Discovering Harbor Country
Discovering Harbor Country, hosted by Diana Lagler, is a podcast all about Michigan’s Harbor Country, a region of Southwestern Michigan made up of eight small towns: New Buffalo, Union Pier, Three Oaks, Lakeside, Grand Beach, Michiana, Harbert and Sawyer. Get the inside scoop on places to explore – from beaches to forest trails, breweries to wineries, u-pick farms to antique shops - and meet the people who call Harbor Country home. Each week, we’ll explore something new or meet someone new in Harbor Country – you won’t want to miss it!
Episodes
Saturday Mar 30, 2024
Saturday Mar 30, 2024
Show notes:
In Episode 18 of Discovering Harbor Country, we check out Prana / Life Studio in New Buffalo, tell you about an amazing One-Day Power of Energy Retreat coming right here to Harbor Country on April 26, and get ready for the Solar Eclipse on April 8.
Resource Links:
Prana / Life Studio – New Buffalo, MI
Power of Energy One-Day Retreat – Coming to Michiana, MI on April 26
A Michigander’s Guide to 2024’s Total Solar Eclipse – Coming April 8
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Eclipse Viewing Guide
Solar Eclipse Eyewear Suppliers
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
Saturday Feb 24, 2024
In Episode 17 of Discovering Harbor Country, we head a bit north of Harbor County to check out Full Circle Café, Grand Mere State Park, and Watermark Brewing – all in Stevensville, Michigan.
Resource Links:
Grand Mere State Park – Stevensville, MI
Watermark Brewing Co. – Stevensville, MI
Full Circle Café – Stevensville, MI
Friday Feb 09, 2024
Friday Feb 09, 2024
In Episode 16 of Discovering Harbor Country, we take a short walk along the White Ditch Nature Trail in Michiana Shores and learn a bit about its history. We'll have a bite to eat at the charming Farina's Supper Club tucked away in the neighborhood of Duneland Beach.
Resource Links:
Farina's Supper Club - Duneland Beach, Indiana
White Ditch Nature Trail - Michiana Shores, Indiana
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Friday Jan 19, 2024
In Episode 15 of Discovering Harbor Country, we take a glass class at Rising Phoenix Gallery in Michigan City, visit Brewster’s in New Buffalo for woodfired pizza, and talk about birds that winter on Lake Michigan, here in Harbor Country.
Resource Links:
Rising Phoenix Gallery Glass Classes – Art Classes and Gallery in Michigan City, IN
Water Street Glassworks - Benton Harbor, MI
Hot Shop Valpo - Glass Studio in Valparaiso, IN
Brewster’s New Buffalo - Restaurant in New Buffalo, MI
Merlin Bird ID App - Bird Sightings, Identification & Tracking App provided by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Friday Jan 05, 2024
Friday Jan 05, 2024
In Episode 14 of Discovering Harbor Country, we visit Granor Farm, meet a handful of incredible local Artisans (Verdant Hollow Farms, P&E Bottle Shop, BlackTree Studio Pottery, Karen Helen, and Tim Hall), and have lunch and sample ciders and beer at River St. Joe Brewing Company in Buchanan.
Resource Links:
Granor Farm – Three Oaks, MI
Verdant Hollow Farms – Buchanan, MI
P&E Bottle Shop – Three Oaks, MI
BlackTree Studio Pottery – New Carlisle, IN
Karen Helen Crafts
Tim Hall Made
River Saint Joe Brewing Company – Buchanan, MI
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
In Episode 13 of Discovering Harbor Country, we dine at Leeds Public House, share tips for traveling with pets and hosting pets visiting during the holidays, and we’ll wrap the episode with ideas for things to do over the winter in and around Harbor Country.
Resource Links:
Leeds Public House – Michigan City, IN
Brandt’s Old Fashion Emporium – Michigan City, IN
Michigan City Animal Hospital - Michigan City, IN
Emergency Veterinary Care Center at Purdue U NW - Westville, IN
Rising Phoenix Gallery – Michigan City, IN
Fusion Gallery – Bridgman, MI
Lights at Fernwood Gardens – Niles, MI
Dancing Feet Yoga Studio – New Buffalo, MI
Friday Dec 01, 2023
Friday Dec 01, 2023
In Episode 12 of Discovering Harbor Country, we do some holiday shopping at local small businesses in Michigan City, Indiana, and do some beer tasting and have lunch at Shoreline Brewery. We also take a cold weather hike with our dogs in Warren Woods State Park in Three Oaks.
