JUDY SARKOZY’S BREAD IS A STAPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ~ PAGE 14
Expert Advice
Funeral Services
Transitions
Q: Does Langelands offer veteran holiday wreaths?
A: Yes, from October 29-November 16, Langelands (which has many vetK. Lynn McFarlen erans on staff ) will be takFamily Services ing orders for wreaths to be Consultant placed on the gravestones of veterans. The wreaths are made by veterans and all proceeds will be donated to aid in veteran’s living expenses. The wreaths can be picked up on or after December 7. If your loved one is buried at Ft Custer, veterans will be placing the wreaths on the sites for you. Orders may be placed at our Langeland Burdick Street location or call 269-488-8132. Only 50 wreaths available and still only $30 each. Veterans will be placing the wreaths on the sites for you, so please have site information ready when ordering.
Langeland Family Funeral Homes
Q: Isn’t staying at home
Q: I hear that Sherriff Goslin Roofing uses their own unique shingle. Can you tell me more about this shingle?
A: Aging in place isn’t necessarily frugal. Statistics show most people over age 65 will eventually need help with day-today tasks. The national average cost of in-home care is around $3,800 per month. Electronic monitoring services can add another $500-$1,000 per month. In addition to care needs, you may need to factor in the cost of modifications to your dwelling, like widening doorways, building access ramps and replacing tubs with no-step showers. Senior Communities offer quality health services, amenities and social/educational opportunities in a safe, maintenance-free environment. Add it up and moving is often the long-term, cost conscious choice.
A: The Art Loc shingle is SherriffJustin Reynolds Goslin’s original patented shingle. Manager It can be used as a re-roofing shingle over another layer of existing shingles, or as a primary shingle over roof sheathing. It assures a smooth, windproof and watertight job. The Art Loc shingle provides a unique appearance and lends character with distinction to any home. Today’s Art Loc shingle has been modified to include an ingredient known as an SBS (Styrene-ButadieneStyrene) polymer, which is used to alter the properties of asphalt, making the asphalt tougher and more flexible. This polymer dramatically slows down the aging process of the asphalt, providing superior waterproofing, low temperature flexibility, impact resistance, high wind endurance and extended life expectancy. Call us at (269) 342-0153 or visit us at worryfreeroof. com today to learn more.
and bringing in help if needed cheaper than moving to a senior living community?
Madeleine Socia
Friendship Village
Senior Living Community
“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
1400 North Drake, Kalamazoo (269) 381-0560 www.friendshipvillagemi.com
Finances
Health Food
Douglas Drenth
Q: I bought an annuity a few years ago, but I don’t want it anymore. Is there a way to get rid of it? A: You can cancel
your annuity at any time. However, you may have to pay an early cancellation fee known as a surrender charge. The federal government will also penalize you if you cancel your annuity before you reach age 591⁄2. If you cancel the annuity before the date stipulated in the contract, you will be charged a fee that is a percentage of the withdrawn amount.
Drenth Financial Services 5659 W. Michigan, Kalamazoo 269-978-0250 • ddrenth@fscadvisor.com
Securities offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance services offered through Drenth Financial Services and is not affiliated with FSC. HFG Financial Group is not affiliated with FSC or registered as a broker-dealer or a registered investment advisor. Individual situations will vary. Please contact a professional for specific advice. Entities listed here do not offer mortgage services. Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2013.
Roofing
Q: Do you carry
Linda Sawall
all natural baking products for the holidays? A: Yes we do. We carry
vegan and gluten free pie crusts and a variety of alternative baking flours. We carry organic sugars, baking chocolate, and dye free natural food coloring. In our bulk we have a variety of organic raw nuts, dried fruit and spices. We carry a great selection of alternative sweeteners and many items for those with food sensitivities and restrictions.
Owner
Mon-Sat. 8am-9pm, Sun. 10am-6pm
Sawall Health Foods
Oakwood Plaza • 2965 Oakland Dr. at Whites Rd. • 343-3619 • www.sawallhf.com
Sherriff-Goslin Roofing Co. Since 1906 342-0153 800-950-1906
Member Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo
Dental Care Q: What is periodontal (gum) disease? A:
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of Lindsey the gum tissue that supSchimp, DDS ports your teeth. It is typically caused by a lack of flossing and brushing. This allows bacterial plaque and tartar to build up on teeth, causing gums to become red, puffy and irritated. This first stage is called gingivitis, if untreated the built-up bacterial plaque and tartar can lead to bone loss. Overtime this can cause teeth to become loose and infected. Once periodontal disease is present, deep cleanings or scaling and root planning may be recommended to effectively remove all the calcified build up. The best way to prevent gum disease is with regular dental cleanings and daily brushing and flossing!
Jeffrey L Schimp, D.D.S. 5827 Oakland Dr., Portage (269) 344-0406 jeffreyschimpdds.com
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FROM THE
A Member of the Group I have been quite active for most of my life. A few years ago, I decided to retire from team sports (basketball and softball) and switch to individual sports such as hiking, running and biking. These activities allowed me to clear my head and get out and enjoy the outdoors.
injury was about 30 years ago, when I broke an ankle playing softball. In late September, I opted to get an anterior hip replacement. The surgeon goes in from the front and spreads the tendons and muscles vs. the alternate method of going in from the side and cutting through muscle groups. The surgery went very well and I was able to go home later that same day.
In 2017, at the ripe age of 60, I may have pushed it a little too far, running three marathons a few half marathons along with a lot of road and mountain biking.
My biggest concern was how to get all of the Spark papers delivered while on medication and not being able to drive. I gave it a few days, stayed off the medication (other than Tylenol) and tested my driving ability around my neighborhood.
Friends were constantly telling me that it was not good for my knees, get better shoes, don’t run on icy roads in the winter and don’t run after dark. I didn’t pay attention to any of these warnings, I felt invincible and was feeling no pain and hadn’t experienced any injuries. Early this year after running outside all winter and running the Portage Winter Blast Half Marathon, in late February, I started to feel a little soreness in my right hip. I went to a free running clinic and was told it was probably a hip flexor. . It was suggested that I do more stretches, but that I could continue running. This worked for a few weeks, until I finally had to admit to myself that the pain was getting worse rather than better. I finally went in for an x-ray and was told that I had osteoarthritis in my hip as well as “bone–on-bone” in my hip socket. Not what I wanted to hear but at least I now knew what was causing the pain. My options were to have a cortisone shot from time-to-time to dull the pain, live with it or have hip surgery.
As I write this, I am about 3.5 weeks post surgery. I still experience some pain and am waiting for the swelling and bruising to go away, but am told that I am recovering quite well I used to joke with others (never thinking it would happen to me) about how when you get to be a certain age, you spend a large amount of time discussing various ailments and medications. I have now joined this group!
All current and past issues can be read at swmspark.com
NOVEMBER 2018
ON THE COVER:
Getting in and out of the car was challenging – I had to back into the seat and then pick up my leg and swing it under the steering wheel. It was slow going, and a little painful, but it worked.
This was a tough decision considering that I had never spent a night in a hospital or been under sedation. In fact, my only real
INDEX
EDITOR
Photo by Steve Ellis Judy Sarkozy.
~ Steve Ellis
Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/swmspark
Lee Dean: The Best Kind of Role-Playing ................. 4 Spark Recipe: Creamy ‘n’ Chunky Red Kuri ............ 6 Spark Movie Reviews....................................................... 7 History: Kalamazoo’s Interurban Lines ......................... 8 Spark Book Reviews ......................................................... 9
2018 Hospice Caregiver: Roxanne James ..............16 Volunteer: Pat Mazzello.................................................17 History: Cycling in Kalamazoo.....................................18 Connecting Chords Music Festival ............................19 Healthy Living: Get Going Fit.......................................20 Looking Back ...................................................................21
Nature: Give Your Child Some Green Time!............10 Artist profile: Carrie Lin ...................................................11 Comedy Time Peer Prevention Players ....................12 Business Profile: Moreno’s Guitar Clinic .....................13 Cover Story: Judy Sarkozy ............................................14
Sage Advice: Taking Control of Health Care .........22 Michigan Pickers.............................................................23 Tales from the Road ......................................................24 21st Annual Loaves & Fishes Benefit Concert ........25 Spark Community Calendar .......................................26
Editor and Publisher: Steve Ellis Graphic & Page Development: CRE8, 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.
To advertise in upcoming SPARK publications, contact: Steve Ellis, 269.720.8157, steve@swmspark.com
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The best kind of role-playing Lee A. Dean screendoor@sbcglobal.net The recent passing of playwright Neil Simon caused me to wander downstairs to my fiction bookshelf and pull out a tattered hardcover copy of his most famous play, “The Odd Couple.” The thin volume was shelved between two others like it, “Once Upon A Mattress” and “No Place To Be Somebody.” I know those books more intimately than most others in my library. At certain times in my life, I knew them by heart. Now they are reminders of my short, but very sweet times performing in high school and college theatre. My stage experience actually began in elementary school, where all students get dragooned into being part of productions intended to show off their skills to proud parents. This is where I learned the meaning of “typecasting.” In one of these productions, my painfully skinny self played Jack Spratt and a chubby girl played the wife who would eat no lean. I doubt whether such a casting would happen in an elementary school today. In high school, our junior class play was “The Odd Couple.” I wanted to play Felix or Oscar, but (in another example of typecasting) we had in our class two perfect specimens of the neat and sloppy characters that make the play work so well. So I settled for the role of Speed, the fast-talking impatient card player. For the following year’s senior play, my job was to be
student director. We were ambitious and staged the first-ever musical at Bloomingdale High School, “Once Upon A Mattress.” There was no way in the world I could ever be in a musical. When I sing, even the furniture moves the opposite direction. Three weeks before the performances, the student who was supposed to play King Sextimus had to drop out, and someone had to step in on short notice. That someone was me. Fortunately, this was a non-singing role. In fact, it was largely a non-speaking role. In the story, the king has a spell cast on him by Queen Aggravain that rendered him silent. At the very end of the play the curse is lifted and the king dishes out some payback to the queen. It was at this moment that I learned the true meaning of “ad lib.” In the first few rehearsals, I delivered my few lines in my own voice. Then one night inspiration struck, and I delivered them in my best John Wayne imitation. “Hop! Skip! Jump!” I thundered, as Dukishly as possible. The teacher loved it and my idea stayed in the play. Fast forward to my freshman year at Western Michigan University. There was a casting call for a play called “No Place To Be Somebody.” I knew there was absolutely no chance that someone could make the jump from Bloomingdale High School class plays to something on the level of WMU, but it would be fun to give it a shot. My audition was for the role of Shanty Mulligans, the custodian of a bar in Harlem. In the scene, Shanty tells off his boss, quits his job and storms off stage. I read the part with gusto and completed my audition by exiting the room and walking back to my dorm room.
