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November 2020
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RememberWhen Bell’s Bakery, with their friendly, homey atmosphere, was Galesburg’s local gathering spot for 58 years. It was the perfect place to enjoy delicious homemade baked goods, great coffee and conversation. Bell’s served up a great daily selection of freshly baked breads and sweets. Many fondly remember the deep fried donuts, jelly filled Bismarck’s, frosted long johns, freshly baked cakes & pies, sugar cookies and other varieties, and their signature product, salt rising bread, which was shipped as far away as Florida, Washington State and Georgia. Owner Glenn Bell learned the baking trade in Athens, Michigan from his dad prior to moving with his wife, Phyllis, to the Ludington area. After the birth of their two children, Francis (Fran) and Margaret, the couple heard that a bakery in Galesburg needed a baker, so they loaded up their young family in 1934 and settled in Galesburg. A few years later, they purchased the business and opened the doors as Bell’s Bakery in 1936 and entrenched themselves into the community. During WWII, the Bell’s purchased another bakery in Bronson, Michigan - the town where his wife grew up and they often visited. Fran fondly remembers many mornings after his Dad finished baking in Galesburg that his job was to keep him awake on the drive to their Bronson location. “My Dad worked lots of hours and was very dedicated,” said Fran. Glenn sold the Bronson business in 1942 to a couple that worked with him in that bakery. The space at 16 E. Michigan Ave., in Galesburg housed at least two other bakeries previously. In 1915, a popular baker owned the space and in 1926 Robert Miles opened Wakefield Bakery. The original building was a 2-story wooden structure prior to the present day single-story brick building. Glenn Bell sadly passed away at home in December 1988. The business ceased to operate until the following June 1989, when his wife Phyllis, son Francis and grandson Jeff reopened the bakery – three generations of the Bell family! Jeff became the primary baker and carefully recreated his grandfather’s original recipes. He extended the life of Bells Bakery for 6 years before deciding to follow his dreams of be-
BELL’S BAKERY
coming a nurse. Phyllis at age 84 was ready to hang up her apron and retire from baking. Francis had numerous business interests and served on several local government boards. When they locked the doors on November 11, 1994, they left everything just as it was. No new business was taking over the building, so rather than have another empty storefront in Galesburg, Fran and his wife Eleanor started decorating the front window – changing the window display depending on the season or holiday. Last month, the window was decorated with a timely vintage schoolroom display to celebrate the start of the new school year and for October it’s adorned with a festive Halloween display. Since Bell’s Bakery closed, the building has housed about a half dozen other bakeries including The Cookie Man (2007) and Young’s Bakery & Deli (2013-2015). Discussion is currently taking place for the front of the building for the development of another business opportunity in Galesburg. The Galesburg Meat Company uses the kitchen for catering jobs. On a side note: In 1950 the Bell’s opened Ole’ Nick’s Root Beer across the street from the bakery. The original business was located in a large metal barrel structure that was built by Fran along with the help of Nick Vargo, owner of Ole’ Nick’s Root Beer. They served up the best, iced cold root beer in frosted mugs for just 2, 5 & 10 cents, floats, soft serve ice cream and 7” hot dogs served on homemade buns from the bakery and wrapped with an olive garnish on a toothpick. In 1959 they built a drive-in brick building to house the restaurant and tore down the barrel building. They hired many local high school girls as carhops. Fran recalls that his mom was like a second mother to the girls that worked there and several kept in contact with her for years. The Bell family operated the popular local hangout for many years. The building and property was eventually sold to Roelof Dairy and it was razed to make room for additional parking. Phyllis & Glenn Bell on their 30th Anniversary in Business (1966)
Jackie Merriam
Photos Courtesy of the Galesburg Historical Society
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
GARDENING Attracting Birds
One of the benefits of a garden is the wildlife it attracts, and birds are some of the most popular garden wildlife. Most birds are voracious eaters that are glad to keep the insect population down, and may eat 5001,000 insects in one afternoon. This makes them ideal for natural (and free!) pest control. Anything you can do to attract birds will make your garden healthier and you’ll be entertained by their feeding antics along the way. Fortunately, it is easy to attract birds to your garden if you meet their needs for food, shelter, water and overall habitat variety.
Food
While birds will certainly eat insects and may munch on seeds, berries and fruits in the garden, consider placing a variety of bird feeders in your garden to entice even more birds to visit. Platform feeders attract ground birds, hanging feeders are for perching birds and suet holders attract insect-eating birds. Suet is especially important during the winter as this helps birds maintain
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their body temperature by adding fat to their diet. Hang suet feeders filled with suet or pinecones dipped in suet (or peanut butter) from the limbs of trees. For your other feathered guests, black oil sunflower seeds will attract the most common seed-eating birds and can be sprinkled directly on the ground or added to feeders. Add other species-specific seed like Nyjer (thistle) seed (to attract goldfinches, pine siskins and purple finches) or peanuts (to attract chickadees, jays and tufted titmice) to your buffet. Various gourmet seed mixes are also available like Wedel’s No-Waste, NoHulls, Song Bird and Finch’s Feast Blends, each of which is blended with specific birds in mind and includes the foods those birds like best.
Shelter and Nesting Sites
Birds feel more secure if they have shelter to protect themselves from the weather and other predators. Plant native trees and shrubs birds will easily recognize as suitable shelter. If your landscape is young and doesn’t include much shelter for birds, don’t ing special events Covid style. From drive-by wedding/baby showers to birthday and graduation parades, there is no shortage of enthusiasm to create unique memories to last a lifetime. My son and his wife were at the end of their pregnancy when Covid19 struck. We were all fraught with concern over the uncertainty of the virus, mom & baby’s health and how it might affect their upcoming birth experience. Thankfully, my first granddaughter, Romy, came into this world in late April and was perfect in every way. Their little family had many months to bond in Colorado while sharing their joy through regular phone calls, a shared photo album and FaceTime visits with family and close friends. In September, the big day finally arrived that I had anxiously awaited for 4 ½ months…I was able to meet my sweet grand-
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worry. Consider building a brush pile or adding a loose woodpile to the yard and birds will happily take advantage of it. You may also want to add nesting boxes or bird houses and other materials for birds to raise their young. This should be done in late winter or early spring just as birds are beginning to look for nesting sites. Clean houses or boxes after each nesting season.
