2015 July/August

Four years after purchasing the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse in Mentor, Ohio, owner Sheila Consaul considers it livable —although it would be nice to have running water, electricity, trash pick-up and, perhaps, pizza delivery. 

Jack and Mary Ellen Thinnes bought their Kelleys Island house as a retreat from long workweeks on the mainland. They never imagined how much time the residence would require — or how much fun they would have doing it.

It’s the Lake Erie island that is off limits to everyone except members. So when Laura Watilo Blake got her chance to visit the private retreat, she grabbed her camera and set out to discover what makes it so special.

From sun-dappled afternoons spent sipping wine to action-packed nights at the blackjack table, Ontario has all the ingredients for a perfect summer getaway.

At most cookouts, it’s the grill that gets all the attention. Not so when you serve this salad, which pairs a summer staple (watermelon) with a nutritional powerhouse (kale) and tops it all off with tangy feta cheese. Thanks to Wegmans, a family-owned supermarket chain headquartered in New York state, for creating and sharing this recipe.

From plucking ripe cherries right from the tree to indulging in culinary delights, Michigan is truly a locavore’s paradise. Here are just a few of the many places to sip, savor and celebrate what “the mitten” has to offer.

25 ways to make the most out of summer on South Bass, Kelleys, Middle Bass and Pelee islands.