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One day later, my phone rang. To my astonishment, the extremely cultured and precise voice on the other end offered me the part. Thus, I found myself (with knocking knees) being directed by the estimable Dr. Zack York and occupying the same stage with Von Washington. Those four days the play ran at Shaw Theater are a blur, but two memories stand out. The exact same scene I read in the audition involved me delivering my tirade and then, in one final defiant act, removing my apron and angrily flinging it at Von. The idea was to wad the apron up and bounce it off him, while declaring, “I’m pretty and white! Dynamite!” We rehearsed this scene at least 50 times without incident, but on the second night of the performance, that apron unfurled like a sail and gently landed over Von’s face. No harm was done, because no one in the audience could detect Von, almost imperceptibly, shaking with laughter underneath that apron. The man is a pro. The play debuted Wednesday night for a student audience. All next day while walking to and from classes, African American students I passed would smile and say, “Pretty and white! Dynamite!” At that point, I gave serious consideration to changing my major, but realized that my moment in the sun had passed. I was there to study political science and not theatre, although these days one can hardly tell the two apart. My next, and final, theatrical production was a reader’s theatre version of “The Harrowing of Hell,” where I read the part of Jesus. That was definitely not type casting. After that, the only thing to do was exeunt, stage left. Once you’ve portrayed Jesus, where else is left?
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A, C and B, along with calcium, potassium, iron, riboflavin and thiamine, too. Low in calories and sodium, kuri’s deep color also provides us with a good source of beta-carotene, making it a healthy food that needs to spend more time on our plates! Because its skin is thin and offers such dramatic color, cooking kuri with skin on will create a stunningly bright dish that’s worthy of any holiday buffet! Keeping the skin on also adds more nutrition and cooking options, too. However, winter squash is listed on the Organic Consumers Association’s list of produce with the highest pesticide levels so, if you do plan to cook or eat its skin, be sure to purchase an organic one that is pesticide-free and then save some of its seeds, so you can grow your own, and also be sure to scrub it well with soap and water before cooking.
In a Kuri! by Laura Kurella The holidays have us looking for new ways to add more color to our plates and, lucky for us, this time of year also brings with it the bold and brilliant colors that winter squash bring. One squash in particular is quite eye-catching and it is one that I knew nothing about until we planted its seeds in our garden this spring - red kuri! Upon growing it we discovered that kuri squash does yield quite well and also offers flavor, color and texture that is deliciously above the rest! Mellow and buttery, red kuri has a texture that falls somewhere between creamy and solid and a flavor that dances with a palate-pleasing pumpkin overtone spiced with a special nuttiness. Offering us a good source of fiber, red kuri also boasts the benefits of vitamins
FYI: The seeds roast up just as nicely as pumpkin seeds do so, do be sure to save some for that, too! Here now are some bright ways to add the color of kuri to your plate - ENJOY!
Creamy ‘n’ Chunky Red Kuri 1 red kuri squash, organic 2-3 tablespoons Avocado oil 1 garlic clove, minced
Water Natural sea salt, to taste Pepper, to taste
Scrub kuri well to remove all dirt. Cut kuri in half, scoop out the seeds then cut into 2-inch size chunks. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add oil and garlic. Cook, stirring for one minute then add prepared kuri. Add enough water to pan so that it is 1/4-inch deep in the skillet. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until kuri is fork tender, about 10 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Approximate servings per recipe: 6. Nutrition per serving: Calories 144; Fat 6g; Sodium 113 mg; Potassium 733 mg; Magnesium 46 mg; Carbohydrates 20g; Fiber 9g; Sugar 8g; Protein 6g.
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 recipes at Laurakurella.com. Find more delicious recipes by Laura at foodchannel.com.
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Movie Reviews Cold Water The long-awaited U.S. release of director Olivier Assayas’ Cold Water (1994) presents a heartbreaking depiction of a troubled romance between two French teenagers struggling to come to terms with the encroaching loss of their innocence. Set in the early 1970’s, just outside of Paris, the film focuses on the emotional turmoil of Gilles and Christine, a couple embroiled in revolt against adult authority and their expectations. Filled with moving contributions from the music of the day, and a now legendary party scene that perfectly captures the energy and spirit of teenage rebellion, Assayas’ semi-autobiographical period piece effortlessly portrays the raw power of adolescent love, punctuated by a haunting coda that lingers after the final frame. — Ryan Gage
First Reformed The veteran actor Ethan Hawke has been working consistently since he became a household name as one of Robin Williams’ private school students in Dead Poet’s Society. Hawke’s name has been buzzed about this year for his performance in director Paul Schrader’s First Reformed, but he’s also appearing in the lighthearted comedy Juliet, Naked and turned to directing Blaze, a musical biopic about the country singer Blaze Foley, due out later this year. In First Reformed (a not so subtle remake of Ingmar Bergman’s Winter Light), Hawke plays a conflicted pastor at a small upstate New York church suffering a moral crisis of faith in both his religious vocation, and in the increasingly bleak environmental state of the planet. — Ryan Gage
An Affair to Remember Cary Grant’s Nickie Ferrante is a smoothtalking playboy who has finally decided to settle down with a wealthy heir. When not wooing women with his charm and wiles, he dabbles as a creatively blocked painter who destroys the finished work because of the frustration of his high standards. When Grant meets
and falls for the spirited Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) on a transatlantic cruise from Europe to the United States, sparks fly and a deep romance begins to grow. However, like Nickie, Terry has a boyfriend waiting for her back home. Hastily, the two hatch a plan to break up with their significant other over the course of six months, and then to meet at the top of the Empire State Building. Director Leo McCarey’s An Affair to Remember (1957) is considered one of the great romantic movies of all time. It became even more of a beloved classic when the 1990’s rom-com Sleepless in Seattle paid homage to it by weaving it into the movie’s plot. — Ryan Gage
Ready Player One A few years back, I finished reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and my first response was, “This needs to be a movie!” As a stalwart defender of the “Book was Better” cause, this reaction is unusual for me, but Cline’s ultimate gamer fantasy is filled to the brim with pop culture references begging to appear on the silver screen. Luckily, the job fell to Steven Spielberg to spin this love letter to gamers everywhere into a film with enough heart to entertain everyone. The film improves on the book by tightening up the story line, and adding a bit more pathos to the characters with winking reminders that even though the avatars on screen are fake, the emotional connections are real. For those unfamiliar with the title, Ready Player One is a Holy Grail quest movie set in a dazzling video game world. In a not too distant future, where everyone has abandoned the real world for a virtual one, Wade Watts is on a quest to find the three hidden keys that will grant him ultimate ownership rights to this virtual universe. He must team up with friends and solve the clues before the evil corporation gets there first. — Milan Harden
Reviews by KPL Staff Milan Harden and Ryan Gage. These great titles are available from the Kalamazoo Public Library.
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Kalamazoo’s Interurban Lines Interurban lines connected almost every medium and large city in Southern Michigan by 1915. Interurbans brought greater changes not by their connection to other urban areas but rather their access to the outlying countryside. The quick and affordable service provided by interurbans created a greater link between Kalamazoo and surrounding rural villages such as Comstock. Residents could easily make day trips to and from the city, a convenience that would alter economic and social patterns. Though many interurban lines were proposed for Kalamazoo, only two electric interurban railroads were ever constructed. The Michigan Traction Company connected Kalamazoo to Battle Creek, Augusta, and Gull Lake using electric rail in 1901. The route to Battle Creek allowed Kalamazoo residents access to interurban lines connecting to Detroit. By 1914 Grand Rapids was also accessible via interurban electric rail. Viewing interurbans as competition, traditional steam powered lines sought to hinder the progress of interurban firms. The Michigan Central and others prevented aspiring interurban lines from crossing traditional railroad rightof-ways. With downtown Kalamazoo encircled by traditional railroad firms, access became cost-prohibitive for all but the most well-funded interurban
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companies. Firms with enough capital, such as the Michigan Traction Company, hastily constructed rollercoaster like trestle bridges across mainline railroads. Another obstacle was large railroad companies’ refusal to allow upstart interurban firms connections permitting the transfer of freight to Michigan’s greater railroad network. These practices impeded numerous proposals for other interurban lines. The multitude of interurban companies in Michigan consolidated as larger investors purchased profitable lines. Kalamazoo’s interurban lines were acquired in 1905 by the Michigan owned Michigan Traction Company, which was purchased six years later by investors from New York and Philadelphia. By 1914 nearly all of the interurban lines outside of Detroit were owned by eastern investors. Competing with the automobile was difficult for interurban railroads and traditional railroads alike. Local roads and highways were publically funded, so automobile manufacturers had a clear advantage over railroad companies. Automobile and real estate associations lobbied for greater government support for roads and funded campaigns advertising the romance and benefits of automobile travel. By the 1920s, the growing popularity of the automobile and competition from buses began to cut into railroad profits nationally. In Kalamazoo, all the firms operating electric interurban lines had converted to buses or went into receivership by 1928. Story courtesy Kalamazoo Public Library. More local history stories & photos at kpl.gov/ local-history. For more information about the museum visit www.kalamazoomuseum.org.