Water
One of the most important things to include in your bird-friendly garden is water. This is especially true during the winter months. Use a bird bath heater to keep water from freezing. Ideal water sources are 2-3 inches deep and 3 feet off the ground to keep visiting birds safer from prowling predators. Moving water is a magnet for most birds and will attract them from great distances for a drink or bath. A mister, dripper or circulating pump can be added to a bird bath or other water feature during most of the year. Getting a heated bird bath or adding a bird bath heater daughter live and in person. As any grandparent can attest, the bond you experience with your grandchildren is immediate, strong and fierce! I will never forget holding her for the first time and seeing her smile. During my visit, Romy & I became fast friends. We enjoyed going to the park, reading books, playing, laughing and lots of snuggling. I even had the privilege of being the first babysitter, as her jittery parents ventured out for a breakfast date. Watching my son and his wife as parents is heartwarming – she is their world! They are so in tune with her needs and are her biggest cheerleaders while she masters all of the first year development milestones. These times we are facing are not ideal, but with a bit of ingenuity and patience, we can honor and celebrate life’s significant events.
to your existing bird bath will provide the needed water in the winter months.
Habitat Variety
Because birds live in many different habitats, the variety of plant material you can offer in your backyard will determine how many birds are attracted to your garden. Consider native plants, plants with berries, fruits, sap and nectar for year-round food sources as well as nesting materials. Plan your landscape in tiers and flowing, connected beds so birds can move around easily, and include a variety of both deciduous and evergreen plantings so birds can find the habitat useful year-round. Wedel’s carries a complete line of bird feeders, houses, seed mixes and suet’s as well as the trees, shrubs and evergreens you’ll need to attract birds and keep them coming to your outdoor living area. Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center
Photo courtesy of the Dandelion Cafe.
Jackie Merriam
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series
Self-soothing Tips in a Time of Way Too Much Adventure
Ellen: In the past, I have not been good at taking time for breakfast. Before this year, my mornings consisted of a long check of phone notifications, a rush to arrange clothes, hair, and hygiene, a basic bowl of cereal, and a dash for my car in time to make my morning commute. 2020 has changed every bit of this. Since I switched to work from home, I’m no longer so eager to check everything that has happened across my socials (I’m detoxing), my fashion and hair styling requirements have changed enormously, and my commute consists of a few steps to reach my kitchen table. And, for a good
reason, breakfast has become my most crucial meal of the day. One of the most widely reported symptoms of Covid19 is the loss of smell and taste; a unsettling side effect. Because this is such a telltale sign, as part of my daily self-care regimen, I always check these two senses. This is hardly foolproof, to be sure, but it IS a great way to start the day. I make sure to brew myself a relaxing cup of tea (usually mint, sometimes Lady Grey) and then I figure out what scrumptious food to test my tastebuds with (often toast, sometimes frozen waffles). Part way through the day I’ll monitor my
health again with a nice piece of fruit and a coffee, and I make sure to have another herbal brew (chamomile blend) before bed. Scientific? Borderline. Soothing? Absolutely. Jane: Unlike Ellen, I did not figure out how to detox from the misfortunes of 2020 on my own. It was a total accident: I dropped my phone in a tub of water. Who knew that electronic devices could be so sensitive? The screen went black with no second chances. I even kept it in a tub of rice for several days but, alas, the news feeds went silent, the email ceased to harass me, the Snapchats snapped, and the Facebook shaming lost all its power. For several days I felt like I was alone in the universe. Then, one morning, I noticed the chipmunk running along my window sill. The little fella seemed halfterrified; scampering along between the bird feeder and the hole he lived in, his tail pointing straight up, and his cheeks bulging with foraged food. It was like gazing into a mirror. That was Me! I had been doing the same thing for six months: endlessly scanning the news, gorging on social media rumors, and stashing it all on my friends’ pages. While I was contemplating the chipmunk, without warning, the little creature climbed straight up the outside wall of the house until he was
under the eaves. From out of a line of trees, a hawk glided down to the bird feeder and glared around at the empty yard. I could see the chipmunk’s heart beating under his fur. The hawk could not see the chipmunk at all, and soon flew away. I no longer feel alone in the universe. The universe is the complex, messy place it has always been and no amount of blaming or prepping will make me safer. However, keeping my eyes open, being ready to tuck myself away at a moments notice, and checking my vital signs from time to time may keep me from being someone else’s breakfast. As a matter of fact, that coffee smells mighty good this morning… Jane & Ellen Knuth
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
MASON JAR PLANT SHOP
Think about a place to pause and relax and immerse yourself in life’s little pleasures. That’s what you’ll find at downtown Kalamazoo’s new little gem of a store, Mason Jar. Owner, Dianna Nance wants to go one step further by offering items that will help you bring that peace and serenity into your home. Whether it’s with flowers (make your own bouquet), a plant, a special book, candles or making your own terrarium at their terrarium bar, you’re sure to find just the right items to bring a slice of serenity into your space. Mason Jar is also an official WallyGro dealer. WallyGro specializes in products to create beautiful living wall gardens for your home or backyard. Perfect for urban gardens in apartments, lofts or small homes with space constraints. The inspiration for the store came when Dianna was out walking this past spring, where she says she always does her best thinking. Her position as a Healthcare Administrator was recently eliminated after 25 years in the healthcare industry and just two weeks later, her mom passed away. This string of events led her to follow her dream to open a business and also to honor her mother’s memory, which led to the Mason Jar concept. The name, Mason Jar, came easily to Dianna. “Where are the Mason jars,” has long been a family joke with Dianna, her siblings and their mother, Jean Stephens. This was something she was forever asking them after sending them on their way
with several jars full of the seasonal harvest that she lovingly canned. Jean was an avid gardener, spending her days in her flower and vegetable gardens. Since landing on the business concept, Dianna has been having so much fun getting the business up and running and it’s bringing her so much joy. Dianna has enlisted the help of her daughter, Jill and her sister-in-law, Joanie, who have helped get this venture off the ground. All three women will be working in the store and look forward to meeting you soon.
Classes and workshops are ongoing at Mason Jar; a few in the works at this time are macramé plant hangers that have come back into vogue, a stag horn fern class during the fall hunting season and wreath making for the upcoming holiday season. They are
also excited to offer custom classes for bridal showers, birthday parties and other events. Follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on store specials and class offerings. Take time to pause and relax, stop into the Mason Jar today. They are open Monday – Saturday 10am -6pm. Located in downtown Kalamazoo at 116 W. South Street. For more information visit their website masonjarplant.shop or call (269) 7437703.
