Category: Fun & Resources

It’s the first day of fall! You know what that means- colorful leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkin-spiced everything!  Make the most of the season by participating in any of these fall-themed festivities.

• Visit an apple orchard, cider mill, haunted house, or pumpkin patch.

  

All four of these destinations are the epitome of the autumn season and provide the perfect opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

• Get crafty with leaves!

As leaves are in abundance during the fall months, take advantage of their beauty by creating art projects for your home. Decoupage leaves on poster board to create a collage, coat them in paint to use as a stamp, or make a festive wreath using chicken wire; the possibilities are endless!

• Enjoy the flavors of the season.

Whether it be brewing some hot apple cider, creating your own caramel apples, or roasting pumpkin seeds, set aside some time to make and enjoy fall goodies.

MSU will celebrate Homecoming next week, September 22-27. A wealth of exciting activities have been planned in observation of Homecoming, including campus hayrides, a craft night, and a golf outing to name a few. The annual Homecoming Parade is scheduled for next Friday, September 26, beginning at 6 p.m. Be sure to come out to watch MSU’s finest, including the marching band and other student organizations, snake their way through downtown East Lansing and campus. The week will reach culmination in the form of the Homecoming Football Game. The Spartans will take on the Wyoming Cowboys at Noon in Spartan Stadium.

Participate in the MSU tradition of “glowing green” for Homecoming week by replacing the light bulb on your front porch with a green bulb. Submit a photo of your participation to the MSU Alumni Association’s Facebook and you could win a $100 gift card to the Spartan Bookstore.

As you enjoy next week’s festivities, be sure to celebrate safely. For a more detailed itinerary and additional information, click here.  Go Green!

Interested in listening to original compositions that are sure to evoke feelings of inspiration and nostalgia? Then the Michigan Bluesfest is for you! The festival will take place this weekend, September 19-20, in Old Town Lansing. Performances begin at 5 p.m. on Friday.

The Michigan Bluesfest showcases an exciting array of blues musicians, featuring artists from all over the country. To view a comprehensive list of this year’s talented and dynamic performers, click here. To supplement the soulful lyrics and brassy instruments generally associated with the blues genre, a food court will be available to serve patrons. There will also be a variety of vendors, selling everything from jewelry to world gifts.

If you’re still in need of convincing, the festival is completely free to the public. That’s right, immerse yourself in the sultry world of blues music for no cost at all! In the event of inclement weather, the festival will still run- plan accordingly and check the forecast before leaving.

It’s back! Annually hosted by the MSU Museum, the Great Lakes Folk Festival (GLFF) will be rolling into town this weekend. The event assembles an eclectic mixture of art, entertainment, and food, rallying the community together for a celebration of ethnicity with a whimsical feel. This year’s dynamic acts span a variety of cultures and showcase a myriad of talents. Enjoy a live recitation from Tibetan monks, participate in a clogging workshop, or learn about the history of African tradition; the possibilities are both numerous and enriching.

After viewing the festival’s diverse performances, visit the GLFF Marketplace to browse the wares of some incredibly talented artisans. From natural herbal remedies to handmade sterling silver and copper jewelry, hundreds of unique items will be up for sale. To satisfy the inevitable appetite that will form while attending the festival,  be sure to sample the GLFF’s delicious cuisine. Vendors will prepare a cultural smorgasbord of food, including Tex-Mex, Asian, and Middle-Eastern varieties.

The GLFF brings more still to the table. Other features, such as informative children’s programs and an honorary ceremony for recipients of the Michigan Heritage Awards, will also contribute to the festival’s flair. Ready to immerse yourself in a compelling cultural experience? Be sure to attend! The Great Lakes Folk Festival begins tomorrow, August 8^th, at 6 p.m. For additional information, visit the GLFF’s website.

After a brutal winter, fun in the sun is high on the agenda for many Michiganders this summer. A great way to enjoy the highly anticipated weather is to hit the water! Listed below are several venues that will allow you to make the most of your down-time this summer.

IM West
Satisfy your craving for a swim right on campus! IM West is MSU’s largest intramural recreational facility and features an indoor swimming pool as well as an Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool, both of which are open to the public during the summer.

East Lansing Family Aquatic Center
The Family Aquatic Center showcases 12 interactive water features, multiple water slides, a diving board, concessions, and a sunbathing deck. Located just off of Abbot Road in East Lansing, the center has inexpensive rates and plenty to do.

Continue Reading… Greater Lansing Water Activities

Have you heard anything about invasive species that have come into Michigan? An invasive species can be described as an alien (or non-native) species whose introduction does, or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health, according to the National Invasive Species Council. From bugs to plants, invasive species are able to make their way into a community and run a muck. There are a few ways to identify these different types of species, which come in all shapes and sizes. MSU Extension offers helpful information and resources about these species on their website.

In some instances, planting a non-native invasive species can not only be harmful to your garden, but it can deeply affect any nearby plant life. Take these tips to ensure your garden or wetland and our greater community is safe. The Midwest has over 200 invasive species. MSU Extension offers a variety of resources if you’re dealing with these issues in your yard. They’ve been kind enough to classify each type of invasive species. Check out some of their classifications here.Continue Reading… What You Need to Know about Invasive Species!