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Book Reviews Book Reviews by the Portage District Library staff Dear Founder By Maynard Webb What do you do when you are knee-deep in an entrepreneurial venture and find yourself feeling a little… well, stuck? You read Dear Founder by Maynard Webb. Webb’s experience as the founder of an investment network, board member of Visa, and former COO of eBay do much to recommend him. However, it is his highly organized yet conversational style that make him an ideal resource. Those seeking business wisdom of all sorts will find Dear Founder helpfully divided into four sections of letters: Getting Started, Getting to Relevance, Getting to Scale, and Leaving a Legacy. Each of these sections has letters written specifically for tough moments in the growth of a business, such as: “When nobody wants to give you money” and “When you need to deal with poor performers.” For all in the business world, the concrete and frank advice given in Dear Founder will prove a worthy investment.
Circe By Madeline Miller The goddess Circe does not occupy much space in Homer’s Odyssey, but she who turns men into pigs makes an indelible impact. Miller offers a refreshingly complex and compelling portrait of one of the most intriguing women in western literature. The daughter of a sea nymph and the Titan sun god Helios, Circe begins her life among the gods. After turning a mortal into the monster Scylla, Helios exiles Circe to the island Aiaia where she hones her witchcraft. Circe has a few visitors along the way and even travels off the island to visit her sister with disastrous results. Most importantly, Circe never feels like a modern woman. She is the product of an ancient and immortal world, who begins by feeling repulsed by humans and gradually comes to realize that mortals can grow and change while her fellow immortals are doomed to find variety only in manipulation and destruction. Circe can be part of that cruel cycle, or she can choose to break it. In this unforgettable
novel, Miller makes us care about that magical, mythical choice.
The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives Edited by Viet Thanh Nguyen “To become a refugee is to know, inevitably, that the past is not only marked by the passage of time, but by loss—the loss of loved ones, of countries, of identities, of selves.” This snippet from the introduction of Displaced, which is edited by Pulitzer Prize-Winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, strikes to the core not because Nguyen is one of the extraordinary voices of our time—which he is—but because he felt the searing loss of his own family while a refugee. Displaced tells their stories. The stories of millions like Nguyen—through words, compelling graphics, and concentrated humanness. Thoroughly modern and relatable, the poignancy of entries like “The Parent Who Stays” will linger with you long after you turn the final page. A gripping collection highly recommended for everyone.
Sharp Objects By Gillian Flynn Before Gillian Flynn— author of the acclaimed novel and film, Gone Girl—achieved her current fame, she wrote another darkly disturbing novel. Sharp Objects, a quick read made all the faster by its continual twists and troubling turns, is sure to grab you, but do not be surprised if it leaves you feeling a bit unsettled. The novel follows a Chicago reporter, Camille Preaker, who returns to her hometown to cover a series of unusual murders. The murders garner national attention, as the victims are young girls whose bodies are left marred in a peculiar way. While she attempts to gather details for her story, Camille must confront the troubled relationships and past she tried to leave behind in her sleepy Missouri town. Though she moved and reinvented herself far away, she cannot help but feel that her scars never left her.
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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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Give your child some
green time!
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By Heather Goetzinger, Early Childhood Director, Kalamazoo Nature Center
The research is clear: children are happiest and healthiest when they are learning and playing in nature. There are many reasons to provide opportunities for a child to play in nature. • Spending time in green spaces reduces stress and elevates a child’s mood. Nature is calming. • A young child playing in nature will have endless opportunities to develop important problem solving skills. If I step on that tree branch, will it hold my weight? If I stand on this log, which way will it roll? Nature is unpredictable. This allows a young brain to be constantly thinking and growing. • Children who play in nature have improved physical health. Nature play increases flexibility and gross motor skills, improves vision, and boosts immune systems. • Young learners begin to negotiate risks when playing in nature. This foundation is important as they move through childhood. Engaging in play that provides a sense of risk and excitement builds confidence in children. • Cooperative play is best practiced in a natural setting. When children only interact in structured settings (traditional classrooms, organized sports, and adult directed activities) they lose opportunities to work together, share, and negotiate. Nature play helps to develop an authentic sense of team.
• Nature experiences are sensory experiences. The sights, smells, sounds, textures in nature stimulate a young brain and create sensory opportunities that are critical to brain development. • Playing in nature is fun! There is no greater way to develop a sense of wonder in a young child and encourage their enthusiasm for learning. Guess who else needs time in nature? You! Children learn by watching the adults in their lives. Our values help form their values. Make nature play a value in your home and you will quickly experience the benefits for your child, grandchild, your family, yourself. Children who develop a love and respect for the natural world will become adults who care about protecting the natural world.
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Accidental Artist
CARRIE LIN
By Steve Ellis Carrie Lin grew up in Taiwan and moved to the U.S. in 1970 to further her education in the fields of analytics and computers, and later was hired by Pfizer. Unlike most artists, Carrie did not have an art background in her early years. She says that her only connection with art was her enjoyment of music, appreciation of the visual arts and her love of the beauty of nature. Carrie says that her interest in creating art was formed purely by accident. She remembers a late October day about a year after retiring, when she noticed an ad for an art class. She thought it might be fun to take a class to learn how to decorate some gourds. What she did not realize at the time, was that the class would inspire her and mark the beginning of her new art life. Painting quickly became her hobby and her passion. She was hungry for art knowledge and started taking art classes and workshops everywhere she could. In addition, she began subscribing to many art magazines. She admires many old masters, especially J. M. W. Turner and his ability to create the effects of luminosity. She also admires many more recent artists including: Cheng-Khee Chee, Nita Engle, Zoltan Szabo, and Skip Lawrence and constantly uses their artwork for reference At the beginning of her art career, Carrie experimented with many different mediums including: oil, pastel, acrylic, color pencil and watercolor. For the past ten years she has concentrated on watercolor because of its luminosity. Carrie loves the changing seasons in Michigan and says that nature provides endless beauty for her outdoor landscape paintings. Her goal is to try to capture the uniqueness of the place, and more importantly, to convey the emotional response to the place. She hopes that viewers will enjoy the same visual and emotional experiences that she had. Carrie is a member of Plein Air Artists of West Michigan, Battle Creek Society of Artists, The Southwest Michigan Watercolor Society, and Southwest Michigan Artist Association. Her work is exhibited regularly at Kalamazoo Art Hops, Three Rivers Jury Arts Exhibit, and many other surrounding locations. Her paintings are in many private collections. She can be reached at at carriejlin@aol.com.
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Moreno’s Guitar Clinic By Richard Martinovich Pete Moreno is hunched over a table, his eyes focused intently on the work at hand. Moreno has been building, restoring and repairing guitars -- and other stringed instruments -- since he was 23 years-old and working for Gibson Guitar. For the last twelve years, Moreno Guitar Clinic has been located behind his house in Osthemo Township. Moreno grew up in Martin and had a rock band in high school. He moved to Kalamazoo when he was 21 and started working at Gibson two years later. He has been working for himself now for over 37 years. His skills and attention to detail have brought Moreno in direct contact with many elite guitar players. He’s worked with Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and Keith Richards of the
Rolling Stones among others. Once while at Gibson, Moreno was asked to stay after to help Eric Clapton pick out guitars and listen to Eric try them out in the sound booth! Pictures of guitars and musicians adorn the walls, including four ceramic plates of country star Alan Jackson. “These
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go for $25 but I got them for four dollars-apiece!” Moreno proudly states. Moreno pulls out a beautiful hard-bound book about B.B. King a customer gave him and thumbs through it. King played a Gibson electric guitar he called “Lucille” that was made in Kalamazoo. When King was in the area for a show, he would often have Pete look over Lucille and make adjustments. Dozens of guitars that need to be repaired lay around on racks. Pete has restored guitars to be displayed in museums, including guitars owned by Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Though 77 years-old, Moreno has no plans to give it up. “It is not a backbreaking job.”
Moreno’s Guitar Clinic • 10454 W J Ave, Kalamazoo • Open Tues-Friday, 11-5 pm., Saturday 10-1 pm
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RISING LIKE A PHOENIX (OR, MAYBE, BREAD)
JUDY KEEPS BAKING! By Dave Person david.r.person@gmail.com
In the 40 years since she opened her bakery in Kalamazoo, Judy Sarkozy has embraced her adopted hometown, and its residents have responded by coming to her aid on more than one occasion. When street repairs on North Burdick Street, where she originally located her bakery, made it difficult for customers to visit her in 1994, supporters organized a pizza party at which they paid $15 each to make their own pizzas in her nearly century-old brick oven, pulling her out of a financial dilemma. The next year, Sarkozy’s employees, fed up with broken equipment, poor sales, hot weather and only one experienced baker, quit en masse, requiring Sarkozy to close the bakery. But after three weeks, her supporters once again came forward and volunteered their labor to keep the bakery afloat for four months until she could recruit new workers. Those were mere child’s play compared to the difficulties Sarkozy experienced when fire destroyed the bakery and its contents in February 2012.
“We had so much help getting back on our feet.” - Judy Sarkozy in the Columbia Plaza Building. From financial incentives offered by her new landlord to local architects helping her with an inviting design, Sarkozy was able to once again offer her baked goods to the community, but in a markedly different setting. “We had so much help getting us back on our feet,” Sarkozy says. In addition to her popular breads, pastries and pizzas, Sarkozy now has spacious breakfast and lunch seating for customers and has a menu that includes sandwiches, soups and salads. “We use local products as much as possible,” she says.
