Good News December 2020

December 2020

1

GOOD NEWS

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December 2020

GOOD NEWS

RememberWhen

The casual Southwestern themed steakhouse, Cork ‘N Cleaver was a popular, local fine dining destination in this area for over 20 years – hosting many special events, such as first dates, birthdays and anniversaries, in addition to company parties, rehearsal dinners and wedding receptions.

The Kalamazoo Cork ‘N Cleaver was the 28th link in the chain restaurant of 80 across the country, with a commitment to quality and excellence in service, people and food.

The Kalamazoo location opened on September 11th, 1974 and was located at 3717 E. Cork St., just off of Sprinkle Road. I never realized the restaurant was part of a chain until I began doing research for this story.

Cork ‘N Cleaver was known for their delicious hand-cut steaks ranging in size from a petite filet mignon to a 20-ounce super bull cut of slowroasted prime rib. They were also known for their seafood, including the mouth-watering King Crab Legs and the Black and Blue Salmon.

The award-winning salad bar was touted as the best salad bar around – brimming with a huge assortment of interesting choices that paired nicely with a delicious complimentary loaf of sweet brown (squaw)

bread.

For dessert, the signature mile-high mud pie couldn’t be beat.

Former customers posted the following rave reviews on a the popular, Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook site: “One of my first dates with my wife was the Cork ‘N Cleaver and a K-Wings game, I recall hoping she ordered something cheap-ish!”

“Best salad bar anywhere!!” “Best mud pie around.” “All-you-can-eat Crab legs – Omg they were wonderful!” “I wouldgo at lunch and have broccoli cheddar soup & mud pie.”

“Great place before/after a Wings game.” “The stuffed mushrooms were awesome!!” “Loved the twice baked potatoes, and the waiter told me how to make them at home!”

The Cork ‘N Cleaver was the originator of the limited steak menu concept in restaurants, that began during the 1970’s. In fact, the whole menu fit on two sides of an actual cleaver that was presented to you when you were seated – I remember the cleaver being quite heavy!

The first Cork ‘N Cleaver opened in 1964 in Phoenix, Arizona, hence, the Southwest design elements of the building - rounded archways, wood beams and stucco, includ-

ing colorful wine bottles embedded into the stucco. The atmosphere was elegant, intimate and comfortable.

The original owner and manager of the Kalamazoo Cork ‘N Cleaver was local realtor, Timothy J. Shank.

General Manager, Vince Continenza, just 21 years old, was transferred in the 1970’s from the Dayton, Ohio Cork ‘N Cleaver to Kalamazoo to open his own location. After 10 years of running a region of the Cork ‘N Cleaver chains, Continenza partnered with a restaurant group and opened Oakley’s at the Haymarket and Bravo, acting as General Manager. In 1990, he opened the Gull Lake Café as a sole proprietor.

In the mid 1970’s, the Chart House restaurant chain bought the Cork ‘N Cleaver brand. Changing food attitudes caused the demise of many steakhouse restaurants like Cork ‘N Cleaver. Chart House closed severallocations in the early 1980’s and by the early 1990’s there were only three left. Two in Indiana, in Fort Wayne and Evansville and one in Kalamazoo (the original Phoenix location was still open, but not partof the chain.)

In 1994, a young executive for Chart House restaurants, Wally Seward bought the remaining three

Cork ‘N Cleaver locations from the corporation and moved his family from Daytona Beach to Fort Wayne.

Seward believed in the Cork ‘N Cleaver concept and wanted to keep the name going.

Sadly, one of Kalamazoo’s favorite steakhouses, the Cork ‘N Cleaver closed and the building was sold in 2014 to Bennucci’s Chicago Oven & Grill.

The unique building design with its Southwestern charm, remained the same. The menu featured ribs, steaks, Chicago deep-dish pizza and live entertainment. Bennucci’s has since closed.

The original Cork ‘N Cleaver building has recently been razed and the property is now home to Avid Hotel by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), a British multinational hospitality company.

Today, there are three Cork ‘N Cleaver independently owned restaurant locations still open - one in Fargo, North Dakota and two in Indiana - one in Evansville and another in Fort Wayne (only a 2-hour drive from Kalamazoo!)

Jackie Merriam

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December 2020

GOOD NEWS

GARDENING Outdoor Decorating Made Easy

Wait! Don’t put away all your outdoor planters! I know the vibrancy of your flowerbeds and the rich, lush colors of your landscape are gone, but that doesn’t mean the outside of your home has to look bland for the winter season.

With warm weather pots, window boxes and hanging baskets already in place, decorating the outside of your house this winter will be a cinch!

1. Use only containers that are winter safe. Porous pots, like terra cotta, are not a good choice as they tend to crack when they freeze.

Better choices include cast iron or aluminum urns, fiberglass or foam containers and cocoa-lined wire hanging baskets and troughs.

For a truly holiday look, consider containers that may have red-andgreen coloration or other holiday hues, or look for whimsical holiday-themed designs.

2. Use the soil that is already in your containers. Remove just the tops from your previous plantings, allowing their roots to remain in the soil as an anchor for your winter arrangement. OASIS Floral foam is another good choice that works well for smaller outdoor arrangements like those in hanging baskets. You may also need some plant or gardening pins to help keep your arrangement in place and secure.

3. Begin by adding greens to your container (note: your greens will last longer if sprayed with or soaked in Wilt-Stop for 24 hours before using). Cut branches to the desired length and remove all green needles from the portion that will be inserted into the soil.

Create a dense base for your arrangement using either white pine or Fraser fir. Consider allowing some boughs to trail over the edge of the arrangement for more visual interest or mix up different types

With the holiday cooking season in full swing, it seems like the perfect time to share the wonderful essay below – I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Happy Holidays! Jackie Merriam

of greens for interesting texture.

4. Create a focal point for your arrangement with the addition of a few tall branches of curly willow, Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, red twig dogwood or white painted birch. Position these taller elements near the back of the arrangement to allow more room for additional plants and decorative items. To add more magic to the arrangement, consider painting taller branches gold or silver.

5. To include additional color and texture, incorporate more winter-themed plants into the arrangement. Magnolia leaves, holly, incense cedar, winterberry, China berry, pepper berry, protea, eucalyptus or other decorative branches and berries are all top choices. Go for a lush, tiered look for the best effect.

6. To bring your arrangement to life add mini white or colored lights, desired ornaments and weatherproof ribbon. For a more whimsical look, consider garlands, candy canes, cranberry strings or even a fairy gingerbread house.

