Good News May 2023

The Soup Kitchen also known as the Soup Kettle, was a popular lunch spot, serving up tasty meals on the downtown Kalamazoo Mall.

Known for their creative soup selections, homemade breads, salads and sandwiches, The Soup Kitchen catered to downtown workers and local businesses – offering dine-in and catering options. The Soup Kitchen was open weekdays (Mon.Fri.) from 11am – 6pm.

Service was quick as you walked through the cafeteria-style line with your tray and were handed your food as you ordered. The Soup Kitchen was conveniently located next door to Athena Book Store and French doors were open between the two businesses. I loved perusing through the books after lunch without going outside into the elements.

With 150 flavors of soup, there was no shortage of options, from the classics like Chicken Noodle, Vegetable and Split Pea & Ham, to the more savory flavors, such as: Pork Oriental, Bayou Shrimp, Cabbage Kielbasa

other delicious creations. There was a soup to please any palette. My favorites were Vegetable Beef and Chili; both were both hearty and a meal in a bowl!

What’s better with soup than home baked bread? They served small loaves of brown and white bread and a few other specialty varieties each day, including, corn bread, herb, cinnamon pecan, orange poppy seed; just a few of their 12 bread choices. The bread was served warm with butter on a cutting board with a bread knife. They offered a large salad bar with all the trimmings to build your own salad or choose from specialty salads with pasta (Crab Stuffed Pasta, vegetables (Cucumber Dill Salad and fruits (Waldorf salad). Salads were sold by weight.

Desserts were decadent and plentiful at The Soup Kitchen, from cakes to pies, cream puffs, bars and cookies; there were always many delicious sweet treats to enjoy. There were 17 varieties on their catering menu. I often topped off my meal with a

chocolate chip cookie!

The Soup Kitchen delivered when meetings or deadlines kept you in the office. In addition, they catered for groups, including many community organizations or social club luncheons. Catering was available for delivery or on site. They only required 24 hours notice for groups of 10 -20 people and 48 hours for larger groups.

The infamous Soup Nazi, Larry Thomas, who appeared on the popular Seinfeld TV show visited the Soup Kitchen when he was in town on March 3, 2002 as a cast member in the play, “The Odd Couple” at Miller Auditorium, yelling “No Soup for You!” at waiting customers.

Many former patrons posted their fond memories on the popular Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook page. Here are a few: “They had the best Crab Soup EVER, and homemade bread served on a cutting board.” “I used to work there for awhile, great job, great food!” “My friends & I ate there once a week to hang out.” “Best ever!”

The Soup Kitchen, owned by David Komatz, opened its doors on the Kalamazoo Mall in 1997. The restaurant was closed briefly in 2005, while Komatz focused his efforts on opening a second location in the Portage Centre Plaza at the corner of Oakland and Centre (7886 Oakland Dr., in Jersey Giant’s present location), named Komatz Soupery, which opened in September 2005. Komatz Soupery closed a little over a year later on January 26, 2007.

In January 2007, Komatz purchased another popular lunch spot, the Sandwich Express, and reopened in April that same year, adding sandwiches, which he believed would help to survive the summer months. The sandwich menu included eleven varieties with fun names, such as: Turkey & The Straw, Love Me Tenders, Poor Charlie and others.

On September 3, 2008, the building that housed the Soup Kitchen and Athena Book Shop was sold to V Investments LLC, registered by Michael VandeMaele, president and chief executive officer of Portage Plumbing and Louie’s Trophy House Grill.

The 150-year-old historic building, which served as the town hall in the late 1860’s, a fire station and J.C Penney at one time, underwent a major renovation in 2011 that creating street level retail space and five 2-bedroom apartments on the upper floors. Renovation of the 150-yearold building began in October 2011. Sadly, the Soup Kitchen’s downtown Kalamazoo Mall location (146-154 S. Kalamazoo Mall) closed its doors for good on July 15, 2009, marking the end of two popular lunch spots, The Soup Kitchen and Sandwich Express.

Jackie Merriam

References: KPL Local History Room: The Soup Kitchen Catering menu, Vanishedkalamazoo.com, KG 11/23/2008, 6/16/11, 1/1/13, 4/19/2013.

Lawns are for more than just good looks. Maintaining a healthy, thick lawn also benefits the environment. Here are a few of the benefits of grass both for you and for the environment around you.

Lawns clean the air and trap CO2. Like all living plants, grass takes up carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. Oxygen is essential for human life, but trapping carbon dioxide is also crucial, as too much CO2 can lead to elevated air temperatures and other environmental dangers. Grass not only removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it also traps dust to keep it out of both the air and your lungs. Less dust blowing around means easier breathing, but also cleaner cars, cleaner houses, and cleaner windows.

Lawns generate significant amounts of life-supporting oxygen. A 50-square-foot lawn — just 2,500 square feet — produces enough oxygen to meet the daily oxygen needs of four people.

Lawns purify rainwater & improve groundwater quality.

Turf grasses and the soil microbes that exist with them reduce environmental contamination by purifying water and breaking down pollutants

as they move through the root zone. Pollutants in the atmosphere can make rainfall so acidic it damages the environment. Filtering rain water through a healthy lawn can reduce its acidity to one-tenth its original, unfiltered state. This improves the quality of groundwater and reduces contamination of bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes.

Natural grassy outdoor areas can improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Lawns and exposure to natural outdoor greenery can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension, improve attention and increase feelings of happiness and serenity.

Lawns improve the soil structure. Compacted soil (soil without good structure) doesn’t allow water to sink into it, which means that groundwater resources don’t get replenished when it rains. Another benefit of grass is that it keeps the soil structure loose and open, with plenty of pores for water to soak down into.

Lawns reduce soil erosion and trap stormwater runoff.

Extensive root systems on turf grasses lock soil in place and protect it from loss by wind and water. If there’s any area of your yard that

isn’t covered with lush lawn, you’ve witnessed what happens during a hard rain: the soil, mulch, or gravel washes away, creating ruts, divots, and holes. Of course, all of those materials—and all the water—have to go somewhere. They start by clogging the storm drains, potentially leading to flooded streets and houses, then eventually end up in creeks and lakes that become cloudy and polluted. A lawn, however, will slow the runoff, allowing time for the stormwater to seep back into the groundwater system. Dense, healthy lawn grasses allow 15 times less runoff than thin, unhealthy lawns.

Lawns reduce noise pollution.

When you walk through a city, you may notice how loud it is compared to your neighborhood. That’s because lots of hard surfaces equal lots of areas for sound to bounce off. One big grass benefit is that a lawn acts like a blanket or insulation panel, absorbing sounds from people, vehicles, and animals.

Lawns keep you cooler and may save you money.

Areas with lots of buildings and concrete tend to be significantly warmer than surrounding areas that have a lot more grass and trees.

What’s more, it takes more energy to cool a building surrounded by concrete than it does one surrounded with grass. Not only will a lush lawn help keep your yard cooler, but you may use less energy and pay less for your AC bill too.

Lawns are beautiful and are a wise home improvement choice.

When it comes to curb appeal, there is no substitute for an attractive lawn. Being beautiful is great, but your well-cared for lawn can also be a wise financial choice. Did you know a good-looking lawn can increase a residential property’s value by 15%?

A healthy, well-maintained lawn is a sound environmental choice. If you are not sure what your lawn needs, Wedel’s lawn experts are always glad to help you. Just bring in a 6” x 6” sod sample for a free soil analysis and lawn improvement program.

Terrie Schwartz

Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center

Some information gathered from Pennington.com and Scotts.com

Now that May has arrived, we can

a sigh of relief that the weekend snowstorms are likely behind us. Moth-

er’s Day is typically considered a safe time to plant annual flowers and herbs outside in Michigan.

For many of us, planting annuals is the celebration of spring, commemorating the shift from chilly and rainy months into warmer brighter ones. I love choosing colorful “happy” flowers to plant in my porch pots and sprinkle among shrubbery and trees to add an unexpected splash of color and add visual interest to the landscape.

