May 2022
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GOOD NEWS
May 2022
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May 2022
Remember When
Oakwood Park, known as “Kalamazoo’s Coney Island,” provided top-notch entertainment and fun and games for the whole family for over 30 years. The park opened June 28, 1893 in Oakwood, one of Kalamazoo’s earliest suburbs. The park was located on the southern shore of Woods Lake, at the end of today’s Crest Drive. The entrance was on Parkview near the Oakland Dr. intersection. The park was easily accessed by streetcar (the end of the Oakland Dr. line) at the turn of the century for just a nickel. Upon arrival, guests entered through a large white wooden arched entryway. A stairway of oak steps led to a large roller rink, concession stands, a shooting gallery, a penny arcade, a large dance hall, a casino, a theater, an outdoor bandstand, picnic grounds, baseball games, a marina for boats, a merry-go-round and the park’s highlight, a wooden “Dizzy Figure 8” roller coaster, which was added in 1907. An interesting tidbit: the coaster operator, George G. Lawrence and his family made their home inside a little house constructed inside the coaster for 6 years. The theater showed minstrel shows, flickering films, vaudeville, burlesque and light opera, along with musical attractions (especially when ragtime was the rage). The dance hall held dances on Tuesday and Friday nights and flour-
GOOD NEWS
oakwood park
ished from 1920-1924, during the popularity of jazz. The outdoor pavilion was a popular attraction on Sundays, for afternoon and evening band concerts. Oakwood Park was open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Opening weekend was always a huge celebration and the city streetcar line added more cars to handle the passenger rush. The 1912 weekend set a record under the management of Edward Esterman. The park hosted more that 25,000 visitors, which featured a balloon ascension ad a parachute drop as well as music by Kalamazoo’s famous Worlds Fair Orchestra, led by Charles Fischer. Esterman continually booked new attractions to keep customers coming back for more! The 4th of July fireworks display were also a big draw. However, the highlight of the summer was at the end of July for “Pilbeam’s Great Historical Show,” a reincarnation of the battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac on the waters of the lake with lots of noise, smoke and battle, which often returned for the closing of the park on Labor Day weekend. The park’s popularity slowed in the 1920’s and closed in 1925. The streetcar line closed a few years later. The roller coaster was dismantled and the timber from the coaster was used to build several homes in the Oakwood neighborhood, including
the operator, George Lawrence’s new home. Rumor has it that the tracks were rerouted and the coaster’s cars were driven into the lake, where they sank out of sight and may still be there today. The main ornate pavilion, used for dances, theater, roller skating and casino stayed in business for roller skating for a few additional years and the casino stayed in business until 1937. Sadly, the building was destroyed by fire in the 1950’s. The park property was sold and subdivided into a residential neighborhood know as Parkdale in September 1927. The beach was taken over by Oakwood Inc. and operated it as a private beach for Oakwood residents as Oakwood Memorial Park. Revived recreational facilities, including the beach house opened in 1946 and closed in 1966. A city beach on the lake opened in 1949, which was not part of Memorial Beach. Oakwood Parks closing is attributed to a variety of factors, including the early days of the Great Depression, WWI that expanded people’s horizons, and the popularity of the automobile, which allowed families to travel farther than a streetcar ride for their amusement. Addition-
ally, a balloon exhibition disaster in 1924 that resulted in the death of a feature performer sealed the demise. The park permanently closed on May 3, 1925. The Oakwood Park had a few names over the years: Woods Lake Park (1893-1896, Casino Park (1904-1906) Oakwood Park (19071922), Pioneer Park (1923-1924). Jackie Merriam Sources: Kalamazoo Gazette: 6/15/68, 7/1/78 (Dave Hager), KG 10/1/78 (Dave Hager), KG 3/23/86, KG 6/19/99 ( James Sanford, KG 7/31/99, KG 3/21/04 (Dave Hager), Kpl.gov/collections/local history/ oakwood amusement park (7/3/06), KG 7/14/08 (Dave Hager), KG 11/14/09 (Dave Hager), defunctparks.com (1/17/2000) and the Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook site.
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
Seed Starting Guide Should you plant seeds indoors or would those veggies and flowers do better if they were planted directly in the garden? Well, it depends! Some seeds really need to get a head start on our Michigan spring. Others do better if sown directly into the warm soil around the end of May. Following are a few of the most common vegetables and flowers that would benefit by planting indoors. The average frost-free date for our part of Michigan is May 15.
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Flowers to plant indoors about 4 weeks before last average frost date (now!) • Calendula * Milkweed • Coleus * Painted Daisy • Cosmos * Poppy • Hollyhock * Salvia • Impatiens Snapdragon • Marigold * Zinnia
Vegetables to plant indoors about 4 weeks before last average frost date (now!) • Basil * Cucumber • Broccoli * Melon • Cabbage * Pumpkin • Cauliflower * Spinach • Lettuce * Squash
Many more vegetable and flower varieties do best if started indoors; stop in Wedel’s Garden Center to get a more extensive list. Here are a few pointers for successful indoor seed starting: • Be sure to use a quality seed starting soil (we recommend
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Dairy Doo Seed Starter). Other potting soil mixes and garden soil are too dense and you won’t get a good germination rate. Moisture should be consistent Keep your soil moist, as germinating seeds are very sensitive to drying out, but avoid making the soil soggy by emptying any standing water from catch trays. While germinating, and when seedlings are small, water gently to avoid shifting seeds around; a mister works well for this. Be sure to keep your grow lights on for at least 14 hours a day. This is important, as artificial light is not as strong as sunlight, and sufficient light is important for growing strong, sturdy seedlings. Air circulation is also important. If you have sown a lot of seeds in
“A Flower Blooms for It’s Own Joy!”
Elizabeth Bohannon Shop my website creativememories.com /user/elizabethbohannon
part of Michigan’s slogan continues to linger. Many families have left the state in search of a winter respite, while the rest of us wait in anticipation for the onset of spring. Don’t get me wrong, I do love all four seasons that Michigan has to offer. However, once the calendar announces that it’s spring, I’m more than ready for warm weather and sunshine! You can’t beat Michigan in the summer, where the “water” part of the slogan comes into play. Michigan has over 11,000 lakes. No matter where you stand in Michigan you are never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake and you’re no further than 6 miles from a lake or stream! The aforementioned stats were gleamed from a wonderful children’s activity book
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Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center Some information was gathered from Botanicalinterests.com
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Michigan: Water-Winter Wonderland! As I write this column at the end of March during spring break, the “winter”
a small amount of space, thin out the seedlings when recommended (see packet), as closely-packed seedlings provide the perfect environment for fungal growth. There are DOZENS of varieties of veggies and flowers that will do better if you sow them directly outdoors. Check your seed packets to see what your favorite varieties prefer. What could be more rewarding than growing your own flower and veggies? Come visit with Wedel’s garden experts any time to get more tips on your successful gardens for 2022.