Remove these when the holiday season ends and leave the arrangement intact until time for spring planting.

7. You might spruce up around the pot to bring even more notice to your arrangement. Consider a ribbon around the pot or add light-up gift boxes or wrapped boxes around the pot to create a larger focus.

With just a few steps, the outdoor containers you enjoy in spring, summer and fall can continue to be lovely accents for holiday and winter decoration.

Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center

The History of Aprons I don’t think most kids today know what an apron is. The principle use of Mom or Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, she wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into

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the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, she walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ‘old-time apron’ that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER: Moms and Grandma’s used to set hot baked apple pies on the windowsill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the windowsill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron. I don’t think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love - Author Unknown-

Photo taken at W.K. Kellogg Manor House

Graphic Designer: Lauren Ellis Editor and Publisher: Jackie Merriam (269) 217-0977 - goodnews.jackie@gmail.com Like us on Facebook!

This publication does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the written permission from the publisher.

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December 2020

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December 2020

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In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series Jane: My friend Theo says to me, “2020 is the first year of my life that I have vacation days left at the end of the year. Twelve days off and nowhere to go!”

Twelve days? It’s nearly perfect. On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

A Book.

This year—a book is the perfect Christmas gift: lots of time to read, no place to go, and all those goodies to eat all by yourself. For all you “true loves” out there, here’s the twelve days of Christmas book list: A Partridge in a Pear Tree. Let’s begin in the spirit of the season, a fast read, and exciting: Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife, by Eben Alexander, MD. If you haven’t read any near-death accounts from people who died and were revived, 2020 is a good year to get educated.

Two Turtle Doves are soft and peaceful and so are the best nighttime books for children. Alma and How She Got Her Name, by Juana Martinez-Neal is a 2019 Caldecott winner. Ask for it at Book Bug in Portage.

Three French Hens conjures up a delicious meal, doesn’t it? This year perhaps a small meal is in order. Perhaps, something that doesn’t require a trip to the store, as well. Look up

Twelve Days

Jenny White’s The Three-Ingredient

Cookbook. If you don’t want to go out, you can order it online.

Four Calling Birds. Call the library and order curbside pick-up of Clyde Edgerton’s Walking Across Egypt.

If you need a laugh, read this book about a little old lady and a juvenile delinquent.

Five Golden Rings are pure extravagance so pick up a book of extravagant poems by local author Susan Blackwell Ramsey. A Mind Like This is my favorite. Look for it at Michigan News Agency.

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history. 2020 is especially good for American history. I read Narrative of Sojourner Truth this fall and I am no longer so woefully ignorant of slavery and what it meant for slaves, for their descendants, and for our culture. It’s a short book. A classic (published 1850). Read it to heal yourself and this country.

Ellen: Books are winning the war against bookcases in our house; I’ve got them stacked everywhere, including the guest room bed. Who’s to say I don’t need a few more though?

Seven Swans a Swimming. The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White of Charlotte’s Web fame is one of the childhood classics I still hold close to my heart. This beloved story of a swan overcoming his lack of a voice is a great read for anyone facing a challenge.

Eight Maids a Milking. One of my favorite traditions was leaving milk and cookies out for Santa (and carrots for the reindeer of course). It’s hard to beat the classic illustrations in Clement C Moore and Charles Santore telling of The Night Before Christmas.

Nine Ladies Dancing. Though it might be hard to see a performance of the Nutcracker ballet this season, you can still enjoy the story! Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are) illustrated a great version several

years ago, consider finding a copy on Abebooks.com, a site that lets you search independent sellers all around the world!

Ten Lords a Leaping. You don’t need to be a lord to leap! Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper tells the story of the first African American woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics, a great reminder to never give up on your dreams.

Eleven Pipers Piping. Do you like history? How about archaeology?

If so, consider reading up about the most famous piper of them all, the trickster god Kokopelli. Dennis Slifer guides us around the Southwest in Kokopelli: The Magic, Mirth, and Mischief of an Ancient Symbol.

Twelve Drummers Drumming.

Looking for new music? Let Every Song Ever: Twenty Ways to Listen in an Age of Musical Plenty by Ren Ratliff help you find your new beat.

This book is a great present for the music critic on your shopping list, giving them history, critique, and plenty of reflection on what it means to be a music lover in a world where music has never been more accessible.

Someday we will all tell stories of our experiences in 2020 to wide eyed children and grandchildren. Who knows, some of us might even write books about it! For now, grab a story, curl up in front of the fire, and have some cocoa. We wish you and yours peaceful happy holidays.

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December 2020

The name Vintage Modern may sound like an oxymoron, but it simply means vintage items that reflect the style of Modernism, a style and art movement popularized post WWI. The Vintage Modern Shop specializes in quality vintage and antique collectibles, housewares, furniture and works of art. Owner and curator, Heather Hilgart is a stickler for offering items that are in excellent to mint condition, making an exception only for rare or unique items.

I stumbled on the adorable shop while out for a bike ride around Gull Lake. I couldn’t help notice all of the unique items strategically placed in front of the store that drew me inside to see more. Seeing a train case to hold toiletries for travel, like the one my mom owns, was a blast from the past. As were many other household items. I also noticed that she had many complete sets and matching companion pieces (ex. matching table & floor lamp set.)

Heather takes pride in offering something for everyone at The Vintage Modern Shop. She loves making people happy by finding treasured items. She keeps a customer wish list and then finds these items for her customers either in her own stock or actively purchases especially for them.

Because of her stellar location on the Bay of Gull Lake; she has gotten several requests for Gull Lake postcards & Gull Lake water skis.

Helping customers add some flair to their décor is Heather’s specialty.

Although she graduated with a psychology degree

and went on to get her master’s degree in Organizational Development, she briefly studied art history. This passion carried forward to her love of design and curation. The alignment of items, paired with using accent colors is key to creating an interesting and welcoming space. The pyramidal composition approach is leading the eye from the bottom with items placed down low to the center and up to the pinnacle, a friend and decorator referred to this concept as the sun, moon and stars approach, which has stuck with her over the years. She recently had a few customers bring in pictures of her home interior, Heather suggests items in the shop to enhance their décor, which were purchased and lovingly placed in their homes.

Heather said that what most vintage dealers come to know is there seem to be two types of individuals – those that collect and others that think this stuff is just old junk. However, she has noticed since the recent pandemic being a low point for many, more people are interested in vintage as a way to enjoy nostalgia, reminisce about simpler times and enjoy the high-quality and design that vintage offers.