In addition to adding beauty, flowers make people happy! They have a positive impact on a person’s mood and can increase their overall feeling of wellbeing and bring joy.

Planting flowers is also good for the environment. They remove pollutants from the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and replacing it with oxygen, which we all need to breathe.

In addition, many flowers attract pollinators (bees, butterflies, moths, etc.), which assist with plant reproduction and are necessary for our survival.

So, what are you waiting for? Plant spring flowers and start enjoying the visual appealing, mood enhancing and environmentally friendly benefits of flowers!

Jackie Merriam

This publication does not specifically endorse

breathe

Spring has sprung! It is May, which also means it is National Bike Month. National Bike Month was established in 1956 and is celebrated across the United States. It builds community and raises awareness about bike safety and the benefits of cycling. You can find more info about the national celebration at: bikeleague.org/ How does Kalamazoo support biking?

In Kalamazoo, safety and connectivity often rank as residents’ top priorities in their neighborhood plans. To achieve these goals, projects have included offering bike safety classes and adding new bike lanes.

To test out some of these projects before implementing them permanently, the City of Kalamazoo has piloted these ideas to measure their likelihood of success.

Pilots like the bike lanes along Westnedge Ave, Park St, Winchell Ave, and Greenleaf Blvd were first suggested by residents during neighborhood planning. The goal of these projects is to calm traffic speeds and add to the city-wide network of bike

good news neighborhoods

facilities for users of all ages and abilities.

The importance of bicycle facilities is to support a range of transportation options for residents that are also safe and accessible.

Better infrastructure for bicyclists also helps residents move around their neighborhoods and the rest of the city to access their daily needs like getting to work and school or running errands.

How can you celebrate National Bike Month this year?

Go for a ride around your neighborhood, look up bike safety tips to share with your family, or invite your neighbors to upcoming events, like the City’s First Annual Bronson Park Cycle Show on Saturday, May 13th!

This new event will feature many local organizations, live music, and food trucks. Don’t forget to bring your bike to the party. It’s a cycle show, like a car show, but for bikes!

Kzoo Parks and Kalamazoo Public Safety will also be hosting a Bike Rodeo at Mayors’ Riverfront Park on Wednesday, May 17. This fun family biking event will teach children biking skills and make sure their bicycles and gear are ready for summer! There will be prize drawings for bikes from Open Roads and 100 free bike helmets will be given out to kids who don’t have their own by Safe Kids

A TALK ON CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

WHY EVERYONE IS NEEDED

“Our unbreakable connection to God,Infinite Love, gives us permanent worthand purpose. It lifts us from dark timesto healing and progress.”

Saturday, May 20th at 11am

(Come early! Live music begins at 10:40am)

Childcare available First Church of Christ, Scientist 1225 Portage Street, Kalamazoo www.ChristianScienceKazoo.org

269-343-7833

FREE inspirational talk by James Shepherd, CS of Eugene, OR

Kalamazoo County, led by Bronson Children’s Hospital. Learn more and register online ahead of time for a chance to win prizes at www.kzooparks.org/bikerodeo Events like the Cycle Show and Bike Rodeo help bring together neighbors of all ages and abilities to

learn more about biking in Kalamazoo. If you are interested in learning more about current transportation related goals in neighborhood plans, check out: http://www.imaginekalamazoo.com/plans/

Nolan Bergstrom, Community Planner

FOR FAMILY

Family membership at the YMCA provides so many opportunities for bonding, learning new skills, and developing healthy living habits! Taekwondo, Dance, HipHop, Basketball, Fencing, Golf, Korean Karate, and Aquatics! And with onsite childwatch, your littles can have a fun place to hang out while you focus on your healthy living goals.

For a better us.®

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

House Adventures

there was one item in our house that will forever be a legend in our family: the pink and turquoise GE refrigerator that hung from the bulkhead like one of the kitchen cabinets. It had three doors and the bottom was at about waist height, eight inches above the counter top. It had sliding doors for the produce compartments and the freezer needed defrosting every month. The compressor was above the food compartments and the amazing beast weighed enough to require a cement block wall for mounting.

Dean researched the origins of our fine piece and found out it was from the 1950’s. We used it until 1995. I am including a photo. If you want a picture of the landline, I can send that next month.

they’re in the fridge,” my mom would say, and then we’d all watch in amusement as the poor visitor would try to figure out where exactly the fridge WAS. There’s something undeniably magical about high-perched pink and turquoise refrigerator; you certainly don’t forget it.

It makes me wonder which appliances I take for granted now will be considered whimsical and unexpected when I am older. Maybe my grandchildren will find my internet router funny? Will they think the garage door opener is ludicrous? Only time will tell.

Jane: Dean and I have lived in the same house for 37 years; nearly our entire married life. It’s been home so long that we have an actual landline. When we bought the place, even though it was built in north Portage in 1946, it still had its own well and septic system. Those have long since been replaced by city services but the grass always grows best over the old drain-field. When we first moved in, the trash haulers walked to our back

door to get our aluminum can and carry it to their truck. Herby Curby’s were leading edge and hadn’t come to our street, yet. The house had copper pipes which we have replaced with PEX, one pin hole leak at a time. The interior windows had wooden cornices and the floors were all black and red linoleum tiles.

Back in 1985, none of these things was unusual and we didn’t have to ask the old-timers what they were. But

Ellen: I have many painful memories of the old refrigerator, literally. Due to the way it hung from the ceiling, there was room underneath it for cabinets, but they didn’t extend the entire length of the overhang. Subsequently, the path that I used to run into the kitchen when I was a younger, shorter child became a sudden pain in the head once I grew a few inches.

The little, dime shaped bruises were worth it though, for when friends would visit the house and want a capri sun to drink. “Help yourself,

Ellen Radke and Jane Knuth

S. Ofstein, William B. Millard & Hannah M. Recknagel

I In T n The Liv he Lives of P es of Puppets uppets

by TJ K lune ( Tor Books)

"Clearly if you need a book about a robot that ’s guaranteed to have you break out into heaving sobs, this is the novel for you. K lune’s master ful retelling of Pinocchio –a little bit science fiction, a little bit dystopian, and a little bit book-clubby–is a sure -fire winner with so much appeal on so many levels it should prompt readers of all genres to step into something new and original. For fans of The Maker of Swans and The Night Circus”

The top books published

Dir Dirtty Laundr y Laundryy: : A No A Novvel el

“Ciara is a per fect mom and influencer who k nows what to do, buy, and promote in her small I rish town. Ciara also is an irresponsible woman who plays friends against each other, eats up and spits out all the town husbands, and seals her own fate with her reprehensible behavior An Orient Express-like cast shines in this twisty domestic thriller about secrets and lies ”

—Donna Ballard, East Meadow Public Librar y, East Meadow, NY

NoveList read-alike: Regrets Only by K ieran Scott

M Mastasterering the Ar ing the Art of t F Frrench M ench Mururder der

her husband Paul, sister Dor t, and Tabitha, a half French American ex-pat, are all recent arrivals. The romance, sights, sounds, and food of the city are delightful enough; add a murder committed with one of Julia s k nives, and a wonder ful series is born. For fans of culinar y mysteries, historical mysteries and City of Light."

Chloe

Douglas Beatty, Baltimore County Public Librar y, Baltimore, MD NoveList read-alike: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Beck y Chambers

T The Haunting of he Haunting of Alejandra: A No Alejandra: A Novvel el by V. Castro

Alejandra is a stay-at-home mother Depressed because her life isn' t what she thought it d be, she consults a curandero: a folk healer and licensed therapist. She soon discovers the visions she s been having are tied to her ancestors' experiences. Castro has an innate ability to get into the head of her characters, while weaving together multiple plotlines and time periods

M Moorooreewwood F ood Family Rules amily Rules by HelenK ay Dimon

across the country love

Homecoming: A No A Novvel el by K ate Mor ton

"Set in Australia, this novel examines the mysterious circumstances of a family tragedy on Christmas Eve in 1959. I n the present day, a woman delves into her own past to uncover the secrets that impacted her life in ways she doesn' t yet understand Mor ton s books often contain well-developed characters twisty plots and family secrets, and this is no exception.

