Remember When
The Velvelettes
I was excited to learn about and feature The Velvelettes after seeing a shimmery red dress, worn by one of the founding members, Bertha Barbee-McNeal on exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The allgirl Motown singing group was born in Kalamazoo.
Founding members, BarbeeMcNeal and Mildred Gill Arbor, were students at Western Michigan University in the early 1960’s when they started a group singing at campus parties and sock hops, until they learned about a talent show at the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity with a $25 prize - quite a sum of money at that time!
That’s when Barbee-McNeal and Gill-Arbor got serious, disbanding the original group and handpicking singers they knew could help them win the prize. Gill brought her sister Cal (Gill) Street, and her best friend Betty Kelly, both still in high school at Loy Norrix, into the group. Barbee-McNeal called upon her cousin Norma (Barbee) Fairhurst, who was attending a junior college back home in Flint.
The group needed a name, and Street, who was studying French at the time, suggested Les Jollies Femmes, French for The Pretty Women.
After practicing endlessly in Maybe Hall on WMU’s campus, they won the $25 prize! More importantly, they won the attention of classmate, Robert Bullock, nephew of Motown producer, Berry Gordy. Bullock encouraged them to audition at his uncle’s studio, Hitsville USA, in Detroit.
Their newfound fame on campus created a challenge, their French name was difficult to pronounce. A new name surfaced on a car ride when the group was singing harmony
and someone in the car mentioned that their smooth sound was like velvet, which led to The Velvelettes.
The group, busy with their school work, didn’t give much consideration to the offer, but Street’s parents urged them to audition. They eventually agreed and piled into a car with Cal’s and Mildred’s father, The Rev. Willie Gill, Sr., and their brother, Charles Gill, headed to Detroit in the middle of a snowstorm. When they arrived, they were met with some bad news. Hitsville didn’t do auditions on Saturdays. They pleaded to no avail and were headed out of the building when they ran into Mickey Stevenson, head of Motown’s Artists and Repertoire Department. He recognized McNeal and Fairhurst, who sang backup for their uncle in a group called The Barbees, and Stevenson produced their first record. He got them an audition on the spot with Gordy.
The audition was a success and changed the trajectory of their lives. The next year was a whirlwind for the young group, who continued going to school during the week and drove to Detroit on the weekends to cut records.
The Velvelettes signed to Motown in late 1962 and started recording in January 1963. They recorded at the Hitsville USA studio: “There He Goes” and “That’s The Reason Why,” produced by Stevenson, were released as a single under the IPG Records (Independent Producers Group) label. The recordings included the young Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica. The group’s biggest chart success occurred in 1964, when Norman Whitfield produced “Needle in a Haystack” as a single for the group on Motown’s VIP Records imprint. The song made the Top 20 radio playlist and peaked at number 45 on the Bill-
board Hot 100 Record Chart. They recorded its follow-up, also produced by Whitfield, “He Was Really Sayin’ Somethin’. The group also participated in a variety of Motown-sponsored tours as a support act.
In September 1964, Betty Kelly left the group to join Martha and the Vandellas and The Velvelettes went from a quintet to a quartet. The Velvelettes continued to record new material until September 1967.
They continued performing, with various members coming and going, as family matters required. By 1967, Gill, Norma and Bertha BarbeeMcNeal decided to devote all of their time to raising their families. Cal brought on two new members for concert performances, including Sandra Tilley, future Vandella member, and her friend Abdul Fakir of the Four Tops, and Annette McMillan. Barbee-McNeal, received undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from WMU and became a music teacher in Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPL), where she taught for 26 years. Sometimes she would invite Street to sing with her choirs. After retiring from KPL, Barbee-McNeal worked as the artistic director and piano teacher for the Helen L. Fox Gospel Music Center, a non-profit that provides music education to urban and under-resourced youth. Street who also lived in Kalamazoo, worked in the development office at WMU and at the Upjohn Company. Street also sang in the master choir at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for more than 20 years and worked with the NAACP. Gill Arbor was a registered nurse in Flint and Barbee-Fairhurst was the director of catering at a banquet hall in Flint.
The Velvelettes took time off to raise their families and pursue other careers, but Motown was still in their
blood. In 1983 they performed what they thought would be a one-time concert at a women’s conference in southwestern Michigan. In 1984, they reunited again when asked to attend a 25th anniversary celebration for Motown artists in Detroit. Three months later they performed together during a workshop on “Black Women in Music” at Kalamazoo Central. They were so well received that they launched a second chapter of their careers, touring the world. They’ve visited places like Paris, Montreal and London—places they’d only dreamed about when they were younger. Through it all, they have never forgotten their Kalamazoo roots, performing on various local stages over the years.
Three decades after the group left Motown, the company released a CD, “The Very Best of the Velvelettes” in 1999, featuring 15 tracks, including four previously unreleased selections. In addition to a 19-track CD, “The Velvelettes: The Best Of” was released in the UK in 2001. And in 2004, a double album with 48 tracks, The Velvelettes: The Motown Anthology was released.
Sadly, the founding member Bertha Barbee-McNeal died of colon cancer in hospice in Kalamazoo, on December 15, 2022, at the age of 82. The Kalamazoo born group, The Velvelettes, and their classic Motown sound, paved the way for countless singers after them.
Jackie Merriam
Sources: KG 10/30/88, KG 2/23/03, KG 3/28/04, KG 2/1/09, KG 2/28/2013, WMU News 2/22/2021, MLive 11/24/22.
Painting by James C. Palmore, 2001, Acrylic on Canvas
Mason & Leafcutter Beekeeping
Like the idea of keeping bees, but not the idea of stings, swarms or lifting heavy boxes of sticky honey? Keeping other native pollinators might be for you.
Honeybees get their name from their highenergy food source. They remain active as an entire colony throughout winter by collecting nectar in summer just as fast as plants produce, which they convert into honey. Open up a honeybee hive in January and you will see a cluster of living bees that maintain a core temperature of over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Pollen is collected in the warm months specifically to feed baby bees. It is collected most heavily in the spring, and in consistently lowering levels until the last brood is capped in October.
In contrast, most native bees live solitary lives. They are active as adults for a relatively short period of time – three to four weeks, depending on the species – and are dormant through winter. As such, they collect nectar mainly to fuel their flight to find and prepare nesting sites and to find and collect pollen to feed their larvae. Some people call them pollen bees because they do not make honey. Since solitary bees don’t have rich stores of honey, they do not defend their nests from large mammals, like ourselves.
Most native bees nest in underground burrows, but others occupy pre-existing cavities in fallen trees, stumps, old stems or manmade materials. Mason bees are early foraging cavity-nesters that live their adult lives almost entirely in spring. Their close relatives, the leafcutters, emerge later and can be found all summer long. The same sorts of nesting
This year, Easter falls on April 20th, which is a little later than usual. When I was growing up, Easter
concepts apply to both, and to attract and build up their numbers in an area can be a low investment and satisfying enterprise.
Drilling 6 inches deep into dead tree stumps with a 1/8- to 3/8-inch bit will attract mason and leafcutting bees looking for nesting sites, but these will be difficult to manage and inspect for diseases or parasites. Michigan State University Extension recommends using a better method of using materials that either open for inspection and cleaning, such as boards that have grooves routed into them and are clamped together to create the effect of holes in a block of wood, or by using loose materials that can be periodically replaced.
To keep parasitoid wasps and flies that target aggregations of mason and leafcutter bee cells from becoming a
was one of my favorite holidays.
Each Easter, all seven of us kids and our parents were dressed to the nines before attending holiday mass. My sisters and I enjoyed dressing up in our new dresses, Easter bonnets, socks with ruffles and patent leather shoes, shined to perfection, with Vaseline.
In our 8mm movies, we are seen, lifting up our feet to proudly show off our shiny shoes.
My brothers, to their dismay, had to wear sport coats, dress slacks, dress shirts, dress shoes and a a clip-on tie or bowtie.
The boys aren’t showing off their shoes in the movies, but are making silly faces and are running around like banshees, before being corralled into our station wagon for church.
The Easter bunny brought each
perennial pest of unmanaged drilledhole nests, it is important to protect the nests after they have finished being active for the season. The simplest protection measure is to secure a swath of bridal tulle, cheesecloth or a paint strainer bag over the capped nesting holes to exclude parasitoid wasps and flies. If you have a healthy woodpecker population, you might consider mounting some 0.5-inch wire screen about 1 inch away from the entrances as well.
For managing these bees on a larger scale, like for fruit or vegetable pollination, the next step is to line potential nesting holes with paper tube that can be slipped out. This is so that they can be split open to remove cocoons and clean them of mites and dispose of cocoons that have been parasitized by wasps and
of us a small Easter basket with a handful of jelly beans, a few chocolate eggs and a small solid chocolate bunny. I still have my Easter basket with 29¢ printed on the bottom.
The girls also received sidewalk chalk and a jump rope or jacks, while the boys got a kite, some caps for their cap guns or another small toy.
After church we changed into our play clothes and spent the day outside playing hop scotch, jumping rope and watching my brother’s kites soar, before inevitably landing in a tree.
We always had extended family members at our house on Easter and every holiday, because, let’s be honest, who was going to invite a family of nine over for holiday dinner?
To this generation, a holiday such as the one I described, may sound
flies to prevent future infestations.
If you choose to remove mason bee or leafcutter tubes or cocoons for protection, inspection or cleaning, place them in a ventilated and insulated container at ambient environmental temperature. A vented cooler placed in a garage or pole barn is a great place. You can sanitize trays and holes with bleach and scrape them clean with a soft wire brush.
Article by Ben Phillips, MSU Extension
Mason bee houses should be put up as soon as possible. With the arrival of nice weather, mason bees are starting to emerge. This can take up to two weeks. The males emerge first, followed by the female a week or so later.
Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center
a bit simple., but it holds priceless memories for my family and I.
Happy Easter!
Jackie This publication does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the written permission from the publisher.
Graphic Designer: Lauren Ellis Editor and Publisher: Jackie Merriam (269) 217-0977 - goodnews.jackie@gmail.com Like us on
Cover picture taken at Cherri’s Chocol’art in Downtown Kalamazoo
Random Acts of Artness Scraps of Paper
This month’s original art was printed on scraps of printing paper. I forgot to order paper, and I didn’t have time to run to the store. I made do with what I had. I carved the linoleum block for this month’s print between sips of coffee, two cups mind you, this morning. With limited time, I opted for a small image, a smaller format, but still the trees. Often, not always, the trees.
As I was printing, I was glancing at personal and work emails on my phone and having quick exchanges of words with my family. Scraps. Scraps of time, scraps of focus, scraps of conversations. I could make this a critique about how that isn’t good enough, but that’s not the message here. Sometimes, scraps might be all you have, and you have to make the best of it.
Recently, I’ve picked up more responsibilities at work, volunteered for a few things in the community, bought more books, and signed up for some additional personal and professional learning opportunities. Scraps. A little of this and a little of
that. Dabble here and try there.
My boys had a scheduled day off of school the other week, which meant I was able to adjust the schedule of my day slightly. I had 10 extra minutes before I needed to get to work. Instead of turning left, I turned right and chased the darkness. Do you know when the best time is to catch a sunset and a sunrise—30 minutes before. Often, not always, the sky and light are just right.
I made it to the woods, a spot I chose because of the proximity to my home, and also because of the time it takes to walk from the parking lot to a prime viewing spot. With a winded pace, you can make it in 10
minutes to this beautiful vantage point. And I did. Deer paid me no mind, birds singing excitedly while being warmed by the sun, and, then, colors of orange and red caused the trees to visually ignite like something otherworldly. That 10 minutes got me just the right amount of darkness turning into light. And all I needed was scraps.
We shouldn’t neglect even the littlest amount of time for the value it holds. Giving 10 minutes a day to a book might take months to complete—but you will get to the last page. Creating art for 10 minutes might not give you a Picasso, but the marks will develop into their own
admirable finished piece no matter how long it takes.
What I’m saying is: “I don’t have enough time” is not a good excuse. Flip that thought and decide, “I have 10 minutes and what should I do with this time?”
In 10 minutes, I wrote this article (editing took quite a bit longer). It might just be a scrap, but if added to all my writings, maybe it’ll one day be part of a book.
10 original art prints have been randomly placed in this issue of the Good News Paper.
Peace, Love, and Art. -Amy Instagram: @amylgieschen
Indestructible Microscopic Marvels: The Water Bears Among Us
Tardigrades are the ultimate survivors of the animal kingdom, capable of enduring conditions that would annihilate nearly every other living organism. These microscopic creatures, often called “water bears” or “moss piglets,” are tiny—usually only about 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters in size— but they pack an extraordinary punch when it comes to resilience. First discovered in 1773 by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze, tardigrades earned their nickname thanks to their bear-like appearance under a microscope. These creatures are everywhere—mountaintops, ocean depths, Antarctic ice, and your backyard moss. They thrive wherever there’s even the tiniest film of water, slipping through life largely unnoticed despite their incredible feats of survival.
What makes tardigrades so extraordinary is their ability to withstand conditions that are otherwise lethal. They are champions of “extremophily”, a term used to describe organisms that thrive in extreme environments. Tardigrades can survive temperatures as low as -458°F, just above absolute zero, and as high as 300°F. If that range doesn’t impress, con-
sider this: they’re also highly resistant to radiation, enduring doses thousands of times more than what would kill a human. Their resilience doesn’t stop there. In 2007, tardigrades were sent into space as part of a European Space Agency experiment. They survived the vacuum of space, deadly cosmic radiation, and some even managed to reproduce. This makes them the only known animal to survive unassisted in outer space.
One of their most remarkable abilities is their defense against dehydration, a process known as cryptobiosis. When water is scarce, tardigrades curl into a shriveled, dehydrated “tun” state, effectively shutting down their metabolism to 0.01% of normal levels. In this state, they can survive for decades or even centuries. Once rehydrated, they spring back to life, as if they’d never hit the pause button. This ability to cheat death by drying out is one of the reasons they’ve survived on Earth for over 500 million years, enduring mass extinctions that wiped out most other species.
Tardigrades have an uncomplicated life cycle. After hatching from an egg, they grow by molting their protective outer layer, or cuticle, several times
before reaching adulthood. They typically live for just a few months in their active state, but cryptobiosis can extend their lifespan dramatically.
Tardigrades reproduce either sexually or asexually, depending on the species. In sexual reproduction, males and females produce sperm and eggs, while some species rely on parthenogenesis, where females lay eggs without the need for fertilization. Eggs are often deposited within the molted cuticle, providing protection until they hatch.
While their resilience is fascinating on its own, studying tardigrades has far-reaching implications for science and technology. Their unique biology offers potential breakthroughs in medicine, biotechnology, and even space exploration. For instance, the proteins and sugars they produce to survive extreme conditions could inspire methods for preserving vaccines, organs, or human cells for long-term storage. In space exploration, tardigrades’ ability to withstand cosmic radiation and extreme environments could help scientists develop ways to protect astronauts on long-term missions.
Their DNA repair mechanisms,
which allow them to recover from radiation damage, might also pave the way for advancements in cancer treatment and gene therapy. Even in the face of climate change, understanding how tardigrades adapt to harsh environments may provide valuable insights into how life can endure shifting ecosystems and extreme conditions.
Tardigrades are a testament to life’s resilience and adaptability. Despite their microscopic size, they’ve survived for hundreds of millions of years, outlasting the dinosaurs and enduring some of Earth’s most catastrophic events. Their ability to survive seemingly impossible conditions reminds us that even the smallest creatures can be extraordinary.
So, the next time you look at a patch of moss or a drop of water, remember it might be home to some of nature’s most incredible survivors, quietly thriving in a world filled with challenges. These tiny, pudgy water bears are a reminder of life’s incredible tenacity and the mysteries that still await discovery.
James D. Coppinger
For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/
PrPromise Me Sunshine omise Sunshine Cara Bastone (Dial Press)
Grieving the loss of her best friend, a young woman’s life is turned upside down when she meets a grumpy stranger who swears he can help her live again in this heartwarming, slow-burn romance. This is a beautifully written love story that features the exploration of grief.
Troutman, LibraryReads Ambassador
read-alike: PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
AlAll the Other Mothers Hate Me l Other Hate Sarah Harman (G.P. Putnam's Sons)
Florence is a washed-up girl group singer and a hot mess. She skates through life, having no qualms about manipulating people to get what she wants. When her son is accused of a horrible crime, she investigates, but with morals so gray, can she actually bring a killer to justice? All the other mothers hate her—with good reason—yet readers will root for her.
by Kieran Scott
Go Luck YGoYourseourselflf Sara Raasch (Bramble)
This delightful follow-up to The Nightmare Before Kissmas follows Kris, the other Christmas Prince, and Loch, the Prince of St. Patrick's Day. There's a bit of mystery and political intrigue, as well as passionate banter. Great for readers looking for fun holiday rom-coms with a bit of spice that can be read outside of the winter holidays.
TTheRivheRiver Has Roots er AmalEl-Mohtar (Tordotcom)
Sisters Esther and Ysabel are among the lucky few to have found their way home after getting lost in the land of Faerie. When Esther falls in love with a stranger, a darkness threatens to separate the sisters forever. An enchanting story of the bonds of sisterhood and the magic of Faerie for readers who love a good riddle song or murder ballad.
Clara receives a phone call regarding a letter from the mother who abandoned her when she was young and who is now presumed dead. From the moment Clara and her precocious daughter Wynnie arrive in London to get the letter, a series of coincidences change their lives. A novel of love, motherhood, forgiveness, and being open to possibilities while knowing yourself.
TTheDrheDreamHoteeamHotell Laila Lalami (Pantheon)
Riley is drowning in grief. Adam—his ex-best friend and first love—slips back into his life, determined to offer support and make amends for some seriously devastating decade-old mistakes. The emotional maturity of these two forty-something men will land perfectly with readers looking for heartfelt romance.
first love moves back to town. A chain of events takes place that alters their lives. Unfolding with the urgency of a thriller, this novel deftly explores topics such as first love, sacrifice, and deep loyalty.
