Fernwood Botanical Garden is a spot in southwest Michigan where nature blends with gardens and art to create an experience of wonder for all ages. Fernwood is made up of 105 acres on the St. Joseph River near Buchanan, at 13988 Range Line Road, Niles. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Winter café hours are from noon to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information, or to confirm the status of classes, call (269) 695-6491 or visit
fernwoodbotanical.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 11: Mindfulness in Nature
Winter brings its own unique beauty of bright blue skies and snowy blankets that can inspire calm and peace. Guests may join yoga teacher and wellbeing research professor at the University of Notre Dame, Deirdre Guthrie Ph.D., from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 11, for an afternoon of exploring how to cultivate our inner gardens of well-being. Cost: $35 for nonmembers $28 for members. Register on Fernwood’s website.
Tuesday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day dinner
People have a chance to enjoy a Valentine’s Day dinner with their sweetheart from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 14 at Fernwood. Chef Tim Carrigan will present a choice of entrees and desserts, topped off with champagne and a rose for each couple. Cost: $90 per couple. Register on Fernwood’s website.
All month: 2017 cash raffle
Fernwood is offering people an opportunity to win up to $5,000 in its 2017 cash raffle, with proceeds benefiting education and the gardens at Fernwood. Tickets will be on sale for $100 each and may be purchased in person or by phone. The winner will be selected by a random drawing at 10 a.m. March 31. The winner does not need to be present. Odds are 1 in 100 with all tickets sold. If fewer than 100 tickets are sold, the drawing reverts to a 50/50 raffle with the winner receiving 50 percent of the receipts.