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
Vintage!
Helmi Moulton A
“Weaving as an art form ‘allows for a full range of creativity’. . . Mrs. Moulton has not only used weaving to make rugs which have design interest and act as a foil for other furnishings when used on the floor, but have added importance when used as a wall decoration. ‘These rugs give a
feeling of warmth and hospitality, no matter which way they are used,’ she says.” The above passage, quoted from a 1967 Kalamazoo Gazette article, resulted from an interview with fiber artist and WMU professor, Helmi Moulton.
B
She was born in Mathias Township, Michigan, to a family of Finnish decent. Proud of her heritage Helmi maintained a fluency in the Finnish language throughout her life. After marrying Jim Moulton, she received her Bachelor’s degree from CMU. She followed this with a Master’s from Wayne State. Mrs. Moulton spent 28 years as a professor in the Art Department of Western Michigan University. There she taught textiles, weaving, and other fiber arts. She earned the title of Professor Emeritus upon her retirement. Helmi also lectured and judged art shows across the country. She exhibited her works both in the United States and Canada. Her well-received “Gold Show” in Las Vegas featured metallic fabric, threads, cords, and other accents. Helmi worked these golden accents into outsized hangings, stuffed forms, and stitched designs. In 2005—the same year Helmi Moulton died in Las Vegas, local collector, Dave Corner spied a blue shag rug on display in the now-closed mid-century modern furniture shop,
Retro Of Kalamazoo. Drawn to the swirling peacock-inspired colors and the extravagant lushness of the weave, Dave believed the rug would be a perfect accent for his office/ music studio. Mr. Corner had recently purchased the renowned George Nelson house in Kalamazoo’s Winchell Neighborhood and was working on its restoration. (Corner sold the house to musician Jack White in 2016), Mr. Corner asked Retro’s proprietor, Thom Clark, about the rug’s history. He purchased the piece, and a fascination with Helmi Moulton’s work was born. Dave liked the idea of featuring contemporaneous local artists in the George Nelson House—Kalamazoo art in a Kalamazoo home. He began seeking more of Mrs. Moulton’s work, which harmonized well with the Nelson’s original design aesthetic. Included with the rug was the 1967 Kalamzoo Gazette article mentioned above. Dave learned the plexi-encased wall hangings featured in the article were in possession of another local appreciator of Helmi’s work. The owner was willing to sell and Mr. Corner added the wall hangings to his collection Mr. Corner has since acquired three additional wall hangings and a throw. Purchased from sellers around the country, the dissemination of Mrs. Moulton’s work speaks to its charm. Dave Corner’s interest in Helmi’s talent and his search for her work continues. He believes her craft holds up well and he has expressed an interest in loaning his collection out for an exhibit or art show at WMU or the KIA. Fellow Helmi Moulton aficionados are welcome to contact Mr. Corner directly at classicform@ charter.net Bridget Klusman Owner, Retro Estate Sales https://retroestatesales.wixsite.com/ retroestatesales Photo Credits: David Corner Image A: Three Helmi Moulton wall hangings Image B: Plexi and fiber wall hanging
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November 2020
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
parents The Teen Mind The teenager or adolescent, sometimes beginning before the teen years, can seem like a person you don’t recognize. He may seem like an alien in your child’s body and mind: irritable, rude, ungrateful, unpleasant and the eye rolling, oh my. Somehow your intelligence level has dropped to zero, zilch, nada. Your teen doesn’t seem to think you were ever 16 years old. Some days the teenager will want you to rub his back and crawl into your lap on the sofa and other days, not acknowledge your existence. This is the Teen Mind. It is growing and changing and struggling between dependence and independence, a bit like the toddler but different. This is the reason for the extreme moods and behaviors. This is what the teenager is suppose to be doing at this stage of his and her life. They prefer friends over family at times and think of their friends as more of a family than parents and siblings. She seems to hate you and may even say that. This makes you feel angry and hurt. Your teen might be trying risky and not very smart behaviors which leads you to think, “where did I go wrong? It isn’t pleasant for parents but you have not done anything wrong. Letting him go to his first party or dance, allowing a sleep over with a new friend whose parents you don’t
know, or letting him opt out of soccer. None of these are the reasons for this behavior. It isn’t your fault or his dad’s fault. This is about them not you. Let me say this again, this is about them, not you. This is predictable. Some teens start early like 11 or 12 years and others later like 17 or 18 years but all go through this as you did when you were a teen. The male & female teen is undergoing hormone changes that lead to sexual maturity which interact with neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) directly affecting behaviors. Such behaviors include aggression, risktaking and mood swings. Okay it’s biology, how do you handle this? First, don’t take it personally. It isn’t about you. Did I
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mention that already? She is pushing limits and acting out because well, it’s biology, and that is her job right now. Second, do not overreact and ground her for the rest of her life. Extreme and harsh punishment pushes the teenager to react in extreme ways like running away or climbing out on the roof. If a teenager has nothing, she has nothing left to lose and will act out in extreme ways. Third, restate the rules and the boundaries calmly and firmly, enforce consequences that fit the behavior. There is no situation in which hitting or humiliation is appropriate or will help in any way. Of course, if there is drug or alcohol use, stealing, smoking, find consequences that fit the behaviors and seek help. Do not take away healthy, social ac-
tivities like sports and extracurriculars because these activities are protective of prosocial behaviors. This is, the evidence shows that teens who are identify with organizations are less likely to be involved in substance use, illegal activities, and do better in school on average (check out the YouTube video listed below). Lastly, if you are unable to remain calm and appropriate, you need to seek help for yourself to survive your teen. It will get better. When she is 25, her brain will be fully developed. You will be able to be close again. Promise. Sheryl Lozowski-Sullivan, M.P.H., Ph.D Survival resources: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=S05PBOIdSeE Faber, A. & Mazlish, A. (2005). How to talk so teens will listen and listen so teens will talk. Kazdin, A. et al., (2013). The Every day Parenting Toolkit: The Kazdin Method for Easy, Step-by-Step, Last ing Change for You and Your Child. Newton, S. (2007). Help! My teenager is an alien: The everyday situation guide for parents.
