Expert Advice

Funeral Services

Q: How can you help tell your loved ones story?

A: Everyone has a story, and it’s there to be told if you understand how to ask the right questions. 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.

4 locations to serve you 269-343-1508 • www.langelands.com

Health Food

Q: What type of produce does Sawall’s carry?

Transitions

Q: Why do I need a medical assessment if I’m moving to Independent living?

Roofing

Q: Should we be concerned about the amount of snow and ice accumulating on our roof?

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.

Diana Duncan Director of Sales and Marketing

Friendship Village

“Where Connections Matter”

1400 North Drake, Kalamazoo 269-381-0560 www.friendshipvillagemi.com

Counseling

Q: What should I do to lift the weight of my hidden addiction?

Justin Reynolds Manager

A: Since the first week of January, 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.

Sherriff-Goslin Roofing Co.

Since 1906

342-0153

800-950-1906

Member Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo

Sleep Health

Q: What are the effects of getting poor sleep?

Mark Sawall Owner

A: Sawall’s has always carried local and certified organic 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!!

Mon-Sat. 8am-9pm, Sun. 10am-6pm

Sawall Health Foods

Oakwood Plaza • 2965 Oakland Dr. at Whites Rd. • 343-3619 • www.sawallhf.com

Kim Powers, Owner, Licensed Professional Counselor

A: It is a brave choice to admit you have developed behavior that has become a stronghold. The next step is to choose a safe space, person, or professional to learn skills to overcome and manage the behaviors and hold yourself accountable to your goals. You can find the victory, strength, and encouragement to overcome! There is freedom in the light.

Heart Soul Mind Strength LLC

Faith. Acceptance. Empowerment. Purpose. Www.HeartSoulMindStrengthLLC.com

510-827-1305

Douglas Diemer, PA

A. Not sleeping enough or sleeping poorly due to an untreated sleep disorder can increase your risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and depression. It can also affect your ability to think clearly and make good decisions. Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of accidents due to being less alert and reduced reaction time. If you are experiencing symptoms such as snoring, fatigue or trouble staying or falling asleep, talk with your doctor. If you need a sleep health specialist, schedule an appointment online at bronsonhealth. com/sleep or call (269) 324-0799.

Bronson Sleep Health Specialists

bronsonhealth.com/sleep

(269) 324-0799

A Tribute to Perserverance

I was driving through the little town of Sunfield on M-43 west of Grand Ledge, a few weeks ago, when I spotted an old building that said, The Sunfield Sentinel - Established 1889 There aren’t many small town papers around anymore so this caught my attention. A window sign said “Open,” so I went inside where I met Jerry Maurer, the former publisher who offered me a tour.

Jerry explained that the Sentinel had ceased publication in December 2019 after 130 years in business. Jerry is 79 and still drives 50 miles each way, most days, to work on small printing jobs for the community. Jerry gave me a copy of the last issue which included a great column giving examples of several ways to say farewell: See You Later Alligator, Chop, Chop Lollipop and many others. The paper is chocked full of great little small town stories, along with local happenings, which aren’t so easy to find these days. I Googled the paper and found a nice tribute and award the community gave to Jerry for his many years of perseverance.

The tribute read: We would like to tell you about someone working in our community who has persevered for many years. Back on July 5th, 1990, three men, whose then employer was closing up shop, formed a partnership, came to Sunfield and bought the Sunfield Sentinel. Just a couple of months later one of the partners had a heart attack and left the busi-

Index March 2023

ness. Nineteen years ago, another partner had to leave the business. This left Jerry Maurer to forge on alone-He persevered.

He found himself in a print media business that for the last 15 years has gone from a steady erosion to an accelerating avalanche of decline.

Just to recap:

• Jerry loses two of his partners-He perseveres.

From The Editor

• For almost 30 years, Jerry commutes about 100 miles a day round trip from Mason to his shop in SunfieldHe perseveres.

• As Sunfield businesses close, and advertising revenues drop-He perseveres.

• As the Post Office raises their rates 19 times-He perseveres.

• As the Sentinel’s circulation plummets 85%-He perseveres until December 19, 2019.

• The Sentinel may be gone, but Jerry’s commercial printing part of his business will remain open here in Sunfield.-So yet, he perseveres.

Perseverance is defined by Webster as “steady persistence in a course of action - a purpose. To persist in spite of counter-influence, opposition, or discouragement.

I’m sure you’ve had times in your life when you had to push on and persevere or know of others, like Jerry, who embody the word perseverance.

Steve Ellis, SPARK Publisher

ON THE COVER:

Editor and Publisher: Steve Ellis

Graphic & Page Development: CRE8 Design, Kalamazoo

Content/Photography: Lauren Ellis

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.