Kalamazoo has long taken pride in the many products made here that have achieved a worldwide presence, such as Shakespeare rod and reels, Gibson guitars, Stryker hospital equipment and Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine. You can add trash receptacles, outdoor benches and furniture to that list, thanks to the company we feature on our cover this month: Landscape Forms.
Started by John Chipman Sr. in a barn as a way to keep his landscaping company's employees working during the winter, this company creates some of the most innovative, durable and beautiful outdoor and indoor furniture you're likely to find. Landscape Forms is one of those Kalamazoo gems that should be in the spotlight more — it has been named one of Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production for the past three years — and we are excited to be shining a light on the company in this issue.
Another enduring Michigan-made product is the focus of our Five Faves feature this month: maple syrup. Our staff was only too happy to highlight their favorite things about March's Maple Madness, from spirit-infused maple syrup to festivals celebrating this liquid gold.
Music is also on our minds this month as writer Robert Weir gives readers a sample of those pubs, taverns and watering holes that host local musicians. Robert visited every location and saw each performer he highlights to provide readers with a great "must-see and hear" list for local music.
Finally, we meet Marianne Joynt, the new mental health coordinator for Portage Public Schools. At a time when children are experiencing increasing levels of mental health problems, including anxiety and depression, Marianne's position is a step forward in helping kids achieve mental wellness and thrive.
Enjoy the sweetness that March brings — sun, syrup and great reading in Encore
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Zinta Aistars
Zinta says she knew about Landscape Forms for years before she met with company CEO Marjorie Simmons for our cover story this month. "I have always been able to recognize their benches, their streetlights, their planters when I saw them throughout our city streets,” Zinta says. “The clean, sleek lines of their products are so distinctive. I was intrigued to learn more and to see where these items were made and how the designs took shape. I wanted to meet the people behind those designs. When I did, it all made sense. The people of Landscape Forms, beginning but not ending with CEO Margie Simmons, are as distinctive as their products.”
Zinta is the creative director of Z Word LLC, her writing and editing service, and the producer and host of the weekly radio show Art Beat, on WMUK (102.1 FM).
Kalloli, Encore's intern and a graduate of Portage Northern High School, says she was encouraged by her interview with Marianne Joynt, the mental health services coordinator of Portage Public Schools. "Seeing a district acknowledge the rise of anxiety and depression in the student body makes me feel good because it means that the district is not only focused on the students' academic interests, but their mental well-being as well," she says. Kalloli is a Western Michigan University student majoring in digital media and journalism.
Sitting in the cozy confines of O’Duffy’s Pub and listening to Tom Duffield’s foot-tapping honky-tonk tunes on a Thursday night in October, writer Robert Weir was inspired to share his thoughts about that experience — and others — with Encore readers. Research for his article in this issue included visiting several taverns and learning about their live music options and talking with many musicians about the type of music they play. The result is a smorgasbord of local places to enjoy good music in a good atmosphere. Robert has been contributing articles to Encore since 1996.
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You’ve
The Indigo Girls, the Grammy-winning folk-rock duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 24 at the State Theatre. The duo, known for such hits as "Closer to Fine," "Galileo" and "Shame on You," have been performing together since 1980, when they were college students. They are touring to promote their 16th album, Long Look
Tickets are $35–$55 and are available at kazoostate.com.
If you like illusions and sleight of hand, two magic performances this month will give you a chance to suspend your disbelief.
Rob Lake, named “The World's Greatest Illusionist” by NBC, will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 4 at Miller Auditorium. When Lake received The Merlin Award in 2008, he was the youngest magician in history to receive the industry's highest honor. Tickets for Lake's show are $28–$48 and available at millerauditorium.com.
The marijuana-themed show Smokus Pocus: A 420 Magic, is what magician Ben Zabin has in store for his 7 p.m. March 17 performance at Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage Road. Zabin has performed more than 1,000 shows across the globe, is a consultant for magic productions and is the author of two books about magic.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at dormousetheatre.com.
May Erlewine to perform at Bell’s
Prolific and passionate Michigan singer/songwriter May Erlewine will perform at 7 p.m. March 11 in the Backroom at Bell's Eccentric Cafe, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave.
Erlewine is touring to support her latest album, The Real Thing, a collection of songs performed live in a room deep in the Manistee National Forest. Erlewine will perform with Theo Katzman on drums, Packy Lundholm on guitars, Joel Gottschalk on bass and Dave Mackay on keys.
Tickets are $23 and available at Etix.com and Bell’s General Store next to the cafe.
All things home and garden, from new building and landscaping trends to products and ideas, will be featured March 10–12 at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St.
The Kalamazoo Home & Garden Expo, sponsored by the Homebuilders Association of West Michigan, will include exhibits by nearly 300 vendors.
The expo runs from noon–8 p.m. March 10, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. March 11, and 11 a.m.–4 p.m. March 12. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Children ages 12 and younger are admitted for free.
For information on where to purchase tickets or for more about the expo, visit kalamazoohomeexpo.com.
The 18th annual celebration of Kalamazoo's stringed-instrument legacy and musical heritage will be held March 3–4 in downtown Kalamazoo.
The free Fretboard Festival, at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Anna Whitten Hall, will feature instrument designers, workshops for a variety of stringed instruments, and live musical performances.
The festival runs from 5:30–9 p.m. March 3 and 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m. March 4.
The first day will feature a performance of Middle Eastern music by the Bahar Ensemble and a presentation titled “The History of the Oud” by Beau Bothwell. The oud is a Persian short-necked stringed instrument.
The second day of the festival will feature workshops, vendors, and performances by Joel Mabus, Dave Johnson, the Crossroads Blues Band and others.
Both in-person and virtual attendance are options. For more information, visit kalamazoomuseum.org/events/fretboard-festival.
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When you see those dark spots on roadways from the sap dripping from maple tree branches, it's time to smile. Those spots mean that the sap that becomes the liquid gold known as maple syrup is running. March is generally maple sugaring season, so for lovers of all things maple, we are highlighting our favorite maple products and maple-related events.
Sprinkle it on your oatmeal or yogurt, use it in baking or try it as a spice rub for meats. The options are abundant when it comes to using this natural sweetener. It’s made by boiling maple syrup until it forms granulated sugar crystals, resulting in a sugar infused with maple flavor. The 4-ounce shaker-size container of maple sugar produced by Jack & Jill’s Maple Hill Farm, in Paw Paw, can be found for $6.99 at PFC Natural Grocery & Deli, 507 Harrison St. It’s the ideal size to try.
f you want to celebrate maple season or just learn more about how maple sugaring is done, there are several area festivals you can visit:
Maple Sugar Festival, March 11 at the Kalamazoo Nature Center, 7000 N. Westnedge Ave. You can see syrup being made at this annual event, which includes a sugaring tour, live music, a pancake breakfast, tours of the DeLano Farm and more. It's also the center’s largest fundraising event of the year. For more information, visit naturecenter. org/programs/maplesugarfestival.
Michigan's Premiere Maple Syrup Festival — March 18–19 and 25–26 at Maple Row Sugarhouse, 12646 Born St., Jones (49 miles southwest of Kalamazoo). It promises to celebrate "everything great about maple syrup," with demonstrations of making maple products and food offerings including maple donuts, maple pulled pork and maple-seasoned fries. For more information, go to michiganmaplefestival.com.