Charlotte
A gripping novel of a father and his children residing on a remote island, frantic to protect the last remaining seeds for future generations. Their lives are disrupted when an injured woman washes ashore. Mutual interest in the natural world enhances their passionate connection, despite a tense urgency for the truth. An immersive novel of family, nature, and the ties that bind.
MurMurderbderbyMemoryyMemory Olivia Waite (Tordotcom)
Dorothy Gentleman, ship’s detective on the Fairweather, is trying to solve a mystery in which the victim has been erased completely. There is a very real possibility that she herself is inhabiting the body of the killer, due to an emergency action by the ship's mind. Waite has come up with something insanely clever and truly original.
—Karen
NoveList
—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, OH NoveList read-alike: Regrets Only
—Katelyn Tjarks,Anne Arundel County Public Library, MD NoveList read-alike: The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky
BrBrokoken Country en Country Clare Leslie Hall (Simon & Schuster)
Beth is in mourning due to the death of her son when her
—Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, IL NoveList read-alike: Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
—Theresa Bond, Middlesex Public Library, NJ NoveList read-alike: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
—KC Davis, LibraryReads Ambassador, CT NoveList read-alike: The High House by Jessie Greengrass
—Judy Sebastian, Eastham Public Library, MA NoveList read-alike: The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper
TThe Story She L he Story Left Behind eft Behind Patti Callahan Henry (Atria)
WilWild Dark Shor d Dark Shoree
McConaghy (Flatiron)
TThe Shots Y he Shots YouTouTakakee Rachel Reid (Carina Adores)
—Jessica Freytag, Granville Public Library, OH NoveList read-alike: Wake Up, Nat & Darcy by Kate Cochrane
—Jill Minor, Washington County Public Library, VA NoveList read-alike: The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older
SuckSucker Punch: Essay er Essayss Scaachi Koul (St. Martin's Press)
heart of the home The Big Move
I just celebrated the 13th anniversary of my best relationship – my marriage to Z Acres, my forever home in the country. After more than 30 addresses over my lifetime, I will never move again. And thank goodness. Moving is hard work.
I am now watching my sweet sister break into a sweat. Having recently sold her gorgeous waterfront home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Daina is moving closer to her babies and her grandbabies. Especially as our hair turns white, proximity to family grows ever more meaningful.
Between last home and next home, however, Daina had to lease an apartment and put much of her furnishings and belongings into storage while she searched the market for her perfect final and forever home. The between space in time doesn’t always work out seamlessly. But now—after several bids and disappointments in a hot market—she finally landed that perfect nest. She is overjoyed!
In the very next moment, following the champagne pop, Daina realized what was coming next. It left her head spinning. Another move. So much to do. So many papers to sign. So long of a checklist. Making a list
made sense at this point to ensure nothing is forgotten in the move-toa-new-home adventure.
Break the current lease. If you are renting a between residence, let your landlord know your leave date. Prepare for the ouch. This could cost an extra month or two of rent.
Call the utility company to put your name on the utilities account for your new home or you could be moving in the dark and the cold.
Connect internet and cable service.
Once you have spent a long day moving and unpacking boxes, you’ll want to sit down in the evening and take a breather to talk to family and watch a silly movie.
Call the locksmith. Sure, the previous homeowners seem like nice people, but this home is now yours. Change the locks. Make extra keys. Check on a home warranty. Even the nicest homes can have issues that don’t show up during a home inspection. Prepare for those surprise expenses—a dishwasher that leaks or the boiler that won’t turn on—when something breaks down.
Locate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test them and replace batteries if needed. While you are at
it, purchase and place strategically fire extinguishers. A new product now on the market for a reasonable price is a spray extinguisher in a can, such as Stay Safe by Lifesafe Technologies. Forward your mail and update billing address. That will mean a trip to the post office and calls to all your accounts to make sure you don’t miss a month.
Deep clean. You really don’t want to live in someone else’s dust and skin cells. Yeah, gross. Buy your favorite cleaning supplies at the ready.
Pack a first-day box. As meticulously as you may label all those boxes, you know when it comes time on that first day and night, you may end up searching for your toothbrush, your coffeemaker, your clean underwear. Put your first 24- to 48-hour needs in that box.
Prepare for your pet. They are moving, too. Make sure pet food and bowls are at quick access. Check fences and gates that your sweet
pup doesn’t escape from a yet-strange home when you first release her. Buy champagne. After all that packing and unpacking, you know you deserve it. Setting up your new nest can be hard work, but also one of life’s greatest joys. Enjoy!
Zinta Aistars
“Rain is just confetti from the sky” - Author Unknown
Have you ever jumped into a puddle on purpose when it’s raining? As an adult? For what it’s worth, I recommend doing so. The secret is to let your inner child take the lead in the leap! A willingness to be silly and let laughter guide the splash is what aids declaring – with a big smile –that was fun!
As I write this, it is raining outside. Most of the snow has dissolved, except where it has been plowed into piles and in the woods where the bare tree branches are still creating a shelter from the warming skies. That fresh rain smell is communicating “Spring.” The familiar rhyme is singing in my mind. April showers bring May flowers.
The promise of blooming flowers if we just get through the unending rain as the rhyme suggests.
But what if we enjoyed the rain showers for all their mud-creating, fieldwork delaying, gray sky sun hiding capabilities they contain?
I ask myself, what if I turned more of my attention to watching how the grass slowly regains its vibrancy? I relish watching how the leaves become magnificent maroons, oranges, browns, and yellows as Fall transforms. I think I take for granted the changing shades of green as the grass shakes off the winter hibernation.
I think about the mud as the frost rises from the frozen tundra and how mud increases faster than the multiplication of baby rabbits when it continues to rain. I ask myself how
much joy I might gather if I turned my attention to how easily the robins are able to gather their morning breakfast in the softer ground.
I think about how I love rainbows. Those beautiful bridges of multiple colors that only appear after a storm, unless of course it is a sun dog that periodically winks at us in the sky. My husband laughs at the way I excitedly rush outside and spin circles in all directions to find the elusive rainbow I am certain is about to appear the way the sky looks as the sun pushes the darkened clouds away. He strives to teach me I only need
gold is at the end. Or at least a beautiful array of colors after the storm.
Our girls think nothing negative about mud puddles during our Spring walks, at least until it is shower time when we return home. They don’t react to the squishy, splashing sounds I hear as they run through the mud. Their happiness at the long-awaited warmer weather and grass under their paws leads my eyes away from noticing they will soon need baths.
Suddenly that inner child starts to whisper let’s go splash in that puddle, too. April showers bring play!
80 YEARS AGO: APRIL 1945
The Most Consequential Month in History?
This month marks the 80th anniversary of April 1945. Perhaps no other month in history saw so many events which completely changed our world and still matter today.
Nearly six years into World War II, history’s largest conflict, April 1945 marked a defining point during which the Free World closed in on those who caused the war. World politics already began shifting from an opposition to the Axis nations (Nazi Germany, the Japanese Empire, and Fascist Italy) to opposition to the imperialist Soviet Union, our “allies of convenience” against Nazism. And three world leaders who symbolized the war on both sides, and who had been in office for a combined total of over 50 years—including the longestserving president of the United States—died within 18 days of each other.
As the month began, the Axis powers were already in heavy retreat, though in many cases, the enemy troops that remained put up ferocious struggles against the Allies. American, British, Canadian, and French troops had crossed the Rhine River into Germany from the west, while Soviet troops had crossed into Germany from the east. For most of the war, hard-fought battles resulted in small gains for the winner. But by April 1945, Allied forces under such leaders as Gen. George S. Patton sometimes gained 25 to 30 miles per day in Europe. In the Pacific Theater, as President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in his State of the Union address, “We have driven the enemy back more than 3,000 miles…in conducting the fastest-moving offensive in the history of modern warfare.”
On April 1, the Battle of Okinawa began. The last and largest battle in the Pacific, its aim was to establish a final staging area for the expected Allied invasion of the Japanese mainland 340 miles to the north. Fifty thousand American troops landed there. An invasion of the mainland seemed imminent because only a
few individuals back home knew about the top-secret bomb that was being developed in Los Alamos, New Mexico. However, even before the invasion, hundreds of American B-29 bombers daily flew missions over Japan.
While some Allied troops continued eastward toward Berlin, others began the primary offensive into Italy on April 6, an operation during which 2nd Lt. Bob Dole, the future U.S. senator, was badly injured. Allied troops in the Netherlands reclaimed bridges, canals, and airfields that were occupied by German forces since 1940.
In mid-April, American newspapers first reported the magnitude of Nazi concentration camps, which claimed lives not by the thousands, but by the millions.
On April 24-25, the first plenary sessions of the United Nations took place in San Francisco.
On the evening of April 12, Harry Truman, who had been vice president just 83 days, was summoned to the White House, where First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt told him that President Roosevelt had died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the “Little White House” in Warm Springs,
Georgia. Truman, who was sworn in as president that evening, had not even been informed about the Manhattan Project, in which the first atomic bombs were being developed. Troops and civilians alike were shocked by the death of FDR, but the war continued.
Four days later, the Battle of Berlin
began, with Soviet troops surrounding and eventually capturing the German capital. On April 22, Hitler declared to his staff, “Everything is lost.”
On April 28, Benito Mussolini and his mistress were killed by Italian citizens who were angered that Mussolini’s policies had led to Italy’s devastation. Two days later, with Soviet artillery within earshot, Adolf Hitler and his wife of one day, Eva Braun, took their own lives in their Berlin bunker. Germany surrendered unconditionally just eight days later. Japan surrendered four months later, ending the war.
Following the war, Japan was occupied by the U.S. and Allies. Germany and Berlin were divided into four zones, respectively controlled by the U.S., the Soviet Union, Britain, and France. That division contributed to friction between the Soviet Union and the Western powers, leading to the start of the Cold War and the long-term animosity between Russia and the West.
Tony Ettwein HistoryZoo1837@gmail.com
Huge headlines across the country celebrated the surrender of Nazi Germany.
America and its Allies mourned the death of President Franklin Roosevelt on April 12, 1945.
American (left) and Soviet front-line troops meet for the first time during World War II at Torgau, Germany on April 25, 1945.
Rebuilding
a strained relationship with your adult child can be a deeply emotional and complex journey, especially when estrangement has taken root due to unresolved disagreements or lingering hurt feelings. For both parents and adult children, this situation often brings about significant emotional turmoil and heartache. Effective healing is not a quick fix; it demands time, patience, and the establishment of clear boundaries. As a parent, it becomes imperative to reflect on your own behaviors and consider how they might be influencing your child‘s emotional landscape. In many instances, participating in counseling together can provide valuable support, acting as a bridge to mend the rift.
Estrangement may spring from various factors, including painful
experiences in childhood, such as abuse, or the perception that a parent’s expectations are insurmountable. These circumstances can leave parents grappling with feelings of powerlessness, loneliness, and confusion, while adult children may find themselves feeling trapped and overwhelmed. Acknowledging that your child might need a significant amount of time to reconnect with their own identity—and that they may not yet be ready or willing to communicate—can be a vital realization. If there’s a genuine desire to rebuild the relationship, it’s critical to understand that this process will unfold gradually; just as the estrangement was not a sudden occurrence, healing will also take its own course. During these times of separation, emotions can run high, manifesting as anger, grief, and depression for both parties. The challenges of reconnecting may feel daunting, but healthy communication and genuine empathy can serve as vital tools in initiating meaningful conversations. As you navigate this delicate terri-
tory, striving to lower your reactivity and avoiding a controlling approach becomes essential. It’s important to engage in dialogues with a sense of calmness and strength while also exhibiting empathy, allowing yourself to meet your adult child where they are in their journey.
Validating your child’s feelings is crucial, even when their emotions seem foreign or difficult to understand. Parent anxiety concerning a child‘s well-being can often translate into unsolicited advice, which may be perceived as controlling and unwelcome. By taking the time to truly validate your child‘s emotions, you create an atmosphere of care and respect, paving the way for authentic conversations that foster a sense of safety for both of you.
Self-reflection plays a critical role in this process of healing. Delve into your past behaviors and consider whether miscommunications or misunderstandings could have contributed to the current state of disconnection. A heartfelt and sincere apology for any past mistakes can be a transformative step toward reconciliation. Acknowledging your role in
the relationship’s challenges demonstrates your commitment to making amends and your readiness to earn back trust.
Rebuilding trust is a labor-intensive endeavor, requiring not just effort, but also an unwavering commitment to patience, consistency, and reliability. It involves respecting not only your child’s boundaries but also your own, all while expressing unconditional love and support through your actions.
This journey, while rewarding, may be fraught with obstacles, including residual anger and conflicting emotions. If the difficulties in communication prove overwhelming, reaching out to a counselor can provide the necessary guidance. Embracing practices of self-reflection and self-regulation will help both you and your child navigate this healing process with greater understanding and compassion. For resources to find a therapist, consider visiting Psychology Today and inputting your zip code to explore local options that can assist you on this important journey.
Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC
Navigating Motherhood: Understanding Baby Blues vs. Postpartum Depression #MentalHealthMatters
New mothers embark on an emotional journey that can be both beautiful and overwhelming. Understanding the distinction between the “baby blues” and postpartum depression is crucial for navigating these feelings. While it’s common for women to experience fleeting mood swings as they adjust to the demands of motherhood, persistent emotions that linger beyond a few weeks may signal the onset of postpartum depression.
Often, women internalize these feelings, fearing that expressing vulnerability might be perceived as a sign of weakness or failure in their new role as a mother. Many new moms may grapple with a lack of understanding about the differences between the baby blues and postpartum depression, leading to feelings of embarrassment when seeking help. This can create a troubling internal dialogue, amplifying questions like “What’s wrong with me?”
If you find yourself battling the baby blues, you may notice a range of symptoms, including:
- Persistent anxiety that makes it hard to relax
- Fluctuations in appetite, whether it manifests as binge eating or complete disinterest in food
- Frequent bouts of crying, often without a clear trigger
- Difficulty concentrating, making routine tasks feel monumental
- A sense of being overwhelmed by the simplest responsibilities
- Heightened irritability, leading to conflicts or frustration in daily life
- Intense mood swings that can shift dramatically from joy to despair
- Lingering feelings of sadness that cloud your outlook
- Disrupted sleep patterns, where restless nights become the new nor-
mal
Several factors contribute to the onset of the baby blues. Sleep deprivation arises as the demands of caring for a newborn often lead to latenight feedings and constant wakefulness, disrupting what little rest can be found. This lack of sleep can exacerbate stress levels, increasing irritability and contributing to mood swings. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations during the postpartum period can trigger emotional upheaval. The transition into motherhood, even for those with previous parenting experience, represents a significant life change, with new challenges emerging. The struggle to find time for selfcare becomes acutely apparent as new mothers juggle the responsibilities of nurturing a newborn, managing additional household needs, and coping with financial pressures. The disruption of familiar routines only adds another layer of stress and anxiety. Contrastingly, postpartum depression is not a fleeting discomfort; it is a more profound and enduring struggle. It may manifest immediately after childbirth or surface several months later. If symptoms persist beyond several weeks, it is essential to reach out to a healthcare professional to assess the possibility of postpartum depression. While some symptoms may overlap with those of the baby blues—such as feeling overwhelmed or experiencing mood fluctuations— others can be more severe and alarming, including:
- Sudden outbursts of anger or frustration
- A disinterest in your baby, leading to feelings of detachment
- Neglecting self-care, abandoning previous routines that once brought joy
- Difficulty forming an emotional
bond with your newborn
- A deep sense of sadness, characterized by frequent crying spells
- Overwhelming feelings of guilt or shame regarding perceived inadequacies as a mother
- Intrusive thoughts that disrupt daily life
- Significant sleep disturbances that leave you feeling utterly drained
- Eerie thoughts of self-harm or potential harm to your baby
- Social withdrawal from friends and family
- Persistent worry that feels allconsuming
- Suicidal ideation, where thoughts of ending one’s life become distressingly palpable
It is vital to acknowledge that having thoughts of self-harm may be indicative of postpartum psychosis, a rare yet serious mental health condition. Symptoms of postpartum psychosis include erratic behavior, delusions, or hallucinations. Should you experience these distressing signs, it is imperative to contact emergency services immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Postpartum depression can affect anyone; however, certain individuals may face a heightened risk. A personal history of depression or mental health challenges can increase vulnerability, as can a family history of such issues. Particular demographics may be more susceptible, including:
- First-time mothers grappling with the unknowns of parenthood
- Fathers who may also experience postpartum manifestations, especially if they have pre-existing mental health issues
- Mothers of twins, who juggle more considerable demands
- Women facing lower socioeconomic circumstances, limiting access
to adequate support
- Those with fewer resources or support systems in place
- Younger mothers, who may feel overwhelmed by their new responsibilities
If you or someone you know is facing these challenges, seeking help is paramount. Consultation with a local therapist can be a vital step toward healing. If you don’t already have a mental health professional, you can visit Psychology Today and enter your zip code to locate a therapist who matches your needs. Remember, finding the right therapist is an essential part of the healing journey, and it’s perfectly acceptable to explore different options until you find the ideal fit. Additionally, consider looking for local support groups where you can connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding as you navigate this difficult yet transformative time.
Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC
References
Donvito, T. (2025, January 15). Baby blues vs. postpartum depression: What’s the difference? Health.com. https://www.health.com/baby-bluesvs-postpartum-depression Hantsoo, L. (n.d.). Baby blues and postpartum depression: Mood disorders and pregnancy. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Fields, L., Seed, S., & Sheikh, Z. (2024, July 31). Is it postpartum depression or “baby blues”? [Medically reviewed]
As we near the end of Lent, which many observe through fasting / abstaining from eating meat on Fridays, it is interesting to see how much this tradition has changed over time. In its early days, meat was banned entirely during Lent, as were eggs, milk, butter, cheese, and any other dairy product.
Fasting during Lent in those “olden” days meant getting through all forty days without any meat or dairy at all. This had to be challenging, especially for those who had to cook, but it must have also been super rewarding come Easter Sunday, indeed!
Steeped with traditions, much like all the other holidays of the year, the food we serve at Easter became traditions for the same reason that pumpkin pies are eaten on Thanksgiving. Because they used what was available at that time of year. Spring brings us loads of eggs from heavy laying hens, lots of young lambs, and healthy amounts of ham from pigs slaughtered the previous fall to cure over winter.
Ready-to-eat-right just as spring ar-
rives, it’s easy to see how hams and lambs came to figure so prominently as ravenous appetites rear up as the Lenten fasting ends. Wonderfully flavorful, meat, salty, and delicious, ham offered our family both the economy and flexibility needed to feed our large family. Offering a canvas to add your own flair of flavor, color, and texture, Mom saw to it that she served a well-decorated ham that made it extra eye-appealing, and we kids especially loved that she’d let us stud the whole top of it with cloves. We loved how it made our tiny fingers smell amazing for the rest of the day, too!
Spending my entire childhood (and if truth be told) most of my adulthood never straying from Mom’s way of preparing her Easter ham, I have in more recent years come to realize that there is more than one delicious way to prepare (and present) an Easter ham, especially with many hams coming pre-cooked and presliced these days. Because of these added conveniences, we not only no longer need to spend all the time our mothers did cooking them, but also should not cook them in this fashion because doing so will ruin them. Instead, we need only warm the slices
just prior to being consumed. That said, I have learned to spend more time on making warm glazes, sauces, or gravies that serve a dual duty of both heating and enhancing the flavor of ham, which comes from a trick an old friend taught me to use on all pre-cooked meats. Simply bring some quality, low-sodium chicken stock to a simmer, then dip the meat into the hot stock to heat the meat up before placing it on a warmed dish.
With ham we have the flexibility to serve it with different glazes, dipping sauces, and gravies to enable guests to decide for themselves, and for those who like a crispy crust, have a broiler on standby to run slices under for a minute or two.
One thing to keep in mind with ham is that it is already salty and savory, so when planning recipes be sure to avoid adding any salty ingredients. Instead, look for ways to balance its flavor by employing ingredients that lean toward sweet, spicy, or tangy to boost its appeal.
To know how much ham to serve, I’ve turned to the experts over at the USDA. They recommend estimating the size needed according to the number of servings the type of ham should yield according to its own
package, which is 1/4 to 1/3 pound per serving of boneless ham or 1/3 to 1/2 pound of meat per serving of a bone-in ham.
Both whole or half, cooked, vacuum-packaged hams packaged in federally inspected plants and canned hams can be eaten cold, right out of the package. Spiral-cut cooked hams are also safe to eat cold and are best served cold because heating sliced whole or half hams can dry out the meat and cause the glaze to melt and run off the meat. If reheating is desired, heat individual slices as needed. Cook-before-eating hams or fresh hams must reach 145 degrees. Be sure to refrigerate all leftovers and use or freeze within 7 days.
Offering us many wonderful ways to indulge in the fabulous flavor of ham, here now is a flavorful selection of ways to add extra oomph to your holiday ham, and a way to cook an un-cooked ham easily in case you have one. Enjoy and Happy Easter!
Laura Kurella is an award-winning home cook who loves to share recipes from her Michigan kitchen. She welcomes your comments at laurakurella@ yahoo.com.
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours; Total Time: 6 hours, 10 minutes.
1 uncooked ham
6 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup apple juice or cider
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground clove pinch of cayenne powder (optional) Place the ham in the slow cooker. Sprinkle apple slices around ham then pour apple juice/cider over it all. Sprinkle brown sugar, clove, and pepper (if using) over everything. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours (or overnight) without opening the lid during the cooking time. Slice some of the ham and return to cooker to hold warm until serving.
Serve topped with apples and sauce. Michigan Maple-Blueberry Ham
Sauce
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh peeled, grated ginger
4 cups blueberries
1 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 lemon, juiced black pepper, to taste
In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, olive oil, garlic, ginger, blueberries, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and black pepper. Bring to boil, stirring, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until mixture thickens into a
glaze, about 10 minutes. Hold warm until use
Bourbon Glazed Ham
1 fully-cooked ham
40 whole cloves + /-
1 cup brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup bourbon or whiskey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 medium orange, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Remove ham from packaging and pat it dry with paper towels.
Using a sharp knife, score a diamond pattern in the fat, about ¼-½ inch deep or as deep as the fat is. Place the ham in the prepared roasting pan, fat side up.
Place cloves all over the ham. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, orange zest and juice, thyme,
Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Bring to a low simmer over low heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar has fully dissolved then bring to boil. Cook, slightly simmering, until sauce begins to thicken, about 10 to 15 minutes. Hold warm.
Using a pastry brush, brush the glaze generously over the ham and in between the scored lines, using about a third of glaze.
To crisp/caramelize glaze: Preheat broiler then place ham under broiler, turning as needed to crisp/caramelize all sides, and keeping an eye on it so sugar doesn’t burn.
Remove from the broiler, brush with more glaze if desired, before slicing/ serving. Serve with remaining glaze.
Brown Sugar Mustard Ham Glaze Cinna-Honey
1 fully-cooked ham
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter, reduce fat or full fat
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
4 cloves garlic, smashed
Remove the rind or skin of the ham, leaving the fat on. Using a sharp knife score a 1-inch-wide diamond pattern 1/4 inch deep over the entire ham. Place the ham on a baking tray and set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter until golden brown.
Add in the brown sugar, honey, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves, stirring to mix well then add the garlic. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let and cook until mixture thickens into a glaze, about 10 minutes. Pour 1/3 of the glaze all over the ham, brushing in between the cuts to evenly cover.
To crisp/caramelize glaze: Preheat broiler then place ham under broiler, turning as needed to crisp/caramelize all sides, and keeping an eye on it so sugar doesn’t burn. Remove from the broiler, brush with more glaze if desired, before slicing/ serving. Serve with remaining glaze.
1 fully-cooked ham
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons honey whole cloves
Remove the rind or skin of the ham, leaving the fat on. Using a sharp knife score a 1-inch-wide diamond pattern 1/4 inch deep over the entire ham. Place the ham on a baking tray and set aside.
L.D. Docsa Associates, Inc. seeks a Mechanical Engineer in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering required. Travel required to various locations in the Midwest United States 10% of the time. Multiple openings. Email resume to jason@lddocsa.com. Applicants who fail to provide a resume and pre-screening question responses will not be considered. This position is for permanent direct hire only; applications for contract labor will not be considered.
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In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey. Using your hands, rub the honey glaze over the ham then stud ham with cloves.
To crisp/caramelize glaze: Preheat broiler then place ham under broiler, turning as needed to crisp/caramelize all sides, and keeping an eye on it so sugar doesn’t burn.
Remove from the broiler and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Vintage in the Zoo | Season 9 Preview
SPRING is here! We hope you have had a wonderful winter season and start to your 2025, Good News Paper readers! For us here at Vintage in the Zoo, this means its time to get the Vintage and Handmade Market event season started and see you all again at the events – we couldn’t be more excited. This is our ninth year of throwing these events for the Southwest Michigan community (and beyond); we are truly thankful for the continued support for our team, family business, and all the amazing vendors we serve. In this article we will provide an update to our plans and a preview of events to come. It’s going to be a BIG year of fun, small business development, and growth.
Over this winter we have held three pop-up market events with Louie’s Trophy House (629 Walbridge St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). Each has seen a great community turnout and opportunity for 12 vintage microbusinesses to showcase their brands. This was the third year of our partnership with Louie’s for our “Night Shop” pop-up market series. The support we have seen, the amazing partnership their team provides, and the special respect we have for their establishment (Kalamazoo’s oldest bar!) is everything for our team. DJ Dan Steely brought along his signature live vinyl sounds and guest DJ’s and it was a fun way to beat the winter blues. Many great advancements
to come there in 2025!
Up next is a new event that has been years in the making. We are proud to announce Vintage in the Zoo has partnered with Western Michigan University to produce Vintage and Handmade market events on their beautiful campus! “Vintage Crash Market” will have its inaugural event in the Ballroom of the WMU Student Center on April 7th, 2025. This event will feature 30 of the region’s best vintage clothing and handmade artisan vendors. Our partnership with WMU was years in the making and with the support already shown by their team, we know this will be a huge hit for their students and the Kalamazoo community. We hope to see you there! This event will have live vinyl sounds, and overlooks
the main-drag of campus – its going to be a time! Full details are available on our website www.vintageinthezoo. com. More dates at WMU to be announced soon.
Finally, our regular season of Vintage and Handmade Marketplace events kicks off at Grand Rapids Downtown Market (GRDM) in Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo Farmers Market (KFM) for Season 9 at the end of the month. Get ready!
