Good News August 2025

Remember When

Boonzaaijer Bakery was a big part of many Kalamazoo family events, before closing after over sixty years in business on December 23, 2023. The cakes, with their exclusive Bavarian cream filling, were in attendance at many special occasions from birthdays, anniversaries, weddings to funerals and all the events in between.

The good news, is that just five months after announcing their closing, a limited selection of Boonzaaijer’s delicious baked goods appeared at the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market in June 2024. Since then, they have attended most Winter Markets held at St. Joseph’s Church on Lake St. in Kalamazoo and at the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market, located at 1204 Bank St. I was so excited to learn that I could once again enjoy one of

my all-time favorite treats, the Boonzaaijer éclair, chocked full of their renowned Bavarian Cream, which is like no other!

The Bakery was a well-loved, premier Dutch bakery, with made from scratch baked goods, using only the finest ingredients. They were known for the aforementioned cakes and eclairs, along with many sumptuous individually hand-crafted pastries, butter & filled cookies, almond sticks, rondo (almond filled tea cake), pies dinner rolls, and more!

Karel Boonzaaijer, began baking and pleasing customers in the Netherlands in 1895. His grandson, also named Karel, and his wife, Maria, immigrated to the United States in 1961, to establish a future in this country for themselves, their

children and grandchildren. When they arrived, Karel initially worked as a pastry chef at the Gull Harbor Inn, specializing in European pastries.

Five years later, the couple found a small building on South Burdick St. (formerly Bob Haas Dairy) in downtown Kalamazoo, where they thrived for thirty-six years.

All nine of the Boonzaaijer children worked in the bakery. Their daughter, Maria and her husband Marty Horjus, who worked alongside her father, took over the business in January 1995. The couple, along with their children lived next door to the bakery.

In January 2002, they moved the bakery to a building over twice the size, at 126 E. Cork St. (formerly the Home Appliance Shop). The move allowed them to expand product lines and provide ample parking for their growing customer base. In addition, they adjusted the spelling of the bakery name from Boonzaayer, to the correct Dutch spelling Boonzaaijer. The IRS initially made the spelling mistake, which wasn’t corrected previously.

Sadly, Maria and Marty Horjus announced that the bakery would be closing after 62 years in business on Facebook on December 5th, alerting customers that their last day would be December 23, 2023. The heart-felt post expressed their gratitude to the community and their employees for their loyal support during over the

past 6 decades.

The post was shared 2.2 thousand times and was commented on by 1.1 thousand people. I shared the post with a few of my WMU college friends that no longer live in town. They were also shocked and dismayed to hear about the closing of this iconic Kalamazoo gem.

News of the closing traveled fast and lines formed outside the bakery every day. Some waited as long as 2 hours, in the cold winter weather, to get their hands on their favorite treats and enjoy one last morsel of Boonzaaijer goodness.

One Facebeook comment expresses what many were feeling, “Our family is grateful for all the joy and memories your beautiful cakes and pastries have brought us. From our Wedding to Anniversaries, Birthdays and the just because times. We are grateful for the outpouring of love you’ve shown us and every single one of your customers. Thank you!”

Maria and Marty Horjus sold the building to Latino Specialties. They are now baking part time, to sell at the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Markets, where they can be found most Saturday’s from 7am-1pm.

Sources: Boonzaaijer Bakery Facebook page, mlive.com 12/10/23, KG 4/7/97, KG 2/18/02, KG 1/23/02, KPL History Room.

Jackie Merriam

Monarch Magnet: Year of the Asclepias

Discover the Magic of Milkweed! The great thing about Asclepias (Milkweed) is that there are many different species to choose from and all have a variety of benefits that add value to your garden. Spending time learning about the different options is the best way to identify and select the right milkweed to grow into a beautiful stand.

Overview and History

Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous, perennial, flowering plants known as milkweeds and is a member of the dogbane family, Apocynaceae. Named for their latex, milkweeds exude a sticky and milky substance where cells are damaged. They are found throughout North and South America with over 100 species native to the U.S. and several cultivated as ornamentals. Many milkweed species grow into established stands and spread very quickly.

Both animals and humans use milkweed for many different purposes. Butterflies, including Monarch butterflies, rely exclusively on milkweed plants as a food source for their larvae, meaning that without milkweeds, there would be no Monarch Butterfly. Native Americans used stem fibers to make string, rope, and cloth, while some tribes used Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) for medicinal purposes, such as using the milky sap to treat warts, ringworm, and bee stings.