The Vermontville Maple Syrup Festival, April 28–30 in Vermontville (47 miles northeast of Kalamazoo). This festival has been around since 1940, with local syrup producers set up throughout the village to sell syrup, candies, crème and other treats. There are also carnival rides, a talent show, arts and crafts, a flea market, two parades, a petting zoo and more activities. To learn more, go to syrupfest.org.
ust when you don't think maple syrup can get any better, Doodle's Sugarbush, in Blanchard, has found a way with their spirit-infused syrup varieties. The company ages Grade A maple syrup for up to 18 months in barrels used for aging bourbon, rum and rye whiskey at New Holland Distillery to imbue the syrup with new flavors. The bourbon-barrel-aged maple syrup has hints of vanilla, caramel and butterscotch; the rum-barrel-aged syrup pairs well with vanilla ice cream and yogurt; and the syrup aged in whiskey-soaked wood has a complex flavor described by the makers as "divine." You can buy these syrups at doodlessugarbush.com.
This event is sponsored by the Michigan Maple Syrup Association. It occurs March 18–19 in southern Lower Michigan, March 25–26 in northern Lower Michigan, and April 1–2 in the Upper Peninsula. On these weekends, sugarbushes (groves of maple trees that are tapped for their sap) will be open to folks wanting to experience the magic of maple sugaring firsthand. You can witness the work it takes, from tapping trees and running miles and miles of tubing to harvesting the sap and boiling it down to make syrup, candy and sugar. The nearest participants are Butternut Creek Sugar Shack, at 24890 Flach Road, in Mendon (southeast of Vicksburg); Ty-Cat Sugar Shack, at 19465 Cleveland Ave., in Galien (southwest of Niles); and Sugar Shack at Heritage Park, at 121 Tefft St., in Hanover (southwest of Jackson). For a complete map of participants and information on hours, visit michiganmaple.org/michigan-maple-weekend.
When you think about it, cotton candy is just spun sugar, so it makes total sense to create a version of the fluffy confection from nature's best sugar: maple syrup. You can try a batch of this airy maple-liciousness through the Kalamazoo Maple Co., which boasts that this treat is the most popular item they sell, after maple syrup. It’s available at kalamazoomaplecompany.com.
The Kalamazoo area is rich with music. Symphony performances, student recitals and band concerts are publicized events in large, well-known venues where audiences give sole attention to the performers.
But music lovers have other opportunities to hear performers that fly a bit lower on the radar. There are a surprising number of small music venues in the greater Kalamazoo area where you can find music played by individuals or small combos in cozy places. These venues offer a friendly vibe, with musicians who haul their own equipment, will play your favorite songs and obscure tunes and, when taking a break, might come to your table and chat.
And while this list is not exhaustive, it does provide a good sample of places and performers to see.
Where to go:
The settings described here are neighborhood pubs, taverns and cafes. The atmosphere is friendly and the melodies — low-volume or amply amplified — accent your meal, drink and conversation. We’ve intentionally not mentioned establishments that are less intimate, not locally owned, more restaurant than tavern, or hotel lounges.
Because most of these venues don’t offer music every night, schedules change and websites might be out of date, it is recommended that you call before you go.
The Dock at Bayview. This bar and grill located near Gull Lake generally features country and rock cover bands playing on Friday and Saturday nights. 12504 East D Ave., Richland, 731-4911, thedockatbayview.com.
Final Gravity Brewing Company. This brewpub on the north end of the Kalamazoo Mall offers an eclectic entertainment music roster on Friday, a DJ on Saturday, and comedy on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. 246 N. Burdick St., 350-5136, finalgravitybrew.com.
Green Door Distillery. Here you’ll find a hippish atmosphere, craft cocktails and an eclectic blend of music, including jazz and country, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. 429 E. North St., 348-0717, greendoordistilling.com.
Louie’s Trophy House. This cozy neighborhood bar with lots of regulars is the place to find live rock on Friday, karaoke on Saturday, and open-mic nights on Wednesday. 629 Walbridge St., 385-9359, louieskzoo.com.
The Lucky Wolf at the Historic Paw Paw Playhouse. A historic converted church with a theater stage, this venue offers a variety of entertainment, from comedy to open blues jams on Wednesday, live music on Sunday afternoons, and special events as scheduled. 404 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, 913-4153, pawpawplayhouse.com.
McGonigle’s Irish Pub. This friendly bar with an extensive menu offers country or classic rock on Friday. 3512 E. Main St., 345-5400, kalamazoo.mcgoniglespub.com.
O’Duffy’s Pub. This neighborhood pub in the heart of the Vine neighborhood hosts artists playing blues, bluegrass and easylistening music on Wednesday and Thursday nights. 804 W. Vine St. 381-9771, oduffyspub.com.
Old Dog Tavern. This local favorite is popular for its live, eclectic music offerings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the occasional shows on Wednesday and Thursday. 402 E. Kalamazoo Ave. 381-5677, olddogtavern.com.
Village Hide-A-Way. This cozy watering hole in Vicksburg usually offers one-person acoustic acts but not on a regular schedule. Check the website for info. 111 E. Prairie St., Vicksburg, 649-3134, vicksburghideaway.com.
These are just a few of the musicians who make the rounds of the local pub music scene. You might find them at Final Gravity Brewing one week, O'Duffy's or Old Dog the next. If you find a performer you want to follow, chances are you will eventually experience many of the pubs and taverns mentioned above.
As with the pubs, there are more musicians out there; tap into a few and they will lead you to more.
Mark Bass. He describes himself as "playing pop music that descended from the big band era." Bass plays drums, keyboard and bass guitar. He can also be seen performing with the Final Five band and as principal percussionist for the Kalamazoo Concert Band.
James Burkett. Americana music featuring guitar, harmonica, mandolin and vocals. Performs a tight vocal duet harmony
with vocalist Karen McKenzie Vosburg in High Blue Sky.
Jeff Dallavalle. Versatile keyboardist playing jazz, blues, classic rock, country and classical music. Catch him with Mark Bass and Cheryl Shelton Dennis in The Jazz & Blues Heads and with Bass and Greg Crawford in the Kalamazoo Avenue Band.
Cheryl Shelton Dennis. Multiinstrumentalist playing alto and tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute and piano. She's trained in jazz but plays swing and classic rock as well and is known for her improvisation. "I never know what will come out of my horns," she says. See her with Jeff Dallavalle and Mark Bass in The Jazz & Blues Heads.
Nathan Douglas. Guitar and vocalist performing classic country and rock.
Tom Duffield. Keyboardist playing blues, boogie and ballads, often gracing the stages at O’Duffy’s and Old Dog.
In reporting this article, Robert Weir visited all of the establishments listed and more and heard all of the performers listed.
These are his picks:
Most Music: Old Dog Tavern
Best Dance Floor: The Dock at Bayview Coziest and Most Unusual: Lucky Wolf
Best Menu: McGonigle’s Irish Pub
Most Unusual Drinks: Green Door Distillery
Most Impressive Antique
Wood-and-Mirror Bar: O’Duffy’s Pub
Most Unusual Instruments: Jeff Dallavalle’s Chapman stick; Dan Simon’s dobro
Most Versatile Musician: Cheryl Shelton Dennis
Don Field. Field says he plays “songs you don’t hear every day, backflip tracks” in such genres as dance music, Top 40, Motown, jazz and Sinatra/Ratpack oldies.
Jack A. Gregory. Plays guitar and sings classic rock, blues and lounge music. Often performs with Don Field, Tom Duffield, Jeff Dallavalle and Mark Bass.
Carrie McFerrin. In addition to playing many local pubs as a soloist, this countrywestern singer/songwriter/storyteller hosts an open-mic night at Louie’s Trophy House on Wednesdays.
The Moody Coyotes. An acoustic guitar trio featuring Mike Siegel, John DeRouin and Dave Johnson that does covers of everyone from Woody Guthrie to Freddie Mercury.