Once again, Sarkozy didn’t know if or when she would re-open, although it was certain it would not be in the same location.
Instead of the operation being herself and four bakers, as was the case in 2012, Sarkozy now has 11 employees who rotate between baking and covering the front counter.
But also, once again, her supporters rallied around Sarkozy, who has become a Kalamazoo icon, and after a series of fund-raisers and a lot of encouragement she came back stronger than ever two years later with a much larger and more accessible bakery at 350 E. Michigan Ave.
“We didn’t have room to have a big lunch area (on North Burdick). … I love the space and I love the open area in the back,” she says. Customers or visitors to the adjacent lobby of the Columbia Plaza can observe the bakers at work through a large window that faces the production area.
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their cars. Two years ago, one of the motorists took her photo walking through the halted traffic with her trays of goodies and posted it on social media where it was widely shared and brought her additional publicity.
Sarkozy Bakery is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 7:30 to 4 on Saturdays and 8 to 3 on Sundays. “I have a fabulous staff and we’re going to make it work,” she says. Among the bakery’s regular customers is a group that has met Saturday mornings for the past 35 years, beginning at the previous location, to discuss the issues of the day in an informal setting. Sarkozy calls them Table 1.
Among Sarkozy’s community activities have been initiating the Reading Together program in Kalamazoo, helping with the creation of New Year’s Fest and serving as board president of Ministry with Community. She is currently on Ministry’s Food Committee and has been involved with the Chefs Against Hunger fund-raiser, in which area chefs compete using ingredients from Ministry’s food pantry, for the past dozen years.
There’s also a group of runners who gather to catch their breath and refresh themselves on Saturday mornings. They’re known as Table 2. On Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the bakery often features musicians. “Everything from little kids playing the cello to folk, to the Duffield/ Caron Project,” Sarkozy says. “When they (Duffield/Caron) come, sometimes we have ballroom dancers.” Another band that performs there, she says, is The Living Room Musicians. “We are the official bakery of the KSO (Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra),” she adds. Three times a year, KSO groups perform in the Columbia Plaza lobby. “I’m working on an elevator music series,” she says, in which small groups of KSO musicians would ride the elevator to the building’s six floors to play for office tenants. The spacious eating area also is suitable for use as a gallery and features original artwork by Sarkozy’s husband, Ken, who helped her launch the bakery 40 years ago and is now back working there part time after retiring as an administrator with Ministry With Community. The bakery also displays selected artwork during Art Hop events in downtown Kalamazoo. With all the additions to the menu, baked goods are still the biggest sellers, according to Sarkozy.
Earlier this year when a team from MLive Media Group set out to find the best bakeries in the state, Sarkozy’s was ranked near the top.
“Probably 60 percent of what we do is bread,” she says. “Oatmeal bread has been the biggest seller since the day we opened; sourdough bread is a good seller too.” Among the pastries, “almond croissants are the biggest sellers,” she adds. In addition to the bakery, her products are sold at the D&W Fresh Market on Parkview Avenue and among the customers who use her bread are Bronson Methodist Hospital and the 600 Kitchen & Bar farther east on Michigan Avenue. Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are a special time at the bakery, which produces everything from “fabulous” stuffing mix and dinner rolls to holiday cookies and coffee cakes. Sarkozy, 77, works about 80 hours a week, but isn’t always at the bakery. She sells her wares at farmers markets four days a week in Kalamazoo
and Portage during the summer months and at Kalamazoo’s Bank Street Winter Market in the offseason. She’s also been known to appease motorists stopped for slow-moving or halted trains on Michigan Avenue by stepping outside to share her fresh-made pastries with them in
“We were judged the third-best bakery in Michigan,” she says. “It didn’t break my heart,” she adds, “that they called me the most knowledgeable baker.” That might explain why when the difficult times come, the community is always ready to rally around Sarkozy Bakery.
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Roxanne James
2018 Hospice Caregiver
On October 3, Langeland Family Funeral Homes hosted their 3rd annual Langeland Hospice Caregivers Awards Banquet. This banquet is to honor the monthly Hospice Caregiver Award winners that were presented over the past year. Roxanne James a Hospice Aide for Hospice Care of Southwest MI – Rose Arbor, was selected as the Langeland Hospice Caregiver for 2018. Unfortunately Roxanne was not able to attend the banquet but she sent two of her co-workers from Hospice Care of Southwest MI – Rose Arbor in her place. Attending in Roxanne’s stead were Heidi Hotchkiss who works at Rose Arbor and Pam Hart a volunteer at Rose Arbor. They were both excited for Roxanne and felt that the award was very well deserved. Dana Naumann, the Bereavement Care Coordinator, reached Roxanne by phone after the banquet to speak with her about the 2018 Hospice Caregiver Award. Roxanne said she appreciates the award very much and is also very humbled by it. She insisted that there are many others who are more deserving of this honor. She went on to talk about the amazing team that she works with at Rose Arbor. “No one talks about each other; we take care of each other and work so well together.” This includes both the paid employees and the volunteers who are such a valuable resource for Rose Arbor. Roxanne expressed her passion about her hospice work. “Working at hospice is not a job, it is a calling.” Initially Roxanne was not sure she wanted to work in hospice, but a good friend of hers who is a nurse and knows her well told her, “It is everything you want to do.” So she applied at Rose Arbor and said from the moment she walked in the door she knew she belonged and that she would work there until her retirement. That was 15 years ago. Roxanne also knows personally what it is like to take care of a loved one who is dying. Her mother lived with her for four years before her death and spent
six months at Rose Arbor. She remembers how difficult it was physically and emotionally, but she also remembers the sweet and funny times they had together when they could not stop laughing over an unexpected event. After her mother’s death last year she said, “Now I truly get it; when family members say, ‘I can’t get my breath, I feel like I am dying.’” She sees this now as another facet to how she can be there for others. When Roxanne was asked to describe what she does to unwind from her hospice work she described her home. She lives on 40 acres in Lawton and loves to spend time outside in nature. She also does a little bit of animal rescue on the side. She has a rescued horse and donkey and recently acquired a calf in trade for a tractor. Roxanne is always focused on how she can assist those around her. Roxanne is also a mother to four and a grandmother to six. She says her family is very close and the grandchildren love coming and spending time on the property. Roxanne was nominated by one of the families of a patient she cared for. She is so thankful that she is able to help these families in their time of need. She is also very thankful for what these families have taught her over the years. She said, “I learned to have a more positive attitude. I learned to have more patience. I learned to be a much better listener, and I learned to be more compassionate.” They have all left an imprint on her life. It is Langeland Family Funeral Homes pleasure to bring special recognition to our area’s hospice caregivers. These individuals give of themselves every day and play such a significant role in families’ lives. It is our desire to give an opportunity for people to share how much an individual has touched theirs and others’ lives with their caring. Langelands is currently taking nominations for the monthly Hospice Caregiver Award which will be recognized at a banquet in 2019. Go to www.langelands.com to submit a nomination.
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Mentoring is Fun with a Purpose
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of Southwest Michigan’s Meals on Wheels and friendly visitor programs, and taught stress management classes for the American Red Cross. She then worked for five years in a group private practice in Battle Creek and, later, for four years with a child psychiatrist and geriatric psychiatrist in Paw Paw. Lastly, she was self-employed in private practice, working with people of all ages, until retiring in 2017. That same year she joined RSVP, a national service program of Senior Services of Southwest Michigan that connects older adult volunteers with area organizations. Since joining she has tutored children in Communities in Schools – Kalamazoo. “I want to help my community,” Pat said, “to give back in the areas that include social justice. I want some life-affirming experience, and perceive mentoring as fun-with-apurpose, especially if I can help with social-emotional skills.”
By Bill Krasean, Senior Services RSVP Advisory Council Volunteer In many ways, Pat Mazzello has been a volunteer throughout much of her life combining that generous spirit with a career in mental health. And now that she has retired from years as a clinical social worker, she wants to direct that spirit to social justice issues, and to being a mentor. A native of a small Upper Peninsula town, Pat started her career and volunteer spirit while pursuing a dream of living and working in New York City. Her dream became a reality while working on a degree in social work at a Minnesota college. “I wanted to live in a more diverse multi-cultural community,” she said. During her junior year at college she had an internship in New York City. “I loved it,” she said. She ultimately completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work and, later, her master’s degree.
county advisory committee advocating for the mentally ill and started a parents anonymous group to prevent child abuse.
During her five years living near New York City she worked at a New York State agency with a caseload of about 250 children, some of whom were placed in specialized foster care. She also volunteered on a
After she moved to Kalamazoo, Pat worked for many years as a mental health therapist at a JCAHO child and adolescent psychiatric hospital. During her 16 years there she also volunteered with Senior Services
RSVP – Your Invitation to Volunteer membership is free, benefits are available and new volunteers are welcome. Many opportunities in Kalamazoo County, with a few opportunities offered in Calhoun County. More volunteers are needed with Meals on Wheels, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Volunteers 4 Seniors for medical rides and grocery shopping help, Mentor Academic Success tutor and mentor program, Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), Senior Services Home Repair, VA Medical Center and more. Regular, flexible, short-term schedules available, contact RSVP at 269-382-0515 or www.seniorservices1.org.