Mid-century modern is Heather’s vintage of choice, a design style that was popular from the 1930’s through the 1970’s. Clean lines and organic shapes characterize this style. Both of her grandmother’s homes and decorating styles have influenced her love of this period; from atomic era to Danish modern. Her home

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and personal collection is an eclectic representation of this spectrum.

Heather has enjoyed vintage for as long as she can remember, but it was just a hobby until she decided to open Vintage Modern on July 1st. I asked if the pandemic caused a delay in opening and she said that it was actually why she opened the business. Her work as a co-founder and consultant at Avenue Leadership, a leadership, development, coaching and consulting business, based in Kalamazoo, temporarily slowed down at the beginning of the pandemic and made way for the addition of this venture.

Perusing auctions and estate sales is where finds many of her unique items and in addition, many people call her when they are selling their own

collections or that of a loved one.

Heather also offers her estate services in the area.

“We are so excited about being part of the Richland and Gull Lake community,” says Heather. Stop into Vintage Modern today to see quality, like-new vintage finds and enjoy taking a walk down memory lane.

They are located at 12392 “D” Avenue on the Bay of Gull Lake. They can be reached by phone at (269) 220-0565 (call or text for an appointment) or email: vintagemodernhh@ gmail.com. For current hours or for more information visit their website: thevintagemodernshop, or Facebook page: vintagemodernshophh.

Jackie Merriam

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December 2020

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Vintage! O Christmas Tree

Christmas trees were not the norm in the United States until the 1850’s when German settlers brought the tradition to their new homeland.

Having a decorated tree grew in

popularity throughout the 20th and

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continues into the 21st century. The Christmas tree has changed with trends and influences of each decade.

Whether influenced by economics, war, television or technology, society has put the Christmas tree in the most prominent places in their homes .

From the early part of the 20th century until the The Great Depression, Christmas trees closely followed the times. A new century saw a Christmas tree that held candles with tins and its’ boughs supported large ornaments. More industrial and commercial years saw stores like Marshall Field and Co. adding decorated Christmas trees to their windows in 1910. Much like the lavish 1920’s, tree ornaments became decorated with ribbon, glitter and feathers. During this period of time, glass ornaments were first manufactured in the United States

by Frank Woolworth.

With the wide spread use of electricity came the change from candles to electric lights on Christmas trees.

However, many families could not afford such luxury in the Depression years of the 1930’s and decorated Christmas trees in strung edible

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items like popcorn or cranberries were often used to embellish a tree.

During the the war years, Shiny Brite ornaments had to make some changes just like the rest of Americans.

Because metal was so precious to the war effort, the popular ornaments had to use cardboard tabs instead of metal caps for the hanging of the baubles.

Natural trees from forests were most common in most households.

In the 1950’s people were ready for change and change came to the Christmas tree in the form of tinsel and tinsel garland. Lead was used to make the tinsel to increase shine and decrease tarnish. It was years later that the FDA discovered the risk of lead based products to people and tinsel changed and lost popularity. The shine of the 1950’s only grew into the love of all metallic trees in various colors in the 1960’s. More than one million aluminum trees were sold to style conscious and futuristic homeowners from 1959-1969.

The 1960’s saw an increase in plastic ornaments and full tree lighting to go

along with this groovy time period.

Fake was no longer fabulous in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Natural trees with arts and crafts ornaments and gently handed down pieces of family history made for a new decade of family holiday decorations. 1990 brought another twist with designer trees and great looking fake firs. Theme trees (all one color lighting and adornment) became the trendy choice.

A new century brought more changes in how people celebrated with their holiday fir. Vintage became the new look and kitschy ornaments sold fast! Technology changed trees in the 21st century with things like remote controlled lighting and cordless lighting.

History has shown that trends may have changed and reappeared, but the one thing that hasn’t changed in 120 years is the warmth, laughter and love that symbolizes the Christmas tree.

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December 2020

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Miss Benson's Beetle A No Novvel

by Rachel Joyce (Dial Press Trade Paperback) “Two very different women set off on a journey to New Caledonia to find a Golden Beetle, and discover so much more. A story of friendship and women breaking out of what is expected and being who they really are. By turns humorous, heartbreaking, and triumphant, you'll find yourself cheering for Miss Benson. For fans of Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth Berg, and Gail Honeyman.”

—Janine Walsh, East Meadow Public Library, East Meadow, NY NoveList read-alike: The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes

The published thispublished month this thatmonth librarians across the the country No Novvtop emberbooks 2020 - The top tten en books that library staff across countrylove love.

Bef Befor oree the C Coff offee ee Gets C Cold old A Novel

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The Bur Burning ning G God od The Poppy War, Book 3

by R. F. Kuang

The Bo Boyy TTo oy

by Nicola Marsh

(Hanover Square Press) “A cafe has something magical—if someone sits in a particular chair and a cup of coffee is poured, they can travel to the past. In this slender story, the lives of visitors and staff intertwine, and four hopeful people sit in the chair. While this book deals with different kinds of loss, it's ultimately warm and uplifting. For fans of The Immortalists and Oona Out of Order.”

—Julie Graham, Yakima Valley Libraries, Yakima, WA NoveList read-alike: Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami

(Berkley Jove) “Hot Aussie alert! After a bitter divorce (cheating husband with a pregnant nineteen year old mistress), Samira left Australia for L.A. Now her cousin has convinced her to return for 6 months. On a night out, Samira is saved from a weirdo by a cute boy much younger than she is, and she’s in for the surprise of a lifetime with her new Boy Toy. For fans of Ayesha at Last and The Wedding Party.”

—Afton Finley, Waseca Public Library, Waseca, MN NoveList read-alike: The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai

Mur urder der in Old Bomba Bombayy

by Nev March

(Harper Voyager) “In this satisfying finale to the Poppy War series, Kuang beautifully weaves in much Chinese history while maintaining a distinct storyline. Rin's similarities to Chairman Mao are fully realized by this third book, yet she remains a unique character with complex emotions of both rage and empathy. For fans of series fantasy such as Chakraborty’s Daevabad trilogy and Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty.”

—Richard Lawhorn, East Cobb Library, Marietta, GA NoveList read-alike:The Burning Series by Evan Winter

The O Office ffice of H Hist istor orical ical

The Star Star-Cr -Crossed ossed Sist Sisters ers of TTuscan uscanyy

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"Emilia is a devoted daughter, the second daughter in her family, and second daughters are cursed to never marry.

