The menu at Sanders quickly expanded as business grew, to include ice cream and sodas.
Sanders is not the only man who claimed to have invented the ice cream soda, A popular story is that when he found that his cream had gone sour, he substituted ice cream in the cream soda and the Soda was born.
Growing up on the east side of the state, we enjoyed many amazing flavors that put the Detroit area on the map, including: Stroh’s, Vernor’s, Awrey’s and Sanders.
Sanders opened as a candy store with confections (premium chocolates) in Detroit on June 17, 1875 on Woodward and Gratiot Avenues. The German-born founder, Frederick Sanders Schmidt, moved the business from Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871 destroyed his original soda fountain and candy store.
He removed Schmidt from the business name, so that it wouldn’t be confused with his father’s bakery located in Illinois and became simply,
In 1913 Sanders added baked goods to its mix. They are still famed for their “bumpy cake,” a chocolate cake with ridges of butter cream on top covered by a layer of chocolate ganache icing. We’ve enjoyed bumby cake since I was a kid on some holidays and birthdays. I’ve found Sanders bumpy cake at Hardings and I’ve also seen them at Meijer and Costco in the freezer section. I have even seen a vanilla version of this cake recently at Hardings.
by the mid 1900’s, the company operated 57 retail stores in the Great Lakes area featuring counter service, offering candy, fudge toppings, baked goods, light lunches and an assortment of desserts.
In addition to the best hot fudge sundaes, Sanders served a delicious cream puff hot fudge sundae, a cream
puff sliced in half with a scoop of ice cream in the center and Sanders hot fudge poured over the top. My family loves them so much that we recreate this delicious dessert by ordering cream puff shells from local bakers and make sure to have plenty of Sanders milk chocolate fudge on hand. Some of the Coney Island Restaurants located on the east side of the state served up this popular ice cream creation
Sanders produced their candy and other products at a factory in Highland Park, Michigan, from 1941 to 1994, employing 300 at its peak. Originally, the factory sourced fresh milk for their confectionary treats from the adjacent «Cow Palace,» until a city ordinance change prevented them from doing this. In 1994, the company was forced to sell the factory because the ceilings provided insufficient clearance for newer equipment. Sadly, the former factory was demolished by fire in 2012
When John Sanders, great-grandson of the founder, took over company operations in 1962, they had more than $20 million a year in sales. At that time, Sanders had 111 stores and was also sold in malls, grocery stores and had nation-wide distribution.
During the 1970s and 1980s Sanders struggled financially as they faced increased competition. Eventually, the company was forced to close its flagship downtown store. In 1979, Stephen A. Horn took over operations in mid-1979, as only the second president outside of the Sanders family.
The company was in danger of going broke due to protracted recession in Detroit and Michigan, coupled with increased costs for sugar and chocolate. In 1981, the Sanders company filed for reorganization. At that time, the company employed 1200 people at its 50 retail outlets and at its factory. On May 4, 1988, the US Court of Appeals approved a plan offered by FSI›s employees› union, for the purchase of FSI›s as-
sets by Country Home Bakery, Inc.
In 2002 Morley Candy Makers, another Michigan-based confectioner, purchased the Sanders name and original recipes, adding to its own product line.
In 2018, Sanders became a division of Kar’s Nuts when it acquired Morley and Sanders. In 2021, Kar’s and Sanders were united under the corporate name Second Nature Brands, acquired in 2022 by UKbased private equity company, CapVest Limited.
When I recently went to purchase Saunders hot fudge at Meijer, they no longer had it. I looked at Harding’s and other local grocers and again, came up empty handed. I looked online and saw that it was selling for $134 for a 3-pack of 10 oz. topping on Amazon. Yikes, that doesn’t fit within my budget! I did some additional research and learned that Sanders has halted production of the toppings and have stopped selling Sanders toppings online and in grocery stores due to manufacturing challenges and extremely high demand for Sanders confections.
I made a call and spoke with the staff at one of the two remaining stores on the east side of the state in Clinton Township and Rochester. They confirmed what I read online. However, the two Sanders stores continue to sell smaller jars of the toppings, with a 5-jar limit. They also warned me to call before making a trip to be sure that they still have some on hand. The also mentioned that the halt on making the toppings may be temporary. Always the optimist, I will hold out hope! In my opinion, there is no better milk chocolate hot fudge topping than Sanders, which has been our longstanding family tradition.
Jackie MerriamSources: detroithistoricalsociety. org, Wikipedia.com, Detroit Free Press 7/16/12, freep.com 11/4/22, Michigan.org.
Winged jewels of the air … flutterbys … no matter what you call butterflies, they entrance everyone. Planting a garden to attract them is one of the best ways to get children interested in gardening and nature while introducing them to a bit of science at the same time.
To attract butterflies, design a garden that provides a long season of flowers that provide nectar. Perennials, such as chives, dianthus, bee balm, butterfly weed, black-eyed Susan, and echinacea offer a succession of blooms. Add annuals such as cosmos, petunias, and zinnias, that flower all season. Flowers with many small tubular flowers or florets—liatris and verbena, for example—or those with single flowers, such as French marigold, Shasta daisy, and sunflower.
In addition to planting for adult butterflies, you also need to offer food plants for their caterpillar larvae. Sources can be certain trees and shrubs but also include herbs such as dill, fennel, and parsley, and ‘weedy’ plants like common milkweed and thistles. One of the best-known
butterflies, the monarch, lays its eggs only on milkweed then its larvae feed on the plant.
Planning a Child’s Garden
You can add butterfly plants to existing spaces or create a separate garden area especially for the kids. The size of the garden should suit the age of your children; even a space as small as 3 feet by 6 feet will hold enough flowers to attract a few butterflies.
If the kids lose interest partway through the season and the garden gets weedy, don’t worry: neatness counts for very little to a butterfly.
Color is important since butterflies are attracted first by color so a swath of bright orange butterfly weed or red salvia is easier for them to see.
Fragrance is also a significant attractant; butterflies have a keen sense of smell.
Find the sunniest spot for the garden. Butterflies need the heat of the sun to raise their body temperatures, which helps them fly.
Plants: Children love to grow from seeds they sow themselves.
Some perennials that germinate well in the outdoor garden are chives, butterfly weed, coneflowers, liatris, and yarrow (Achillea). They may not, however, bloom the first year from seed, so include annuals in the plan. For younger children, ages 3 to 8, use annuals with large seeds, such as French marigolds and zinnias. Sow seeds in color groups, rather than sprinkling them through the bed.
Accessories: Incorporate a few rocks in the design. Butterflies often rest on rocks, which reflect the heat of the sun. Edge the garden with rounded rocks, put a small pile towards one side, or make a path through the flowers with flat stepping stones. Create a place where water can collect with a concave rock or a pot saucer filled with wet sand (Moisten the sand periodically if it doesn’t rain). Butterflies “puddle” in such spots—the perfect opportunity for kids to watch them up close.
A Container Garden for Butterflies: You can also create a haven for butterflies without a lot
of space by planting flowers and herbs in containers. Group three or four large containers together in the corner of a patio or deck for more impact. You can also plant trailing annuals, such as petunia and verbena, in hanging baskets. The warmth of the sun is just what butterflies need along with a welcome puddling spot. Become a Monarch Waystation: As your butterfly garden grows, think about becoming a Monarch Waystation . A Monarch Waystation is an intentionally-managed garden that provides food and habitat for the struggling Monarch butterfly population. As a rule, a waystation must include at least 2 types of Milkweed, the ‘host’ plant for Monarchs.
National Garden Bureau credits Eleanore Lewis as the original author of this article and the photographs are from the National Garden Bureau.
Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden CenterDuring the summer months, parents, grandparents and caregivers often feel challenged with activities to keep children busy.
This summer, I challenge you to think outside the “Disneyland” box and simply involve the children in your daily activities. What may seem like work to adults, can be exciting for kids.
I learned this lesson and how excit-
ing yard work can be to kids if you add a few neighbors and the promise of a pizza lunch, during our annual neighborhood clean up in late May.
My grandsons were with us during this exciting clean up event that started by digging up many rocks by the pond to move them closer to the Water. Who knew that being trusted with a shovel and bantering with the neighbors could be such fun!
The boys even successfully recruited a few other neighbor kids by dangling the preverbal carrot… pizza lunch!
After moving the rocks, we moved onto cleaning up the trail area. The kids picked up sticks and branches with the adults to be fed into the chipper shredder – so cool! The kids were also using push brooms to
clear off what the shredder left behind. A neighbor fetched his leaf blower and the kids were excited to use it.
After hours of manual labor, the pizza finally arrived! The girls pulled out a blanket and had a picnic lunch on the lawn and the boys claimed the porch. The adults surrounded the pizza table while visiting, and the dogs waited in the wings for the scraps and the opportunity to snatch an unmanned plate of food.
More work continued after lunch and the next day, which the boys wanted be a part of. My grandsons learned some new skills and realized how fun it is working alongside neighbors and friends.
As the business of summer sets in, look no further for quality to go meals and catering services. River Road Foods, located at the historic 615 Bridge Street in Plainwell, is sure to satisfy the hungriest bellies in town.
Whether you are looking to cater an event or just stop in to grab lunch
or dinner, River Road will provide you with some awesome meal options that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
Dyer Price-Stassek started her catering journey in Portland, Oregon, where she had a restaurant for 10 years. After moving to Michigan, she decided to continue her love of
cooking and open a new business, concentrating more on catering, than restaurants. Originally sourced out of Bloomingdale, her catering business and love for crafting new recipes has only grown from there. She decided to expand her business and open a store front to offer to-go meals, an extensive lunch menu, and other food related market goods.
After acquiring her store front in Plainwell one year ago, Dyer PriceStassek has continued to develop the recipes that are rotating through her to-go meal cooler and deli style lunch menu.
With the to-go meals changing often, Price-Stassek is active on Facebook and Instagram, always updating her followers with what meals fill the cooler this week. Not only do the dinner items change weekly, but so do the weekly sandwich, soup and salad specials.
“Dinner is that time of day, where you come home from work, exhausted, or you’re already home, but just over it, and the IDEA of cooking dinner makes you want to SCREAM! This is where we come in! With everything from Vegetable Rainbow Gratin, or Roasted Herbed Chicken with Mushroom Cream sauce, to Green Beans with Garlic and Butter and Good Ol’ Mac and Cheese to Rustic Mashed Potatoes or just good ol’ Meatloaf, we will make your dinner woes into YAYS! Heck, we even get Brussel SPROUTS to taste good!! We try to really keep things interesting here, so dinner is never boring. And because it’s already made, all you have to do is heat it up!!”
“I really like to experiment with food, as well as use as many local items as we can.”
The deli offers an amazing lunch selection, including delectable sandwiches, rice bowls, salads, soups of the day, weekly specials, and scrumptious baked goods.
Price-Stassek offers a window into some of the popular menu options available and her personal favorites.
“The Rice bowls have really taken off. Each one has so many components so you never get bored. And the sauces are just to die for. The Lou is pretty popular with turkey, bacon, lettuce (local vendor), Gouda cheese and our own pickled onions. The tuna salad sandwich has really been a
hit. And, my favorite sandwich is a tie between the Veggie, with roasted sweet potatoes, pickled beets, avocado, dill cream sauce, provolone and spinach - OR - the chicken salad with fresh rosemary, our candied pecans, dried cranberries and a crispy red onion.”
“We make all our bread from scratch. Actually, we make pretty much everything from scratch. Including our seriously fantastic selection of cookies and brownies..”
“We just have a lot of really tasty down-home food to offer.”
While they specialize in to-go meals, there are some seating options for those looking to lunch in the summer sun. From picnic tables on the back porch, to handcrafted wood benches (made with lumber from the Price-Stassek family farm!) in front of the store, there are plenty of places to rest your weary body. Watch cars zoom past on Bridge Street, or wait patiently for the train to pass, at the railroad crossing with a tasty lunch!
Exciting things are in the works for River Road as they are expecting a mural, created by Liz Abbot, to be added to their store front. Be sure to follow them on Facebook so you are in the know with business updates, and most importantly the to-go meal menu for the week!
“The community has been so supportive. And with Plainwell Ice Cream as our neighbors, it makes moving here that much cooler.” Price-Stassek explains.
“That and having Laura Abbott and Jena Jacobs on our team, of course. Somehow I got SUPER lucky with these two ladies, making sure River Road Foods is running smoothly. These two make my job easy!!”
Next time you are driving through Plainwell be sure to stop by for some stellar eats! I will be back to visit for thumbprint cookies!
Store hours are Tuesday thru Friday 11am-6pm. www.riverroadfoods.com
Phone: 269-204-6449
Instagram: River Road Foods
Facebook: River Road Foods
Catering inquires can be submitted on their website or via email and are handled on an individual basis.
Olivia Valkner
The art of preserving flowers by pressing them between book pages is commonly known, but have you ever heard of flower pounding or leaf bashing? This ancient Japanese artisan technique is referred to as Tataki-Zomé. When hammering flowers and plants onto paper or fabric, the natural pigments produce unexpectedly vivid and gorgeous transfer results.
Since humans have first started to create art, they have used what was naturally around them. Flowers and plants continue to be popular when it comes to artistic endeavors; whether we are gardeners, designers, hobbyists, artists or just admirers. Are you looking for an unconventional and imaginative way to use blooms and botanicals in your own home decor and maybe even relieve a little stress at the same time? Well, I believe I’ve got you covered this month…so let’s get you pounding and bashing!
Supplies needed: flowers . plants . hammer . heavy weight paper . paper towel . pen
Step 1. Forage for flowers and plants. Look for flat and interesting shapes and sizes, ripe with color. If you are not planning to do this project immediately, choose items with stems to save in water until you are ready to use them.
Step 2. Place your paper on wood or another hard surface that you can hammer the botanicals on easily. Remove any stems from your flowers. Place one item of your choice on the paper. I used a mixed media heavy weight spiral bound notebook. Leaving the paper in the book, I laid one flower down and folded over the opposite spiral page to use on top and gently hammered until the desired results were achieved. This gives you the ability to create a mirrored effect on both sheets of paper and yes, one of the sides won’t have quite as much pigmentation as the other, but it will still look very lovely. The paper towel is to be utilized if you are not creating a reflecting image. Position your item on a single sheet of paper, then lay the paper towel on top and ham-
mer. Repeat this step as many times as you like.
Step 3. Once the paper and remnants have all dried, carefully wipe off the remaining flower and leaf bits to reveal the eye catching beautiful colors and design. At this time, you can further your artistic composition and outline your shapes with an ink pen to emphasize and enhance. I have done this project both ways, but for this tutorial, I went without any additional embellishments.
Now that you have your eco-prints, turn them into bookmarks, gift tags, notecards or simply frame them as is.
Want to challenge yourself even more and go larger scale? Try this same technique on fabric. Wearable art or home decor textiles…the outcome is equally as stunning. Ohhh nature, you certainly delight and surprise us with never-ending possibilities! I truly hope you enjoy this process and have lots of creative and stress reducing fun! xo -Bridget
Email: bridgetfoxkzoo@gmail.com
Social: https://www.instagram.com/ bridgetfoxkzoo
The
For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/
Bl l Sinners Bleed eed S.A. Cosby (Flatiron Books)
As a Black sheriff in rural Virginia, Titus Crown is caught in political turmoil while a pedophile mass murderer runs amok. A brilliant perfectionist and former FBI agent, Titus ran for office to change things for the better, but can anything honestly change?
—Jill Minor, Washington County Public Library
NoveList read-alike: When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash
T The First L he First Ladies adies Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (Berkley)
An illuminating read about the unlikely friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune as both overcame obstacles pursuing equal rights during the Great Depression/WWII and formed a close relationship through their personal struggles
—Debbie Lease, Hillsdale Public Library
NoveList read-alike: The Thread Collectors by Shaunna J. Edwards
Same Time Ne Next Summer xt
Annabel Monaghan (G.P. Putnam's Sons)
Sam and Wyatt have met up every summer since they were young and fall deeply in love. Even at their young age they know this love is forever This starts out as a basic romance novel, but when something terrible happens to our two lovers, the writing changes, becoming more compelling and more nuanced.
Bonus pick:
T The Brightest Star: A No he Star: Novveel l Gail Tsukiyama (HarperVia)
This moving historical novel spotlights Chinese-American icon Anna May Wong, a talented and ambitious actress caught in a film industry that denied her the roles she was born to play, even as she was expected to teach white actresses how to "act Chinese".
A Most A Agrgreeab eeablle Mur e Murder: A No der: A Novveel l Julia Seales (Knopf)
Beatrice has had enough of Regency societal rules about what is proper and loves true crime and Lord Huxley. When Huxley's former assistant shows up in her village, Beatrice immediately dislikes him. When another guest to the village is murdered, Beatrice helps the vile man solve the case. Much laughter is had on the way to personal freedom and autonomy
—Michelle Ogden, Crawfordsville District Public Library
NoveList
T The Se he Sevven Y en Year Sl ear Slip ip Ashley Poston (Berkley)
Suspend belief, forget logic and don't ask questions, just go with the love in this romance set in a magical apartment. Clementine and Iwan fall in love and then lose each other in a sevenyear time slip. Their lives are filled with good friends and family and eventually a happy ending.
Much A Ado About Nada do About Uzma Jalaluddin (Berkley) Notable Nonfiction:
See our social media for annotations!
Gemma is the only person in her powerful family not to possess magic; in fact, she’s physically sickened by it. But when a dashing man tells her of a demonic curse, Gemma engages in a quest to find her tormentor. This is a sweeping, romantic fantasy with the promise of more to come
T The Rache he Rachel Incident: A No l Novveel l Caroline O'Donoghue (Knopf)
Rachel and James meet while working at a bookshop in Cork and decide to hold a book release event for Rachel's professor. Ten years later, a pregnant Rachel reflects on this time in her life and how it led her to where she is now. Capturing university life where friendships are strong, emotions are deep and money is tight, this is a wonderful novel.
T The Whispers: A No he Novveel l Ashley Audrain (Pamela Dorman Books)
After a picnic where everyone hears the host losing her temper towards her son, that same boy is admitted to the hospital with a lifethreatening injury. Told from multiple perspectives, revealing a bit more with every chapter, this story centers around deception, envy, and despair, leaving readers rushing towards the climactic conclusion.
Better L Living T iving Thrhrough Bir ough Birding: ding: Notes fr from a Bl om a Black Man in ack Man in the Natur Natural W al Worlorld d Christian Cooper (Random House)
Summer is here! If you Good News Paper readers are anything like us, you were so beyond ready for this weather change! It was a long and cold winter, but like every year as the days turn brighter, longer, and warmer, we can now look back and say “did it again.” Time to get back to outside activities (without a coat), enjoy some sunny fun at the beach, work in the garden, ride a bike (human-powered or motorized), and so many things! We here at Vintage in the Zoo know Spring for one main change: MARKET SEASON is here! We spent the past few months holding our series of pop-up vintage bar markets “Night Shop” with Louie’s Trophy House and planning for our biggest Spring-Summer market season yet: Vintage in the Zoo Market, Season 7!
We have a few seasons under our belt now in Downtown Kalamazoo which many would say “well you must be comfortable now” but for us comfort brings boredom plus the yearn to do more and grow again. So that is just what we did! After the huge success of our single 2022 event in Kzoo’s neighbor-city to the North, we have expanded our Grand Rapids Downtown Market partnership to
three (3) Vintage and Handmake Market events in 2023- the first one kicked off back in April with 70 of the region’s best vintage and handmade vendors and a HUGE crowd! So, this year along with finding our Market events every 2nd Saturday in Downtown Kalamazoo (07/08, 08/12, 09/09, 10/14), you can also see how we do it in Grand Rapids on 07/23 and 10/01. It’s a quick trip up the GR, and if the eclectic mix of vendors we have there isn’t enough for you, make sure to stop inside the
Grand Rapids Downtown Market to experience all the amazing food vendors serving there daily- the selection is truly amazing.
Speaking of a truly amazing selection with eclectic taste, thismakes me think of one thing back in Kalamazoo… the music on Western Michigan University’s radio station: WIDR FM! We are so proud to share that we have partnered with WIDR FM, and they will be broadcasting live from our Vintage in the Zoo Presents: Mallmart + Zoo Flea Vintage and Handmade Marketplace events in Downtown Kalamazoo all Summer. You can expect a mix of on-air WIDR talent speaking with our Market guest around vintage and handmade, the live sounds of DJ Dan Steely spinning vinyl with special guest DJs, and some awesome surprises. As much as we hope to see your smiling faces in-person at
our monthly 2nd Saturday events in Kalamazoo, if you cannot attend, be sure to listen on your radio or online (at widrfm.org)!
As always Vintage in the Zoo events are “free to all, come shop small!” Join us in supporting SECONDHAND and LOCAL monthly on the North Kalamazoo Walking Mall in Downtown Kalamazoo, and at Grand Rapids Downtown Market in GR! We are so appreciative to be in the position to bring you a rotating selection of small businesses in our vendor booths each month. Not everyone has all have the resources or connections required to rent (or own) a brick-and-mortar storefront... YET, BUT we can all start on an entrepreneurial journey in our own way today. The sky is truly the limit, the “rules” are irrelevant and made to be rewritten in a new, better way that includes ALL! The opportunities we provide each vendor is a small portion of this journey, and why our organization exists. We are so proud of you all for supporting these wonderful business owner’s dreams as we work to uplift and make safe spaces in which growth occurs. We can remember when Vintage in the Zoo Markets were just a far-off dream to us over seven years ago- it is possible friends, work hard and never give up!
With all this said- we CANNOT WAIT to share the even LARGER changes and EVOLUTION of our entrepreneurial dreams coming very soon to Kalamazoo and beyond!!
Enjoy your summer!
Patrick Turner | VintageintheZoo.comMany Americans have closely followed the story of Theranos and the company’s founder, Elizabeth Holmes, who falsely claimed that her firm had created a compact device that could perform extensive diagnostic tests using a few drops of blood. She raised more than $700 million from investors, some of them well-known.
But Holmes wasn’t the first charismatic young “businesswoman” to defraud investors. In the 1880s, the American public latched onto the claims and subsequent trial of a young woman named Olive Friend. She and her husband, Henry, declared that they had developed a tabletop machine that could process large amounts of refined sugar from In Chicago they met the initiator of the Great Sugar Swindle, Henry Friend (sometimes spelled Freund). The mysterious Friend called himself “professor” and claimed to be a chemist from Germany, but he was probably born in New York State. Friend told William and Emily that he had devised a “wonderful machine” that used electricity to turn unrefined sugar into refined, edible sugar. Having some knowledge of the actual steps required, William immediately
saw through Henry’s scam, but went along with it, confident that he would profit from his involvement.
Within the next year, Emily’s daughter, Olive, came to visit her mother and William in Chicago.
Olive, a “very large woman with attractive features,” had previously been married for about 10 years. Visiting Henry’s residence with Emily and William, Olive met Henry and a relationship began. The two were married on February 3, 1883 in Niles, Michigan. Olive was 31 years old, Henry was 41.
Almost immediately, the Friends and Howards started developing a scheme to make money with Henry’s non-existent sugar refining machine. Additional members of the clan would join them. But the group wouldn’t run the scam in Chicago; Henry had been arrested there for embezzlement, and folks there were openly skeptical of his claims. Instead, they would move to America’s business capital where they would all experience sudden but short-lived wealth.
In February 1884, Henry, Olive, and Olive’s mother and stepfather (Emily and William Howard) all relocated from Chicago to New York
City. They didn’t waste any time before they began to execute their scheme.
The four began giving demonstrations to potential investors at their home on East 108th Street in East Harlem. In July 1884, they formed the Electric Sugar Refining Company and issued 10,000 shares of company stock, selling 4,000 shares at $100 each with Henry retaining 6,000 shares. Interest was especially keen in England, and in 1885, Henry, Olive and Emily sailed to Liverpool to meet potential investors. (More stock would be sold in England than in the United States.) Henry and Olive received $530,000 in salary and to invest in buildings and equipment, the equivalent of $15.6 million today.
All of this for a process that never actually existed.
How did they do it?
It all started with those “demonstrations” they gave at their home, and later, at a former flour mill in Brooklyn they purchased. Potential investors would be brought into a room that contained various equipment including a barrel of unrefined sugar, an empty barrel, and the “electric sugar refining machine.” It was described as “about the size of two typewriters” which sat on a table hidden under a cloth. The visitors were told that the unrefined sugar would be fed into the machine where special manipulation of electric current would turn the sweet stuff into clean, refined sugar ready for consumption.
However, potential investors and even company officers were told that they could not be in the room while the machine did its work. Henry explained that if people could see the process, the big sugar companies would steal their secrets. He elaborated that he had similar concerns even if he were to patent the device.
After the visitors were escorted from the room, one of the schemers would dump the unrefined sugar down a chute where it ended up in the river or septic system. Then, another collaborator (probably Olive) one floor above the demonstration room poured refined sugar—which they had purchased from a local grocer—through an opening in the floor into the empty barrel. About two hours later, the visitors were readmitted to see and taste the electric miracle. Among them were ringers, placed there by the collaborators, who exclaimed how remarkable the machine was and proclaimed their confidence that it would make money for them.
Henry promised investors and company officers outside the family that his invention could eventually produce 4,000 barrels of refined sugar every 24 hours at a cost of 80 cents per ton, compared to the $75 per ton that it cost real refineries.
The Friends and Howards brought in additional family members from Milan who moved copper pipes, empty crates and crates containing refined sugar into the mill to make
things look good to the public.
The unsavory and mysterious cast of characters continued to relieve investors of hundreds of thousands of dollars and enjoy all of the fine things that New York City and the world had to offer. They spent lavishly, with Henry purchasing expensive carriages and pure-bred horses and Olive enjoying the finest clothing and jewelry.
However, at the very peak of their scheme, it all came crashing down when one of the key players died.
One of Henry Friend’s greatest loves—alcohol—ruined his health, and after six weeks of acute alcohol sickness, he died of the disease on March 10, 1888. By coincidence, one of the worst blizzards in history, the Great Blizzard of 1888, hit the East Coast the following day. Family members and corporate officers conspired to ensure that a death certificate was not issued, in order to avoid scaring investors. Henry was secretly buried in New York City during the storm.