Steve Pesch. Plays his own flavor of rock ’n’ roll classics.
Dan Simon. Plays the dobro, a stringed instrument with "a unique sound,” he says. “People get quiet when I play.”
Posing next to a lime-colored trash can in Central Park isn’t exactly the typical photo opportunity a tourist to New York City might choose. But for Marjorie K. Simmons, chief executive officer of Landscape Forms Inc., it was the perfect shot. With sunglasses pushed back atop her head and hair pulled back in a ponytail, Simmons held an arm out over the trash can as her travel companion snapped the photo.
“It’s probably a typical photo for any Landscape Forms employee,” Simmons laughs. “We love spotting one of our own products when traveling — we’re all proud of what we do here.”
Simmons has been with the company since 2014. She was initially a board member and took the position of CEO in 2019, when Landscape Forms celebrated its 50th anniversary. A graduate of Michigan State University and Eli Broad College of Business, Simmons studied marketing, labor relations and communications at Purdue University. She was a CPA at Ernst & Young, went on to become chief financial officer and director of business development for an architectural design firm, and in 1998 co-founded DSA Architects in Berkley, Michigan. When DSA was acquired by SHW Group, a national design firm headquartered in Dallas, Simmons was appointed its chief executive officer, in 2010. And when Stantec acquired SHW Group in 2014, Simmons became senior vice president and business leader. Five years later, Simmons took on the CEO role at Landscape Forms.
Simmons, 59, is only the fourth CEO of the privately held Kalamazoo company, which has 600-plus employees and satellite businesses in Arizona and Minnesota. Seeking ‘the perfect trash can’
Landscape Forms was launched in 1969 by John Chipman Sr. According to his son, the company began in a barn as a seed taking root in boredom.
“My earliest memories of my dad at work go back to being in the barn behind the house, where he was making prototypes of a planter,” wrote John Chipman Jr. in a 50-year remembrance of the company history. “He was running Chipman Landscape at the time, but, as he said, he was bored and looking for what’s next. There began what he jokingly called the 'quest for the perfect trash can.'”
Creating what turned into the company’s first fiberglass planter and soon after that creating a line of wooden benches, and ultimately trash cans for outdoor use, Chipman Sr. had landed on a way to keep his employees gainfully employed during the winter.
Fifty-four years later, the company has 638 full-time employees building not only planters, benches and trash cans but high-enddesign site furniture, structures, accessories, bike racks, lighting and custom outdoor settings. The company is headquartered on 58 acres at 7800 E. Michigan Ave., just outside of Kalamazoo, and includes in its family of brands Kornegay Design, in Phoenix, Arizona, and Loll Designs, in Duluth, Minnesota. The company has sales representatives throughout North America, South America, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Asia.
With clean, sleek, simple lines and classic designs, Landscape Forms products are easily recognizable, with benches, tables or trash cans, visible on most every street of downtown Kalamazoo, not to mention in cities and towns across the country and the globe.
“We have an internal design team and consider ourselves modern craft manufacturers,” Simmons says. “But we also work with international designers for a modern take on traditional products. Design is in our DNA. Our three core pillars are design, culture, craft.”
In 2005, Landscape Forms established its specialized Studio 431 arm for high-profile custom projects, designing unique outdoor settings to fit the needs of individual businesses, institutions and venues. Designers are matched to projects, creating one-of-a-kind branded environments.
“Landscape Forms is not an assembly-line manufacturer,” Simmons says. “We are low-volume but high-variety. You can order one chair or 50, and we will make it. We’ve earned more than 70 awards since 2010 for our designs.”
With equal pride in products and people, Simmons points to a poster placed prominently in the Landscape Forms lobby that illustrates the many factors that comprise a successful business, many of which are based on treating employees with respect.
“We’re incredibly proud to receive recognition as Michigan Manufacturer of the Year in 2020, but also Great Place to Work certification three years in a row — 2020, 2021, 2022,” she says. “We also earned top rankings on Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production over those three years as well as Veteran-Friendly Employer awards.”
The poster highlights 215 new hires over the past year, increases in pay range for manufacturing positions, 72 special events to show appreciation for team members, and 35 internal promotions, among other bragging points.
“John Chipman Sr. didn’t only have innovative designs,” Simmons says. “He also believed that a successful company depended on how he treated people. Personal and professional development is part of who we were then and who we are today. But we also want our people to feel that we are having fun along the way with various events and family fests. We recently had a carnival with food trucks in our parking lot to include family that gathered about 900 people.”
In addition, individual team leaders come up with their own outings for their teams, including golf outings, axe throwing, pontoon boat
A.In Michigan, a Ladybird deed allows a Grantor to transfer his orher real property upon death to a named beneficiary, the Grantee, while avoiding the probate process. The Ladybird deed is appealing because the Grantor will typically retain the right to sell or mortgage the property, or convey the property to another third party at any time, thereby not losing control. Further, the property receives a full “step up” for capital gains tax purposes on the death of the Grantor (this is not available without the reserved life estate or additional powers). The Grantor’s interest is called an enhanced life estate, and the Grantee’s interest is a remainder interest (subject to divestment).
Of interest, it is generally believed that a form of the Ladybird deed was used by President Lyndon Johnson to transfer property to his wife, “Lady Bird” Johnson, hence the name of the deed today.
rides — whatever comes to mind and builds camaraderie in and outside of the workplace.
“We encourage that, because when we have fun together, people create connections,” Simmons says. “Especially after the two years of the pandemic, when many of our people worked from home, we needed to connect again. Especially new hires needed that.”
Along with an element of fun, the company offers career development training programs, leadership programs and continued education, and it recently expanded parental leave for both parents.
“We’ve had 25 babies supported by our new parental leave program,” Simmons says. New parents, whether by birth or adoption, are eligible for up to 12 weeks’ leave, depending on the number of their years of employment with the company."
The company even provides pet insurance for those who feel their pets are their “fur babies.”
“Providing parental leave meant a lot to our employees,” Simmons says. “We found that too many women especially had to leave their jobs to take care of their kids, so it was important to work around that. We have also brought in flex time and hybrid work hours for those who are able to do their jobs at home but come into the office at other times. It’s one of the few positive outcomes of the pandemic. We learned that our employees are as productive working at home as at the office.”
Embracing the needs and perspectives of employees has become as important an aspect of how Landscape Forms is run as of how its products are designed and built. There’s an acronym for it: EPIC.
“EPIC stands for equity, participation, identity and competency,” Simmons explains. “Across the board, every decision we make here goes through that lens, with buy-in from everyone at Landscape Forms. From how and what we produce down to our fun events, everyone participates in the decision-making.”
Employees not only participate in decision-making but also reap the benefits. A Quest Bonus disburses a percentage of corporate profits on a quarterly basis to participating team members.
“That started with our founder,” Simmons says. “Everyone who generates a successful project has a share in that reward. It ties everyone together with a common purpose.”
Chipman Sr.'s desire to build a sense of shared success in his company has expanded over the years to bring the people who make up the company closer to the forefront.
“When he retired, he wanted active management to have ownership of the company,” Simmons says. “Managers, directors — almost 50 people who work here — are now part-owners of Landscape Forms. None of the Chipman family are owners any longer, although John Chipman Jr. does sit on our board. It’s very motivating to have that
ownership in what we do. Our board of directors too consists mostly of external members to avoid conflict of interest. That’s unique for a privately owned company. We get the expertise of our board members without their day-to-day involvement in our activities.”
Another point of pride for Simmons has been bringing women into leadership positions and onto the company's board of directors. Landscape Forms has joined hands with WxLa, an advocacy initiative created in 2018 to encourage and lead efforts toward equality in the profession, championing women leaders in landscape architecture.