Aunt Poppy, another second daughter, invites her on a trip to Italy promising to break the curse. For readers who enjoyed The Old Drift and It’s Not All Down Hill From Here."

For book Crecommendations from your or orrrec ections tions A Novella andLibrary Stories Staff go to Kalamazoo Public by Danielle Evans www.kpl.gov/blog/

(Minotaur Books) “James Agnihotri has recovered from a war injury when he reads about the “suicide” of two ladies. His first interview as a new journalist is with the husband of one of the women, who wants to know who murdered his wife and sister.

Jim follows clues, interviews observers of the tragedy, and travels through India. For readers who like intrigue, other cultures, and romance, along with fans of Kate Atkinson and Laurie R. King.”

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December 2020

GOOD NEWS

parents Navigating Holiday Meltdowns The upcoming holidays can be full of fun, traditions, and festivities. With that often comes changes in routine, late nights, and a little too much excitement that may lead to an increase in challenging behaviors. With a little thought and intention, you can reduce meltdowns, so they don’t hijack the holiday fun.

First and foremost, caring for yourself is a top priority. Your child depends on their caregivers both to meet their physical needs and help managing big emotions. When a parent is depleted, spread too thin, or overwhelmed, your child’s level of stress will increase as well. When an adult’s stress increases, they have words to express it. When a child’s stress increases, they use behaviors to communicate it.

Find ways to keep your own cup full. If you’re running on empty, you won’t be able to help your kids stay on an even keel.

Think back to previous holiday seasons and identify the triggers that increase stress for you and your child.

Find ways to cut back responsibilities to allow more time for connection and playfulness. Practice saying no to activities and people that add unnecessary stress. Reflect and identify activities and practices that bring

you peace and calm. Engage in these daily, or more as needed.

Even with the best self-care, meltdowns are still possible. Understanding the anatomy of a tantrum can help any parent know how to respond in a way that reduces the intensity and duration, as well as, helps a child to improve their emotion regulation skills.

Before a trigger, a child will be operating at their normal level of functioning or they may be predisposed for poor emotional regulation (i.e. rough day). Parenting supports

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may include classic care such as: sleep routines, nutrition, reliable routines, clear and consistent expectations… overall helping your child be the best version of themselves.

During the escalation phase, a child has been triggered by something. They will communicate this by increasing behaviors such as: whining, arguing, yelling, somatic symptoms (e.g. stomachaches, headaches). Help your child de-escalate by keeping yourself calm, model deep breathing, check your body language (e.g. get on your child’s level, relax your shoulders, slow your physical movements), show compassion and empathy, and notice your what your child is feeling.

In the dysregulation zone, a child is being flooded with biological survival reactions. At this point, the thinking part of the brain goes offline and isn’t available for problem solving, logic, reasoning. This flight-fight-freeze response may look like, screaming, hitting, kicking, throwing, etc. Helpful parenting techniques will be to ensure the safety of your child and those around him. Keep or regain your own sense of calm, take a moment to yourself, if needed. Practice healthy emotional boundaries by avoiding trying to fix the situation, rationalizing with your child, or correcting their behavior. Be with your child without too much verbal engagement.

In the calming down phase, a child will likely speak softer and move slower. Continue to allow them space for the body and emotions to settle while you provide a calm presence.

A child then returns to normal and their nervous system is re-regulated.

They look and act like your “normal” kid. This is the perfect time to talk to them about what happened, what they were feeling, and give examples of how you handle big emotions.

Holidays have the potential to be filled with moments of connection.

Take time to care for yourself and your family and set limits to protect the space and energy of you and your loved ones.

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December 2020

GOOD NEWS

An Island City Holiday This year’s holiday plans may look a little different due to the pandemic, but one thing we can still look forward to is the warm-fuzzy, welcoming sensation an impeccably festive small town can invoke. There may be no better spot to achieve that holiday-happy feeling this year than downtown Plainwell.

Downtown Plainwell, located along US-131 between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, is a charming Southwest Michigan spot that is home to boutiques, specialty shops, cafes and restaurants, parks, and more. Downtown business owners and city staff work hard all year to make the city feel like home for their community and those who visit, but the holiday season is where they pull out all the stops.

“My business has called The Island City home for over 14 years, and it is the coziest place to be during the holiday season,” said Pam Porritt, owner of Plainwell Flowers. “Our business owners get so excited to make this a special spot for everyone to shop, dine, and enjoy.”

Plainwell will host their annual Tree Lighting on December 4th from 4-7 p.m. among several downtown locations to keep eventgoers socially distanced.

“We have many community orga-

nizations and downtown merchants participating in this special night to make it festive, flowing, and safe,” said Denise Siegel, City of Plainwell Community Development Manager.

Live music provided by Perfect Image Salon can be enjoyed while strolling through the park aglow with décor and oversized wooden Christmas cards. Kids can participate in a candy cane hunt, enjoy pre-packaged cookies (at Plainwell United Methodist Church), visit with Santa (at Ace Hardware), and drop their letters and wish-lists in a box destined for the North Pole (at Bridge Street

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Deli and Health Goods). Everyone is welcome to warm up after visiting Santa with $1 hot cocoa from Island City Coffee House.

In place of this year’s Christmas parade, downtown business owners will decorate their storefronts with baubles and lights as part of the Merry Mile. Decorations can be enjoyed during the December 4th festivities and into the new year.

“The Merry Mile is an effort to celebrate the season and bring our community joy during these trying times,” said Angela Ridgway, owner of Passiflora. “The 2020 retail shopping scene has had its challenges due to COVID-19, and we want to create something new and exciting for our town. The Plainwell community is so supportive, and this is a cheerful

way to express our gratitude for their steadfast support.”

Plainwell Mayor Brad Keeler will wrap-up the event by lighting the city’s giant Christmas tree at the heart of downtown at 7 p.m.

Additional sponsors of this event include Beyond Staging, Cornell and Associates, Darby Metal Treating Inc., Elle Salon, FBN Sales Inc., Plainwell Kayak LLC, and TMD Machining. Learn more about holiday season events hosted in Plainwell by visiting Plainwell.org or search City of Plainwell on Facebook.

Meg Gernaat calls Southwest Michigan home. She owns Kith + Company Creative, has a background in downtown development, and looks forward to enjoying a bit of her holiday season in Downtown Plainwell.

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December 2020

If you’ve been searching for a brand-new place to shop in Kalamazoo, one with a full-service barbershop and a place to find top-quality clothing, footwear, accessories and gifts, The Waiting Room is ready to serve you!