But when company officers then anxiously asked Olive to provide Henry’s secret process, she could not, and the hoax became manifest. It didn’t take long for the scammers to become inextricably tangled in the web of deceit they’d woven. News of the scandal spread quickly. Olive sold Henry’s beautiful carriages and horses. The Electric Sugar Refining Company stock price collapsed, but not before Olive used her inheri-
tance to build a refuge for evading authorities: a big, fancy Victorian-era Eastlake (or “Stick-style”) home on 80 acres back in Milan. Her mother, father-in-law and other co-conspirators followed; some of them sought refuge for a time in Ontario via their return to Milan.
But the family couldn’t evade the law for long. On the evening of February 16, 1889, Olive and the others were arrested at her beautiful new home during a surprise nighttime operation by local deputies. They were extradited to New York City and housed in a “miserable, dingy old prison” in lower Manhattan called “The Tombs” to await the trial, which began in May 1889. William was the only defendant who served time; he spent six years in Sing Sing Prison. Olive and Emily pleaded guilty and were sentenced to time already served, but before they arrived in Milan, their homes were possessed by the courts and their money gone.
The scandal was covered by national and international news media including numerous articles in the New York Times and newspapers in the Midwest.
To add to the mystery of Henry’s place of origin and multiple spellings of last names—as well as Henry’s surreptitious death and burial—no photograph of either Henry or Olive is known to exist.
Those who perpetrated the great “Sugar Swindle” are long gone. Fol-
lowing Henry’s death at the scam’s high-water mark, Olive and her third husband, George Halstead (sometimes spelled Holstead) moved to Ontario and then to Fort Street in Detroit, where Olive died in 1902 of heart disease at age 49. She is buried in an unmarked grave in Evergreen Cemetery in Hillsdale County.
After William Howard returned to Milan from Sing Sing in 1895, he and Emily had a few years together before Emily died in 1898. William remarried the following year (his third wife) and lived in Milan until
passing away in 1917 at age 83.
Olive’s Milan home is now a museum called the Friend-Hack House, managed and beautifully maintained by the Milan Area Historical Society. In 1991 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The home’s near-twin, which Olive had built for her mother, is a private residence about two miles northwest of Olive’s home.
No electric sugar refining machine has ever been found.
Tony Ettwein
You may not end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you are meant to be. – Author Unknown
Soon one will be able to hear and express “ooohhs and aahhhs” during fireworks displays. I write this month’s “Piece by Piece” reflecting on responses I received to my “ooohhhs and aahhhs” to those in service roles taking care of me during recent travel.
I was destined for Washington with a layover in Denver when Mother Nature decided it was best that I spend the night in Denver and then continue my journey to WA the next morning. I knew this to be the plan when still in Michigan, as did the airline attendants also headed West once we got the much-awaited clearance to fly.
During the flight as the steward offered something to drink, we engaged in a brief friendly dialogue. Me, being me, as I’ve written about in a previous article, decided the steward should be a recipient of one of my “thank you for being you” notes I like to give when traveling. When he came back down the aisle collecting empty wrappers and cups, I handed him my handwritten note and turned back to what I was reading. A few moments later he returned expressing his gratitude, sharing how he had been moved to tears.
Fast forward a few hours to a line of weary travelers waiting for taxi rides to hotels scattered in a radius near the airport. Some travelers with their luggage; others, like me, reuniting with luggage at the final destination the next day. A taxi driver with
an SUV offered to take strangers comfortable in joining each other. He points to me, destined for a hotel out of the way of everyone else, exclaiming “come on, I gotcha ya. I’ll get you there.”
Nearly midnight when dropping me off, he was not deterred when I said 6:00 a.m. to his declaration he would pick me up the next morning. A twenty-minute drive found both of us still in meaningful conversation minutes after arriving at curbside the next morning. His parting words included “thank you; so inspirational” and both of us expressing gratitude for thunderstorms, tornado watches, and flight delays.
Two days later I was on another flight from Spokane, WA to Portland, OR when that inner whisper nudged me to write a note for a stewardess
for her kind and gracious energy. Once again, I heard the words “you made me cry”. Moments later found her and I embraced in a hug.
I reflect on negative sentiments I overhear related to industries whose very foundation is serving people. Restaurants. Hospitality. Retail. Transportation.
I’ve read about how we can sense someone’s heart up to 15 feet away. I can’t walk in anyone else’s shoes to know for sure. But that inner whisper says those serving are grateful to be seen, heard, and valued from a heart sincerely saying, “I see you” and “thank you for seeing me”.
Christine Hassing https://christinehassing.comAs a kid attending grammar school in Detroit, I was able to walk home for lunch. Aside from getting a good lunch, I had a chance to watch Soupy Sales. He had a noon TV show geared toward kids, although there were plenty of adults who enjoyed his show. One of Soupy’s standard reminders was the title of this article. It reminded his viewers to take their vitamins!
So that’s what this article is about: vitamins. More specifically it’s a quiz about how well you know your vitamins. Let’s get started.
1. Which vitamin can help lower blood pressure?
1. Iodine
2. Iron
3. Potassium
4. Selenium
5. Zinc
2. Which can prevent dry eye disease?
1. Fish oil
2. Vitamin A
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin E
5. None of the above
3. In a recent trial, a daily multivitamin lowered the risk of which one?
1. Cancer
2. Cataracts
3. Cognitive decline
4. Covid
5. Heart disease
4. High doses of which nutrient may raise the risk of prostate cancer?
1. Copper
2. Iron
3. Vitamin A
4. Vitamin C
5. Vitamin E
5. Which can boost your metabolism?
1. Vitamin B-1
2. Vitamin B-2
3. Vitamin B-3
4. Vitamin B-6
5. None of the above
6. Which can cause diarrhea?
1. Calcium
2. Copper
3. Iron
4. Magnesium
5. Zinc
7. Low levels of which vitamin are most common in the U.S.?
1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B-1
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin D
5. Vitamin E
Answers:
1. Potassium. However, you won’t get much from a supplement. Vegetables and fruit are the best source.
2. None of the above. In a large trial, 840 milligrams of vitamin E didn’t lower the risk of dry eye. Plus 3,000 milligrams a day didn’t lessen the symptoms in those with the disease.
3. Cognitive decline. In people age 65 and older, a multivitamin cut 1.8 years of cognitive aging over the three-year trial in women.
4. Vitamin E. In a large trial, men who took 400 IU a day for 5 ½ years had a higher risk of highgrade prostate cancer in those who
started with low selenium levels. Stay with RDA 55 mcg for selenium and 22.4 IU for Vitamin E.
5. None of the above. B vitamins play a role in metabolizing food, but no vitamin speeds up your metabolism.
6. Magnesium. More than 350 mg a day from supplements (but not foods) can cause diarrhea and stomach cramps.
7. Vitamin D. In the latest national study, and estimated 18% of Americans were at risk for inadequate vitamin D levels.
I hope you did well; those who didn’t I hope you learned something. My source for this article was the May 2023 issue of Nutrition Action. Remember to MAKE your day great and be kind.
Till next time,
Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal and Brain Health Trainer The Fountains at Bronson Place
lovers,
those who’ve experienced PTSD, for anyone who seeks inspirational stories of hope and healing from pain, trauma, sorrow, despair, or grief
Losing yet another sibling very recently, after having lost two other siblings in as many years, has changed my way of thinking, most especially about time.
Grappling with the astonishing loss of three people that you’ve spent your entire life with is mind-numbing, but even in the midst of the fog it brings, it made it crystal clear just how precious time can be. Life does bring lows, but also highs. In fact, on the very day that my brother passed I was informed that my new culinary memoir, Midwest Morsels, was nominated for an award, and both came within days of it being honored by Indiana State University, where it’s been inducted into their Calumet Regional Archives as a notable work.
Having these highs and lows literally colliding taught me - in real time - that it’s humanly impossible to feel sadness and joy at the same time. It also taught me that we are the ones who choose how we feel, not some outside force.
Knowing my siblings, and how precious time can be, I trust they want me to choose joy over sorrow, and they want me to get out and enjoy every minute of life that’s left in mine as well. That said, I think we should all make that commitment to ourselves. To not only celebrate the
summer holidays, but every chance we get!
I have personally committed to making “one-tank-trips” each month this summer, and if you give yourself this “gift” as well, perhaps we’ll cross paths at one of my upcoming events which, if you mention reading this, will win you a special prize!
Friday, July 14, 2023: Sturgis, MIAudience interactive “MIDWEST MORSELS” food presentation with prizes and random samples, books. North Street Stage at 7:30 p.m. This is a FREE event during the Sturgis Downtown Art Fest, which runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Learn more at sturgisdowntown.com.
Wednesday, July 26, 2023: Parchment, MI- “Yum’s the Word!” Evening audience-interactive food event with prizes, samples, and books. Hosted by the Parchment Community Library. Learn more about it at parchmentlibrary.org.
Saturday, August 5, 2023: Harrietta, MI- Blueberry Festival (runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). My booth (in craft barn) will have prizes, samples, chatting, and book signing. Learn more about this event at pickyourown.org. Summer offers us all so many opportunities to get out and celebrate life, so please do.