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

(Avon)

"Jillian Moorewood is out of jail after covering for the crimes of her grifting family She heads home to the family mansion to take back control of the business and force them into legitimate jobs, but none of her extended family wants to change. Quirk y characters, a hot bodyguard, attempts on her life, and a battle wor thy of Succession keeps readers engaged to the end "

T The S he Scourcourge ge Bet Betwween Stars een Stars by Ness Brown (Berk ley) ( Tor N ightfire)

“Jack lyn Jack Albright is first mate of the ship Calypso, en route back to ear th after a failed attempt to colonize another planet. Jack ’s father is the captain, but he sealed himself in private quar ters weeks ago as things are break ing down. The pacing and growing insidious dread in this novella are awesome. The crippling fear of the unk nown makes for a delicious read

Sist Sisters of the L ers of the Lost Nation: ost Nation: A No Novvel el by N ick Medina

Natural Beaut Beautyy: : A No Novvel el y Ling Ling Huang

(Dutton)

his hauntingly beautiful and chilling novel showcases the other wordly experience the main character goes through at the expense of her health and beauty, and how damaging it can be. I t was bleak , but atmospheric and luminous in a weird way. The descriptions were interesting and drew me in fur ther and fur ther. A mind-bender that readers will plow through in a day or two!”

Symphon Symphony of S y of Secrecrets: ets: A No Novvel el by Brendan Slocumb

“I n 1920s NYC Fred Delaney is about to be k icked out of his jazz combo when he meets Josephine Reed, who helps him improve. I n the present day, Bern Hendricks an exper t on composer Delaney, is asked to look over a manuscript of a lost symphony. However questions about attribution arise. This is a suspenseful book that will be fantastic for discussion.”

F Find out mor ind more at w e at wwwww.Librar .Librar yR yReadseads.or.org g

by Disha Bose (Ballantine Books) (Del Rey) (Mariner Books)

(Anchor Books)

War yan, Chicago Public Librar y, Chicago IL NoveList read-alike: Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

—Lesley Williams, Claymont Public Librar y—New Castle County Libraries, DE. NoveList read-alike: Exiles by Jane Harper

Jennifer Winberr y, Hunterdon County Librar y Flemington, NJ NoveList read-alike: Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen

—Linda Quinn, Fair field Public Librar y, Fair field, C T NoveList read-alike: The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson

—Erin McLaughlin, Librarian in Austin, T X NoveList read-alike: Chlorine by Jade Song

—K atieLee Sliger,

Vintage The Joy of Good Design

“The simple joy of taking an idea into one’s own hands and giving it proper form, that’s exciting.” ~ George Nelson

Although hailing from the east coast, designer George Nelson has a singular connection to West Michigan. His design skills made Herman Miller furniture company of Zeeland one of the most recognized names in modern furniture design. His connection to Kalamazoo in particular comes in the form of the Kirkpatrick House.

Set at the end of a quiet cul-desac, the house appears inconspicuous, and even a bit severe, from the street. Walk up the short, tree-lined drive and the house wows with its spectacular simplicity. Walls of windows, some of them spanning both stories, serve to bring the wooded lot indoors.

The Kirkpatricks were friends of George Nelson and his wife Francis. Nelson and his associate, Gordon Chadwick designed and built the house, as well as some of the furnishings, over the course of four years. They finished in 1958. The house marks a chapter at the summit of Nelson’s remarkable career.

Round Up!

Born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1908, Nelson later studied architecture at Yale. In the early 1930s, he won the Rome Prize for architecture. This provided a two-year stipend to study at the American Academy in Rome. During this time, Nelson launched his writing career by interviewing prominent European architects. These included Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and Walter Gropius.

By 1935, Nelson had become associate editor of both Fortune and Architecture Forum magazines. In addition, he would soon found his own architectural practice. WWII brought a halt to most building projects, so he closed the business and took a teaching position at Columbia University.

In 1945, Nelson published Tomorrow’s House with his Forum colleague, Henry Wright. Tomorrow’s House outlined Nelson and Wright’s thoughts on architecture and interior design. One of its most revolutionary ideas was the Storagewall. By making interior walls a few inches thicker, Nelson conceived of turning what was once unused space into storage or display. Thus he set a trend for melding architecture with furniture.

Tomorrow’s House and the Storagewall caught the attention of D.J. De Pree, president of Michiganbased furniture manufacturer Herman Miller. Needing a new director of design after the death of his previous director, Gilbert Rohde, De Pree persuaded Nelson to come work for Herman Miller in 1947. Nelson simultaneously formed his own design company. At various times his team comprised designers noteworthy in their own right such as Arthur Drexler and Irving Harper. George Nelson and Associates would go on to revitalize Herman Miller’s product line. They also re-conceptualizing the company’s logo, advertising graphics, and marketing materials. Nelson recruited other outstanding talents to design for Herman Miller. Isamu Noguchi, Charles and Ray Eames, and Alexander Girard name a few Nelson worked with Herman Miller for 25 years. By the time of his death in1986, he had been instrumental in some of the most iconic designs of the mid 20th century. These milestones include the Marshmallow Sofa, the Slat Bench, the Coconut Chair, the Sling Sofa, and the Bubble Lamp. Additionally George Nelson is known for his of-

fice and storage furniture, turntables, stereo cabinets, and a wide variety of clock designs, ceramic clock, like the Ball Clock.

When collecting, be aware that Herman Miller continues to reproduce many George Nelson designs. Prices for moderate condition vintage are similar to new. Excellent condition vintage may demand a higher price. A vintage turntable can go for $400 or more. Slat Benches run between $1000 and $2000. A Coconut Chair might fetch as much as $5000. Bubble Lamps sell for $300 and up. Clocks come in many styles. Some of the rarer designs run into the thousands of dollars

While collecting George Nelson pieces is not an inexpensive proposition, the superior design and construction quality insure each piece can provide moments of joy for a lifetime and beyond.

Bridget Klusman

Owner, Retro Estate Sales https://retroestatesales.wixsite.com/retroestatesales

A. Pendant Bubble Lamp

B. Nelson Thin Edge Shelving

C. Coconut Chair

Let your change create change for older adults in need of support in our community.

The small change from your daily purchases can add up to a meaningful impact for older adults in our community. When you connect a credit or debit card to our Round Up donation program, your change from each purchase is automatically donated to Milestone Senior Services to support older adults and adults with disabilities in living independently at home.

www.MilestoneSeniorServices.org

(click on the donate button)

269-382-0515 x114

My family recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for a four-day vacation. We enjoyed the beautiful buildings, magnificent monuments, the time spent together, the food, and the mild early-March weather that made the cherry blossoms bloom while we were there. We had visited the city before, in July 2001, less than two months before the Pentagon and Twin Towers were struck by fully-fueled commercial jets and a small group of passengers and crew on United Flight 93 kept another jet from crashing into the U.S. Capitol Building, which still stands gleaming on Capitol Hill.

One structure in our nation’s capital was once the tallest in the world (the Washington Monument, 555 feet) and another was the world’s largest office building (the U.S. Department of Agriculture South Building, which has 4,500 rooms and occupies an entire block). Today, the largest office building in the world is the Pentagon, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. in Arlington, Virginia.

A favorite place to visit in D.C. is the National Portrait Gallery (NPG). The NPG, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is the home to numerous portraits of well-known Americans. Several portraits in the NPG capture images of a man who is commonly thought to be America’s greatest

actor of the 19th Century. His name was Edwin Booth, and the story of him and his family is a reminder of how different children from the same parents can be.

Booth was born into a family of actors. His father, Junius Brutus Booth, was a famous London-born actor who moved to the United States in 1821. Edwin’s older brother, Junius Jr. (“June”), was also a famous actor, as was June’s wife, Agnes. Edwin’s younger brother, John Wilkes Booth, became the most famous member of the family, but not because of his acting, at which he was very good. John remains best known for assassinating Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Despite a common ancestry and profession, Edwin and John were as different as two brothers could be. Edwin was pro-Union, anti-slavery, and a vocal supporter of Abraham Lincoln. John was a secessionist, proConfederacy, and a long-time loather of Lincoln. John’s acting style was demonstrative and “over-the-top” by today’s standards, while Edwin was more understated.