Four, local entrepreneurs, Tom Crowe, Joe Eichelberg, Casey Longton and Rob Nicol noticed that there was an opportunity in Kalamazoo to provide top quality goods and services. The team worked hard over

the past year to bring this experiential shopping and traditional barbershop to downtown Kalamazoo. Their store opened on August 17th.

The Waiting Room offers a unique head-to-toe shopping experience.

Let’s begin at the top with Barber, Colby Schau. Colby is proficient in beard trims, fades, straight razor shaves and in an array of hair services from cuts to touchups and styling.

He enjoys serving everyone from the youngest to the most discern-

ing customer. In addition, they offer the industries best all natural skin care and hair care products including: pomade, shampoo, conditioner and beard oil. Starting price for an adult haircut is only $25 and kids cuts (ages 6-12) are just $15 – every haircut is outlined with a straight razor neck shave. Appointments can be booked easily through Booksy (twrnow.booksy.com) or on their website (TWRNOW.COM) or by calling the shop.

The retail shop has a well-trained staff ready to help you find your perfect fit. They carry lifestyle brands that you can’t find everywhere else!

Brands like Duer for denim that’s stylish and provides super stretch and temperature control, Roark and Filson (since 1897) active wear, classic footwear by Vans and boots by Palladium, Italian boot maker Astorflex, and Helm boots designed in Austin Texas. Whether you’re getting ready for a special date, a business meeting or just hanging out at home, they will work with you to ensure that you’re ready to have your best day!

The Waiting Room stocks a full complement of men’s essentials and unique gifts. Fashionable watches

by Nixon, stylish eyewear by Raen, durable luggage and travel bags by Herschel, uncommonly cool underwear & socks by Stance, along with Melin headwear, handcrafted knives, Kalamazoo t-shirts, masks, hand sanitizer and more.

Kalamazoo is embracing The Waiting Room and their hybrid concept.

Satisfied customers say it best: “Absolute best barber experience. Colby is as talented as they come. Could not have asked for anything better. If you need a quality cut this is the place to get it.” “This place was interesting because you can dress yourself head to toe in their retail store while also getting a quality haircut. Service was fantastic as well. He’s a very talented and professional barber. Couldn’t recommend more highly.”

Shop The Waiting Room full service barbershop and retail shop, full of quality lifestyle clothing and accessories for yourself or for great holiday gifts. You can shop in person, where safety protocols are in place; request curbside pick-up or you can shop

GOOD NEWS

24/7 online on their new e-commerce site. They are open Tuesday through Saturday 11am – 8pm and Sunday from 11am – 4pm. They are located at 235 S. Kalamazoo Mall.

For more information visit their website at twrnow.com, email info@ twrnow.com or call (269) 359-1188.

Follow them on Facebook for the latest products and services at facebook. com/twrnow. Or follow on Instagram @TWRNow Jackie Merriam

12

December 2020

GOOD NEWS

GROUNDBREAKING EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS THE CULTURAL IMPACT OF ASIAN IMMIGRATION TO LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is pleased to announce Cultural Encounters: Art of Asian Diasporas in Latin America & The Caribbean, 1945–Present, an exhibition that explores Asian migration to Latin America and the Caribbean and its influence on modern and contemporary art. Cultural Encounters is on view through January 17, 2021 taking over the entire main floor galleries.

This long awaited exhibition was inspired by the permanent collection of the AMA | Art Museum of the Americas of the Organization of American States. Cultural Encounters features approximately 70 important works by Latin American and Caribbean artists of Asian heritage. It demonstrates how these works emerged from cross-directional global dialogues between the artists,

their Asian cultural heritages, their Latin American or Caribbean identities, and their interaction with major artistic movements. Rehema Barber Chief Curator says “ � KIA will be one of only three US locations to welcome this touring exhibition, including San Antonio, TX and Washington D.C. Included in the exhibition are a variety of mediums from paintings, works on paper, sculptures, installations and mixed media works by artists from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. It will also showcase the work of influential artists such as Wifredo Lam, Manabu Mabe, and Tomie Ohtake, among many others, Cultural Encounters demonstrates their vital but often overlooked con-

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tributions to the creative landscape.

Asian migration to the Americas resulted from labor shortages stemming from the United Kingdom’s abolition of its slave trade in 1807.

The British, Spanish, and Dutch colonizers in the Caribbean, along with newly independent countries such as Peru and Brazil, brought workers from India, China, Indonesia, and Japan to meet the rising demand for labor. While most of these workers ultimately returned to their countries of origin, many settled in their new homelands, setting in motion the rich and complex histories of assimilation and exchange on view in this singular exhibition.

Kalamazoo Institute of Art, Galleries, Gift Shop and Library are open Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 5pm. It is suggested to pre-book your

tickets online to help ensure availability.

This very important exhibition shines a much needed light on the contributions of Latin American and Caribbean artists from the Asian Diaspora, showing that their works and practice from the 1940s through the present were and are just as much a part of global dialogues as any of their European and American counterparts.

Kimberly Earnshaw Director of Advancement Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Top right art: Wilfredo Lam, Retrato, 1982 lithograph.

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December 2020

GOOD NEWS

be ART ful

Maybe we could all use a little bit of extra cheer as we enter into the final month of what has truly been an unforgettable year. I have been thinking a lot about this and believe we have all been given the gift of 2020 vision. Because when we really start looking with our hearts instead of our eyes, we begin to see everything more clearly. Let’s view the world and those in our lives with more love, compassion and tolerance. Now that sounds like the best Christmas present we could ever give to ourselves and to one another!

We have been given a chance to

embrace uncertainty, live honestly and to appreciate the little things in life even more. In doing so, we may have even realized that it’s ok to let go, to not always be in control, to place value on what matters most and to move forward into 2021 with an open heart.

This holiday season I thought it would be fun to add a little color and brightness in an unexpected way. The idea is so rudimentary, yet creates such a spirited statement; painted pinecones. Visualize sipping hot cocoa, listening to holiday music, watching the snow fall and peacefully enjoying a moment in time while painting. The pinecone is lovely left natural and I do keep a variety of them in all shapes and sizes around my home. Such a simple way to decorate, even all year long. But this December I thought a little more holiday magic might bring plenty of good tidings for us all. We should definitely embrace this time of year like never before. Now…let’s get painting!

All that is needed is an assortment of pinecones, acrylic paint and paint brushes. Paint them with all the colors that make you happy and

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bring you merriment. Once they are dry, you can use twine, string or ribbon to tie and make ornaments or package toppers out of them. Thread some together and make garland for your tree or mantel. Make a necklace, a ring and a pair of earrings to wear out of adorable mini pinecones… super cute and oh-so Christmassy!

