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GOOD NEWS

March 2021

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March 2021

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TRIANGLE SERVICE STATION NOW THE WATER STREET COFFEE JOINT - 315 E. WATER STREET The architecture might be termed “1930’s Gas Station,” but “1990’s Coffee House”works just as well. The second life of this little cottage clearly demonstrates how adaptable old buildings can be. Kalmazooan Lester Rice helped pump about 35,000 gallons of gas weekly when he worked here in the 1940’s. He was eventually promoted to manager, and later bought the franchise on this little “golden triangle” on the point between Kalamazoo Avenue and Water Street. By the time current occupant Mark Smutek secured a lease on the building in 1993, 60 years had passed. Once on the scene, it took Smutek seven months to work his wizardry. On a shoestring budget, he worked at night after his regular daytime job. Inside, he enclosed the two-bay service area to create indoor seating. Salvaged woodwork from Western Michigan University’s Walwood Hall found a second home as built-in benches – seating that beckons patrons to relax and read a morning paper or carry on the cerebral or mundane kinds of conversations that people have in coffee shops.

On the other side, Smutek installed the coffee bar’s very compact counter and work area. And everywhere indoors, starbursts of copper erupt from a celestial blue “sky” on flush-mounted lighting fixtures. These were created by Smutek and his friends, inspired in part by the Kalamazoo State Theatre’s “atmospheric sky “feature. Smutek also removed paint from the brick exterior and added awnings to fend off the early morning sunshine. In 2000, he designed a novel all-weather addition that took the place of the earlier awnings. Constructed by Kalamazoo builder Scott Spink, it can be opened

on three sides in warm weather for al fresco coffee quaffing, and enclosed and heated in cooler months. The golden triangle is golden once again. The building’s treatment and use, with its whimsical yet comfortable interior and its eye-catching exterior, demonstrate what a big imagination can do on a small budget. A popular place both day and night, the Water Street Coffee Joint may be of the most often-visited little buildings in downtown Kalamazoo. Its rehabilitation garnered a 1995 Award of Merit from the Kalamazoo Preservation Commission. “The building already has a story;

A all you do is add the next interesting chapter.” Stewart Brand, author, How Buildings Learn: What Happens after They’re Built. Article reprinted with permission from “Kalamazoo Lost & Found.” The Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission is the copyright holder and publisher (2001.) Authors: Lynn Smith Houghton and Pamela Hall O’Connor. The book is available for sale Downtown Kalamazoo: The Heritage Company, Nature Connection and Spirit of Kalamazoo. Oakwood: Kazoo Books, this is a bookstore & Bookbug. Above - 1945. Lester Rice earned about $25 a week when he worked at the Triangle Service Station at 315 East Water Street with its trim, cottage-like appearance. Photo courtesy of Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections. 2001. The Shape of the building has changed slightly, with an additional seating area at left that is enclosed and heated in cold weather. Photo courtesy of John A. Lacko

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March 2021

GOOD NEWS

Planning Next Year’s Garden? Consider donating produce to your local food pantry Many food banks and pantries welcome donations of safe, high-quality fresh produce. Photo: Chris Venema/MSU Extension. With the past year’s harvest complete, seed and garden catalogs are already filling up mailboxes. Avid gardeners and farmers are anticipating next year’s growing season. It is best to plan ahead and think about what you are going to grow this coming spring, summer and fall. While you are in the garden planning stage, consider growing an extra row or two for your local food pantry. As a part of the planning process, check with your local food pantry to see if they would accept fresh produce and, if so, what types. The pantry may have

specific guidelines, procedures and standards you will need to follow during the growing season so that the crops are safe and nutritious for their customers. The local food pantry might encourage you to practice good agricultural practices. If you have decided to be one of these generous growers, Michigan State University Extension has some suggestions that may help in your donation process: Check with your local food pantry on what kinds of fruits and vegetables they will accept. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after handling the produce. To minimize the risk of foodborne illness, handle the vegetables as little as possible. If you are ill, do not donate produce that day.

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If you use pesticides, read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines related to harvest. Donate wholesome produce. There should be no mold, no animal or insect bite marks, no rust on the beans and no overripe or mushy produce. Here’s a good rule to go by: if you would not buy it, don’t donate it. Pick the produce in the morning, so it is as fresh as possible. Brush off any mud or soil. But do not rinse the crops because that will wash off protective coating and introduce moisture increasing the possibility of spoilage. Use only food-grade containers and bags to store and carry the vegetables. Separate the various kinds of produce into food-grade boxes or bags.

For example, zucchini squash should be separate from the tomatoes, and peas isolated from radishes or lettuce. Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes is one local option to donate food to. They accept donations Monday – Friday 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00. They will take any amount of fruits and vegetables that you grow for others at 901 Portage Street. They distribute food at 77 sites throughout Kalamazoo County through five food programs. If you have chosen to plant a row or two for your local food pantry, thank you for helping provide safe and nutritious fruits and vegetables to those who do not have enough food. Terrie Schwartz, Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center & Chris Venema, Michigan State University Extension

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Restaurants, like many businesses, have been hit hard over the past year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since the March 2020 lockdown first began. The restaurant industry has experienced many changes in the way they operate due to the pandemic, and small businesses often experience the greatest impact. From simple changes like sanitizing tables and menu’s between guests and replacing bottled condiments with costly individual packets to the larger issues like staffing shortages and making the switch to offer delivery, carry-out, curbside and creative outdoor

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dining options, restaurants have had to be very agile during this time to keep their doors open. Many restaurants have been hanging on by a thread over the past year, while others unfortunately were forced to close. The recent order allowing indoor dining, although at limited capacity, is a lifeline for the restaurant community. Whether you’re comfortable with indoor dining or prefer outdoors dining, take-out, curbside delivery, or want to purchase gift cards for future dining – please support your favorite local restaurants today! Jackie Merriam

Cover Photo courtesy of Jamie Kavanaugh, owner of O’duffy’s Pub & Cosmo’s Cucina.

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.

March 2021

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A CHANCE TO SEE YOUR CHILDREN’S ARTWORK AT THE KIA! If you are an artist in grades K-12, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts wants to celebrate you and your creativity! The KIA is excited to announce that for the first time ever we are combining the annual High School Area Show (9-12th grade) and Young Artists of Kalamazoo County (K-8th grade). Both shows highlight an immense amount of artistic talent, delighting visitors of all ages for over 40 years. Young Artists (YA) Information: Following the theme, I am a Genius, young artists can create 2D artwork using markers, pencils, charcoal, paint, glue, glitter, ribbons, crayons, paper collage, and more. Show us what makes you special: It could be your favorite hobby, strong friendships, the ability to speak another language, or another amazing talent! Your work will have the chance to be included in the YA Showcase at the KIA and will complement the current exhibition, Unveiling American

Genius. We will be accepting drop-off submissions starting March 31st, 9 am - 5 pm (note the hours below). Please include your name, grade and/or age, with your contact information (phone and email) on the back of your work. Your virtual work can also be displayed! Send the Museum Education Team a PDF or Jpeg of your work for display in the virtual showcase. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts believes that art is for everyone and we would like all talented young artists who want to participate to be able to do so. In addition to the KIA drop off, we are working with other organizations for alternative drop-off locations. If young artists want to participate but may not have access to art supplies, we have a limited number of free art supply kits available. If you would like to request an art supply kit, find a drop-off location, or submit your art virtually, please email MuseumEd@kiarts.org.

