FAMILY CORNER

RECONNECTING WITH THE PAST

STEP INTO YEARS GONE BY WITH THE LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION AT THE LIBRARY

BY HEIDI BUTLER, LOCAL HISTORY SPECIALIST, CAPITAL AREA DISTRICT LIBRARIES

One of the best ways to reconnect with your past is to flip through the pages of your high school yearbook. Here’s that guy who won the science fair prize every year. There’s the teacher who always brought snacks to study hall. And did we really walk around in public wearing that?

Yearbooks are an amazing record of their time, filled with the hopes and dreams of young people on their way to making their mark in life. They are valued in genealogical research and are considered proof of the fruition of culture and fashion. There have even been studies on how much wider smiles are now compared to the past, as well as predictive studies by psychologists who look at people’s expressions to predict happiness, length of life and more.

With the April issue of 517 Magazine celebrating “Women Who Work It” — meaning women who have led the way in their chosen roles in the workplace and at home — browsing through your old yearbook could be a big confidence booster. It reminds us of a time when we were a little unsure of ourselves and our futures. Now here we are in 2021, having relished our roles, breached some barriers and made it through one of the toughest years in our lifetimes. We can be proud of our achievements. We can remind ourselves that everything has a way of working out.

If your yearbook has gone missing, or is just buried deep in the attic, check out Capital Area District Libraries’ local history collection at cadl.org/yearbooks. It offers free access to full-color, digitized yearbooks from schools throughout Ingham County. The files are all keyword-searchable, so you can enter a last name to quickly find people.

Enjoy your trip down memory lane.

cool pets

HOLLAND LOP RABBIT

The Holland Lop rabbit is a miniature breed that lives roughly 7-10 years with good care. At around 2-4 pounds, these little guys are calm and gentle but also very sociable. They shed a lot in the summer and will need lots of exercise. Just like more traditional pets, some rabbits are high spirited and playful, and others may be shyer and a bit aloof. Is there anything cuter?

craft idea

DECOUPAGE EASTER EGGS

WHAT YOU NEED

• Mod Podge • Brush • Decorative paper napkins of your choice • Eggs — hard boiled or craft eggs

WHAT TO DO

• Separate the outer layer of your napkin from the white inner layer, keep only the colorful outer layer. • You can use a full piece and cut off excess or cut your napkin into strips. • Brush Mod Podge in sections on your egg, covering as you go. • When the egg is covered, brush another layer over the napkin to seal it. • Allow to dry. You can brush more Mod Podge on or add any other elements you like.

TIPS:

• The busier the pattern, the less likely it will be to show creases. • We found using the napkin in smaller strips was easier to work with.

recipe TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

INGREDIENTS: 6 MEDIUM OR 3 LARGE POTATOES ½ CUP OF SOUR CREAM ¼ CUP OF BUTTER APPROXIMATELY 6 PIECES OF BACON, COOKED AND CHOPPED INTO BITS 2 TABLESPOONS OF CHIVES, CHOPPED 1 ½ CUPS OF SHREDDED CHEDDAR CHEESE ½ CUP OF MILK (OR HEAVY CREAM) SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE

WHAT TO DO: BAKE YOUR POTATOES AT 350 DEGREES FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR, SET ASIDE TO COOL. WHEN COOL ENOUGH, CUT YOUR POTATOES IN HALF LENGTHWISE AND SCOOP OUT INTO A MIXING BOWL. STIR IN SOUR CREAM, MILK AND BUTTER. MASH UNTIL SEMI-SMOOTH. STIR IN MOST OF THE CHIVES, BACON AND CHEESE, RESERVING A SMALL AMOUNT OF EACH FOR TOPPING. SCOOP INTO THE POTATO SHELLS AND TOP WITH THE REMAINING BACON, CHIVES AND CHEESE. BAKE UNTIL HEATED THROUGH, APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES.