PUTTING THEIR OWN SIGNATURE ON A COVER BAND ~ PAGE 12
Expert Advice Finances
Health Food
Q: Should I be
investing more aggressively? A: There’s no way to know
Douglas Drenth
the answer to that without reviewing your individual circumstances and financial goals. However, if you are investing too conservatively, it can have a profound effect on your long-term financial security. How you should be investing depends on many factors, such as: 1) How able are you to tolerate risk? 2) How soon do you hope to achieve your financial goals? 3) How much will you need to save for important goals such as retirement? 4) What rate of return would you need to try to reach your goals? and 5) Is income, growth, or safety most important to you?
Linda Sawall Owner
Q: It is time for BACK TO SCHOOL and I want to make certain my children get a good quality multivitamin. Our children don’t eat right! What does SAWALLS have to offer?
A: SAWALLS has the largest selection of quality multivitamins for children in Southwest Michigan. Plus, we have them ALL ON SALE FOR 50% OFF FOR SEPTEMBER!! EVERY BRAND
Funeral Services Q: “Our family
K. Lynn McFarlen Family Services Consultant
serving yours” is a favorite slogan for funeral homes. What does it mean for Langelands? A: For us, though,
it’s much more: four generations, hometown ownership, local commitment and involvement– because we live here, too. Southwest Michigan is a wonderful place to be, to live and raise a family. Our family’s committed to doing our part in helping keep it that way.
MANY GLUTEN FREE.
Drenth Financial Services
Mon.-Sat. 8-9, Sun. 10-6
Langeland Family Funeral Homes
5659 W. Michigan, Kalamazoo 269-978-0250 • ddrenth@fscadvisor.com
Sawall Health Food
“Quiet dignity with compassion” has meant so much for many people... for many years.
Securities offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance services offered through Drenth Financial Services and is not affiliated with FSC. HFG Financial Group is not affiliated with FSC or registered as a broker-dealer or a registered investment advisor. Individual situations will vary. Please contact a professional for specific advice. Entities listed here do not offer mortgage services. Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2013.
Oakwood Plaza • 2965 Oakland Dr. at Whites Rd. • 343-3619 • www.sawallhf.com
6 locations to serve you 269-343-1508 • www.langelands.com
Transitions
Roofing
Dentist
Madeleine Socia
Q: Can visiting family and friends stay with me if I decide to move to a retirement community? A: Some, but not all re-
tirement communities, are able to enhance your ability to entertain out-of-towners, without the fuss, muss and clean-up associated with typical hosting scenarios. Resident’s apartments or freestanding homes generally allow room for overnight guests. Some even provide fully made roll-away beds for a nominal fee. Others offer guest suites, comparable to nice hotel rooms, at reasonable rates. Your family and friends may also enjoy dining privileges and other community amenities. All you have to do is make the reservations and enjoy one another’s company!
Friendship Village Senior Living Community 1400 North Drake, Kalamazoo (269) 381-0560 www.friendshipvillagemi.com
Q: I had my roof replaced 12 years ago with a 30 year shingle. It already needs to be replaced. What Justin Reynolds happened? Roofs used Manager to last 20-25 years. A: Asphalt is the main waterproofing ingredient in shingles giving strength and longevity. Due to improvements in the ability to refine a barrel of crude oil, less asphalt is available for roofing and road projects. And what is left for roofing lacks the quality that we received 20-25 years ago. We have found that by blending polymers with the asphalt, we can make shingles tougher and more durable. Our shingles will last 25-30 years.
Q: Is there a link between periodontitis or gingivitis (gum disease) and my overall health?
A: Yes, studies have shown
Carrie L. that gum disease can be asLintner, DDS sociated with many diseases including heart disease, respiratory disease and diabetes. It is also the leading cause of tooth loss. Some of the symptoms: Bad breath Red, swollen or tender gums Bleeding while brushing or flossing Receding gums Loose teeth If you have any of these symptoms call our office today to set up an appointment. Don’t wait before it’s too late!
For a free roof inspection, please give us a call at 269 342-0153 or visit us at worryfreeroof.com.
Carrie L. Lintner, DDS Lindenwoods Dental
Sherriff-Goslin Roofing Co.
200 Turwill Lane Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-344-9006 www.LindenWoodsDental.com
Since 1906 342-0153 800-950-1906 Member Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo
SEPTEMBER 2016
I receive a letter in the mail every few weeks from an old friend. He does not have a computer and texting, email and Facebook are not part of his world.
ways it seems a little too impersonal. I collect old paper items (the fancy term is ephemera) and I find it fascinating to read old letters and postcards. I have some from my grandparents “courting” days in the 1920’s and my parent’s postcards to each other from their early 1950’s trips to Washington DC and New York.
The letters are a one to two pages in length with good handwriting and the envelope sometimes contains a short article clipped from the newspaper. I have grown to cherish these little notes about his life and the happenings of his friends and relatives.
ON THE COVER:
Besides these letters, I rarely ever receive anything in the mail besides bills and junk mail.
FROM THE
EDITOR
At one time, mailing and receiving letters and postcards was an important part of our lives and something we looked forward to.
The handwriting, old stamps and postmarks evoke a warm feeling of nostalgia and longing that I we will never experience from reading a Facebook post of a relatives recent trip to Chicago.
The computer and cell phone have changed all of this and we now find out about the lives of our friends and relatives by their posts on Facebook.
The next time you think of an old friend or relative, take a few minutes and write them a letter.
All current and past issues can be read at swmspark.com
SEPTEMBER 2016
Lee Dean: I’m not playing games ........................ 4 Artist Profile: Renae Baumgart ................................. 6 Spark book reviews ...................................................... 7 Nature: A bug in your milk…weed .......................... 8 Spark Recipe: Peachy keen!.................................... 9 History: One-Room Schoolhouses ......................... 10 Spark movie reviews .................................................. 11 Cover Story: Hired Hands ....................................... 12 Volunteers: Joe and Lynn Tinko .............................. 14 Special Senior Expo section ................................15-26
Photo of and provided by The Hired Hands.
Steve Ellis, SPARK Publisher steve@swmspark.com
In many ways this is a good thing, but in other
INDEX
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Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/swmspark
Wednesday Warriors .................................................. 27 Healthy Living: High Intensity Interval Training ... 28 Business Profile: V & V Quality Meats..................... 29 Celebrate Elderhood ................................................ 30 Ultra Point 1K ................................................................ 31 Asylum Lake ................................................................. 32 Looking Back ............................................................... 33 Parchment postcard history .................................... 34 39th Annual Eastside reunion .................................. 34 Michigan Pickers......................................................... 35 Tales from the Road: Upper Pennisula ................. 36 Spark community calendar..................................... 38
Editor and Publisher: Steve Ellis Graphic Design: Jay Newmarch at CRE8 Design, LLC Creativity/Photography: Lauren Ellis Writers and Contributors Include: Area Agency on Aging, Steve Ellis, Lee Dean, Laura Kurella, Dave Person, Zoe Folsom,Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Public Library, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Portage Public Library, Senior Services of Southwest Michigan , YMCA SPARK accepts advertising to defray the cost of production and distribution, and appreciates the support of its advertisers. The publication does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. Spark is a publication of Ellis Strategies, LLC. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
To advertise in upcoming SPARK publications, contact: Steve Ellis, 269.720.8157, steve@swmspark.com
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SEPTEMBER 2016
I’m not playing games Lee A. Dean screendoor@sbcglobal.net They walk with a vaguely purposeful shamble, staring into their smartphones. They’re in search of imaginary characters with names like Pikachu, Ditto and Mewtwo. The focus they employ in finding these critters is so intense that players are falling off skateboards and plunging off cliffs. These are the people who are enraptured by a game called Pokemon GO. I don’t understand this fad, but that’s logical, because I don’t play games these days. There’s no time. I’m too busy playing OffToWork I GO. What fun it would be for Baby Boomers and members of The Greatest Generation to explain to the Pokemon GO players how we played games, none of which involved technology leading us around by the nose. Kids who grew up in the Depression could make a game out of just about any object because many of them had almost nothing. Imagine the knee-knocking shock if you handed a group of today’s kids a can and said, “your ancestors used to make a game of kicking this object down the road.” They would look at you as if you’d lost your marbles, which was another game of that era. As explained to me by my father, you drew a circle and set up your marbles and the opponent’s marbles within the circle. Then you, as the shooter, placed a marble outside the circle, flicked your finger and tried to knock the other guy’s marbles out of the circle.
These games I can understand. But now I’m so far behind the times that if someone were to ask me to play Pokemon GO, my first question would be, “who gets to roll the dice first?”
Usually, however, I chose to read books instead of playing games. Books didn’t make funny noises, didn’t require much hand-eye coordination and didn’t accuse you of cheating if you won.
Then they would explain how the game is played, and I would imagine my end of the conversation turning into one of the classic Bob Newhart telephone monologues.
My high school, college and young adult years saw the peak of my game playing. This is how young men who can’t get dates spend their time. Our high school shop teacher liked Stratego, which to me was always a desirable alternative to the very real threat of severing a digit or a limb. We played a world politics game in a high school class. That one didn’t turn out well: my decision as president contributed to blowing up the world.
“So the object of this game is to find and capture all the different species of imaginary creatures. How do you find them? You stare at the screen of a phone for clues. Well, where are these things? You say they could be anywhere? If you see one, how do you catch it? Oh, you throw a ball at it. But not a real ball. It’s a ball that’s also on your phone. Well, wouldn’t it be easier to just throw the phone at them?” The Pokemon GO mania has resurrected memories of my own game playing, most of which involved board games. There was Monopoly, where I learned a valuable life lesson: I’m not ruthless or savvy enough to be a high-level financier. Remember Operation? You took tweezers and removed various body parts from the “patient” without touching the sides of the cavity that contained each body part. Touch the sides and hear a buzz. I heard that noise almost constantly, thereby conveying another life lesson: I had a better chance at becoming a sturgeon than a surgeon. I didn’t have the patience or the visual acuity for checkers or chess. My favorite games were the pitched Yahtzee battles with my grandmother, who disabused me of any ideas about taking it easy on an old lady. She played to win and took no prisoners.
That didn’t stop me from becoming an enthusiast of the undergraduate level world domination game: Risk. I ran with a very serious bunch of players, who on occasion would even put two boards together. Why only conquer one world when you can seize two? From there, I graduated to higher-level board games, usually made by Avalon Hill. These games involved visual acuity and spatial perception and my success level dismal. But they were based on actual battles, and playing them was catnip to a serious student of history. It’s the history we’re making right now that makes me think I need to start playing games again for the diversion. I won’t be playing Pokemon GO, but will gladly accept an invitation for a rousing evening of Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit any time. The experience could be therapeutic at a time when the presidential election is making me lose my marbles
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SEPTEMBER 2016
Renae Baumgart
Giving printed art new life Photo by Zoe Folsom Walking in to Renae Baumgart’s home, observing the various patterns that adorn the walls, one can automatically tell that she is drawn to wallpaper. However, one would never expect the fate of the extra rolls that sit in her basement. Instead of using this paper to cover walls, Renae rips the paper to make incredible pieces of art, entirely unique and enrapturing. For years now, she has been patiently sitting in her basement, meditating over the repetitive motion of ripping, changing conceptions of two-dimensional artwork. Renae has always been a self-diagnosed doodler, but didn’t become a professional artist until she started ripping wallpaper. Growing up with a paper maker for a father, and a mother who couldn’t help covering a wall with wallpaper, she had a fascination for it from an early age. She never planned to rip up paper to make collage, but when a pet bird kept ripping at her walls and she had to patch up the holes, she was inspired. Her whimsical, nostalgic pieces begin by
finding the right frame—she is constantly scouring flea markets, garage sales, and more to find the right bases for her work. After priming, she sits for hours methodically ripping small pieces from various rolls of wallpaper, laying them all out into her intended design before gluing them. What emerge from this process are magical illustrations that reimagine history and truly capture organic forms. Through using unused and potentially unwanted wallpaper, Renae creates by destroying; she proves that when we disregard perceived limits, something wonderful can arise. One of Renae’s favorite things about her artistic process is its use as both emotional and physical therapy. To share this cathartic experience, she teaches her technique around the southwestern Michigan area. In the fall, she’ll teach a class at Design Street in Plainwell; she enjoys teaching her techniques to artists of any age, but particularly wants to teach elder generations, because she feels that the technique is well suited for keeping the mind and fingers active during more restful periods of life. You can learn more about Renae and her artwork at her facebook page, Facebook/ripartbyrenae, and can find schedules for the classes she’ll teach in Plainwell at www.designstreetplainwell.com
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Book Reviews Book Reviews by the Portage District Library staff
The Defence by Steve Cavanaugh Eddie Flynn used to be a con artist. Then he became a lawyer. Turns out the two aren’t that different. It’s been a year since Eddie vowed never to set foot in a courtroom again. But now he doesn’t have a choice. The head of the Russian mafia in New York strapped a bomb to Eddie and kidnapped his ten-year-old daughter. Eddie has forty-eight hours to defend an impossible murder trial – and win – if he wants to save his daughter. Eddie must use his razor-sharp wit and every con-artist trick in the book to defend his ‘client’. With the clock ticking away, can Eddie convince the jury of the impossible? I can’t go into much detail due to the nature of the story but I was entertained from the first page until the last. It was never a case of will he or won’t he succeed; it was how. It’s the strength of this how that makes the book so clever. I felt for Eddie and loved him as a character. You find yourself rooting for him even though you’re not sure you want to.
The God Wave by Patrick Hemstreet Chuck Brenton, a neuroscientist, wonders if the human brain can make a needle move during an EEG test, could it move other things. With the help of some talented individuals, Chuck answers this question and discovers that with some training and practice, the human brain can do so much more. However, once these “powers” are revealed to the world, there will be unscrupulous groups wanting to exploit this discovered talent for their own nefarious ends.
The God Wave is Patrick Hemstreet’s amazing debut novel. Hemstreet’s background as a neuroengineer, entrepreneur, and special-warfare-trained Navy medic, explains why the novel is so well researched. While the science seems plausible, the antagonist is a typical one found in many novels and TV shows. How they have so much money, tech, and personnel without attracting the attention of any government branch is unrealistic. This minor detail is easily overlooked as the reader is engaged in an electrifying story and excellently developed characters. A must read for anyone who enjoys Michael Critchton or Greg Bear.
Spells and Scones by Bailey Cates Spells and Scones is the sixth book in the A Magical Bakery Mystery. Katie Lightfoot is new at being a witch, but with the help of her aunt and a special book group, she is learning fast. She moved from Ohio to Savannah and works at the Honeybee Bakery with her uncle and aunt where she is developing her hedge magic to add a little spice to the baked goods. In Spells and Scones, the bookshop next to the bakery hosts a signing for the well-known radio celebrity and relationship guru, Dr. Dana. Unfortunately, not everyone Dr. Dana has helped appreciates the “advice” she has offered, and she is found dead in the back room of the bookstore. The prime suspect happenes to be a former witch whose familiar was once Katie’s own terrier, Mungo. Katie would prefer to stay out of this murder investigation, but Mungo insists she get involved. This is a fun and easy series to become invested. Even if you start in the middle of the series, it is easy to catch up on what you missed. And as an added bonus, every book includes a couple of delectable recipes. A great read for those who like Avery Aames or Krista Davis.
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All these titles are available at the Portage District Library. For more information about programs and services available at PDL, go to www.portagelibrary.info
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SEPTEMBER 2016
Is that a Bug in your milk‌weed? Do you think of the beautiful Monarch butterfly when you hear mention of the milkweed plant? What about all of the other invertebrates that utilize this fascinating plant? Do you know that there are many other organisms that take advantage of your milkweed patch besides the Monarch? Some spend their entire lives on the milkweed while others stop by for brief moments.
While the monarch uses milkweed as a nectar source, as well as its exclusive host plant, insects like crickets, grasshoppers, and mayflies can be found in and among the milkweed using it as a stopover or shelter until they move to their next location. A true bug that you might see on the plant is the milkweed bug, which actually uses the
milkweed as a food source consuming the plant matter, seeds, and the nectar from the flowers. Other invertebrates that feed on your milkweed include spittlebugs, planthoppers, aphids, several species of beetles, and our more obvious bee and butterfly friends seeking nectar from the flowers. As in the ocean where larger fish are consuming smaller fish for nourishment, there are larger insects consuming the smaller insects that are utilizing milkweed plants. Ladybug beetles can be the most abundant predators in the milkweed community, consuming the aphids that occupy the plants. You may also find dragonflies, damselflies, robber flies, spiders and mantids preying on the other insects inhabiting or nectaring from the milkweed. Finally, there are some insects that parasitize other occupants of your milkweed garden. Several different species of wasps will deposit their eggs on or within the bodies of some caterpillars, beetles, and spiders so their young have nourishment upon hatching. These only represent a few of the many different invertebrates that occupy and utilize milkweed plants. They all make up a huge food web and ultimately help keep the mini-
ecosystem within the milkweed patch balanced. So while you’re out observing monarchs and their caterpillars, take a closer look to see if you can identify who’s who on your milkweed
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Peachy keen! Taste the amazing flavor that can only be found in a fresh-picked peach – ENJOY! by Laura Kurella
I like how life has a way of taking us in directions we normally wouldn’t take on our own, which was the case with me and this old, ugly peach tree that came into my life when I purchased my summer home in Colon, Michigan, many, many moons ago. My initial opinion of the tree was that it had to go. However, when a neighbor happened over, he began to change my mind. “Do you know what kind of tree that is,” he said pointing to it. “An ugly one!” I cynically snapped back. “Well,” he said, “it may be old and ugly but, it’s a Cal Red and that’s the sweetest, juiciest peach you’ll ever taste!” Heeding his remarks, I decided to spare this misfit from becoming firewood until I could taste its fruit. Another neighbor, Kathi, was quick to supply me with a preserve recipe to test out those Cal Reds, so I set to work on my first batch of peach preserves banking solely on the advice of these two people that I barely knew. The resulting preserves were by far, the very best I ever did taste!
Precious Peach Preserves 9 peaches, fully ripened 1 package low sugar pectin 1 lemon, juiced 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 cups sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 cup high quality bourbon
8 half-pint sterilized jars with canning lids or freezer containers* Bring a pot of water to boil then place peaches in boiling water, rolling them around, for 30 seconds, then remove and slip off their skins. Chop the peaches into 1/4 inch dice and remove pits. In a heavy bottom pot, place peaches, pectin, salt and lemon juice and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add sugar then bring back to a boil, stirring constantly for 7 minutes. Remove from heat then add vanilla and bourbon, stirring in well, then ladle the hot preserves into clean, hot jars, and place new seal lids on each jar and secure with threaded bands or wait until preserves are cooled and store in refrigerator or freezer instead. *=NOTE: If using jars, place clean jars in a 200 degree oven for one hour prior to filling them so they are sterile and ready to use. Recipe yields approximately 56-64 ounces of peach preserves, depending on size of the peaches. Nutrition per ounce of preserves: Calories 55; Fat 0g; Sodium 31 mg; Potassium 27 mg; Carbohydrates 13g; fiber 0g; Sugar 13g; Protein 0.1g.
For more on this and other cooking subjects, look for Laura on Facebook at LAURA KURELLA COOKS! Contact Laura at: laurakurella@yahoo.com . Check out Laura’s cookbooks, her new children’s book and more great recipes at Laurakurella.com
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One-Room Schoolhouses Schoolcraft Township Left: Gourdneck Prairie School. Center: Cobb School. Right: Prairie Grove School.
Brick School » DISTRICT #2 - SECTION 2 Northeast corner of U Avenue and Portage Road Vicksburg, MI 49097 This school was later known as Harsha School.
Cobb School » SECTION 5 North side of U Avenue east of 14th Street Schoolcraft, MI 49087
Cooper School » SECTION 30 West side of 14th Street, south of XY Avenue Schoolcraft, MI 49087
Gourdneck Prairie School » DISTRICT #6 - SECTION 14 Southeast corner of V Avenue and Portage Road Vicksburg, MI 49097 This building was constructed in 1870, just north of Gourdneck Prairie Cemetery on land donated by Joseph Frakes, who is buried in the adjacent cemetery, along with other members of this pioneer family. It was later called Webber School, after members of the Webber family who owned adjoining land for many years. The school became part of the Vicksburg Community School District in the 1947 consolidation, and was last used for regular classes in 1957-58
Lost Island School » SECTION 17 Northwest corner of W Avenue and 16th Street Schoolcraft, MI 49087
Prairie Grove School » SECTION 27 South side of junction of XY Avenue and Barton Lake Road Vicksburg, MI 49097
Schick School » SECTION 25 East side of 22nd Street south of X Avenue Vicksburg, MI 49097
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UnReal UnReal is a new series on the Lifetime channel about the hyper-cynical, manipulative world of reality television shows. Behind the ‘reality’ are the network’s producers who work very hard at exploiting the fragile hearts and self-absorbed psyches of women contestants competing as part of a dating show based upon The Bachelor. Everyone on the show and behind its distorted verisimilitude is angling for power, money, sex, ratings or celebrity. It’s an entertaining show that while its tone tends to be rather exaggerated (imagine a dialed down Shonda Rhimes project) on the surface, does effectively ground the storylines to questions of ethics in a gendered work environment where women face difficult choices.
Nelson Algren: The End Is Nothing, the Road Is All Nelson Algren, known as the “bard of the down-and-outer”, is best known for his mid-century novels The Man with the Golden Arm, later adapted in 1955 into a well-known movie starring
Hail Caesar!
Movie Reviews Frank Sinatra and 1955’s A Walk on the Wild Side (inspiring the Lou Reed song). Algren’s fascinating life, which included a romantic affair with French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir and his literary work, are the subject of the documentary Nelson Algren: The End Is Nothing, the Road Is All. Algren’s left-leaning politics led to his being harassed by the FBI and CIA in the wake of 1950’s McCarthyism. Later in life, he fled the gritty Chicago streets that informed so much of his literary output in order to live in Paterson, New Jersey and Long Island, New York.
Chico & Rita Although we traditionally think of jazz music as an American sound, some of the brightest stars on the jazz scene were Cuban musicians. Chico & Rita, an animated film for adults, is a love letter to the vibrancy and soul of
jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and Chano Pozo, and also to the beautiful city of Havana, Cuba. Directed by Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal, and Tono Errando, the film follows fictional Jazz pianist Chico, who saunters into a nightclub one night, and falls head over heels for the sexy, sultry singer named Rita. The star-crossed lovers face many obstacles as they travel across the globe from Cuba, to New York, to Paris. Driven apart time and again, by fame, greed, and jealousy, the two always seem to find their way back to what’s really important: love, and the music. This film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2012, and won many other awards, including a European Film Award, and Goya Award for Best Animated Feature Film. The movie is completely in Spanish, but don’t let a fear of subtitles keep you from falling in love with the jazz and romance of this beautiful film.
While it stands as a film worth watching, Hail Caesar! won’t supplant any of the Coen Brothers’ previously made masterpieces from their perch. However, even a less than brilliant Coen Brothers film is still an enjoyable piece of cinema to watch. Confidently crafted with their absurdist humor and zany approach to storytelling intact, the film focuses on Eddie Mannix, a successful Hollywood fixer who steps in to solve problems related to the personal lives of actors who’ve run afoul of the stern, money-first studio system. Whether it’s saving a cardboard actor known for flubbing his lines from Communist sympathizers looking to squeeze a ransom payment out of the studio or making sure that the gossip columnists never know or print the truth, Mannix’s talent for multitasking keeps him busy throughout this affectionate and clever nod to the Golden Age of Hollywood and its factory-like production of B-grade westerns, corny musicals and stuffy dramas. Review by KPL Staff, Milan Harden. These great titles are available from the Kalamazoo Public Library.
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THESE HIRED HANDS PRODUCE SOME FINE WORK By Dave Person david.r.person@gmail.com
Within the past year, vocalist Laura Nicol, Allison’s daughter, joined them as a vocalist.
If it’s true that many hands make light work, then the Kalamazoo cover band The Hired Hands has it pretty easy.
Not only do the band members get along, but their spouses also hit it off together, making them one big happy family.
In a half dozen years, the group that plays regularly, but not exclusively, at Kalamazoo’s Old Dog Tavern has gone from two members to its recent addition of a female vocalist who brings the number of performers to six.
But while they enjoy each other’s company, it’s their music that has invited their audiences to the party.
“The good thing about this group is we don’t have to get paid. … we just enjoy the music we are able to make,” says Dale Hein, one of the original members. They do get paid, of course, but that doesn’t spoil the fun that band members have making a wide range of music. “I would say it’s country, rock, blues, folk …” Hein says when asked to describe their music, before giving it the simpler title of “a blend of Americana.” “When we began, it was just Bob Allison and myself, then quickly we added Bill Hughes and became Hein, Hughes and Allison,” says Hein, 65, who is retired from his longtime position as director of the Kalamazoo County Health Department. Hein plays harmonica, Hughes bass and Allison guitar. Soon afterward they added Tim Cooper, their drummer, and Bill “Willy T” Rose, on keyboard, and they changed their name to The Hired Hands.
“We’ve been around Kalamazoo for a while and done most of the venues,” says Cooper, 54, who works in the facility planning department of Bronson Methodist Hospital. Their two or three gigs per month have included Bell’s Brewery and The Union Cabaret and Grille in Kalamazoo, Salt of the Earth in Fennville, where they can be found every New Year’s Eve, and, of course, the Old Dog Tavern, 402 E. Michigan Avenue, where they generally entertain patrons from 5 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of the month. “That (early time slot) works great for us so we can go home and go to bed and our audience can too,” Hein jokes. “Our crowd clears out about 8 o’clock and the young people come in,” Cooper adds with a chuckle. They also play at fundraisers, such as Ministry With Community’s Underwear Open House, and at weddings and other special occasions; they even played the State Theatre once at a season-opening event.. “We don’t play at a thunderous volume so people can talk,” says Hughes, 69, who retired from Post Foods eight years ago and has done about 400 gigs with 14 different bands since then. Diversity of its members is a hallmark of the group, most of whom have played with different bands. “Everybody brings their early influence to the band,” Hein says. That makes for a huge variety in their musical offerings. “I think we’re the only band that can go from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Hank Williams and Little Feat to Patsy Cline,” Cooper says. Except for the drummer, all take their turn singing, with band members and audiences especially in awe of Allison’s vocal talents. “I never had a setting where I had the talent of a troubadour,” the much-traveled Hughes says of Allison, 66, a retired state of Michigan employee. “Bob is a great singer, really a fine, fine singer,” Hein adds.
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It’s a voice that Allison’s daughter apparently inherited.
together for the foreseeable future.
“She’s really added a totally new dimension to the band,” Cooper says of Nicol, a Grand Rapids special education professional in her early 30s. “It’s got to be a real thrill for Bob, playing with his daughter.”
“When it stops being fun we’ll stop doing it,” Hein says.
Although they are basically a cover band, listeners might not realize it right away, since the band often focuses on lesser-known songs, such as Van Morrison’s Moondance and Neil Young’s Harvest Moon, and then put their own signature on them. They also do original material, with Cooper, Hein and Hughes writing the lyrics and Hughes and Rose, 61, a heating and air conditioning engineer from Grand Rapids, putting them to music. “Even the cover songs, we make them our own,” Cooper says. “We steal everybody’s songs and now we write our own songs.”. Covering the songs of others is not piracy, however, it’s just what a good band does. “If you cover a song you should do something to make it your song, make it special,” Hein says. The band feels it is onto something good, and they look forward to Thursdaypractices and then the actual gigs they get to do together, so they expect to stay
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Energized by Helping Others “I decided I needed to get away from everything,” he said. He spent a month in New Orleans and after returning home continued volunteering for quite a few organizations. “I wanted to go out and do something that at the end of the day something changed for the better,” he said. “I looked for something where I could make a difference. I heard about and liked the sound of Meals on Wheels,” he said. So in 2007 he joined the Senior Services of Southwest Michigan program that provides over 110,000 meals each year to 600 seniors. “The way I see it,” Joe said, “there is a problem today — someone is hungry. You give them a hot meal and you take care of that problem that day.”
By Bill Krasean, Senior Services RSVP Advisory Council Volunteer
Joe has traveled a few more times to New Orleans for Habitat and made a volunteer trip to El Salvador. He soon realized, however, that he didn’t have to travel around the world to help someone. Since 2007 Meals on Wheels has been Joe’s main focus, one he said he likes better than the other volunteer options.
When Joe Timko, a manager at Pfizer Corp, retired in 2006, he knew he wanted to do something that would have a positive effect on the lives of those around him. He opted to give his time to people in need. Soon after retirement the 67-year-old Vicksburg resident and research chemist by profession drove to New Orleans where he joined a Habitat for Humanity effort to rehabilitate homes devastated by hurricane Katrina.
In 2013, Joe’s wife Lynn, who also worked at Pfizer, retired and started looking for volunteer work as well. She does help occasionally with Meals on Wheels but decided it was more Joe’s thing and instead took her managerial and training skills to the Kalamazoo Agency on Aging, Region III. She started facilitating Matter of Balance classes for older folks and that led to facilitating classes in the Agency’s Diabetes PATH program.
She also took a volunteer position with the West Michigan Glass Arts Center. “That morphed into joining the Journey Beads program that produces glass beads for children undergoing cancer treatment at Bronson Methodist Hospital. My quality control experience at Pfizer led me to the task of cleaning and inspecting the beads.” In the Journey Beads program, each child gets a glass bead after a significant milestone in their treatments. “The beads are a way for the child to tell the story of their journey in the fight against their cancer,” Lynn said. “I really enjoy the volunteer work. It’s very satisfying. I love the folks in the classes. It’s not me dictating what they do but how we can work together to solve a problem. There is so much sharing in those classes and it is energizing being around them.” Joe and Lynn are part of RSVP – Your Invitation to Volunteer, a program of Senior Services that helps older adults volunteer in the community by offering placement assistance and supportive benefits. More volunteers are needed with Meals on Wheels, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Volunteers 4 Seniors for medical rides and grocery shopping help, Mentor Academic Success tutor and mentor program, Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), Senior Services Home Repair, VA Medical Center and more. Regular, flexible, short-term schedules available, contact RSVP at 269-382-0515 or www.seniorservices1.org
EXPO 16
20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4. 2016
20th Annual Senior & Caregiver
EXPO OVERVIEW
Be our guest!
It’s the 20th Anniversary of this outstanding community-wide event and we have special happenings that you don’t want to miss, starting out with being greeted by local celebrities in their finery. Stepping through the doors you might find live musicians and cheerful people willing to help you find your way to a favorite exhibitor. Our supporting sponsors are eager to help you on your scavenger hunt that will result in a drawing for gifts. A helpful hint is to bring address labels. But most importantly, this expo is aimed at seniors, caregivers of all ages, “boomers,” and professionals—each will find something that will improve their knowledge of community resources. It’s a great way to pick up information about businesses and organizations in a nonintimidating way. We always have very diverse exhibitors, including home care and hearing agencies, health plans, realtors, funeral homes, service agencies, retirement communities, home improvement companies, lifelong learning, organizations looking for volunteers, community centers, county services, politicians and more. For animal lovers, enjoy the cats and dogs the SPCA brings to adopt! Attending to one’s health is important for everyone. At the Senior & Caregiver Expo, you can visit our platinum sponsors, Borgess and Bronson Hospitals, to receive a flu shot or get tested for cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. They will also be providing memory screening and good information about the many services they offer the community. Last year our Ask the Experts workshop was standing room only. This year, we will have two popular workshops; one at 10:00 a.m. with Erin VanGroningen of the Alzheimer’s Association focusing on normal memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. At 1:00 p.m. Dr. Michael Raphelson, Medical Director of Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan is back to talk about new changes in end of life care and the importance of advance directives.
All exhibitors will be in the Expo South and Main Expo rooms, which are next to each other in the newer part of the Expo Center. The best place to park is in the front lot (Olmstead Street side), where the main entrance is. Expo hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4th. Refreshments and food are available for a small fee from the Expo vendor, so plan to meet your friends and sit down for a nice chat. One more tip – the expo rooms are large and with over 100 vendors, there is a good amount of walking to do. There will be wheelchairs available at the information desk and chairs placed among the vendor tables for guests.
Thank you in advance for being our guest. We look forward to meeting you!
EXPO 20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
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EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4. 2016
Personal Care Helps Older Adults
STAY AT HOME
The majority of older adults prefer to live in the comfort of their own home. This can be challenging for those coping with injury, illness, aging or surgery. Thankfully, there is a solution – home care. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 41.3 million adults were over the age of 65 in 2012, and predicts that number to grow to 83.7 million by 2050. Consequently, there will be a strong need for home care agencies and personal care services.
devices • Caring for pets Providing assistance with ADLs and IADLs enables adults to stay in their home for as long as possible. In turn, they are much more comfortable and often happier being able to stay in the environment they prefer.
Benefits of Personal Care In addition to comfort and convenience, personal care offers many benefits.
Activities of Daily Living Many people are familiar with medical care provided in the home, but few are aware of personal care. Unlike skilled nursing, personal care helps with activities of daily living, also called ADLs. This includes: • Bathing • Dressing • Using the toilet • Transferring (to or from bed or chair) • Caring for incontinence • Eating There are also instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) including: • Housework • medication reminders • Preparing and cleaning up after meals • Shopping, errands and medical appointments using the telephone or other communication
Customized Care Plan One of the greatest benefits of home care is that it’s tailored to individual needs. Bronson at Home collaborates with family members and other care providers to create a customized plan. Personal care services are linked to Bronson’s electronic health record so all providers are informed and can work together easily. Families may opt for a few hours of help a week or around-the-clock 24/7 care. Improved Health Personal care staff can include personal care aides, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. These caregivers are able to help with medicine reminders and nutrition. Bronson nurses oversee all other caregivers coming to the home. Having nursing oversight helps detect changes or declines in a client’s health before it becomes an emergency. Specialized Care Bronson at Home ensures all caregivers are specially trained for care of clients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. This is important so loved ones are treated with the utmost dignity, respect and understanding. Safer Environment Bronson at Home caregivers help clients perform
activities they struggle to do alone. This reduces the risk for injury. It also allows the opportunity for caregivers to identify barriers around the home. They may recommend the installation of grab bars or a shift in furniture for improved mobility and safety. Companionship Some clients are lonely and simply want a friend – somebody to talk to. Many older adults can feel isolated in their homes. Companionship from personal caregivers offers social and cognitive benefits. Reprieve for Family Members In many instances, it is the responsibility of family members to help their loved ones. Personal care staff can help by taking over some of those responsibilities so families can have peace of mind. Accepting a helping hand from Bronson at Home enables families to refuel, and ultimately provide better care for their loved one.
Learn More about Bronson at Home To find out how Bronson at Home personal care services can meet your family’s needs, visit bronsonathome.com or call (269) 245-3800. Note: All personal care staff must pass an extensive screening process prior to employment. This includes a background check, drug test and FBI fingerprinting. Bronson at Home services are recognized by The Joint Commission with the Gold Seal of Approval.
EXPO 19
EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2016
20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
A Physical Every Year Keeps Your
HEALTH IN THE CLEAR Studies continue to show that people, especially men, are reluctant to visit the doctor. While there are plenty of excuses for not getting a checkup with your health care provider— from lack of time to anxiety over what could be “wrong”— there are also a variety of reasons why it’s very important to schedule time with your healthcare provider.
Here are four of those reasons: 1. Prevention is power. A regular physical can be a great time to catch a health problem before it becomes more serious. For example, if your health care provider discovers you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, he or she can build a plan for lowering your numbers to help prevent a future stroke or heart attack. During a physical, your provider will also discuss your general concerns and family’s health history. If your family has a history of certain diseases or problems, your doctor can give you guidance on how to reduce your risk of suffering from those same conditions. He or she can talk about any recommended screenings you should put on your to-do list as well (e.g., prostate exam, colorectal cancer screening). 2. Establish baselines. If you haven’t visited a doctor in a while, a complete physical exam can establish key health baselines for things like your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. These baselines will help your provider understand your health and wellness now, and in the coming years. 3. Save green. Who doesn’t like to save money? While it might be tempting to skip seeing the doctor because you’d rather not pay for the appointment, this visit might save you green in the long run, as again, health problems can be addressed before they become more serious (and expensive).
So how often should men get a physical exam? While it’s ideal to see your doctor for a routine physical annually, if you’re a man in your 20s, you should schedule an appointment at least every five years; if you’re in your 30s, every three years; if you’re in your 40s, every two years; and if you’re in your 50s and above, every year.
4. Build a trusted partnership. Building a health partnership with a provider can help improve your trust and comfort, as well as ensure you get the best care possible. Having one primary health provider means you’ll have someone in your corner who truly understands your health history, so he/she doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel at each of your visits.
If you have ques ons be sure to talk to your primary care doctor. If you do not have a Borgess primary care doctor please call (269) 226.8135 or (800) 828.8135 or visit physicianfinder.borgess.com to schedule your appointment today.
EXPO 20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
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EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4. 2016
DON’T GET HOOKED
Older adults are the most susceptible to being scammed because they are the age group most often targeted. Many are vulnerable because they are trusting. Sweepstakes mail, investment schemes, sales-pitch luncheons, grandparent and IRS scam calls – once you turn a certain age, you are bombarded by thieves trying to trick you out of your hard-earned cash.
These crooks are hard to catch. Many don’t live in the U.S. They buy lists of potential victims from other scammers. They use untraceable phones. They get their victims to purchase Green Dot MoneyPak cards, add cash, then give the scammers the card numbers. Soon the cash is gone. Or, they get you to go to your bank to wire money to them. To avoid becoming a victim, older adults need to hang up, toss out, shut the door and ignore! That isn’t always easy as the scammers try new tricks. But even it’s not in your nature to say no or be “mean,” it’s time to be more suspicious and self-protective.
The following scams circulate on a regular basis: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Grandparent Scam Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams Telemarketing Scams Fraudulent Anti-Aging Products Health Care/Medicare Insurance Fraud Counterfeit Prescription Drugs Investment Schemes Door-to-Door Solicitations Internet Fraud Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scam Work at Home Scam Identity Theft Legal Documents Scam Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other governmental agency scams Home Repair Contractor Fraud Funeral and Cemetary Scams Charity Scams “Free Lunch” Seminars and Other Freebies
So what is a person to do? Here are some tips on protecting yourself: • Do not isolate yourself – stay involved and tell people if you’re suspicious about someone who is soliciting something from you. • Always tell solicitors “I never buy from or give to anyone who calls or visits me unannounced. Send me something in writing.”
• Always have a second line of defense at your front door, like a locked screen door or a security chain guard. • Change your online password quarterly. • Shred all receipts that contain your credit card number • Sign up for the “Do Not Call” list at 1-888-382-1222 and the “Opt Out Mailing” list at 1-888-567-8688. • Use direct deposit for all benefit checks. • Obtain a credit check on yourself at least 2 or 3 times per year. • Screen your caller ID for “private” or “unknown” callers and don’t answer! • Never give your credit card, banking, Social Security, Medicare or other personal information over the phone unless YOU initiated the call. • Be skeptical of all unsolicited offers. • Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards offer more protection in terms of compensation for fraudulent purchases. • If you are having difficulty keeping track of your finances, contact the AAAIIIA’s Information & Assistance line at 373-5173 for information on options. This article is provided by the Kalamazoo County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition, working to reduce and prevent the abuse of older and vulnerable adults through community awareness, education and action. If you are the victim of a scam, don’t be embarrassed to let your local law enforcement agency know. It’s important that the community is aware of what is going on and if possible, the crooks are caught.
EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2016
EXPO 21
20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
Put Your Fears Aside, Schedule
A COLONOSCOPY TODAY
The third most-common cancer in the United States, colorectal cancer happens when abnormal cells grow and form tumors in the colon or rectum. While this life-threatening disease can often be successfully treated when caught in its earliest stages, only about half of people older than 50 receive the necessary screening tests to detect or prevent colorectal cancer.
Why? Reasons why adults between 50 and 75 are not up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening include: • Their provider didn’t tell them they should receive the screening • They don’t realize a person’s colorectal cancer risk increases with age • They don’t have insurance or a health care provider • They have anxiety about the test Whether it is fear or another reason, if everyone received testing, the American Cancer Society notes that tens of thousands of lives could be saved every year. That’s why if you’re 50 or over, it’s critical to put your worries aside and talk to your doctor about which colorectal screening tests to put on your to-do list. Many insurance plans, includ-
ing Medicare, will help pay for screenings. If you don’t have insurance, call your local health department or (800) CDC-INFO to find out if your area offers access to free or low-cost screenings.
A Closer Look at Colonoscopy Experts advise routine testing for individuals age 50 and older who have a normal risk for colorectal cancer. If you have a higher risk for this type of cancer, your provider may suggest earlier or more frequent testing. Colonoscopy is one of many tests used to screen for colorectal cancer. It allows your provider to look (through a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope) at the inner lining of the large intestine. The tube is linked to a video monitor similar to a TV screen. A colonoscopy can help find ulcers, colon polyps (precancerous growths), tumors and areas of inflammation or bleeding. During this test, tissue samples can be collected and any abnormal growths removed. Because patients are not awake during a colonoscopy, the most uncomfortable part of the test is typically the “prep.” Colon prep involves drinking a special solution to empty out the colon before a colonoscopy.
Prevention is Power Along with regular testing, there are also other things you can do to help prevent colorectal cancer, such as: • Watching your weight. • Eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, poultry and fish, and less red meat, refined grains and sweets. • Drinking no more than two alcoholic drinks per day. • Exercising regularly. • Quitting smoking. If you have ques ons be sure to talk to your primary care doctor. If you do not have a Borgess primary care doctor please call (269) 226.8135 or (800) 828.8135 or visit physicianfinder.borgess.com to schedule your appointment today.
EXPO 20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
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EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4. 2016
When it Comes to Fighting Stroke, Knowledge is Your Best Defense
Every year, stroke impacts the lives of about 795,000 Americans, and yet, most of us wouldn’t recognize the warning signs of this third-leading cause of death. So what’s the best way to fight stroke? Prevention— and knowledge is the key.
What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked (ischemic stroke) or burst (hemorrhagic stroke) blood vessel.
What are the warning signs? • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • Sudden trouble seeing, or sudden blindness in one or both eyes • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause Knowing the acronym F.A.S.T. is another way to remember the signs of stroke: F—stands for facial numbness or weakness, especially on one side. A—is for arm numbness or weakness, especially on one side. S—is for slurred speech, or trouble speaking or understanding.
T—is for time, because if any of these symptoms occur, it’s time to call 9-1-1. If you think you or a loved one may be having one or more of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away. Stroke is a medical emergency, and the faster you receive treatment, the better your chances of recovery. (In many cases, medications can be administered to reverse the effects of a stroke if you receive treatment in a timely manner.)
What are the risk factors? Risk factors you can’t change include: • Age—Your stroke risk more than doubles for each decade of life after age 55. • Family history and race—Your risk increases if your parent(s), grandparent(s) or sibling(s) had a stroke. African Americans have a much higher risk of death from stroke than Caucasians. • Gender—Stroke is more common in men than in women. However, women account for more than half of total stroke deaths. • Prior stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or heart attack—The risk of stroke for an individual who has already suffered one is many times that of a person who has not. TIAs are “mini-strokes” that cause stroke-like symptoms.
The Power of Prevention Some of the leading risk factors you can control through prevention or treatment strategies include: • High blood pressure and cholesterol—Have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels frequently monitored by your health care provider. If you check your blood pressure at home, make sure you change the batteries of your monitor monthly to provide more accurate readings. Talk to your doctor about treatment options if you have high blood pressure or cholesterol. • Smoking—If you smoke, quit. Smokers are twice as likely to suffer an ischemic stroke than nonsmokers. • Diabetes—Many individuals with diabetes have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and are overweight. If you’re diabetic, discuss how you can more effectively manage your disease with your health care provider. • Poor diet—Eat a well-balanced, low-fat, low-sodium (salt) diet. • Physical inactivity and obesity—Being inactive and/or overweight boosts your risks. Try to get at least 30 minutes of activity per day on most days of the week. If you have ques ons be sure to talk to your primary care doctor. If you do not have a Borgess primary care doctor please call (269) 226.8135 or (800) 828.8135 or visit physicianfinder.borgess.com to schedule your appointment today.
EXPO 23
EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2016
20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
Kalamazoo County
CELEBRATES ELDERHOOD! Have you heard about another great Kalamazoo County initiative? It’s called “Celebrate Elderhood” and it is designed to bring attention to the issues of aging, challenging misconceptions and showcasing how this stage of the lifecycle enriches individuals, families, and the community.
The Celebrate Elderhood initiative is facilitated by Judy Sivak, Director, Area Agency on Aging IIIA and Don Ryan, Chair, Kalamazoo County Older Adult Services Advisory Council who along with many volunteers, are working on activities to achieve the objectives of the initiative which are: 1. Recognize innovations and best practices in services to elders by businesses, faith communities and service providers. 2. Recognize elders for their contributions. 3. Promote scholarships for education and training opportunities in gerontology and related fields. 4. Promote healthy aging and well-being. 5. Promote intergenerational awareness and participation in events. The goal of Celebrate Elderhood is “to set a community standard where elders and the people and organizations that make up the network of service providers are valued, respected and supported so Kalamazoo County is known as a great place to grow up and grow old in.” Watch your local media outlets including SPARK magazine for information about upcoming events. Learn how your voice can be heard to choose winners in categories such as recognizing best practices that businesses, service providers and faith communities are already doing. There will also be interesting and informative articles written on a variety of aging issues. We are also looking for Kalamazoo residents who will be age 100+ in 2017 to be honored at a special luncheon next Spring. Please send
contact information for those 100+ now by calling the Area Agency on Aging IIIA at 373-5147.
The fiduciary for Celebrate Elderhood is Kalamazoo County Advocates for Senior Issues (KCASI). KCASI has been around for 15 years, working to improve the quality of life for older adults through advocacy and information sharing, and is pleased to partner with the many individuals and organizations involved. KCASI is a 501c3 organization and is accepting donations for Celebrate Elderhood. Call 373-5147 for more information. Mark your calendar for an event like no other, scheduled for May 18, 2017 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo. It is there where we will recognize elders and award winners in a variety of categories and Celebrate Elderhood through film, voice, and music with local TV personality Lori Moore as Master of Ceremonies. And be sure to visit the Celebrate Elderhood table at the Senior Expo October 4th to pick up your button and more information about scheduled events.
EXPO 20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
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EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4. 2016
Life After Shoulder Replacement Surgery
If your friends have had shoulder replacement surgery, you’ve probably heard, “I wish I had done it years ago!” Chances are, they’re enjoying a new life without debilitating pain and stiffness. They are resuming favorite activities that they have given up over the years.
Your friends have a lot of company. While joint replacement surgery isn’t right for everyone, it can dramatically improve daily life for many people. Today, about 53,000 people in the U.S. have shoulder replacement surgery each year, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. _________________________________
One Patient’s Story Maria Seybert is committed to staying fit. One day after completing a routine session with her personal trainer, she was suddenly sidelined. Maria lost all use of her shoulders. Day-to-day activities became nearly impossible. “I had lost my independence,” says Maria. “I even had to have people help me put on my coat or carry things for me.” Determined to regain her independence, Maria visited her Bronson “After a year and a half of pain family physician, Dr. James Hunt, I didn’t think I would ever feel this who recognized the degeneration good again; but after surgery, it in her shoulders. Dr. Hunt referred feels like I never had a problem Maria to Dr. Grant Bowman of with my shoulders!” Bronson Sports Medicine Specialists who determined Maria needed to Maria Seybert, have joint replacement surgery on shoulder replacement patient both of her shoulders. “I was so impressed,” Maria says. “Trust came easily because everyone was so open and easy to work with.” Scheduling and getting ready for surgery was easy thanks to the Bronson staff. “Dr. Bowman’s office did everything for me,” Maria says. “They made my appointments, confirmed all my paperwork, and were always available if I had questions.” Maria also appreciated having a Bronson MyChart account to keep track of everything from appointment dates, to test results, to insurance payments.
The day of surgery at Bronson Methodist Hospital was just as easy as the days leading up to it. “I was very impressed with everyone’s sense of professionalism yet friendliness. I didn’t feel like I was in a stuffy hospital.” After regaining full use of her left shoulder, Maria had surgery on her right shoulder. “I waited 11 months between surgeries because I wanted to make sure I was completely healed and I had completed physical therapy.” Only a few months after having her second shoulder replaced, everything was back to normal for Maria. “I wake up every morning without any pain. I am able to walk my dogs again and do my own housework,” says Maria. “I am a whole person again without any limitations. It puts a smile on my face.” “Having surgery always sounded like such a big deal to me before I came to Bronson,” adds Maria. However, after the amazing support and outcomes, she recommends Dr. Bowman to anyone experiencing similar problems. “Research your options. You don’t have to live that way”. ________________________________________________________________ If you have severe joint pain, you know it can slowly, but surely limit your activity. Maybe you’re no longer able to golf, garden or lift your arms without feeling pain. Maybe pain keeps you awake at night, preventing a good night’s rest. Osteoarthritis is frequently the culprit. It affects cartilage—the smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones within a joint. Healthy cartilage lets bones glide over each other and absorbs the shock of movement. In arthritis, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. Bones under the cartilage rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion. Joint deterioration can occur over the course of many years. As the condition gets worse, people often try anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen. Some also try supplements, such as glucosamine, or physical therapy. Sometimes these measures are enough. But when they aren’t, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about shoulder replacement surgery. While many shoulder replacement patients are between 60-80 years old, people of all ages can benefit. The latest artificial joints are made of durable materials that last longer. Your orthopedic surgeon can discuss risks and benefits. The surgeon removes the diseased or damaged tissue and replaces it with the artificial implant to ensure a proper fit and Continued on next page
EXPO 25
EVENT DATE: OCTOBER 4, 2016
20th ANNUAL Senior Expo
Treating Vein Disease Did you know that vein disease affects around 30 million Americans? As many as one out of three adults over age 45, yet many do not seek help or treatment until the pain becomes unbearable.
If you are one of them, the longer you wait, the more you may be putting yourself at risk for irreversible damage and potentially life-threatening complications. To help you, here are some tips that explain what vein disease is and how it can be treated.
• Spider veins • Varicose veins
plete our free vascular disease risk assessment.
What are the common risk factors?
Choose Bronson for your heart and vascular care.
• Jobs that require prolonged standing or sitting • Gender (more common in women) • Obesity • Age (people older than 50) • Family history
What are some common symptoms?