High School Area Show (HSAS) Information: Don’t forget the High School Area Show! The KIA will be welcoming submissions from all high school artists residing in Allegan, Barry, Barrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties. Artists can submit their work online through CaFE from now until March 15, with an entry fee of $3 per artwork. Submissions will be

juried by Dr. Cindy Todd, 2019 National Art Educator of the Year. Important Dates: Young Artists Artwork Drop-Off: March 31 - April 3, April 6 -10 from 9am-5pm HSAS Artwork Drop-Off: Open now through March 15 Exhibition Dates: April 30 - May 30 Virtual Opening: May 1

March 2021

GOOD NEWS

In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series

Milky Way

Ellen: My grandfather was a math teacher by trade. He was also a painter, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, a storyteller, and a riddle maker. His favorite hobby was woodworking, and many of the furniture pieces in my house today were made by him including my beloved (and overloaded) bookshelf. He didn’t limit himself to purely practical projects either, and one of his most impressive crafting projects stretched for years. Starting with the births of his grandchildren, Grandpa Hudson began to build rocking horses for the newest members of the family. The horses started small: sturdy, friendlylooking steeds, ready to usher a child through a wild, fantastical game with minimum bumps and bruises. As the kids grew bigger, so too did the horses, becoming the size of carousel ponies, painted in beautiful colors with flowing manes and tails. Our horse, named Milky Way for her dreamy white and blue coat, survived some truly perilous adventures over the years. With a tail braided almost to destruction, paint chipped from excited play, and jeweled tack missing some former finery, she had been retired to our garage for years when I came across her while looking for backyard wedding decorations. “Milky Way would be perfect for the wedding!” I said to my mom while scrubbing at some of the dust

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embedded in the saddle. “Don’t you think?” Jane: I nearly fainted. But let’s backtrack a bit. Ellen is a soon-to-be-bride made in heaven. Because of Covid19, there will be only a small number of guests, everything will be outside, and the only place we found available is our backyard. Has she whined or sighed over the loss of the big event that most girl’s dream of ? No. Not once. She has been a trooper and so has Michael. We ordered canopies, not a venue. There are only four in the wedding party. We planned an afternoon timeframe so guests would not need to find overnight lodging, and we are using our own tablecloths, china, and cutlery. Ellen gushed over all of it. So, when she said she wanted Milky Way as the main decoration for the wedding, what could I say but, “Well, sure, honey. We can fix the horse up--no problem.” I poured myself a little chardonnay and ordered some paint online. And a new tail. In the photos, you can see the results of the entire month of January. Ellen hasn’t seen Milky Way’s transformation yet. I’m saving that for the big day. Ellen Knuth and Jane Knuth

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The top books published this month that librarians across the country love

For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/

March 2021

GOOD NEWS

The language of flowers As I write this article, I am glancing out my window onto the snow-covered expanse of my flower garden. Though I am missing the sweet loam of summer, the song of birds as my work soundtrack and the perfume of the buds that are emerging and blossoming, I lazily daydream about the flowers and what they might be saying. Floriography (the language of flowers) is not some new age study. In fact, the symbolic meanings of flowers have been around for centuries. Popularity of learning the symbolism imparted by a particular flower hit its’ peak in the Victorian era. Most homes in the mid 1800’s had a Bible, and next to it, a descriptive book of the language of flowers. Sometimes floral meaning could be varied depending on the source, though most sources were fairly close in meaning of each species and color. The study of floriography indicates that the flower itself had a meaning, as did the color of the bloom. How a flower was presented would impart another message. The condition of flowers would send a message. No one wanted to receive a wilted

bouquet! An example of a message might be a bouquet delivered upside down (stems up) which would indicate the exact opposite of the true meaning. One might answer a question by presenting a flower in the left hand which would mean “no” or in the right hand, a “yes”. No wonder Victorian homes needed reference manuals to understand this peculiar language! Consider that one might anticipate a delivery of Black Eyed Susan’s from

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Ada whose cousin Clara took a spin in the wagon of Bertram, A Ada’s beau. Clara might be ashiver to note that Ada seeks justice with such a bouquet. In return, perhaps Clara would respond by sending a Columbine to admit her folly or a purple hyacinth to express sorrow. Meanwhile, Bertram, not the brightest of suitors, has sent Ada a red Camellia to indicate the flame that burns in his heart for her while hitting up the florist for a Gardenia

for Clara (secret love). If both cousins were smart they would put on their velvet slippers, head to Grandmama’s garden and cut some red roses. Of course the roses would be presented upside down, thorns first-message received! While the notion of the scenario in the last paragraph is amusing, the significance of floiography is well established through studies of art and literature of the Victorian times. Art historians have cross-referenced the language of flowers to help explain an artists’ message. Similarly, readers of poetry or fiction of the 1800’s may glean insight to the author’s content by researching a flower mentioned. Books and information on the language of flowers are often found at Estate sales, vintage stores and used bookstores. Aside from interesting reading material, the illustrations, vast array of flowers and plants and the historical significance of such writing might make this a great vintage find! As Lord Byron once said: “By all those token flowers, that tell, what words can never speak so well.” Teri Standiford, employee at Vintage Inspired of Mattawan

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March 2021

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Take Back Control of Your Life.

The Power of Positive Relationships To truly take care of our mental health, we need to determine if the relationships in our lives are appropriate for us. It can be daunting for some to determine if a relationship is toxic. Once you have realized that a relationship is unhealthy then you need to ask yourself if that person should be removed from your life. Toxic relationships can be found in all facets of your life. It could be a friend, relative, significant other, or co-worker. If a relationship is causing you to feel depressed, anxious, or inadequate, and if that person is manipulating, criticizing, and emotionally abusing you, then their relationship could be labeled as toxic and may be unhealthy for you. You must determine if it is worth it to you to keep them in your life and realize how much happier you will be surrounded by positive relationships. Eliminating a relationship from your life can feel stressful and exhausting. However, understanding that your mental health is your top priority is an important step in selfcare. If you think of the circle of control, you cannot control other people’s behaviors. However, you can control how you react to their behaviors. It may take some time to determine if you are feeling stress from a specific relationship. If you feel as though a person is trying to control, belittle, or

manipulate you into doing what they want you to do, these are good signs that you may need to remind yourself of the power of positive relationships. It may be time to re-evaluate their place in your life. Be honest, clear, and direct in letting the person know you will not allow them to treat you this way anymore. Allow them to realize the damage that they may have caused you. They may not let you walk away that easily and may try to manipulate themselves back into your life but stay firm in your decision. Moving forward, you must forgive and set boundaries. Forgiving does

not mean letting them back in or forgetting how they made you feel. It means that you are not going to hold on to the anger and hurt. Let the closure restore your mental health. Setting boundaries ensures that you don’t risk letting that person back in your life. Do not reach out to them, respond to their messages or calls, and delete them from your social media. Maintaining your boundaries is as important as setting the boundaries. Eliminating a stressful relationship from your life can feel like you are on a roller coaster. It can be an emotion-

al process and it is important to have your tribe of positive people behind you and supporting you. Surround yourself with people that lift you, cherish you for you, and allow you to express your feelings. Make sure that if you are experiencing sadness, anxiety, or mental health concerns that you reach out to a mental health professional that can help you navigate through these feelings and provide you tools to help you find your healing journey and rediscover yourself. Julie Sorenson MA, LPC

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March 2021

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a pause in the action

One of my favorite things to do in February and March is downhill ski. In addition to the downhill part, the uphill part is magical. This is the time for a pause in action. When you sit down on the chairlift you learn to trust the seat under you, maybe you skootch back one butt cheek at a time. As you are whisked away from the chairlift operator; the silence, the pause, settles in. It is a unique quiet that only happens high in the open air insulated by the snow below;

sometimes the silence is broken by the mechanical clink of the chairlift but largely the quiet remains until you reach the top of the chairlift. At this pause in the action, my eyes take in the diamond-like glistening of the snow, skiers and snowboarders that look like different sized pebbles sliding down a decline pushed by the power of water, rolling down or side to side based on their girth and natural characteristics. I feel the weight of my ski boots and skis stretching

the muscles of my calves giving my feet a reprieve from the pressure of the boots. I feel the chair lift’s motor vibrate through the mechanical pieces to the chair and onto my back. I feel the ski gear on my body, layers of soft clothing, thick ski gloves, the pole handles loosely held in my hands, the weight of the helmet on my head and goggles on my face. I smell the clean, dry cold oxygen the trees have provided for me on each breath in. On my exhale, I give my carbon dioxide

to the trees. This pause in the action cannot be interrupted by the sounds of people talking, phones ringing, buses, autos, the radio, television. So this pause in action is an opportunity to simply be, to saunter through the senses allowing my mind to dwell on each sense one by one. My mind’s function is to fire thoughts at me like “that little person is flying down the hill, I hope he knows how to stop,” or “lost pole,” “steaming cocoa might be nice,” I note those thoughts and allow them to pass through my consciousness, I redirect my mind to the sense I was dwelling on. Consciously not pushing the thoughts away but noting them as a separate entity from myself, knowing the job of the mind is to fire thoughts that alert me, remind me of future items, zip to the past with a familiar smell, organize the bombardment from my senses. Trying to slough off the judgement and frustration of not having complete and direct control of my thoughts, I return to the few cherished minutes of quiet until the sign “Tips up” enters my visual field. It warns me it is time to direct my attention toward the stand up while the chair remains below me for two seconds until it bounces off my body to push me forward into the action of downhill skiing. I look forward to the next cherished opportunity to be mindful during the pause in the action, and I being the descent downhill. Sheryl Lozowski-Sullivan, MPH, PhD Licensed Psychologist

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March 2021

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The NEW Is Now Open!

WOW is what I was thinking as I took an impromptu tour of the new Ransom District Library in late January. The building’s aesthetics are natural, yet modern and provide updated systems and facilities, along with awesome nature views of the Kalamazoo River, providing a relaxing environment for the community to enjoy. The beautiful nature views are visible from the roomy event space area, the children’s library and the river view room, which has comfortable seating, a fireplace and a deck

for outdoor seating and events during the warmer months. Additional areas include a computer lab, a history room that includes the use of Ancestry.com, a special Teen Lounge with televisions, computers and gaming systems, and a Media Lab to introduce people to emerging technology, including digital conversion of your memories from obsolete media and even 3D printing! Stop in and pick up one of the recent 3D printer creations, a bookmark or a nose clip that makes the protective cloth masks that we wear all day, a little more comfortable. The new

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library also has a new parking lot, a book drop connected directly to the building and one secure entry into the building. Plans for a new building had been in motion for several years, saving $800,000 toward the 7 million dollar project. In August 2018, 67% of local voters approved a 6.2 million dollar bond for the balance of the library project. Two local companies were hired to build the new library - TowerPinkster as the architect and CSM Group as the construction manager for the 20,000 square foot building. Ground

breaking began on July 25, 2019. The former building was in use until the new building was completed, at which time they demolished the old building and created a parking lot. The building project is complete and is now open for business, offering library visits, drive-through and curbside options. The former library was built in 1973 and original library was constructed in 1903, both of which were on this same site. The library’s district includes the City of Plainwell and Gun Plain Township in Allegan County, and the northern portion of Cooper Township in Kalamazoo County. Those that attend Plainwell, Otsego and Gull Lake are also part of the district, along with Cooper Township residents that attend Parchment. Ransom District Library offers many programs and activities for all ages, including reading contests, adult & children’s crafts to go and family interactive movie kits, to name a few. “The Library is 20,000 square feet of information, culture and togetherness,” says Director, Joe Gross. Support the new library by visiting in person or by requesting curbside pick up. For more information call (269) 685-8024, email patronservices@ransomlibrary.org or visit their website at ransomdistrictlibrary.org. The library is located at 180 S. Sherwood Ave., at the corner of Allegan St. (M-89) and Sherwood Ave., in Plainwell. Jackie Merriam

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March 2021

Let’s Your Children Grow as they are Exposed to New Experiences, During the Summer Months. At Summer Camp

Swimming, bonfires, archery, science, and innovation capture the flag, and scary stories before bed in your cabin/dorm may be fond memories that you have from your childhood summer camps. In the dreary months of winter, it is hard to look ahead and think about summer camp. However, summer is right around the corner and it’s time to jump in with your kids to find a fun camp for them that will allow them to see things through a new lens and possibly discover new

interests. Summer camp can take children on new adventures, develop lifelong skills and friendships that they never imagined possible. Going to camp can help your children learn independence and responsibility. Allowing him or her to make screen-free time that allows for play is crucial for their brain development. While basking in the sun, playing outside games children have the ability to learn social skills that will help them to strengthen relationships while creating new bonds. Synergy or team building occurs when they are working together for a specific

outcome. Maybe they will have teams that will need to create paper box boats. Once the boats are complete they might have a relay race to see whose boat is built to float. These types of activities provide opportunities for leadership and allow children to learn decision-making skills along with problems solving. Children are encouraged to over-

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come personal challenges while away at camp. They have an opportunity to be out in nature and discover all that nature has to offer. This time allows them time to use their senses to discover things related to the great outdoors that they never knew existed and this can be so rewarding. The time that they spend at a camp can provide them with life long coping skills that they may use when life becomes overwhelming and stressful. Camps may look different because of COVID, but it is important to look at opportunities that are safe for your family to provide exposure to new experiences. Many camps offer scholarships as well if you need extra financial support. The memories that they make will last a lifetime and, as an added bonus, it will provide you time to take time for yourself. Julie Sorenson, LPC

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March 2021

Buen Provecho is a Spanish phrase that means, “Enjoy your meal,” which you’re sure to do at the new Buen Provecho Mexican Restaurant in Parchment. Owners, Gopi Masarapu and Gustavo Marure, along with Mayra Melchor, who moved from Mexico City to the United States twenty years ago and always had dreams of opening a restaurant Mayra always loved cooking and had much practice cooking for her three children ( Jessica, Kevin, Dayton) and for her large extended family. She insists on making all dishes from scratch with the freshest ingredients purchased locally, as she does in her own home. She is very proud of her corn tortillas that are ground from organic corn, handmade and delicious! When I met with Mayra and her daughter Jessica, she could barely contain her excitement while talking about the various food offerings on the menu, while Jessica tried to keep up, translating in English. When I asked Mayra which items on the vast menu were some of her favorites, she mentioned the Barbacoa

de Borrego, which is slow cooked lamb with agave leaves and traditional spices, served with three sides: onions, cactus salad and guacamole. She also pointed out the Huarache Mexicano with Tinga Chicken, poblano pepper, caxaca cheese and chorizo spiced Mexican pork sausage. She suggested the hot atoles, a drink made primarily of milk and corn dough - the Champurrado Atole has cinnamon and chocolate added and the Guayaba Atole adds guava fruit and cinnamon to the milk and corn dough base. The three business partners purchased the building on the corner of Riverview Dr. and G Avenue in Parchment, formerly the home of Corneview Café. The purchase was finalized on June 12, 2019. They took their time redecorating and finding the fresh food sources before the Coronavirus hit, which gave them more time to perfect their business plans. The restaurant opened January 16th with all safety precautions in place for take-out and curbside pickup, while they waited for the dine-in option to resume.

GOOD NEWS

Buen Provecho offers house specialties every day as well as their delicious weekend specials (Fri.-Sun.), a variety of tamales wrapped in corn or banana leaves – just $15.99 a dozen. “Mayra makes the best tamales in town,” says Gopi. In addition, they offer a different daily special every day offered for their Lunch Express from 11am-3pm, Monday through Friday. Mayra mentioned that you could eat there everyday and be assured you’re getting not only a delicious meal, but also a nutritionally sound meal. The lively, family-friendly lively restaurant offers a kids menu with over 10 entrees to peak the little ones interest, starting at just $3.99. Catering services are also available for large and small events. Stop into Buen Provecho today

and enjoy authentic Mexican specialties. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Open Monday – Thursday from 11am-8:30pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-9pm and Sunday 11am-8:30pm. Located at 643 N. Riverview Dr. in Parchment. Calls ahead for take-out or curbside pick up (269) 743-7303. For more information visit their website: Buenprovechomexicanrestaurant.com, email: Buenprovechomexicanrestaurant@gmail.com, or follow them on Facebook at Buenprovechomexican. Jackie Merriam

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March 2021

be ART ful

Doodling I have rediscovered my fondness for doodling. What exactly is doodling and what does it mean to doodle or be a doodler? This silly, non-sensical sounding word was originally a noun that represented a fool or a simpleton. Today it is used as a verb and translates into absent-minded scribbling. Don’t let the dictionary description fool you though into thinking that it’s meaningless to doodle…when in fact it actually activates the brain in unique and creative ways. Doodling gives us insights into ourselves, even when we think we are doodling absent-mindedly and

wasting time. Did you know it contributes to keeping us sharp and focused? Those of us who doodle while listening retain more information. It powers our thinking and our brain is being stimulated to keep us going and to pay attention. Doodling gives us an emotional outlet. It is used as a way to express ourselves. As an act of self-care, it can calm us if we are frustrated, anxious or depressed. Doodling also enhances creativity. It relaxes us enough to let ideas flow through our mind and come to fruition naturally. Those doodles help us to better engage in creative problem solving and information processing. For the artist,

GOOD NEWS it might be the source of inspiration for future artworks. Popular types of doodling are geometric shapes, patterns and abstract lines. This type of line marking is generally referred to as scribbling. It is believed that most people who doodle will remake the same shape throughout their lifetime. I found that little tidbit of information quite interesting because I seem to scribble

circles, stars and swirls the most. I use this type of doodling as a therapeutic device, which allows me to slow down, focus and de-stress. After researching what my doodling shapes may symbolize, I’ll share what I have come to learn in general about my particular doodles. Please note that

doodling is not a personality test or a professional assessment, it’s just a way to reflect on your own feelings and develop creative ideas. Circles are a sign of peace, love and unity. They can represent a strong and intuitive sense that things are coming together. Circles can also mean an introvert who doesn’t require much communication. Stars indicate hopefulness and optimism. They represent a desire for attention or romance. Stars can also mean you are determined, ambitious and imaginative. Swirls tend to mean that you are always thinking ahead or about the task at hand and trying to solve problems. Swirls can signify diversity, progress, clarity, variety and creativity. You don’t have to be artistic to doodle or in my case, scribble. It’s just another creative avenue to explore, especially when you experiment with different art mediums. I also like to think of this form of expressiveness as giving yourself consent to let go and enjoy just being in the moment. Let whatever is inside of you flow out and get released right onto the paper. Happy doodling and scribbling! xo Bridget Email: bridgetfoxkzoo@gmail.com Social: https://www.instagram.com/ bridgetfoxkzoo

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March 2021

Hike 100 Challenge 2021 Since 2016, thousands of North Country Trail users have signed up for and completed the annual Hike 100 Challenge.

Love What You Do. Love Where You Work.

GOOD NEWS Each year this free challenge renews but the rules remain the same for 2021: Hike any 100 miles on the North Country National Scenic Trail between January 1 and December 31. To join the Challenge, you can revisit the same mile 100 times or explore 100 unique miles. Log your mileage over weeks or months, or during one big adventure. Walk, snowshoe, run, ski, day hike or backpack. Once you have logged those 100 miles, share your adventure with us. You will earn a commemorative patch and certificate of completion. A new patch design is released each year so you can earn a fresh badge of accomplishment annually! Joining the Hike 100 Challenge earns you access to exclusive resources and eligibility for monthly giveaways. We also love to hear about your adventure through social media. Tag @northcountrytrail on Facebook and Instagram, and use the hashtags #hike100nct and #northcountrytrail so we are sure to see them. You might even see your photos and stories featured on our website, social media channels, e-newsletters, or marketing materials! For more information on registration, see: northcountrytrail.org/hike100-challenge. For downloadable maps of the trail: North Country Trail Maps (free download and mobile maps, and Avenza app) The local chapter of the North Country Trail, Chief Noonday, covers a total of 119 miles in 3 differ-

hris C y r r Me

ent counties, Kalamazoo (13 miles), Barry (48 miles) and Calhoun (58 miles). Hike one, two or all three of the counties during 2021 to earn additional patches. Earn a patch for completing one county and remaining side patches for each additional county. Sign up or get more information by sending an email to hikethecounty@gmail.com. For more local events sponsored and supported by Chief Noonday Hiking, see: Chief Noonday Chapter (CND) Events & Suggested Hikes. The North Country Trail (NCT) is 4,600 miles long and is administered by the National Park Service and built and maintained primarily by volunteers. Chief Noonday Chapter, with 200+ members takes care of 109 miles of the trail. In most years they have monthly chapter meetings – often with speakers or round table discussions. They also have monthly chapter hikes and chapter workdays on major projects such as building boardwalk or improving trail. Find out more on Facebook or through northcountrytrail.org.

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March 2021

GOOD NEWS

Health : Mom Was Right

Along with sayings like “always wear clean underwear when you leave the house” and “you’ll shoot your eye out with a BB gun”, I often heard “what’s good for your body is good for your brain”. Now mom wasn’t learned in the way of books, but she was great at raising kids. (My younger brother happens to agree with me.) She was very good at imparting wisdom, although we were too young to recognize it at the time. You can imagine my surprise when I came across an article in the University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter titled “Blood Pressure and Cognition” which used the “good for your body, good for your brain” quote.

In it they discuss mounting research that suggests having high blood pressure in midlife may harm your brain later in life. While there’s still much to learn about how blood pressure and the brain are linked, there are three studies published over the last few months that have added important evidence to the blood pressure/brain correlation. The first is a study published in Lancet Neurology which analyzed 465 British people born in 1946. Their blood pressure was measured five times between the ages of 36 and 69 and received brain scans between ages 69 and 71. Higher blood pressure at ages 43 and 53 was associated with more white matter lesions, a sign of

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cerebral small vessel disease. This, in turn, increases the risk of cognitive decline. Researchers concluded that blood pressure monitoring and interventions might need to start around age 40 to maximize later-life brain health. The second published in the Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA) included more than 4,700 US adults who had their blood pressure measured at five medical visits over 24 years. The ages of the participants ranged from 44 to 66. Those who had hypertension in midlife were 41% more likely to develop dementia, regardless of whether their late life blood pressure was low, normal, or high.

Another JAMA study looked at data from 450 people with hypertension with an average age of 67. They were targeted to receive “intensive” blood pressure treatment or “normal” blood pressure treatment. MRI scans showed that those receiving “intensive” treatment had smaller increases in white matter lesions over four years. This study helped confirm the results of a related analysis also published by JAMA. It found that among 8,600 people, intensive blood pressure treatment lowered the incidence of mild cognitive impairment, a condition that sometimes progresses to dementia. This research, all published in wellrespected journals, suggests that there may be a strong correlation between maintaining a healthy blood pressure and maintaining a healthy brain. The big take-away for me was the importance of lifestyle, health, and wellness at midlife and how it relates to quality of life as one ages. I feel confident that the majority of us leave the house with clean underwear and don’t play with BB guns anymore. (Although there are times when I think my growth was stunted because I never had one.) However, we do need to pay attention to the possibility that what we do to our bodies may indeed affect the brain. Remember to MAKE it a good day and be kind to each other. Till next time, Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal Trainer.

March 2021

Recipes I think this year the perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is by eating or drinking something sweet to help take the bitterness out of these days! Food stylist/photographer: Laura Kurella St. Patrick’s Day means many things to many people. In the secular world, it usually means parties where people wear and drink things dyed green. However, the day was actually established to honor a saint of a man who didn’t start out life that way and was originally named, “Maewyn.” Born in Wales in around 385 A.D., at age 16, Maewyn was sold into slavery, which caused him to turn from his pagan ways to God, whom

Sweet St. Patrick’s Day! he asked for help in his plight. Escaping slavery, Maewyn fled to a monastery where he changed his name to Patrick and spent the rest of his life turning other pagans toward God. Appointed the second bishop to Ireland, Patrick continued his mission for thirty years until passing on March 17, 461 – the date chosen to honor him – and, shamrocks don’t appear on this day just for decoration. They are present because St. Patrick used them to demonstrate how the Father, Son and Holy Spirit all exist as separate elements of the same Holy Trinity. While it is perfectly acceptable to wear and drink things green on this day, it would also be nice to remember the man that made this day special and perhaps tear a page from

Minty St. Patty’s Day Bark

The Original Irish Coffee Cream: Rich as an Irish Brogue Coffee: Strong as a Friendly Hand Sugar: Sweet as the tongue of a Rogue Whiskey: Smooth as the Wit of the Land You are to heat a stemmed whiskey goblet. Pour in one jigger of Irish whiskey Add one spoon of brown sugar. Fill with strong black coffee to within one inch of the brim. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Top off with whipped cream, slightly aerated, by pouring it over the back of a spoon, so that it floats. Do not stir after adding the cream as the true flavor is obtained by drinking the hot coffee and Irish whiskey through the cream.

GOOD NEWS

his life and celebrate someone who made a positive difference in the lives of others – and serve up something Irish, if not green, especially an Irish coffee, which is said to be a recipe that originated in a Limerick airport during the cold and miserable winter of 1937. This airport was often visited by the likes of John F Kennedy, Humphrey Bogart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Edward G Robinson, Ernest Hemmingway and even Douglas Fairbanks Sr. One night, when bad weather had grounded several flights, and as a result, filling the airport with many a VIP, the cook decided to whip up something warm and “Irish” to impress his prestigious guests. Starting with freshly brewed coffee, kicked up with a splash of fine Irish whiskey, he topped off his warm and

flavorful blend with a crown of rich, and fluffy, freshly whipped cream! Guests were very impressed with its taste, prompting them to ask what it was. The cook politely replied, “What you have there is the finest coffee to ever cross the lips. Irish coffee it is!” While you can buy something that tries to replicate the taste, nothing beats homemade. Here now is a pleasing assortment of ways to make your St. Patrick’s Day feel a little sweeter. Enjoy!

1 (16 oz.) package Vanilla Coating ¾ cup Mint OREO cookies, crumbled into large pieces Green sprinkles Melt Vanilla coating in tray according to directions on package. Add ½ cup of the chopped Oreo cookies into the tray and stir to combine. Pour mixture into a 13 x 9-inch pan lined with wax paper. Use a spatula to smooth out evenly in pan. Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup crushed cookies and green sprinkles on top. Chill for about 10 minutes or until completely set. Once set, remove bark from pan and cut or break into pieces. Lucky Leprechaun Hats Keebler® Fudge Stripes™ Cookies Large Marshmallows Dark Chocolate Candy Melts Green Candy Melts Green Sprinkles or Green Cake Sparkles Melt dark chocolate candy in the microwave, in 30-second intervals on 50% power. Stir after each heating. Repeat until completely melted. Dip Fudge Stripe Cookies into chocolate, coating completely. Shake off any excess. Set on parchment paper, top side down, until candy coating is completely set. Using a toothpick, dip marshmallow into chocolate and coat almost entirely.

Shake off any excess. Set on parchment paper, until candy coating is completely set. Remove toothpick. Melt green candy just as you did the chocolate. Flip marshmallow upside down and insert new toothpick in top. Dip into green candy, just barely, to create a small band of green around the bottom. Coat green candy band with sprinkles or sparkles. Shake off excess. Place marshmallow in center of chocolate covered cookie. Carefully remove toothpick. Touch up the toothpick hole with a small dab of melted chocolate, if desired. Spoon some of the remaining melted green candy into a piping bag, Ziploc bag or squeeze bottle. On parchment paper, make three small dots of candy in the shape of a triangle. Each dot should be about the size of a chocolate chip. Using a toothpick, swirl the three dots together to form a shamrock shape. Swirl the bottom two dots together first, then the top dot. Pull toothpick straight down to form the stem. Before candy hardens, cover with sprinkles or crushed cake sparkles. Once shamrocks have set up, dust off excess sparkle. To finish the hat, attach a glittering shamrock with a small dab of melted green.

Food stylist/photographer: Laura Kurella

Flirty Leprechaun Fauxjito ¾ cup water ¾ cup granulated sugar 1-cup mint leaves 1-cup lime sherbet ½ cup lime juice 3 cups ginger ale Combine water & sugar in a glass bowl. Microwave approx. 3 minutes. Stir in mint & allow to stand approx. 5 minutes. Strain out mint from syrup & discard. Set syrup aside. In large pitcher - combine sherbet & lime juice & stir until sherbet starts to melt & combine with juice. Pour in ½ of your ginger ale & then all your mint infused syrup. Stir. Add in last of ginger ale - stir well. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

March 2021

Recipes Corned Beef and Rye is synonymous with St. Patrick ’s Day. Classically served with mustard or as a Reuben sandwich, we think this combo deserves some new options! Whether it’s a different take to serve with an Irish beer on St. Pat’s day or a fun twist to apply to leftovers, we’re very excited to share these new variations.

GOOD NEWS

Corned Beef Refresh BBQ style Corned beef, Guinness BBQ Sauce, Honey Mustard Slaw and Pepper Jack Cheese This preparation takes corned beef and rye in a whole different direction – barbeque! We created a smoky and sweet BBQ sauce using Guinness and crunchy slaw to make this unique creation. Both the BBQ sauce and coleslaw can be made in advance for ease of serving.

Sandwich Ingredients:

2 slices S.Rosen’s rye bread 4 oz. corned beef. 2 slices pepper jack cheese Guinness BBQ Sauce Ingredients 1 12 oz. bottle of Guinness Draught ½ cup ketchup 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1/3 cup molasses 1/3 cup apple vinegar 1 tsp mustard powder 1 tsp powdered ginger

5 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 1 1/2 tsp salt ¼ tsp chipotle powder (for some heat) 1/8 tsp cinnamon

Honey Mustard Cabbage Slaw Ingredients

1 head of cabbage, sliced into thin ribbons ½ cup of mayo 2 tsp salt 1 Tbsp. mustard 2 Tbsp. honey 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar ½ tsp paprika ½ tsp garlic powder

This sandwich is a fun breakfast or brunch option (or all day because eggs are a perfect food). Make the Irish whiskey onions the day before and this will come together super fast.

Sandwich Ingredients:

Breakfast Corned Beef Sandwich – Whiskey Onions, Irish Cheese & Egg This jam is sweet, tangy and spicy and a perfect complement to decadent beer cheese.

Sandwich Ingredients per Serving:

2 slices S.Rosen’s rye bread 4 oz. corned beef Spreadable Wisconsin cheddar beer cheese Irish Whiskey, Apple, and Bacon Jam Ingredients: Makes 4 servings. 1 peeled and diced apple ½ finely diced onion 2 slices of diced bacon 1 ½ oz. Irish whiskey ¼ cup apple cider vinegar ½ tsp mustard powder 2 Tbsp. honey ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, but delicious) Salt to taste

2 slices S.Rosen’s rye bread 4 oz. corned beef Your favorite sliced Irish cheese (we used Kerrygold) Irish Whiskey Caramelized Onions 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1.5 oz. Irish whiskey 2 Tbsp. butter (preferably Irish) 1.5 tsp salt

How to make Irish Whiskey Caramelized Onions:

1. Melt butter in a small pan over medium high heat

2. Once butter is melt add about half the onion. Quickly add the Irish whiskey. Add the rest of the onions and salt. Stir to make sure onions are coated. 3. Cover and reduce heat to low. Onion will take about an hour to caramelize, check and stir every 5-10 minutes but as you get toward the end keep a closer eye on them

How to Prepare Sandwiches: Preheat oven to 350°F. For each sandwich: Place 2 rye bread slices on baking sheet, top one with corned beef, brush with Guinness BBQ sauce, and top with pepper jack cheese. Bake in oven for 7 minutes or until cheese is melted. To serve top with coleslaw and second slice of rye bread

How to Prepare Irish Whiskey, Apple, and Bacon Jam:

Place diced up bacon in medium pan and turn to medium heat. Once bacon begins to crisp, add apples and onions. Stir and turn up to medium high heat. Cook apple and onion for 2 minutes and then add whiskey. Stir and reduce to medium again. Add apple cider vinegar, honey mustard powder and red pepper flakes. Cover with lid slightly ajar, until the apples are soft. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Add salt to taste. How to Prepare Sandwiches: Preheat oven to 350°F. For each sandwich: Place 2 rye bread slices on baking sheet, top one with corned beef and Irish whiskey apple bacon jam. Bake in oven for 7 minutes. Spread beer cheese spread on the second rye slice and top base of sandwich.

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Corned Beef with Beer Cheese Spread and Irish Whiskey Apple Bacon Jam

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March 2021

Disability Network

GOOD NEWS

Southwest Michigan

Celebrates Forty Years 2021 marks the fortieth anniversary of Disability Network Southwest Michigan. Disability Network is a center for independent living with a mission to educate and connect people with disabilities to resources while advocating social change. Disability Network first opened its doors in October 1981 in a one-room office under the name “Kalamazoo County Center for Independent Living.” In 1995, the agency changed its name to Disability Resource Center. In 2006 the name was changed again to Disability Network Southwest Michigan to reflect their place within the larger statewide network of centers for independent living. Disability Network Southwest Michigan is one of 14 centers for independent living in the state. In 1999, the agency purchased the buildings at 517 E. Crosstown Parkway in Kalamazoo, which continues to be their main office. In 2009, they absorbed management of the Berrien/

Cass Center for Independent Living, giving the agency a second location at 2900 Lakeview Avenue in St. Joseph. The agency currently has a staff of 28 people and serves an eight-county region including Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. Disability Network has experienced many changes over the past forty years, none of it more notable than the variety of services and programs offered. President and CEO, Joel Cooper said, “In the end, this is the measure of who we are; our ability to be flexible and provide the services that are needed, when they are needed. Over 40 years, our services and programs have changed to meet the needs of the communities we serve.” When the agency opened in 1981 it had three core services: Peer Support, Information & Referral, and Advocacy; they later added Independent Living Services and Transition Services. Over the years, in addition to many other programs, Disability Network has operated an adaptive driving school, partnered with Michigan Career and Technical Institute to provide Independent Living and Professional Counseling, provided

WE’RE OPEN FOR CURBSIDE SERVICE Please Stay In Your Car! Our apologizes, however, due to Covid-19, recycling hours may vary. Please call 269-383-8742 for up-to-date changes in hours and restrictions.

Several volunteer advocacy teams provide valuable input toward developing a more accessible and inclusive community. The agency’s highly successful Ramp Up program, which builds ramps for people with mobility disabilities so that they can live safely and independently at home, is operated entirely with volunteer builders throughout their service area. This year Disability Network Southwest Michigan celebrates forty years of educating and connecting people with disabilities to the community resources they need to live independently and advocating for social change. Disability Network’s advocacy work is focused on creating communities that value disability as human diversity, free of attitudinal barriers, where all people benefit with full access and inclusion. Learn more about Disability Network Southwest Michigan at www.dnswm.org.

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TTY relay services so that people with hearing or speech disabilities could use a telephone, spearheaded the Benefits Counseling program, and developed Disability Pride and Anti-Ableism curricula. To learn more about the services Disability Network currently provides, visit their website at www.dnswm.org. Volunteers have played an important role in the success of the agency from grounds maintenance to board leadership. “The leadership of our agency depends on the dedication of volunteer board and committee members who have contributed countless hours navigating Disability Network on a path of success,” said Cooper. “Perhaps most remarkable is the longevity of our volunteers; many have been with us for more than 10 years and some for over 30 years. We have been truly fortunate for the dedication of each of our many volunteers.”

12/5/20 4:34 PM

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March 2021

GOOD NEWS

Sweet Spring By the time you read this, we will be entering March. Longer days are ahead; winter’s worst weather is (hopefully) past. As I’m writing this in early February, we’ve had barely enough snow to shovel and only one frigid snap – an unusual season! A friend suggested it would be a perfect time to talk about a sure sign of coming spring – maple sugaring! Early March is usually when the various maple sugar festivals are in full swing, and I hope this motivates you to go out and enjoy the fun – safely, of course. But, as always, it got me thinking…. Will this be a good year for making syrup? It’s been barely cold enough to send the spring bulbs into dormancy. Have the trees experienced enough cold to know it’s time to make the sap run? I need to learn more about how trees experience seasonal weather changes. Sap is, for trees, like blood is to animals. Sugars, made in leaf surfaces when the sun is shining, are transported to tree roots as storage carbohydrates for later use. These starches provide material for the tree’s growth and fuel for cellular needs during the long winter months after deciduous leaves have fallen. During wintertime,

the tree is not growing very much, and its need for fuel is low. This changes once the weather starts to warm. Warmer winter days, when temperatures are above freezing, mixed with colder nights, send a climatic message to prepare for a new season, and it will soon be time to sprout new leaves. Trees respond by breaking down the storage starches in their roots and re-mixing those sugars with water to make sap. Since early spring is typically wet with rain and melting snowfall, as the fluid flows upward toward the branches, abundant water surrounding the tree roots is pulled in to replace it. This creates a kind of pressurized pump supporting the sap’s flow. From the roots, the fluid is transported through specialized tubes, like a circulatory system, up the trunk of the tree to the branches where leaves will soon emerge. These changes in the weather signal the tree to begin a seasonal growth phase, and now is usually the perfect time for this message to arrive. Historically, March’s average daytime temperature is about 11 degrees warmer than in February and about 10 degrees warmer at night as well. The timing is also perfect for us to, shall we way, share the bounty of the

tree to make some yummy syrup. A large tree typically provides about 15 to 20 gallons of sap, and a gallon of maple syrup may require 40 or so gallons of liquid, depending on its sugar content. A typical sugar shack will combine many trees’ yields and slowly boil off much of the water until it reaches the desired sweetness and consistency. The syrup is then bottled and sealed for sale or household use. So – an obvious question for me would be: why maples? Any maple? Only sugar maples? Sugar maples have the highest concentration of sugars in their sap, as you might imagine. But other deciduous trees can also be used for syrup. Would oak syrup be tasty? Probably not, since oaks produce bitter compounds that would spoil the product’s sweetness. How about evergreens? The distilled sap of pine trees makes turpentine - great for household tasks - not for pancakes! But other kinds of trees are used successfully for syrup production, notably walnut and birch. Sadly, those trees usually don’t produce the volumes of sap necessary to make enough syrup to make it worth the effort. So, to go back to the original question, will this be a good maple syrup year? Perhaps the relatively warm win-

ter will be perfect. We have had some cold nights, but many days above freezing. Maybe this will change the timing of the tapping season. I spoke to several experts, finding, as usual, the answer isn’t clear. Terry Moyer, who runs the Butternut Creek Sugar Shack in Mendon, explained that weather is critical during the three or fourweek period in which trees are tapped and sap collected. He told me syrup producers are always looking at the ten-day weather forecast because it is essential to string together as many above freezing days and colder nights as possible. These conditions ensure the best yield of sap. K.J. Kettler, MSU’s W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest manager, shared that without the freeze-thaw cycle, the sap stops flowing, and production is cut short. This year, some syrup producers have already finished their tapping, and some haven’t started yet. Whenever it comes, I know I’ll be ready to butter some pancakes, fry up some bacon, and dig in. I hope you are too. Enjoy! Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center

March 2021

GOOD NEWS

Museum to Host March 6

virtual

For 16 years, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum has hosted a fretboard festival, celebrating Kalamazoo’s unique music history with live performances, demonstrations and workshops. The 2021 Fretboard Festival, set for March 6, is going to be different. Instead of welcoming thousands of patrons into the museum, staff will be welcoming thousands to the virtual fretboard festival on the event website. A quick peek behind the stage curtain of this year’s event will give hints about what participants can look forward to. Bob Rowe and the

Green Valley Boys, Megan Dooley, The Go Rounds, Mark Sahlgren & Darcy Wilkin and Brian Koenigsknecht are among the musicians who are slated to perform. Workshops for musicians of all skill levels are also planned, along with opportunities to explore the work of talented luthiers and admire exquisitely crafted instruments. Whatever you enjoy most about the festival, register in advance at kvcc.edu/fretboard to get insider information, early content and first access to free workshop signups for the 2021 Fretboard Festival. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.