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November 2020
SHOPPING SMALL HAS A BIG IMPACT
November—it’s a month filled with food, football, and all things fall. This month is also when most of us begin checking off our holiday to-do list offering the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of the best “holidays” of the year — Small Business Saturday! Small Business Saturday, created by American Express, falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. The now annual event began amid the 2010 recession as a way to encourage people to Shop Small and to spend more of their dollars at locally owned businesses during the holiday season. In 2011, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of this hometown holiday, and officials in all 50 states now participate. Today, thousands of businesses nationwide collectively promote Small Business Saturday by hosting special events, offering discounts and giveaways, and passing out event-themed swag. Twenty-twenty has been a year of
uncertainty for many small businesses. The economic effects of COVID-19 have wreaked havoc on some of our favorite stores, restaurants, and service providers. In late April, it was estimated that of the nation’s approximate 30 million small businesses, 7.5 million were at risk of
permanent closure before the end of this year. Business owners have had
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to get creative to stay afloat during pandemic closures and restrictions, and that’s why where you choose to spend your hard-earned dollars is so important. Shopping locally is a big deal. For each dollar spent at a small business in your community, approximately 67 cents stay within your community. That same dollar also spurs 50 cents in local business activity as a result of employee spending and the purchase of local goods and services. In Michigan alone, one in five jobs is in the retail industry employing more than 850,000 people and paying $21.6 billion in wages. It may not seem that your weekly purchase of flowers from a locally owned florist or coffee from a momn-pop café has an important impact
on our economy, but let’s take a look at the numbers. In 2017, Michigan residents sent $28.5 billion to outof-state retailers. If we collectively swapped just one in 10 of our regular out-of-state purchases to local businesses, Michigan would garner $1.2 billion in increased economic activity. Making just one swap also has the potential to create over 10,000 new jobs. Consider sourcing a percentage of this season’s purchases from locally owned businesses. Invite your holiday guests to nosh to treats made or stocked by the bakery or deli you pass each week on your way to work. Swap big-box store gift cards with certificates from local restaurants, fitness instructors, spas, artists, boutiques, and more. Your purchasing decisions have the power to shape the vitality of your community. Join the fun on Saturday, November 28th, and Shop Small! Meg Gernaat calls Southwest Michigan home. She owns Kith + Company Creative, has a background in downtown development, and looks forward to celebrating Small Business Saturday on November 28th.
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This year, the Signature 2020 Gallery goes virtual! Out of concern for health and safety, Signature’s 2020 Gallery will be open ONLINE ONLY, Nov. 9 to Dec. 27, 2020.
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
WEST MICHIGAN PASTA & PROVISIONS At an outdoor barbeque on our friend’s patio this past summer, I was introduced to West Michigan Pasta & Provisions’ delicious pasta. When I marveled at the pasta salad and went back for seconds, our host, Becky, attributed the flavor to the homemade pasta. She discovered West Michigan Pasta & Provisions at the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market a few years ago and it has become her pasta of choice.
West Michigan Pasta & Provisions is a small artisan company that produces pasta using the best ingredients and traditions. They
start with U.S. sourced hard wheat unbleached organic semolina. Their standard recipe uses only two ingredients, organic semolina and water. Making the pasta in small batches is one of the key techniques to the production of their pasta, which is essential for monitoring the quality. They use less water and more pressure to extrude their pasta using brass die extrusions and traditional Italian equipment to create a perfect texture and chew. The final step in their process is the old world technique of air-drying pasta at slower and cooler temperatures over a few days to preserve the flavor. As a comparison, mass produced pasta completes this process in just a few hours. Michael Murray is the chef behind the pasta production. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has worked for over 20 years in the industry. Michael is highly involved in the local community as a chef instructor at KVCC, a regular volunteer for chef demonstrations at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market and is an active member of the local
American Culinary Federation chapter. Michael was studying Bio Medical Sciences at Kalamazoo College and fell in love with food while studying abroad in Italy. He decided not to pursue clinical medicine and go to culinary school instead. His degree from K-College comes in handy for compliance and
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nutritional content. West Michigan Pasta & Provisions products are used at many popular restaurants in the area, including: 600 Kitchen & Bar, The Cove, Ybar & Bistro, Bird Dog, Texas Corners Brewing Company and at Bravo before their recent closing. For those who want to savor a great
pasta experience at home, you can find West Michigan Pasta & Provisions products at the Kalamazoo Farmers Market through Thanksgiving and then at the Kalamazoo Winter Market. Selections of items are also available locally at Wagner’s Market in Mattawan, Rykse’s in Texas Corners and at the Bronson Market inside the hospital. In addition they offer home delivery a few days a week. Many of their products are also available via mail order and can be shipped throughout the United States - free shipping on orders of $50 or more. Besides pasta, Michael also offers chef made marinara sauce, chicken stock and chicken soup for meet people’s needs for a complete meal. Premium extra virgin olive oil imported from Lebanon is also available for purchase. Be sure to try their seasonal flavors including pumpkin pasta and the fall flavor blend with 5 colors (yellow, brown, vegan black, orange and traditional). West Michigan Pasta & Provisions has only been in business for a little over 3 years and has already gained many loyal customers. Michael says his business is right on track - hearing customers say, “I can’t eat any other pasta,” is music to his ears. For more information visit the website: westmichiganpastaandprovisions.com. Email: westmichiganprovisions@gmail. com or call (616) 7302095. Follow them on Facebook at WestMichiganPasta. Jackie Merriam
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November 2020
12
GOOD NEWS
MRC artWorks
Danny
MRC artWorks is an art gallery, studio and retail store that provides an outlet for individuals with disabilities to achieve creative self-expression that promotes growth, dignity, and self-confidence.
If you appreciate unique and affordable art and would like to support individuals with disabilities, you must visit MRC artWorks, located on the Kalamazoo Mall in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo. You will find beautiful paintings, tote bags, jewelry, purses and many other art forms. Artists receive a 75% commission for the sale of their work, which not only serves as their source of income but also enhances and reinforces their self-esteem and self-worth. Their artwork can also be purchased online at mrcartworks.bigcartel.com. When I spoke with Amy Thill, MRC artWorks Unit Manager, she mentioned that the art program not only provides art skills, but also skill building for community employment. Members are typically scheduled in the studio from 1-3 days per week from 8:45am- 2:45pm. They learn time management skills, staying focused and following steps to complete a job. They are encouraged to take initiative and are learning social and emotional skills. Each member also participates in end of the day duties of cleaning up and organizing to leave their workspace ready for the next day.
MRC artWorks has 60 members in the program and 30 of them are currently participating. There is space for 11 artists in the gallery at one time, with the present social distancing guidelines in place. MRC artWorks provides a safe, positive, and creative environment that focuses on the individual’s abilities rather than disabilities. I had the privilege of meeting three of the members on a recent visit. Jessica works in the studio three times a week and loves working with fabric and tactile pieces. She creates beautiful fabric dancers and paintings on fabric. She loves turtles and the color green, which is evident in her art creations. John is a new member to MRC artWorks. He began 2 months ago and is open to any ideas and loves to be helpful. He enjoys painting and drawing dogs, cats, birds and other animals. He was working on a puppy pillow the day I met him. Danny is one of their original members and enjoys meeting other people through the art program. He enjoys painting cats, dogs, horses and has presently been commissioned by a customer to paint a hippo. Danny is a busy man who also works at the Shalom Woolery and at McDonalds. MRC artWorks strives to enrich the community with the diversity of art by participating in local Art Hops and promoting their artists’ work through a variety of venues including Taco Bobs (downtown Kalama-
zoo), One Well Brewing, Resilience Chiropractic, Senior Care Partners (Kalamazoo & Portage), Friendship Village Rehabilitation and the Vicksburg Library. If you would like to be a participating venue please contact Amy directly. MRC artWorks is a program of MRC Industries, Inc., which began in the 1940’s when a group of parents took the initiative to provide alternatives for their children with disabilities. Incorporating officially in 1969, MRC has remained close to its family roots while evolving into a non-profit agency that administers innovative and diverse services
through its programs. For more information, visit their website: mrcindustries.org. Follow them on Facebook: mrcindustries or Instagram: mrcartworks. Amy Thill can be reached by email athill@ mrcindustries.org or by phone at (269) 978-0028. Support MRC artWorks mission to encourage and support individuals living with disabilities to achieve their fullest potential by visiting the gallery today located at 330 S. Burdick Street. Hours are MondayFriday from 9am-4pm. Jackie Merriam
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
be ART ful “Start each day with a grateful heart. Give every day the chance to be your best day ever. There is always something to be thankful for. Gratitude helps you fall in love with the life you already have.” I can’t express enough how much I thrive on inspirational quotes like these; either from having heard them organically or seeking them out intentionally. This year everything is different. Not all days are good days and not all days are bad days. Did you know that being creative and using our imagination can help comfort our mind and soul? Arts and crafts provide a welcome distraction. An antidote per se from the stresses in our post-modern lives. November calls to mind the importance of gratitude and giving. And that brings me to these darling ornaments that I thought would be a sweet little heart-happy reminder as we move towards the holiday season. Supplies Needed: decorative paper . scissors/paper cutter . stapler . standard hole punch . 1/4” diameter reinforcement labels . twine/ribbon Step 1. You will need 7 strips of 1-inch wide paper for each heart. The different lengths are 10, 8.5 and 7 inches. Cut 2 of each size plus one
4 inch for the middle. Lay them out from left to right as follows: (7,8.5,10,4,10,8.5,7). Then stack them in that order and make sure the edges are all aligned and staple at the bottom. Step 2. Holding the stapled paper strips, start on one side and gently bend the shortest length to the bottom where the staple is. Be careful not to crease the paper as you bend it. Repeat with the next size and finally the largest strip. Hold firmly and copy on the other side. Leave the middle 4-inch strip in place. Making sure all the strips are aligned, staple the bottom edge. Step 3. Add a vertical staple in the middle of the 4-inch strip to secure the other strips to it for extra hold. Hole punch near the top of the 4-inch strip and use the circle reinforcement labels, one on each side. Put your twine or ribbon through and tie into a loop. Think about the kind of paper you would like to use for these special hearts. I happen to love music sheets, old ledgers, foreign books, maps and dictionaries. Other ideas might be to use scrapbooking paper, magazines, wrapping paper, your own drawings
or artwork. Individual heart ornaments are wonderful, but you could also make garlands, present toppers, wedding decor or use as a thoughtful place setting for a Thanksgiving table with a note of gratitude attached for your guest. However you decide to use them, I guarantee they will be cherished and loved as a keepsake. One last thought; it doesn’t have to
be perfect to be beautiful. If you do what you love, they’ll love what you do. From my grateful heart to yours, thank you for you! xo~Bridget Email: bridgetfoxkzoo@gmail.com Social: https://www.instagram.com/ bridgetfoxkzoo
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
YOGA FOR ALL Life hasn’t been the same, this entire year of 2020. What is encouraging to everyone these days is, for the most part, people are wearing masks, embracing the guidelines of social distancing and taking precautions from the contagion called SARS Coronavirus Type-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In short, Coronavirus, and the disease is called Coronavirus disease of 2019 or COVID-19. During this pandemic, proper nutrition and sticking to a fitness routine are the key to safeguarding one’s health. Going to a gym however, to use exercise equipment or walk on a treadmill while social distancing is still a bit scary for some. To stay fit and breathe fresh air, walking or exercising outdoors is still a great idea than wearing a mask and doing anything indoors, even windowshopping or walking indoors at the local mall. Needless to say, it is still a bit uncomfortable to breathe with a
mask on. So how do we keep fit as we get used to “the new normal”? While the weather hasn’t completely cooled down, enjoying the natural outdoors and the fall colors is indeed more attractive to many. Along with jogging, walking, weight lifting and aerobic exercises, some of us practice yoga in Paw Paw for Fitness. Yoga is a great fitness activity one can cultivate and practice outdoors without the need of any equipment or a gym. It’s a great way to exercise, breathing the fresh air and connecting with Nature. As social beings, we crave for socializing, stepping-out of homes and yoga is a great outdoor activity for both fitness and fellowship. There are different forms of yoga for all different fitness needs. In most, if not all, we treat our minds & body as temples of energy and positivity, to mindfully achieve our physical or emotional fitness goals. In all yogic exercises, we use our bodies
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as weights and as fitness equipment to (1) breathe, (2) stretch, &/or (3) exercise. Any one of the above three or all of the above are the minimum requirements for a novice to start yoga. Contrary to popular belief, anyone can do yoga, with or without any prior experience: (1) To eliminate all popular misconceptions, if you can “breathe” and comprehend instructions, you are fit enough to do some form of yoga, to improve your self-awareness, concentration and meditate to improve your mental & physical health. Even for those who are aged or unable to walk, sitting in a comfortable chair, one can practice yoga just by breathing & moving the limbs, to the best of their ability. Even very seniors at a nursing home environment, can and do practice yoga. (2) Young and old, with families, as
couples or alone, one can “stretch” together or separately, to improve their physical health & overall fitness of the skeletal system including muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as bones and joints. (3) Every pose (asana) in yoga is an «exercise» to introspect one›s weaknesses and strengths. We learn to exert and understand our limits in a routine of specific asanas, to suit our needs. Also, we bring into “union” (the meaning of the word “yoga”) our minds and bodies. We find peace and harmony with our abilities and work at self-improvement, in this “journey of the self ”, which is the true essence of all yogic exercises. Caption for the outdoor yoga picture: No yoga-studio can offer the company of such amazing audience. Majestic trees: Oaks, Poplars and Maples, painting the landscape with colors of the season; Beautiful birds: Cardinals, Orioles, Nuthatches and Woodpeckers often cheer-on at the fitness-conscious souls, connecting with Mother Nature, on the inside and outside of oneself. The author, Dr. Sudhir K. Reddy, DVM, PhD, an Immunovirologist/scientist and a veterinarian, is a Pfizer-retiree & an independent consultant at Reddy BioScience Solutions, Mattawan, MI, teaches yoga in Greater Kalamazoo Area and freelances/writes/consults on topics of public interest involving animal/ human health & wellness, as well as Nature/Wildlife. He could be conReservations Recommended! tacted at sudhirkreddy84@gmail.com
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
Health Quiz Time Time to take out your pencils and test your smarts about health and nutrition. My readers tell me it’s one of the more popular features of this column. However, don’t be surprised if some of the questions stump you. The answers are based on the latest research. Remember, each question has only one answer. Ready?