Abraham and Mary Lincoln attended performances featuring Edwin and John at Ford’s Theatre. Some accounts say that John’s anger may have been exacerbated by Edwin’s greater reputation as an actor.

After killing President Lincoln, John escaped to a Virginia tobacco barn where he was surrounded and killed by federal troops 12 days later. In contrast, Edwin raised money to erect a statue of William Shakespeare in New York city’s Central Park and built a theater in Manhattan that stood from 1869 to 1965. After taking a break from acting to escape the family notoriety following John’s terrible act, Edwin resumed an acclaimed acting career that lasted until 1891, two years before his death at age 59.

But perhaps the most ironic event in the history of the legendary Booth family took place in early 1865, just months before the end of the Civil War.

Late one night at a train station in Jersey City, New Jersey, Edwin Booth was among a group of passengers on the platform who were purchasing sleeping car accommodations from the conductor. Booth was near the front of the line when the train began to move, and a young man ahead of Booth lost his footing and began to fall into the space between the platform and the accelerating train.

As the young man himself recounted years later in a letter to a magazine editor, “I was twisted off my feet, and had dropped somewhat, with feet downward, into the open space, and was personally helpless, when my

coat collar was vigorously seized and I was quickly pulled up and out to a secure footing on the platform. Upon turning to thank my rescuer I saw it was Edwin Booth, whose face was of course well known to me, and I expressed my gratitude to him, and in doing so, called him by name.”

The young man whose life was saved that night by Edwin Booth was Robert Todd Lincoln, the eldest son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. Robert was on his way back to Washington, D.C. from Harvard, where he was attending college. The event was later recounted in newspaper articles and letters, and Edwin Booth received a letter of gratitude from Gen. Ulysses Grant.

Robert Lincoln later served as Secretary of War, U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom, and president of the Pullman train car company. In 1865, he had been at the White House, a few blocks from Ford’s Theatre, when his father was killed.

Robert Lincoln’s last public appearance took place in 1922, when he was a special guest at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial. He died four years later at age 82.

The Lincoln and Booth families interacted with each other more than once, and will forever remain inexorably linked in the web of American history.

Tony Ettwein

Photo Credit: Library of Congress - Description: The U.S. Capitol Building on March 4, 1861.

Photo Credit: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Description: Actor Edwin Booth in costume.

Photo by Napoleon Sarony c. 1875

Hello May! Did you know that flowers have a positive impact on our mental health and well being? Yes, that’s right…they cheerfully bring happiness and joy to our lives. Utilizing flowers as a resource for our senses will help to reduce stress and boost our mood. When we are in the company of flowers, we feel grounded and manifest pleasing thoughts. Being around flowers also improves our relationships and increases our compassion for one another. Giving and receiving flowers not only triggers our feelings of bliss but we experience uplifting connections as well. With this kind of flower power, who wouldn’t want to make such a lasting impression in such a kind and heartfelt way. This tutorial will have you creating several bouquets that you can gift away and just in time for Mother’s Day.

Did you also know that scribbling sparks creativity, reduces stress and improves your mood? One of my favorite things to do is scribble flowers and I just love the way these wire versions transferred from my messy ink lines into sculptural beauties. They really are an extension of scribbling…so, get ready to be carefree and scribble in 3-D!

Materials Needed: wire . scissors . wood . drill

For each flower, you will need wire that is thin enough to wrap and shape easily. I chose to use a 24 gauge antique silver wire. Start with approximately a 5 inch tail and then begin to loosely wrap the wire around 3 of your fingers 7 times. Before you snip off the excess wire, add an ad-

ditional 6 inches. Gently remove the wire from your fingers and pinch the hoops together in the middle to form what looks like a bow tie. Tightly wrap the long wire end around the middle 3 times. Then twist both tails of access wire around each other to create the stem. Finally, separate the petals by carefully pulling and shap-

ing to spread them out. You can leave the petals flat, or mold them to give a cone effect or scrunch into a bud. Keep making as many as you would like! Next, find a wooden base for your flowers. I used a couple of small branch discs and thought they looked really cute. Drill tiny holes into the wood base, making sure you go deep enough to hold the wire stem. You can also omit the wood and use petite vases to display a few of your flowers instead. Whatever you come up with, I’m sure it will be just darling!

So whether you scribble in 2-D or 3-D, just remember to relax, have fun and enjoy the process of creating. I always say, art is for everyone and anyone can be an artist and I think I will probably always remind you of that. Ohhhh and by the way, this is my birthday month and I just adore flowers, especially the handmade kind! (wink-wink)

Cheers to living life in full bloom!

~xo Bridget Fox

Email: bridgetfoxkzoo@gmail.com

Social: https://www.instagram.com/ bridgetfoxkzoo

The Importance of Having a Furry Friend

Pets can Assist in Improving Physical and Mental Health. If you have a dog or a cat, you know the feeling you get from coming home after a long day and having your furry friend greet you at the door. Walking in the house and having your animal be so excited to see you is therapeutic. You can feel their energy as they see you have arrived, and it can be reassuring and enjoyable. It has been said that animals assist in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and decrease stress. Pet ownership can help in increasing self-esteem and confidence. Caring for your furry friends can give you a routine and structure with daily feedings and care. Pets prepare you for a more realistic schedule, such as mealtimes, the importance of adding a nap, and bedtime. They remind you when it’s time to eat, exercise and rest just with their peer existence.

Having a dog allows you to get out in the fresh air and take them on daily walks, which helps raise endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in your brain. Taking your dog for a walk allows you to get out of the house and interact with other dog owners, lessening the likelihood of isolation. Daily walking will enable you to start a conversation that might not happen if your dog isn’t with you; they seem to bring positive communication among humans. You may

hear, “awe, your dog is so adorable,” or “what breed is your dog” younger children may even say, “is it okay to touch your dog”?. Sometimes seeing an animal will provide a smile to someone’s face.

It has been suggested that dogs can feel stressed, sick, or sad when their owner is stressed, and they will try to paw at you or nudge you to provide some attention. Little ones often read to their pets or confide in them when they feel lonely, sad, or scared.

Many schools are noticing the benefits of having animals in school and have emotional support dogs to assist children in feeling safe and comforted at school. Therapy dogs are assisting in decreasing anxiety in students, patients, and hospitals. Many places allow dogs to be a part of reading programs, hospices, and funeral homes to provide emotional support during difficult times. Any animal can provide an atmosphere for humans to unwind. Having that special four-legged friend can give comfort and social support. Cat owners feel the love from their cats’ meowing or pacing under their feet, asking for extra love, and lowering stress levels in their humans.

Pets can build social skills when taking them to training classes or dog parks. They also can help children reduce energy by playing fetch outside,

tug of war, or going on a long run. It has been noted that pets can assist in decreasing symptoms of ADHD because of the additional activities that coincide with owning a pet, according to researchers.

Provide Companionship

During the pandemic, many people found themselves feeling isolated or alone. Having an animal was an excellent way to provide companionship during that difficult time, and many people were drawn to adopting a pet. Research determined that overall health had significant benefits, including increased mental health once humans brought a pet into their homes. Pets have been shown to assist in providing companionship and support to those suffering from PTSD, depression, or anxiety. Pets provide therapeutic interventions as they offer unconditional love, especially for those living alone. Our pets quickly become a part of our family dynamic. We can learn a lot from our four-legged friends, and we must be open to what they share with us by watching their behaviors.

Help to Alleviate Stress, Depression, and Anxiety

People who own pets have been determined to show fewer signs of depression, and researchers determined they have a more positive mindset, less feeling of loneliness, and more social support compared to those

that don’t have pets. People who own pets feel they are never judged by their animals, promoting higher self-esteem. Pet owners can maintain a schedule and feel more motivated to get things done. In addition to increasing motivation and reducing loneliness, they can show fewer signs of stress and a decrease in panic attacks for those suffering extreme anxiety symptoms. The presence of furry friends can enhance mental health by touching their company because it can bring comfort and decrease anxiety. If you are on the fence about purchasing or adopting a pet, some organizations will allow you to have a weekend test to see if it is the right animal for you or your family.

Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC

References: The Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research Evidence-Based Living, 2021, A Pet Could Help Boost Your Mental Health, Psychology Today

Gillis, K, 2021, How Pets Boost Our Mental Health, Decreasing Isolation, and Increasing Motivation, Psychology Today

Miller, L, 2020, The Psychological and Physical Benefits of Having a Pet, Psychology Today

Family Date Night

Who’s ready for some forced family fun? Just kidding. It’s awesome family fun. I know the term “date night” typically refers to grown-ups going out together, dinner-and-a-movie style, to get some respite from the kids. While this is much needed at times, family date nights are a big deal too. Why? Because sometimes you need to turn off the personal electronic devices and look each other in the face and say “I see you. I see that you need me to focus on you” and have some fun while doing it. You already deserve a gold star for your ability to multi-task your kids’

extracurricular and social activities. However, in this case, I am talking about sitting down as a family and scheduling an event. This can be at home or out of the house. Everyone provides input and if your children are old enough or math wizards preschoolers, have them help with the budget too. See what I did there? Adding education to the fun! They should know bowling and go-karts or a trip to the movies cost about as much as the water bill. (OK, maybe not so many details but they should gain an understanding of the value of a dollar when it comes to planning activities, in my opinion)

Step One – When? Look at the calendar and pick a date where you can squeeze in a few hours of family fun between band practice, goat yoga, PTO meetings, and last-minute shopping for Student of The Week projects.

Step Two – Where? The possibilities are endless here. And really depends on budget, weather (because we live in Michigan) and time. You can go on a day road trip, stay home, a local spot, or go to an already planned event in the community. The where should be put on the table for vote maybe? With parental veto power, of course.

Step Three – What? This is where it gets fun, and tricky. As the parent, you are the event producer and your job to set limits, explain budget, and give some homework to the family members who can assist in the research of what is possible based on

the “when and where”. I like providing my children with 3 options on the when and where then giving them carte blanche on what they can figure out and agree upon for under $25 per person. If that is too much work or we just want to “roll with it” we check out kzookids.com or Facebook events and figure out what’s happening around us that day.

The most important thing to remember about Family Date Night is the purpose. You need time together that is dedicated to quality family time without all the daily expectations of PTO president, star student, or gymnast. This is time for you to just be present with each other. Good luck and have fun planning!!

And remember, you are doing a great job. Keep it up!

Arlene Giacona, LMSW Brightside Counseling www.brightsidecc.com

Recipes

Noticing how close Cinco De Mayo is from Mother’s Day, I realized that I have never thought to bring the two of these special days under one column, so it hit me, “Why not combine the two?”  Looking for some flair that would serve to complement this unique coupling, I was thrilled to discover a line of equally-unique, small batch hot sauces crafted by a first generation Jamaican-American professional chef who uses the influence of Caribbean cuisine and a passion for spices to indulge in her love for unexpected pairings.

“Hot N Saucy officially launched in August 2020,” said founder, Samantha Davis-Allonce, “but the groundwork was laid years prior, while I was making iterations of my hot sauces and adding them to NYC restaurant

menus.”

In March of 2020, when NYC shut down, Davis-Allonce’s work came to a screeching halt, too.

“The day that New York City shut down was also the day that my husband and I found out we were having a baby. It was a double whammy!”

Noting that as her pregnancy progressed, and her belly grew, her cravings for spicy foods did, too.

Trying almost every hot sauce on the market to satisfy those cravings, Davis-Allonce discovered that none of them would do, but instead of struggling, she channeled the energy her cravings created and used them as a catalyst to create something altogether new.

“A lightbulb went off,” she said, exuberantly. “I decided to put my own hot sauces out there, and I would bring not only heat, but also bold and unique flavors, too!” Spending the next few months

perfecting her recipes and packaging designs, Davis-Allonce readied herself to give birth.

“By August of 2020 we were ready to go,” she said, smiling. “Not only was my Hot N Saucy brand born, but our son was, too!”

Calling upon her professional chef skills and experience, as well as the Rastafarian (vegetarian) foundation that her father had so lovingly planted within her heart, Davis-Allonce crafts a lovely line of velvety-smooth sauces that elevate themselves from other hot sauces by being interesting, freshly-flavorful, and unique.

“Our ingredients are what make our sauces a stand out,” she stated, proudly. “They’re bright, they’re fun, and they›re very unique!”

With a current line-up of Sweet Potato N Habanero, Beet N Fresno (which she describes as similar to spicy ketchup), Garlic N Peperoncini (which is slightly sweet), Black Gar-

lic N Peri Peri, and her newest and hottest option, Collards N Ghost, each offers a unique taste that is both delicious and unexpected.

To learn more about Davis-Allonce, and her fabulous Hot N Saucy line, check out hotnsaucy.co (not com). Here now are two special ways to help you bring Mother’s Day and Cinco De Mayo together through festive, flavorful food ideas that let you make them as fiery as you likeEnjoy!

Laura Kurella is an award-winning recipe developer and author of the new culinary memoir, Midwest Morsels. She enjoys sharing recipes from her Michigan kitchen and welcomes your comments at laurakurella@yahoo.com.

By Laura Kurella Photos by AriPhotos.com

Hot N Saucy Bloody Mary Hot-to-Trot Chicken

a splash of your favorite Hot N Saucy sauce

1/4 teaspoon celery salt

1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper

2 ounces top shelf vodka

Garnish(optional): Fresh celery heart stalks or favorite veggie

In the cup of a blender, combine tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, pickle juice, and hot sauce. Blend at high speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Transfer liquid to a glass or nonreactive container. Add celery salt and black pepper, then cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours, or overnight. When ready to serve, fill each glass with ice. Add 1 ounce of vodka to each glass, then fill the glass with the chilled bloody Mary mix. Stir well, then garnish (if desired) with a stalk of celery hearts or your favorite veggie.

Prep Time: 10 mins. Cook Time: 20 mins. Additional Time: 20 mins.Total Time: 50 mins

oil for deep frying

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 pound (Mom›s) favorite chicken parts/pieces

1/4 cup hot pepper sauce (favorite flavor)

1 tablespoon butter

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees.

Combine flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Whisk together egg and milk in a small bowl. Dip each piece of chicken in egg mixture, then roll in flour mixture. Repeat so that each piece of chicken is double-coated. Refrigerate breaded chicken for 20 minutes.

Fry chicken in hot oil in batches. Cook until golden brown and juices run clear, 7 to 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees.

Combine hot sauce and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat sauce in the microwave until melted, 20 to 30 seconds. Pour sauce over fried chicken; mix to coat.

Hot N Saucy Peperoncini and Garlic Shrimp

YIELD: Serves 2-3 as an entrée

1 pound (16-20 count) raw shrimp, tail on, peeled and deveined

1/3 cup olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup finely diced pepperoncini (about 1-2 peppers)

1 tablespoon finely minced garlic

5-6 tablespoons Hot N Saucy Garlic

N Peperoncini hot sauce, or to taste 1/4 cup cilantro, minced In a large bowl, toss the shrimp in the olive oil then set aside. Place a large, heavy skillet over high heat. Place a heatproof serving bowl on the stove next to the pan. Once the skillet is hot, add shrimp and all oil in the bowl to the hot pan. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, and

then sauté until shrimp turn pink and curl, about 2 minutes per side. Turn off heat then, using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp from the pan to the clean bowl next to it, leaving oil in the pan. Return to the oiled skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the pepperoncini and garlic, and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Turn off

heat and, using rubber spatula, move all contents in skillet to serving bowl then drizzle with Hot N Saucy Garlic N Peperoncini hot sauce, adding to taste. Use a spatula to toss and blend ingredients then sprinkle with fresh cilantro, and gently toss if desired. Best served immediately with warm tortillas, crusty bread or with a salad.

It takes a village to raise a child. –

African Proverb

I write this in late March, having just participated in March Reading month at a local elementary school. With a stack of strategically selected books by age. I entered each classroom between preschool thru 5th grade.

Sitting on the carpet amidst sweet and attentive kindergarten faces, I began reading about Tiny T. Rex’s dilemma from Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug. As I read out loud about Tiny T. Rex seeking first his father and then his mother’s advice, I felt an internal twinge that one of the mesmerized listeners might not have both parents to turn to for advice.

I found myself thinking back to my childhood. I was blessed to not

only have both parents. I also had a babysitter, or I should say a family of babysitters who influenced how I was raised. They lived in our “village”, two miles away.

Out of necessity, like for families today, our home was a two-parent working home, While my mom worked, the oldest of three neighbor girls had the primary responsibility of keeping watch of me. I say primary, for eight people oversaw my wellbeing. Our neighbor’s home was filled with two parents and six children, and I number seven when there. The oldest daughter passed the baton to her next oldest sister, who in time passed the oversight to the youngest girl. When I reached an age where I could stay home by myself, long after each of their six kids were grown and

out of the house, I still went to the “babysitters” during the day. Carolyn and her husband no longer lived in our “village”. I got to experience a bigger village perimeter going to the new house to be “watched”.

I sometimes wonder if my love of raspberries came from my mom, or from Carolyn, my last babysitter before I too grew up and left my home away from home. I think back to the porcelain dog figurines she let me borrow to decorate my childhood room; she saw my love for dogs before I fully understood my advocacy for them. I knew she would be proud of me when she learned I had published my first book. I always felt how proud Carolyn was of me. Just like my own mom.

I’m not sure how my mom came up

with my “pet” name, Chrisser Pooh Bear, but the origination not important. That I can still feel like a child wrapped tightly in love when my mom still uses that name is priceless. Like hearing Carolyn’s voice in my mind – and heart – calling me Chrissy Pooh. I was surrounded by motherhood love at home and at “home away from home”.

It seems fitting that Carolyn was our realtor helping my husband and I purchase our first home. Grown up and out of both houses in which I was raised, Carolyn was still keeping watch over me.

Just like my own mom.

Christine Hassing

https://christinehassing.com

In order to keep current on healthrelated issues, I subscribe to a number of monthly newsletters, many of which I reference in the articles that I write for this publication. One of the newsletters comes from the Mayo Clinic, a highly respected source of medical information and, for some, treatment. I also get emails on articles from them featuring various health-related topics. However, I was surprised to receive an email with an article on how the act of forgiving relates to adult health, particularly physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Let me share some of the findings with you.

First, let’s understand what forgiveness is. The article says that it’s the intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger. The act that hurt or offended you might always be with you but working on forgiveness can lessen that act’s grip on you. It

doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing the harm done to you. It also doesn’t necessarily mean making up with the person who caused the harm. It can, however, bring a kind of peace that allows you to focus on yourself and helps you go on with life. What are the health related benefits of forgiving someone? It turns out there are plenty. For example:

• Healthier relationships

• Improved mental health

• Less stress, hostility, and anxiety

• Fewer symptoms of depression

• Lower blood pressure

• Stronger immune system

• Improved heart health

• Conversely what are the effects of holding a grudge? Again, there are several:

• Bringing bitterness and anger into new relationships

• Being so wrapped up in the wrong that you’re unable to enjoy the pres-

ent

• Becoming depressed

• Losing valuable and enriching connections with others

There are practical ways of moving along the path to forgiveness and it starts with a commitment to change. This takes practice. First is the recognition that there is value in forgiveness and it comes down to a matter of choosing to forgive the person who has offended you. You make a choice to release the power and control that the offending person and situation have had in your life. Forgiveness can be difficult, especially when the offending person refuses to apologize. But reflecting on the times we may have offended someone and recognizing how being forgiven could be a start. Also know that forgiveness is a process. Even small hurts may need to be revisited and forgiven again and again.

It’s important to know forgiveness doesn’t guarantee reconciliation. The person who offended you may have died or is unwilling to communicate with you. Still, forgiveness is possible even if reconciliation isn’t. This article focuses on how the act of forgiveness benefits your physical and emotional health. Consider how it may also change the life of the person you’re forgiving. This may be yourself. The power of the words “I forgive you” may be just as life changing as the words “I love you.” Forgiveness may be the ultimate act of kindness.

Till next time,

Ken Dettloff ACE Personal and Brain Health Trainer The

at Bronson Place

Michigan’s Magical Vernal Pools

Throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes region lies a hidden world, a world of enchanting vernal pools that burst with life during the spring season. These small, temporary wetlands are a sanctuary for a wide variety of species that depend on them for survival.

I recall a field trip with a high school biology teacher to the Millington State Game Area, not far from Saginaw, to explore and study vernal pools. We were welcomed by a chorus of Spring Peepers and Chorus Frogs calling us forward to their shallow pond on the forest floor. There, we found numerous Red-backed Salamanders, my first Four-toed Saalamander, Eastern Newts, and numerous masses of egg clusters attached to submerged twigs and vegetation. Looking back, it was as exciting as a trip to a big zoo but with wildlife far smaller and in its natural habitat. I was hooked.

The vernal pools found throughout our region are unique in their beauty and ecological significance. They are home to a rich variety of plant and animal life, including frogs, salamanders, insects, and other creatures. During the spring season, these creatures converge on the vernal pools in a frenzied burst of activity – mating, and laying eggs before the pools completely dry up in summer.

Vernal pools are not connected to other waterways; they fill up with melting snow and rain water. There-

fore, isolated, they do not contain fish — fish that would otherwise prey on the delicate aquatic life that abounds in vernal pools.

One of the most fascinating species found in vernal pools is the Fairy Shrimp. These tiny, translucent crustaceans are a key indicator of water quality and are considered to be a “keystone species” in the vernal pool ecosystem. Fairy shrimp are a critical food source for many other species that depend on the pools for survival, and their presence is a sign of a healthy and thriving ecosystem.

The diversity of life that vernal pools support is astounding. These tiny ecosystems are home to dozens of species of plants, each adapted to the unique conditions of the pools. These pools are often surrounded by oak and maple forests, which provide habitat for a range of wildlife that depend on the pools for food and shelter.

One of the most iconic species of vernal pools is the Wood Frog, which lays its eggs in the pools and relies on them for survival during the critical

tadpole stage of its life cycle. These hardy frogs are able to tolerate the harsh conditions of the pools, which can be cold, shallow, and lacking in nutrients. Wood frogs, which produce their own “antifreeze” through a combination of stored urine and glucose, can actually freeze during winter and not damage vital organs; in spring, these Wood Frogs thaw and fully come back to life.

Other species, such as the Spotted and Eastern Tiger Salamander, and nine other salamander species are also found in Michigan’s vernal pools. These amphibians and crustaceans rely on the pools for breeding, and their young hatch out as larvae that feed on the abundant insect life in the water.

In addition to their importance for wildlife, vernal pools play a vital role in the larger ecosystem. They act as filters, trapping sediments and nutrients that would otherwise flow into nearby waterways and degrade water quality. They also provide important habitat for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which depend on the

flowering plants that grow around the pools.

An organization called the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership is dedicated to preserving and protecting vernal pools. Their mission is to raise awareness about the importance of these small wetlands and advocate for their protection. The partnership works with landowners, conservation groups, and government agencies to promote responsible land use practices and preserve critical habitats. Trained volunteers at this time of year search Michigan woods to locate, map, document species, and monitor vernal pools for ongoing research and protection.

Despite their ecological importance, vernal pools are often threatened by human activities. Development, agriculture, and other land use changes can destroy or fragment these small wetlands, leaving the species that depend on them with nowhere to go.

By working together to protect and preserve vernal pools, we can ensure future generations will be able to experience the wonder and beauty of these magical places, and the vital role they play in the natural world. And hopefully, introduce future generations of curious children to their first Four-toed Salamander at the edge of a vernal pool on a marvelous spring day.