Use them for an outdoor holly jolly scavenger hunt with attached clues.

Leave them somewhere for a stranger to find while they are out on a winter wonderland walk. Sprinkle them on your holiday table or around your home. So many joyous ideas that I’m

sure you, your family and friends will appreciate the festiveness that these delightful and celebratory pinecones offer.

I hope we all continue to believe in the many reasons to express kindness towards one another during this wonderful season of giving. From my heart to yours, Merry Everything and Happy Always! xo ~ Bridget Email: bridgetfoxkzoo@gmail.com Social: https://www.instagram.com/ bridgetfoxkzoo

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December 2020

GOOD NEWS

Say Goodbye to 2020! December 31st 7pm Experience the magic in Downtown Kalamazoo while you say goodbye to the year 2020 in a SAFE, MEMORABLE, & HYBRID way!

Due to COVID-19, and ensuring all necessary CDC guidelines are followed, the 2020 New Year’s Fest will be hybrid. This will allow New Year’s Fest to be able to use both outdoor space in Bronson Park & the Kalamazoo Mall, and offer virtual performances through the sites live streaming with show times also available through Public Media Network.

At this time, local rulings prevent inperson performances. Should this be

allowed (in December), people will be able to register to attend in-person performances. In December we will have more information available as to how people can attend indoors.

What we can tell you is outdoor performances and attendance at our performance stages is within the guidelines (at this time). The Entertainment Tab outlines the great performances already scheduled for Bronson Park, the North Kalamazoo

Mall, and the streets in between.

Event buttons can be purchased in advance beginning December 15th for just $5 at getlocalhop.com, or you purchase the button in Bronson Park on event day. Children 3 years old and under are free.

So, what’s happening?

New Year’s Fest is an all-ages showcase of performing arts that takes place on New Year’s Eve in Downtown Kalamazoo. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. and runs until 12 a.m. to ring in the New Year. In order to make the event safe and enjoyable, performances have been scheduled for 30 minutes so that you can attend, be outdoors, and then visit a downtown restaurant to eat and get warm. The schedule (available in a grid format in late November) allows you to determine how you want to view the performances and the event.

There are several great food locations both in Bronson Park and at nearby restaurants in walking distance. You can plan your schedule, go out to dinner, and then come back for a few more before watching the Fireworks.

Tap along the menu bar of the website to explore the maps, the performance grid, cool things to do, and

our amazing sponsors and foundations that make this event possible.

Keep scrolling down to see a list of hours and specials that downtown stores are offering for the holidays.

Farewell 2020 Fireworks, sponsored by AT&T will take place at the stroke of midnight in Bronson Park.

Volunteers are an extremely important part of their event, and as such, free admission buttons are provided to anyone who volunteers. Due to the new hybrid format, a majority of the shifts will be outside this year.

Please call with any questions and visit the website volunteer tab to sign up.

Sponsors and supporters are the lifeline of New Year’s Fest. Through their generous support the event is affordable to families and young adults. Please join them in making this possible for everyone in Kalamazoo and surrounding areas by donating online at the website listed below.

For more information on this annual family friendly event, visit the website at newyearsfest.com or call (269) 388-2830. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest scheduling updates. The New Year’s Fest office is located at 1417 S. Burdick St. in downtown Kalamazoo.

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December 2020

Health

What’s a Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey dinner without cranberries?

The grocery stores featuring plenty of fresh cranberries and there’s always an ample supply of canned cranberry sauce all year long. In addition, cranberry juice has gained a reputation as being instrumental in either treating or preventing urinary tract infections. Let’s examine the science relating to those claims.

Half of American women will experience the pain, burning, and urgency of a urinary tract infection at least once in her lifetime.

Do cranberry drinks or supplements prevent UTI’s? The cranberry industry wants you to believe that but here’s the real story.

According to the December 2020 issue of The Nutrition Action Health Letter, in 2017 the FDA concluded that the science wasn’t strong enough to support the claim that cranberry drinks, foods, or supplements can help prevent recurrent UTI’s in healthy women. But the agency since said that it will allow cranberry products to make a “qualified” health claim, which requires weaker evidence.

GOOD NEWS

Cranberries-The Berry for All Seasons?

Why do cranberries and our urinary tract have a “relationship” in the first place? It’s because UTI’s typically occur when bacteria make their way up the urethra and colonize in the bladder. In test tubes, cranberry extract can prevent some bacteria from binding to the cells that line the urinary tract. But if you’ve heard that drinking loads of cranberry juice cocktail at the first sign of UTI can nip in the bud, forget it.

Even the cranberry industry doesn’t claim that cranberries can treat a UTI. Instead it says that drinking

cranberry beverage every day can prevent one. But in 2012, after reviewing 24 clinical trials on nearly 4,500 volunteers, scientists who did the research concluded that cranberry juice does not appear to have a significant benefit in preventing UTI’s.

In response to these findings, Ocean Spray funded a study, which was authored by two of its employees.

The conclusion was that women who drank cranberry juice cocktail every day for six months had a lower risk of UTI symptoms compared to women who drank a placebo. But in another

clinical trial, which had no industry funding, cranberry juice cocktail had no effect. Hence the disclaimer at the bottom of the Ocean Spray label in very small print which reads “FDA has concluded that the scientific evidence supporting {the claim that cranberry juice cocktail may reduce the risk of recurrent UTI’s} is limited and inconclusive.

Then there’s the issue of added sugar in our diet.

An 8 oz. glass of cranberry juice cocktail is 73% sugar water and 27% cranberry juice. (Sugar or a sweetener is necessary for cranberry juice because it’s too bitter to drink without them.) This dumps about 5 ½ teaspoons of added sugar into your body. That’s about half of our daily value in an 8 oz. drink.

So what’s the strategy for preventing recurring UTI’s? Try drinking more water or other calorie free beverages. That’s also a good strategy if one of your resolutions in to drop a few pounds.

Till next time,

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December 2020

Recipes There’s no easier way to add a little extra warmth to your holiday than by warming up the wines you serve!

The practice of warming up wine is far from new. In fact, according to online sources, the practice of heating up wines originated way, way back in century #2!

Created by the Romans, who would heat wine to help keep them warm in during the cold winter, it appears that wherever the Romans went – and conquered –the love for mulled wines came and conquered, too!

