THE WILD SIDE AT THE ASYLUM LAKE PRESERVE ~ PAGE 10
Expert Advice Roofing
Health Food
Q: Should we be
concerned about the amount of snow and ice accumulating on our roof? A: Since the first week of Janu-
Justin Reynolds ary, our total amount of snowfall has been significant. Since the weight of snow and ice is substantial, we recommend removing as much of the snow and ice as possible. However, safety should be your foremost concern. Emergency room personnel can tell you many stories of unfortunate homeowners injured while climbing a ladder or getting onto their roofs to remove snow and ice. Therefore, we recommend purchasing a ‘snow rake’, a long handled shoveling device, designed to pull snow and ice off the roof while you stand safely on the ground. Please be aware, however, since a snow rake is made from aluminum, you must kept it away from any electrical power lines on your roof.
Manager
Insurance Q: I have a tradi-
Q: What type of
produce does Sawall’s carry? A: Sawall’s has always carried local and certified organic Owner produce. Its the very best quality that can be found. We receive produce orders almost every day! We also carry as much local produce that we can find seasonally. We are always looking for quality produce from local farmers. Come in soon and enjoy the areas largest selection of fresh CERTIFIED ORGANIC PRODUCE!! Mark Sawall
tional Medicare Supplement plan and I’m not sure it’s the best one Charley Endres for me. How can I check what’s out there? A: EASY, CALL ME at
269-323-7888 and we can discuss it right over the phone. Sometimes improvements are out there you just need to know where to look!
Mon-Sat. 8am-8pm, Sun. 10am-5pm
Charley Endres, CIPA
Sawall Health Foods
Endres Insurance Agency 2004 W. Milham Ave., Portage • 269-323-7888
Member Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo
Oakwood Plaza • 2965 Oakland Dr. at Whites Rd. • 343-3619 • www.sawallhf.com
Pharmacy
Funeral Services
Transitions
Sherriff-Goslin Roofing Co. Since 1906 342-0153 800-950-1906
Q: What can you
Q: How can you
tell me about the COVID Test you are offering?
help tell your loved ones story?
Arun Tandon, R.Ph A: We are offering a PCR - Co-
vid test (Nasal Swab taken to a lab) Which has been approved under Emergency Authorized Use. You can call the pharmacy for an appointment or walk in for the test. The lab will bill your insurance and currently there is no out of pocket expense. The uninsured people can still get the test and that is billed to the government. The test itself takes less than 5 minutes and the results are available within 24 to 72 hours. To help the community and the businesses, the employers can contact us and we can come to your place of work and do this testing for all the interested employees. You don’t need any prescription. Fast, reliable and easy test for your peace of mind. Please call us at 269-324-1100 if you have any questions or need to make an appointment.
Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-1
Advanced Health Pharmacy 7916 Oakland Dr at Centre St 269 324-1100 • FREE DELIVERY advancedhealthpharmacymi.com
A: Everyone has a story, and it’s there to be told K. Lynn McFarlen if you understand how Community Outreach to ask the right quesDirector tions. At Langeland we take the time to communicate with the family and uncover powerful and uplifting memories. These treasured moments from the past provide a meaningful farewell and also help ease a family’s way through grief. Helping you tell the stories of the ones you love is our life’s work.
Langeland Family Funeral Homes “Quiet dignity with compassion” has meant so much for many people... for many years.
6 locations to serve you 269-343-1508 • www.langelands.com
charley@endresins.com
Why do I need a medical assessment if I’m moving to Independent living?
Q:
Diana Duncan Director of Sales and Marketing
A: Having a medical
assessment with the community you have chosen assists the community in understanding any services that may need to be set up prior to move-in. For example if you have given up driving, transportation can be scheduled prior to movein to avoid any delays in your health care routines or check-ups.
Friendship Village Woodside Assisted Living and Memory Care 1400 North Drake, Kalamazoo (269) 381-0515 www.friendshipvillagemi.com
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One of the most enjoyable aspects of publishing Spark is getting to meet a number of individuals who have “Found Their Passion.” Folks spending large amounts of their time, doing something they truly enjoy. Some have made it their profession or career, while for others; it is an interesting and challenging hobby. Over the last few years, I have had the pleasure of spending time with local authors Bonnie Jo Campbell and David Small, super water skier Rick Storteboom, bakery owner Judy Sarkozy, race car driver Lewis Hall, musician and radio host Mark Sahlgren and many, many more. All of these folks have a passion for something and pursued it against long odds, knowing
there was no guarantee of success. They worked long hours, took many chances, and believed in something that defied logic and may not have always made sense to the folks around them. “Finding Your Passion” should be a life-long journey and it is never too late to start. It does not need to be a job. It can be a hobby, a volunteer opportunity or anything else you feel passionate about.
FROM THE
EDITOR
It could be something as simple as starting a garden or learning how to play pickle ball. One of the best ways to “find your passion,” is to look back on your childhood. What did you love to do? Would you enjoy the same things now? For example, Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s greatest architect, played with wooden blocks all through his childhood.
ON THE COVER:
What experts in the field recommend is to not wait for the perfect time. It may not ever come. If there is something you have always wanted to do, there is no better time to start than now! Sincerely, Steve Ellis, SPARK Publisher steve@swmspark.com
The glorious wildlife at Asylum Lake Preserve. Photos provided by Sharon Koole.