“There’s me as CEO,” Simmons says with a smile, “and our CFO is a woman. Quite a few of our directors and other key positions have been filled by women. But it is more than just about women. Landscape Forms has been working hard on our DEI program — diversity, equity, and inclusion — with the goal of achieving a vision of a just and diverse community in our industry.”
In 2021, Landscape Forms established its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship. The scholarship is open to undergraduate landscape architecture students who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and currently enrolled in an accredited landscape architecture program in the U.S. or Canada. Candidates must demonstrate financial need, academic aptitude and commitment to the discipline of landscape architecture.
Landscape Forms also partners with the Landscape Architecture Foundation to offer annual scholarships for distinguished undergraduate landscape architecture students.
It would seem a natural outgrowth of creating outdoor landscapes that Landscape Forms would also have a strong concern about sustainability and the environmental impact of producing its products.
“And that’s true,” Simmons says. “A passion for environmentalism has been a part of this company from its foundation. Since 2008, we have partnered with 1% for the Planet, a global organization
that works with businesses and individuals to support environmental nonprofits. They connect companies like ours with other nonprofits to help create a more sustainable world."
The company takes a hard look at its carbon imprint, with consideration of energy use, pollution reduction, resource conservation, recycling, transportation and waste elimination. Metrics are maintained for energy, water, carbon and material usage, with the goal of constant improvement. Steel and aluminum are imported mostly from mills and plants within a 150-mile radius.
Of 200 products Landscape Forms makes, 85 percent are produced from post-consumer or post-industrial recycled materials. All lighting within the company's buildings has been converted to more-efficient LED. And nearly 600 tons of waste produced during manufacturing processes in 2020 was recycled.
As a crucial part of being a responsible member of the community, Landscape Forms maintains extensive community outreach, especially in the realm of education.
“Education has a profound impact on our lives,” says Simmons. “We bring students here as interns, as apprentices, working with schools such as Western Michigan University and Comstock schools to identify and develop emerging leaders. We also work with the community colleges, Michigan Career & Technical Institute, Allegan County Area Technical and Education Center, and many others.”
As Tony Ide, manufacturing group leader and coordinator, leads the way into the production area of Landscape Forms for a closer look at where the magic happens, he tells of his personal gratitude for the company's approach to developing future leaders.
“I came here from out of the military eight years ago,” he says. “I learned welding at Landscape Forms — something that was completely new to me. We have had the Welding Academy here since 2011, and we have some of the best welders in all Southwest Michigan come out of here. We train people on the job with paid apprenticeships, and most of them we retain while others in the industry try to take them away.”
Ide grins, waves at one of the welders, and continues: “Our team goes out to schools to talk to students about our program. We go to Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Constantine, Allegan, and we talk to young people about the opportunities here. We offer 10- and 14week certification. It’s an opportunity to get
into the trades with work-based learning, up to 20 hours per week. Most of them stay after they complete the program.”
Landscape Forms also works with engineering students at WMU to sponsor projects, pairing engineers with engineering students and faculty members. As students learn by doing, guided by professionals through real-world challenges, many remain in the pipeline and take advantage of employment opportunities at Landscape Forms.
“With our fast growth, we are always hiring,” Ide says. “We take note of the students working here who are highly engaged and select them for training into leadership positions. I was a material coordinator for a couple of years before I was brought onto the metals team, a year later to manufacturing process leader, and a year after that to the position I am in now. Hard work gets rewarded.”
Keeping ‘an aggressive pace’
Ide strolls the floor, greeting and checking in on workers as shifts change; one shift ends at 4:30 p.m. and the floor goes silent for a while, but new teams arrive at 7 p.m.
“It’s important to stay on top of the market,” he says. “That’s the 800-pound gorilla. We produce nine to 13 new products a year, and that’s an aggressive pace in the industry. We keep adding to our portfolio.”
Ide stops to examine a weld in a large planter. To the uneducated eye, it appears to be sufficient, but Ide shakes his head. This
one won’t make it out the door, he says. Every weld must be smooth and even and perfect.
Perfection and innovation are everyday goals on the floor and in the office.
“Our goal is to double the size of the company every six years,” Simmons says.
Part of that ambitious growth, Simmons says, is through acquisitions, but those are made as carefully as any other part of the business is conducted, if not more so — as perfect as a solid weld.
“It’s a robust and intentional process,” she says. “For an acquisition, they must fit us. It is the first of five points we consider. The fit of their vision — do they believe in craftsmanship? Their size, because resources are limited, and we don’t want to bet the farm. We look at strategic fit — what can we do with this acquisition (and) how will it benefit us? We look at cultural fit — how well we are aligned? And, finally, we look at the finances — will this make us profitable in the long run?”
Another acquisition is expected this year, Simmons says.
“Success breeds complacency,” she says, “and you don’t want to get lazy about what you are doing here. It’s grow or die or someone else is going to eat your lunch. If you work at Landscape Forms, change better be OK with you. Continuous improvement is in our DNA.”
March 3-12
Civic Theatre
The Kalamazoo Civic presents this musical as part of the Penguin Project, in which youth and young adults ages 9 to 26 with special needs join “peer mentors” to perform on stage.
The musical tells the story of the beautiful Rainbow Fish, who refuse to share their vibrant scales with others and learn it is better to be adored for kindness than beauty.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. March 3 & 10, 10 a.m. March 8–9 and 2 p.m. March 4, 5, 11 & 12 at the Civic Auditorium. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at my.kazoocivic.com or by calling 343-1313.
March 17-26
WMU Theatre
This wartime musical focuses on three sailors on leave for 24 hours in New York City.
The show has a celebrated score by Leonard Bernstein and includes standards such as Come Up to My Place, I Can Cook, Too, Some Other Time and New York, New York
It will be performed in Western Michigan University’s Williams Theatre at 7:30 p.m. March 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25 and 2 p.m. March 19 & 26. Tickets are $6–$24 and available online at wmich.edu/theatre or by calling 387-6222.
March 11
All Ears Theatre
March 17-26
Civic Theatre
The long-standing sibling rivalries of four aging sisters — three of whom have lived next door to each other for most of their lives — are at the center of this production by the Civic's Senior Class Reader's Theatre.
This portrait of small-town America in the 1950s features Dara Konewko (Ida), Liz Dykhouse (Esty), Kitty Kachniewicz (Cora) and Mary Redmon (Arry) as the sisters. The Senior Class Readers Theatre is a program for adult performers 50 and older.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. March 17, 18, 24 & 25 and 2 p.m. March 19 & 26 in the Carver Center Studio, 329 S. Park St. Tickets are $15 and are available by calling 343-1313 or online at kazoocivic.com.
March 10-19
Farmers Alley Theatre
How Dr. Ruth Westheimer went from fleeing the Nazis and being a sniper in Jerusalem to becoming America's best-known radio and television sex therapist is explored in this production.
Diane Wasnak stars in the title role, and Kathy Mulay directs.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. March 9–11 & 16–18 and 2 p.m. March 12, 18 & 19. Tickets are $35–$39 and available at farmersalleytheatre.com or by calling 343-2727.
This free, all-audio theater production written and directed by Tim Eschelbach will be performed at 6 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition building, 315 W. Michigan Ave.
The show tells the tale of the Incognito Detective Service's investigation into the disappearance of a wealthy financier, in which the answers to questions are just more questions, everyone is a suspect, and things are not quite what they seem.
For more information, visit allearstheatre.org.
Several local authors will be discussing their books at events across the area this month:
March 18 & 19
The Grimm fairy tale of a king with 12 daughters who wore out their dancing shoes every night despite being locked in their room will be presented by Kalamazoo Ballet Arts Ensemble in its spring concert.