James D. Coppinger

of the home

Imagine suddenly owning more than 600 paintings. I grew up around art—my father was the Latvian artist, Viestarts Aistars. My childhood memories center around my father, who made his living as a commercial artist, only to come home from the office every day and disappear into the basement, where he spent the evening hours painting—oils and watercolors, landscapes and seascapes and portraits. One of the last things my father shared with me in 2020, shortly before he passed away, was that his only regret in life was that he might have painted more. More? When I packed up his basement art studio, I was astounded at the sheer quantity of work he had left behind and that I had now inherited. Unframed paintings were stacked in high piles. Framed paintings leaned against every wall. He had had more than 60 art exhibits over his lifetime, often selling out, even selling a portrait of a woman in Latvian folk costume to the president of Latvia at that time, but here was this incredible life legacy that now cried out for new homes, new eyes, new hearts.

My own home was already filled with his paintings. I have paintings in

my living room, bedrooms, kitchen, even in the bathroom. I can’t imagine a home without art on the walls. But with this sudden inheritance, I started to consider the new homes I would have to find for these many paintings. How does one choose art for the home?

As I began to organize one art exhibit after another of my father’s paintings, I perked up an ear for how buyers chose paintings to grace their

walls. For me, the choice was easy. What speaks to me? What lifts my heart? What carries me away in a dream?

I heard the same thoughts from art buyers. Most made their choices simply by heart—it was a case of love at first sight. They saw it, they loved it, they had to have it. There are other ways, however, to make choices of art for the home. Some saw color palettes that echoed

the colors of their existing décor. It is a valid way to choose art, but not the only way. Indeed, the most striking effects can sometimes be achieved by choosing art with colors that contrast existing décor. A general recommendation would be to go large in the living room or choose several smaller pieces to create a gallery wall. Choose art that soothes in colors and in subject for the bedroom. Bathrooms often sport artwork that is fun and quirky, smaller in size. Dining rooms do well with bolder pieces and conversation starters. Workspaces do well with scenes that inspire and motivate. If hanging art in the kitchen, consider that there might be splatter and steam and mess—a glass-covered drawing or painting would do well here. My best advice, however, is to choose the piece that you love. Break all the rules, but don’t break the heart. You will, after all, live with your art for many years to come.

Zinta Aistars is the creative director of Z Word, LLC. She is the producer and host of the weekly radio show, Art Beat, on WMUK.

Art Market Features Local Nature Artists

An art market is being held Saturday May 6, 2023 at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery near Mattawan. The art market will feature invited local artists selling nature-inspired art, including pottery, glassware, fabrics, paintings, jewelry, outdoor metalwork and much more. We have been conscious of duplication with types of art and products so that every vendor will have unique items to share. We hope that the art market will inspire people to appreciate nature in a different way – through the eyes of a local artist,

“says, Bart Seelye, event host. Quality art at reasonable prices is what you can expect to find.

The free event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is sponsored by the Friends of Wolf Lake at the hatchery Visitor Center, located at 34270 CR Road 652, just 5 miles west of Kalamazoo on M-43. Organizers say the event is held to encourage local artists and the public to see the beauty in nature through the arts, and also by visiting the fish hatchery itself.

Tours of the hatchery will be available throughout the event. “This is the best time to tour the hatchery because we will have over a million Walleye eggs, Salmon eggs and maybe Muskie & Sturgeon eggs too, says Seelye. Visitors are encouraged to explore exhibits inside the Visitor Center and on the miles of groomed nature trails on site.

Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery also offers a museum, Scavenger hunts, programs to teach fishing and archery basics to kids. In addition, you will find some of the best bird watching in S.W. Michigan.

The art market occurs just one week before Mother’s Day, May 14th, with a wide variety of potential gifts that are priced to fit any budget. This is a rain or shine event!

For more information about the art fair or about programs at the hatchery,

visit Facebook, call the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery at 269-668-2696, or check out friendsofwolflake.org.

The Friends of Wolf Lake (FOWL) is a non-profit organization that offers support to the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery through financial assistance

and volunteer activities. Our goal is to inspire people to be better stewards of Michigan’s natural resources through education, conservation and volunteer opportunities.

Spongy Moths on the Loose

This month’s column is a whole year in the making! About this time last spring, I was enjoying my morning “sit” on the front porch, sipping my coffee. I suddenly noticed tiny caterpillars crawling on the chair frame, fabric cushion, and me! I brushed them to the ground, taking little notice. I’m usually a “live and let live” kind of girl who lets creatures outdoors exist unimpeded, so I didn’t think much of it. Later in the day, however, I started to itch on my arms and hands, just where the little larvae had been crawling. Had I been bitten? Maybe I needed to do some investigation.

When I moved the chair cushions, I saw the source of the little worms. A tan, sponge-like egg mass, 1-1/2 inches long, was tucked on the underside of the fabric, and it was alive with the tiny crawlers! A quick photo and upload to the MSU Cooperative Extension Service folks soon identified my visitors! My chair had become the spring home to an egg mass of spongy moth caterpillars. Hence, the appearance of the nest. I wasn’t bitten, but these miniature juveniles have tiny hair-like projections in their outer tissue layer (cuticle) that pierce the skin and cause irritation. I was itchy for a few days; thank heaven for Benadryl cream!

What the heck are spongy moths, anyway? I’d never heard of them. My conversation with the MSU entomologist explained that although I was unfamiliar with their new name, I knew their “old,” politically-incorrect moniker. Spongy moth is the new common name for Lymantria dispar, known historically as the gypsy moth. In 2021, the Entomological Society of America removed the old common names in favor of new ones that do not “perpetuate negative ethnic and racial stereotypes.”

By any name, the moths are a widespread invader of forested areas of the eastern U.S. Native to Eurasia, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, they were introduced to Europe as early as the 1600s. Still, they did

not trek across the Atlantic until the late 1860s. The story goes that the Civil War disrupted the cotton supply to fabric mills in the northeast. The silk industry was in crisis due to diseases that decimated the silk moth population. American entomologists in Boston, eager to find suitable and profitable replacements for raw textile materials, received a shipment of possible silk moth candidates which, unfortunately, included Lymantria spp. egg casings. It is unclear if their arrival was intentional or accidental since they were already well-known invasives. Nonetheless, they escaped into a very favorable environment; the rest is history!

As with so many insect species, DDT effectively controlled moth populations for many years. Famous for its effectiveness across many species, DDT exacts a tremendous cost to animals higher up the food chain. Persistent in the tissues of its insect victims, it collects in the animals that eat the insects and accumulates in species that eat the intermediaries. When DDT was banned in 1972, spongy moth populations rebounded, as did many other species previously controlled by the harsh chemical.

Left unchecked, spongy moths damage foliage by eating the leaves of trees and other kinds of vegetation. After hatching and escaping their egg masses in late April and early May, the tiny larvae crawl along the soil and climb tree trunks to small branches, where they attach by a small silk strand and hang in the breeze until they are transported to a suitable plant host. They travel, unseen, in the cracks of tree bark to leaf-bearing branches, where they feast (and grow) on leaf tissue for six to eight weeks, completing several growth cycles and becoming considerably larger and more voracious. The mature spongy moth caterpillar is 2-3 inches long, with females growing larger than their male counterparts. They are easily recognizable by two striking features – tufts of spine-like projections that stick out from their bodies and a series of col-

ored spots along their back. Directly behind the head, they have five pairs of bright blue spots, followed by six pairs of bright red spots.

After the caterpillars pupate and emerge as adult moths, they are also easy to recognize. Males are approximately 1-1/2 inches long and brown with wavy dark brown streaks, whereas females are a bit larger and white with just a few dark markings. Although they have wings, females cannot fly.

If available, spongy moth caterpillars are partial to oaks but will happily munch on aspen, apple, linden, and birch. They sometimes even defoliate conifers. Once they infest a tree, they are prolific. Stories abound of families driven from picnic outings when they were showered from above by caterpillar frass (insect poop!) that fell onto their heads and into their food!