Laura Kurella
1 (7-ounce) package ladyfingers
1 (1/2-pint) container raspberries
Bavarian Cream
4 cups whole milk
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
1 tablespoon powdered gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
12 large egg yolks
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
Topping
1 (1/2-pint) container raspberries
1 (1/2-pint) container blueberries
Whipped topping
Coat an 8-inch spring-form pan with nonstick spray. Line bottom and sides with parchment paper then spray paper with cooking spray before standing ladyfingers up around the inside of the outer edge of the pan.
Fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring milk and vanilla bean to a boil. As soon as it comes to a boil, turn off
heat and let the covered pot steep for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over2 tablespoons of cold water and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks with granulated sugar until well blended then while continuously whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Return mixture to saucepan and, over medium heat, cook until sauce has thickened and reaches 180 degrees, be careful not to overcook or you will end up with scrambled eggs! Remove from heat, stir in gelatin then remove vanilla bean. Place custard pot into the bowl of ice water and stir frequently until custard starts to cool and thicken. Once cooled and thickened, fold in 1 container of raspberries then pour into the ladyfingerlined pan. Smooth top of custard and cover with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. To serve, arrange remaining berries and whipped topping across the top.
Celebrating the return of summer by grooming her plants that wintered in her greenhouse, Kurella is also celebrating life and the release of her new culinary memoir, MIDWEST MORSELS (and it being nominated for a special award) by making some special appearances at summer events that may bring her (and prizes) to a town near you!
The aroma of fresh coffee and home baked cookies fills the air, a cozy and relaxed atmosphere and the sounds of a community enjoying conversation is the vibe at the new SHALOM Coffee Connection.
SHALOM Coffee Connection is a unique coffee shop that offers another opportunity for SHALOM Participants (adults with developmental, physical, emotional and mental disabilities in our community) to engage in meaningful work, serve others and integrate into the community.
SHALOM Coffee Connection partners with Foster Coffee Co., whose mission aligns with their own, fostering community and providing excellent coffee, which is the base of their delicious coffee drinks. They serve espresso, cappuccino, latte, mocha, iced coffee and drip pour (available in light or dark roast and decaf). Be sure to try the Maple Cinnamon Latte that uses the maple syrup processed at the SHALOM Farm.
Decadent hot chocolate is on the menu and is served with your choice of complimentary whipped
cream, sprinkles and chocolate or caramel drizzle, which is included with any drink purchase. Milk alternatives such as oat and almond milks are available for a nominal upcharge.
If tea is your drink of choice, they offer a wide variety of flavors, including chai tea latte. Iced tea and lemonade are served during the summer months. Fresh Strawberry Banana and Tropical Green smooth ies are served yearround.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat to go along with your drink of choice, you’re in luck! SHALOM Coffee Connection serves Karen’s Wonderful Cookies. The secret-recipe cookies include her signature flavor Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Monster Cookies & more (all are only $1 and available in regular or gluten free).
Order some for your next party or event; your guests will surely be impressed!
The vision for the coffee shop began over six years ago, with the intent of offering additional opportunities of meaningful work for SHALOM Participants to learn and grow. The Participants have been an integral part of the planning and preparation process. Whether they are baking cookies, wood burning signs, or designing the logo, Participants have taken ownership of this project.
The vision became a reality on March 24th-25th, when SHALOM Coffee Connection celebrated their grand opening. The coffee shop is located in the Shepherd’s Barn at 6276 N. Riverview Drive, just north of Parchment. Groups are welcome to meet at the coffee shop – advanced notice is appreciated. They are open the same days and hours as The Connection Depot Thrift Store, which is located within the same building, Fridays and Saturdays from 9-3, closed on major holiday weekends. Thrift store donations are accepted Thurs. – Sat. 9am-3pm.
As with every facet of SHALOM, they could not do what they do without their wonderful volunteers.
SHALOM Coffee Connection is looking for volunteers to help in the coffee shop for a 3-½ hour shift on a Friday or Saturday once or twice a month. If interested please contact the SHALOM Coffee Connection
manager, Kelly Lewis at klewis@ shalomkazoo.org or (269) 382-3840. Stop in this weekend and enjoy a delicious coffee, tea or specialty drink and a cookie and support this sweet mission.
SHALOM has 53 active Participants at this time. The SHALOM Network includes 8 homes, serving 40 residents, plus care providers and their families. Three homes are licensed AFC (Adult Foster Care) homes and four are self-determined, supported living homes. The homes are each managed by Christian care providers and operate as an extended family, giving residents a place to call home with the support they need. They envision adding to the network as like-minded homes and individuals connect.
The SHALOM Farm is a busy place where Participants help with animal care, gardening, maple syrup and fruit. The farm has sheep, chickens, ducks, goats, rabbits and alpaca.
The Connection Depot Thrift Store enables many network residents, friends and community folks to work together and become friends – which is entirely the point! The store is also a place to sell the goods they produce through the SHALOM Woolery and farm products, including farm fresh eggs and homemade maples syrup.
For more information visit the SHALOM website at shalomkazoo. org, stop into the SHALOM office and Woolery weekdays between 10am-2pm at 3191 Van Buren St. in Kalamazoo, Call (269) 382-3840 or email shalomkazoo@aol.com.
Jackie Merriam
Our world changed significantly in 2003 when my space first launched, followed by Facebook in 2004 and 2007, the debut of the iPhone. Children live in an instant gratification world. Gone are the days when they had to go to the library to get information or ride their bikes to see where all their friends were. Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha have grown up with technology at their fingertips.
Social media and living through the pandemic has disrupted our society and made a disturbing impact on young people.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in our youth. Studies show that 47% of the LGBTQ+ community contemplate suicide (Chattergee, 2022). The CDC shows that the decline of youth mental health has accelerated (CDC, 2023). The good news is that there are possibilities for improvement by creating space for youth to connect with other people and find safe people at school to go to
when they feel like they need to talk to someone.
The CDC reports that mental health in youth was going in the wrong direction. There were increased sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness reports (CDC, 2023). While students were all impacted by the pandemic, not all were impacted the same. However, as a society, we can assist in reversing our youth›s feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness by providing them with opportunities for counseling services, listening to what they need, offering them a safe space to talk, and finding activities that interest them to provide social stimulation. Research suggests that youth who feel connected to their peers at school and believe people care about them show higher academic and social success. When youth feel more connected, they are less likely to participate in risky behaviors. Schools can assist youth in feeling more connected by eliminating bullying and ensuring that everyone feels safe and supported at school (CDC, 2023).
Social media and streaming video platforms, such as Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat, Netflix, and YouTube, influence adolescents’ exposure to suicide (McKenzie et al., 2021). Controversial shows, like 13 Reasons Why (Golin,
2017-2020), have portrayed suicide in detail, showing methods and means and making suicide seem appealing to today’s youth (McKenzie et al., 2021). Repeated and glorified suicide ideology and methods can lead to contagion when adolescents regularly watch or read suicide content on streaming services or social media platforms, and the social media habit can desensitize adolescents about suicide (McKenzie et al., 2021). Additionally, if youth resonate with a character from a show who has died by suicide, the connection to that character could increase the risk of suicide if the youth views that character as a role model (McKenzie et al., 2021). Finally, McKensie et al. (2021) suggest that youth engagement in some social media platforms or news that regularly focuses on suicide stories can increase youth suicide rates (McKenzie et al., 2021).
On May 23, 2023, The Surgeon General issued a Social Media and Youth Mental Health advisory. Undoubtedly, social media can allow youth to connect with their friends. Research has also indicated the potential harm it can cause to youth mental health. While every family needs to determine what best works for their family when determining which social media platform their children are
allowed to use, it is suggested that parents monitor the use of their child/ children’s use. 95% of young people report they are almost constantly on their devices looking at social media (CDC, 2023). Our brains do not fully develop until around the age of 25. Adolescent brain development could be more vulnerable than ever before because of the harm that social media can do (CDC,2023).
Parents often ask if social media is safe for kids. The answer is that we need more evidence to say it is safe or unsafe. When faced with this question in my office, I, as a therapist, recommend monitoring your child’s phone, talking to them about controversial topics, checking in with them, watching for behaviors of isolation, placing time limits, and having a universal area at night to charge the phones. Many children are sleep deprived and not getting to school on time, if at all, because they may have been up late on their phones, or they are not getting enough REM sleep because their phones are constantly alerting them about something throughout the night (CDC, 2023). Children are exposed to content that may not be age-appropriate, violent, or sexual. They could be bullied or harassed. Parents can determine if the content their child is viewing is appropriate and can put parental controls on phones and devices to block inappropriate content. Protect young eyes is an excellent resource for parents to understand the latest in
social media and how to decrease or eliminate usage. Your phone carriers can also assist in providing information on parental controls.
Remember, everything in moderation can be okay, but constant usage can become harmful. Parents can watch to determine if their child›s phone use distracts and disrupts daily activities, social events, sports, and time spent with family. All children respond differently to social media, and there could be positive benefits that social media provide if appropriately used and monitored. Such benefits of social media include.