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that I recently stumbled upon at Michigan News Agency in downtown Kalamazoo. The title of the book is simply, “Michigan Activity Book,” written by Michigander, Paula Ellis, with wonderful illustrations by Anna Kaiser. The 64-page book is chocked full of Michigan tidbits and fun activities. The book sells for just $6.95 and is a great source to teach children about our wonderful state. It’s also a perfect companion for kids while traveling throughout Michigan. Michigan’s winter winter wonderland is coming to an end and it’s almost time for water wonderland to kick into gear. Be sure to enjoy the beauty of spring and summer – ahhh, Pure Michigan! Jackie Merriam
Cover photo taken by Cassie Shimp at Flowerfield Farmstead
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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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series will understand them. After that, we sit in front of a candle flame to warm the wax that is applied through a tiny funnel onto the surface of the egg. This is followed by dipping the eggs in brightly colored dyes and then applying more wax. The adventure ends when all the wax is removed by a candle flame, and voila—a tiny symbol of hope, new life and resurrection. This terrible war in Ukraine has been a sorrow for the entire world and devastating for the people who have been killed, maimed, or uprooted. Everyone who prays has been praying and everyone who donates has been donating in a unifying flash of hope and light on a divided planet. This year, for the first time since 2010, I unpacked my pysanky supplies and lit a candle. As the wax slowly melted in the funnel and the tiny fish, baskets, ram’s horns, and hearts took form, I pondered how it
Pysanky Jane: Pysanky is a Ukrainian word that means “Easter Eggs.” It’s pronounced just like it’s spelled with no silent letters: pa-sahn-kee. When my daughters were young, we always made them in the spring, before Easter of course. But, in the last dozen years, those eggs have been put aside for other things. The interesting thing about Pysanky is that although many people treat it as a craft, I was taught that it is actually a way of prayer and meditation. To begin, we make the sign of the cross and whisper “God help me” referring to the sacred symbols that we apply to the eggs and in hope that the receiver of the pysanka
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decades, despite us not being even a little bit Ukrainian: pysanky. As my mom says, creating a pysanky egg is a prayer of sorts. Perhaps not one that has words, perhaps not one that can be sung, but certainly one that celebrates. One that creates. One which allows a beautiful art form and culture reach further in a time where some would try to wipe it away. As Misha says, it is important. Ellen Radke and Jane Knuth
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is the best prayer I could think of to help the people who are suffering so much. Ellen: My friend Misha has been spending every week at the Berlin central station, using his talent with languages to help Ukrainian refugees seeking safety and help. He has helped those of us living further away to find organizations to donate to and amazon lists, which provide much needed items to evacuees. One morning, however, he had a new request. “Go pick up a Ukrainian book and read it,” he wrote. “Google a Ukrainian poem… it’s not the same as donating money, supplies, or translating, for war refugees. But it is important.” That afternoon I did as he asked, reading several translated works. The next day I searched for Ukrainian painters, the day following I found some music to listen to. “As a son of a writer I guarantee you this is important,” Misha implored us. “On some metaphysical level it helps.” I too am the child of a writer; I know the impact that words, music, and images have on those who encounter them. As I continued my search to learn and love this culture, I suddenly realized that there was a very real example that had been in my life and my family’s traditions for
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
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/
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
Vintage Salt ‘n’ Decor
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You have likely seen them in antique malls and resale shops and may have puzzled over their original purpose. Tiny bowls, dishes, and containers in jewel tones and whimsical shapes: these are the open salts of yesteryear. They have other names as well: salt dips, salt cellars, salt dishes, and salt boxes. They harken back to a time when salt was spooned or pinched, rather than shaken. The term salt-cellar combines the English word “salt” with the Anglo-Norman word saler, or “salt container”. Proper etiquette required diners to take salt with the tip of a clean knife or a tiny spoon. If the cellar was unshared, one’s fingers could pinch the desired amount. Sometimes two cellars, one for salt and one for pepper, were used. From ancient times until relatively recently, salt was a prized possession and an indicator of wealth. The Romans made a prominent display of
their salt stores in a salinum, a vessel often elaborate in design and costly in materials. This practice continued into the Middle Ages, where a salt cellar divided the diners at table. The lowlier the guest, the farther “below the salt” he sat. Bad luck might follow if one spilledsalt, a superstition likely related to salt’s high value. In Leonardo da Vinci’s 15th Century “The Last Supper”, the artist painted an overturned salt-cellar in front of Judas Iscariot. In time, petit individual receptacles were provided for each dinner guest, or perhaps for two to share. Victorians invented the salt shaker, but this item did not achieve popularity until after the invention of free-flowing salt. Morton Salt’s company slogan “When it rains, it pours” along with the logo of a girl walking with an opened umbrella and scattering salt behind her originated in 1914. Consumers learned that Morton Salt
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flowed unhindered, even in damp weather. In 1911, the company had begun adding magnesium carbonate as a moisture absorbing agent. Today, calcium silicate coats each grain and the salt cellar has lost its place to the salt shaker. Before being relegated to a quaint curiosity, the salt cellar was manufactured in cut or pressed glass of every variety and color; in porcelain, ceramic, and pottery; in wood and plastic; in pewter, silver, and even in gold. Salts are a boon to a collector with limited space or limited budget. Salt cellars made of precious metals or by famous designers such as Louis Comfort Tiffany can go for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Yet a perusal of Ebay, or a neighborhood estate sale can yield treasures in the one to one-hundred dollar range. Though now obsolete, the open salt’s popularity proves itself at the annual National Open Salt Conven-
tion. Salts even have their own website: opensalts.info. And with chunky gourmet salts like Celtic Sea and Himalayan Pink gracing the menus of discerning diners everywhere, salt cellars may once more find a home on modern tables. Bridget Klusman Owner, Retro Estate Sales https://retroestatesales.wixsite.com/retroestatesales A. Early 20th Century intaglio glass. These may have originally been intended as individual ashtrays. B. 900 silver and glass. Salt is corrosive to silver, so most silver salts will have glass liners. C. Trio of pewter Viking ships. The Viking ship motif can be found executed in silver, glass, and porcelain as well.
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
Relationships
Changing Your Mindset Can Shift Your Relationship with Food
We only have one life to live so we really should take care of our bodies. Making sure your relationship with food is just as healthy as the other relationships in your life is the key. Being healthy isn’t just a positive, but it’s an everyday choice on what you eat and how much you move. As with anything, it is essential when you think about your relationship with food, asking yourself why am I eating right now? Is it because I am hungry, bored, sad, or under a lot of pressure? Suppose you are not hungry and other emotions are pop-
ping up for you. In that case, it is vital to recognize those emotions, identify your triggers, and overcome the temptations by finding other things to keep you occupied. However, if you are hungry, then eat. Changing your mindset on what you do is critical, and think of food as fuel. However, we all have slip-ups, and it’s okay. If you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle and have had a slip, then allow yourself permission to make a mistake, but it doesn’t mean that you have to throw your intent to have a healthier life out the window.
You don’t have to clean your plate. It’s okay to listen to your body. If you are full, then stop eating. A healthy lifestyle allows you to think of your body as a foundation. Allow yourself to look at your body as a whole instead of physical traits. If you can look at all of the good qualities that you see in yourself within your body and physical characteristics, it will increase your self-esteem. Thinking of how your body will enable you to get through a long day, fight off a virus, and get you from here to there will allow you to look at your body
differently. Once you can change your mindset and stop comparing yourself to other people or media, you will appreciate your body for what it is and change your relationship with food. Get out there and move, make the changes you need to be healthy, and start each day with gratitude. It may be easier some days than others to start positively, but remember, each day is a new day to start living life with a healthy relationship to food. Julie Sorenson, Doctoral Candidate, MA, LPC
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
Parenting Helping My Child Cope How kids are coping with day-to-day stressors determines the response they need from their parent to help them regulate their emotions and behaviors. They are always com-
municating how they are managing or how overwhelmed they are feeling. By following and listening to their behavior, any parent can track and respond to their needs in a helpful way that promotes emotional wellbeing. The perfect time to teach or practice skills is when children are still thinking clearly and able to cooperate. Otherwise, you will need to focus on meeting needs and offering sup-
port if you want to be most helpful and feel successful. What are some behaviors you can think of that might indicate your child is in the green, yellow, and red zones? Your child may be in the RED ZONE if they are acting totally irrational. Their emotions and/or behaviors may not match the situation or feel bigger than the situation calls for. During these times, do not attempt to teach lessons, offer choices, or rely on child to ask for help or calm down independently. Assume child can’t think clearly enough to communicate and needs help to recover. Focus on offering helping them calm, being decisive for them, and meeting immediate and safety needs. In the YELLOW ZONE, your child will likely be upset and beginning to struggle with reasoning and decision making. Do not attempt to power-over child or fix their feelings. Assume the child does not have the skills necessary to ask for help and process emotions. Focus on setting limits and offering emotional support. The GREEN ZONE looks like a child who is
emotionally and behaviorally regulated and thinking rationally. Your child will behave cooperatively and demonstrate flexible thinking, playfulness, and empathy. In these times it is safe to assume they are feeling connected and receptive to learning. These are the perfect times to focus on boosting connection, teaching necessary skills, and practicing play to gain mastery. By noticing and tracking your child’s behavior, you can listen to the ways they communicate what kind of
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support they need from one moment to the next. This tracking will allow your child to feel cared for and will encourage their emotional development eventually allowing them to regulate their emotions and behaviors in a healthy way on their own. Christina Thomason, LMSW Acacia: A Place for Personal & Family Development
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
It’s Farmers Market Time!
Michigan, and Kalamazoo County in particular, is a unique place to live. When I talk to friends from out-ofstate, more than once I’ve heard, “You guys are so lucky to live there. We don’t have nearly the variety of _____ where we live.” You can fill in the blank with food, entertainment, winter sports, or natural beauty. When it comes to food, some people live in places that could be called food deserts, where fresh nutritious food is either hard to come by or too expensive. One out-of-state friend has a table at her farmers market. Some of her customers live in food deserts and need to drive 60 to 75 miles to buy fresh farmers market fruit and veggies.
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Living in Kalamazoo County we are lucky to have several local farmers markets and farm stands to choose from. This summer I am really looking forward to seeing the new and improved Kalamazoo Farmers Market on Bank Street. I recently spoke with Katelyn Beckken-Simpson, PFC Market Manager. Some of the improvements to the Market this year are more vendor spaces, renovated restrooms and parking lots, and a new access from the Market to the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. Soon we plan to go for a beautiful walk on the trail, then head back into the Market to shop. My favorite version of the Farmers Market is the Night Market. I love to shop when the moon and stars are
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out and there are more food trucks, artisan crafts, and live entertainment. The Night Market has fresh fruit and farm goods like the day Market. I’ll be buying everything I need to make a great Italian pizza: Handmade pizza crust, fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, cheese, green peppers, basil, spinach, mushrooms, and...oops! I forgot the anchovies. I haven’t seen a single anchovy vendor at the Market yet! I’ll have to buy those at the store. My husband, sad to say, leaves these wonderfully pungent salty fish off his side of the pizza, but I can’t make my Italian dad’s “real” pizza recipe without them IMHO. I’m eager to see the Kids Market vendors this year, where kids get to
sell their handmade crafts and farm goods that they’ve raised. Children fill out a vendor form just like the adults and are charged a small fee in order to sell. One example of this is a child who raised pet quail and brought quail eggs to the market to sell. The Market participates in several programs that provide food assistance to people who need it such as SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC Project FRESH, and Senior Market FRESH. Don’t forget how lucky we are to have local farmers markets and farm stands so remember to shop local to keep them strong and I’ll see you at the Night Market! Check the Market website for info on what to expect when shopping the Market and for which vendors plan to be there the day you go: pfcmarkets.com Saturday hours for 2022 are: 7:00 am-2:00 pm, May 7-November 19 Tuesday and Thursday hours: 8:00 am-1:00 pm, June 7 - mid October Night Markets: June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15 Ann Murray is an award-winning commercial illustrator. Among her many illustration projects she has illustrated eight children’s books for several authors. Her stories, one of which was a collaboration with her husband, have been published in three anthologies and have won writing awards.
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Close your eyes and think about one of your favorite restaurants; what do you see? Perhaps a busy street, a neighborhood of tightly packed businesses and shops. What do you hear…traffic, lots of people-noise, a city hum? If your favorite restaurant is River Lake Inn on the outskirts of Colon, Michigan, you saw gardens and water lily-filled ponds, open fields and a horde of amazing hummingbirds; and you probably heard Purple Martins,
green fog “banjo” calls, flowing water, and the buzz of a dragonfly passing by. Before I begin telling you about River Lake Inn, I must fully disclose that the restaurant has been a client of mine for more than a decade. So, in fairness, I will provide neither a restaurant review nor a recommendation—just simply tell you about River Lake Inn. The restaurant is located three miles north of Colon at the edge of
Delicious Spring Recipes Start at
a lake formed in a bend of the St. Joseph River—thus, River Lake. The owners and general managers are Marv and Anita Bliss. It sites on 00 acres of tranquil countryside. While the restaurant takes up only a tiny portion of the property, the rest is devoted to open fields and walks and nature tails, ponds, a waterfall, and spacious gardens of flowers and flowering trees and shrubs. The full name of the restaurant is River Lake Inn Trails & Gardens. Marv, Anita and their sons built the gardens over the years and maintain them each year. Guests are welcome to stroll the trails and gardens before or after dining to take in the flora and fauna which abound—not to mention just enjoying the relaxing serenity. No doubt, the biggest attraction for River Lake Inn is the hummingbirds. Each spring, beginning in late-April or early-May, dozens up dozens of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return to the property to nest and gather nectar from all the bloom-
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Easy One Pot Chicken Curry
Serve with a side of rice and top with fresh cilantro before serving. Serves 4
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Instructions 1. In a bowl combine the ingredients for the chicken marinade. Let marinade for 30 minutes up to 6 hours. 2. Rinse basmati rice until water runs clear. In a medium pot, add rice with 1.5 cups water. Bring to boil, and then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. Cook for 20 minutes and then remove from heat, but do not open lid. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set Chicken Marinade: aside until ready to serve. 2 Chicken Breasts, cut into 2” cubes 3. In a skillet over medium, heat 2 2 Cloves Garlic, minced Tbsp. Curry Infused Olive Oil. Add ½ cup Plain Yogurt the onion and sauté until trans2 tsp. Mango Masala Rub lucent, about 3 minutes. Add in 2 Tbsp. Curry Infused Olive Oil chicken, cooking until the outside is 1 tsp. Ginger Balsamic Vinegar brown, about 4-5 minutes. Curry: 4. Add in tomato paste, Cumin Spice 2 Tbsp. Curry Infused Olive Oil Sea Salt, and Mango Masala Rub. ½ Yellow Onion, diced Let cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen 1 Tbsp. Tomato Paste the flavors. ½ tsp. Thai Ginger Sea Salt 5. Pour in the can of tomatoes, heavy 2 tsp. Mango Masala Rub cream, and Ginger Balsamic Vin14.5 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes egar. Turn up heat to bring to a low 1/3 cup Heavy Cream simmer. Let cook for 10 minutes 1 Tbsp. Ginger Balsamic Vinegar until the chicken is cooked through 1 cup Basmati Rice and the sauce has thickened. ½ cup Cilantro, chopped
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ing plants. At first, Marv put out a hummingbird feeder near a dining room window; but, with all the hummingbirds who call this home, one wasn’t enough. Now Marv puts out about twenty feeders and each is surrounded all day long by hummingbirds waiting their turn to drink of the sweet liquid. On a few occasions, licensed hummingbird banders set up to capture and band the hummingbirds that return each to River Lake Inn from their winter havens in central America—a Just beyond the feeders at the windows, on an open and spacious lawn, there are several Purple Martin nest boxes on twenty-foot pools. There one can observe the colony of Martins that return each year to raise their offspring and gracefully fly and swoop over the property feeding on airborne insects and add their voice to the countryside.
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“Hummingbirds and”
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May 2022
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Available at Michigan News Agency, Kalamazoo On-line at Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com For a signed copy to give to that special someone, contact that author at Christinehassing.com
May 2022
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Exhibit Pays Homage to Historic Kalamazoo Boxing Academy
Explore the personal stories of the boxers and trainers of the historic Kalamazoo Boxing Academy through a new exhibit now at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum in downtown Kalamazoo. Big names in boxing came through the academy’s doors. The “Forgotten Fighters of the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy” exhibition started in Feb. 12 and runs through Sept. 18. It uses artifacts and videotaped footage to share its impact on the community. Broken into 12 “rounds” in tribute to the structure of a boxing match, the exhibit will trace the history of the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy while focusing on fighters who recount their personal experiences there. Details about the gym and the communal living space at the house
will be uncovered, along with stories about the fighting techniques and philosophies of the trainers that made the gym in Kalamazoo unique and successful. Although the KBA went on to cater to renowned professionals such as Muhammad Ali, Leon Spinks and Floyd Mayweather Sr., its true impact on the community was its continued commitment to young, local sparrers. In 1978, two of the highest-ranked amateur boxers in the nation were KBA fighters Shawn Thomas and Eddie B. Stokes. To this day, Stokes attributes his boxing success to the devoted trainers and community atmosphere provided by the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy. He describes founders Henry Grooms and Eddie Bridges
as “father figures.” Oliver Lewis, a middleweight who won three Golden Gloves Tournaments when he was in high school, credits the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy with helping him stay out of trouble as a teen and providing him with a deep sense of purpose. During its two-decade run, the KBA produced dozens of state champions, plus Golden Gloves and Toughman Contest winners along the way. Dacia Bridges, the granddaughter of Eddie Bridges, conducted dozens of recorded interviews with many of those involved at the KBA. She was in the process of completing a documentary on the subject when she passed away in 2019. Friends at Kalamazoo’s Lawrence Productions studio have completed her project,
which includes a series of video clips that make up the foundation of the exhibit. The documentary will be shown on Sept. 10, 2022 at the museum. More details are forthcoming. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is located at 230 N. Rose St. in downtown Kalamazoo. It is now open for limited hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - noon and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Preregistration at kalamazoomuseum.org is recommended. Walk-in slots are available, but entry is not guaranteed if capacity is reached. Face coverings required. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.
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May 2022
Flowers have the power to make us happy. They abundantly fill our lives with cheerfulness as they gently trigger our feel-good thoughts. When we are in the company of flowers, we are beneficially influenced by their visual appearance; creating an uplifted state of mind. Looking for ways to find tranquility in your daily life? In 1854 Richard Whately quoted: “Happiness is no laughing matter.” If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, you are not alone. Did you know that almost a quarter of the adult population in Michigan suffers from depression? While there are many things you can do to manage your mental wellness, flowers have surprising health benefits that can help to activate your happy hormones. Research has proven that being in the presence of flowers has been known to have a positive effect on our well-being and daily outlook, especially true while at work. Maintaining a competitive edge in today’s fast paced business culture is dependent on a happy and productive workforce. Flowers help to stimulate and increase our focus, motivation, creativity, innovation, productivity and energy. By having flowers nearby, employees have been known to show reduced levels of
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be ART ful
fatigue, stress, depression and anxiety. Flowers also expand our emotional connections with one another, providing more enjoyable and meaningful relationships. Flower gifting boosts the recipients overall mood and provides a sense of comfort and appreciation. Evidence shows that the effect of receiving flowers has a long lasting and joyous impact for the recipient. With this kind of flower power, who wouldn’t want to make such a significant gesture in a small
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but health-happy way? These flowers were drawn by happenstance while doing a spring sketching activity. While thinking of Mother’s Day, upcoming graduations and birthday presents, this idea came to mind. For minimum effort with maximum impact, these paper flowers are just blooming with an abundance of positivity that will brighten your day. Supplies needed: watercolor paper . black permanent marker . scissors .
paintbrush . watercolors Loosely doodle flowers and greens with a black permanent marker. This may take a few tries to get the style and size just how you envision it. Before you use the watercolor sheets, you may want to practice first on sketch paper. I know I did! After you draw your shapes, fill in with watercolors. When the paint is dry, cut around your flowers and greens. I was a little generous with adding a white border around my drawings as I was cutting out the shapes. So eye-catching! Gather all the individual pieces into a bouquet and tie together with twine or ribbon. These pretty flower arrangements would be a wonderful addition to use as a present topper, or picturesque as a place setting for a wedding or bridal shower. Frame them and see how lovely they would look displayed in your home or office. The health benefits of flowers overwhelmingly improve our daily lives and I hope these help you live yours every day in full bloom! xo ~Bridget Email: bridgetfoxkzoo@gmail.com Social: https://www.instagram.com/ bridgetfoxkzoo
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Piece by Piece
May 2022
Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what. – Author Unknown And smile is exactly what I did recently when I entered the doorway of a warm, unconditionally inviting, joy-filled room greeted with such a welcoming hello I was certain I was entering a kitchen of a dear family or friend’s home! That kind of atmosphere in which the kitchen is abuzz with happy chatter and laughter as cooks bake and slice and stir and cook! There wasn’t actual cooking taking place, for I was walking into the Natural Health Center at 4610 West Main Street in Kalamazoo. Yet, there was a busy re-stocking process taking place, and I was being treated as a guest of honor walking through the doors. That is not the first time that I was treated with such special care. Natural as part of their name is not only for the products provided in this store. Natural are the organic ingredients always found upon entering. Such as kindness. Compassion. Appreciation. Non-judgment. Empathy.
Gratitude. Support. Encouragement. Belonging. Hope. Nearly fifty-one years ago a puzzle piece was set in place, framed by a border with two words as the structure within which puzzle pieces would be added. FEEL BETTER. For each customer. For every employee. For every family. For each supplier. For community. FEEL BETTER. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. In health. In perspective. In spirit. FEEL BETTER. For resilience. For calming. For healing. For flourishing with life. FEEL BETTER. For connection. For acceptance. For being seen. For being heard. For mattering. Because each and every person who enters the doors of Natural Health
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Center matters. Customer. Employee. Supplier. I had the privilege of engaging in dialogue with Kate, who is building upon the puzzle piece her father set in place fifty-one years ago. She graciously shared with me her current mantra Live in the moment. Her heart spoke these words. There is much to be fearful and anxious about. We can only take it one day at a
time. We are all struggling souls. To create space for calmness, to be more mindful. To focus on gratitude for what is. Like the relationships built with our customers and our staff. A neighborhood. We are family. It has been the hardest two years. And it has been the best two years. Natural Health Center has experienced such immense kindness. We have tried to adapt, be available and provide. We have continued to witness and affirm that in the giving it is us at NHC who receive so much more. Appreciation notes, cookies, flowers. The opportunity to uplift people. The opportunity to give more hope. A picture puzzle that began with a first piece set in place from an expansive heart. That all of us would have the opportunity to FEEL BETTER. Christine Hassing Author, Coach, Life-Story Teacher
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May 2022
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HEALTH Right up there with questions like “What’s the meaning of life?”, “Why is there something rather than nothing?” and “Will the Tigers make the playoffs this year?”, is “Why is it so difficult to change a bad habit?” By bad habit I mean a behavior that’s detrimental to your health. So, if you’re still sticking to your New Year’s resolution of losing 10 pounds for swimsuit weather, congratulations. For the rest of us, you know what I mean. It turns out that behavior change is not easy. In fact, it’s downright difficult. While will power plays a role, it’s far from the only factor and may not even be the most important one. It’s also a function of our environment both physical and social. But let’s start with you. Factors that affect your willingness to change involve food preferences, genetics, current physical health, and psychology. If, for some reason you just don’t
like broccoli, a diet plan that includes broccoli or something that tastes like it will fail. The same goes for the genetic cards you’ve been dealt. You can’t be a banana when your genetic code says you’re an apple. In fact, trying to be a banana will add significant stress to your life, which happens to be another factor in derailing behavior change goals. But you can be a very healthy apple! Just as important to your behavior changing goals is the quality of your relationships, meaning your family and friends. There were several times I would meet with a woman who expressed an interest in getting healthier. After we worked out a “plan”, I would see her weeks later very discouraged. It turned out she received no support at home. Her husband and children still demanded food that sabotaged her goals. Even her friends ridiculed her food choices during social gather-
Another One of Life’s Imponderables
ings. There are times the built environment makes it difficult to find healthy food. A lack of transportation to supermarkets forces families to rely on convenience stores for meals. The typical convenience store carries a variety of snack foods which are visible and cheap. Finding a decent apple (if the store carries fresh produce at all) is often a challenge. And let’s not forget our friends in the food and beverage industries who aim to make consumables that taste good and are cheap, often disregarding nutritional value. Take, for example, serving sizes. If you compare serving sizes from even 15 years ago to what they are now, it’s eye-opening. It’s no wonder the country is facing an obesity epidemic. We’ve become “super-sized! So for those of us who have failed (again) in our New Year’s resolution
to lose 10 pounds, know that there are plenty of obstacles working against us and it’s not only a matter of not having the necessary willpower. My best piece of advice when trying it again is to make the resolution realistic (maybe five pounds instead of 10) and to get a “buddy” to take the journey with you. The buddy system has proven to be remarkably effective, especially in starting an exercise program. And who’s to say that resolutions only have to be made on January 1? How about a Fourth of July Resolution? Good luck on your journey. Remember to MAKE it a good day and to be kind. Till next time, Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal and Brain HealthTrainer The Fountains at Bronson Place.
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May 2022
Recipes This time of year always has me adding an, “Ah” to the word “asparagus” because in addition to its being a sure sign that another winter has finally passed, it’s also an indication that the happy days of delicious Michigan-grown crops are most definitely ahead! “Happy Spring, or ‘sprinter’ as I call it,” said Beth Hubbard of Corey Lake Orchards, of Three Rivers Michigan, in a recent phone interview. “Asparagus season has indeed started here in southwest Michigan, and with the cool weather, it’s coming on slowly, but it is here!” Fresh, locally-grown asparagus is a short season across Michigan, so if you are a lover of this “king of spring” it’s best to buy plenty of it and stash it away to help you get you
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Michigan Asparagus season is Here! through the rest of the year! While any storage method used on fresh asparagus will not completely preserve its amazing fresh flavor, and tender texture, there are ways to preserve it enough so that its integrity is not lost. To do so, simply give your spears a mini blanch, and then a plunge into an ice bath before blotting dry and freezing. I thank my mother for imparting asparagus wisdom, which she did at a very young age. She was perhaps the greatest lover of Michigan asparagus I have ever known. In fact, she loved it so much that she would ask her sister, my Aunt Jean, to bring her at least twenty pounds of it every single spring! I never understood my mother’s obsession with Michigan asparagus until I became an adult, and began traversing the country, which gave me a taste of other asparagus out there. It was then that I came to real-
lemony Asparagus pasta
ize, through experience, that there is a distinct difference between Michigan/Midwest asparagus and the rest of the world. Sitting back in my chair one evening, as I was swirling the taste of asparagus around in my mouth, I began to wonder where its flavor difference sprang from. Then it dawned on me that perhaps it was like that story my dad used to tell me about eggs. That he felt you could taste the water that chickens and ducks drank in both their eggs and their meat, so perhaps the crisper, cleaner taste in our asparagus comes from having the benefit of growing in fresher, cleaner water from being so near our gorgeous Great Lakes! While this is just a notion on my part, I do think that it does make great sense, but regardless, thank GOD for giving us all such great access to this truly delicious, king of spring!
To get the most up-to-date intel on fresh asparagus near you, be sure to call your local farmstand, or give Beth a ring over at Corey Lake Orchards at: (269) 244-5690. Here now are some delicious and delightful ways to indulge in the best that Michigan brings us in spring, through recipes provided by Michigan Asparagus Council. For more inspiration, look for the recipe tab at michiganasparagus.org. - ENJOY! Laura Kurella is an award-winning recipe developer, journalist, and selfsyndicated newspaper food columnist who enjoys life in Michigan. She welcomes comments at laurakurella@ yahoo.com.
8 oz fettuccine 1/2 lb. asparagus, chopped 3 tbsp butter, divided 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup reserved pasta water 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese Juice of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon Salt and pepper to taste 1. Cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package. Make sure to salt your pasta water. Make sure to reserve 1 cup of pasta water 2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute
or so. Then add the asparagus into the pan and sauté until tender, stirring occasionally. 3. Once the asparagus is tender, remove it from the pan. 4. Add the rest of the butter into the pan. Then add the heavy cream into the pan and simmer until it thickens. Once the cream thickens, remove the pasta directly from the pot (do not rinse) and place it in the pan. Add the desired amount of pasta water for your preferred consistency. 5. Add the parmesan, lemon juice, and lemon zest and toss. Then stir in the asparagus. Season with salt and pepper to taste. As the pasta sits, it will absorb the sauce.
By Laura Kurella Photographer: Laura Kurella
Storing Frozen Asparagus 1 pound asparagus 2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt In a skillet combine water and salt then place over high heat. Meanwhile, snap the tough end off the asparagus, reserving them for pet treats or wild animals in your yard – they all love it! Once the water is boiling, plunge a handful of asparagus into water. Set a timer for 1 minute. Meanwhile, fill a bowl with a tray of ice cubes and then run your tap to get the coldest water to add to the
bowl just until the ice floats. Once the timer sounds, using a slotted spoon, scoop asparagus directly from the hot pan into the ice bath. Repeat until all asparagus is blanched. Let asparagus rest in an ice bath until completely cool. Drain on clean paper towels, remove as much surface water as you can by blotting, then place on a cookie sheet in a single layer and freeze. Once frozen stiff, place in airtight freezer containers, which will enable you to remove, by piece, much as you need in the future. Beth Hubbard
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May 2022
Recipes
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Michigan Asparagus season is Here!
Asparagus Fries with Garlic Aioli 1 lb. asparagus, trimmed 3 eggs, whisked 3/4 cup all-purpose flour Pinch of salt and pepper 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 cups panko Garlic Aioli 1/2 cup mayo 1 garlic clove, minced Juice of half a lemon Salt and pepper to taste 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
1/2 lb. asparagus 1/2 tbsp olive oil Zest of half a lemon Salt and pepper 1 sheet of puff pastry 5 oz cream cheese, softened (block) 6 oz white cheddar cheese, shredded 10 slices cooked bacon, crumbled 1 egg plus 1 tbsp water, whisked 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 2. In a bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper 3. Unroll the puff pastry onto a floured surface. Then transfer to a
baking sheet, floured side down. Score a line around the perimeter of the puff pastry to create a border. Be careful not to cut too deep. Then Polk holes all over the puff pastry, within the border. 4. Gently spread the cream cheese onto the puff pastry. Then top with the shredded cheddar, bacon, and asparagus. 5. Brush the edges of the puff pastry with the egg wash. 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges of the tart are golden brown and firm.
2. Place the eggs in a container, the flour, salt and pepper in another container, and the grated parmesan and panko in another container 3. Dip the asparagus into the eggs, followed by the flour, followed by the egg, followed by the panko mixture. Then place on the prepared baking sheet. 4. Repeat this process until all the asparagus spears are coated. 5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until crispy.
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Asparagus, bacon, and cheese tart
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning blend 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon salt 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, see notes 12 asparagus spears, woody ends trimmed 2 tbsp avocado oil, or cooking oil of your choice 1 lemon, sliced Fresh basil for serving 1. Preheat the oven to 400F. Lay the chicken onto a flat surface and slice in the middle to create a pocket. 2. Season the chicken on both sides with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
3. Stuff the chicken with the mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, and asparagus spears 4. Heat the olive oil in a large oven safe pan over medium/high heat. 5. Place the chicken in the pan sear on the first side for 3-4 minutes. Then flip and sear on the second side for 3-4 minutes. 6. Place the lemon slices on top of the chicken and bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. 7. Remove the chicken from the oven and baste it with the juices in the bottom of the pan. Then top with fresh basil and serve Note: We used Italian herb flavored sundried tomatoes. Do not use the ones in oil.