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Wheelmen from Way Back:
Cycling in Kalamazoo Kalamazoo is home to many bicycle shops, clubs, and organizations that not only promote bike safety, but also work to make Kalamazoo a bicycle-friendly community. In May 2017, the League of American Bicyclists awarded Kalamazoo with a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community award. The League grants the award based on a community’s commitment to making their city safe for bicyclists and encouraging a strong bike culture that promotes bicycling. Kalamazoo has a long and remarkable history of bicycle manufactures, retailers, and bicycle clubs dating back over 125 years. With the invention of the chain drive “safety bicycle,” the development of equally sized rubber tires, and a decrease in production costs, the bicycle craze swept throughout the United States, hitting Kalamazoo around 1890. Kalamazoo’s first bicycle shop belonged to brothers Maurice and Clarence Blood. Although most famous for having the first production automobile in Kalamazoo years later, they owned and operated the Kalamazoo Cycle Company at 208 N. Rose Street for 10 years before transitioning to the auto industry. The company was established in June 1891 with a capital stock of $10,000 and with Dr. Rush McNair serving as president. The bicycle spanned the transportation gap between the horse-drawn carriage and the automobile, and it has been said that Dr. McNair preferred the bicycle as his mode of transportation rather than a carriage. Around the city, Maurice Blood was known for his innovative bicycle contraptions. Within a few years of opening the shop, he had numerous patents for bicycle accessories, including parcel carriers, a seat attachment to accom-
Above: 1902 Kalamazoo bicycle license, Right: Brothers Maurice and Clarence Blood, c. 1903 modate a second rider on the bicycle, a child’s seat, a support stand (an early kickstand) that converted into a front-wheel mud guard, and a trouser guard to project a rider’s pants. With the increase of the popularity of bicycles being used for transportation and recreation for both men and women, by 1895, the business had expanded, filling three large storefronts along North Rose Street. They were known as the largest cycle store and most complete bicycle repair shop in Michigan. Along with repairing and selling various types of bikes, the Kalamazoo Cycle Company manufactured the Fortune Cycle, a highly customizable bicycle with nearly unlimited options for the tires, handle bars, saddles, pedals, and gears. The cycle touted a strong, firm frame that was guaranteed forever. In 1891, Maurice served as a founding member of the Kalamazoo Cycling Club. The club, organized by a group of local wheelmen, aimed to secure laws for the protection of bicyclists and increase enjoyment of the sport of cycling, and it ultimately advocated for the construction and maintenance of high-quality paved roads and bicycle paths. During the 19th century, most roads were dirt or gravel, and they became rutted and dangerous for cyclists with heavy horse and buggy traffic. While the automobile often gets the credit for being the catalyst for the movement to improve and expand roadways in the United States, it was the bicycle craze of the late 19th century that truly started this “Good Roads” movement. The movement greatly expanded as the popularity of the automobile grew. In 1896, the club, now open to both men and women, raised money to build the Gull Lake bike path along Gull Road through Richland and out to Gull Lake. While the city is continuing to work on becoming a more bike- friendly community, one can take a look through history and see that Kalamazoo has a longstanding commitment to promoting a strong bike culture. 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. More information available at www.kalamazoomuseum.org.
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HEALTHY LIVING :
ture. A good exercise to improve balance is simply standing on one foot. Any of these exercises can be done by holding on to a table or kitchen counter. As you feel steadier, try the exercises with your eyes closed or move away from the table. Ask someone to stand near you, especially if you feel unsure.
Get Going Fit Provided by the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo When we were kids, we were literally always on the run…riding bikes, playing games, climbing trees. Then in our teen years, we may have played a sport in high school, but our physical activity was probably more limited than when we were younger. As we entered our mature years, our exercise regime consisted mainly of walking the dog, bowling on Saturday night and perhaps playing golf. But as we become older adults, we limit our physical activity at a time when we need it the most. Older adults can cause more damage to their health and well being by not exercising. But growing older doesn’t mean that you have to lose the ability to perform everyday activities. The four areas that are important for staying healthy and independent are: Strength, Balance, Endurance and Flexibility. Strength exercises help to build muscles and bones and increase the metabolism which, in turn, helps to manage weight and keep blood sugar in check. Examples of these exercises are arm raises, bicep curls, triceps curls and knee flexions. Strength exercise can be done at home with objects around the house such as empty liter jugs, soup cans or
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Endurance is linked to a healthy heart. Start your cardio program slowly and build up endurance gradually. Examples of cardio endurance exercises include walking on a level surface, gardening or raking leaves, cycling on a stationary bike. Drink water before, during and after your activity. Cardio activity should not make you dizzy or cause chest pain, nor should you feel out of breath. One method to check breathing is to sing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” while you exercise. To avoid boredom, always vary your activity.
light (2-4 pounds) hand weights, adding water as you become stronger. Perform the exercise two or three times a week, beginning with eight to ten repetitions. Some muscle soreness is expected but if it lasts more than two hours after finishing, then reduce weight and /or repetitions. Balance is improved by exercises that build leg strength which helps to prevent falls. Types of exercises for the legs include side leg raises that strengthen hip and thigh muscles for walking, climbing stairs and stepping up on curbs. Hip flexions and extensions help with balance and pos-
Stretching increases freedom of movement and helps with everyday activities. Common stretches focus on the calf, neck, toe and heel, and hip. Most of these stretches can be done while doing other activities, like watching TV, sitting in a car or lying in bed. Some mild discomfort may occur, but stretching should never cause pain. Exercising at home is convenient, but exercising in a group class (whether on land or in a pool), provides professional instruction, motivation, encouragement and social interaction. Exercise and physical activity are the most important things you can do to keep your independence and your health. Get moving! Get fit! Start today!
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Sunshine Subs, first floor, and Pasta Pasta, second floor, at 816 S. Westnedge. The photo is from 1984. This building is now the home of Crows Nest and Fourth Coast Cafe and Bakery. In 1960, it housed Luyendyk Bros. Meats.
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Taking Control of Your Health Care It is a new day in health care. Lately I have heard all too often from people that they do not understand why they are on certain medications, or have been referred for treatment, or that they are being asked to make decisions for their health that they do not feel equipped to make. For example, a friend of mine had been experiencing an odd feeling in their legs for about a month. Finally they went to the doctor who admitted they were not sure what was going on. The doctor gave my friend two choices: wait and see, or do a test, the choice was theirs. This is a good doctor, but my friend was confused and unsure of what decision to make because neither they, nor the doctor had any idea of what this was, and there was no further discussion about what it could be. The point is, my friend was unsure of what to ask and how to engage, believing the responsibility to explore this was up to their doctor. Personal health is always the responsibility of the individual, and historically we have relied on the doctors and nurses to provide us with information that would inform our health decisions. While doctors and nurses are still invested in helping their patience, things are different
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today. Informing care today is the ‘patient’ or ‘person’ centered approach, which means that you, the patient, are going to have to ask more questions and engage in your health care experience more actively. Here are a few tips from the National Institute of Health to consider when engaging health care providers. 1. Inform your health practitioner of all your concerns and symptoms, even if you do not think they are related. Healthcare providers cannot help you if you are not sharing all the details. 2. Before your appointment, write down your questions and concerns and give this information to the nurse or medical assistant when they take you back to the exam room and request they share this with your health provider. Many medical offices provide patients email access to communicate with their health provider, therefore consider sending your questions/concerns before your appointment via email. 3. If you have a chronic illness (such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure or the like), that require you to check your blood levels, blood pressure or weight periodically throughout the day or week, take your log with you so that your doctor can see how you are managing at home. This will help your doctor understand if your present treatments are affective. 4. Bring someone you trust with you to your appointment and allow them to come into the exam room with you to hear what the doctor has to say. It is very common to be nervous during doctor visits, and this can challenge our ability to understand or remember all the information the doctor provided. 5. Take notes during your visit. 6. Repeat instructions back to the doctor to confirm your understanding. This will reassure the doctor as well as yourself.
Anne Zemlick, Director Area Agency on Aging IIIA, 3299 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, Phone: 269-373-5173 (Info & Assistance Line) www.Kalcounty.com/aaa
7. If your health provider gives you written materials that you are not able to understand, let them know so that they can provide the information in another manner. 8. Always bring an updated list of the medications, other doctors you are seeing, and testing, treatments or procedures you have had since your last visit. Health providers do not always communicate with each other or know you are seeing other doctors, even if they are part of the same health system. 9. Remember that pharmacists and nurses can also be helpful, so don’t hesitate to discuss your situation with them and seek their guidance. Health care today is fast paced and can be quite complicated. Providers desire to do the best for their patients and we all want to be healthy. You can help by taking control of your health and actively engaging in your care. Don’t be shy. Ask questions and clarify the information you receive.
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Deb grew up in Kalamazoo and attended Central High School and Nazareth College. Deb says she has always enjoyed going to flea markets and antique sales but teaching and raising three boys didn’t leave much time for hobbies. After retirement, a whole new world opened up for a hobby that includes both history and collecting.
reminded him of his love of the early westerns and got him re-energized to look for more cool stuff.
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PICKERS
Mark and Deb are constantly scouring local estate sales, auctions and garage sales for treasures. When traveling, they are always looking for antique stores and flea markets to visit.
Cream Parlor. This brought back fond memories of walking there as a kid for a mint chip hot fudge sundae. One of her prized treasures is a cast iron dog nutcracker made by her great grandfather who worked at The Kalamazoo Stove Co.
Mark likes western, U.S. Military, coins and badges. He has a large collection of vintage country and western items, pocket watches and items from the city of Detroit. One of his favorites is a pencil drawing of Humphrey Bogart by Mark’s dad that he drew while in the hospital recovering during the Korean War.
Mark and Deb, A History of Collecting By Steve Ellis I have been bumping into Mark and Deb Zulauf for several years at estate sales and flea markets and talked with them recently about how they got involved in buying and selling antiques.
Mark has been collecting for most of his life, as his father was an avid stamp collector and it seemed that everyone in the family collected something. Mark collecting began with coins as a child.
Mark grew up in Birmingham, attending E.W. Seaholm High School and WMU.