FREE March Events

Due to Corona virus be sure to call or look online for possible event changes or cancellations. Monday, March 1 Monthly Youth Craft Kits, Storytime Kits, & Biblio Boxes Comstock Library, 345-0136 Monday, March 1 Monthly Teen DIY Project & Biblio Boxes, (6-12th grade) 345-0136 Comstock Library Monday, March 1 Using Your Frozen Fruit, 1pm, Events.anr.msu.edu/ Winter QandA2021/ Tuesday, February 2 Teen Craft-To-Go, Ages 11-17 Mini Zen Garden Register ahead to pick up kit Richlandlibrary.org, 10am Tues., Mar. 2,9,16,23,30 Preschool Story Time Ages 3-5, 10am Richlandlibrary.org Tuesday, March 2 Handling Stress During a Farm Emergency, 12pm, events.anr.msu.edu/Emergency PreparednessFS20 Tuesday, March 2 Pantry Food Safety -It’s Your Job, 2-5pm, Events.anr.msu. edu/Winterpantryfoodsafety/ Wednesday, March 3 Food & Science: Jamming in The freezer! 4pm, events.anr. Msu.edu/InvestigatingFoodwith Science2021/ Thurs., Mar.4,11,18,25 Chapter Book Thursdays Ages 6-12, 10am Richlandlibrary.org

Thursday, March 4 Using What I Preserved Last Summer, 1pm & 6pm, events. Anr.msu.edu/WinterFood Preservation2021/

Wednesday, March 10 Birds & Coffee chats on Zoom Woodbeckers, 10am Register 671-2510, birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu

Thursday, March 4 Reading Together Book Discussion on Zoom, 7pm Parchmentlibrary.org

Wednesday, March 10 Kalamazoo Art League Virtual on Zoom, 10am Edward Hopper’s Watercolors

Thursday, March 4 March Trivia on Facebook Richland Library, 7-8pm

Saturday, March 13 Internet Users Group on Zoom: Gmail and the Googleverse, 10am-Noon Pawpaw.lib.mi.us

Friday, March 5 Memory Café on Zoom for those with Mild dementia & caregivers, 10:30-11:30am Paw Paw Library, 657-3800 Sat., Mar. 6,13,20,27 Bank Street Outdoor Mini Market, 8am-Noon 1157 Bank St., Kalamazoo Saturday, March 6 Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival Virtual event, 10am -6:30pm Pre-register: kvcc.edu/fretboard Saturday, March 6 Author Visit: Cheyna Roth, Cold Cases on Zoom, 11am-Noon, pawpaw.lib.mi.us Tues. Mar. 9 –Sat. Mar. 13 Take-n-Make Craft: Tissue Flowers, 3/9 10am-3/13 12pm Register beginning 3/9 10am Virtual:RichlandLibrary.org Tuesday, March 9 Heartbreak Book Club on Zoom, 10:30am, Pawpaw.lib.mi.us Tuesday, March 9 Virtual Artist Talk: Alexa Karabin, 12-1pm, Kiarts.org

Saturday, March 13 Virtual Art Detectives: the Life & work of Ansel Adams, 10am, Virtual on Zoom Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Saturday, March 13 Make a Superhero Reading Buddy, kits available Beginning Mar. 8, 11am Paw Paw Library Facebook Monday, March 15 Sharpen your Kitchen Skills: Knives 101, 1pm, events.anr. Msu.edu/WinterQandA2021/ Tuesday, March 14 Music: Evren Ozel, Rising Stars Virtual Concert TheGilmore.org, 4pm Monday, March 15 Mystery Book club on Zoom, 4pm Parchmentlibrary.org Tuesday, March 16 Safe Food-Healthy Kids, Events.anr.mus.edu/SFHK Winter21/

Wed., Mar. 17, 24,31 Wednesday Wigglers, Ages 0-5, 10am Richlandlibrary.org

Wednesday, March 24 Food & Science: Dancing Raisins! Events.anr.msu.edu/Investigating FoodwithScience2021/, 4pm

Wednesday, March 17 MI Cottage Law Workshop 10am-Noon, events.anr.msu. edu/MIchiganCottageFood/

Thursday, March 25 Preserving Maple Syrup,1pm & 6pm, events.anr.msu.edu/ WinterFoodPreservation2021/

Wednesday, March 17 Virtual Book Discussion: Before The After by Jacqueline Woodson, 2pm, kiarts.org

Thursday, March 25 Sports & Games Trivia Live On Facebook, 7-8pm Richland Community Library

Wednesday, March 17 Food & Science: Sugar Shack! events.anr.msu.edu/Investigating FoodwithScience2021/, 4pm

Saturday, March 27 Spring Craft Show, 9am-3pm Kalamazoo County Expo Center

Thursday, March 18 Intro to Home Canning, 1pm & 6pm, events.anr.msu.edu/ WinterFoodPreservation2021/

Saturday, March 27 S.T.E.A.M. Saturday, 8am Ages 5-10, register ahead, Kits available for pick-up 2/26, Richlandlibrary.org

Thursday, March 18 Parchment Action Team: A Community Forum, 7pm, Parchmentlibrary.org

Saturday, March 27 Catch-a-Villain Math Game. Kitsavailable March 22, Paw Paw Library Facebook 3/27, 11am

Saturday, March 20 Design a Robotic Hand. Kits Available Mar. 15, 11am, Paw Paw Library Facebook Page

Sunday, March 28 Pianist Angela Hewitt: Virtual Special Concert Event, 4pm, TheGilmore.org

Monday, March 22 Spring Cleaning your Kitchen, 1pm, events.anr.msu.edu/ WinterQandA2021/

Monday, March 29 Social Media & Food Safety 1pm, events.anr.msu.edu/ WinterQandA2021/

Monday, March 22 Adult Pick-Up Crafts: Watering Water Can, Register 345-0136 Pick up crafts week of 3/29

Wednesday, March 31 Food & Science: Peeps meltdown! events.anr.msu.edu/ InvestigatingFoodwithScience 2021/, 4pm

Tuesday, March 23 Virtual Talk, Artist Residents: Sara Rio & Adelaine Muth 12-1pm, Kiarts.org