1. Which is the LEAST likely to help you lose weight? Eat breakfast Limit ultra-processed foods Limit drinks that have calories Avoid large portions Eat foods with the least calories per bite
2. Which is MOST likely to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes? Take vitamin D Eat more full fat dairy Loss excess weight Cut carbs Eat less fat
3. Which exposure has NOT been traced to Covid-19 exposure?
Attending a meeting with an infected person Singing in a choir with an infected person Eating food delivered from a store or restaurant Dining at a restaurant table adjacent to an infected person
4. Which should you toss out to lower your risk of food poisoning? Food that’s past its “sell-by” date Food that’s past its “best-by” date Leftovers that have been sitting on the table for more than 2 hours Thawed meat, poultry, or seafood that you want to refreeze
5.Which is the MOST likely to curb osteoarthritis knee pain with the fewest downsides? Vitamin D Glucosamine Chondroitin Exercise Arthroscopic surgery
6. A low-carb diet (keto) diet is uniquely suited to help you do which of these? Lose weight Prevent heart disease Prevent diabetes
Reduce medications if you have type 2 diabetes Keep cancer from spreading
7. Which is MOST likely to prevent or alleviate depression? Vitamin D Fish oil B vitamins Selenium Exercise
8. A serving of which food takes the most water to produce? Cheese Apples Beef Chocolate Chicken
Answers
Eating breakfast. Not a breakfast eater? Don’t assume that you’ll overeat at lunch or gain weight. Lose excess weight. Losing as little as 12 pounds can lower your risk, whether you cut carbs, fat, or other calories Eating food delivered from a store or a restaurant. You’re more likely to catch Covid-19 from other people, especially indoors. No infections have been traced to packages or food. Leftovers that have been sitting on
the table for more than two hours. “Sell-by” and “Best by” dates refer to quality not safety. If meat, poultry, or seafood was thawed in the refrigerator, you can safely refreeze it. Exercise. Strength training and physical therapy help curb arthritis pain. Surgery is no better than physical therapy and has more potential harms. Even in the best studies, vitamin D, glucosamine, and chondroitin didn’t help. Reduce medications. Low-carb diets don’t lead to more weight loss than other calorie-cutting diets, and are no better than warding off heartdisease, diabetes, or the spread of cancer. Exercise. The supplements and omega-3’s have largely struck out. Beef. Producing a serving of beef soaks up 464 gallons of water. Chocolate uses 182 gallons, chicken 130 gallons, apples 30 gallons, and cheese 25 gallons. Hope you did well. I’ll have another one soon. Till next time, Ken Dettloff ACE, Certified Personal Trainer, Source of Quiz: Nutrition Action, September 2020
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November 2020
Recipes Offering its own unique taste and texture, winter squash offers us bright colors and big nutrition – and the option of being served inside its own skin! The holidays always seem to have us looking for new ways to add more color to our menu and perhaps even add a little extra pizzazz to our holiday plates! Fortunately, God managed to time a special group of squash to not only be at their peak at this time of year, but also be good keepers so they can help sustain us all winter through! Offering somewhat bold and at times brilliant colors, winter squash can be quite eye-catching, most especially
GOOD NEWS
Tis the Season for Squash! when you take the extra step of serving it inside its own skin! One squash that is perfect for such things is also Nature’s most powerful yet petite, winter treats – the acorn squash! Loaded with powerful health benefits, in addition to being pretty, the acorn squash also holds many giant health benefits– all neatly tucked into these tiny little orbs. Acorn squash are so potent; in fact, they are touted as more nutrientdense than any other squash relative, making them the best in nutritional choices. Offering impressively high levels of vitamin C and beta-carotene - two very effective antioxidant compounds - acorn squash can help us prevent various types of cancer, cognitive dis-
Sweet ‘n’ Nutty Winter Wedges
orders, premature aging, and a range of other serious health conditions that are often associated with oxidative stress from free radicals, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. With one serving offering a whopping 9 grams of fiber, acorn squash can not only add bulk to our diets and help regulate blood sugar levels, but also help to eliminate excess cholesterol as well. Since fiber is the key source of sustenance for our micro biome -the seat of our immune system’s soul - eating acorn squash will also help provide fuel for our immune system, which is what keeps our inner engines running! A very versatile food source, acorn squash offers the option of being cooked or served pretty much any-
way you like, making it the perfect appetizer, soup or side to any holiday feast! Whether you want to bake it, sauté it, steam it, stuff it, blend or puree it, the acorn is there to serve you well. I like that it also offers up the option of flipping it into a savory dish or turning it into something ohso-sweet, and being able to be served inside its own pretty skin! No matter what you make an acorn squash you’re sure to end up with a good-for-you treat! Here now are some sweet and easy ways to add its awesomeness to your holiday -ENJOY! Story, Food Stylist and Photographer: Laura Kurella
Creamy-Cheesy Winter Squash Fondue Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 62 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour and 12 minutes. Yield: Approximately 4 servings. INGREDIENTS 2 medium acorn squash 1 tablespoon avocado oil Salt and fresh ground black pepper 3 tablespoons Ghee (butter) 1/4 cup roughly chopped walnuts, lightly toasted 1/4 cup dried cherries 3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey, optional
DIRECTIONS Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut squash in half and use a spoon to scoop
A
out all the seeds from the middle. Carefully cut each half into 4 wedges so you end up with 8 sections. Place wedges into a large baking dish then brush all sides with oil then sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake until soft and caramelized around the edges, about 1 hour. Once squash has cooked, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ghee butter, walnuts and cherries. Bring to a boil and cook for two minutes then spoon over the squash. Finish by drizzling with maple syrup or honey, if desired Nutrition per serving: Calories 144; Fat 9g; Carbohydrate18g; Fiber 2g; Sugars 6g; Protein 1g.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes Yield: Approximately 10 servings INGREDIENTS 1 Medium Acorn Squash 3/4 cup Apple Cider 6 ounces Cream Cheese 1/2 cup Heavy Cream 8 ounces Sharp Cheddar 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter 1/8 teaspoon Thyme Dash of Ground Cinnamon Sea Salt to Taste