In Grand Rapids you can find us and 70 of our vendor pals on April 27th, June 29th, and September 28th. GRDM continues to impress us in the fourth year of our partnership with their facility’s beauty, operational excellence, and the massive community support shown.
In Kalamazoo we will be hosting
our signature event in our hometown for the second year since making the move back to the Kalamazoo Famer’s Market. We will host over eighty vendors at their incredible revamped facility; it truly felt like we were back home last season. We can’t wait to welcome the community there on May 18th, June 8th, September 14th, and October 12th. We have plans in place to utilize the KFM space even more, offering additional programming, experience design, and operational capacity at these events. It is going to be an incredible year in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids!
Mostly we cannot thank all the partners, staff, vendors, and family that help make our entrepreneurial dreams possible. We are filled with emotion for all Vintage in the Zoo Events has become and will be –from the absolute bottom of our hearts, thank you. A huge and special thank you to Good News Paper for your support and trust over the years. How lucky are we to have a community led publication promoting happiness and GOOD NEWS! Bravo!
See you in 2025, we hope you join us at any of our events and enjoy the offerings as we expand the “Free to all, come shop Small” mantra we hold!
Patrick Turner / Megan Zielke VintageintheZoo.com
Health
I venture to say that caffeine gets more screams than ice cream. I’ve seen signs on office doors that say “Warning! Haven’t Had My Coffee Yet.” And some of us know the effects of trying to wean ourselves off of caffeine. Typically, we get a bad headache.
So what is caffeine and how does it affect the body? In short, caffeine is a stimulant that is processed through the liver. It can have positive and negative effects. And the effects are likely to change as we get older.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) says that 400 mg per day usually won’t cause negative side effects, but 600 mg per day may be too much. Most of us don’t know how much caffeine we consume because the size of cups and mugs ranges from demitasse (really small) to slightly smaller than a kitchen sink. So, it’s likely you have no idea how much caffeine you’re getting by pouring yourself a cup from the office coffee pot. But you do know how you feel after having consumed your cup(s) throughout the day, Aside from the obvious change in mood you may experience, caffeine may make you more alert and
improve your memory. Also, a study found that regular caffeine consumption (90 mg a day) was associated with lower rates of depression. It may also help thwart inflammation in the central nervous system, which is linked to Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and dementia.
As to how it affects the heart, a 2023 study found that regular coffee consumption was linked to lower risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, atrial fabulation, and early death from any cause. Coffee and tea are also rich in compounds called polyphenols. These have antioxidant effects that may help protect against
various diseases.
Digestion also comes into play with caffeine consumption. It may help stimulate the digestive system, thereby moving things through faster. Some research also has shown that caffeine alters the bacteria in the gut in a way that may reduce inflammation, weight gain, and cancer risk. So, this is all good news for coffee and tea drinkers. But, of course, there is a limit. And by experience we’ve come to know our limit, generally by difficulty getting to sleep or getting jittery during the day. The hard part is in the measuring. Earlier in the article, there was mentioned a study
which found that consumption of 90 mg of caffeine a day had positive effects. This is a small amount of caffeine, when you consider that a 1.5 oz. bar of dark chocolate has 25 mg of caffeine and 2/3 cup of coffee ice cream has between 15-49 mg. So, caffeine can add up fast without you knowing how much you’re consuming.
One thing I didn’t mention is caffeine’s interaction with your medications. Because medications are typically processed through the liver, the same as caffeine, it might interfere with how some medications work in your body. Checking with your pharmacist or your medical professional on how caffeine and your medication(s) work together is always a good idea. And if you’re wondering how I drink my coffee, it’s cowboy style, (strong and black). Thanks for asking. Remember to MAKE your day great, be kind, and keep your fluids up.
Till next time,
Ken Dettloff
ACE Personal and Brain Health Trainer.
Fads----Love Them, Hate Them, You be the Judge
Fad: An intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object’s qualities; a craze.* Good or bad, silly or functional, some fads are useful and stick around. Other fads almost defy understanding.
One fad that will forever be etched in my mind was… embarrassing? Yes. Outrageous? Yes. Will I ever do that again? NO!
When I was a young adult, my well intentioned in-laws hoped to be
fad fashion conscious when buying my Christmas gift. That year fashion magazines featured women in huge “elephant pants” and ruffled tops were in. My sweet in-laws gave me a set of elephant pants with a matching ruffled sweater. The sweater was baby blue with pink double ruffles on the collar, shoulders, cuffs and hem. (Uhoh, four sets of double ruffles – warning, warning!) The baby blue with pink edged elephant pants were the biggest pants I’d ever seen. The problem was they were made from stiff
Is Special At
heavy material that had no drape, and my leg movements didn’t dent the fabric when I walked. I appeared to be gliding or floating along in giant baby blue stovepipes. (Picture that if you dare.) With some trepidation, I wore my new outfit when we all went out to Christmas dinner.
As I was gliding my way through the crowded restaurant, heads turned all right – all of them! I imagine I looked like a Mardi Gras parade float or a Disneyland character. Think about Miss Yvonne’s outlandish wardrobe on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse –that was me! I stopped following fads after that day.
Here are fads from high school –some funny, some embarrassing, and some are still around.
1: Clothes that looked new were for “little kids.” We thought we’d look mature if our new leather clothes looked older, so we deliberately distressed them. Better yet was procuring dad’s or big brother’s old leather jackets.
2: Ditto for new tennis shoes. If our tennis shoes looked new, we distressed them. I’d sit on a swing and when swinging downward, give the tops of new tennies a drag through the dirt until they looked sufficiently worn.
3: We wore parts of military uniforms from dads, boyfriends, and brothers. Army green winter wool military shirts were coveted. Military jackets and tops were made popular by rock bands like Paul Revere and the Raiders and the Beatles, who wore reproductions of old uniform
jackets.
Other inexplicable fads from high school classmates were: Wearing a cardigan sweater backwards so it buttoned in the back (Just why???); white lipstick with heavy black eyeliner (I have no words for this ghostly look); rolling the waistband of our skirts up to make them into miniskirts, then quickly rolling the waistband back down when we came home; bubble hair styles like those in the musical Hairspray, the bigger the better; wearing our dads’ old white dress shirts so we could paint pictures on the back. I painted Alfred E. Newman from Mad Magazine on the back of mine. Yikes. I bet my dad wasn’t very excited about that choice. Currently I’m happy to see that artistic people are painting on their tennis shoes, purses, and other clothing.
One fad from the 2000’s that’s thankfully out of style was when males wore their pants as “saggies” and exposed unwelcome glimpses of their thunderwear. Unfortunately, I’ve heard that fad is coming back in style. PLEASE, no-o-o-o-o!
Are you following any fads? Now ask yourself if, in ten years, you saw a picture of yourself
Wearing your current fad today, would you be proud or embarrassed?
*Oxford Dictionary
“Ann Murray is an award-winning commercial illustrator and author. She has illustrated 8 children’s books and her stories have been in three published anthologies.”
Kendall (Ken) Campbell, owner of the Furniture and Design Outlet, never dreamt that he would one day own a store on the downtown Kalamazoo Mall.
Growing up on the north side of Kalamazoo, Ken spent many weekends riding his bike or skateboard downtown, spending hours immersed in the “Wow” factor that the city offered. At that time, it was a walkthrough mall and he fondly remembers performing his break-dancing moves there.
Furniture and Design Outlet opened in mid-December, inside the Mall Plaza at 157 South Kalamazoo Mall. Ken says that the community response has been overwhelming.
Furniture and Design Outlet carries the latest furniture styles, from modern and contemporary to traditional and rustic. They offer something for every home and décor style.
Whether you’re looking for something for your living room, dining room, bedroom, home office, entertainment, home accents or even outdoor furniture, the Furniture and Design Outlet has what you need. They carry quality brands, including: Ashley, Acme, Galaxy Global, Liberty and ESF. Mattress brands include: Sierra Sleep and Nectar.
furniture and design outlet GRAND
Furniture and Design Outlet is able to offer these quality brands at dramatically lower prices because of their fixed costs are lower and they pass the savings on to the consumer. They encourage customers to compare prices to see the savings.
Ken, a WMU business graduate in Computer Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, began working with Ashley Furniture several years ago. He moved through the ranks from IT to sales and then on to Regional Manager, managing four stores in Lansing, Jackson and Flint, before starting his own business.
His relationship with the local Ashley Furniture owners began when Ken was bussing their table at a local restaurant. They noticed his hard work and hustle. The local Ashley owners recognized Ken’s potential and struck up a conversation with him. Ken shared his previous felony conviction, which did not dissuade them and he was brought on board. Ken’s advice to others is to “take advantage of any jobs out there, don’t be ashamed of the work you do, until your breakthrough job comes through – it will happen.”
Ken is very open about his previous conviction and five-year prison
sentence for possession with intent to deliver when he was a younger man. “Everyone makes mistakes, says Ken. He knows what it’s like to have to check a box on an employment application that asks “have you been convicted of a crime.” “This box discriminates against people for their past and often disqualifies them before a potential employer has even met them,” says Ken.