To advertise in upcoming SPARK publications, contact: Steve Ellis, 269.720.8157, steve@swmspark.com
INDEX
Editor and Publisher: Steve Ellis Graphic & Page Development: CRE8 Design, Kalamazoo Content/Photography: Lauren Ellis
MARCH 2021
Lee Dean: Affairs of the heart .................................... 4
Spark Movie Reviews.....................................................12
Recipe: Sweet Spot!
Volunteer: Maureen Smith ..........................................13
Maple Syrup Creme Brulee ........................................... 6
Healthy Living: Healthy Aging Tips .............................14
Business Profile: Rollup Ice Cream & Tea ................... 7
History: The Mighty Ganzel Brothers ...........................15
Spark Book Reviews ......................................................... 8
Sage Advice....................................................................17
Nature: Early Spring Hikes Offer Hidden Beauty ....... 9
Tales from the Road: Grand Marais ..........................18
Cover Story: Asylum Lake Preserve............................10
Law and Order Kalamazoo Style...............................19
All current and past issues can be read at swmspark.com
Writers and Contributors Include: Area Agency on Aging, Steve Ellis, Lee Dean, Laura Kurella, Richard Martinovich Dave Person, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Public Library, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Portage Public Library, Senior Services of Southwest Michigan, YMCA SPARK accepts advertising to defray the cost of production and distribution, and appreciates the support of its advertisers. The publication does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. Spark is a publication of Ellis Strategies, LLC. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/swmspark
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Affairs of the heart Lee A. Dean screendoor@sbcglobal.net A routine physical is supposed to proceed according to script. You and the doctor say the same lines and movements every time: open mouth and say “ahh,’ feel the blood pressure cuff tighten on your arm, affect an air of nonchalance while the doctor takes a tour of your chest and back with a stethoscope. Parts one and two of the above screenplay proceeded as normal during my most recent physical, Part three was an ad-lib. When the doctor lingers at a particular spot with the stethoscope, there’s a reason. When my doc did just that, he said, “you have an irregular heartbeat.” People have told me I’m irregular for years, but never in that context. I had noticed no symptoms other than a feeling of something being a little off kilter, which I attributed to a pandemic-fueled weight gain. My doctor asked me if I had ever hard of “afib.” I said, “Of course. That’s what happens every time a politician talks.” Once he explained what it really was
– shorthand for atrial fibrillation – my smart-alecky mood disappeared tout de suite.
finished. Mom’s patient profile would invariably describe her as “pleasant,” which gave me something to aim for.
In afib, the top and bottom halves of the heart get out of rhythm. A heart divided against itself does not beat properly. This increases the risk of stroke, a condition at the top of my list of things to avoid if at all possible.
I did not want to behave in such a way as to have the words “grouchy old coot” on my patient profile and cooperate with the people and the process. I figured this puts me and the nurses and techs at ease. Plus it makes no sense to be anything but nice to people who are sticking needles in your arms and attaching electrodes to your chest.
This diagnosis began my relationship with a new group of professionals known as “cardiologists” and an introduction to an entirely new set of pharmaceuticals. For years, my routine had not changed: take one prescription a day and undergo an annual physical. Sooner or later, I knew this would change, as it does for anyone who gets to the age where things start to fall apart.
Upon arrival at the room where the cardioversion was to take place, I felt like a race car making a pit stop. Six people were hooking me up to various and sundry devices. “Remember folks,” I said, “red goes on red, black on black.” This attempt at jumper cable humor earned me a few laughs and gratitude from the team that I was the last patient of the day.
My first cardiologist recommended a procedure called cardioversion, which involves shocking the heart back into rhythm. I wanted to wait until Michigan beat Ohio State in football, which would certainly be a shock, but he wisely advised moving at a faster pace. Next stop, Borgess Heart Institute.
The next procedure was anesthesia, the same variety as you would receive for a colonoscopy. My strategy was to recite to myself a famous prayer known as “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” I got as far as “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me” before going under.
Now it was time for me to follow the example of my mother, who bore all manner of painful medical procedures with the utmost grace, always thanking the nurses and doctors when they were
When I woke up, the first thing I heard was the machine monitoring my heart rhythm. Before the cardioversion it sounded like an angry four-year-old erratically pounding on a drum kit. Now my heart was beating a beautiful, steady
rhythm, as if my heart had gone from Keith Moon to Karen Carpenter. Since that time, my heart has maintained a normal rhythm. But afib is a persistent adversary that is almost sure to return. Preventive measures are required. The choices are between pharmaceuticals and a procedure known as ablation, which sounds a bit like spot welding. In the meantime, I have embarked on serious lifestyle changes. The first of these is reading labels. If you hear that Better Made has gone out of business, it’s probably because I’m no longer eating heir barbecue chips. Processed food in general is loaded with sodium, so this means doing more cooking from scratch and being mindful of the sodium level of the ingredients. My wife, the Viking Goddess, certainly benefits from not having to cook as much. There’s hope for me as a chef, thanks to the American Heart Association cookbook. The slow-cooker thyme garlic chicken with couscous was pretty good. The orange pork medallions were very good. The peanut butter cookies were a massive failure. If the K-Wings ever run out of hockey pucks, the cookies would be an adequate replacement. May our current time of trial give birth to heroes just like these, because we certainly need people who can rise to the occasion just as they did.