Because of this, during the Middle Ages, Europeans started adding spices in for medicinal purposes- to

GOOD NEWS

Warming Wines! promote health and avoid sickness.

They also started infusing herbs and flowers, which helped, improve the wine’s taste.

While the craze for mulled wines eventually faded across most of Europe, Sweden saw its popularity increase.

Recipe books, which first mentioned it in 1609, gave all heated wines the collective name “glogg,” that no one thought too much of until the 1890s, when glogg started to become associated with the Christmas holiday.

Reviving the popularity of this almost forgotten, warmly spiced treat, today we can thank Christmas for us knowing about this simmering-hot drink!

Sweet, and spicy, making a good

mulled wine is not as difficult as you might think.

Although expensive wines can be used to impress, inexpensive dry red table wines actually make a good mulled wine, as well. In fact, an inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon or Burgundy make good choices and stronger flavored wines like Merlot will not.

When choosing spices, consider the possible flavor combinations that may come as a result.

Experiment with combinations that include the following spices: pepper, ginger, cloves, thyme, lavender, star anise, basil, and cardamom.

Do so by putting several different combinations on a plate. Keep notes about what spices are in each mixture, and then pour yourself a glass of the

type of wine you intend to use for your mulled wine.

Alternate dipping your finger into each of the spice combinations, placing them on your tongue, and then sipping the wine until you find the winner. Be sure to eat a cracker to cleanse your palate in between!

If you are not into experimenting and just want something neat, here is a trio of simmering recipes specifically designed to help make your holidays a little sweeter – Happy Holidays!

Laura Kurella

Simmering Seasonal-spiced Wine Prep time: 1.25 hours; Yield: 12 servings.

INGREDIENTS 2 oranges 2 (750 milliliter) bottles red wine 1 (750 milliliter) bottle white wine 1 (3 inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 3 cinnamon sticks 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, or to taste 1/4-cup brandy (optional) DIRECTIONS Using a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, remove zest from oranges, being careful to remove only the zest, not the pith. Juice the oranges into a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the red wine and white wine then add the orange zest, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and brown sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar.

Cover and heat over medium-high until heated through, but not boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low, and let mellow for an hour, or longer, to bring the flavors out. Adjust sweetness by adding, more or less, brown sugar.

Strain before serving hot with a splash of brandy, if desired.

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December 2020

Recipes Prep time: 15 minutes. Yield: 12 servings.

GOOD NEWS

Warming Wines!

Christmas Chianti

INGREDIENTS 2 clementine oranges 1 lemon 1 lime 1 cup granulated sugar 6 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick 3 fresh bay leaves 1 whole nutmeg, for grating 1 vanilla bean pod 2 bottles Chianti or other Italian red wine 2 whole star anise DIRECTIONS Cut fruit in half, then juice into a measuring cup. Using a knife or tool, cut large sections of the colorful zest rind away from the pith of all the fruit, reserving only the colored zest and discarding white pith. In a large saucepan over a medium heat, place sugar and pieces of zest peel from all the fruit. Pour juice from all the fruits over the sugar then add cloves, cin-

namon stick, bay leaves and about 10 to 12 gratings of nutmeg. Halve the vanilla pod, lengthways, and add, then stir in just enough red wine to cover the sugar. Bring to a rolling boil, and

let boil, stirring occasionally, for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until it renders into a thick syrup.

Once syrup stage has achieved, reduce heat to low. Add the star anise and the

rest of the wine. Over low heat, gently heat wine, about five minutes, then hold warm until serving.

Mulled Wine Cocktail

Hot, spicy and delicious, serve your guests a mulled wine cocktail and they’ll be coming back for more!

Prep: 10 mins; Cook: 5 mins; Serves: 6-8

INGREDIENTS 1 bottle of red wine Generous splash of brandy 2-3 tablespoons light brown sugar 2 oranges, sliced Handful of sliced dried cranberries 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely sliced 2 cinnamon sticks, broken, plus extra to serve Garnish: Handful of fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks (optional) DIRECTIONS In a large pan, combine wine and brandy. Stir in sugar, orange slices, dried cranberries, ginger and cinnamon sticks. Heat gently (do not boil) for 3-4 minutes, until sugar dissolves.

Ladle into cocktail glasses. Serve hot with fresh cranberries and a cinnamon stick.

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Out of concern for health and safety, Signature’s 2020 Gallery will be open ONLINE ONLY, Nov. 9 to Dec. 27, 2020.

Visit www.signature-artist.com to browse new artwork from our participating Signature members, and to contact any Signature Artist directly for purchases.

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December 2020

GOOD NEWS

Artists, LLC

Goes Virtual!

New for 2020, The Signature Artists, LLC Gallery is offering a combination of virtual and studio hosted shopping experiences for their patrons. Out of concern for the health and safety of the community, the gallery is open online running through December 27th. This annual event has become the highlight for the artistic community and for their customers.

Many Signature artists that you know and love are back again this year, plus a few new ones. Visit their website www.signature-artist.com and click “Signature 2020 Gallery” to

Michael Kifer, Pottery

browse samples of new artwork from their participating artists.

This year there will not be a brick and mortar gallery but artists will have multiple buying options available for a safe shopping experience.

Some artists will be open by appointment, hosting studios hours or direct to client shipping. You can contact the artists directly through the Signature Gallery, LLC website or call the studios for individual requests. All studios will be following safe practices during this pandemic.

Signature offers incredible handmade gifts and artwork by local artists at affordable prices. As always, there will be a selection of artists working in medias of wool, wood, metal, jewelry, fiber, sculpture, glass, painting, pastels and pottery.

Signature Artists, LLC was founded in 1976, and is a juried cooperative of professional artists and craftsmen. The group is comprised of 29 members, representing a variety of media. The mission of the group is to make art an integral part of the Southwestern Michigan community and maintain a positive relationship between artists and the community.

In 1979 the inaugural Signature

gallery opened in the Haymarket Building in downtown Kalamazoo and remained in the downtown area for three years. The gallery moved inside the Crossroads Mall and around that area for ten plus years before heading to the west side of Kalamazoo, inside the former Maple Hill Mall. The gallery has been in various spaces in the West Main and Drake area, including a variety of storefronts in the Westwood Plaza, for more

than 20 years.

For more information or to support local artists and find unique holiday gifts visit their website at signatureartist.com or call (269) 323-3633.

Be sure to sign up for the Signature newsletter for timely updates and to let you know where to find them each year. They look forward to returning to their regular brick and mortar holiday gallery in 2021.

