Joe and Carolyn Szatkowski each have a special place they call their own on their property in Alpena.

Joe has his mancave, which is decked out with memorabilia and photos from his time in the Army and serving in Vietnam, as well as a pool table where he can sharpen his game.

Tucked away in the woods, only a short distance from her home, Carolyn has a she-shed that resembles a small cottage that is surrounded by the wildlife and natural resources she loves.

Carolyn said when the couple moved from the city to their more secluded area, there was an old deer blind on the property that was in poor shape, but still salvageable. She said her grandson provided much of the wood, logs, and windows from an old cottage he tore down. The materials implemented into the old blind transformed it to resemble a small cottage or cabin.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Carolyn Szatkowski stands outside the front of her she-shed, which used to be an old deer blind. She said her grandson provided materials from an old cottage that was demolished and it was incorporated into her small cabin. She said she intends to spend the night in it this year when there is a full moon.

“I just love this place,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll just sit here and read, play my music, and sometimes I just sit here and be quiet and listen to the birds and just relax.”

Although there is enough room for her to spend the night, Carolyn said she hasn’t done so yet, but she said she intends to do so this year on a night when there is a full moon.

Joe’s man cave is closer to the house and big enough for him to host his friends for a night of pool, conversation, and comradery. He said he uses the man cave to read, watch television, sharpen his billiards skills, or to just sit, relax, and enjoy a good book.

“Shooting pool is relaxing for me and it is just a great place for me to unwind,” he said. “I can go out there and watch the television shows I like, because we don’t always like to watch the same programs and just enjoy being out there.”

Carolyn said although her and her husband have individual recreation areas, it isn’t from a need to spend time apart.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Carolyn Szatkowski, left, and Joe Szatkowski stand outside Carolyn’s she-shed on Monday. The little cabin in the woods is where Carolyn escapes to relax, while Joe uses his mancave to do the same.

“It is all about me having my own special place and nothing about me getting away from Joe,” she said. “It’s not like he is generally in my hair. I just come out here for my own reflection time.”

Before moving out into the country, Joe and Carolyn said they didn’t have man caves or she-sheds at their home in town. Instead, they spent their time working on their large yard, grooming and decorating their garden.

“We had the walk-in garden and I had the henhouse, so I had a place and I loved it,” she said. “But I love what I have now, I call it my cabin and I just love and adore it.”

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Joe Szatkowski shows off a glass painting of an owl that was given to his wife to help decorate her she-shed.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Joe Szatkowski works on his pool game while in his man cave in Alpena. He said he enjoys practicing alone and having his buddies come over to visit and play.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Joe Szatkowski relaxes in his man cave on Monday. He said he likes to relax, watch television, and read books while in his cave.