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Sweet Spot! by Laura Kurella
March is one of the sweetest months because that’s when maple sap starts to run! I was surprised to learn that the northern United States and Canada are the only regions in the world where maple syrup is actually produced, and what is equally intriguing is that the technique that is used is hundreds of years old! With all this awesome amber goodness flowing through the maples right now, I had to tap a sweet source to help celebrate it - Ken Haedrich’s updated Maple Syrup Cookbook! Loaded with drool-worthy photos and more than 100 maple-infused recipes, this cookbook is a sure source for maple lovers to find new ways to indulge in this naturally-delicious, nutritious, God-given treat. Here now is a marvelous mix for you to play with – ENJOY!
Maple Syrup Crème Brûlée 6 egg yolks 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 2 cups light cream
Recipes excerpted from The Maple Syrup Cookbook, 3rd Ed. (c) Ken Haedrich. Photographs: Michael Piazza Photography. Used with permission of Storey Publishing.
1 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 6 tbsps firmly packed brown sugar
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F/170°C. Bring about 4 cups of water to a boil and reserve. 2. Very lightly whisk the egg yolks and maple syrup together. In a saucepan, combine the creams and scald, which means to heat to just below the boiling point). 3. Gradually stir the hot cream into the egg yolk mixture, until blended. Do not beat it or the finished texture will be grainy. Stir in the vanilla. Ladle into six individual, ovenproof custard cups or ramekins of about 3/4-cup capacity, filling almost to the rim. 4. Place the cups in a large shallow casserole dish then carefully pour in the boiled water until it reaches about halfway up the sides of the cups. Take care not to splash water into the cups. Cover loosely with aluminum foil, then bake for 1 hour, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool to room temperature, cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate overnight. 5. About an hour before serving, remove the cups from the refrigerator. Sieve 1 tablespoon of brown sugar directly on top of each custard, spreading it evenly with a fork. Put the cups in a shallow casserole dish, and then pour in enough ice water to come halfway up the sides of the cups. Turn on the broiler and broil the custard close to the heat until the brown sugar bubbles and darkens; watch carefully, or it will burn. Remove from the water bath and let cool.
For more on this and other cooking subjects, look for Laura on Facebook at LAURA KURELLA COOKS! Contact Laura at: laurakurella@yahoo.com. Check out Laura’s cookbooks, her new children’s book and more great recipes at Laurakurella.com
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Rollup Ice Cream & Tea By Richard Martinovich
It might look too pretty to eat, but you won’t stare att it long before you’re ready to dig in! Tightly wound “rolls” of ice cream tucked perfectly in a bowl and topped with fruit, pretzels, Oreos, brownies, toasted marshmallow -- just about anything you can imagine! Rollup Ice Cream & Tea has captured the imagination of Kalamazoo, providing a unique customer experience and an equally tasteful delight. It’s fun to watch the staff roll out and craft the ice cream, and even more fun eating it! Rolled ice cream originated in Thailand about ten years ago, and since has spread, rolled, across the US. There is so much creativity and delicious flavor packed in, around and on top rolls of ice cream! Order a Raspberry Dream with vanilla, fresh raspy berries, chocolate drizzle and whipped cream, or try the Sweet S’more, a chocolate base with Graham cracker, marshmallow sauce and chocolate bar! The selection of rollup ice cream combinations is dazzling! Rollup Ice Cream & Tea also offers sandwich wraps, and a re-
3262 Stadium Drive (Stadium Shoppes) 8340 Portage Road, Portage
freshing variety of popular bubble teas. Bubble Tea is a shaken mixture of tea, milk, ice, and Boba -- chewy pe tapioca pearls made from starch -- with various avorin like Berry Swirl, Strawberry Splash flavorings Tr and Tropical Express –mango, orange, banana, pinea pineapple, milk, tea, ice and Boba. Wra include the Campus BLT, Turkey RollWraps er Roast Beef Rollup and Field of Greens er, – a spinach wrap with romaine lettuce, cucumber, red onion, tomato, red peppers and oil and vinegar. There has been a chicken sandwich war raging across the country recently and the Rollup Ice Cream & Tea Portage location has a chicken sandwich that would be hard to beat anywhere! A big chunk of hand-battered chicken, p packed with pickles and slathered with Rollup Sauce. We are so much more “We t than an ice cream shop,” says owner Matt Searles. “We work so hard being a place to come and smile, laugh and enjoy life.”
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New Residents Welcome! Crosstown Parkway Senior Apartments
Book Reviews Book Reviews by the Portage District Library staff
All American Boys - Immediate Occupancy! - 1 bedroom apartments for 62 years and up. - Gas, electric, heat, air conditioning, water and sewer included. - Recently renovated kitchen and bath. - Rent based on 30% of income. - Medical alert bracelet in each unit.
- Small pets welcome with deposit. - “Care One” on-site. - Professional, courteous staff. - Free community room for parties. - Weekly resident activities. - Weekly grocery trips.