The veins in your body play an important role in circulation, carrying blood from various parts of your body back to your heart. As you age, problems can develop in the veins and cause a variety of complications. Early symptoms may seem minor. However, it is important to pay attention to your symptoms and seek medical advice at the earliest sign of a problem to help avoid complications.
The following are some of the symptoms that will appear or be felt in the leg or the lower extremities: • Fatigue • Heaviness • Aching • Burning • Throbbing • Itching • Cramping • Slow healing sores or ulcers • Skin discoloration around the ankles
Some common types of vein disease are:
Are you at risk? Take our free assessment.
• Chronic venous insufficiency • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) • Reticular veins
You may be at a higher risk than you think. Find out your level of risk by visiting learnyourrisk.com to com-
What is vein disease?
You and your family can feel confident that at Bronson, you will receive outstanding heart and vascular care. Our advanced treatments, diagnostics, innovative procedures and emergency capabilities put us at the forefront of heart and vascular care for both adults and children. In fact, we are rated by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery for 2016 and a recipient of the Healthgrades 2016 Vascular Surgery Excellence Award™.
Whether it’s a common or complex condition, our team of highly-trained professionals work collaboratively to ensure all of your needs are met. And with more than 15 locations across southwest and south central Michigan, we make heart and vascular care easy for you to access. If you are ready to find a solution for your vein problems, request a free consult with one of our credentialed vein professionals today by visiting bronsonhealth.com/veins or by calling (269) 341-7333.
Continued from previous page range of motion. It is important to choose an orthopedic surgeon who performs this procedure routinely, and with good results. You may be in the hospital for one or two days, depending on the type of surgery you had and how quickly you recover. When you go home, you’ll get instructions for follow-up exercises or rehabilitation. For most people who’ve had shoulder replacement, life becomes all about what they can do. For additional information on joint replacement surgery, contact us at (855) 618-2676 or visit bronsonhealth.com/joints-bmh.
Grant Bowman, MD Dr. Bowman is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder replacement surgery. He and the Bronson orthopedic team have been instrumental in creating a shoulder replacement program for patients having surgery at Bronson. This includes a presurgery class that is recommended for all shoulder replacement patients, helping to ensure a safer, healthier and quicker recovery.
SEPTEMBER 2016
Wednesday
WARRIORS
Notes from the field JULY 20 An eight-man phalanx of Warriors wielded their manly strength and determination to continue clearing ‘our’ hill at Wolf Tree Nature Trails. The finishing touches were put on the new preserve sign. I heard through the grapevine that the absence of women allowed some free-range peeing. Honestly! It takes so little to rip the veneer of civilization from these guys!
JULY 27 This week, tempered by two womanly warriors, five of us cleared some invasive shrubs choking the fen-side of Jeptha. We were then joined by our very favorite butterfly maven Ronda who led us and a group from the Nature Center on a sunny butterfly walk. As always, she dazzled us with her ability to identify a rapidly flapping blip in the distance. I did better with the slower moving plants, enjoying the blazing star and pitcher plants. And we all enjoyed the huge, thumb-sized blackberries, perfectly ripe and sweet. Hah! Who says volunteers don’t get paid?
SPARK
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AUGUST 3 In the vibrant hum of summer [see footnote], nine Warriors steamed into the wet and wonderful Topinabee Preserve, armed with loppers, saws, weed whip, hedge trimmers, rollers, and plucky attitude. We trimmed and hauled and wrestled the massive thorny thickets to clear the way to the viewing platform. A few alien species were subdued – freeing native loosestrife flowers from the exotic invasive version. We were joined by two local friends who steered us to a good lunch spot, where the lively conversation swirled around dyeing with native plants, pesky sisters, bees, local wineries, and other serious conservation topics. Footnote: okay, so we were talking at lunch, and I wondered what was the opposite of ‘the dead of winter.” I mean, this is the time of year when everything is bursting, blooming, growing, fruiting, basking, shining, changing, crowding. How to capture that? Putting Harry’s and Mitch’s suggestions together, I think “the vibrant hum of summer” captures it pretty well, don’t you? I discarded my entry of effulgence of summer for being too arcane and abstruse. [Mary accuses me of having an app that replaces straightforward text with all these fluffy words.] But honest, these recondite words have been rattling around in my head, pounding on the walls to be let out ever since I was a technical writer and had to rein them in. So it’s a great relief to now set them free. Thanks for your forbearance. - Kristi Chapman
SPARK
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HEALTHY LIVING :
High Intensity Interval Training by YMCA of Kalmazoo Health & Wellness
Why Walk for Hearing? Hearing loss is a public health issue that affects our community. Walk with us on Sunday, October 2 at Lakeview Park in Portage. Registration begins at Noon and the Walk starts at 1pm. Funds
“We walk because proceeds benefit Constance Brown Hearing Centers”
benefit the financial assistance program, which offers a sliding fee scale for both children and adults. Find more details and download the Walk brochure under the About Us page on our website.
Trusted since 1942, Constance Brown Hearing Centers, where personalized service and technology meet. Kalamazoo 1634 Gull Rd. Suite 201 269.343.2601
This method of training can be modified for individuals that are out-ofshape and can be performed on all exercise machines. To avoid injury or overexertion, individuals who are sedentary will need to develop a base level of aerobic and anaerobic fitness before starting HIIT. Starting HIIT regimens can be difficult, so it is recommended that individuals start with a lessintense workout program and slowly incorporate HIIT into it. Adding HIIT once a week to your already existing workout and increasing the number of days as the training gets easier, is the most beneficial way for an individual to start routine High Intensity Interval Training.
*The YMCA recommends that you check with your doctor or health care provider before beginning an exercise program.
HIIT is performed in 8 second to 8 minute bursts at 80% to 95% of a person’s estimated maximal heart rate. Recovery periods are less extreme, lasting 8 seconds to 8 minutes as well, but only at 40% - 50% of the person’s estimated heart rate. Because the human body needs to return to homeostasis (internal physiological stability of the body), it is estimated that
Better Hearing will
a person will burn 6 – 15% more calories while in recovery. The full workout lasts 20 – 30 minutes, alternating the continuous exercise and recovery intervals.
Perfecting this type of cardiovascular exercise can take time, but results show that High Intensity Interval Training is one of the most beneficial ways to burn fat and preserve muscle.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a form of cardiovascular exercise involving short periods of intense workouts. HIIT provides similar benefits as continuous endurance exercises, like a steady-paced run, burning more calories than a normal workout.
raised at the Walk for
SEPTEMBER 2016
Portage 4855 W. Centre Ave. 269.372.2709
www.cbrown.org
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V & V Quality Meats other local butcher shops long gone, V & V Meats is still going strong. Ernie is still cutting meat and greeting his many regular customers. Ernie’s son Eric and his wife Laura, gave me the lowdown on the store and why it has survived when many of the others went by the wayside when the large chain grocers moved into town.
Back in 1985, while working at the Kalamazoo Shopper, I received a call from Ernie VanOrman. He was opening up a new business and wanted to place an ad, promoting his new store-V & V Quality Meats. Fast forward, 31 years and with most of the
I asked Laura, if there was anything special that V & V is known for and she said, “probably our hamburger, If you are a store selling meat, you better have good hamburger.” She also mentioned their home smoked bacon. The large, thick slabs of bacon looked nothing like the bacon you would find most anywhere else. The coolers were filled with all types of delicious looking steaks, chops, and pork tenderloins and many other premium meats. While talking with Laura and Eric, a customer came in for some sliced ham and
sharp cheddar cheese. She told us that her kids loved it and wouldn’t eat ham from anywhere else. While we chatted, Eric and Laura’s son Philip waited on customers. On the counter they proudly posted a picture of their other son, James and his wife Meagan, and their new baby, Evangeline Grace. If you have never been to V & V Quality Meats, stop by and enjoy the feel of a friendly neighborhood butcher in the heart of the city. You will be greeted with a smile and a friendly hello and some wonderful meat to take home for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
5002 Wynn Rd-Kalamazoo • 269-382-0345 Hours: Mon-Wed & Fri 8am-6pm, Thur 9am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm
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Celebrate Elderhood presents Generation Celebration and Grandparents Day!
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event is brought to you by the Healthy Aging Committee of Celebrate Elderhood in partnership with the City of Portage and Portage Senior Center. For more information, contact Portage Senior Center Manager, Kimberly Phillips at 329-4555. The Celebrate Elderhood initiative seeks to bring attention to the issues of aging, challenging misconceptions and showcasing how this stage of the lifecycle enriches individuals, families and the community.
We are pleased to announce the first official activity of the Celebrate Elderhood initiative called “Generation Celebration.” Mark your calendar for Sunday, September 11 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and meet up with lots of your neighbors and friends starting at the Portage Farmer’s Market, located at the Portage Senior Center, 320 Library Lane. September 11th also happens to be Grandparent’s Day, but you don’t need to be a grandparent to celebrate with us. This is for boomers, millennials, elders and youngsters alike! Start out at the Portage Farmers Market where you will find tasty food, crafts, specialty goods and other items from local farmers and other vendors. Then head out and tour the Portage trail, from the Portage Senior Center to Celery Flats, a walk of about ½ mile one-way. Along the way, there will be stations featuring family-friendly events like crafts, games, music, popcorn and a few surprise entertainers! Generation Celebration is sure to be fun for all ages because healthy aging not only involves physical activity and healthy eating, but also the joy that comes from interacting with people while discovering new things. This
New Residents Welcome! Crosstown Parkway Senior Apartments
Apartments - Immediate Occupancy! - 1 bedroom apartments for 62 years and up. - Gas, electric, heat, air conditioning, water and sewer included. - Recently renovated kitchen and bath. - Rent based on 30% of income. - Medical alert bracelet in each unit.
- Small pets welcome with deposit. - “Care One” on-site. - Professional, courteous staff. - Free community room for parties. - Weekly resident activities. - Weekly grocery trips.
RENT BASED ON INCOME 550 W. Crosstown Pkwy. Kalamazoo 344-3968 Professionally Managed by Medallion Management, Inc. TTY 711
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4th Annual Ultimate, Extreme, Ultra Point 1K. Spoof Run. Real Need. Kalamazoo’s favorite spoof run is moving! Drawing close to 600 participants each year, this spoof run – which boasts an all-flat, 329 foot “race course” –in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park this September 24th. While the run, itself, will be on Academy Street (adjacent to the park), the park will host a variety of event activities through collaborations with community partners, like the Civic Theatre, Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation, and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
Care of Southwest Michigan’s (HCSWM) mission to provide hospice care and grief support to all who need them in our community, regardless of ability to pay.
Grant’s experience with hospice care inspired the Point 1K. You can watch the video at hospiceswmi.org/videos-testimonials).
Activities and games will start at 10am, with live music from the Shelagh Brown Band and delicious cuisine from some of the area’s favorite food trucks! Day-of attractions include giant Jenga, the Duck Derby Hospice Raffle, a photo booth, costume contests, a FREE Kids Fun Run, and much more. The Union and the Tap House on the downtown mall will be offering pre- and post-race drink features as our official rehydration stations! The first 500 participants to register at point1k.com receive an extremely sweet race shirt and ultra-cool swag in their bag for only $25. More importantly, participant fees support Hospice
In fact, the idea for this fundraiser was brought to HCSWM by the Jager family, as a fun way to provide access for all to the kind of compassionate care their 18-year old son, Grant, had at the end of his life. See Grant’s story at hospiceswmi.org/ videos-testimonials. Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan’s programs include Home Hospice Care, Rose Arbor Hospice Residence, Grief Support Services, and Adult Day Services at Oakland Centre. Contact them at 269.345.0273, visit their webpage at hospiceswmi.org, or follow them on Facebook. But first. . .register at point1k.com! The medal that hangs on J.J. Ohm’s bedpost reminds him of the Kids Fun Run at last year’s Point 1K. When he sees it he always says, “I won the race!” He had a great time.
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We invite you to come join us for a gathering to celebrate this Kalamazoo Treasure
Saturday, September 17, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Music by the Hired Hands Tours of the plants, birds, history and current research in the Preserve Interactive displays by the local environmental organizations. Refreshments by Sarkozy Bakery and, opening Friday, September 9th at the Art Hop, an art show at Sarkozy Bakery featuring works by local artists of scenes from the Preserve. The show will run through the month of September.
Celebrate the Preserve with the Asylum Lake Preservation Association!
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Top: Wolbers was a longtime Portage landmark. They were located at the corner of S. Westnedge and E. Centre St. and were in business from 1916-1967. Center: Allen Super Drug was located at 1516 Gull Rd across from Borgess Hospital. The picture is from 1955. They had a soda fountain and even a drive-in window. They later had a second location in Comstock. Bottom: Ty’s Barber Shop was located at 6423 Stadium Dr just east of 9th Street across from Hardings. This picture is from the mid-1980’s.
