Traveler Days in Union, WA - 2010

The month of May will be an exciting month for the people of Union. Union Tourism Association (UTA) is launching its first ever Traveler Days in May. As an active member of the association, PING Real Estate is participating in these events along with all the other business owners in Union. Ping Real Estate is also next door to the new office of Union Tourism Association Visitor Information Center so we look forward to seeing you at the grand opening event on May 1 as well as all the other events for the upcoming Traveler Days. Below are some of the schedules posted in the March UTA newsletter.

WEEKEND TWO - May 1 & 2

GRAND OPENING - Union Tourism Association Visitor Information Center - Sat 11AM
A major milestone, the Union Tourism Association will be opening a dedicated Visitor Information Center at Union Square, Saturday morning May 1. Join us at 11AM for a formal ribbon cutting ceremony and to tour the new space. The center is being outfitted to provide not only a wide range of visitor information on dining, lodging, recreational and retail opportunities in our area, but also as a gallery space that will feature a rotating display of local artists' work and showcase Union's rich arts history.

SEASON OPENING - Hood Canal Open Market - Sat 1-7PM
The long-standing collaboration between our local artist community and Robin Hood Village will enter an exciting new stage with the launch of the Hood Canal Open Market, a variety market featuring live music and spoken word performances, farm fresh produce, art, crafts, collectibles and more, every Saturday during the height of the season! (Want to participate? Contact howard@leggettartstudios.com.)

Pub Poetry Slam/Spoken Word Performance - Sat 7PM
The spoken word version of a musical open mic night, this evening will feature a range of local poets, actors and story-tellers sharing anecdotes, literature, poems, classic radio plays and stories in a lively spoken format at the wonderfully intimate Robin Hood Pub beginning at 7PM.

Culinary Arts / Wine Class Series - Sun 11:30AM - 1PM - 2:30PM
Any excuse to visit the remarkable private estate of The Bend at Hood Canal is exciting. But on Sunday, May 2 a limited number of folks will have the opportunity to participate in a truly exciting series of cooking and wine classes in The Bend's remarkable main kitchen. The first class, beginning at 11:30AM, will combine the culinary skills of Chef Mike Holbein of Robin Hood with the organic local produce of Highwater Farms in a basic skills class that will introduce participants to the fundamentals of planning a meal on a theme, carrying that theme through sides and separate courses, as well as particulars such as gauging proper doneness, plating and presentation. The 11:30 class will explore these topics on a meat-based menu; the 2:30 class will explore the same concepts through a seafood-based menu. In between, award-winning vintners Lloyd and Ann Anderson of Walter Dacon Winery will teach a class on the basics of wine tasting including tips on distinguishing separate notes in a wine, proper glassware and more. Price for each individual class is $25 per person per class and registration is limited (proceeds benefit the Union Tourism Association). To register reply to this email (or send an email to info@visitunion.com).

Cameo Boutique Open House - Sat & Sun 10AM-5PM
The 2008 Best Ladies Boutique in the Northwest continues its Traveler Days celebration with another two days of free wine tastings, and will feature writer Valerie Johnson who will be on-hand autographing her book on Saturday, May 1 from noon to 3PM; as well as author and historian Mike Fredson who will sign copies of his book Sunday, May 2 at 11AM.

Lady Alderbrook Historic Water Tour - Sun 2PM
Join local historian (and fifth generation Unionite) Mike Fredson for a cruise around the Great Bend and a lecture on our community's rich history. Produced by the McReavy House Museum of Hood Canal, the lovely Lady Alderbrook will depart from the Alderbrook Resort & Spa dock at 2PM for a two-hour cruise (you'll want to arrive early to reserve your seat) and includes cocktail snacks and a no-host bar. Tickets are $50 per person and are available by contacting Howard Leggett at 898-1717 or Dana Porter at 898-0101. (Proceeds benefit the McReavy House Museum of Hood Canal.)


WEEKEND THREE - May 8 & 9

Artist Open Studio/Tour of Lodging Event - Sat & Sun 10AM-6PM
Over a 15 local artists, including watercolorists and oil painters, a scultpor, native artists, photographers and more are participating in this year's first combined open studio/tour of lodging event. Designed to showcase both the area's rich arts community and the wide variety of lodging options available for an overnight visit to the south shore, four separate locations will each feature a unique and carefully chosen subset of both! At the Cameo Boutique Cottage the tour will feature information on the variety of local lodging options well suited for romantic weekends. At the Nordstrom Great Hall at Harmony Hill Retreat Center will be information about lodging and sites appropriate for weddings, family reunions and larger special events. And at the new Alderbrook Golf Clubhouse will be information on family-friendly and activities-based lodging options. All three locations will also host a number of local artists who will be displaying their work (and some who will be actively working on new work) on site during the tour. You'll want to start your tour at the fourth location, the Union Tourism Association Visitor Information Center at Union Square, which will feature information on all the artists and lodging institutions participating plus a collection of individual works donated by the participating artists in support of the UTA's efforts!

Traveler Days Cocktail Party & Art Auction - Sat Time TBA
Saturday evening join us at the Alderbrook Golf Clubhouse for a finale special event to raise funds for the Union Tourism Association's efforts in our community. This exciting group effort involving a wide variety of UTA member organizations will feature a special cocktail and hors d'oeuvres menu assembled by the culinary artists at the Robin Hood specially to accompany the works of art to be auctioned off. Those works, donated in support of the UTA by the artists participating in the open studio tour, will be auctioned to raise funds that will in turn be used to further the UTA's mission: to build tourism in our community in ways that support and nourish Union's unique culture and character. Save the date!

Harmony Hill Mother's Day Brunch & Plant Sale - Sun 10AM-4PM
In celebration of Mother's Day, the remarkable hospitality crew at Harmony Hill Retreat Center is assembling a special brunch menu which will be served on site just as Harmony Hill's renowned gardens come into bloom. Featuring two seatings (one at 10AM, the second at 11:30AM) the cost is $25 per person ($10 for children 12 and under) and advance reservations are required (and can be made by calling 898-2363). Harmony Hill will also be launching its first annual plant sale, featuring flower and vegetable starts that day until 4PM - an excellent opportunity to visit the Hill and tour the gardens just as they're taking off for the season!