RENT BASED ON INCOME 550 W. Crosstown Pkwy. Kalamazoo 344-3968 Professionally Managed by Medallion Management, Inc. TTY 711
Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely All American Boys is an incredibly moving novel about two boys--one black, one white--who discover the unspeakable truth that racism is not a thing of the past. When Rashad, a remarkable artist and ROTC student, bumps into a woman in the store and drops a bag of chips, he does not expect to be accused of stealing and beaten to the point of hospitalization. Quinn saw the whole thing happen. In fact, there is a video tape and everyone can see the whole thing. He even knows the police officer. However, Quinn cannot believe the division that erupts from this one incident. It makes him realize that he must understand what happened because even doing nothing is a choice with far-reaching consequences. This story will move you with the depth and complexity these characters bring to the real issues we face every day. All American Boys is highly recommended for all ages. Join the Portage CommuniTeen read as we welcome authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely on March 16, 2021, for a virtual conversation about this book.
The Chain Adrian McKinty What would you do if you got a call saying your child was kidnapped? The Chain by Adrian McKinty is a fun, fast-paced thriller that follows single mother, Rachel, who tries to desperately rescue her daughter who has been the latest victim of a kidnapping scheme called The Chain. Not only does Rachel have to save her daughter, but she has to find a replacement child to kidnap in order to get her daughter back. As she struggles to get a grip on reality and following the specific instructions from The Chain, Rachel schemes up plots of her own to uncover the mastermind behind the antics. She befriends some really mysterious people and even finds herself in a romantic entanglement. This title
is the perfect escapist thriller for the dull winter months ahead!
Nazi Wives James Wyllie We are familiar with the names Goring, Goebbels, Himmler, and many other of Hitler’s henchmen. However, we are not as familiar with their wives. This book by James Wyllie delves into the stories behind the women in the highest echelons of the Third Reich. Unsurprisingly, it turns out that these women were as captivated as their husbands by Hitler and reaped the benefits of being in favor with the Fuhrer. They varied in their obeisance to Hitler: Magda Goebbels idolized him so much that she committed suicide the day after Hitler died, while most of the others tried to distance themselves from their husbands’ actions after the war. This book goes into great detail about their lives before, during, and after World War II, and makes it clear that all the wives turned a blind eye to the atrocities while enjoying their privileged status. It is a detailed and interesting history.
Wow, No Thank You. Samantha Irby Samantha Irby’s selfdeprecating humor is the breath of fresh air you need right now. Wow, No Thank You. tells the reader about Irby’s move to Kalamazoo and her journey into middle-age with delightfully irreverent humor and raw emotion. In this slim and devourable volume, Irby champions those who have ever regretted agreeing to go out with friends in favor of staying home in their comfy clothes. She also relates the raw agony of menstruation and bodily functions in ways that will make you chuckle and nod your head in agreement. Raunchy and relevant, Wow, No Thank You. is the right book for you if you enjoy your essays with hints of morbid humor and thoughtful observations.
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All these titles are available at the Portage District Library. For more information about programs and services available at PDL, go to www.portagelibrary.info
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Early Spring Hikes Offer Hidden Beauty By Tom Springer It may not look like a real waterfall. There’s no Tahquamenon torrent, only an elfin vertical drop of maybe 15 inches. Yet the icy rush and roil of Trout Run near the Kalamazoo Nature Center sounds multitudes larger as it reverberates up the ravines of Coopers Glen. I recorded a 19-second clip of Trout Run “falls” during a recent hike and it grows richer and more nuanced with each replay. That’s the beauty of a winter or early spring hike. It concentrates our senses in ways that the green sensory overload of spring or summer does not. With the forest shorn of its foliage, you can see the bones of the earth revealed. How glaciers sculpted the morainal hills along the Kalamazoo River. How various tree species – sugar maple and tulip poplar, hop hornbeam and eastern hemlock – grow best in the moisture gradients and soil types best suited to their kind. You can see, too, what form the trees take as they twist away from the shade of fellow trees and reach ever upward toward the life-giving pulse of sunlight. The cold seasons also offer a good time to identify trees without their leaves on. Each species has distinct features that are easy enough to learn: the burnt potato chip bark of the wild black cherry; the almost humorous duck-bill buds of the tulip poplar.
And with snow cover, the delicate calligraphy of animal tracks tells its own story of prey and survival. Upon winter’s pages of white, the comings and goings of even the most secretive animals, such as mink and bobcat, become an open book for the observant hiker. There are 16 trails at the Nature Center that lead across 1,400 acres of woods, wetlands and prairies. It worthwhile to wander them all, but it’s also good to find a favorite. A trail you can visit again and again, to see its beauty and curiosities unfold across the seasons. For that, the Fern Valley Trail is one worth knowing. In February or early March, the “fiddleheads” of spring ferns are still curled tight in the chilled ground. By spring and summer this trail features some of KNC’s most beautiful wildflowers. The Fern Valley Trail is also home to KNC’s Sugar Maple Grove where thousands usually visit each year to learn the art and history of maple syrup making. This March, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, KNC will offer a scaled down version of its popular Maple Sugar Festival over two weekends is March. Visit NatureCenter.org to learn more. One striking feature of the Fern Valley Trail is the damage caused by the Emerald Ash Borer. This forest pest has killed dozens of healthy ash trees here. They lay strewn in the forest like so many giant chopsticks.