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Wish You Were Here: A Postcard Trip through Parchment History Parchment Community Library is presenting a journey back in Parchment’s history on September 24 and 25. It begins with a historical walking tour with Lynn Houghton sponsored by the Parchment Class of 1966, Saturday, September 24th at 1:30 starting at the library. Sunday, September 25 the library is hosting an exhibit, reception and special events celebrating Parchment’s history. The public is invited to share and hear stories about Parchment during the days of the Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment paper company and their efforts to make Parchment a model company town especially during the 1930’s and 40’s. The library has created an exhibit of over 20 postcards of events in Kindleberger Park, the Homeworks, a groundbreaking Top postcard: Boys of the Home program for youth to learn skills and earn Works Corporation, August 12, money during the 1930’s, the commu1942. nity center and street scenes. Historian Bottom postcard: KVP Girls Softball Lynn Houghton will discuss Parchment City Champions. Circa 1944. as a model company town. Parchment residents will share their memories of working at KVP and living in Parchment during the 1930’s and 40’s along with videos, oral histories, past newspapers. There will even be refreshments created from The Four Hundred,” a cookbook by the “Ladies Society of Parchment, Michigan,” that appears to date from the 1930’s.
39th Annual Eastside Schools Reunion Sat. Sept. 17th, 12 Noon-4p.m.; Doors open at noon; Potluck begins at 1:00p.m. Kalamazoo Fairgrounds and Expo Center, Room A Welcome former students and faculty from the historic Eastside Schools, including Roosevelt, Brucker, Wilson, Burke, Spring Valley, St. Mary’s and Northeastern! Prior to the 1990’s, the Eastside was a vibrant community with several local merchants, and more importantly, many neighborhoods filled with children who attended elementary at schools within their own or neighboring neighborhoods, including Brucker, Wilson, Spring Valley, Burke, St. Mary’s or Roosevelt. Roosevelt used to be K9th grade prior to becoming solely an elementary school in the early 60’s when Northeastern Junior High was built. When Northeastern Jr. High was built, all of the children from the afforementioned elementary schools were sent there for 7-9th grade, prior to being bused to either K Central or Loy Norrix. NJH is now an elementary school and most Eastside students are bused across town either to attend another elementary or to attend middle and high school. The former students of the 7 historic schools still gather together every year at an annual reunion (this will be the 39th year) and within the past 3 years, school faculty from those schools have joined us. The age range at the reunion is anywhere from age 45 to age 98!! (Our oldest attendee is the former librarian from NJH, Ms. Gwen Tulk, age 98.) Please bring a dish to pass. (No need to bring your own table service this year; we will provide it for you.) Bring any memorabilia and/or photos you wish to share. Ribs, beverages and table service will be provided.
Adults admission: $6.00; Children: $2.00 at the door. Lots of prizes to give away this year. For more information, please contact Reunion Chair, Ailene Buchtrup, at (269)599-7702 or at Lindytwin1@yahoo.com. Also check out our Facebook Group Page at Annual Eastside Schools Reunion (formerly Roosevelt Reunion), Kalamazoo, MI
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Matt’s collection takes you out to the ballpark Matt Pienta was born and raised in the Kalamazoo area, graduating from Portage Central and WMU. Matt vividly recalls buying his first baseball cards in 1983 from local gas stations and Meijer. About this time, his parents started dragging him and his younger siblings to local antique shows where he started looking for older baseball cards and remembers buying a few T206 tobacco cards that would now be over 100 years old. A family vacation out east included a stop in Cooperstown, NY and a visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame where he saw baseball history displayed up close in all it’s glory, which later inspired him to display his own collection. Matt’s father took him to his first baseball game on Sept. 16th, 1984 when he was 9
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PICKERS years old. The Tigers where on their way to the playoffs and he fell in love with that team. A part of his collection is specifically related to members of that team, including team signed baseballs and a game used bat from almost every position player on the roster that year. Matt focuses the majority of his collection on baseball items from the late 19th century through the 1930’s (pre-war), but will pick up a few later items. He looks for for equipment (including jerseys, gloves, bats, balls), trophies, autographs, original photographs, pins/buttons, pennants, artwork, and baseball cards. His favorite item is a heavy, rare, Louisville Slugger figural batter trophy from 1928, measuring 19” tall. Matt says that he knows he won’t have these items forever, and feels like he is protecting them for a future collector somewhere down the road. Matt can be reached at mattpienta@yahoo.com
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Tales
FROM THE
road
~ upper pennisula, michigan ~ Every July, I head up north with a group of old friends for five days of fun in the great outdoors. This year we chose Brimley State Park on Lake Superior about 15 miles west of Sault Ste Marie. The park is on a bay with a very nice sandy stretch of beach and our campsite was about 20 yards from the lake. Each morning began around 6am with a energizing jump into Lake Superior, followed by a bike ride to explore the area. The first day, our morning ride took us to the Dancing Crane Coffee House in Bay Mills, a great little place celebrating their 10th anniversary. It’s a funky coffee shop with a great selection of Native American art and gifts. Kathy, who owns the place with her husband Jim, came outside where we were sitting and asked if we wanted a coffee refill and brought out maps and books, pointing out area highlights We decided to head to Mission Hill, one of Kathy’s recommendations, located a few miles further west. This large wooded area at the top of a steep hill was once cleared for potatoes and other vegetables and now has become a wonderful lookout to view Spectacle Lake below and Lake Superior further out. Across from the lookout is the Mission Hill cemetery where most of the locals have been buried. We noticed the LeBlanc family, whom we kept hearing and reading about and everyone seemed to be related to, were very prominently represented throughout the cemetery. Many of the gravesites were elaborately decorated with all types of mementos honoring the dead (bowling pins, beads, gnomes, etc.). We hiked down a steep path to Monocle Lake (surprisingly very warm ) and struggled a bit climbing back up The next morning, we rode our bikes into the small town of Brimley. We noticed two old boats heading out into the lake and learned that they were Indian fisherman retrieving their nets and hopefully a good catch. We stopped into Shula’s Bakery, Deli & Café and met the owner, Trish who had great scones, Gitche Gumee fudge and a wealth of knowledge of the history of the area. The furniture in the bakery is made from local shipwrecks and the walls are decorated with assorted vintage items from the area including
a speaker from the old Satellite Drive –In, once located a few miles down the road. One rainy day, we visited the Point Iroquois Lighthouse and continued on over to the town of Paradise. Unfortunately many of the old gift stores and the Yukon Inn are now closed. We then headed on to the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls. We had a great cherry wheat beer at the Brewery at the Falls and listened to some great musicians on the outdoor patio. Most days, we drove into the Soo for dinner and to watch a few ships pass through the locks. The downtown area is on the upswing since our last visit about ten years ago and we found lots to see and do. A former program director from Kalamazoo’s WRKR radio moved to the Soo and opened two very good breweries. The Soo Brewing Company has great beer, big old wooden tables and was busy every night. Just down the street is the 1668 Winery and Lockside Brewery which not only brews beer, but also makes their own wine and has great salads, pizza and paninis. Moloney’s Alley Irish Pub is another fun place that is housed in a historic brick building with high tin ceilings and has great food. We stopped into the legendary Antlers Restaurant one night –the place has not changed much in 50 years with a few hundred animal mounts covering every square inch of the walls. Another highlight is the Birds Eye Outfitters/Superior Café- a brand new place that is a combination, brewery, coffee house and outfitter all tucked into a very cool building. I met the owners and they told me a story about a man that went into the bathroom and came out and proclaimed, “Even the Bathroom is Cool,” which is now the slogan on their shirts. There are many museums downtown including the main one at the Soo Locks and the SS Valley Camp museum ship, that sailed the Great Lakes from 19171967. There are also several old restored houses including the Johnston house, built in 1796-the second oldest building in the Midwest. If you have not been up to the Soo area in a while, you will be pleasantly
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR SPECIAL EVENTS Art Hop, Sept 9 - Downtown Kalamazoo Bank Street Flea Market-Every Wednesday Portage Farmers Mkt, Sundays, 12-4pm Portage Senior Center
Parking lot
YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO
12-4:30pm, $ , 350 4598 for info
Portage Branch 2900 West Centre Ave. 269-324-9622
Gazelle Sports Historic Walks. Fri mornings 8am, Thur eve-
Blood Pressure Clinics, Ist Monday and 2nd Tuesday of each
nings, 6:30 866-493-5533 for info
month 9:45-11:45am YogaStretch, Fri 11am-12pm, Members Free, Community $23. Muscular Strength and Range of Movement, Monday 1p-2p, Members Free, Community $30, Wednesday/Friday 10am11am Members Free/ $60 Community
100 Mile Mkt-Wednesdays, 3-7pm, Peoples Food Co-op Kalamazoo Farmers Mkt, Tue, Thur, Sat, Bank St Walking Tour of Downtown Kalamazoo Breweries, Saturdays,
Allegan County Fair, Sept 9-17 St Joseph County Grange Fair Sept 18-24 SPCA 6th Annual Doggie Dash, Sept 24, 9am-2pm, Spring Val-
ley Park Barn Theatre-Red , White & Tuna-thru Sept 4 Gilmore Car Museum, Drive In Movie Night-American Graffiti,
Sept 9, $10 Baby With the Bathwater, Sept 23-Oct 8, Gilmore Theatre
Complex
COMSTOCK COMMUNITY CENTER
Tillers 14th annual Community Harvest Fest, Sept 18, 12-4pm, Gilmore Annual Rising Stars: Sean Chen, Sept 18 4pm, Wellspring Muscle Cars Plus-Show & Swap Meet-Gilmore Car Museum,
269-345-8556
Sept 11 9am-4pm, $
week program which will cover several topics. Classes start September 16. You are not required to attend all the classes but may find them all to be beneficial to you or a loved one. Please call to register 345-8556. Bell Ringer’s Choir: Mons, 10am-12pm. Taught by Phil Neice. All skill levels. Call Phil in advance 269-343-6067. Free. Bingo: Every Thursday at 1pm. Bring a $1.00 value item in a paper sack. Free. Borgess Healthy Steps: Tuesday & Thursday, 8-9am. This class is held at Borgess Health & Fitness Center. Cost $20/ year. Call (269) 552-2348 to register. Bridge: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month, 1pm. This is a group of experienced players. 324-2404 to sign up to play. 50 cents to play. Ceramics: Tues, 1-3pm, $5 per week includes supplies Conversation Cafe: Every Tues, Wed, Thur. at 11:30am. Enjoy a home cooked meal. Call by noon the day before to order. Cost is $6 and includes beverage. Exercise: Tues & Thur, 10am-11am Low impact exercises and all levels welcome. Cost is $3 per class. Foot Care Clinic: 2nd & 4th Mon of the Month. Please call 3458556 to make an appt. Cost is $25 per visit. Knitting and Crocheting: Every Mon and Wed, 1-3pm FREE Line Dance: Wednesdays at 9-10:30am. Cost is $3. Massage: Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s by appointment only. Cost is $20 for 1/2 hour and $40 for hour. Mystery Lunch: 3rd Wed of month, 11am-3pm. A meal and unknown adventure! You never know where you are going. Transportation is $3 and meal cost is on your own. Out to Breakfast: 8:30am.. Sept 6 at Cracker Barrel at 9th St, Sept 20 @ Scott’ Corner Café in Scotts Meal cost is on your own. Out to Lunch: Join the group at 11:30am. September 30 @ Brewster’s on Portage Rd. Meal cost is on your own. Qigong: Thursday’s 9-9:45am. Similar to Tai Chi Cost is $5. Potluck: 3rd Monday of each month at noon. Bring a dish to pass and your own tableware. Free. Stay Independent-Prevent Memory Loss: 3rd Mon. of month, 1-2pm. Different memory loss topic monthly $5. Tai Chi, Mondays at 5:30pm-6:15pm $5 Texas Hold ‘em Poker: Tuesdays at 12:30 pm. Free. Therapeutic Swim Class: Comstock Community Center Water Class‚ meets every Tues and Thur from 10-11am. (269) 5522358. Cost is $40 for 8 week class. TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly): Every Tuesday 5pm-7pm. 383-0312. Membership is $32 annually. Yoga: Friday’s, 10-11am. This is a great exercise for your body, mind and soul. This class focuses on chair yoga. Cost is $5. Business Bingo: Thursday, September 22, 1-3pm. Businesses will be here to call bingo and all prizes are worth $20 or more. Beverages and snacks will be provided. Call to register. FREE Driver’s Safety Refresher Class: Tue, Sept 27, 10am-2pm. AARP Driver’s instructor will give you updated laws, and driving rules and go over more. Some insurance companies will give you a discount on premiums once you complete this class. Call to reg. by Aug 12. Cost is $15 if AARP mbr or $20 if non-mbr. Trinket Box Project, Monday, September 12, 10am–12pm Paint and decorate your own trinket box, $15 includes all supplies. Call to register. Velvet Color with Frame, Wednesday, September 7, 10am12pm Cost $18 includes all supplies. Call to register.