Filled with Peanut Butter ganache, caramel, or Marshmallow
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Asparagus and Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken
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May 2022
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By the Way... "Way more Than Fun" It’s heartwarming to see children play and watch them absorbed in spontaneous fun. As a kid, I couldn’t wait to get home from school and go out to play with friends. I grew up in a family with five children which was probably average for most households. Another characteristic of households in my neighborhood was the fact that with one working parent and a busy stay-at-home mom, 99% of our family income was spent on the basics—food, shoes and clothing, a house payment, and utilities. There wasn’t money left to pay for structured enrichment activities like piano or other lessons, youth sports programs, or classes. Our recreation was anything we could do for free. Not having those formal enrichment opportunities might smack of a deprived childhood. Yet, I believe the opposite is true; spontaneous play contributed greatly to who I am today—as well as my friends. What prompted this article is a recent conversation I had with a very close friend of mine, Marv—we’ve been friends for almost sixty years and grew up in the same neighborhood. As we reminisce about our childhood and social development we recognize
the neighborhood play we engaged in was far more than passive recreation. It laid the foundation for our ability to socially engage with all sorts of people throughout our lives. As we look back on it now, it’s clear our play was training for how to navigate daily life. As children we collectively decided that day’s activities. There were no parents, coaches, leaders, or other adults to make decisions for us, set rules and boundaries, settle disputes, call balls and strikes, and sooth hurt feelings. We were left to resolve
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those issues ourselves. Likewise, our friends were not prescreened. Anyone living within walking distance were our friends and included—no matter their personality, social or athletic ability, or temperament. Our playmates represented a scale model of society–the perfect laboratory for studying human behavior. Think about it…sharing, cooperating, communicating, flexibility, fairness and forgiveness, standing up for what one believes, respect, and indepen-
dence, doing “the right thing.” We practiced those skills every day. Marv and I appreciate the fact we are equally comfortable mingling with well-educated professionals in fancy settings as well as comfortably conversing with those non-elites some may consider unpolished. The ease and flexibility to engage within a wide range of social stratification is enriching and gratifying. We credit this attribute to the socialization skills we honed in our youth. The other things we didn’t have in our youth were electronics—no smartphones, laptops, or crammed schedules. As for TV, it was watching Walt Disney on Sunday night with our family or Saturday morning cartoons. So, as we worry about our children’s and grandchildren’s development, perhaps the best advice is to “deprive” them from all the structured classes, activities, and electronics and let them simply go out to play and socialize. They’ll be fine–and perhaps a whole lot better for it. As Albert Einstein said, “Play is the highest form of research.” James D. Coppinger
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
Welcome, Feathered Friends Welcome, Feathered Friends It’s hard not to love May. Although I’m writing this in April, a few warm, sunny days have reminded me that there are more ahead, and May is just the month to enjoy them in abundance. The grass is green and growing like crazy. Emerging pollen presents an excellent buffet for pollinators, and, for anyone who has been a teacher or student; it is hard to be inside all day. Our souls are screaming to be outside! Every day brings more birds to the neighborhood. I thought it might be fun to learn about two of spring’s earliest feathered friends since their nesting season will be well underway by the time you are reading this. The American Robin, Michigan’s state bird, is abundant across the Midwest and our yard’s most recognizable feathered visitor. The first migratory bird to return in the spring is the robin, right? Well, not so fast. According to ornithologists (bird scientists), a significant and increasing number of them are overwintering right here in the mitten. Rather than temperature, food availability seems to be the determiner of their wintering location. Although worms and insects make up a significant part of their diet, some robins will skip the winter trip and stay right here if they have access to fruits and leftover berries on plants. A recent bird inventory in the Detroit area showed that non-migrating robins have increased dramatically over the last decade, perhaps due to milder winters. Whether they returned or never left, their melodic, high-pitched songs are welcome music from early morning until late evening. Both male and female robins are similar in size and characterized by reddish-orange breast coloration. The male’s plumage is redder, and his head is typically a darker black. The female has duller breast feathers, and her head is lighter in color. Males are the primary singers, calling to attract mates and sound an alarm if a predator is in the vicinity of their nest, especially if the pair are rearing young. Parents work together to form a bowllike nest from twigs, where the female lays four to six of the familiar bright blue eggs. They hatch in roughly two
weeks, and the new fledglings will be ready to go out on their own after only two additional weeks. A mated pair may hatch up to two or three families over a summer, usually building a second nest after raising their first family. Although we think of a nest as a home, most birds, robins included, do not typically spend time in their nests unless they are incubating eggs, so it’s common to find “abandoned” nests that are just unoccupied until the next mating season. Robins sometimes return to an old nest the following year, so if you see one in a tree, consider leaving it for a possible return visit. A less photogenic but critical migratory visitor is the turkey vulture. Where I came from, in Cleveland, we called them buzzards. These are big birds with wingspans up to six feet across. Aside from their size, they are recognizable for their reddish-colored bald heads and legs, devoid of feath-
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ers. They will not win any beauty contests, and they don’t sing, but they are critical to clearing the environment of dead animals. Our roadsides would be even more littered with roadkill were it not for the efforts of this raptor. The nude head and legs protect the bird from becoming infested with transferred bacteria and insect larva typically found on its prey’s rotting flesh. As you can imagine, their head and neck musculature are powerful, and their beaks are razor-sharp. Even if you wanted to approach, beware! They are not friendly to live humans and are likely to vomit rotting animal debris in your direction. After a winter siesta in the southern states and Mexico, turkey vultures typically arrive in Michigan in late February and early March, just the time for young squirrels and other juvenile mammals to venture unsuccessfully out into traffic, providing a ready meal for these street cleaners of sorts. Soon after arriving, large groups of the birds congregate, living