This youth ballet troupe will perform at 2 p.m. both days at Chenery, 714 S. Westnedge Ave. Ticket prices and information are available at BAEtickets.org.
Anne Dueweke will discuss her 2022 book, A Conversation & Reckoning: K College Uncovers Its Racial & Colonial Past, at 7 p.m. March 7 at the Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane. The book examines the history of racism and oppression at the college. Dueweke will be joined by Donna Odom, the former executive director of the Society for History and Racial Equity (SHARE). For more information, visit portagelibrary.info.
Katherine Joslin and Thomas Bailey will talk about their 2018 book, Theodore Roosevelt: A Literary Life, at 6 p.m. March 8 at the Richland Community Library, 8951 Park St. Their book traces Roosevelt’s lifelong engagement with books and discusses his writings, from childhood journals to his final editorial, finished just hours before his death. For more information, visit richlandlibrary.org.
Samantha Moran will launch Dealings in the Dark and Bound and Betrayed, the first two books of her new horror novella series, The Cursed Souls Series, at 11 a.m. March 25 at the Portage District Library. For more information, visit portagelibrary.info.
The best modern, post-modern and contemporary dancers from all over the country will descend upon Kalamazoo for the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RAD Fest) at the Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall.
This juried event includes live stage performances, site-specific works, a Screendance film series, master classes and workshops. Single-day tickets for the festival are $10–$25 and available online at midwestradfest.org.
Free events include live performances, film screenings and a “movement installation” that will be presented 5–8 p.m. March 3 in the Epic Center, in conjunction with the March Art Hop.
March 25
These two poets will read from their works at 7 p.m. as part of the Poets in Print series at the KBAC, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 103A.
Benjamín Naka-Hasebe Kingsley is an Affrilachian author of the collections Demos: An American Multitude (2021), Colonize Me (2019) and Not Your Mama’s Melting Pot (2018). (The term Affrilachian refers to an African American who is a native or resident of the Appalachian region of the U.S.) He is an assistant professor of English at Kalamazoo College and a member of the Onondaga Nation of Indigenous Americans. His recent work has been published in The BreakBeat Poets: LatiNEXT, Native Voices: Honoring Indigenous Poetry, The Georgia Review, Kenyon Review, Oxford American, Poetry and Tin House
Alen Hamza is the author of Twice There Was a Country (2020), and his work has appeared in AGNI, Fence and The Southern Review. Hamza immigrated to the U.S. at 15 as a refugee from Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has received fellowships from the Michener Center for Writers, Fine Arts Work Center and University of Utah and teaches at Western Michigan University. For more information, visit kalbookarts.org.
March 18
Miller Auditorium
Violinist Jun-Ching Lin and the local drumming group Djembe Yaru will perform with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. in this concert featuring American composers.
Lin’s achievements include playing chamber music with Alan Gilbert, Robert Spano and YoYo Ma. He is first violinist of the Franklin Pond String Quartet and a founding member of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta.
Djembe Yaru has been teaching and performing West African music for over 15 years in the Kalamazoo area, including collaborating with Rootead, WMU and the KSO.
The pieces to be featured are Louis Moreau Gottschalk’s Creole-influenced Symphony No. 1, Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto and William Grant Still's Africa, with influences of blues, jazz and spirituals.
Tickets are $57–$68, with lower prices available for teachers, veterans, students and low-income individuals. Tickets are available at kalamazoosymphony.com.
Throughout the month
Various venues
From a vocal festival to jazz ensembles, WMU's School of Music has a full slate of concerts this month. Performances will be in the university's Dalton Center Recital Hall and, unless otherwise noted, are free. The performances scheduled are:
• A guest and student recital featuring works from the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra/WMU Composers Workshop, 7:30 p.m. March 1.
• The Western Invitational Jazz Festival closing concert, featuring the University Jazz Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $5–$10.
• An alumni recital by trombonist Andrew Mitchell, 6 p.m. March 13.
• WMU’s vocal jazz ensembles Gold Company and Gold Company II, 7:30 p.m. March 17 & 18, 2 p.m. March 19. Tickets are $20–$25.
• The Burdick/Thorne String Quartet, a KSO ensemble, 7:30 p.m. March 21.
• A New Faculty Showcase, featuring vocalists Jacob Berglin and Emanuel Caraman, oboist Geoffrey Johnson, percussionist Marja Kerney and violinist Sophie Tang, 7:30 p.m. March 22. Tickets are $5–$15.
• The Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival, with the University Chorale and Anima, 7 p.m. March 23, Miller Auditorium.
• The WMU Drum Choir, 5 p.m. March 27.
• Pianist Donna Lee in a guest artist recital, 7:30 p.m. March 27.
• A Jazz Combo Student Showcase, 7:30 p.m. March 28.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit wmich.edu/music/events.
March 12
Eighteen of today's best jazz musicians will join composer and bandleader Maria Schneider in this performance presented by the Gilmore International Piano Festival. Schneider's 2020 Grammy-winning double album, Data Lord, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist and named Jazz Album of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association and NPR.
The concert begins at 4 p.m. Tickets are $35–$55, or $7 for students, and are available at thegilmore.org.
March 30
Chenery Auditorium
This pianist who has recorded more than 50 albums and performed all over the world will perform as part of The Gilmore's Classical Piano Masters series.
Thibaudet, whose recordings have received Grammy nominations, will play the Debussy Préludes program that he has performed this season in Switzerland, the Netherlands and Carnegie Hall.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., and a free concert preview will be led by Beau Bothwell at 6:30. Concert tickets are $35–$55, or $7 for students, and are available at thegilmore.com.
March 4
Dalton Theatre
The Kalamazoo Philharmonia and Kalamazoo Bach Festival Chorus will team up to perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at 7:30 p.m. in Kalamazoo College’s Dalton Theatre, located in the Light Fine Arts Building, 1200 Academy St.
The concert will feature vocal soloists Madelaine Lane, Carrie Ledet, Jonathon Lovegrove and Trent Broussard. Tickets are $2–$5 and will be available at the door.
March 24
March 28-April 21
WMU’s Richmond Center for Visual Arts
Two exhibitions will open this month at the Richmond Center, on Western Michigan University’s campus.
An artist the Wall Street Journal has heralded as a “fastrising star among jazz’s ranks” will perform a 7:30 p.m. concert with his quartet at Western Michigan University’s Dalton Center.
Wilkins is a saxophonist and composer whose debut album, Omega, was named the No. 1 Jazz Album of 2020 by The New York Times.
The local concert is presented by Fontana Chamber Arts. Tickets are $15–$30 and available at fontanamusic.org.
Prints, objects and a series of short films by awardwinning South African hybrid-media artist Naomi van Niekerk will be featured in an exhibition titled Interval in the center's Netzorg and Kerr Gallery.
Niekerk, who is currently teaching a course at WMU’s Frostic School of Art, will present a lecture about her work at 5:30 p.m. March 23 in Room 2008 of the Richmond Center.
In addition, works by WMU art students will be featured in the Annual Frostic School of Art Student Exhibition in the Albertine Monroe-Brown Gallery.
Gallery hours are noon–5 p.m. Wednesday–Friday and noon–4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit wmich.edu/art/galleries/exhibitions.
March 9-April 2
Prairie Ronde Gallery
A retrospective of the artwork of Latvian artist Viestarts Aistars will be on exhibit at the Prairie Ronde Gallery, 101 East Prairie, in downtown Vicksburg. The exhibit is organized by the Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center and will feature Aistars’ watercolors, oils, and charcoal pencil drawings that often reflect the home he lost when his family was forced to leave Latvia during the Soviet occupation of WWII. An opening reception will be held 5:30–8 p.m. March 9. The gallery will be open during the adjoining Mackenzie's Bakery hours, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday–Friday and 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, through April 2. For more information, visit vicksburgarts.co.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Two exhibits will open this month at the KIA: Lines That… , an installation of abstract works from the KIA’s collection that explores all that a line can do, will open March 11 and run through June 11.
YoungArtistsofKalamazoo County , featuring works by youth in grades K–8 from Kalamazoo County schools, will be showcased March 18–April 16. For hours and admission prices, visit kiarts.org
March 3
Downtown Kalamazoo
In conjunction with this month’s Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RAD Fest), the March Art Hop will have the theme Art on the Move.
This free event, organized by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, runs from 5–8 p.m. and features a variety of artists’ works as well as live music and the chance to visit downtown businesses.
The Arts Council has an app that provides a guide and map of Art Hop sites, information about participating artists, and walking directions. For more information or to access the app, visit kalamazooarts.org.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts:
• UnmaskingMasculinityfor the21stCentury , through March 12
• WhatIsGoingOninThis Picture? , through April 1
• Art, Music and Feminism in the 1950s , through May 7
• ExpressionsinPaperand Clay , through May 14
Kalamazoo Book Arts Center:
• The Illustrated Accordion , through March 24
Plays
Becoming Dr. Ruth — Chronicles Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s journey from fleeing the Nazis to becoming a famous sex therapist in America, 7:30 p.m. March 10–11 &. 16–18, 2 p.m. March 12 & 19, Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, 343–2727, farmersalleytheatre.com.
Morning’s at Seven — The Senior Class Reader’s Theatre presents this portrait of the Gibbs’ sisters and small-town life in America 50 years ago, 7:30 p.m. March 17–18 & 24–25, 2 p.m. March 19 & 26, Carver Center Studio, 426 S. Park St., 343–1313, kazoocivic.com.
Musicals
The Rainbow Fish Musical — The Penguin Project for those with special needs presents this story of the Rainbow Fish who won’t share their vibrant scales with the rest of the ocean, 7:30 p.m. March 3 & 10, 2 p.m. March 4–5 & 11–12, 10 a.m. March 8–9, Civic Theatre, 329 S. Park St., 343–1313, kazoocivic.com.
On the Town — A wartime musical about three sailors on a 24-hour leave in New York, 7:30 p.m. March 17–18 & March 23–25, 2 p.m. March 19 & 26, Williams Theatre, WMU, 387–6222, wmich. edu/theatre.
Dragons and Mythical Beasts — Enter into a magical world of myths and legends as puppets are brought to life at a family-friendly event (for ages 3+), 2 p.m. March 25, Miller Auditorium, WMU, millerauditorium.com.
Other
The Magic of Rob Lake — The illusionist performs, 7:30 p.m. March 4, Miller Auditorium, WMU, millerauditorium.com.
TheIncognitoDetectiveService — An all-audio theater production by Tim Eschelbach where everyone is a suspect and things are not quite what they seem, 6 p.m. March 11, Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition, 315 W. Michigan, allearstheatre.org.
Smokus Pocus: A 420 Magic Show — Magician Ben Zabin performs, 7 p.m. March 17, Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage Road, dormousetheatre.com.
Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RAD Fest) — Featuring modern, post-modern and contemporary dance, hosted by Wellspring/
Cori Terry & Dancers, March 3–5, Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, midwestradfest.org, 342-4354.
Twelve Dancing Princesses — Ballet Arts Ensemble presents the fairy tale of a king's 12 daughters who wear out their dancing shoes every night despite being locked in their room, 2 p.m. March 18 & 19, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave., BAEtickets.org.
WMU Student Noon Dance Showing — Noon March 31, Dalton Center 3rd Floor, WMU, wmich. edu/dance/events.
Bands & Solo Artists
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Concerts —The Black Opry, March 1; David Ramirez & Dylan LeBlanc, March 4; Dogs in a Pile w/The North 41, March 5; Moon Hooch, March 8; An Evening with May Erlewine, March 11; Circles Around the Sun, March 12; The Travelin’ McCourys, March 15; Eggy, March 16; Trifocal w/Brother Smith, March 17; Rachael Davis, March 18; Great Lakes Brass & May Erlewine, live music during Oberon Day March 20 (see MISCELLANEOUS); The Insiders: Tom Petty Tribute, March 24; Satsang w/Graham Good & The Painters, March 31; all shows begin at 8 p.m., 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., 382–2332, bellsbeer.com.
Whiskey Before Breakfast – Traditional Irish music, 2 p.m. March 12, Parchment Community Library, 401 S. Riverview Drive, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org.
Lettuce — The funk band promoting their eighth album, Unify, 7:30 p.m. March 21, State Theatre, 404 S. Burdick St., kazoostate.com.
Indigo Girls — Legendary folk-rock duo performs, 7:30 p.m. March 24, State Theatre, kazoostate.com.
Orchestra, Chamber, Jazz, Vocal & More Guest and Student Recital — Featuring works from the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra/WMU Composers Workshop, 7:30 p.m. March 1, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/ events.
Fretboard Festival — In-person and virtual event celebrating Kalamazoo’s stringed-instrument heritage with performances, workshops and vendors, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N. Rose St., and Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Anna Whitten Hall, 202 N. Rose St.; 5:30–9 p.m. March 3, 9:30 a.m–7 p.m. March 4.
The 9th — Kalamazoo Philharmonia and Kalamazoo Bach Festival Chorus join forces on Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, 7:30 p.m. March 4, Dalton Theatre, Kalamazoo College, kalamazoobachfestival.org.
Western Invitational Jazz Festival — Closing concert featuring the University Jazz Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. March 5, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/events.
Maria Schneider Orchestra — The Pulitzer Prize finalist and Grammy Award-winning jazz orchestra leader performs, 4 p.m. March 12, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave., 3421166, thegilmore.org.
Andrew Mitchell — Trombone recital, 6 p.m. March 13, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/events.
GC 45 — WMU’s Gold Company and Gold Company II perform, 7:30 p.m. March 17 & 18, 2 p.m. March 19, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/events.
An All-American Celebration — The KSO performs selections from Gottschalk, Barber and Still, 7:30 p.m. March 18, Miller Auditorium, kalamazoosymphony.com.
Burdick/Thorne String Quartet — The KSO ensemble performs, 7:30 p.m. March 21, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/ events.
New Faculty Showcase — New WMU music faculty perform, 7:30 p.m. March 22, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/events.
Southwestern Michigan Vocal Festival — Performance including University Chorale and Anima, 7 p.m. March 23, Miller Auditorium, wmich. edu/music/events.
Immanuel Wilkins Quartet — Presented by Fontana Chamber Arts, 7:30 p.m. March 24, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, 382–7774, fontanamusic.org.
WMU Drum Choir — 5 p.m. March 27, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/ events.
Donna Lee — The pianist performs, 7:30 p.m. March 27, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/events.
Jazz Combo Student Showcase — 7:30 p.m. March 28, Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, wmich.edu/music/events.
Jean-Yves Thibaudet — The pianist performs a program of Debussy's works, 7:30 p.m. March 30, Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Ave., 342-1166, thegilmore.org.
VISUAL ARTS
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
314 S. Park St., 349-7775, kiarts.org
Exhibitions
Unmasking Masculinity for the 21st Century — Exploring the construction of masculinity in North America in art, through March 12.
Art, Music and Feminism in the 1950s — Featuring women artists during a period of change for women, through May 7.