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the top off the acorn squash and scoop out the seeds. Shave a small portion of the bottom of the squash off to make it sits flat. Add dash of cinnamon, dash
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of sea salt and the unsalted butter slice inside the squash. Bake squash for approximately 30 minutes. Remove and let cool for about 5 minutes. Carefully scoop out the meat of the squash, leaving about 1/2” thick rim inside. The squash shell will be your serving bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the squash and apple cider and cook until immersed. You can use an immersion blender if desired. Once broken up, add the heavy cream and cream cheese. Stir constantly until fully melted. Add the grated sharp cheddar, nutmeg, and thyme. Continue blending over medium heat until the fondue is complete. Pour fondue into the acorn squash shell and sprinkle the top with sugared pecans and a dash of nutmeg. Serve with French baguette pieces, dried fruit, or your favorite dippers!
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November 2020
Recipes
17
GOOD NEWS
Tis the Season for Squash! INGREDIENTS Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes. Yield: Approximately 4 servings. 2 acorn squash 2 apples peeled and chopped 3/4 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup walnuts chopped 2 tablespoons cinnamon (or to taste) 1/4 cup pure Maple syrup or honey, to taste 3 tablespoons butter softened
Nutty Cran- Apple Squash INGREDIENTS 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small onion, chopped 1 teaspoon sage leaves 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper 1 quart Chicken Broth 1 Butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cubed Parmesan cheese, optional
DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut squash in half long ways. Remove seeds and pulp. Pour 1/4 cup water into a baking dish and add squash cut side down. Place baking dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine apples, cranberries, walnuts, cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter. Remove squash from oven and let cool. Turn over the halves and stuff the center of each squash with the apple/ cranberry mixture. Return to oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until tender.
Superb ‘n’ Simple Squash Soup
DIRECTIONS In a heavy bottomed Dutch oven over a medium high flame, brown onion in oil. Saute until onion begins to brown. Add Squash, garlic, and lower heat top medium. Stir occasionally for five minutes. Add sage, pepper, broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until squash is fork tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool a bit. At this point, you can puree some or all of the soup in a food processor or blender then return to pot. Garnish with parmesan cheese and more fresh sage, if desired. Approximate servings per recipe: 6. Per serving: Calories 67; Fat 1g; Sodium 444mg; Carbohydrates 15g; Fiber 3g; Sugar 3g; Protein 2g.
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
Join the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary this fall
for online Birds and Coffee chats Grab your morning beverage, share your latest bird sightings and learn more about some of the bird species commonly found during autumn in southwest Michigan during monthly Birds and Coffee chats, offered by the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. All events begin at 10 a.m. on Zoom.
The January 2021 chat will take place on Wednesday, January 13 will feature Year Round Waterfowl;
Trumpeter Swans, Canada Geese, Mallards, Tundra Swan and Mute Swans.
The Sanctuary’s popular Birds and Coffee Walk series has temporarily moved to an online format. The next chat, on Wednesday, Nov. 11 will feature W.K. Kellogg Biological Station educators Lisa Duke, Kara Haas and Misty Klotz, who will focus their talk on ducks; focusing on the Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Canvasback and Bufflehead.
The December chat will take place Wednesday, Dec. 9. The last chat of 2020 will focus on some favorite feeder bird species— Northern Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch and White-breasted Nuthatch.
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The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo at Maple and Portage has re�opened its indoor facilities to refocus on healthy living routines!
STRONGER THAN EVER, we’re here to serve the community safely and responsibly through new procedures and systems to keep our members and guests safe and comfortable. Scholarships are available. We’re not just a gym. We’re a community center built up through a membership that lifts our neighbors and each other. The Y. For all. For a better you. For a better community. YMCAFor of aGreater better Kalamazoo us.
On February 10th, 2021 the chat will focus on Inviting Birds and Kids Into Your Garden; Mourning Dove, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch and Blue Jays. Birds and Coffee chats are free and open to the public, but registration is required to access information on how to join the events. Questions? Contact the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary at birdsanctuary@kbs. msu.edu or (269) 671-2510. The Sanctuary’s grounds and trails remain open to visitors who observe proper safety and distancing guidelines, The Auditorium restrooms are open, though other buildings—including the Resource Center and Gift Shop—are closed. A walk-up window is available for guests to pay admission and purchase souvenirs or corn to feed the waterfowl. Current hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. Please consider supporting the Sanctuary by becoming a member.
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November 2020
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Environment Squirrel Patrol
Happy November! The Halloween ghosts and goblins are packed away for another year. Most never even came out to play in this strange, never-ending COVID season. Recently, I’ve noticed a flurry of activity in suburban wildlife as the days grow shorter. The time for winter preparations is well underway. Neighborhood squirrels are in a frenzy as winter approaches. In recent years, the familiar brown fox squirrel has been given a run for its money (or perhaps its acorns) by a different species, the Eastern gray squirrel.