This employment hurdle has led him to better himself with more education and community leadership opportunities, that led him to volunteering with, “Humans Beyond Boxes.” This non-profit agency, along with Michigan United Justice, won enough support in 2011, to have the box that that asks “have you been convicted of a crime” taken off Kalamazoo City and County job applications. Currently, the organizations are pushing for similar reform in the Kalamazoo-area’s private sector.
Ken enjoys supporting the local community in any way that he can. He has recently hired three staff members, and is interested in displaying local artists work in his store – contact him you’re interested. Ken is available to help anyone struggling, like he once was, and gives this encouragement, “Keep plugging away and continue doing the right thing.”
Although Ken never imagined he would one day open a store in downtown Kalamazoo, it is now official and Furniture and Design Outlet is a reality. Visit them this spring Monday through Saturday from 11am – 6pm. Summer hours will extend to 8pm.
Phone: (269)270-6356
Website: Furnitureanddesignoutlet.com
Email: Ken@furnitureanddesignoutlet. com
Jackie Merriam
environment Can Spring Come Too Early?
Six-ish weeks ago, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, indicating, according to popular legend, that six more weeks of winter was in store. Some people were understandably upset because, despite Phil’s dubious track record, we yearn for longer, warmer days and a reprieve from the drab, cold, snowy ones we have become used to. I personally like all the seasons in their proper turn and wouldn’t want to miss any of them. For me, warm days that drop in, out of the usual progression of seasonality, are more of a cruel tease than a glimmer of hope.
I have been thinking about the question raised by Phil’s prediction. What if spring did come six weeks earlier? Would that be a good thing or not? Aside from the opportunity to pack away the flannel sheets and boots, what would it look like in the natural world? Data from the MSU Climatologist Office lists the last recorded 32°F frost in Kalamazoo as May 27th, with the average last frost occurring between May 4th and May 10th. Each passing week after midMarch increases the likelihood of better weather, so don’t be too quick to get out there with tender spring annuals – regardless of what the neighbors are doing!
Meteorologic spring, those months extending from March through May, are named for the year’s second quarter. After March 20th, we enjoy astronomic spring with extended periods of light and increased warmth. These light and temperature changes follow the vernal equinox due to the rotation of Earth (on its tilted axis) as the position of the Northern Hemisphere passes closer to the Sun. Mother Nature listens to the Sun, using climate cues that include sunlight and temperature to begin a season of rebirth. If it were only that straightforward! Atmospheric disturbances allow for unusual weather conditions in all seasons, as evidenced by extreme patterns of temperature and precipitation that sometimes occur regardless of climate norms. “False spring” is a term that refers to periods of unseasonable warmth that happen during the waning days of winter and early meteorological spring. Nice, in the short term, but capable of wreaking devastating ecological effects.
Data extending over the past half-
century show that, regardless of the equinox, springtime has been arriving approximately 2-1/2 days earlier each decade. That would be great if it were up to my human friends and neighbors! Unfortunately, it’s - um – complicated. Millions of years of evolution have knit together complex interactions between living organisms and their physical environment. That simple 2, 3, or 4 days of seasonal advance over 20 or 30 years can cause serious peril for both humans and non-humans alike.
Case in point – It was announced at the Michigan Beekeepers Association Conference on March 1st that Silver Maple trees were starting to bloom. That’s an important landmark for beekeepers because it means that early pollen is available to our bees should they break cluster and venture out to forage. This pollen source is critical since the queen, who has been largely quiescent all winter, deep in the hive, surrounded by her workers, will begin laying eggs for the new generation of spring bees. The workers, who have been keeping her warm, will need to begin collecting pollen and other resources to tend the new larvae that will repopulate the hive. It sounds terrific – except the temperatures these last several weeks have been frigid, too cold for the bees to leave the hive and forage. For sure, other sources of pollen will be plentiful soon, but one resource for honeybees may be lost to the hive in early spring. Another week or two before the maples began to flower might have made a huge difference to weak colonies that might now struggle.
The above story is about the biological concept of phenology. It is the study of the timing of species’ activity relative to climate signals. Some, driven primarily by temperature, can be thrown for a loop by periods of “false spring.” Insects and their eggs that sustain many animals may hatch prematurely; trees may flower and bud. When the weather pattern ends, and frost sets in again, many species face hardships that can potentially result in reduced populations or even death. Some species have evolved to be attuned to both temperature and daylight signals. They are perhaps a bit better able not to get “fooled” since daylight hours are much more fixed phenologically than fickle temperature.
Birds are vulnerable in many ways. Acting on cues from a warm winter stretch of days, they may begin to migrate; however, some insects and seeds may already be past their seasonal abundance due to the stretch of unusual temperature. Upon arriving at their home nesting areas, the birds find little resource for the themselves and their fledglings. Preferred nestbuilding materials may not be available, and competition for resources can be fierce and costly to already vulnerable avian species.
It’s easy to remember how, in many recent years, farmers have suffered fruit crop losses due to late frosts. (Far too many for a peach lover like me!) Thank heaven, I’m not counting on my fruit crops as a source of income! Farmers annually encounter the danger of sowing too early only to have floods (due to heavy spring rains with inadequate percolation of rainwater into the soil) which wash away their efforts, requiring costly replanting of expensive seed and a delayed harvest.
Earlier springs, even without late, killing frosts, are also perilous for humans. Allergy sufferers are especially at risk of misery as the pollen season comes earlier and lasts longer with increased warm, breezy days. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data indicate that warmer temperatures can lead ragweed and other allergic offenders to release more pollen in a flowering season, sometimes producing several cycles in a single year, with “super-charged” pollen that stimulates an exaggerated effect on sufferers.
Additionally, ticks and mosquitoes that carry diseases are more numerous and active for extended periods in warmer climates since the vegetation that gives them cover and allows them to breed prolifically is more plentiful. In addition to human and animal suffering, more insecticides and herbicides are necessary to help control contagion outbreaks, adding to the chemical contamination of our fragile soils.
Trust me – very early spring would be a peril! Now is the time, my friends, for patience and planning for the sunny, warm days ahead. I’ve already made my “short list” of garden additions I’d like to try and am currently enjoying watching my spring bulbs’ early shoots appear. My
beloved hellebores are starting to blossom, providing deeply appreciated color to counter the drabness of the winter leaf litter. I’ll be mindful not to plant or otherwise disrupt the beds until the soil is above 50°F – so as not to disturb some of my other garden favorites – those big, beautiful bumblebees! In the meantime, keep dreaming of the nice weather ahead!
Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center
References: Meyer, R. (2017, March 1). What’s dangerous about an early spring. www.theatlantic.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.theatlantic.com/ science/archive/2017/03/howbad-is-an-early-warm-spring-climate-change/517992/ Coleman, J. (2023, March 22). Spring is starting earlier - It’s not your imagination. www.Scientificamerican.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spring-is-startingearlier-its-not-your-imagination/ Macmillan, A. (2017, February 27). Why an early spring is very bad news for your health. www.Time.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://time.com/4684480/why-anearly-spring-is-very-bad-news-foryour-health/ Bateman, B. (2024, March 29). False springs: How earlier spring with climate change wreaks havoc on birds. www.Audubon.org. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https:// www.audubon.org/news/falsesprings-how-earlier-spring-climatechange-wreaks-havoc-birds Grossman, E. (2014, February 23). Why you shouldn’t hope for an early spring. www.Climatecentral. org. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.climatecentral.org/ news/why-you-shouldnt-hope-foran-early-spring-17105
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2025, January 15). Climate change indicators: Ragweed pollen season. www.epa.gov. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https:// www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/ climate-change-indicators-ragweedpollen-season
Through Sunday, April 27
Exhibit: Ray Harryhausen: Miniature Models of the Silver Screen Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Through August 31
Exhibits Collorful Collections & The Art of Advertising Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Beginning Tuesday, April 1
Library Hop Passport Pick-up, Explore other S.W. Michigan Libraries, Vicksburg Library
Tuesdays, Apr. 1,8,15,22,29 Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5, 10:15, Richland Library
Tuesday, April 1
Elementary drop-in crafts, Ages 4-11, Vicksburg Library
Tuesdays, Apr. 1,8,15,22,29 Drop in Gaming, 3-5pm Richland Library
Tuesday, April 1
Music Bingo, all ages welcome 6-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Tuesdays, Apr. 1,8,15,22,29 Trivia at Sit & Stay Winery, 6-8pm, 260 E. Michigan Ave., Kal.
Tuesdays, Apr. 1,8,15,22,29 Trivia @ 468 Wine, 6:30-8:30, 8842 Portage Rd., Portage
Tuesday, April 1
Laugh Draft stand-up comedy, 7-9pm Apoptosis Brewing Co., Kal.
Tuesdays, Apr. 1,8,15,22,29 Theme Trivia Tuesdays, 7-9pm, Revel and Roll West
Tuesdays, Apr. 1,8,15,22,29 Trivia Night, 7-9pm Louie’s Trophy House
Wednesday, Apr. 2, 16 Mugs & Hugs – Stories, Activities & Interaction, 10-11am, Vicksburg Library
Wednesdays, Apr.