The bleached trunks of those that remain have shed their bark in tatters. On the bare trunks, look for the spaghetti-noodle maze of tunnels made by the “EAB.” It’s the handiwork of this invasive insect (thought to have been brought on wooden shipping pallets from China) that stops the flow of nutrients and kills the trees where they stand. But in nature, what dies is never lost. To be sure, plenty of tornadoes, ice storms and other calamities have rent this forest since the last Ice Age. So, in their wisdom, Nature Center staff have let the ash do what dead trees do best: slowly decay to regenerate the forest with their mulch and nutrients. The downed trunks retain runoff on hilly slopes that could cause erosion, and what looks messy to humans actually provides great habitat for snakes, salamanders woodpeckers and more. And now, a new generation of maples, hickory and beech have shot toward the sky to capitalize on the boon of excess sunlight once commandeered by the ash. There’s plenty of other stories to learn on the trails at KNC. To see for yourself, download a trail map at www.naturcenter.org Or support the Adopt a Trail Program to help maintain our trails today -- and for many cold and warm seasons to come. Tom Springer is grants manager at the Kalamazoo Nature Center and author of “The Star in the Sycamore” and “Looking for Hickories.” Photos courtesy Bill Krasean.
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NATURE’S WONDER AT ASYLUM LAKE PRESERVE By Dave Person david.r.person@gmail.com
The busy beavers and their trail of timber have caught the attention of many visitors to the Asylum Lake Preserve this past year, including amateur photographer Sharon Koole. “I have loved watching them this past year. I was on The Point when the first tree fell,” Koole wrote in an emailed report to Spark magazine detailing her regular morning walks through the preserve. “I think some people were a bit upset that they have been downing ‘favorite’ trees, but it’s always fun to go in the morning (when the lake was open) and see if another tree had fallen. “I have been lucky enough to see them several times and photograph them. I have to say that my favorite time seeing them was when there were two playing about in the water. They looked like they were having fun and we enjoyed watching them.” Koole visits the preserve nearly every weekday morning about the time the sun comes up, as has been her habit for the past couple of years. On weekends, she and her husband go farther afield to hike. But for Koole, an Oakwood resident, nothing matches the 274-acre Asylum Lake Preserve, located at Drake Road and Parkview Avenue, for sheer beauty. “I started walking my neighborhood and then looked to go somewhere a bit quieter
with nicer scenery,” she wrote. “I’d have to say that in the summer what we call The Point is my favorite place. I love standing there and watching the sun come up. In the spring there are so many birds along the shore and the heron and swans can usually be seen nearby. Now, of course, there is also the beaver lodge near there too.” The spring and summer beauty give way to fall and winter, both with their own attractions. “Sometimes the views can be lovely in the winter,” she wrote. “I do sometimes walk at other times of day but I enjoy the mornings the most as it is relatively quiet so it’s a great time to see wildlife,” she added. “I like going out close to sundown but it can be quite busy. “ Last spring, Koole kept running into Joanie McKinney Weaver, also a morning walker at Asylum Lake
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Preserve, and the two decided to walk together.
photography and – in the last couple of years – wildlife and bird photography.”
“We both found that we were walking at the same time and used to ‘bump’ into each other down at The Point,” Koole wrote. “We started chatting and that progressed into sometimes walking together and now we walk together most mornings.
Once the pandemic became widespread last March, Koole noticed an increase in the number of walkers at the preserve.
“She likes bird watching and looking for wildlife so it’s a natural fit.”
“In the beginning there were so many people. I kept going earlier and earlier so it was still quiet as I missed some of the quietness I used to have when walking,” she wrote.
At the Asylum Lake Preserve, wildlife is plentiful, according to Koole. “It’s the main reason I love going to Asylum Lake. There always seems to be something different to see if you just take the time or look up and down.” “It’s definitely quieter in the winter (but) we did see an owl while we were walking through the woods today and there are always deer around,” she wrote after returning from a midFebruary walk. Koole has been honing her photography skills while out walking.
“Now that it’s colder there aren’t quite as many people but there are definitely more people than there used to be walking in winter.” For her, personally, the morning walks have kept her “sane” amid all the Covid turmoil. “Being outside gives me a sense of calm,” she wrote. It also provided an unexpected bonus. “I guess the pandemic was good for something,” she wrote, “as I got to meet a new walking friend.”
“I’ve always enjoyed taking photos but it’s only been in about the last four years that I got a DSLR camera and learned how to use it properly,” she wrote. “I enjoy landscape
For those who want to visit the preserve, there are parking areas on both Drake Road and Parkview Avenue. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. The preserve, owned by Western Michigan University and open to the public for passive use (bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed), has several trails, including a 2.6-mile loop trail around the larger of the two lakes there. Photos by Sharon Koole
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Movie Reviews Ugetsu Japanese director Kenji Mizoguchi’s late career masterpiece Ugestsu (1953) is a ghostly cautionary tale about the pitfalls and consequences of blind ambition. Based on a folktale and set in the 16th century, Mizoguchi’s dramatic retelling sees two peasant couples struggling to survive the brutality of civil war and social unrest. Genjuro is a single-minded potter who ignores his wife’s anxieties as he sets out to sell his wares at the local market. Driven by the desire to accumulate wealth at any cost, he struggles to appreciate his loving wife and young child. Tobei, the other husband, refuses to accept life as a farmer, dreaming instead, of becoming a samurai soldier. He too ignores the legitimate trepidations of his wife, who constantly scolds him for not being a better, more practical-minded husband. The seduction of status and personal ambition ultimately thwart the two protagonists, as they both learn the hard lessons of life. — submitted by Ryan G.
