Donate Your Spring Cleaning Items to the Volunteers of Haven Hill?

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Items from your home that you are no longer using might be of great help fundraising for Haven Hill and the efforts to refurbish the historic Barn and the other buildings. Do you have any items from your yard, home interior furnishings, trinkets, children's toys, or maybe even garage items that you would like to donate?

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area are having an Antiques and Collectibles Sale at the Edsel Ford Barn in Highland State Recreation Area. The Sale will be held during the Redbud Reveal event on Saturday, May 14 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Our volunteers would like to begin organizing and pricing items at least a week before the event. Please contact Dick Russell at 248-563-7428 with questions, or to make plans to drop off your donated items at the Park.

All proceeds from the sale of donated items will benefit the Friends of Highland Recreation Area and their restoration efforts at the former Haven Hill Estate. We can provide you with a receipt for your donated items for your taxes upon request. FOHRA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the structures and spirit of the historic Haven Hill.

Enter the Recreation Area at 5200 Highland Road (M-59), White Lake, Michigan. The entrance to the park is on the south side of the highway. The Michigan DNR requires the Recreation Passport on your license plate for state park entry. It is a great value and will give you and your family access to all of Michigan's State parks and waterways. A Passport may be purchased at the park on the day of the event. 

Go to http://www.fohravolunteers.org/sale/ for more info.

Thank You,

FOHRA

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

2016 Redbud Reveal Event and Antiques and Collectibles Sale Coming in May!

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Redbud Transparent Logo 2016.jpg

Redbud Reveal Coming Soon!

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Redbud Reveal and Antiques and Collectibles Sale

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area are once again proud to announce the “Redbud Reveal”, a season-opening event at Highland State Recreation Area in Highland/White Lake, Michigan.

To celebrate the arrival of the 2016 spring and summer season, the Reveal will be held from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 14 (rain date Sunday, May 15). Visitors are encouraged to come and see the beautiful and historic Haven Hill section of the Highland State Recreation Area which includes the Haven Hill Gate House, the Edsel Ford Barn, the picturesque Carriage House and the Haven Hill Lodge footprint high upon Haven Hill.  Light refreshments will be served on the lawn around Edsel and Eleanor Fords’ wonderful former estate entrance. Come on out and join area residents to see if the redbuds are in bloom at Haven Hill!

2016 Antiques and Collectibles Sale

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area are once again proud to announce the “Redbud Reveal”, a season-opening event at Highland State Recreation Area in Highland/White Lake, Michigan.

To celebrate the arrival of the 2016 spring and summer season, the Reveal will be held from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 14, (rain date Sunday, May 15). Visitors are encouraged to come and see the beautiful and historic Haven Hill section of the Highland State Recreation Area which includes the new Cedar Creek Trail, Haven Hill Gate House, the Edsel Ford Barn, the picturesque Carriage House and the Haven Hill Lodge footprint high upon Haven Hill.  Light refreshments will be served on the lawn around Edsel and Eleanor Fords’ wonderful former estate entrance. Come on out and join area residents to see if the redbuds are in bloom at Haven Hill!

2016 Antiques and Collectibles Sale
A selection of collectible items for you and your home will be presented at the Edsel Ford Barn within Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s former Haven Hill Estate at Highland State Recreation Area. The historic barn is undergoing renovation by the park’s Friends Group, and is located in the Recreation Area between Duck Lake and Bogie Lake Roads on the south side of the highway at 5200 Highland Road (M-59), White Lake. The Sale event will be held during the “Redbud Reveal” spring season-opening event on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 10 am until 4:00 pm. Once inside the park please follow the signs to the event sites and the Sale at the Barn. All proceeds from the sale of donated items benefit the Friends of Highland Recreation Area and their restoration efforts at the former Haven Hill Estate. Michigan DNR requires a Recreation Passport for state park entry. Visit www.fohravolunteers.org/sale for more information.

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, ,
, ,

John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Soar in a Quadcopter for Amazing Aerial Views of Haven Hill

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Have you ever flown over Highland State Recreation Area in Highland/White Lake, Michigan and looked down upon the gorgeous landscapes and historic structures within this truly special Michigan state park? If not, take a few minutes of your time right now and see a variety of beautiful "birds eye" views of these beautiful landscapes and historic landmark areas. See Edsel and Eleanor Ford's historic Haven Hill estate from high above the ground using a quadcopter and a tiny video camera. 

The Haven Hill Gate House, Cedar Creek wetland and the new Cedar Creek Trail, Goose Meadow and Haven Hill Lake, the Haven Hill Lodge site, and the famous Edsel Ford Barn are all in view "out of your window seat" as you watch this amazing aerial film footage.

The members of the Friends of Highland Recreation Area are starting to shake off their winter "cabin fever" and begin spring and summer activities at the park. Come out and join us as we celebrate the season-opening Redbud Reveal and Antiques and Collectibles fundraising sale at the Edsel Ford Barn on Saturday, May 14.