2,9,16,23,30
Wednesday Wigglers, 10:15am(Infant-Toddler) Richland Library
Wednesday, April 2
Teen Movie, 11:30am-1:30pm Popcorn provided, bring a drink Vicksburg Library
Wednesdays, Apr.
2,9,16,23,30 Teen Dungeons & Dragons, 3-5pm, Register ahead 629-9085, Richland Library
Wednesday, April 2
Meet the Author: Susie Finkbeiner, 6-7pm Richland Library
Wednesday, April 2
Trivia Night at 468 Wine 6-8pm, 468 Wine in Portage
Wednesdays, Apr.
2,9,16,23,20 Trivia at the Taproom, 7-9pm
Wednesday, April 2
Karaoke Bingo, 7-10pm Presidential Brewing Co.
FREE april Events
Wednesday, April 2
Acoustic Roulette at the Bird, 7-11pm, Thunderbird River Ranch
Thursday, April 3
Adult Book Club: Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books, 9:30-10:30, Vicksburg Library
Thursdays, Apr. 3,10,17,24
Free Thursdays, 11am-8pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursday, April 3
Teen Break & Bulldog Break, Crafts, games, activities, treats 12:30-3:30, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, April 3
Movies @ Vicksburg Library
4-6pm, elementary students popcorn provided, bring a drink
Thursdays, Apr. 3,10,17,24
Teen Dungeons & Dragons 4:30-6:30pm, register ahead 629-9085, Richland Library
Thursday, April 3
Sourced in the Zoo 5:30 - 6:30pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursdays, Apr. 3,10,17,24
Triple Threat Trivia, 6:30pm Presidential Brewing Co.
Thursday, April 3
Sourced in the Zoo, 6:30-7:30pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursdays, Apr. 3,10,17,24
King Trivia, 7-9pm, Gull Lake Distilling Co., Galesburg
Thursdays, Apr. 3,10,17,24
Trivia at Buddy’s Pizza, 7pm
Fridays, Apr. 4,11,18,25
Family Story Time, 10:15
All ages, Richland Library
Friday, April 4
Memory Café – for people with Mild dementia and their care Partners, 10:30am – Noon Paw Paw District Library
Friday, April 4
ArtBreak (Off-Site): Modern Dance In Rehearsal, 12-1pm Wellspring/Cory Terry & Dancers In the Epic Center, sponsored By Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Friday, April 4
WMU Student Composers III 2pm, Dalton Recital Hall
Friday, April 4
First Friday, local artists, music, food & shopping, downtown Kalamazoo, 5-8pm
Fridays, Apr. 4,11,18,25
Quickdraw Trivia, 7-8:30pm Valhalla/Norse Nectar Meadery
Fridays, Apr. 4,11,18,25
Live Music @ The Dock at Bayview, 8pm-12am
Saturdays, April 5,12,19,26
Kalamazoo Winter Market, 8am-1pm, 936 Lake St. St. Joe’s Church gym.
Saturday, April 5
Kalamazoo CoinShow 9am-3pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center
Saturday, Apr. 5,12,19,26
Retro Cartoon Brunch, 11am –2pm, Presidential Brewing Co.
Saturday, April 5
WMU College of Aviation Fly-in, All ages, register ahead, 237 Helmer Rd., Battle Creek, 11am-4pm
Saturday, April 5
WMU University Percussion Ensemble, 7:30pm Dalton Center Recital Hall
Saturdays, Apr. 5,12,19,26 Live Music, The Dock @ Bayview, 8pm
Sundays, Apr. 6,13,20,27 Portage Farmer’s Market 9am-1pm, Portage City Hall
Sunday, April 6
April Craft Bazaar, 10am3pm, Girl Scouts Building, Kal.
Sunday, April 6
WMU Jazz Ensemble, 1pm Dalton Center Recital Hall
Sunday, April 6
Broncos Tuba & Euphonium Choir, 5pm, Dalton Recital Hall
Sunday, April 6
WMU Percussion Ensemble 7:30pm, Dalton Recital Hall
Sun. Apr. 6 – Sat. Apr. 19 Easter Egg Hunt Adventure Downtown Kalamazoo & Portage Locations, Kalamazoo Candle Co.
Mondays, Apr. 7,14,21,28 Parchment Update Interviews Parchmentlibrary.org
Mondays, Apr. 7,14,21,28
Family Storytime, 10-10:45am Books, songs. Vicksburg Library
Mondays, Apr. 7,14,21,28 Jazz Night, 6-9pm Apoptosis Brewing Co., Kal.
Monday, April 7
Kalamazoo County ID Mobile Unit, 3-6pm, Parchment Library
Monday, April 7
Indie Lens Pop-Up Film: The Public Library, 6:30pm Parchment Library
Tuesday, April 8
WMU Opera Workshop, 7:30pm, Dalton Center Recital Hall
Tuesday, April 8
WMU Chamber Music Showcase – Winners of the Annual Chamber Music Competition, 7:30pm, Venue TBD
Wednesday, April 9
Birds & Coffee Chat on Zoom Birding hot spots with Donna Keller, 10-11am birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu
Thursday, April 10
Dungeons & Dragons: Bravo Team: Afternoon Adult Session, 3-6pm, Register ahead: Richland Library
Thursday, April 10
Writer’s Motivational Book Club, 4-5pm, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, April 10
Sustainable Reading: The Great, KIA Book Swap, Bring gently used Books & choose other books, music, conversation, light refreshments, 6-8pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursday, April 10
Friends Book Club, discuss what You’re currently reading & snacks, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Thursday, April 10
Talk: Spring research to explore Biodiversity’s role in Stormwater Reduction, Presenter: Dr. Dotwin, 7pm, register ahead: kbs.msu. edu, W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Thursday, April 10
WMU Jazz Combo Showcase, 7:30pm, Dalton Recital Hall
Friday, April 11
WMU Jazz Combo Showcase 7:30pm, Dalton Recital Hall
Friday, April 11
Spring Food Expo, 7:30pm Sturgis-Young Center For The Arts, Sturgis, MI
Saturday, April 12
Spring Craft Show, handmade Crafts, 8:30am-3:30pm, Spring Manor, Portage
Saturday, April 12
Internet Users Group, 1012pm, Bring smart phones & mobile devices, Paw Paw Library
Saturday, April 12
Art Detectives: Meet Me at The Art Museum, 10;30-12pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Saturday, April 12
Clue in the Zoo, 12-4pm Downtown Kalamazoo
Monday, April 14
Parchment Book Group: The Wishing Game, by Meg Shaffer, 6pm, Parchment Library
Tuesday, April 15
Lego & Duplo Club, 1-2pm & 5:30-6:30pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, April 15
Bad Art Night, 6-7pm Art for Everyone, Richland Library
Tuesday, April 15
The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five, 6:307:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Tuesday, April 15
Mystery Book club: The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman, 6:30pm, Parchment Library
Wednesday, April 16
ArtBreak: Sourced from the ‘Zoo: Epic Exploration, 12-1pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Wednesday, April 16
Book Discussion: The House In the Cerulean Sea, 2-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Wednesday, April 16
Parchment School District
Art How Opening, 5-7pm Parchment Library
Wednesday, April 16
Dungeons & Dragons: Bravo Team Adult Evening Session, 5-8pm, Richland Library
Wednesday, April 16
Main Street Mysteries & Thrillers: The Lost Man, 6pm Presented by Vicksburg Library Meet at Main St. Pub, Vicksburg
Thursday, April 17
Teen Break & Bulldog Break Crafts, games, activities, treats 2:45-5:45, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, April 17
STEAM, hands-on/problemsolving, 6-7pm, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, April 17
Slaptail Nation Presents: Slap Your Tail Comedy- Open Mic Doors open 7pm, show 7:30pm Dormouse Theatre, Kalamazoo
Thursday, April 17
The Heartbreak Book Club, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Saturday, April 19
Free Admission Day, 9am Kalamazoo Nature Center
Saturday, April 19
Indoor Flea Market, 9-3 Kalamazoo Expo Center
Monday, April 21
STEAM, hands-on/problemSolving, 11am-Noon, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, April 24
Between the Lines Book Club, 6:30-7:30 Paw Paw Library
Saturday, April 26
Grief Circle, 10am-Noon Rootead Kalamazoo
Saturday, April 26
CND ½ Marathon Hike, Park & meet at former MSU Dairy Barn, Register 7:40am, Race 8am, Post Hike: Dock @ Bayview
Sat., April 26- Sun., Apr. 27 Spring Craft Fair, Sat. 9-3, Sun. 10-3, Kalamazoo Expo Center
Saturday, April 26
KCB Night at the Opera 7:30-9:30pm, Chenery Auditorium
Monday, April 28
Open Roads Bike Repair Workshop, 4-7pm, Parchment Library
Wednesday, April 30
Spoon Man: An interactive Comedian, 6-7pm Paw Paw Library
Wednesday, April 30
Team Trivia Night, 6:30pm Register ahead, Richland Library
