs Shadow Speak, LLC, offering the opportunity for people of all ages to explore the natural world from a different point of view. One of his primary concerns is animal behavior. He is a Master falconer, researcher, and has ten years of behavioral rehabilitation and enrichment experience from dogs to various kinds of birds. Visit him at www.shadowspeak.org.

LIVE Birds of Prey Show! What You Probably Didn't Know About Your Neighbors

Individual birds have personalities, and they respond differently to the world around them. What can we learn and expect from them? Many people are especially allured to birds of prey. How are the birds of prey likely visiting our homes in Michigan related to other birds we likely encounter? Meet three raptors – see if you can identify each one, meet them up close, learn first-hand how they are related to one another, and see what makes each special.

Janet Schrader - "Sand Pirate"

Janet Schrader is the founder and owner of Fairy Godmother Services: Sand Sculpting, Photography, & Beach Art, started in 2006.

After successfully fighting a severe battle with cancer, Janet found comfort walking the shoreline of Lake Mi. Looking for answers among the beach treasure (beach glass, rocks, fossils, & driftwood) Schrader found more then what she was looking for.  What she found was a new way of life, a new philosophy, and a new career.

Come to the show and see in person, how living by the lake has changed her life.

Sand Sculpting Lessons

Come join the fun, and learn the secrets of sand. Professional sand sculptor Janet Moore Schrader - "Sand Pirate", will teach how to make towers, doors, windows, and stairs.

KIDS! Storm the Castle!

What's the best thing about building a sand castle? DESTROYING IT!! First you'll learn how to make sand cannon balls and throw them at toy soldiers guarding the castle ramparts. Then you'll get to stomp the castle to the ground!

Detroit Audubon Society

Start Birding! A Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching

Click Here to see the full schedule of Seminars & Events!

Dallas Carlson - Nature & Wildlife Photographer

Dallas Carlson had the privilege of being raised by his grandparents who loved to spend time exploring Michigan's great outdoors. As a child he spent summers either in their cabin by the river, or traveling extensively throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Camping and exploring the rugged beauty of the north year after year, he developed a deep love and passion for the wilderness and the animals that call this place home.

His training has not been through formal teaching or institutions, but rather by wildlife biologists how to respectfully fit in with the wild creatures he is photographing.

To see some of Dallas' work, check out www.HisHandiworkPhotography.com

Nature Photography at Your Cottage

Get tips on taking great nature photos around your cottage through the lens of professional photographer Dallas Carlson.  Includes a great slide show of Carlson's nature photography work!

Click Here to see the full schedule of Seminars & Events!

Cliff Bloom - Michigan Lake & Stream Association

Grand Rapids attorney Cliff Bloom is one of the foremost experts on water and riparian law in Michigan. In addition to his regular column in the Michigan Riparian Magazine, Cliff is also legal counsel for the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, Inc. (“ML&SA”), as well as co-counsel for the Michigan Waterfront Alliance. Over the years, Cliff Bloom has represented dozens of lake associations and other property owner groups throughout Michigan. He has lectured throughout Michigan on riparian and water law issues, not only for the ML&SA, but also for the Michigan Townships Association and other groups. He has written extensively about lakes, water/riparian law and related issues. Many of his articles can be found at www.riparianexpert.com, www.mymlsa.org or www.mi-riparian.org.

Buying & Selling Waterfront Property in Michigan

Cliff Bloom is also the author of the new book entitled Buying and Selling Waterfront Property in Michigan, published by ML&SA. In addition, a few years ago, he authored the publication entitled Michigan Lake Associations—The Nuts and Bolts. At the 2012 Cottage & Lakefront Living Show, Cliff will be presenting a seminar regarding his new book Buying and Selling Waterfront Property in Michigan. This new book is a “must” for anyone who is interested in waterfront property in Michigan. The list of people who could benefit from the book includes not only riparians (and would be riparians) but also realtors and real estate agents, attorneys, government officials, surveyors and teachers. This book is a “how to” publication that deals with numerous real estate and waterfront issues, including: