AroUn D TOwN
Judaism m aces (East
Lecture Series with
(kc!66 - 1 Nan * - w
September 8th
■
7:30 p.m.
Jewish Community Center
D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building
6600 West Maple Road
■
West Bloomfield
What I Learned From Buddhism
That Could Help Save Judaism
Rabbi Alan Lew was ordained at Jewish
Theological Serhinary and is the Rabbi at
Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco.
$5 JCC or Temple Israel Members
$8 Non-Members
Tickets may be purchased at both
West Bloomfield and Oak Park locations
of the JCC and at Temple Israel.
For more information, please call the JCC at
(248) 661-7649 or Temple Israel at (248) 661-5725.
Sponsored by:
Temple Israel, The Jewish Community Center & The Detroit Jewish News
8/28
1998
80 Detroit Jewish News
Doing What
Comes \aturally
Diane Baldwin
AppleTree Staff Writer
chairs, but our children enjoyed walk-
ing on their own and choosing which
direction to take at each crossroad.
ou don't have to travel to the
Along the way there are benches for
UP to get "back to nature"
resting and interpretive signs to aid in
because I have found a great
learning, along with a path equipped
family spot for enthusiasts.
with a cable for blind visitors. Picnic
Located in Waterford, and tucked
tables are near the main building, but
away behind a subdivision, the Dray-
visitors are welcome to eat
ton Plains Nature Center
on the trails as long as they
(DPNC) is a well-kept secret
clean up.
of Oakland County.
The Interpretive Center is
The DPNC sits on land
great for children who like
originally used by the
to touch. They'll find bones,
1 Michigan DNR as a fish
snake skins, turtle shells,
hatchery (circa 1904). A
feathers, animal skeletons,
group of citizens purchased
guess boxes filled with sur-
the land and 55 adjoining
Dian e Baldwin
prises and more. Several
Ap pleTree
acres. The DPNC opened
animal
mounts are hanging
Sta ff Writer
in 1967 and is a privately
on the walls and a 135-gal-
owned, nonprofit center. Its
lon tank is stocked with — what
ponds are still used by the DNR to
else?— Michigan fish. There also are
rear walleye and other fish for the
life-size dioramas which display spec-
lake and stream restocking program.
imens in their natural habitat.
The former fish hatchery building is
The Interpretive Center is open
now the Interpretive Center, which
daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The
also houses a small gift shop and
outside trails are open to foot traffic
restrooms.
only (no motorized vehicles or bicy-
The complex is about 137 acres,
cles) from 8 a.m until dusk, every day
perfect for a few hours of family quiet
of the year. Pets on leashes are per-
time. We discovered that it was small
: miffed. A site map with trail informa-
I enough so that we could easily find
tion is posted outside- and hand-held
I our way through the trails (and
maps are available in the Interpretive
explore more than one in a day), but
Center. Be sure to bring along cam-
I big enough to meander for a few
eras and binoculars.
hours without crossing the same path
The DPNC is at 2125 Denby Drive
Nvice. Even though the center is in a
in Waterford. The Interpretive Center,
city, so to speak, it was so quiet we
the trails and parking are all free. To
could easily chat and hear the birds
inquire about special events, season-
chirping and the Clinton River run-
al family programs or Interpretive
ning. All paths branch out from the
Center hours, call (248) 674-2119.
main trail, located behind the
Note: Pioneer Day, a fun-filled fami-
entrance, and are easy to find.
ly event, will be Sunday Sept. 20,
Some paths were well-packed and
from noon until 5 p.m. Children 10
wide enough for strollers or wheel-
and
under get in free. Visitors who
;
bring this article will receive 50 cents
Diane Baldwin is a mother and
off
the nominal event fee. ri7
freelance writer in Clarkston, Mich.