Most Popular Species of Asclepias

• A. incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)

– Grows ~5 feet tall. Flowers

As I write this August column, it is almost the 4th of July, considered by many to mark the half-way point of summer. The 4th of July is sandwiched between the unofficial start

are generally light pink to light purple. Prefers moist to wet soils.

• A. syriaca (Common Milkweed) – Grows ~6 feet tall. Native to most of North America. Pink or purple flowers. Likes dry, sunny areas.

• A. speciosa (Showy Milkweed) –Grows ~4 feet tall. Rose, pink-, and purple-colored flowers. Tolerates many soil types. Needs full sun.

• A. tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) – Grows ~3 feet tall. Bright orange flowers. Likes sandy, loamy, or rocky limestone soils. A good choice for sunny borders in the garden.

New Cultivars of Asclepias

A. incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) can be planted in a variety of garden locations. The flowers are pink and fragrant. There are three cultivars of this species:

• Cinderella has light and medium pink flowers.

of summer, Memorial Day, and the unofficial end of Summer, Labor Day.

I find it hard to believe that summer is half over, it feels like it’s only just begun. This led me to do a little bit of Google research. I was relieved to learn that the halfway point of the meteorological summer, between June 1st-August 31st, is actually not until July 16th. Whew, just a push of a button and I felt so much better –gaining almost two more weeks until the arrival of mid-summer.

The astronomical calendar says that fall doesn’t officially arrive until Monday, September 22nd, which adds another 3 weeks of summer weather.

If we’re lucky, as in most years,

• Hello Yellow has sunny yellow to yellow-orange flowers. Asclepias for Your Garden

Tropical Milkweed –Friend or Foe?

While milkweeds can be beautiful and beneficial, some are harmful to some animals and humans. Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) can be host to a protozoan parasite (Ophryocystis elektroscirrha) that reduces body mass, lifespan, mating success, and flight ability of Monarchs. This attractive plant disrupts the butterfly’s instincts to breed, migrate, or overwinter.

Which Species Should You Grow in Your Garden?

A little research on which species you’re looking to add to your garden will go a long way. Your typical gardening considerations like water, sun, height, spacing, bloom time, or color considerations will continue

we may even experience an Indian summer. Described as a period of unseasonably warm, dry weather that sometimes occurs in autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Several sources agree, that a true Indian summer, doesn’t occur until after the first frost (typically late October-November in Michigan). This could add even a few more days of summer.

At the time that you are reading this, it’s true, the meteorological summer is now more than half over. Rest assured, there is still a lot of summer weather ahead of us. Get outside and enjoy!

Jackie Merriam

to apply for milkweeds, but here are some additional things to consider when deciding which Asclepias are right for you:

• Species’ growth habit – Because many milkweed species grow quite quickly, know which is best for your area to help prevent them from taking over your gardens or nearby plants.

• Native status – Species that are native to your area are the typically preferred milkweeds, however, introduced species that are nonthreatening to native plants or ecosystems can coexist with the native plants. Know the status of the species for your region to prevent the expansion of harmful invasive species.

• Companion plants – Many different types of companions can be planted alongside milkweeds to maximize benefits. You can consider grasses for a beautiful meadow or meadowscape or add additional flowers that provide nectar for adult monarchs and other butterflies during breeding through migration. Milkweeds can be started in the garden in a variety of ways. By seed, dormant roots, or live plants. They are low-maintenance, longtime bloomers that come back each year. The more plants you have, the higher chance you will be visited by Monarchs. Plant at least five individual plants in an area if you can.

Article from the National Garden Bureau with edits from Wedel’s

Graphic Designer: Lauren Ellis Editor and Publisher: Jackie Merriam (269)

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.

Cover Photo Taken in Harbor Springs, MI

• Ice Ballet has white flowers.