Mark found a cap gun a while ago, like the ones he played with as a child. This find Mark and Deb sell many of their “finds” at several venues around the area. Recently they have sold at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Jackson Fairgrounds and the Centerville Antiques Market. They enjoy meeting people and sharing stories. Mark & Deb also find it very gratifying to add to others collections – finding things that would be a great addition to their various collections. Deb is drawn to early cut glass, vintage jewelry, paper items and anything that grabs her attention. She especially likes local items and recently found a small cardboard box from the Carousel Ice
Mark and Deb Zulauf are know as the Backdoor Emporium and whenever possible, they travel with Joya, their flea market loving, golden retreiver. They can be reached at dlzulauf@hotmail.com
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FROM Tales THE road
~ the western upper pennisula ~ By Steve Ellis
train from colliding with railway cars stopped on the tracks.
My dad took us to the Upper Peninsula almost every summer while I was growing up. We learned to love the back roads, small towns, old buildings and everything the U.P has to offer. Even the town names have a magical sound- Negaunee, Ishpeming, Manistique and Ontonagon to name a few.
Bond Falls One of the most famous and most visited falls in the Upper Peninsulacertainly one of the highlights of our trip.
Ontonagon A decent sized village on Lake Superior. We enjoyed a beer at the legendary Stubbs Bar that was packed with antiques and local artifacts. Lunch at Roxey’s is sure to please. Syl’s Café offers a great section of delicious donuts. The Gitche Gumee Landing Gift Shop is packed with gems and minerals that make great souvenirs.
I followed the tradition my dad started by taking my children to the U.P. almost every summer to enjoy hiking, camping and exploring. Now that my children are grown and gone, I continue heading up there almost every summer. Here is a sampling of the places on the western side of the U.P. that I visited with a few buddies from high school this past summer.
Mass City This is another quiet little town with a dozen or more old empty buildings to explore. The town was originally named Mass but kept getting mail for Massachusetts so the name was changed to Mass City.
Michigamme This is a sleepy little town on the shores of Lake Michigamme that is full of classic old houses and buildings. The area is seeing a resurgence of tourists and small businesses.
Rousseau Just down the road from Mass City, the little Rousseau Bar is the only thing left in this once thriving town. With graffiti covered walls, crooked floors and good food, the place has been a local hangout since 1936. As we headed out the door, the owner told us to look for the old sidewalks down the street, leading to nowhere
Trout Creek The Two Rivers Motel and Cabins was our lodging for four days located along Highway M-28. A cozy little place built in the 1940’s on the grounds of an old sawmill. Our cottage, tucked back in woods, had knotty pine walls and a nice kitchen-we loved it! Across the street is a large stone chimney, which is all that remains of the Ottawa Lodge that burned down about 30 years ago.
Land O’Lakes Home to the Gateway Golf Club on the Wisconsin/Michigan border. We enjoyed playing this unique course where the holes crisscross between the two states.
In front of our place was an old railtrail that is very popular with ATV’s and snowmobilers. We rode our bikes each day on the trail, crossing huge old bridges and noticing fly fisherman down below.
Ironwood
There is not much left in Trout Creek other than a number of old empty buildings. There is a large abandoned, threestory high school that sits in the middle of town. It’s hard to believe that this area, with only a few dozen houses left, ever needed a high school this large.
I noticed a plaque on the wall, proclaiming, “Michigan’s Best Neighborhood Bar” from a recent MLive contest.
Bruce Crossing The town is located at the corner of M28 and US 45, which was once a major crossroads. We had breakfast at Char’s Place, where we met several of the locals. The Settler’s Co-Op is a combination grocery store, gas station, bakery, feed and seed and sporting goods store that had everything we needed. I enjoyed perusing the antiques that lined every wall. We learned that the town was named after Donald M Bruce, the town’s first postmaster
Paulding Kenton There is not much left in the town of Kenton that was just down the road from our cottage. Two long-time bars, U.P Chucks and Hoppy’s face each other along the main strip. as you pass through town. We stopped in Hoppy’s for dinner. Their specialty is the Sloppy Hoppy-a loose hamburger that you need to eat with a fork.
The mysterious Paulding Light, that glows in the forest near Paulding, has been a long-time legend. The lights have appeared since the 1960’s with many popular folklore explanations. The most popular involves the death of a railroad brakeman. The legend states that the valley once contained railroad tracks and the light is the lantern of the brakeman who was killed while attempting to stop an oncoming
Located at the far western corner of the U.P., one of the highlights of the area is Copper Peak, a former ski jump that was built in 1969 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We took a ski lift to the base of the ski jump, where an elevator inside the tower takes you to an open staircase that leads to the very top-it’s a little scary but the view is unbelievable.
Lake Gogebic This is Michigan’s largest inland lake and known for its great fishing. The area is also a popular spot for hunting, camping and snowmobiling. The lodge at Lake Gogebic is a perfect choice for lunch. Our trip ended at the legendary Clyde’s Drive-in in Manistique, where we had a burger and began making plans for next year’s trip to the U.P.!
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The Kzoo Folklife Organization in partnership with the Kalamazoo Area Loaves and Fishes Organization, is pleased to present the 21st Annual Benefit Concert. Featuring an evening of top quality, acoustic music performances, the focus of this event is to raise
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21st Annual Loaves and Fishes Benefit Concert Saturday, November 17, 2018 Concert 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 S Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo
funds and food donations for needy families and individuals in the Kalamazoo County area. The concert features top name local and regional performers. This year musicians will include: Joel Mabus, The Out of Favor Boys 3, Remix, Carrrie McFerrin and Matt Borr, Somewhere in Time and The Clearwaters. Come out for an awesome evening of great music and to support this worthy cause. It’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday evening. Parking is available in the rear of the church. Doors will open at 6:00 PM. Admission is by cash donation or by a gift of non-perishable food items. Additional information is available by contacting: Mike Bogen, Ph: 269-209-0371, e-mail: wmbogen@gmail.com
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR SPECIAL EVENTS Art Hop, Downtown Kalamazoo, Nov 2, 5-7pm Stages in the Path to Enlightenment Tuesday Evenings 7-8:30pm People’s Church, 1758 10th St. N, Kalamazoo, 269-944-1575 for more info. Kalamazoo Dance-Monthly Ballroom Dance-Nov 17, 7pm-10pm, The Point Community Center, 2595 N10th St, $ Kalamazoo Indoor Flea Market, Tue & Wed, 8:30am2pm, Kal County Expo Center Weekend Indoor Flea Market, Sat, Nov 3, 8am-3pm, Kal County Expo Center Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant Tour, Nov 2, 8pm, State Theatre Kalamazoo Numismatic Club Annual Fall Coin Show, Nov 3, 8am-3pm, Kal County Expo Center 21st Annual Christmas Boutique Arts & Crafts Show, Nov 3, 9am-3pm, Kal County Expo Center Weavers & Fiber Artists, Nov 15-17, Kal County Expo Center The Holiday Craft Show, Nov 17 & 18, Kal County Expo Center, FREE The Mustang Alumni Association’s 6th Annual Arts Crafts & Gift Show at Portage Central High School, Sat Nov. 3rd, 9am-3pm, Free admission People’s Church Art Show and Sale, Sat Nov 17, 9am-3pm, People’s Church, 1758 N. 10th St CND, NCTA Hike- Nov 10, 10am, Victory Park, Albion 269-808-7334 for details Second Sundays Live: The Susan Harrison Band, Nov 11 2pm, Parchment Comm Library Yum’s the Word Kelvin & Co $5 at reg. Limit 30. Nov 14, Parchment Comm Library, 6:30 p.m. 68th Annual Antique Toy Show, Nov 24, 9am-2pm Kalamazoo Civic Youth Theatre, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Nov 9-17, Kalamazoo Civic Fall Migration Celebration, Nov 4, 1-4pm, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, $ Holiday Bazaar & Luncheon, Nov 9 (11am-2pm) & 10 (10am-2pm), Ladies Library Assn Building Chamber Music Concert, Arcadia Woodwind Quintet, Nov 16, 7:30pm, Ladies Library Assn Building, $10 suggested 65th Annual Holiday Greens And Gift Sale, Nov 30 (9am-6pm) and Dec 1 (9am-1pm) Kal County Expo Center, Kalamazoo Garden Council, The Grey Zone II, Transition and Move-In Strategy, Presented by North Woods Memory Care, Nov 8, 11:30am-1:30pm, Kal Country Club-call 269-397-2200 for reservations Holiday Bazaar, Nov 10, 10am-3pm, Crosstown Parkway Senior Apartments, 5050 W. Crosstown Parkway Fair Trade Holiday Sale, Dec 1, 9am-3pm, Westwood UMC, 538 Nichols Rd Warren Millers “Faces of Winter, Nov 10, 3pm and 8pm, State Theatre Monty Python’s Spamalot, Nov 10, 2pm, & 7:30pm Nov 11, 1pm, Miller Auditorium Tree Lighting Ceremony, Bronson Park, Nov 23, 5-7:30pm Sibelius & Dvorak, KSO. Nov 17, 8pm, Chenery Aud. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Nov 28, 7:30pm, Miller Auditorium Frank Lloyd Wright: Architecture of the InteriorThrough -Dec 9, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Diabetes Discussion Group, Nov 15, 6-7pm, Diabetes & Endocrine Center, Ascension Borgess, 1722 Shaffer St Suite 3, 269-226 -8321 for more info BIKES: Science on Two Wheels, through Jan 6, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Dancing With Parkinson’s Class-Tuesdays, 3-4pm, Friendship Village Fitness Center, $5 Cancer Health Support Group Talk-, Nov 14 5:307pm, Borgess Health and Fitness Center, FREE Sat, Nov 3rd @ 2:00 Rebecca Bell Piano Studio Student Recital in the Kiva Fri, Nov 9th @ 2:00 Colin Rensch Presents the Underground Jazz Movement in Europe during the war in the Kiva Sat, Nov 10th @ 7:15 Sam and Pat Roach Veteran’s Day Sing Along in the Kiva Fri, Nov 23rd @ 2:00 Maria Bessmeltsva Piano and Violin Concert in the Kiva Wellspring’s Fall Concert of Dance, November 15th, 16th & 17th at the Epic Center, 342-4354 for more info
YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO 1001 W. Maple St. 269-345-9622
Classic Strength M/W 12-12:45pm “Y” Book Club Luncheon, Fri. Nov 16, 1:30-3pm, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Fred Meijer Gardens AOA Trip, Nov 30, 9:45am-4pm, $40 call 269 459-4856 for details
Balance Arthritis Exercise Tues. 10-11am, Thursday 12:30-1:15 Basic to Intermediate Yoga Thur. 6-7:30pm Basic Yoga Tues. 10-11am , Tue 6:30-7:30pm, Sat 9:00-9:50am Blood Pressure Clinic Nov 1, 10-11am, Nov 13, 10-11am Intermediate Yoga Thur 6:00-7:30pm Moving for Better Balance T/TH 10-11am Potluck, Nov 21, 3-4pm Pilates T/TH 9-9:50am Wed./Fri. 10-10:50am Silver Body Blast Fri. 10-11am SilverSneakers Yoga Thur. 1-1:45pm. Members free/ $32 Community. SilverSneakers Splash Wed 2:00-3:00pm. Members free/ $62 Community, SilverSneakers Circuit M/W 11a-12p, Members free/$49 Community Yoga/Pilates Fusion Mon, Wed, Fri. 10-10:50am
YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO Portage Branch 2900 West Centre Ave. 269-324-9622
YogaStretch (chair) Fri 11:35am-12:20pm , Members Free, $47 Community-7 weeks Silver Sneakers Classic Mondays 12p-1p Free to Members/ $47 Community 7 weeks Silver Sneakers Classic Wednesday and Fridays 10:35am-11:30am Free to members/ $72 Community 7 weeks. Muscular Strength and Range of Movement, Monday 1p-2p, Members Free, Community $30, Wednesday/Friday 10am-11am Members Free/ $60 Community
COMSTOCK COMMUNITY CENTER 269-345-8556
Bells Choir: Monday’s 10am-12pm, Free. Bingo: Thursdays at 1pm. Bring a $1.00 value item in a paper sack. FREE Bridge: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month, 1pm. This is a group of experienced players. 345-8556 to sign up to play. 50 cents to play. Canasta: Mon 1-4pm. FREE Ceramics: Tuesday’s, 1-3pm. Walk-ins welcome. $5 weekly and includes all supplies. Exercise Class: Mon/Thur 10:30-11:30am Low impact exercises and all levels welcome. Cost is $4 per class. Foot Care Clinic: 2nd & 4th Mon. Please call 345-8556 to make an appt. Cost is $25 per visit. Knitting and Crocheting: Every Mon & Wed, 1-3pm FREE Line Dance: Wednesdays at 9-10:30am. Cost is $4. Louie’s East: Tue/Wed/Thur, 11:30am, $6. Order meal by 12pm day before. Massage: Mon – Thurs, Call Lisa for apt-744-0450 Cost is $20 for 1/2 hour and $40 for hour. My Brain is Strong & Healthy: 3rd Monday of month, 1-2pm. Learn about your brain, memory and discuss a different topic each month. Walk-in. $5 Potluck: 3rd Monday of each month 12-1. Bring a dish to pass and your own tableware. FREE Qigong: Thursday’s, 9:15-10am. Gentle movements for flexibility and coordination. $5. Tai Chi: Mondays at 5:30pm-6:15pm $5 Texas Hold ‘em Poker: Tuesdays & 1st & 3rd Wed, 12:30 pm. FREE TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly): Tuesdays 5pm7pm. 383-0312. Membership is $32 annually. Giving Plate Project: Nov 2, 10am-12pm, $15 Paint Chip Cards Project: Nov 5, 10am-12pm, $15 Thanksgiving Lunch: Nov 15, 11:30am, rsvp by 11/12 at noon $7
ECUMENICAL SENIOR CENTER 702 N. Burdick Street 381-9750
Advance Care Planning Presentation Oct 17th 12:00-1:00 pm Monday - Exercise, Free Blood pressure 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bible Study 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday – Craft (knitting) Ceramic Class Instructor: Tina Krum Cost $4.00 per class Trip to Beauty School – 3rd Tuesdays of each month Wednesday– Bible Study 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Medicine Check 12:30 p.m. - Book Reading Thursday – Scrapbooking 10:00, Spanish Class, (six week class) and Community Prayer Circle @ 2p.m.
Friday – Computer classes @10:00, Bingo @ 10:30 a.m. Lunch 12:00; 1:30 p.m. - Wii Bowling, games, and movies. Grocery Bingo- 2nd Friday in each month Monthly Birthday Celebration Bible Study Monday- 1 -2 p.m., Wed. 10:30 -11:30 a.m.
PLAINWELL AREA COMMUNITY CENTER Euchre-Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. singles or couples. Tai Chi Mondays 3-4 pm $ Mid Lake Chorus Tuesdays 7-9pm Southwest Michigan Seek and Search “Metal Detecting” Club Every 3rd Tuesday, 7-9pm VFW 1st Monday of month 7-9pm Taekwondo Thursdays 5:30-7:30pm $ Weight Watchers Wed 5-7pm FA in RA Thursdays 7-9pm
PORTAGE SENIOR CENTER 269-329-4555
Membership Cost: Portage Resident $25 NonResident: $35 (Guest Passes Available) For reg or questions call number above. Big Screen Movie: Mon, Nov 12 , 1:15 p.m. “Autumn Across America” View the movie for free; popcorn 50¢ Blood Pressure Clinic, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., 2nd Thur Body Rebound, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Mon, Wed, & Fri all month. Non-aerobic exercise class. 8-weeks: $42/$52 non-mem. Helene Thompson-Instructor Chair Volleyball Drop-in Play: 1:00 – 2:30 pm., Tues Community Service Van (CSV) Program Transportation, 8:30 – 1:00 PM, Mon through Thur. Transportation available for Portage Residents to PSC and Meijer on Shaver. Call the day before for apptmt Computer Tutoring: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 pm, Mon,. $10/$15 non Dining Out Club - Dinner, 5:00pm, Mon. Nov 5, Main St Pub, 7509 S. Westnedge, Portage, Hosted by Shirley & Ralph McKinney. Advance previous day reservation. Self-pay. Dining Out Club - Breakfast, 8:30am, Tues. Nov 13, Antique Kitchen, 6215 S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, Hosted by Shirley & Ralph McKinney. Advance previous day reservation. . Self-pay. Dining Out Club – Lunch, 11:30am, Thur, Nov 15, The Craftsman Chop Co., 6905 Sears Drive, Portage, Your hosts: Shirley & Ralph McKinney. Advance previous day reservation. Self-pay. Enhance Fitness, 8:10 – 9:10 a.m., Mon, Wed, and Fri. Improve fitness, muscle strength, & balance. 8-week: $42/$52 non-member, Healthy Brain Club, 1-2pm, 2nd Thurs. Instr. Suzanne Gernaat. $7/$9 non-member/session. A discussion/activity group Laptop Intro to Office, 10:00 – noon, Wed. 7 weeks. Instructor Royce Bland teaches a class designed for those with basic working knowledge who would like to learn how to utilize Microsoft Office $24, $34 non-mem Loaves & Fishes Bag Recycling – Bring your plastic & paper bags to the Center the first week of the month. Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program, 2nd Monday, 12:30pm-4:15pm register for 45 minute appt. Qigong, Wed., 9:20 – 10:05am, 8 weeks, Fee: $48 members/$58 non-members. Instructor: Ed Kehoe. Recycled Card Project, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Tues. (1st, 3rd, 4th) New PSC participants welcome, Make new greeting cards from used cards. Reminiscence Writing, 9:30am Wed Write & share your writing. Instructor: Wilma Kahn, MFA, DA. 7 wks, Fee: $32/$42 non-member Silver Sneakers Splash, 11:00 – 12 noon. Tues and Thurs. Aquatics based exercise held at YMCA Portage, designed to build strength, increase range of movement. Pay at YMCA Portage, $75/7 wks. PSC or “Y” Members only. T’ai Chi, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Tues. Instructor, Ed Kehoe, 8-weeks. $48/$58 non-member. Volunteer Van Drivers – positions avail. 1 day/ week, 8:30 am – 1 pm, Mon - Fri. Contact PSC Volunteer Coordinator. Walkers with Walkers, 9:30 a.m. Celery Flats or Crossroads Mall ,Tues. and Thurs. Wii Bowling, 9:45 – 11:30 a.m. Tues Yoga, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Mon. 8 weeks. Christine Peckels, Location: St. Catherine’s of Siena – Stanley Center. $72/82 Non-members. Zumba, 9:20 – 10:20 AM, Fridays. Instructor, Helene Thompson, 8 weeks, $24 Member/$34 Non-Members.