BRONFMAN PLAYS TCHAIKOVSKY 2-Sept 18, 8pm, Miller Aud Asylum Lake Preserve Celebration, Sat, Sept 17th, 1-5 p.m. 344-
0836 for details 4th Annual Ultimate, Extreme, Ultra Point 1K. Spoof Run. Bron-
son Park this September 24th. register at point1k.com! Ladies Night Out- Fri, Sept 16, 5:30-8:00 PM. Milwood United Methodist Church. $5. Over 30 vendors. CND Hike “North Country National Scenic Trail Day” Sun, Sept 25 at 1 PM. Contact: Mary Brinks at CNDHiking@charter.net for hike details Furnace Fest, Boatyard Brewing Co., Fri. Sept. 23, 6pm-11pm, FREE. Fundraiser for CommunityHomeworks.org Oshtemo’s Extraordinary Inventor, Jay B Rhodes presented by Cynthia Jeffrey, Thur, Sept 15, 7pm, Oshtemo Township Hall 37th Annual NSRA Street Rod Nationals North Plus-Sept 9-11, Kal County Second Sundays Live: Crossroads Resurrection, 2:00 p.m. September 11, Parchment Comm. Library Reel Wheels, view a car from the Gatsby era (1920’s) and watch The Great Gatsby 2013 version, 5:30 p.m. September 7, Parchment Comm. Library Genre Book Group: Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler, 7:00 p.m. September 14, Parchment comm. Library Historical Walking Tour through Parchment with Lynn Houghton meet at Parchment Library at 1:30 p.m., September 24 A Postcard Trip through Parchment History, visit Parchment
through a postcard exhibit, sights, sounds, food, and stories from Parchment’s rich history, 2:00-4:00p.m. September 25, Parchment Comm. Library Celebrate Elderhood presents Generation Celebration! Sun, Sept 11 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Portage Farmer’s Market, located at the Portage Senior Center, 320 Library Lane. Taoist Tai Chi Society Open Houses, September 6, 5-6:30pm; September 7, 10-11:30am, September 8, 1-2:30pm, September 10, 9:30-11am, Hillside Center, Portage. 323-1974 39th Annual Eastside Schools Reunion Sat. Sept. 17th, 12 Noon4p.m.; Kalamazoo Fairgrounds and Expo Center, 269 599-7702 Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo, Sept 17, Kal county Expo Center Be Fit! Family Health Festival Sept 17, FREE, Kal county Expo Center Kalamazoo Expo Mom to Mom Sale, Sept @4, Kal County Expo Center, $ Fall Expo & Craft Show, Sept 24, FREE, Kal County Expo Center Kalamazoo Dance- monthly Ballroom Dance, Sat, Sept 17, 7pm The Point Community Center, N 10th St $ Klines Resort Bluegrass Concert, Sept 4, 6:30pm, Mon, Sept 5th @ 7:15 Fred Walker The Songs We Can’t Forget –Kiva at Friendship Village Mon, Sept 12th @ 2:00 Cat Canyon Vocal Concert -Kiva Sat, Sept 17th @ 2:00 Mattawan Robotics Team -Kiva Mon, Sept 19th @ 7:15 Christopher Sloan Guitar and Vocal Music –Kiva Fri, Sept 23rd @ 2:00 Hedy Habra Art Inspired Poetry Reading –Kiva Mon, Sept 26th @ 2:00 My Brain is healthy and Strong by Suzanne Gernaat –Kiva Mon, Sept 26th @ 7:15 Jerry and Bev Vernon Musical Program –Kiva Tues, Sept 27th @ 3:00 Young at Heart Senior Show Chorus From Lansing –Kiva
YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO 1001 W. Maple St. 269-345-9622 AOA Monthly Social Wed, Sept 21, 4-5pm (bring a dish to
pass) in the Chapel The “Y” Read Book Group, Fri, Sept 16, 1:30-2:30 I Am Malala:
The Girl Who Stood Up for Education & Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai. Walgreens Flu Clinic, Sept 28, 12:30-2:30 SilverSneakers Yoga, Thur. 10:00am-10:45am. Members free/
$32 Community. SilverSneakers Classic, T/Th 11a-12p. Members free/ $49 Com-
munity. SilverSneakers Splash, M/W/TH 3p-4p. Members free/ $62
Community, 2 times a week, $54 Community. Tai Chi for Arthritis, T/TH 10a-11a, $23 Mbr/$49 Community.
Instr: Glenda Van Stratton. 345-9622 x127. SilverSneakers Circuit, M/W 11a-12p, Members free/$49 Community SilverSneakers Cardio, New class, T/Th, 1:30p-2:30p Members free/$56 Community
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Support Program, This is a 10
ECUMENICAL SENIOR CENTER 702 N. Burdick Street 381-9750 Monday - Exercise, Free Blood pressure 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bible
Study 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday – Craft (knitting) Ceramic Class Instructor: Tina Krum Cost $4.00 per class Trip to Beauty School – 3rd Tuesdays of each month Wednesday– Bible Study 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Medicine Check 12:30 p.m. - Book Reading Thursday – Scrapbooking 10:00, Spanish Class, (six week class) and Community Prayer Circle @ 2p.m. Friday – Computer classes @10:00, Bingo @ 10:30 a.m. Lunch 12:00; 1:30 p.m. - Wii Bowling, games, and movies. Grocery Bingo- 2nd Friday in each month Monthly Birthday Celebration Bible Study Monday- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Wed. 10:30 to 11:30
PLAINWELL AREA COMMUNITY CENTER Euchre-Tuesdays 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. singles or couples. Tai Chi M 3-4 pm $
Senior Game Day 1st Th of Month 1-4pm Mid Lake Chorus Tuesdays 6-9pm Southwest Michigan Seek and Search “Metal Detecting” Club
Every 3rd Tuesday, 7-9pm VFW 1st Monday of month 7-9pm Enhance Fitness Mon, Wed, Fri, 11-12 $ Jazzercise M-Th, 6-7 $
PORTAGE SENIOR CENTER 269-329-4555 2nd Annual PSC 9-Hole Golf Scramble, Thursday, September 15, 8:30 AM Registration, 9:00 AM Shotgun start at Sates Golf Course, Vicksburg. $35 per golfer, $140 per foursome (includes lunch and 9-holes with cart & prizes). Register at PSC. AARP Smart Driver Program, Thursday, Sept 22, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. $15 AARP Member/$20 Non-Member AARP. Must present payment at time of registration at PSC. A Matter of Balance Class, September 7 – October 26, Wednesdays, 1:30 – 3:30 PM. Register at the Reception Desk. Alzheimer’s Assoc. Support Group, 7:00-8:30pm, 3rd Tuesday Art Open Session, 1:00 p.m., Mon, PSC Members only. Bid Euchre 6:30 p.m. Tues. New players welcome. PSC mem only. Big Screen Movie: Mon, Aug 8, 1:15 p.m. “Hawaii, America’s Paradise” View the movie for free; popcorn 50 cents. Billiards – 12:30 – 4:45 p.m., Tue, Thur, Fri. Mem only. Blood Pressure Clinic, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., 2nd Thur Body Rebound, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., Mon, Wed, & Fri all month. Non-aerobic exercise class. 8-weeks: $42/$52 non-mem. Register at PSC. Book Club, 2nd Monday @ 10:00 a.m. Book Presentation: The Library Ladies of Kalamazoo: Their Home and History. Friday, September 16, 10:30 AM, presenter: Vanita Aloisio. Register at the Reception Desk. Bridge – Relaxed Pace, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Mon and Wed all month. Relaxed pace, won’t you join our group? PSC members only. Bridge, Experienced 1 – 3 p.m. Tues and Fri all month. Experienced players welcome. PSC Members only. Bronson programs at PSC. Which Immunizations Are Right for You? Tuesday, September 13, 6:30 – 7:30 PM. Could You Have Vein Disease & Not Know it? Tuesday, September 27, 6:30 – 7:30 PM. Register at Bronson (269) 341-7723. Canasta Club, 1:00 p.m., Mon. Exp and beginning players welcome. Lessons available. PSC Mbrs only. Celebrating National Senior Center Month, Monday, September 19, 1:00 – 3:00 PM. This event will include refreshments and entertainment. Chair Volleyball Drop-in Play: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Tues The PSC offers free, drop-in play. PSC Members only. Choir Practice, 9:30 a.m. Thursdays. Coffee with a Cop, Thursday, September 29, 1:30 PM. City of Portage Department of Public Safety will be available to answer questions in an informal friendly gathering on current scams (phone and internet) affecting our community. Register at the Reception Desk. Coloring, Coffee and Conversation, Wednesdays, (1st, 3rd & 5th) 1:00 – 2:00 PM. Community Service Van (CSV) Program Transportation, 8:30 – 1:00 p.m., Mon - Fri. Trans. available for PSC programs or PSC lunch. Call 329-4555 for appt Computer Tutoring: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Mondays, Reg at PSC, members only. Fee $10/hr. Cribbage, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Mon, no fee. You’re welcome to join our group. PSC Members only. Dining Out Club - Dinner, 5:00 p.m., , September 6, Blue Dolphin, 502 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Your hosts: Hal & Shirley Ray., Hosted by Hal & Shirley Ray. Advance reg PSC 3294555 by prev bus day is required. Self-pay. Dining Out Club - Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. Tue, Sept 13, Uncle Ernie’s, 4005 Portage St., Kalamazoo. Portage Hosted by Hal & Shirley Ray. Advance reservation at PSC 329-4555 by prev bus day is required. Self-pay. Dining Out Club -Lunch, 11:30 am, Thur, September 15, Joy Fong, 8136 Portage Road, Hosted by Hal & Shirley Ray. Advance res. at PSC 329-4555 by previous bus day req. Self-pay. Drums Alive: Monday and Wednesday, 9:20 – 10:20 am., $42/52. Call 329-4555 for information. Dominoes, 1:00 p.m. 2nd and 4th Fri. New players welcome. PSC members only. Enhance Fitness, 8:10 – 9:10 a.m., Mon, Wed, and Fri. Improve fitness, muscle strength, & balance. 8-week: $42/$52 nonmember, Register at the PSC. Euchre, 1:45- 4:45 p.m. Wednesdays. New PSC members/ players welcome. Flu Vaccine Clinic by Borgess at PSC, Friday, September 23, 2:00 – 4:00 PM. No registration required. Hand Chimes, Thurs, 1 p.m. (hand chimes provided) Heritage Dinner Series, 3rd Tuesday, 5:00 – 6:30 PM, $10 meal includes, main entrée, sides, dessert and beverage. Register at the Reception Desk. iPad Discussion Group, Tuesday, September 20, 10:00 AM, register at 329-4555. Laptop Intro to Office, 10:00 – noon, Wed. 7 weeks. Instructor Royce Bland teaches a class designed for those with basic working knowledge who would like to learn how to utilize Microsoft Office $24/Members only. Loaves & Fishes Bag Recycling – Bring your plastic & paper bags to the Center the first week of the month. Mah Jongg, 1 p.m. Tues. New PSC members welcome.Matter of Balance Class beginning June 3. Call the Center for specifics and register at 329-4555 Massage Therapy, 1st & 3rd Mon, call 329-4555 for appt. $20 half hour and $40 full hour. Register w/Susan (269) 377-9571. New Member Meet & Eat, Thursday, September 8, 9:00 – 10:30 AM. Register at the Reception Desk.