Expressions in Paper and Clay — Vibrant and innovative traditions of Japanese printmaking and ceramics spanning the last 50 years, through May 14.
Unveiling American Genius — Abstract and contemporary works from the KIA’s permanent collection, emphasizing stories that African American, Latino and other artists have told, through Dec. 31.
Lines That… — Exploring the versatility of a line and inspired by Joe Overstreet’s Boxes exhibition, March 11–June 11.
Young Artists of Kalamazoo County — Works by youth from Kalamazoo County schools, March 18–Apr. 16.
Events
Screendance Preview with RAD Fest — Films from the 2023 Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival , 6–8 p.m. March 2.
AlltheReasonsWhyILoveLucy— An exploration of the zany redhead comic’s work, 12–1 p.m. March 7.
PhilAllen:ASearchforMeaning — The painter discusses his work, 10–11 a.m. March 8, in-person and on Zoom.
Artistry and Innovation in Japanese Ceramics and Printmaking — Art school faculty discuss the Expressions in Paper and Clay exhibition, 12–1 p.m. March 14, virtual event.
Metropolitan Stories — Discussion of the book by Christine Coulson, 2–3 p.m. March 15.
Kirk Newman Art School Residents: Part I — KIA residency students share their experiences, 12–1 p.m. March 21
Art, Music, and Feminism Symposium — A two-day event featuring conversations with local artists and scholars, 1–4 p.m. March 24–25.
What the Lady Bears Were Doing: Women, Music and the 1950s — Discussing the cultural impact of female vocalists, songwriters and musicians of the period, 6–8 p.m. March 26.
More than a Pretty Face: The Power of Portraits — Discussion of how a portrait conveys insights into social, cultural and political histories, 12–1 p.m. March 28, virtual event.
Richmond Center for Visual Arts
Western Michigan University, 387-2436, wmich.edu/art
Visiting Artist Lectures — Ash Arder, March 14; Michael DeAgro, March 16; Naomi van Niekerk, March 23; all lectures are at 5:30 p.m., Room 2008.
Annual Student Exhibition — Works by students in the WMU Frostic School of Art, March 28–Apr. 21, Albertine Monroe-Brown Gallery.
Interval — Prints, objects and a series of short films by Naomi van Niekerk, March 28–Apr. 21, Netzorg and Kerr Gallery.
The Illustrated Accordion — A non-juried exhibition of accordion-style books, through March 24; reception 5-8 p.m. March 3, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Suite 103A, 373-4938, kalbookarts.org.
Art Hop — Displays of art at various locations with the theme “Art on the Move,” 5–8 p.m. March 3, downtown Kalamazoo, 342–5059, kalamazooarts.org.
Blue Heat: Glass Art Gala and Auction — An annual celebration of glass art with live and silent auctions, food, drinks and music, 7–10 p.m. March 11, Glass Art Kalamazoo, Suite 100, Park Trades Center, 326 W. Kalamazoo Ave., glassartkalamazoo.org.
Comstock Township Library 6130 King Highway, 345-0136, comstocklibrary.org
Writing with Wilma — A six-week writing session with Wilma Kahn, 10–11 a.m. Tuesdays March 7–Apr. 11; registration required.
Tea 101 — Talking about all things tea, 6–7:30 p.m. March 8; registration required.
Adult Vision Boards — Paulette Rieger shows how to make a vision board, 5:30–7 p.m. March 15; registration required.
Adult Book Club — Discussion of Get a Life, by Chloe Brown, 5:30–7 p.m. March 30; registration required.
Kalamazoo Public Library
553-7800, kpl.gov
Screendance with RAD Fest — Films from the 2023 Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival, 3–4:30 p.m. March 4, Central Library, 315 S. Rose St.
Parchment Community Library 401 S. Riverview Drive, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org
A Gift of History – Cameron Brown on efforts to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s 1856 visit to Kalamazoo, 6:30 p.m. March 2.
Big Furry Friends – Therapy dogs, 4:30-6:30 p.m. March 7, 14, 21, 28.
Parchment Book Group – Discussion of The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray, 6 p.m. March 13.
Friends of the Library Book Sale – Downstairs at the Parchment Community Library, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. March 18, early bird admission 8–9 a.m. for $2.
Mystery Book Club — Discussion of A Rule Against Murder, by Louise Penny, 6:30 p.m. March 21.
Portage District Library
300 Library Lane, 329-4544, portagelibrary.info
Muffins and the Market — Librarian Warren Fritz discusses recent stock market trends, 9 a.m. March 2 & 16.
Saturday Sound Immersion — Wind Willow Consortium members play instruments for relaxation and a well-being experience, 10 a.m. March 4; registration required.
A Conversation & Reckoning: K College Uncovers Its Racial & Colonial Past — Author Anne Dueweke and Donna Odom, former
executive director of SHARE, discuss the book, 7 p.m. March 7.
International Mystery Book Club — Discussion of The Templar Legacy, by Steve Berry, 7 p.m. March 7.
Documentary and Donuts — Viewing of the film For Sarna, 10 a.m.–noon March 10.
Plots and Pages: A Local Writers Group — Author Mark Love discusses the craft of writing, 6:30 p.m. March 13.
Mysteries, Codes and Treasure Hunts — Solve riddles and break the codes, create your own ciphers at this family event, 6–7 p.m. March 14.
Cookies and Conversation: Heartwarming Reads Book Club — Discussion of The Authenticity Project, by Clare Pooley, 2 p.m. March 15.
All Creatures Deserving — Meet the nonprofit group that rescues, rehabilitates and releases wildlife, 7–8 p.m. March 15; registration required.
Yoga and Journaling — A journaling and slowflow yoga class with writing prompts, 1:30–3 p.m. March 17; registration required.
Kalamazoo Macintosh Users Group — Meeting about using and providing help with Macintosh programs and accessories, 9 a.m.–noon March 18.
Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society — Open to anyone interested in genealogy, 6:30–8:30 p.m. March 20; in-person and online.
Open for Discussion — Drop-in discussion of The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray, 10:30 a.m. March 21; registration required.
Viking Combat — Swordsmanship Museum and Academy historian Jerry Berg discusses weapons and shields used by the Vikings, 7 p.m. March 21.
Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones: Be a Part of the Homegrown National Park — A monthly program discussing and promoting environmentally friendly landscaping, 7 p.m. March 22.
Book Launch: TheCursedSoulsSeries— Author Samantha Moran launches her new books, Dealings in the Dark and Bound and Betrayed, 11 a.m. March 25.
Drop-In Spring Break Family Craft and Activity Time — Activities themed around spring, renewal and growth, 1–3 p.m. March 29.
Grow Financial Literacy with Michigan Works — Expertise and guidance on financial freedom, pizza will be served, 6 p.m. March 29; registration is encouraged.
Remembering Lorraine Beebe — Local historian Steve Rossio discusses the controversial life of Lorraine Beebe, the third woman to serve in the Michigan State Senate, 7 p.m. March 30.
Richland Community Library 8951 Park St., 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org
Bridge Club — Noon Tuesdays.
TheodoreRoosevelt:ALiteraryLife — Meet the book’s authors Katherine Joslin and Thomas Bailey, 6 p.m. March 8.
RCL Film Club — Discussion of All About Eve, 7 p.m. March 9.
Richland Area Writer’s Group — Open to new members, 10–11:30 a.m. March 11 & 25, in-person and via Zoom.
Team Game Night — Teams of two to four people play Wheel of Fortune, 6 p.m. March 14; registration required.
Richland Genealogy Group — Roundtable discussion group, 10–11:30 a.m. March 16, inperson and via Zoom.