Better Call Saul Five seasons in (with one left to go), Better Call Saul proves that the idea for a Breaking Bad prequel focusing on shady lawyer Saul Goodman (played with aplomb by Bob Odenkirk) was not a fluke. Some BB fans had questioned if a supporting character played (on the surface) for comic relief could carry a series. Those concerns are swiftly put to rest once Goodman’s origin as Jimmy McGill unfolds. A gimmick-prone public defender who lives in the shadow of his successful older brother Chuck (Michael McKean in a dramatic tour-de-force) and his Albuquerque law firm, Jimmy’s sibling rivalry creates the most compelling drama among the show’s many plot threads. These include the backstory of BB cleaner Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), the drug cartel conflict between the Salamanca family and Gus Fring (Giancarlo
Esposito), and Jimmy’s relationship with law partner Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn). For all its ties to BB, Better Call Saul works so well on its own that it can be enjoyed without any knowledge of the original series. As good as BB is (for those not faint of heart), Better Call Saul may have it bested. — submitted by Karl K.
What We Do in the Shadows (The complete first season) Based on 2014 film of the same name that set the standard for mockumentary comedy horror, this FX television series follows four vampire roommates in Staten Island as they go about their daily lives and deal with the modern world and all the awkwardness that comes with being hundreds of years old. If you are familiar with the premise and pacing of the original film, you won’t be disappointed with this new series. And if you are not familiar with either the film or this television-based series, do yourself a favor and check it out. — submitted by Ryan G.
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution Filmmaker Stanley Nelson’s documentary The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution examines the rise of the Black Panther Party in the volatile 1960’s and its lasting impact on American culture. Featuring rare archive footage along with current interviews with party members and a fantastic soundtrack, this film does a fine job introducing the essence of the Black Panther’s worldview and lasting influence on our country. — submitted by Ryan G. Reviews submitted by Ryan Gage. These great titles and others are available at the Kalamazoo Public Library.
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Helping in Mississippi and Michigan By Bill Krasean, Senior Services, RSVP Advisory Council Volunteer Volunteers can provide several reasons for giving their time and energy to help others: Pay back for help they once received, a sense of accomplishment, and more. For Maureen Smith her reason is simple: “It makes me feel good,” said the 68-year-old Kalamazoo resident. “It makes me happy that I can help people.” A Benton Harbor native, Maureen retired from AT&T in Kalamazoo in 2006 and started volunteering with kids through the Foster Grandparent Program of Senior Services of Southwest Michigan. She left Michigan two years later and moved to Mississippi where she began volunteering with a RSVP program there that provided tax advice through AARP. Her role there was to become a familiar one over the next several years: she loved working as a greeter, meeting people as they came for help and direct them to the proper place. In 2015 she was asked to volunteer as a greeter at the Mississippi Visitor Center in Meridian. “We would provide coffee, maps and other services,” she said. In 2016 she moved back to Michigan to help her sister who had had heart surgery. “I left all that good old warmth in Mississippi, but I came back to help my sister,” she said. Back
in Kalamazoo in 2017 and now living near her son, two grandsons and five great-grandchildren, she joined RSVP at Senior Services where she again became a greeter for the AARP Tax Aid program. “Maureen has that special touch with people”, says Traci Furman, RSVP Coordinator, “when she greeted people into Senior Services for tax assistance it was as if she was inviting them into her home. It’s that kindness that makes a difference in a person’s experience.” She had hoped to help a senior companion program or drive in a delivery program, but the pandemic interrupted her desires. “I was sad that I couldn’t volunteer for those programs, but I enjoy what I do now. I just want to try and be very pleasant and treat people with respect. The Lord gives me purpose every day and He knows He has me.” RSVP – Your Invitation to Volunteer is a program of Senior Services of Southwest Michigan. Membership is free. RSVP offers placement assistance and support for people age 55 and better to volunteer. Opportunities in Kalamazoo County and a few in Calhoun County. Volunteers are needed with Meals on Wheels, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), Senior Services Home Repair, and more. Regular, flexible schedules available. Contact RSVP at 269-382-0515 or www. seniorservices1.org.
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HEALTHY LIVING:
Healthy Aging Tips Submitted by Vicky Kettner Marketing and Media Relations Director at the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo Taking care of our bodies as we age is very important. We’ve only got the one we’re given. That requires as to be purposeful about what we eat, and how we keep active. As a leading nonprofit dedicated to improving the nation’s health, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo offers the following tips to encourage older adults live healthier lives.
1. Have fun with your food Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring! Have fun with your fruits and vegetables by trying them fresh or frozen. Find a new recipe that uses a different source of protein or find a way to incorporate fish or beans into an old favorite. Remember as you age, it’s important to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy and lean meats to help your body get the necessary nutrients.
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2. Fill up on fiber and potassium, hold the salt As you age, your body needs more fiber rich foods to help it stay regular. Aim for a variety of colorful foods on your plate (i.e. fruits and veggies) to keep fiber rich foods a part of your diet. Additionally, increasing potassium along with reducing sodium or salt may lower your risk of high blood pressure. Fruits, vegetables and lowfat or fat-free milk and yogurt are good sources of potassium.