SENIOR SERVICES OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 269-382-0515
Art Painting: Bring your own supplies and enjoy the fellowship (No fee) - Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Ballroom Dance (Basic/Intermediate): Don and Ann Douglas instruct steps of this popular dance style. ($25 for 8 weeks) - Mondays 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Ballroom Dance (Intermediate/Advanced): Don and Ann Douglas instruct steps of this popular dance style. ($25 for 8 weeks) - Wednesdays 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Chair Yoga: Improve your flexibility, focus, strength, and balance. (Minimum $5 donation) - Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Grief Support: Counselor available for a six week support. Call 269-343-1508 for dates. Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Helping Hands: Knit/crochet items to distribute to community agencies. Second and Fourth Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Line Dance: Advanced class lead by Susan Iervolina. ($35 for 7 weeks) - Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. *Lunch: Served in the Coover room. Reservations must be made by noon one day in advance. To reserve call 382-0515 – Monday through Friday starting at 11:45 a.m. Massage: Relieve stress and promote relaxation. Call 269-808-2040 to make an appointment with Eugenia Muller ($20 for 30 minutes) - Mon 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. *Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program: Call 1-800-803-7174 to make an appointment – Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00. Senior Foot Clinic: Call 269-671-5427 to make an appointment with Kathleen ($28 and bring bath towel) - Wednesdays “Swinging with Susan”: All fitness levels lead by Susan Iervolina. ($35 for 7 weeks of 14 classes) – Mondays and Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tai Chi: Instructor Ed Kehoe. ($5 each class) – Wednesdays 1:30 p.m.to 2:30 p.m. T.O.P.S.: Help to lose weight with support and encouragement ($3 per month) – Mondays, Noon to 1:30 p.m. Visually Impaired Group: Support for the visually impaired – Wed., Nov 21, 10:30 a.m. to Noon.
RICHLAND AREA COMMUNITY CENTER 629-9430 www.richlandareacc.org
Book Discussion Group: 3rd Thur., 9:30am , What She Left Behind by Ellen Marie Wiseman Belly Dance Workshop: Oct. 4, 6-7:30pm, $20 Borgess Flu Clinic: Oct. 5, 9am-1pm, $ Bridge: Mon., 12:30-3:30pm Chicago One of a Kind Show: Dec 7, 8:30am-11:30pm, register at 629.9430, $80 Drop-In Coffee Hour: Tues./Thur., 9:30-10:30am Euchre: Wed., 12:30-3:30pm Foot Clinic: Bi-monthly, 4th Tues, call for appt., Kathleen Barnum, 671.5427 GL Area Rotary: Thur., 7:30-8:30am Hand & Foot (cards): Wed., 1-3:30pm InstaPot Class: Oct. 8, 6-8pm, $35 Ping Pong: Wed. 3-5 pm Letters from the Heart Workshop: Oct. 24, 10am-Noon, FREE Mat Pilates with Deidre Smith: Tuesday, 9:15-10:15 am, $10 MeridianCare Medicare Sign-Up: Nov. 13 & 28, 10amNoon, FREE Senior Ballroom Dance: Nov 18, 2-5pm Senior Dining Coupons: Tues./Wed. 9am-5pm Square Dance: Nov 17, 7-10pm “Swingin’ with Susan” Exercise Tue/Thur, 10:3011:30am, $3 per class Technology Tutoring: Nov. 2 & 16, Dec. 7 & 21, 9-11am, register at 629-9430, FREE Veterans’ Benefits Workshop: Nov. 13, 5:30-7pm, FREE Yoga Book Group: Nov. 19, 9:30-10:30am Yoga-Intermediate w/Cathy Tucci: Tue./Wed./Thur., 9-10am, (Sliding Fee-: Age 49 & Under, $10/Age 50-59, $8/Age 60-69, $6/Age 70 & Above, $3. Buy 10 Classes, get the 11th class FREE.) Yoga-Gentle w/Cathy Tucci: Tue./Wed./Thur., 10:1511:15am, (sliding fee-age 49 & under, $10/age50-59, $8/ age 60-69, $6/Age 70/above, $3. Buy 10 classes, get 11th free.) Yoga-Hatha Vinyasa w/Sherry: Monday 10:30-11:30, $12 Yoga-Hatha Vinyasa w/Kathleen: Wednesday, 6:007:00 pm, $10 Weight Watchers: Thurs., 5-6 pm
NOVEMBER 2018
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SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES
WMU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute • 800-887-4971
If you are a senior living in South County (Townships of Vicksburg, Schoolcraft, Prairie Ronde, Brady, Wakeshma, Pavilion or Climax) and have questions, concerns or want to learn about resources available to help you, call the SCCS Senior Outreach Coordinator, Diane Durian, at 269-649-2901. Check out our foot care services, transportation support and the free legal clinic provided the Grossman Law in Vicksburg.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY MEAL SITES
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY SENIOR CENTERSTHREE RIVERS & STURGIS Open Art Studio, Bridge Club, Lunch & Learns, Trips, Events, Rental Space, Health Clinics, Arthritis Exercise, Balance Exercise, Bingo, Bunco, Breakfast Clubs, Massage, Hair Cuts, Computer Classes, wifi, Wii. Call COA for dates and times at 269-279-8083.
PLAN YOUR TRIP Portage Senior Center 269-324-9239 New Year’s Eve on the Atlantic Coast with Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures, Dec 29, 2018 – Jan 2, 2019. Florida Gulf Coast Adventure with Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures, Feb 21 – Mar 10, Wait list available. Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights with Collette, Mar 21, 2019 – Mar 29, 2019, Call for availability. Beautiful – the Carole King Musical, Mar 23, Kalamazoo MI, Join us for a matinee performance at Miller Auditorium followed by a group dinner (on your own) at Martell’s. Get Clued In! A Mansion Murder Mystery, Mar 29, Ladies’ Library in Kalamazoo MI. Vera Bradley Goes VIP, Apr 11, Ft. Wayne IN, VIP treatment at the annual Vera Bradley sale. Thunder Over Louisville with Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures, Apr 12 – 14. What’s New at the Detroit Zoo?, Apr 24, Royal Oak MI, Reminisce on a previous experience or kindle new experiences at the Detroit Zoo on Senior Day! Waitress at DeVos Place, May 4, Grand Rapids MI, Enjoy the performance with us. A Branson Adventure with Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures, May 13 – May 18. Marvelous Wonderettes, May 15, Meadowbrook Theatre in Rochester MI, Enjoy lunch before the show at Alfoccino’s Restaurant. Mid-Michigan Tales and Treasures, May 22, Bay City MI, Learn about the historic, beautiful architecture and Polish heritage in Bay City. Includes a guided tour of the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio. Sweet Memories – A Mystery Trip, May 29, Destination Unknown! Canadian Rockies by Train with a Collette Tour, Call for availability, details, and pricing. Southern Exposure and Life in Miniature, June 6, Battle Creek MI, Springtime will delight at Southern Exposure Herb Farm and the Midwest Miniatures Museum. The Spirit of Peoria with Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures, Jun 21 – 26 – Riverboat excursion from Peoria IL to St Louis MO with overnight stays along the way. One day with everything Lincoln in Springfield. Tall Ships with Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures, Aug 21 – 24, Celebrate the return of Tall Ships to Erie PA for the first time in three years.
Richland Area Community Center 269-629-9430 A Capital Christmas: November 29-December 4, 2018 - Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures - $1,399 pp. dbl. occ. One-of-A-Kind Show Trip, Chicago: Dec. 7, $ New Year’s Eve on the Atlantic Coast: December 29, 2018-January 2, 2019 - Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures - $999 pp. dbl. occ.
Comstock Community Center 345-8556 Casino-Four Winds, New Buffalo: Nov 13, 9am-5pm. Register by Oct 23. $35. Simply Streisand (impersonation show), Nov 27, 7:00am to Frankenmuth (Bavarian Inn for lunch & Bronners Christmas shopping, too),$115/$127pp/dbl Turkeyville-Christmas Again: Nov 8, 10:30am-5pm. Reg by Oct11. $65/$70, includes transp, meal, gratuity and show. Australia/New Zealand, Feb 18-Mar 2, Princess Cruise, $4917+ Boston, Salem, Cape Ann, Jun 5-11, bus trip, $695/$765 Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, Aug 13-23, bus trip, $1365/$1505 Panama Canal, Mar 30-Apr 13, Norwegian Star cruise, $3108+ Savannah/Charleston, Mar 10-16, bus trip, $685/$754
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Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops Concert, Thur, Dec 6
Nutritious hot lunches are served by Senior Services Inc. to people 60 and older at Kalamazoo County meal sites. To reserve a lunch, call the Nutrition Center at 269-382-0515 by 1 p.m. the day before you plan to visit. A cost-sharing donation is suggested for each lunch. Here are the meal sites, their addresses and the days they are open: Coover Center, 918 Jasper St., 11:45 a.m. Mon-Fri. Crossroads Village, 6600 Constitution Blvd., 11:30 a.m. M-F Dillon Hall, 3299 Gull Rd, 11:30 a.m. Mon-Fri Ecumenical Senior Ctr, 702 N. Burdick St., 11:45 a.m. M-F Evergreen Community Room, Evergreen North Complex, 5700 Vintage Lane, noon Mon-Fri. Northwind Place Apts, 1004 Douglas Ave., noon M-F Spring Manor Friendship Center, Spring Manor Apts, 610 Mall Drive, Portage, noon, Mon-Fri. Spring Valley Crossing, 2535 Mount Olivet Road, Parchment, noon Mondays-Fridays. Washington Square Friendship Center, Washington Square Apartments, 710 Collins St., noon. Mon-Fri.
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY MEAL SITES The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging helps coordinate lunches for people age 60 and older at three meal sites and 18 participating restaurants. Call 800-641-9899 or 269-279-8083 for information on how to make reservations, which are required 24 hours in advance. A minimum cost sharing contribution can be shared at meal sites and $3.75 suggested donation for restaurant vouchers is requested for each lunch. Meal sites, their location and days open are: Kline’s Resort Meal Site: Fridays Noon – 1:00p.m. Sturgis Enrichment Center: 306 N. Franks Ave Mon-Fri Three Rivers Senior Center: 103 S. Douglas Ave., M-F
New Residents Welcome! Crosstown Parkway Senior Apartments
Apartments - 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