in a communal area but dining alone. A mated pair will remain faithful for their typical fifteen-year lifespan, laying a clutch of one to three eggs in a crevice of rocks, fallen trees, or another secluded ground spot, not even building a nest. Unlike the robin, the pair will raise only one group of offspring in a single year since their eggs take over a month to hatch, and the young are dependent on their parents for food – regurgitated carrion (yum!) for up to three months. By autumn, the fledglings can fend for themselves. Although they may remain with the group, fittingly called a wake, they typically join in the migration and return next spring with mates to begin raising their own families. When you see a turkey vulture, give it some space, but acknowledge its service as a faithful “essential worker.” For many, spring is a season of new beginnings and renewal. For me, it is also a time to wonder at the diversity and astounding complexity that makes up Earth’s living systems. To quote Charles Darwin, “the love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” Spread the love! Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center
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May 2022
GOOD NEWS
FREE may Events virtual
Museum to Host March 6
Due to Corona virus be sure to call or look online for possible event changes or cancellations. Through December Wonder Media: Ask the Questions, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Through, Sun. Sept. 18 Exhibit: The Forgotten Fighters of the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy Kalamazoo Valley Museum Through Sun., May 1 Exhibit: Toys: The Inside Story Kalamazoo Valley Museum Sun., May 1 – Tues., May 10 Public Art: Oscillators By Intermedio, WMU Dalton Center Multimedia Room, 10am-10pm Sunday, May 1 14th Annual Green-A-Thon Earth Day Festival – Family Fun, 11am-3pm, Portage City Hall Mondays, May 2,9,16,23 Parchment Update Interviews Parchmentlibrary.org Monday, May 2 Teen take home kit: Star Wars Keychains, Paw Paw Library Monday, May 2 Family Storytime, 10:30am Comstock Community Library Monday, May 2 Festival Fellows Lecture: Lara Downes, In-person & Livestream 4pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mondays, May 2,9,16,23,30 Cruise-In at Dean’s Ice Cream, Plainwell, 5pm Mondays, May 2, 9,16, 23 Drop-In Video Gaming, 5:30pm Comstock Community Library Mondays, May 2,9,16,23 Adult Walkers & Runners 7-8pm, Ransom Library
Wednesdays, May 4,11,18 Preschool Storytime, 10:30-11:30am Ransom District Library Wednesday, May 4 Film: Living the Classical Life: A Webisode Series by Zsolt Bognar 12:30pm, KVCC Museum, Stryker Theatre, register: 373-7990 Wednesdays, May 4,11,18,25 Cruise-In, 5-8pm, Gilmore Car Museum Wednesday, May 4 The Art Heist: Escape Game, 6-7pm, Richland Library, Register: 629-9085 Wednesday, May 4 Adult: Courageous Conduct SelfDefense 101, Ransom Library Friday, May 4 Kids Craft: Mother’s Day Decoupage Planter, 11am & 4pm, Comstock Library Thursday, May 5 Master Class: Lise De La Salle, 10am WMU Dalton Center Recital Hall Thursdays, May 5,19,26 Mother Goose on the Loose, 10-10:45am, Paw Paw Library Thursdays, May 5,12,19,25 Preschool StoryTime, ages 0-4 1pm, Richland Library Thursday, May 5 Crochet for Charity, 1-3pm Comstock Community Library Thursday, May 5 Los Hermanos (The Gilmore), 12:301:35pm, KVCC Museum, Mary Jane Stryker Theater, register: 373-7990
Tuesdays, May 3,10,17,24 Family Storytime, 10:30am Comstock Community Library
Thursday, May 5 Festival Fellows Lecture: Oni Buchanan, 4pm, register: Joliffe Theatre, Epic Center In person & virtual, 342-5059
Tuesday, May 3 Adult Chair Yoga, 10:30-11:30am Ransom District Library
Thursdays, May 5,12,29,26 After school fun: science, art & Games, 4-5pm, Ransom Library
Tuesday, May 3 Film: Twelve Pianos (The Gilmore) 12:30pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Stryker Theatre, Register: 373-7990
Thursdays, May 5,12,29,26 Open Mic on the Vine, 5:30-6:45pm Satellite Records, Kalamazoo
Tuesdays, May 3,10,17,24,31 Drop In Gaming, ages 11-17 3pm, Richland Library Tuesdays, May 3,10,17,24,31 Teen Tuesdays, 3-4pm Ransom District Library Tuesday, May 3 Plant This, Not That, 7-8pm Ransom District Library Wednesday, May 4 Master Class: Lori Sims (piano), 10am, WMU Dalton Center Recital Hall Wednesdays, May 4,11,18,25 Wednesday Wigglers, ages 3-5, Stories, songs & dancing, 10am Richland Community Library Wednesdays, May 4,11,18,25 Family Storytime, 10:30am Comstock Community Library
Thursday, May 5 Meet Michigan Author: Ellen Airgood Tin Camp Road (Mystery) 7-8pm, FB Live Stream, Richland Library Thursday, May 5 Adult/Teen Holocaust Survivor, 7-8pm, Ransom Library Friday, May 6 Master Class: Sergio Tiempo, 10am WMU Dalton Center Recital Hall Friday, May 6 Memory Café- in person, for those with mild dementia & care partners, 10:30am-Noon Paw Paw District Library Friday, May 6 Daniil Trifonov: The Magics of Music (The Gilmore), 12:30- 1:34pm, KVCC Museum, Mary Jane Stryker Theater
Friday, May 6 Festival Fellows Lecture: Amanda Cook 4pm, in person & virtual, Joliffe Theatre, Epic Center, Kalamazoo, 342-5059 Friday, May 6 Art Hop, Downtown Kalamazoo & Vine Neighborhood, 5-8pm Saturdays, May 7,14,21,28 Kalamazoo Farmers Market 7am-2pm, 1204 Bank St. Saturday, May 7 Garage Sale & Bake Sale, 9-2 Scott’s United Methodist Church Saturday, May 7 Wolf Lake Art Market, 10am-4pm Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Saturday, May 7 Master Class: Jonathan Biss 10am, Lecture 4pm, 2002’ Gilmore Young Artist, WMU Dalton Center Recital Hall Saturdays, May 7, 21 Pokemon Club, ages 6-11, 10am Richland Community Library Saturday, May 7 Film: The Magic Piano, family friendly, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Stryker Theatre, 11am & 3pm, Register: 373-7990 Sunday, May 8 Baby Grands: 3 Divas, family-friendly Concerts for babies/kids, 11am Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center Mon., May 9 – Sat., May 21 Buck a Bag Book Sale, 9:30am Comstock Community Library Mondays, May 9, 16, 23 Toddler Storytime, 10-10:45am Paw Paw District Library Monday, May 9 Master Class: Zofo, 10am WMU Dalton Recital Hall Monday, May 9 Festival Fellows Lecture: Aaron Dworkin, Jolliffe Theatre, Epic Center, In person & virtual, 4pm Monday, May 9 Parchment Book Group: The Impossible Mile, 6pm Parchment Library Tuesday, May 10 Master Class: Lori Sims, 10am Dalton Recital Hall Tuesdays, May 10, 24 Color Me Happy (adults), 10:30am-Noon, Paw Paw Library Tuesday, May 10 ArtBreak: Kirk Newman Art School Residents – Part 3, 12-1pm, In-person & virtual, register: 585-9297 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Tuesday, May 10 Interview: Sandbox Percussion & Conor Hanick, 2pm, WMU Dalton Recital Hall Tuesday, May 10 Michigan Notable Author Visit: John Wemlinger, 6pm Parchment Library
Tuesday, May 10 Music by Lake Effect Brass Band 6:30pm, Paw Paw Library Wednesday, May 11 Birds & Coffee Chat on Zoom: Warblers, 10-11am,Register: birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu Wednesday May 11, 25 Sew What? Adult Stitching Group 1-3pm, Ransom Library Thursday, May 12 Adult Craft: The Art of Flower Pounding, 7-8pm, Ransom Library Fri., May 13 – Sat. May 14 Friends of the Library Book Sale 9am-4pm, Paw Paw Library Saturday, May 14 Outdoor White Elephant Sale 9am-2pm, (Rain Date 5/21) People’s Church, 10th St., Kal 50% benefits local Afghan refugees Saturday, May 14 Internet Users Group, 10amNoon, Paw Paw Library Saturday, May 14 Mallmart + Zoo Flea Vintage & Handmade Marketplace, 12-7pm Anna Whitten Hall Plaza, Kal. Monday, May 16 Kids Break-in bags: think “Escape Room,” Paw Paw library Monday, May 16 Mystery Book Club: The Widows Of Malabar Hill, 4pm Parchment Library Tuesday, May 17 Mike Sinclair: The Science in Science Fiction, 6pm Parchment Library Wednesday, May 18 Adult: Preventing Walking/Running Injuries, 7-8pm, Ransom Library Thursday, May 19 The Heartbreak Book Club 6:30=7:30pm, Paw Paw Library Thursday, May 19 Books With Friends Book Club: The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro On Zoom, 7-8pm, Richland Library Saturday, May 21 Swap Meet: Clothing, Books & Art-work, 10am-Noon, Start Here Coffee Saturday, May 21 S.T.E.A.M. Saturdays, ages 6-11 10am, Richland Library Tuesday, May 24 Manga Mania, 3-4pm Paw Paw District Library Thursday, May 26 Adult Craft: Duct Tape Flowers Comstock Community Library Friday, May 27 Friday At The Flats, 4:30-8:30pm Celery Flats Pavilion, Portage Tuesday, May 31 Adult Book Club: Project Hail Mary, 6pm, Comstock Library