3. Get Active Physical activity is safe for almost everyone, and the health benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks. Regular physical activity is one of the most important things older adults can do for their health. It can prevent many of the health problems that seem to come with age (such as osteoporosis and arthritis) and reduce the risk for developing, or help manage, depression, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain kinds of cancers. For older adults who have chronic conditions that hinder their ability to be active on a regular basis, some physical activity is better than none, and older adults who participant in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits.
4. Tweak your routine To get the recommended 30 minutes of daily physical activity, change your routine to 10-minute sessions throughout the day. For example, stand on one foot while brushing your teeth to increase balance, and do squats while washing dishes to increase strength. Make sure you can grab hold of something to maintain balance— safety first! To increase your cardio, take the stairs instead of the elevator or park farther from the entrance to work. When sitting in front of the TV, march during commercials or do some light stretching to break up sitting for long periods.
5. Get social Socialization is an important part of aging. As we get older, it’s important to be active socially to stay healthy. Take a walk with a friend or a neighbor, join a book club or volunteer at your local pet shelter or local Y. Social interaction provides meaningful engagement, builds relationships, enhances a sense of belonging and provides opportunities for involvement—all resulting in greater bonds and a stronger sense of community. Being connected to the community keeps you healthy! For more information on how your family can live a healthy, active life, visit your local YMCA or go online kzooymca.org
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The Mighty Ganzel Brothers Michigan’s ‘First Family’ of Baseball By Keith Howard, Kalamazoo Public Library
Springtime is just around the corner, so let’s talk baseball! Long before the Kalamazoo Growlers or the Kings or the Kodiaks. Even before the infamous Kalamazoo Lassies, or the formidable factory league teams like the state champion Sutherland Paper Company, a thriving batch of independent and semi-pro teams put Kalamazoo at the forefront of late 19th century baseball. Among those early sluggers were the notorious Ganzel brothers; Fred, Charlie, George, Joe, and John. These five young men from Kalamazoo became Michigan’s “First Family” of baseball, indeed some of the most highly respected sports heroes of their day. Fred Ganzel was the oldest of the five brothers. Fred played many years of independent ball before joining the National League team in Philadelphia (probably early Phillies) in 1880. During his first season, however, he sprained an ankle and was forced into retirement before ever becoming a major league contender. Fred’s younger brother Charlie played several years of independent ball throughout the Midwest before making his major league debut in 1884. After a year with the National League Philadelphia Quakers, Charlie was purchased by the Detroit Wolverines in 1886. Charlie was Detroit’s star catcher when they clinched the 1887 National League championship and celebrated their first ever World Series victory.
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In 1888 Charlie was sold to the Boston Beaneaters where he remained for nine seasons, including the famous 1889 pennant race against the world champion New York Giants (said to be one of the most exciting seasons in baseball history). His career included 14 seasons in the major leagues with four National League championships and a World Series win. Charlie’s son Foster “Babe” Ganzel later became a career ballplayer and a daunting major league contender in his own right. Babe Ganzel was playing center field at Yankee Stadium when Babe Ruth swatted his record 60th home run in 1927. Next up was George Ganzel, who began his professional career in 1887 with two seasons of independent play in Minneapolis, followed by six seasons with the majors in Winnipeg, Washington, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. George then spent a decade with teams in Port Huron, Saginaw, Minneapolis, and Flint. Though never a major leager, Joseph Ganzel played independent ball for many years with teams in Kalamazoo, Port Huron, Saginaw, Ionia, and Grand Rapids. After seasons with the Michigan State League Lansing Senators and Grand Rapids Colts, Joe returned to the minors as a first baseman and manager for the Battle Creek Crickets, the Flint Vehicles, Mt. Clemens Bathers, and the Grand Rapids Wolverines. Then there was “Big Jawn” Ganzel, an imposing six-foot first baseman who played for several major league teams and was arguably one of Kalamazoo’s most famous athletes. John made his major league debut in 1898 with the National League Pittsburgh Pirates, but his big break was in 1903 when he inked a three-year contract with the New York Highlanders (Yankees). John is credited with the team’s first ever triple play, and hit the Highlanders’ first ever home run just 17 games into their inaugural season. John’s career spanned several decades, both as a player and a manager. At one point, he was the highest paid minor league manager in the nation. In 2013, John Ganzel was inducted into the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame. More at kpl.gov
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First, start slow, and with purpose. • Life will not “just go back to normal” post pandemic. Take the time to prioritize what is important to you, and how to resume those activities safely.
Reconnect to friends and family. Samantha A. Carlson, LMSW, Older Adult Services Director Area Agency on Aging IIIA, 311 E Alcott St., Kalamazoo Phone: 269-373-5173 www.Kalcounty.com/aaa
March in Michigan usually means spring is around the corner! Spring in Michigan usually brings hope. Hope for longer, sunnier days and warmer weather. This spring will also bring hope for success and health to Michgianders after a turbulent 2020. March 2021 marks the one year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are enduring the new normal of avid hand hygiene, face-masks, social distancing, and potential vaccination opportunities. After a year of the Stay Home, Stay Safe practices, some older adults are apprehensive with re-entering the community. How do we celebrate spring in Michigan in a new, safe manner to rekindle hope? Especially for older adults, who are extremely at risk of COVID-19 and the variant viruses related to it?