"Ice Stars" Form on Haven Hill Lake

/ Friends of Highland Recreation Area/

Haven Hill Lake was created for Edsel and Eleanor Ford and their family in the 1920's by damming Cedar Creek, a part of Michigan’s Huron River watershed. The creek runs out of the lake and eventually becomes part of the Huron River flowing into Lake Erie south of Detroit, Michigan.


In the days of the Haven Hill Estate, the lake was a source of beauty and recreation for the Fords, their family members, and guests. Today it provides the same joys to guests of the Haven Hill section of Michigan's Highland State Recreation Area.

In winter, the lakes' surface freezes and thaws repeatedly throughout the season. Intriguing shapes form on the frozen surface as winter temperatures rise and fall. Sometimes unusual "Ice Stars" can be seen all over the surface of the frozen lake. These star-like shapes are formed when water seeps up through a hole in the ice and snow, creating a spider or octopus-shaped series of channels around the hole at the center.

Watch an aerial video flying over the Ice Stars HERE. 

Visit a great lake ice website in Burlington Vermont for more lake ice information... HERE. 

The aerial photos and video for this article were gathered using a DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter and a GoPro camera by FOHRA member Jay Fitzgerald and his son Jack.

2016 Haven Hill Redbud Reveal Set for Saturday, May 14

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The Friends of Highland Recreation Area are once again proud to announce the “Redbud Reveal”, a season-opening state park event at Highland State Recreation Area in Highland/White Lake, Michigan.

To celebrate the arrival of the 2016 spring and summer season, the Reveal will be held from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 14, (rain date Sunday, May 15). Visitors are encouraged to come and see the beautiful and historic Haven Hill lands and structures of the Highland State Recreation Area which includes the historic Haven Hill Gate House, the Edsel Ford Barn, the picturesque Carriage House, and the Haven Hill Lodge footprint up on Haven Hill. The new Cedar Creek trail is also ready for family and individual exploration.

At 1:00 pm, FOHRA President Mr. Dick Russell will give a public address highlighting the Friends group’s activities and event plans for the coming year.

Come on out and join area residents to see if the redbuds are in bloom at Haven Hill!

2016 Antiques and Collectibles Sale
A selection of collectible items for you and your home will be presented on the grounds of the Edsel Ford Barn at Edsel and Eleanor Ford’s former Haven Hill Estate. The Sale event will be held during the “Redbud Reveal” spring season-opening event on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 10 am until 4:00 pm at Highland State Recreation Area.  Once inside the park please follow the signs to the event and Sale.

All proceeds from the sale of donated items benefit the Friends of Highland Recreation Area and their restoration efforts at the former Haven Hill Estate.

Michigan DNR requires Recreation Passport for state park entry.


Visit www.fohravolunteers.org/sale for more information.

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Snow Snakes on Display at Edsel Ford Barn on Sunday, January 31

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The Chief Pontiac Trail Committee is hosting Snow Snake Races on January 31 at the Edsel Ford Barn 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Come check it out!

Fun for all ages.  $3.00 donation suggested but it's free to watch and to cheer on the competitors. Snow snake kits can be purchased for $5 and loaner snakes are available for racing.

Purchase a snake kit on January 31 and you'll have plenty of time to get it ready for the next race on February 13th.  It's a great project and event for kids and grandkids.

EVENT FLIER

 

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Happy New Year from the Friends of Highland Recreation Area

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Visit www.fohravolunteers.org for more information about FOHRA in 2016. Happy New Year everyone!

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John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

Snow Snakes Emerging at Haven Hill Near Edsel Ford Barn!

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They are returning! The annual Snow Snake event will occur at the Edsel Ford Barn on Sunday, January 31 between 1 and 4:00 pm. Come out and enjoy this modern interpretation of a native american winter sport. Snakes will be available for those not creating their own with the Scout Program. 

Sponsored by the Chief Pontiac Trail Activities Committee and supported by the Friends of Highland Recreation Area. Public welcome. 

Light refreshments and snacks for sale as a fundraiser. Donations to support the Friends group and their efforts at Haven Hill accepted graciously.



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, ,
, ,

John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.

1ST SNOW BRINGS 15+ INCHES ON NOVEMBER 21ST TO WHITE LAKE, MICHIGAN AREA!

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Although it melted VERY quickly, the 1st snow of the 2015/2016 winter was a doozy in the Highland/White Lake, Michigan area.

The Highland State Recreation Area sign covered with snow on November 21, 2015.

If the snows come back we're in for a great outdoor winter season at Haven Hill!

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,

John Fitzgerald

The Friends of Highland Recreation Area (FOHRA) volunteer organization was established in 2007, and is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit organization operating under lease agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Within one of the most picturesque, fascinating, and historically significant state parks in southeast lower Michigan, our goal is to combine the former Haven Hill estate history with Highland Recreation Area’s existing amenities, wilderness, and recreation.