Resource Links:
Uptown Arts District – Shopping & Arts District in Michigan City, IN
Unsalted No Sharks – Lake Michigan themed Apparel & Home Shop in Michigan City, IN
Good News Vintage – Vintage Shop in Michigan City, IN
Hoity Toity Home Décor – Consignment Shop in Michigan City, IN
Line Mullins Group Interior – Upscale Boutique in Michigan City, IN
Shoreline Brewery – Michigan City, IN
Warren Woods State Park – Three Oaks, MI
Merlin Bird ID – App for identifying birds
Discovering Harbor Country - Podcast Website
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Show notes:
In Episode 11, the final episode of Season 1, of Discovering Harbor Country, we discover Café Gulistan in Harbert, Dancing Feet Yoga and Evolve Spa in New Buffalo, and for all you Swifties out there – we’ll check out Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour musical at Vickers Theater in Three Oaks, MI. We’ll learn about bald eagles, too! Please rate & review this podcast, and visit Discovering Serendipity/Harbor-Country.
Resource Links:
Café Gulistan – Harbert, MI
Dancing Feet Yoga – New Buffalo, MI
Vickers Theater – Three Oaks, MI
Evolve Spa – New Buffalo, MI
Bald Eagles – Michigan State University - Bald Eagles
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Friday Sep 29, 2023
In Episode 10 of Discovering Harbor Country, we go on the perfect 2-night girls weekend to Harbor Country. We relax at the beach on a sunny Friday afternoon, enjoy cocktails at the bar and dinner at Hummingbird Lounge in New Buffalo, visit Oinks not once, but twice, do a little shopping in Three Oaks, pick up some produce at Michigan Local Harvest in Sawyer, and spend some low key time outdoors in nature. We also explore a few different lodging options in Harbor Country. In invite you to rate & review my show – and to leave a comment or review, I invite you to visit my website, Discovering Harbor Country .
Resource Links:
Hummingbird Lounge – New Buffalo, MI
Michigan Local Harvest Produce Stand – Sawyer, MI
Oink’s Dutch Treat – New Buffalo, MI
Poppy Hill Vintage – Three Oaks, MI
Alapash – Three Oaks, MI
Beachy Bu – AirBnB in Michiana, MI
The Neighborhood Hotel – Grand Beach, MI
Red Arrow Ride – Paddleboard, Bike, and other Gear Rental – Union Pier, MI
Friday Sep 15, 2023
Friday Sep 15, 2023
In Episode 9 of Discovering Harbor Country, we discover Blue Moon Vintage Market, home to 5500 square feet of vintage, industrial, architectural, salvaged, home decor and more located in Westville, IN. We gather pumpkins, mums, and straw bales at Coulter’s Farm Produce, and pick apples and pears at Pavolka Fruit Farm. I’d love to hear from you – visit my website Discovering Harbor Country and drop me a note by selecting “contact us.”
Resource Links:
Pavolka Fruit Farm – Michigan City, IN
Coulter’s Farm Produce – Westville, IN
Blue Moon Vintage Market – Westville, IN
Westville Pumpkin Festival in Westville, IN - September 30
Harvest Cozy AF Candle from The Sister Project
WELCOME TO HARBOR COUNTRY, MICHIGAN!
Michigan’s Harbor Country is a region of Southwestern Michigan made up of eight small towns: New Buffalo, Union Pier, Three Oaks, Lakeside, Grand Beach, Michiana, Harbert and Sawyer.
Growing up, I loved spending time with my friends at their grandparents’ tiny cottages in the lakeside towns of Michiana and Union Pier. We'd spend hot, lazy summer days at the beach and then gather around backyard campfires in the cool woods at night. Laughing, singing, dreaming, and sipping on Boone's Farm when we were older - life really couldn't have been more simple, and fun.
In 2022, my dream of having a place of our own tucked in the woods along the Lake Michigan shore came true. Each day I stumble upon a happy discovery - from blue jays and snowdrops to delightful restaurants and antique shops.
I invite you to join me in exploring this magical little corner of southwest Michigan!