• Feeling more included and accepted
• Having people that support them through difficult times.
• An opportunity to be creative.
• More connected to friends and families near and far
According to the CDC, some elements can be problematic. Some of these areas of concern are but are not limited too.
• Body image
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Comparing self to others
• Other people’s lives look more exciting.
• Eating disorders
• Low Self Esteem
• Addiction to Social Media
• Hate-based Content.
• Disturbing Content
• Sleep disruptions
Parents can create family rules and
make plans for social media in their homes. Have a family meeting to determine what works best and establish rules that create safety and security for your child.
• Zones where technology can be used.
• Educate children on responsible online behavior.
• Model the behaviors expected of your children.
• Monitor your child’s devices.
• Have a universal charging station at night.
• Keep yourselves educated on new social media platforms.
• Have parenting restrictions set up through your carrier.
• Discuss concerns.
• Ensure your child is getting enough exercise and social interactions.
• Educate your child on how to block unwanted content.
• Educate your child on sharing personal information.
Educate your child what to do if they are being bullied or harassed.
Social media can be an essential tool if used correctly. Parents are influential in keeping their children safe. Our youth do not know a world without technology. Our adults’ job is to teach them proper usage and safety to assist with happier and healthier lives. If you are struggling with making healthy boundaries for your children related to technology and social media, contact a local therapist, they are here to provide tools to assist you.
This article discusses topics related to suicide.
If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, contact your local therapist or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, 1800-2738255 in Spanish at 18886289454, for people deaf or hard of hearing 1-800799-4889 or text the Crisis Text line at HOME to 741741
Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). CDC Report On Teen Mental Health Is A Red Alert
Washington Post
Golin, S., Gomez, S., Laiblin., K., Matyka, M., McCarthy, T., Son, D., Sugar, M., Teefey, M., & Wettels, J. (Executive Producers). (2017-2020). 13 reasons why [TV series]. July Moon Productions, Kicked to the Curb Productions, That Kid Ed Productions, Anonymous Content, Paramount Television Studios.
McKenzie, S. K., Jenkin, G., Steers, D., Magill, R., & Collings, S. (2021). Young people’s perspectives and understanding of the suicide story in 13 Reasons Why: A qualitative study. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 42(1), 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1027/02275910/a000688
Abbott’s Magic Company, located in Colon, was established in 1934 by an Australian magician, Percy Abbott, who lived in Colon. Abbott produced magic tricks and props to sell and his store quickly became a popular destination for magicians and magic enthusiasts from around the world. One of those magicians who visited the store was Henry Bouton — the famed magician, illusionist, and ventriloquist known worldwide as Harry Blackstone — “The Great Blackstone.” Blackstone’s association with the company began when he visited the magic shop and met Percy Abbott. Blackstone was impressed with the quality of the products and he began to order magic supplies from Abbott’s. He and Abbott became friends and the two magicians collaborated on the design and manufacture of props. Blackstone credited the company for helping him create some of his most famous illusions including the Blackstone Floating Light Bulb, which is still sold by Abbott’s Magic Company today. Blackstone became a partner in the company and in 1940 he bought land in Colon to build a summer home. Blackstone is buried in Colon’s Lakeside Cemetery along with more than forty other magicians who also wanted to be laid to rest near fellow magicians.
In 1959, Percy Abbott sold the business to his long-time friend and employee, Recil Bordner. He, too, was an accomplished magician and
around the world.
During the fest, magic is citywide; magicians interact with the public on the streets of Colon to amaze young and old with their magical talents. A morning and afternoon performance takes place each day at Abbott’s store on South St. Joseph Street for a $5 per person.
Greg Bordner says, throughout the summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Abbott’s offers a magic show each Saturday at 1:00 pm at its store in Colon for a small admission fee.
performer. Recil’s son, Greg Bordner, and grandson, Gordon, now run the company.
In 1934, Abbott’s Magic began hosting the annual summer “Abbott’s Get-Together” attended by thousands of visitors from all over the world It has become one of the most prestigious magic events of all – featuring performances by top magicians, magic shows, workshops, and more. Over the years, the festival has attracted some of the biggest names in magic, including David Copperfield, Penn and Teller, and Lance Burton. This year, magicians from as far away as England, Japan, and Spain will be in
Colon for the event.
This summer, from Wednesday, August 2 through Saturday, August 5, Abbott’s will host its 85th Magic Get-Together. The public is welcome to attend.
While magic was historically dominated by men, Abbott’s Magic Get-Together has become more inclusive over the years. Women and performers from diverse backgrounds are now regularly featured at the convention. Abbott’s Get-Together has also evolved alongside technology with live-streaming and online registration to make the event more accessible to a global audience. Abbott’s Get-Together remains a beloved event for magicians and enthusiasts
The allure of magic lies in its ability to make the impossible seem possible. Magic tricks and illusions challenge our perception of reality and create a sense of wonder and excitement. Magic is both visually perplexing and intellectually stimulating. The craft of magic requires skill, creativity, and showmanship, and the best magicians engage and entertain audiences on multiple levels. Skilled magicians allow us to experience the extraordinary and to believe, even if just for a moment, that anything is possible.
Moreover, magic has a rich history and culture that has evolved over centuries, from ancient Egyptian and Greek mysticism to modern-day stage shows, street performances, and the ever-popular “close-up” slight-of-hand magic. Magic’s long and fascinating history has only contributed to its appeal, making it an enduring form of entertainment.
What started as a small magic shop in the basement of Percy Abbott’s home in Colon, Michigan, has securely placed the small community of Colon (population 1,200) on the world map and justifiably designated as “The Magic Capital of the World!”
So, for you, your kids, and grandkids, there is no better way to put some magic into your summer than by visiting Abbott’s Magic Get-Together August 2 to August 5. For information go to https://www.magicgettogether.com
James CoppingerLight a fire in your backyard on a warm summer evening and watch family and friends gather around. It’s irresistible.
Creating a backyard oasis around a firepit or fireplace has grown in popularity. Professionals who install fire features suggest beginning with a hard look at your property. What is the view you want to enjoy while toasting your marshmallow? How far is the feature from your home and property lines? From which direction does the wind usually blow? Safety is always a top consideration for those flying sparks.
Permits are rarely needed. The only time you might need a permit is if the fireplace is integrated with the house, such as with a roof extension from the house. If the feature is freestanding, then you probably won’t need a permit. Check local building codes to be on the safe side.
Fuel source is an important factor in choosing the type of fire feature for your property. If burning wood, using hardwood, like oak or maples, is recommended. Soft woods such as pine, or green wood, can sometimes contain water and cause sparks and excess smoke.
Most fireplaces are wood-burning, but requests for propane or natural gas-burning are up. It’s the ease of having the fuel readily available that
wins buyers over. Using gas can eliminate the smoke of a wood-burning fire as well as the clean-up of ash afterward.
If choosing the propane or natural gas option, the fuel source is hidden inside or connected to the fireplace by a separate line. Typically, a 20-pound propane tank is the fuel source, easily refilled at your local hardware or grocery store. Ignition can be manual, requiring a match to light, or electric. Turn a knob or push a button, and the fire is there and ready to enjoy.
Outdoor fireplaces are a more expensive option and often an integral part of an outdoor kitchen. While professionally built fire pits can be
priced at several thousand, outdoor fireplaces can cost up to several tens of thousands and beyond.
Hardscaping around fireplaces and fire pits means that the landscaping incorporates hard materials such as stone, wood, or concrete. Paved areas, retaining walls, stairs, and other hard features provide functionality and structure to the landscape. When the hardscaping is complete, lighting, landscape design, and plant installation can be added for an even more dramatic effect.
Pre-made units can be installed or hire a professional to start from scratch and design the fire feature of your dreams. Materials are usu-
ally stone or brick. Shapes, colors, materials, all are trending with new styles. Brick pavers around features are especially popular now.
Another option worthy of mention is the smokeless fire pit. These units do not require installation but are portable units, usually made out of steel, that you can buy online or at your favorite lawn and garden store. They weigh between 30 to 50 pounds and fire up with various fuel types: wood, charcoal, or wood pellets. After use, clean up is easy with a bit of white ash at the bottom of the unit.
Well-built fireplaces and fire pits can bring homeowners enjoyment for the life of the home, but regular maintenance can ensure safety and functionality. A fire pit may accumulate leaves and other debris over the off-seasons that should be cleaned out before use to avoid flying embers and sparks. For gas units, spiderwebs and debris can clog burners and cause malfunction if not cleaned. Doors for outdoor fireplaces or covers for fire pits can prevent some of these problems.
A well-built and designed feature, well maintained, will bring pleasure to the homeowner for many years to come.