Random Acts of Artness

Through the month of July, my art has been on display at the Winchell Tiny Art Gallery. The Winchell Tiny Art Gallery began as all great things do, an idea. In 2021, Katie Boertman was exploring ways to improve mental health and find connection. She was inspired by an article in the Smithsonian magazine highlighting miniature art galleries. According to her description: “The Winchell Tiny Art Gallery is a public art project located in the Winchell neighborhood in Kalamazoo. It’s an intentional and accessible exhibit space for all artists, both professionals and hobbyists. Exhibitions are open to any and all in the Kalamazoo area interested in sharing their tiny artwork. We accept a variety of art, including paintings, sketches, felt work, sculpture, poetry,

and much more.” I’ve been intrigued by this venue and have seen some notable Kalamazoo artists support this project through displays of their work. So, when there was a call for work, I submitted my art for consideration. I paint or draw a variety of subjects, but most recently, over the past few years, my work has focused on Bigfoot. The elusive Northwoods creature has been the subject of many of my upcycled paintings. I find, purchase, or am gifted “thrift store finds”, paintings that have been donated or given away as people’s styles and décor change. I use these as the backdrop and launch pad to create new art by adding characters to the scenes. Often, my additions are from pop culture and include food, B-movie characters, popular hob-

bies, or recognizable movie props. My go-to characters are Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, the Kraken, Godzilla, or alien spaceships. How did these pieces translate into tiny art? I reproduced some of the work into mini prints and adhered them onto 4” x 4” canvases. I created 20 pieces, with groupings of 5 on rotation over 4 weeks. I’m nearing my end of creating these repurposed paintings, as what was once a fun experiment transitioned into what feels like an obligation and job. Yes, there’s still some fun and challenge to it, but I the time has come to shift into creating new themed work. This opportunity to create mini versions of my favorite pieces seemed quite fitting. I am so grateful for the community that has supported my work with

compliments, shares, and purchases over the years, especially the One Well Brewery crew and patrons! I am grateful to show a collection of this work in tiny format at Winchell Tiny Art Gallery. I encourage any artists to consider applying for a display at TAG by emailing: winchelltag@ gmail.com. I encourage everyone to check it out in person. Those of you on social media can follow them on Instagram @winchell_tiny_art_gallery. Here’s the fun part: I’ve created 20 of these 4”x 4” reproductions to give away randomly in this month’s issue of the Good News Paper.

Peace, Love, and Art. -Amy Instagram: @amylgieschen

Wings and Waves: Tracking Birds with Motus

Walking the shoreline of Beaver Island in 1973, I spotted something shiny amid the driftwood and wavewashed debris. It was a small silver band, curled around the fragile leg bone of a bird. Stamped into the metal were numbers and the address of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. I mailed it in and a few weeks later, I received a short report in return: the band had been placed on a Herring Gull nestling in Wisconsin a few years earlier. That small band told an important story—not just about one gull, but about broader patterns of bird movement in our area.

That moment came back to me recently when I learned that a Motus Wildlife Tracking System tower will be installed on Beaver Island this summer—fifty plus years after my lucky and gratifying find linked to ongoing research. Motus is a collaborative research network that uses radio telemetry to track the movements of birds, bats, and insects across vast distances.

A lot has changed since I found that band half a century ago. The shift from metal bands to radiotransmitting tags represents a massive leap in both technology and understanding. But as exciting as that progress is, the story isn’t really about gadgets or data points. It’s about people—people who have dedicated their lives to birds and to science. People like Rich and Brenda Keith who live in south Kalamazoo County. Brenda was just five years old when she first saw a Bald Eagle, thanks to her mom, who pointed it out with excitement. That single moment stuck. Later, when Brenda met Rich, they discovered they shared a fascination with birds—his inspiration for birding began when he saw his first Piliated Woodpecker while exercising to recover from an injury. For their honeymoon, they didn’t hit the beach or jet off to a resort—they went birding for three months including six weeks Alaska and the rest in Montana and and wherever else their binoculars took them throughout the Northwest.

When they returned to Kalamazoo, their shared interest in birds grew, and they got involved in local

birding efforts—starting with the Kalamazoo Nature Center’s Bluebird Nestbox Monitoring Program. Each week, they walked a designated trail, checked nest boxes, recorded data, and helped protect these native birds from parasites and predators. What began as a hobby—driven by a love of birds—gradually became something more. They began as volunteers with the bird banding program at the nature center, and through hands-on training and experience, became certified banders who now work from spring through fall each year.