Ping-Pong, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m., Mon & Thur. Have fun & exercise at this drop-in event. Equipment provided. Members only. Pinochle Double Deck, 1:00 p.m., Friday (1st, 3rd, 5th). PSC Members only. Pinochle Single Deck, 1:00 p.m. Thur, PSC mbrs only. Poker Night – Just for Fun, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on 2nd Tuesday. Free. Dealer’s choice poker game, call PSC for more information. PSC Members only. Portage Rotary, Noon on Wed. PSC Band Practice, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m., Tues. New players welcome! Call 329-4555. PSC Members only. PSC Bike Club, Weds at 9am in May, Sept and Oct and 8:30am in June, July And August Bike schedules are available at PSC PSC Needlers, 9:00 a.m. – 12 Noon, Thursdays. Knitting and crocheting. Items made are donated to charities. PSC Trip Office, openforres(324-9239),Tues&Fri,9:30a.m.–2:30p.m. Quilting, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Fridays all month. Bring quilting supplies. New quilters welcome. Readers’ Theatre, 2nd and 4th Wednesday. Recycled Card Project, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Tues. (1st,3rd, 4th) New PSC participants welcome, members only. Make new greeting cards from used cards. Red Hat Society, if you are interested in joining this group, contact Marie Tucker at 375-2104. Reminiscence Writing, 10:30 a.m. Wed Write & share your writing. Instructor: Wilma Kahn, MFA, DA. 7 wks, Fee: $32/$42 non-member, register at PSC. Scrabble, 1 to 4:45 p.m. 1st & 3rd Fri. New members welcome. Silver Sneakers Splash, 11:00 – 12 noon. Tues and Thurs. Aquatics based exercise held at YMCA Portage, designed to build strength, increase range of movement. Pay at YMCA Portage, $68/7 wks. PSC or “Y” Members only. Sisterhood Group, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., 2nd Fridays. Sisterhood is a women’s social group that meets the second Friday of each month. Welcome new “sisters”. Social Golf League at States Golf Course begins Monday, May 5 – August 23. League fee $5 plus cost of golf. Men and women members welcome. Stay Independent – Prevent Memory Loss, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., 2nd Thursday. Instr: Suzanne Gernaat, fee $7/$9 non-member per ses. A discussion/activity group T’ai Ji, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Tues. Instructor, Ed Kehoe, 7-weeks. Fee: $42/$52 non-member. Reg. at the PSC. TED Talks, Thursday, Sept 13, 1:00 – 2:00 PM. Register at PSC. Understand Your Medicare Options, Friday, September 23, 10:00 AM. Presenter: Angels Care Home Health. This presentation will introduce you to the basics of the different coverages and give you some pointers on how to choose the best options. Register at the Reception Desk. Volunteer Van Drivers – positions available one day a week, 8:30 am – 1 pm, Mon - Fri. Contact PSC Volunteer Coordinator. Walkers with Walkers, 9:30 a.m. Crossroads Mall, Tues. and Thurs. PSC Members only. Walking - Daily, 8:30 a.m., Mon – Sat at Crossroads Mall, Food Court entrance. Wii Bowling, 9:45 – 11:30 a.m. Tues. Have fun with this video game bowling league without spending $$ at an alley. PSC Members only. Woodcarving, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Tues. PSC member’s free/nonmembers $3.00/wk. Yoga, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Mon. 8 weeks. Christine Peckels, Location: St. Catherine’s of Siena – Stanley Center. $72/82 Non-members. Zumba, 9:20 – 10:20 AM, Fridays. Instructor, Helene Thompson, 8 weeks, $24 Member/$34 Non-Members. Register at PSC.
SENIOR SERVICES OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 269-382-0515 Lunch M-F at 11:45am. Reservations must be made by noon, one day in advance. 382-0515. Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program: Mon-Fri, call 1-800803-7174 for appt. Massage: Relieve stress and promote relaxation with State Licensed graduate of Health Enrichment Center; therapist Eugenia Muller, bringing 21 years of experience. Mon. 9:00am-4:00pm-30 minutes for $20 call 269-808-2040 to schedule your apt. “Swinging with Susan” Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program,
M & W, ALL fitness levels. 10:00am-11:00am. Susan Iervolina. $35/7wks (14 classes) TOPS for Seniors. Mon. Lose weight with support and encouragement ($3 per month) 12:00-1:30pm Ballroom Dance. MON. (basic and intermediate) $25/8 weeks. 3:15-4:45pm Chair Yoga: W/Leslie Balance your mind and your body. Tue. 9:30-10:30am Minimum $5 donation. Art Painting. Tue. 10am-12pm, Bring your own supplies and enjoy the fellowship. No fee. Helping Hands. Tue, (Sept 13 & 27) Knit/crochet items to distribute to community agencies. 1:00pm-4:00pm Grief Support: Counselor available for support. Weds. 10:30 am-11:30 am. Call 269-382-0515 for dates Visually Impaired Group. Support for the visually impaired. Call 269-382-0515 fro dates. Senior Foot Clinic, Wed & Fri 9am-4pm ($28, & bring bath towel). 269-671-5427 for appt. Grief Support: Counselor available for support. Weds. 10:30 am-11:30 am. Call 269-382-0515 for dates Tai Chi w/instructor Ed Kehoe. $5/week, 1:30pm-2:30pm Intermediate/Advanced Ballroom Dance. W 3:15-4:45pm Don and Ann Douglass instruct advanced steps of this popular dance style. $25/8 weeks Bridge Experienced Players TH 12:30-4:00pm Line Dance Fri 10:00-11:00am. Susan Iervolina leads this advanced class. $35/7weeks.
SEPTEMBER 2016
RICHLAND AREA COMMUNITY CENTER 629-9430 www.richlandareacc.org Book Discussion Group: 3rd Thur., 9:30am , Our Souls at Night by Haruf Bridge: Mon., 12:30-3:30pm Crescendo Academy of Music “Music Together” great for
grandparents and grandbabies! Tues., 5:30-6:00 pm, $ Drop-In Coffee Hour: Tue./Thur., 9:30-10:30am Euchre: Wed., 12:30-3:30pm Fit Club: Thur., 6-7 pm, $2 Foot Clinic: Bi-monthly, 4th Tue, call for appt., Kathleen Barnum, 671.5427 GLA Rotary: Thur., 7:30-8:30am Hand & Foot (cards): Wed., 1:00-3:30 Lunch Time Line Dancing: Fri., Noon-1pm, $5 Ping Pong: Tue., 3-5 pm Richland/Gull Lake Area Lions Club: Thur. Sept 25, 5:30-8 pm Senior Ballroom Dance: 4th Sunday, (Aug 28) 2-5 pm, $5 Senior Dining Coupons: Tue. 9am-1pm, Wed. 9am-5pm Square Dance: 3rd Sat., 7-10pm, $10/couple Stretch & Tone: Thur., 5:30-6 pm, $2 “Swingin’ with Susan” Exercise (sponsored by Laurels of Galesburg): Tue/Thur, 10:30-11:30am, $3 per class Tai Chi, Beginning: Mon., 6 pm, $5 Tai Chi, Intermediate: Wed., 4:30-5:30pm, $10 Intermediate Hatha Vinyasa Yoga: Tue.,Thur 9-10 am, (Sliding Fee—Age 49 & Under, $10/age 50-59, $8/Age 60-69, $6/ Age 70 & Above, $3. Buy 10 Classes, get the 11th FREE.) Yoga-Hatha Vinyasa-Core Boost: 6-wk session, Friday 9:1510:15 am, $60, csdtucci@comcast.net Yoga-Hatha Vinyasa-Evening: Tues., 6-7 pm, $10/session Yoga-Gentle w/Cathy Tucci: Tue./Thur., 10:15-11:15am, (sliding fee-age 49 & under, $10/age50-59, $8/age 60-69, $6/Age 70/above, $3. Buy 10 classes, get 11th free.) Yoga Mon. 10:30-11:30 pm, $12/session Weight Watchers: Thur, 5:00-6:00pm. 269.629.9430 Understanding Dementia Series: Sep 19 & 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, Nov 7, 14 & 28, 6-7 pm, FREE Center for Vein Restoration Lunch & Learn: Sep 22, 11:45 am12:45 pm, FREE, Must RSVP 269.629.9430 Flu/Pneumonia Clinic: Sep 23 & Oct 7, 9 am-1 pm ONEPlace Seminar, “What Do Sponsors Want from Nonprofits?”: Thur, Sep 29, 9-10:30 am, FREE, Must register at www. kpl.gov/oneplace/
SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES Certified Veterans Service Officer – Every Thurs from 9am – 1pm. Walk in only. We also offer foot care and a free legal service each month, but interested individuals should call the SCCS office at 649-2901 for an appt.
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY SENIOR CENTERSTHREE RIVERS & STURGIS Open Art Studio, Bridge Club, Lunch & Learns, Trips, Events, Rental Space, Health Clinics, Arthritis Exercise, Balance Exercise, Bingo, Bunco, Breakfast Clubs, Massage, Hair Cuts, Computer Classes, wifi, Wii. Call COA for dates and times at 269-279-8083.
PLAN YOUR TRIP Portage Senior Center 269-324-9239 Fall Trip Preview, October 17, 2016, 1:30 – 3:30 pm, Portage
Senior Center, Come and hear about our upcoming trips and signup as well and take advantage of various early bird specials! Oakridge Boys, October 22, 2016, Shipshewana, IN, Vocal Quartet responsible for the hits “Elvira”, “Bobbie Sue”, and “American Made” Jump on the Jingle Bus, November 3-4, 2016, Fort Atkinson, WI, Make magical holiday memories with a Christmas Theatre trip filled with songs, dance and stories. Christmas With the In-Laws, November 14, 2016, Marshall, MI, Theatre and Dining, A hilarious adventure to witness and Lunch at Turkeyville. It’s a Wonderful Life, November 16 – 19, 2016, Indiana, PA, Jimmy Stewart-themed festival and parade. Ride on a float and wave to the crowd! New Year’s Eve on the River, December 30, 2016-January 1, 2017, An Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Join us for a New Year’s Eve celebration aboard the River Queen on the Ohio River in Covington, KY as we bring in the new Year with Food, Drink, and Music!!! This boat is enclosed, heated and reserved just for our group. 2017/2018 International Trips include: The Southern Caribbean (with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line); Peru: Ancient Land of Mysteries (with Collette); Celtic Highlights (with Globus); Tanzania Private Safari (with Monograms); Panama Canal (with Princess Cruises). Contact the Portage Senior Center Trip Office for more information. Oakridge Boys, October 22, 2016, Shipshewana, IN, Vocal Quartet responsible for the hits “Elvira”, “Bobbie Sue”, and “American Made”. Jump on the Jingle Bus, November 3-4, 2016, Fort Atkinson, WI, Make magical holiday memories with a Christmas Theatre trip filled with a songs, dance and stories.
Richland Area Community Center 269-629-9430 Mangiamo! and Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bus Trip: Sept 15, 10:30a-5:30p, $70 ArtPrize Eight Trip: Oct 6, 8:30 am-5:30 pm, $60 pp It’s a wonderful Life Holiday Festival and Parade: Nov 16-19 - Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures - $699 pp. dbl. occ. New Year’s Eve on the River: Dec 30, 2016-Jan 1, 2017 - Ed & Ted’s Excellent Adventures - $499 pp. dbl. occ.
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WMU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 800-887-4971 ArtPrize 2016-Sept 28 Pierce Cedar Creek Institute-Oct 13 Exploring the Arab-American Experience-Oct 27 Explore Grand Rapids II: Christmas –Dec 1
Comstock Community Center 345-8556 Casino-Four Winds: Tuesday September 27, 9am-5pm
$35/$39. Turkeyville Theatre: Church Basement Ladies. September 8,
10:30-5pm. $60/$66 Senior Festival: Saturday, September 17, 1-6pm. Party at
Merrill Park, with live music, great food and more. Park at the Center an take a shuttle to the park. Bring a lawn chair. Going rain or shine! FREE Meijer Gardens, September 19, $55/$61
KALAMAZOO COUNTY MEAL SITES Nutritious hot lunches are served by Senior Services Inc. to people 60 and older at Kalamazoo County meal sites. To reserve a lunch, call the Nutrition Center at 269-382-0515 by 1 p.m. the day before you plan to visit. A cost-sharing donation is suggested for each lunch. Here are the meal sites, their addresses and the days they are open: Coover Center, 918 Jasper St., 11:45 a.m. Mon-Wed. Crossroads Village, 6600 Constitution Blvd., 11:30 a.m. Mon-Fri. Dillon Hall, 3299 Gull Rd, 11:30 a.m. Mon-Fri Ecumenical Senior Ctr, 702 N. Burdick St., 11:45 a.m. Mon-Fri. Evergreen Community Room, Evergreen North Complex, 5700 Vintage Lane, noon Mon-Fri. Northwind Place Apts, 1004 Douglas Ave., noon Mon-Fri. Portage Senior Center, 320 Library Lane, 11:45 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Spring Manor Friendship Center, Spring Manor Apts, 610 Mall Drive, Portage, noon, Mon-Fri. Spring Valley Crossing, 2535 Mount Olivet Road, Parchment, noon Mondays-Fridays. Washington Square Friendship Center, Washington Square Apartments, 710 Collins St., noon. Mon-Fri.
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY MEAL SITES The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging helps coordinate lunches for people age 60 and older at three meal sites and 18 participating restaurants. Call 800-641-9899 or 269-279-8083 for information on how to make reservations, which are required 24 hours in advance. A minimum cost sharing contribution can be shared at meal sites and $3.75 suggested donation for restaurant vouchers is requested for each lunch. Meal sites, their location and the days they are open are: Kline’s Resort Meal Site: Fridays Noon – 1:00p.m. Sturgis Enrichment Center: 306 N. Franks Ave Mon-Fri Three Rivers Senior Center: 103 S. Douglas Ave., M-F
SPARK