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Living with someone that is ill can challenge a relationship. Sitting in the doctor’s office or receiving a call your loved one has a chronic illness can be life-altering. Chronic disease doesn’t just affect the person living with the diagnosis but the entire family unit. When a loved one is ill, a family member or friend will often step up to support their loved one suffering. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 44 million people in the United States take care of their ill spouse, parent, child, or friend. They are doing this selflessly and may be silently suffering from stress. Having added challenge of chronic illness can take a toll on the relationship, adding additional stress to the caretaker. It is essential to look at the 4 A›s of stress management
• Avoiding the Stressors
• Adapting the Stress
• Altering the Stress
• Accepting the Stress
Couples need to adapt to the new life, and navigating through the stress of a chronic illness within the relationship could deepen the relationship. The chronic disease makes life unpredictable. Things can change and fluctuate from hour to hour, day to day, and health can dramatically change. Here are some suggestions to assist in adapting to the diagnosis:
• Recognizing Grief Together
• Maneuvering Problems Together by proactively problem-solving potential problems that could arise.
• Learning to appreciate the new normal.
• Communication is Key
• It›s okay to ask for help.
It Is Crucial For Caretakers to Take Care of Themselves
Caregivers devote their time to others who cannot take care of themselves. Some tasks that a caretaker may experience each day include shopping, cleaning, transportation, feeding, bathing, dressing, walking, cooking, coordinating medical care, or managing a person’s finances. Providing these tasks for another person shows love, but it can come with exhaustion as a price tag. Typically taking care of
someone can be done 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no breaks or pay. Caretakers overlook their needs and can burn out and have stress and anxiety. Potentially, caretakers may not spend time with other friends or family members, making them feel isolated. However, some think caring for a loved one is profoundly fulfilling. It is just as crucial for the caretaker to remember that they must take care of their needs and wants. Often caregivers will forget to take care of themselves. On top of this, they are exposed to other people’s trauma which can cause compassion fatigue. With compassion fatigue, you can experience exhaustion, irritability, decreased sense of personal purpose, and an emotional disconnect. This is often followed by feelings of burnout. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is chronic stress which can cause a loss of identity and diminishing feelings of pleasure. If you are a caretaker, create a list of activities you enjoy doing. Schedule at least 20-60 minutes daily to do something for yourself. Please take the opportunity to contact a counselor so they can provide you with healthy coping skills, meditations, breathing techniques, and even a list of activities for you to try to find daily enjoyment.
It is healthy to have healthy conversations with your partner to determine what household chores they still can handle. Allowing yourself permission that the house may not be as tidy and the laundry may pile up gives some stress relief and a good form of self-care. Remember, you don’t need to be a super caregiver, which can lead to burnout. Communication is essential to allow each member involved to express their selves. Good conversations to have for self-care are.
• This illness affects me because…..
• I am here for you, but I also have needs.
• I still need to feel a sense of connectedness. What do you need?
• I need to give myself time daily to ensure my needs are met too.
• Our life is changing, but what are some non-negotiables (examples,
dinner at a specific time, movie night, things from life before you would like to continue, if possible)
• I’m scared too.
• I miss how things used to be, but we will get through this together.
It is vital to communicate your thoughts and feelings with your loved one who is sick. They may be consumed with the illness and how to get better; they may not think about how it affects their loved ones. All people in the family unit are making changes and feeling emotions. No one should go through the feelings alone. It is okay to share your thoughts, and it is a form of self-care.
Grieving the Loss of How Life Used to Be Many people that care for others feel that they have a loss of identity as they may have shifted their lifestyles overnight or over time. The person caring for their loved one may lose energy because they tackle household chores that used to be shared. They may not be going to work, have quit their job, or have taken a leave of absence. What made them feel like they had a purpose may have shifted, and they may be trying to figure out who they are now. It is okay not to be okay and not feel as strong as you appear.
There is a shift in the relationship, causing all involved to go through a grieving process. Couples could lose interest in intimacy as they focus on caring for their loved one or the illness, feeling a loss of attention within the relationship. Sometimes couples can’t spend time doing things they once loved and may lose social connections, leading to loneliness. The illness sometimes consumes all aspects of their lives, causing a loss of how life used to be and causing feeling emotionally and emotionally drained trying to navigate this new way of life.
When couples go through a grieving process, sometimes they sit
in pain in silence, causing them to feel more alone and disconnected from their partner. Researchers determined frequently, the caretaker doesn’t communicate the burden they find themselves in because they don’t want to hurt their loved ones (Willard, K, 2020). According to Willard, 2020 caregivers often feel forgotten because family and friends call to check on the ill person, not realizing the toll it takes on the caregiver.
Another thing that could help you is a caretaker support group. A small support group may allow you to feel as though you aren›t alone and that other people have the same feelings, normalizing your emotions. Your Dr. or counselor may have contact information about finding a support group. You don›t have to go through this alone, and it is okay to ask for help, to let your partner know how you feel, and to communicate your needs. Just as the person living with the illness may have big emotions and feelings about their diagnosis, it is okay for the caretaker to express their feelings as well. Bottling up emotions isn›t healthy and could lead to more feelings of loneliness, being overwhelmed, exhaustion, and depression. Remember if it is becoming difficult to navigate through this new way of life, counselors are available to assist maneuvering through the changes.
References
Author: Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT MA, LPC Willard, K, 2019 Chronic Illness and Couples. Keep
Over the past several weeks, my morning routine has been walking around the yard to see what flowers have popped up since the day before. What a great start to the day! Lupines and bachelor buttons; peonies and primroses; spiderwort and digitalis! Every day brings something new. If asked to pick a favorite, I couldn’t possibly. Each has its own appeal.
Flowers play significant roles in most, if not all, world cultures. European tradition is not alone in its reverence for blossoms, either in highly organized English gardens or more naturally arranged in cottage plantings. Eastern societies and the reverence for dainty lilies and lotus are well-established. The abundance of tropical species of the South Pacific, showy and lush, are prominent in artists’ renderings. Major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, all reference flowers in various sacred passages.
According to Google (and isn’t that the expert on everything?), “Say It with Flowers” was coined in 1917 to establish a slogan for the Society of American Florists. In recent history, we’ve used flowers to share many sentiments: welcome to new neighbors, congratulations on your anniversary, sympathies on your loss, and, of course, please forgive me. In addition to the message, flower colors can impart meaning. When I was a child, arriving at church on Mother’s Day, carnations were available. If a mother was living, the parishioner would receive a red or pink blossom as a memento of the day. If she had passed, white was given instead. In Victorian times, flowers were a means of discreet communication between close friends and potential suitors. How romantic!
Flowers are precious, not just to modern humans. They have held important roles in primitive cultures as well. According to an article in the
journal Science, various pollen species were found in the gravesites of early tribes of hunter gatherers, dating back over 12,000 years. Scientists believe this indicates that flowers played a role in funereal culture. Some of the found species were fragrant, as might be expected in a communal burial ground, but others appear to have been chosen for color and availability. Flowers, in and of themselves, are fleeting. They are the reproductive structures of a plant. I have a book in my collection titled, Sex in Your Garden. (No, it’s not one of those novels!) The author does, however, share the process by which a plant sets forth a blossom and the sequence from that floral advertisement to the real jackpot – the seeded fruit! Lots of cellular energy is involved in the process of producing a flower and a fruit. Most plants produce both eggs and sperm, but many cannot self-fertilize. They require assistance from a pollinatorwind or water, insect, or other animals (including humans.) As I’ve written in earlier articles, the flower is critical in attracting the pollinator best suited, through the collective evolution of both species, to bring pollen, the sperm cells of one plant, to a sticky receptacle leading to the female reproductive structure. That receptacle, interestingly called a stigma, leads to the plant ovary, where fertilization occurs, producing multiple embryos, and seeds begin to form around them, surrounding the potential new life. Once fertilization has occurred, the ovary itself, containing the embryos, begins to develop into what will become a fruit. The ovary’s wall thickens and becomes the outer wall that we might call the skin of the forming fruit. Cells inside begin to multiply, and the plant sends water and sugar from the leaves, where photosynthesis occurs, to the developing fruit. The process may take several weeks or more, but the mature
fruit, a ripened ovary, will detach from the mother plant. If luck holds, it will be transported (with or without the help of wind, water, gravity, or a bird or other animal) to a site where its seeds can germinate, beginning another generation.
The life cycle of a flower may once have been vital to life itself. Michael Pollan, a favorite author of mine, references in his book The Botany of Desire, the idea of evolutionary biologists that our early hunter-gatherer ancestors learned that where there was a flower, soon there would be a fruit. Pre-agriculture diets were spotty. Protein took luck and effort to get. Tracking down that wounded gazelle was demanding work. Uncooked grains were indigestible, so carbohydrates were rare. A ripened fruit was a true nutritional gift. Even a half-rotted piece of fruit was better than starvation, and the inevitable “dropping” of the seeds that survived the digestive tract of the human or animal only assisted in the widespread distribution of the plant to new environments.
Of course, not all plants make lush, juicy fruits. Some seeds are held in hard casings, like shells. No prob-
lem! Other kinds of animals, perhaps rodents with sharp teeth, or birds with sharp beaks, will enjoy them. Indeed, little goes to waste in nature, certainly not any biological structure.