In 1989, Rich and Brenda turned a portion of their rural family property into a working bird research station. They called it Pitsfield Banding Station, named after the homestead of Rich’s great-great grandfather, Horace Robinson, established in 1846. Their land became a hub for studying birds through the practice of banding ever since.

Bird banding has been around for more than a century. Some say John James Audubon tied silver threads to bird legs in the early 1800s to track their return to nesting sites. Modern banding began in the early 1900s and was formalized by the federal government in 1920. Since then, millions of birds have been banded, each one carrying a small but valuable data point. The Keiths joined that tradition and then expanded it. Not only have they banded countless birds by hand, but they also collect biological samples—ticks, blood, feathers— helping scientists across the country monitor diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease.

In 2007, Brenda became only the second person in Michigan certified to band hummingbirds, which is no small feat (pardon the pun). The process requires a gentle touch and remarkable precision. Her efforts continue to contribute to what we know about these tiny, high-energy travelers that migrate to Central America each fall and return in spring.

But despite all this work, one fact about traditional banding always nagged at researchers: once you let a bird go, you had no idea what happened next. Unless someone else

found that band and reported it or it was recaptured somewhere else, the story ended there.

That’s where Motus comes in. Motus, which means “movement” in Latin, is a collaborative international wildlife tracking system developed by Birds Canada in 2013. It uses tiny radio transmitters—so small they can be placed on hummingbirds or even dragonflies. When one of these tagged animals flies near a Motus tower, the tower picks up the signal and logs the time and location. That data is then uploaded to a shared database, accessible by scientists and the public worldwide.

Now, researchers can follow an animal’s journey from continent to continent, with no need to recapture it or wait for someone to find a tag. It’s automatic, real-time, and incredibly precise.

Rich and Brenda first heard about Motus in 2016 at a wildlife tracking conference in West Virginia. A speaker pointed to a map of North America’s flyways and called out the obvious: “We need Motus in Michigan.” The Keiths took that message to heart. Partnering with the Kalamazoo Nature Center and its staff ornithologist, John Brenneman, they helped install Michigan’s very first Motus tower later that year. Since then, they’ve worked to install 19 towers across the state, with eight more planned for 2025. That includes sites on Mackinac Island, in Wilderness State Park, and soon, Beaver Island. And yes, also on their Pitsfield Banding Station property— fittingly, next to their home.

The Keiths have also helped attach Motus tags to migratory birds like the Wood Thrush and Gray-cheeked Thrush—whose migratory patterns are still not fully understood and a species that’s been selected for targeted research. The results have been nothing short of astonishing. Twenty-eight Wood Thrushes tagged in Michigan Twenty-eight Wood Thrushes were tagged in Michigan. Of those, sixteen have been detected as far away as Belize and Costa Rica. Five have returned to the very location where they were tagged, right at the Keiths’ property in Kalamazoo.

One bird has made the round trip three years in a row, crossing thousands of miles with uncanny precision.

What once was theory is now data. What once was speculation is now story—recorded, traceable, and vivid. Motus has transformed our ability to understand migration, habitat use, breeding success and survival. It’s also helping track environmental changes. By knowing where birds go and when, scientists can better respond to habitat loss, climate change, and other pressures affecting wildlife. That knowledge is critical not just for ornithologists, but for all of us. Birds don’t recognize state lines or national borders. They are messengers—of ecosystem health, of environmental shifts, of things we need to pay attention to.

And just like that metallic band I found on the beach all those years ago, each Motus signal carries a message. A reminder that these creatures are connected to us, and that what we do in our backyards ripples across continents.

Rich and Brenda Keith didn’t set out to change the world. They just loved birds. But over the decades, their curiosity became commitment, their weekend hobby became serious science. Now, with Motus, they’re part of something much bigger—a global network of people who care enough to listen to what the birds are telling us.

If you’d like to support this work, please consider a donation to the Kalamazoo Nature Center Avian Research Program (www.naturecenter.org/KVBO) and help fund new towers and transmitters across the state. Every donation brings us closer to understanding the creatures that move through our skies—and the world they reveal along the way. You can also visit www.motus.org to explore live tracking maps and learn more about this remarkable collaboration—where science, technology, and nature come together with the help of citizen scientists and everyday people who simply love birds and the living world around them.