Books with Friends — Discussion of Salt & Sugar, by Susan Wiggs, 7 p.m. March 16.
Team Trivia — Teams of two to six people test their knowledge on a variety of topics, 7 p.m. March 30; registration required.
Other Venues
Poets in Print — Benjamìn Naka-Hasebe Kingsley and Alen Hamza will speak at this in-person event, 7 p.m. March 25, Kalamazoo Book Arts, kalbookarts.org.
MUSEUMS
Gilmore Car Museum
6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, 671-5089, gilmorecarmuseum.org
2023 Lecture Series — Open-Wheel Racing, several representatives from Bettenhausen racing will speak, March 5; Automotive Painting — A Brief History, talk by an automotive paint expert Mark Zickefoose, March 12; Retro Recreation: Vintage Boats and Travel Trailers, talk by David Irvine, March 19; The Model T Ford AKA The Mechanical Cockroach, a talk by Don LaCombe from Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, March 26; all sessions begin at 2 p.m.
Kalamazoo Astronomical Society Meeting —
Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington discusses the inner workings of stars and astrophysics, 7–9:15 p.m. March 3, Kalamazoo Area Math and Science
2023
Center, 600 W. Vine St.; register for in-person or online viewing at kasonline.org.
Birds and Coffee Chat Online — Discussion of birding hotspots with Audubon Society of Kalamazoo President Donna Keller, 10 a.m. March 10; Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 East C Ave., Augusta, 671-2510, birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu, registration required.
Maple Sugar Festival — Annual celebration of spring’s arrival, with maple sugaring demonstrations, March 11, Kalamazoo Nature Center, 7000 N. Westnedge Ave., 381-1574, naturecenter.org
Night Sky Photography: From Capture to Post-Processing — Zolt Levay discusses night sky photography with a DSLR or mirrorless camera and standard lenses, 8–9:45 p.m. March 17, Room 1110 Rood Hall, Western Michigan University; register for in-person or online viewing at kasonline.org.
Audubon Society of Kalamazoo — Presentation by wildlife ecologist Rolf Peterson, 7:30 p.m. March 27, People’s Church, 1758 N. 10th St.; online option available, kalamazooaudubon.org.
USA Curling Nationals Mixed Doubles — National competition to determine who will represent the United States at the World Championship, Feb. 28–March 4, Wings Event
Center, 3600 Vanrick Drive, wingseventcenter. com/events.
Ask a Lawyer Family Law Clinic — KPL in partnership with the Kalamazoo County Bar Association offers one private session with an attorney to cover common family legal questions for lower-income persons not able to afford to hire a lawyer, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. March 1 & 29, 3–5 p.m. March 16, Adventure Center at Pretty Lake Camp, 9123 W. Q Ave., Mattawan, KPL.gov/events; registration required.
Winter Craft Show — With more than 200 vendors, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. March 4, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. March 5, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, 2900 Lake St., 269-903-5820.
Kalamazoo Home & Garden Expo — Showcasing building trends, products, ideas and inspiration, 12–8 p.m. March 10, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. March 11, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. March 12, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 269-375-4225.
Advocacy in Action — The Arc Community Advocates’ 16th Annual Inclusion Conference, Fetzer Center, WMU, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. March 15, communityadvocates.org; registration required.
Kalamazoo Living History Show — Reenactors of the French & Indian War through the Civil War, along with craftspeople, dealers and history buffs, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. March 18, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. March 19, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, kalamazooshow.com.
The Kalamazoo Poetry Festival celebrates 10 years
kalamazoopoetryfestival.com
A poetic exploration and expression of our theme ‘The Garden’
April 13, 14 & 15
downtown Kalamazoo
Workshops
Thursday, April 13 • 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 15 • 10 a.m., 12 p.m.
Celebration of Community Poets with special guest Diane Seuss
Friday, April 14 • 6 p.m.
Your Turn Open Mic
Friday, April 14 • 8 p.m.
Craft Talk
Saturday, April 15 • 2 p.m.
Festival Finale with three featured poets
Saturday, April 15 • 6 p.m.
Traci Brimhall Kaveh Akbar
Marianne Joynt (continued from page 34)
“Those pieces allowed me to just connect with kids in a really positive way.” How did you know you were going to be a psychologist?
I think it developed in the later years of high school. I always found myself being a good listener and having empathy. I was very, very interested in science and recognized that I really wanted to work with people, so I put my mind to it. I didn't even apply anywhere other than Western because I knew that they had a really good psychology program. When I got to my master's program, I went into the counselor education and counseling psychology program. That was what really piqued my interest in figuring out how to work within the family system, how to work within larger school systems and bring everyone together.
Who is your inspiration?
My family is definitely my inspiration. My parents supported everything I wanted to do educationally, and they're still there for me. We have family meals and travel together. My boys are amazing. I have a son who is working with a church and also very into music. My other son is at Michigan State, studying conservation, and I think he wants to be a DNR officer. They are the joy in my life, and they give me purpose. Even when things are difficult, I know I want to continue to be a good role model for them.
When we talk about supporting mental health, we're talking about a whole spectrum, from mentally healthy to significantly mentally ill. At different times, we all are at different areas on that spectrum, and that is why, as a community, we need to work together to support one another, even if we're different. Some people look at the phrase "mental health" as a way to judge and as a political weapon. It should never be used that way.
What is the schools’ role in a child’s mental health?
A child’s academic success is linked to their overall health and well-being, making it important to attend to the development of the whole child. We focus on students mainly because establishing healthy behaviors during childhood is easier and more effective than trying to change unhealthy behaviors during adulthood. As a result, schools play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behaviors.
What are the initiatives you are working on at PPS?
Every year the focus will change a little bit. Currently, I am working on suicideprevention training and making sure all staff are comfortable enough with the topic so they know what to do, what to look for, and how to report it (when someone may
be having suicidal thoughts). There is also something called “Mental Health First Aid,” which helps students feel comfortable and connected in school. It involves training staff and parents, because you don’t necessarily get a class on how to keep our kids healthy. However, these initiatives will take time. Let's say I start training parents and I can do a group of 30 at a time. OK, it's going to take time, and then there's going to be a time when those parents have kids who've graduated and we're starting over. System change takes a long time.
What do you wish people knew about your job?
Sometimes school districts can get a bad rap because they have to make difficult decisions administratively. The Portage Public Schools district sees a need and is doing something about it. This district is validating the things that I'm saying are important and working with me to make positive change. That doesn’t just happen. From superintendent to building staff, all are amazingly supportive of the students in this district and getting them the help that they need. We are focusing on prevention, not just reaction to a mental health crisis. That has given me the opportunity to have needs met.
— Interview by Kalloli Bhatt, edited for length and clarity.
Kids were experiencing increasing levels of anxiety and depression before Covid-19 shut down their schools and changed lives, but those levels have nearly doubled since the pandemic, according to a 2021 report in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics. As the new coordinator for Mental Health Services for Portage Public Schools, Marianne Joynt sees that trend firsthand.
“We have kids of all ages who were doing well before the pandemic who now are in need of extra support because of their anxiety and depression,” says Joynt. “We've had kids who did well at home during the pandemic and then are struggling to transition back to school. And we had kids who felt isolated at home and struggled then and are doing better now coming back and being able to be with their friends.”
Joynt, 48, has been a practicing psychologist in the Kalamazoo area for the past 15 years. Her new role is to help PPS students having mental health challenges and their families find treatment and gain access to community resources. The Three Rivers native and resident says she always knew she’d work with kids.
“I was working with kids from the time that I was young by doing camps, being a soccer coach for years and a producer for musicals at the high school,” she says.
(continued on page 33)