• Writing letters, cards, enjoying a telephone call, Face-timing, or Zoom Rooms are a great way to reconnect with family and friends. Weather permitting, outdoor get together options are also a safe bet this spring.
Explore safe social opportunities. • Senior Centers, Community Centers, and Area Agencies on Aging organizations have evolved programming into unique, innovative opportunities for older adults! Virtual events, drive-thru
Enjoy outdoor activities. • Parks and recreation areas are still welcoming guests to explore trails, walk through the woods, and enjoy nature. Remember to always inform your support system if you are going alone, keep your cell phone charged and accessible, and watch for icy patches for fall precautions.
Entertainment options. • The Entertainment industry has transitioned to on-line and on-demand options. Some
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older adults are exploring other options such as having a “Throwback Thursday” old movie night with one or two friends. Check with your friends/family to see what movies they have on-hand at home, and watch together via telephone or Facetime. If you choose to get together in person, don’t forget elbow bumps are a safe option of greeting, masks are always recommended, and social distancing is important. • For internet savvy older adults, virtual tours of museums, travel, music and classes are an option. Dare to explore new technology? Senior Centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and the state of Michigan have classes to help!
Finally, the pandemic has taken an emotional toll on all of us. Investing time and hope in utilizing resources to help with stress management, and the emotional impact of the last year is also an important part of a healthy lifestyle. The state of Michigan has Stay Well counseling programming free to Michigan residents. They offer virtual support groups, help lines, text help lines, mental wellness webinars, behavioral health guides, and video resources. Visit them online at: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_99557---,00.html or by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll free at 1-888-535-6136 and press “8”.
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FROM THE
road
~ grand marais ~
By Steve Ellis Grand Marais is one of the prettiest towns in the Midwest. It is located at the mouth of a gorgeous bay on Lake Superior at the eastern end of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Because of its relative remoteness, it is not overrun with tourists and may be best known for its kayak symposiums- training for preparing paddlers for kayaking the Pictured Rocks along the shores of Lake Superior. Every July, I head up north with a group of old friends, picking a different location and spend five days hiking, biking, swimming and having a great time. Our trip a few years ago, to the Grand Marais area, with perfect weather, great trails, waterfalls and swimming in a somewhat warm Lake Superior, was one of our best. We thought that we could make the seven hour drive and get up to the 12 Mile Beach Campground on a Wednesday and easily get a campsite. We quickly found that many others had the same idea and the campgrounds at 12 Mile Beach and at Hurricane River were both totally full. We ended up at Kingston Lake in the Lake Superior State Forest-a very pretty campground in the middle of a half dozen small lakes. We got up early the next morning and did some kayaking. The 48-mile, H-58 County Road between Grand Marais and Munising has recently been paved and makes it much easier to get the various campgrounds and trails. The next morning, we were able to get a site at the 12 Mile Beach Campground on the Lake Superior shore from a family packing up and heading back to Florida. Each morning began with a cup of coffee from my trusty Coleman stove and a few mile hike along the beach picking up multi colored agates. Our morning shower consisted of jumping into the cold, rocky, lake. With this being mid July and one of the hottest summers on record, I cannot imagine
what it would be like any earlier in the year. We spent our days hiking a handful of the main trails leading past waterfalls, lakes and huge rock formations, ending at a gorgeous beaches. The Log Jam trail took us to the top of a very large sand dune with an opening leading to the beach a few hundred yards below. We read that lumberjacks used this opening at the turn of the century to slide logs down the steep bank to waiting barges down below. We also learned that one log hit the water at a bad angle and skipped out to the barge killing two loggers along the way. Our favorite hike was to an area called The Cliffs- a few miles of ledges, pools and smooth rocks that were great for climbing and jumping off. The water here was warmer, and we continued to walk and walk, not knowing what we might find around the next corner. The next day we hiked to several waterfalls and the Hurricane River, ending at the mouth of the river and about 25 kayaks parked on the shore The waves were quite large and the Boy Scout group had a little trouble and one kayak pair had to be rescued after flipping a hundred yards or so off shore. Our favorite spot in Grand Marais was the Lake Superior Brewing Company with great pizza and micro-brewed beer. Being big Tiger fans, we had to catch parts of most of the game while we were in town. Other highlights included the Old Post Office Museum, the Pickle Barrel House (A house shaped like a barrel inspired by the early 1900’s comic strip the Teenie- Weenies) and the West Bay Diner. I had a great blue moon milk shake at the West Bay Diner and learned that the diner was built in 1949 in New Jersey and sat empty for years in Pennsylvania and eventually Rockford, MI., where it was owned by Jerry Berta, former owner of the famous Rosie’s Diner. He sold it to Ellen Airgood and it was moved across the Mackinaw Bridge in 1997 and eventually restored. While looking around in the diner I noticed a stack of books on display in a corner and after a closer look, noticed that Ellen had written “South of Superior”. She autographed the book for me and I loved reading this great story about the joys and challenges of living in a remote, small town. So take a trip to this great small town at the edge of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and experience one of the prettiest and most unique locations in the state.
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museON. Reprinted with permission from the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees. For more information about the museum visit www.kalamazoomuseum.org.