Last spring was a bountiful year for spongy moths. Populations thrive in dry spring conditions but seem less prolific during wetter seasons. This may be due to a fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga, native to Japan, which was introduced to the U.S. in the early 1900s and specifically to Michigan in 1991 to control the spread of the moth outbreaks. Wetter, warmer springs would favor the growth of fungal colonies; dryer springs would be advantageous to spongy moth larval infestation.

The spiny cuticles of the caterpillars put off many birds and mammals, but

some species persevere and control the pest’s spread. Downy woodpeckers, grackles, and blue jays will devour the larvae, as well as white-footed mice and gray squirrels.

Despite natural predation, we need to be vigilant in our efforts to control their spread. I’ve referenced sources that give instructions for the banding of vulnerable trees with duct tape or commercially available products. Also included are directions for disposal of the egg cases, and the use of pollinator-friendly biological control pesticides like Bacillus thuringiensis.

Be on the lookout, friends! Spring is a necessary time to inhibit pest infestations. I will watch diligently from the porch, coffee and crossword in hand.

Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center

Ref:  Spongy Moth Life Cycle. https:// www.canr.msu.edu/resources/spongymoth-life-cycle

A Brief History of the Spongy Moth. https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/ Forestry/Forest-Protection/TheSpongy-Moth-A-Brief-History

Spongy Moth in Grand Rapids. thathttps://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/ Government/Departments/Parksand-Recreation/Forestry/SpongyMoth-in-Grand-Rapids

Museum to Host March 6 virtual

FREE may Events

Through June 4

Exhibit: Moments in Time: The Kalamazoo County Photo Documentary Project Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Through June 18

Exhibit: Mental Health: Mind Matters

Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Mondays, May 1,8,15,22,29

Parchment Update Interviews Parchmentlibrary.org

Mondays, May 1,8,15,22,29

Family Story Time (18mos.-4yr.) 10-10:30am, Vicksburg Library

Mondays, May 1,8,15,22,29

Cruise-in’s at Dean’s Ice Cream, Plainwell, 5pm

Monday, May 1

Team Trivia at Old Burdick’s Wings West, Kalamazoo, 7-9pm

Tuesdays, May 2,9,16,23,30

Drop-In Gaming, (ages 8-18) Richland Library, 3-5pm

Tuesdays, May 2,9,16,23,30

Big Furry Friends: Visit with a Therapy Dog, all ages, 4:306:30pm, Parchment Library

Wednesdays, May 3,17

Mugs & Hugs StoryTime (18mos.- 4yr.), 10-30-11:15

Vicksburg Library

Wednesday, May 3

Soup Supper Martin/Shelbyville United Methodist Church, Martin, 4:30-6:30pm, 685-4166

Wednesdays, May 3,10,17,24,31

Cruise-In, 5-8pm, Gilmore Car Museum

Wednesday, May 3

Final Goofery Comedy Night 8-10pm, Final Gravity Kal.

Thursday, May 4

Book Club for Adults, 9:3010:30am, read any book & share w/group, Vicksburg Library

Thursdays, May 4,11,18,25

Plainwell Farmers’ Market 3-6:30pm @ Sweetwater Donuts

Thursdays, May 4,11,18,25

Trivia Night, 7pm, Gull Lake Distilling Company, Galesburg

Fridays, May 5,12,19,26

Bouncing Babies StoryTime (Babies-2yr.), 10-10:30am Vicksburg Library

Friday, May 5

Memory Café for people with mild Dementia & their care partners, Paw Paw Library, 10:30am-Noon

Friday, May 5

Art Hop, Downtown Kalamazoo & Vine Neighborhood, 5-8pm

Fridays, May 5,12,19,26

Trivia Fridays, 7-8:30pm Valhalla Horse Nectar Meadery

Saturdays, May 6,13,20,27

Kalamazoo Farmers Market 7am-2pm, 1204 Bank St.

Saturday, May 6

Garage Sale & Bake Sale, 9am-3pm, Scotts United Methodist Church, 8458 Wallene St.,Scotts

Saturday, May 6 CND Spring Blue Bell Hike Park & Meet at Dolan Sanctuary 10350 Baker Rd., Freeport 10am, Out & Back Hike (4-9 miles), Post Hike: Glass Creek Wintery, 450 N. Whitmore Rd., Hastings

Saturday, May 6

Nature Art Market, 10am4pm, Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, near Mattawan

Sundays, May 7, 14, 21, 28

Portage Farmers Market Portage City Hall, 9am-1pm

Sunday, May 7

Portage Youth Advisory Committee’s Green-a-Thon Portage City Hall, 9am-1pm

Sunday, May 7 Michigan Made Spring Artisan Market, 11am-4pm, @ the Bellflower, 4700 D Ave., Kal.

Sunday, May 7 Valhalla Music Open Mic Night, 7-11pm, Valhalla NorseNectr Meadery

Monday, May 8

Book Group: Adult Assembly

Required by Abbi Waxman 6pm, Parchment Library

Tuesday, May 9

Team Game Night: Family Feud, 6pm, Richland Library

Wednesday, May 10 Bird & Coffee Chat: Bird Conservation & Health 10am on Zoom, Register Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

Wednesday, May 10 MI Authors: The Ice Hours, Marion Starling Boyer 6-7pm, Richland Library

Thursdays, May 11,25

Bulldog/Eagle Break Time (Grades 6-12), 2:45-4:15 Vicksburg Library

Thursdays, May 11,25

Teen Space/Game Time (Grades 6-12), 4:15-5:45pm Vicksburg Library

Thursday, May 11

Classics Film Club: The Farewell, 7pm, Richland Library

Thursday, May 11

Comedy Open Mic Night,9-11pm, Valalla Norse, Nectar Meadery

Friday, May 12

Live Music: Barrelhouse Blues, 7-10pm, Green Door Distilling, Kalamazoo

Saturday, May 13 Kalamazoo Indoor Flea Market 8am-3pm, Kal. County Expo Ctr.

Saturday, May 13

Media for You, By You –Your Story, 10am-Noon, Create a short TV program with you & one other person, Epic Center Complex, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Ste. 203

Saturday, May 13

STEAM Saturday, 10am-Noon Richland Community Library

Saturday, May 13

Mallmart + Zoo Flea Vintage & Handmade Marketplace, Water St., (between N. Rose & Eleanor St.), 12-7pm

Saturday, May 13

Art Detectives: Through Georgia’s Eyes, 10:30-Noon, ages 4-8 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Saturday, May 13

Plus Size Clothing Swap at Jerico, 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo, 12-2pm

Monday, May 15

STEAM Event, 11am-Noon Vicksburg Library

Tuesday, May 16

Crafts for Adults: 1-3pm, Vicksburg Library

Tuesday, May 16

Mystery Book Club – The Maris Soule Series: As the Crow Flies 6:30pm, Parchment Library

Wednesday, May 17

Book Discussion: 2-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, May 18 Anime & Gaming Social Group (18+), Socialize, discuss games, eat snacks 5-5:45, Vicksburg Library

Thursday, May 18 Books with Friends 7-8pm, Richland Library

Thursday, May 18

Guardians of Michigan

Walk & Talk, 4-5pm walking tour with Lynn Houghton, 5-7:45pm, Author, Jeff Morrison, talk & book signing Kalamazoo Public Library

Friday, May 19

Craft & Chat for Adults Bring your craft, 12:301:30pm, Vicksburg Library

Saturday, May 20

The Timid Poet Undergound Open Mic Night, Doors Open 6:30pm, begins 7pm, Phoenix Community Church, 2208 Winchell Ave., Kalamazoo

Monday, May 22

Movie Club for Adults, 1pm3:30pm, Vicksburg Library

Thursday, May 25 Team Trivia, 6pm Richland Library

Friday, May 26

Live Music: Kyle Brown Green Door Distilling, 7-10pm

Friday, May 26

Live Music, food trucks Celery Flats, Portage , 4:30-8:30pm

Monday, May 29

Plainwell Memorial Day Parade, 11am-Noon

Photo Taken at Markin Glen Park. Photo courtesy of Kalamazoo County Parks.