Jackie Merriam

19

December 2020

GOOD NEWS

Winter’s Coming!

It occurs to me that Midwesterners are a very congenial bunch! When I travel to other parts of the country, I’m struck by my tendency to strike up small talk - in elevators, waiting for luggage at airports, at the grocery store. Visiting my daughter on the East Coast, it seems to me that passers-by are “eyes straight ahead, no talking” sorts. Maybe our Midwestern, friendly, good-naturedness is because we’ve learned to just enjoy the moment. I suspect we get that from our weather patterns. Now, stay with me for a moment while I explain my thinking…

I am an entirely Midwestern “girl.”

I grew up in Cleveland, attended Midwest colleges, and have lived in Kalamazoo since 1983. I realize that, as much as I enjoy a sunny spring break trip, I would not want to live anywhere without seasonal changes.

I pity folks who don’t know the beauty of watching leaves turn gorgeous colors as September melts into October. Trees usually change from the top and color drifts down the foliage, much like strawberry topping on a sundae. Yum! Maybe it’s being a teacher for so long, but I still thrill at those first season snows, with fluffy, enormous flakes falling straight down - accumulating on the grass, but only wetting the sidewalk. And the first hint of green as snowdrops peek out of brown, dormant grass. What a harbinger of spring rebirth! Yes- of course, there is also raking, shoveling, and treacherous roads, but I look

past them with the surety of change, just around the corner, in Michigan weather. How boring it would be to have sunny skies all the time!

Whenever people describe our weather, someone is sure to quote the adage, “If you don’t like the weather in Michigan, just wait 15 minutes.

It’ll change.” Most times it takes longer than fifteen minutes, but, to quote an old song, “nothing’s quite as sure as change.”

Our geographic location and prevailing winds are responsible for the wide variability of weather within seasons and the difficulty meteorologists have making accurate predictions over extended (or even daily) periods. Giving credit where it’s due, our region isn’t subject to the widest swings in temperature. Canadian

provinces and states like Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana have those records.

The Great Lakes moderate our temperatures because those large bodies of freshwater absorb some of the warmth (or chill) of the air as it passes from west to east. It takes a lot of heat energy to warm water. Just ask anyone who still uses a tea kettle for their morning jolt of caffeine! It’s bad if you’re in a hurry for your cup of Joe, but nice if you want a cool, lake breeze on a hot day in July. Soil holds the heat, but the air temperature, as it moves onshore, is usually cooler.

That brings us to a common complaint – humidity! Warm air holds more water vapor than cooler air. In summer, it means warmer air, high in

the upper atmosphere, can hold more water vapor than air below and, as it cools while passing over the water – rain!

This also relates to another dreaded, winter event…. lake effect snow!

In this case, cold upper air (thanks, Montana!) meets warmer air that has picked up moisture as it passes over Lake Michigan. As this more humid air comes onshore, the cold ground cools the air quickly, which forces water out of the air and down to the ground as - snow! Inches of it!

By the time this air gets to Kalamazoo, if it’s not out of moisture entirely, depending on airspeed and the amount of water vapor it contains, we may get just a dusting or a foot or more. Hard to predict!

We Great Lakes Midwesterners have had to develop the agility to “bob and weave” with respect to changing weather. I, for one, love the variability of our outdoor environment. Sometimes it’s hard to feel joy on a freezing cold morning, especially when scraping ice off the windshield, but it’s the price we pay for the warm summer mornings, the beauty of fall foliage, and the pleasure of hot cocoa on a “snow day”….if we ever have them again, in these COVID times!

Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center

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December 2020

GOOD NEWS

FREE december Events

Due to Caronavirus be sure to call or look online for possible event changes or cancellations.

Through Sunday, January 3 Exhibit: Ocean Bound!

Kalamazoo Valley Museum Tues., Dec. 1 – Thurs. Dec. 31 Stop in and create a link for their paper chain project Parchment Library, 343-7747 Tues. Dec. 1 – Mon. Dec. 7 Adult Craft: Fabric Gift Bows Register Now 345-0136 Youtube.com: comstocklibrary.org Events, Craft Pick up 12/7-12/11 Thursday, December 3 Hoopla Book Club: The Gown

By Jennifer Robson, 1pm. Zoom: Parchmentlibrary.org/hooplabook-club Thurs. - Sun. Dec. 3,4,5,6,10,11 12,13,17,18,19,20,24,25,26,27 River Lights along the St. Joe River in Three Rivers, 207 E. Michigan, 5:30-10pm Riverlightsofwonder.com Thursday, December 3 Book (ish) Literary Trivia Live on Facebook 7-8:30pm Richland Community Library

Friday, December 4 Memory Café on Zoom for those with Mild dementia & caregivers, 10:30-11:30am Paw Paw Library, call (269) 657-3800 for info.

Saturdays, Dec. 5,12,19 Kalamazoo Farmers Market 9am-1pm, 342-5686 Sat., Dec. 5 – Sun., Dec. 6 31st Annual Christmas Craft Show, Sat. 9-4, Sun. 10-4 Wings Event Center 349-1185 Sunday, December 6 The Gilmore Piano Masters Series: Yefim Bronfman Live stream: thegilmore.org 2-3pm, 342-1166 Tuesday, December 8 The Heartbreak Book Club: One Day in December

By Josie Silver Zoom Meeting 10:30am Find meeting number & code on Paw Paw Library Facebook page

Tues., Dec. 8 – Sun., Dec. 13 Naughty or Nice Virtual Family Mystery Game Richlandlibrary.org, 629-9085 Wednesday, December 9 Birds & Coffee chats on Zoom Favorite Feeder Bird Species Register ahead: birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu, 671-2510, 10am Saturday, December 12 Internet Users Group, 10am Learn how to turn an old CD Into an eye-catching ornament Kits avail. For PU starting 12/7 Facebook Live Program Paw Paw Library Saturday, December 12 Kzoo Candy Cane Fest Mayors Riverfront Park 251 Mills St., Kalamazoo 4-8pm, 337-8191 kzooparks.org/programs Tuesday, December 15 Take & Make Craft: Tea Light Snowmen, Register: Richlandlibrary.org, (269) 629-9085

Tuesday, December 15 River Lights of Wonder: Family Day along St. Joe River, Three Rivers,3-7pm 207 E. Michigan Ave. Thursday, December 31 New Year’s Fest Live streaming on Public Media Network Viewing 7pm – midnight Thursday, December 31 Ring in the New Year with Fireworks in Bronson Park at the stroke of midnight