The loveliest thing about a flower is that it represents a promise! As the first crocuses peek up through the snow of early spring, they speak the promise of warmer, sunnier days ahead. In the summer, blossoms promise an abundance of food – just around the corner. In autumn, flowers promise that a new generation will be over-wintering in the cold earth, just waiting for the right conditions to begin again. Most promises, in my experience, are rarely so dependable or so beautiful!
Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science CenterReference:
Balter, M. (2013, July 1). Saying It With Flowers, 14,000 Years Ago. Science. Retrieved June 7, 2023, from https://www.science.org/content/article/saying-it-flowers-14000-years-ago
Through October 15
Exhibit: Explore Your World Explore land, sea & space
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Through December, 2023
Exhibit: Wonder Media: Ask The Questions, KVCC Museum
Through January 7
Exhibit: Splat! The Buzz About Fly Swatters, KVCC Museum
Saturdays, July 1,8,15,22,29
Kalamazoo Farmers Market
7am-2pm, 1204 Bank St.
Sundays, July 2,9,16,23,30
Portage Farmers Market
9am-1pm, 7900 S. Westnedge
Sunday, July 2,9,16,23,30
Valhalla Music Open Mic Night, 7-11pm, Valhalla
NorseNectr Meadery
Mondays, July 3,10,17,24,31
Parchment Update Interviews Parchmentlibrary.org
Mondays, July 3,9,16,23,30
Cruz in at Dean’s Ice Cream, Plainwell, 4-8pm
Mondays, July 3,10,17,24,31
Run This Town, 6-7:30pm
Mayor’s Riverfront Park Pavilion, 251 Mills St., Kal.
Monday, July 3,10,17,24,31
Team Trivia at Old Burdick’s Wings West, Kalamazoo, 7-9pm
Tuesdays, July 4,11,18,23
Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market
8am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.
Tuesdays, July 4,11,18,25
Theme Trivia Tuesdays, 7-9pm Revel and Roll West, Register: (269) 488-3800
Wednesdays, July 5,12,19,26
Richland Farmers Market, 3-6pm, Richland Community Center
Wednesdays, July 5,12,19,26
Cruise-In, 5-8pm, Gilmore Car Museum
Wednesday, July 5
Music: DJ & DJ and Rae of Light 5:30-8:30, Bates Alley, Kalamazoo
Wednesday, July 5,12,19,26
Final Goofery Comedy Night 8-10pm, Final Gravity Kal.
Thursdays, July 6,13,20,27
Kalamazoo Farmers Market 1204 Bank St., 8am-1pm
Thursday, July 6
Adult Book Club, 9:3010:30am, Vicksburg Library
Thursdays, July 6,13,20,27
Plainwell Farmers’ Market 3-6:30pm @ Sweetwater Donuts
Thursdays, July 6,13,20,27
Trivia Night, 7pm, Gull Lake Distilling Company, Galesburg
Friday, July 7
Memory Café for people with mild Dementia & their care partners, Paw Paw Library, 10:30am-Noon
Friday, July 7
Black Arts & Cultural Center Youth Day, 12-4pm 1000 W. Paterson St., Kal.
Fridays, July 7,14,21,28
Vicksburg Farmers Market, 2-6, 300 N. Richardson St.
Fridays, July 7,14,21,28
Trivia Fridays, 7-8:30pm Valhalla Horse Nectar Meadery
Saturday, July 8
Your Story! Public Media Network, 10am-Noon, Make a Video, Epic Center, Kalamazoo
Sat., July 8 – Sun. July 9
Kalamazoo 4-H Horse Show 9am, Kalamazoo Fairgrounds
Saturday, July 8
Internet Users Group, 10am-Noon, Paw Paw Library
Saturday, July 8
Art Detectives: Natsumi’s Song Of Summer, 10:30am-12pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Saturday, July 8 Black Arts Festival, 11am-8pm Bronson Park, Kalamazoo
Saturday, July 8
Mallmart + Zoo Flea - Vintage & Handmade Marketplace, Water St., Kalamazoo, 12-7pm
Sat., July 8 – Sun. July 9
Marshall Vintage Garden Market 1am-5pm, 108 N. Park Ave. Near the Fountain Circle
Sunday, July 9
Music: Bronk Brothers, 6-7:30pm Flesher Field, Oshtemo
Monday, July 10
Parchment Book Group: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, 6pm Parchment District Library
Tuesday, July 11
Craft for Adults: Painted Spoon Garden Markers 1-3pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, July 11
Shango Magic at Maple Lake Amphitheater, Paw Paw, 10-11am
Tuesday, July 11
Curators’Talk on Sugoi! 200 Years of Japanese Art, 12-1pm Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Tuesday, July 11
Food Truck on the Road, 5-7:30pm, The Mill, Vicksburg
Wednesday, July 12
Music: The Skeletones & DJ Conscious 5:30-8:30, Bates Alley, Kalamazoo
Wednesday, July 12
Music: The Good Guys, 6-8:30pm, Kal. Humane Society, 2272 River St.
Wednesday, July 12
Writers Accountability Group 6:30-7:30pm, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, July 13
Music: Departure, 7pm Overlander Bandshell, Portage
Thursday, July 13
Comedy Open Mic Night 9-11pm
Valalla Norse Nectar Meadery
Saturday, July 15
Friends of the Library Book Sale 9am-2pm, Parchment Library
Saturday, July 15
Chief Noonday Patriotic Hike
Wear Red, White or Blue, 9:30am Middleville Village Hall, 100 E. Main St. (5-9mi), Paul Henry Trail Post Hike: River Dog Tavern
Monday, July 17
STEAM Activities (ages 5-11+) 12-1pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, July 18
Professor Brian @ Maple Lake Amphitheater, Paw Paw 10-11am
Tuesday, July 18
Taiko Drumming w/Carolyn Koebel & Jonathan Wegner, 12-1pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Tuesday, July 18
Food Truck on the Road, 5-7:30pm
Fannie Pell Park, Plainwell
Tuesday, July 18
Mystery Book Club: Agatha Christie Series: Sleeping Murder 6:30pm, Parchment Library
Wednesday, July 19
Elementary Book Club (grades 1-5) Read a book a friend suggests, bring them , and come to discuss 11-11:45am, Vicksburg Library
Wednesday, July 19
Book Review: The Cat Who Saved Books, 2-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Wednesday, July 19
Dungeons & Dragons 5e 5:30-8pm, Vicksburg Library
Wednesday, July 19
Music: Acana, 5:30-8:30 Bates Alley, downtown Kalamazoo
Wednesday, July 19
Family Paper-making Workshop 6pm, Parchment Library
Wednesday, July 19
Music: Powell McCoy, 6-8:30pm Kal. Humane Society, 2272 River St.
Wednesday, July 20
Bird & Coffee Chat: Avian Physiology 10am on Zoom, Register: kbs.msu.edu, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Thursday, July 20
Kalamazoo Night Market, 5-10pm, 1204 Bank St., Kal.
Thursday, July 20
Heartbreak Book Club: Dream On By Angie Hockman, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Friday, July 21 Food Truck, Covers & More 5-10pm, Arcadia Festival Site
Fri., July 21 – Sat., July 22
Scotts Days, Garage Sales 9-4, 7/22 Vendors , Scotts Comm. Ctr.
Saturday, July 22
Christmas in July Craft & Vendor Show, 10am-4pm Kalamazoo County Expo Center
Saturday, July 22
Engineering STEAM Day 11am, Kalamazoo Air Zoo
Saturday, July 22 Murder Mystery Party, 4- 6pm Richland Library, Register 629-9085
Monday, July 24
Adult Movie Club: Becoming Jane (Drinks & cookies served) 1-3pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, July 25
Comedian Doug Scheer @ Maple Lake Amphitheater, 10-11am, Paw Paw Library
Tuesday, July 25 West Michigan Area Show Artist Highlight, 12-1pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Tuesday, July 25 Food Truck on the Road: Warner Vineyards, Paw Paw, 5-7:30pm
Wednesday, July 26
Music: Yolanda Lavender and DJ Chuck, 5:30-8:30, Bates Alley, downtown Kalamazoo
Wednesday, July 26
Music: Don Middlebrook Kalamazoo Humane Society, 2272 River St., 6-8:30pm
Thursday, July 27
Dynamic “BE Kind to Our Planet/ Go Green” Program (ages 4-12) With live animals, 6-7pm Vicksburg District Library
Thursday, July 27
Between the Lines Book Club: We Have Always Lived in the Castle By Shirley Jackson, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Thursday, July 27
History of MI Interurban Railway 7-8pm, Richland Library
Fri., July 28 & Sat., July 29
Turn in July Summer Reading Packets for Grand Prize Drawings Meet June & July goals and earn ticket to End of Summer Reading Party. 10am-5pm, Vicksburg Library
Friday, July 28
Friday at the Flats - Food Trucks & local Music, 4:30-8:30, Movie in the Park: Back to the Future, 9pm, Celery Flats Historical Area, Portage