But these are not even the typical gray squirrels, which are, as you might expect – gray. No, these new competitors are a black color-variant. According to Elisha Anderson, a Detroit Free Press reporter, their black fur helps these smaller squirrels retain body heat more efficiently. The larger fox squirrels have, predictably, more fat to insulate themselves from winter’s cold. Although they would not typically interbreed, in overlapping territories it does occur on occasion, and genetic evidence suggests that black fur is a remnant of gray and fox
squirrel crossbreeding. Although both species can establish populations in suburban areas, fox squirrels are more abundant in areas with open habitat. Gray squirrels favor more wooded areas. Native to heavily forested northern Michigan, black squirrels were introduced and found success at the W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest and the nearby Biological Station in Hickory Corners. Their range has expanded over the last several decades to include Detroit, East Lansing, and, of course, the Battle Creek - Kalamazoo area. By habitat preference, the species have little niche overlap, but as people build housing developments in once-wooded areas, the squirrels become direct competitors for homes and food resources. In their seed-gathering mania, I’ve seen some aggressive, territorial showdowns between the brown and black squirrels. All summer, they were chasing, chattering, and co-existing in the yard. Now it’s all serious business, with the fox squirrels taking a stand against their faster, more agile cousins. Soon, both varieties will snug up (separately) in their nests, seeking food only when necessary and dreaming of abundant spring warmth and new babies to carry on squirrel business. I’ve also noticed that blue jays are increasingly active. After a quiet summer, when I rarely saw the beau-
GOOD NEWS tiful, but noisy, birds, now they are out in force! I enjoy their swooping flight and graceful landings as they perch proudly on the lower limbs of my maple tree. The breeding season is over, and the jays are truly emptynesters. At last, mature pairs can plan for the upcoming cold weather. Acorns, a favorite calorie-dense, high-fat food, are abundant, and not only do the jays enjoy the bounty by stuffing the seeds in their pouches to carry home, they raucously call all their relatives to join the feast. It’s a regular Thanksgiving dinner, complete with all the relatives! Although they can be aggressive toward species that are not their kin, blue jays are an important early warning system. In the fall, many raptors, most often hawks in this area, form groups and prepare for migration. Blue jays will reliably sound a loud alert, warning other jays, as well as potential prey of other species, to the presence of these apex predators. Most blue jays in Michigan do not migrate to warmer climates, preferring to remain and live off their seed stores. They do forage for winter berries and will be attracted to a feeder with sunflower seeds, peanuts, and suet. They offer a beautiful contrast to the snow on a winter morning and bring warm thoughts on a cold day. Ref: https://www.freep.com/story/ news/local/michigan/2016/01/23/ black-squirrels-in-michigan/78362460/ https://www.allaboutbirds.org/ why-are-blue-jays-far-more-noisyin-fall-than-earlier-in-the-summer/ Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center
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November 2020
GOOD NEWS
FREE november Events
Due to Caronavirus be sure to call or look online for possible event changes or cancellations. Through Sunday, January 3 Exhibit: Ocean Bound! Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Saturdays, Nov. 7,14,21 Kalamazoo Farmers Market 7am-2pm, 342-5686
Tues., Nov. 3 – Sun., Nov. 8 Who Was William Shakespeare? Virtual Mystery Game Richlandlibrary.org
Saturday, November 7 Kal. Astronomical Society’s Remote Telescope Online Viewing, 8:30-10:30pm kas@kasonline.org
Thursday, November 5 Hoopla Book Club: The Ungrateful Refugee by Dina Nayeri, 1pm Parchment Library on Zoom Register: parchmentlibrary.org
Sunday, November 8 The Gilmore Piano Masters Series: Pierre-Laurent Aimard, 2-3pm Live Stream Thegilmore.org, 342-1166
Thursday, November 5 Early American History Trivia Live on Facebook, 7-8pm Richland Community Library Friday, November 6 Memory Café – for those with Mild dementia & caregivers Paw Paw Library, 10:30am, Call (269) 657-3800 for info. Saturday, November 7 Kal. Astronomical Society’s Remote Telescope Online Viewing, 8:30-10:30pm kas@kasonline.org
Monday, November 9 Mayflower at 400: The Ship, The Passengers, The Legacy, 7pm Presented by Grace Bliss Smith, Ph.D. Parchment Library on Zoom Register: parchmentlibrary.org Mon., Nov. 9 – Fri., Nov. 20 Adult Trivia Contest - play alone or in a team of 4 or fewer members Comstock Library Facebook Page
Tuesday, November 10 The Heartbreak Book Club: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang Zoom Meeting 10:30am Find meeting number & code on Paw Paw Library Facebook page Tuesday, November 10 Decluttering 101, 2pm Facebook Live at Comstock Library, for info.: 345-0136 Wednesday, November 11 Birds & Coffee chats on Zoom, Register ahead: birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu, 671-2510, 10am Friday, November 13 KalamaTopia Outdoor Makers Market, 5-8:30pm, 388-2830 Kalamazoo Mall between Water St. & Michigan Ave. Tues., Nov. 10 – Sun., Nov. 15 DIY Take & Make Book Turkeys Richland Library, 629-9085 Richlandlibrary.org Saturday, November 14 Internet Users Group, 10am Device, software & app questions Zoom meeting # and passcode Paw Paw Library Facebook page
IS YOUR CAR Ray Monday, November 9 Adult Pick-up Craft – wood slice Snowman ornament, Register at Comstock Library 345-0136
Sunday, November 15 The Ecology of Dams online oltp.kvm.kvcc.edu, 1:30pm Kalamazoo Valley Museum Monday, November 16 Mystery Book Club: Talk about Mysteries you like to read, 4pm Parchment Library on Zoom Register: parchmentlibrary.org Thursday November 19 Holiday Art Sale, 11am-8pm (Members Only) Register ahead: kiarts.org Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fri., Nov. 20 – Sat., Nov. 21 Holiday Art Sale Fri. 11am-8pm, Sat. 9am-4pm Register ahead: kiarts.org Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Friday, November 20 Author Ed Balian will visit the Paw Paw Library on Zoom, 6pm For Zoom Meeting Number and Passcode: Pawpaw.lib.mi.us Sunday, November 29 The Gilmore Rising Stars Series: Dominic Cheli Live Stream, 342-1166, Thegilmore.org, 4pm
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