James Coppinger

HoHow to Surviv w to Survive a HorreHorrorStoryorStory

Mallory Arnold (Poisoned Pen Press)

Seven strangers, all horror writers, are brought together for a reading of the will of Mortimer Queen. They have to survive the night in a classic old house. There are riddles, secrets, tales within tales, and a bit of gore wrapped up into an intricate and pulse-pounding evening. This debut is sure to appeal to fans of mystery and horror.

Beatty, Baltimore County Public Library, MD NoveList read-alike: The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

Savvy Summers and the Sw Summers Sweeteet

PPotato Crimes otato Crimes

SandraJackson-Opoku (Minotaur Books)

Savvy Summers is trying to keep her soul food cafe on the South Side of Chicago open, despite a customer being murdered via one of her own pies. She and her coworker, Penny Lopés, attempt to solve the case while fending off developers. This series has fun characters and good food, as well as interesting history and culture.

—Becky Abbott, Santa Fe Public Library, NM

read-alike: Body & Soul Food by Abby Collette

TTheIrrheIrresistibesistiblleUreUrge to FgeFalallflforor YYour Enemy: our Book 1 of the DearlDearly Bey Belloathed Duo oathed Duollogyogy BrigitteKnightley (Ace)

In a world of amazing and strange magic, a healer and a killer make an unlikely alliance that may inadvertently save the lives of thousands. This debut is an absolutely delightful spin on enemies-tolovers with fantastic prose, intelligent characters, sarcastic and quippy conversation, and desperately denied pining. For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/

On a remote island during a snowstorm, outside a magical greenhouse, Turlu the librarian wakes from her punishment as a statue—fully human again, and really cold. How did she get here? How was she freed? Who is the mysterious and attractive gardener, and can he help? Readers of cozy fantasy will be enchanted with this parallel story set in the world of

A Hollywood starlet is sent to a cottage until her "condition" goes away. She creates a masterpiece with the outcast screenwriter next door. Years later, the screenwriter's granddaughter returns, finding closure with the legendary actress. Under the shimmer of 1950s movie magic and the shadows of the McCarthy era, this romantic, moody mystery spotlights life in front of the camera.

Not Quite Dead Y Quite Dead Yet: A Noet:Novveell

Jet Mason has seven days to solve her own murder after being attacked on Halloween. Throughout the week, she uncovers shocking hidden truths about her family and community.

This incredibly propulsive adult debut from a YA powerhouse author lives up to the incredible hook. Feisty, snarky Jet is such a fun lead, and the ticking clock towards her death will keep readers flying through the pages.

A Witch's Guide to to Magical Innk Magical Innkeepingeeping SanguMandanna (Berkley)

MaggieMaggie;or;or, A Man,Man and a WandWomanWomanWalkalk Into a Bar: Into a Bar:ANoANovveell Katie Yee (Scribner)

Sera had great powers until she performed a spell that cost nearly all of her magic. Now, there’s a chance she could get her magic back, and become more than just an innkeeper with a house full of quirky boarders under her (falling apart) roof. She will need the help of an attractive historian, a nefarious talking fox, and the rest of her hodgepodge found family. Utterly delightful, and a bit bittersweet.

A sweet 16 party at a Texas mansion takes a deadly turn. A host of unsavory narrators add to the story, revealing a myriad of shocking secrets. Multiple intertwined characters help create a sense of urgency and intrigue, contributing toa buildup of suspense to a shocking conclusion,

TTheLheLibribrary at Heary at Helllleboreboree Cassandra Khaw (Tor Nightfire)

Things at school can be tough. Your roommate thinks you like her boyfriend, your friend won't shut up about her sorority, and sometimes the faculty's desire for flesh coincides inconveniently with graduation. What's a kidnapped, devil-touched girl to do? Flee to the library, of course! Come for the body horror, stay for the revolutionary spirit.

TTheSatisfheSatisfaction Caf action Caféé Kathy Wang (Scribner)

Taiwanese immigrant Joan realizes her childhood dream—a café where hosts ask diners questions and provide pleasant conversation. Wang brings up the issues of sadness, isolation, and loneliness in a quiet, restrained way, and offers a graceful pragmatic character in Joan. If cafés can offer cats to make people happier, why can't true human companionship be offered?

TTheCheCIA Book Club: IA TTheSecrheSecret Mission to et Mission Win the Co Win ColldWdWarwitharwith FForbidden L orbidden Literiteraturaturee Charlie English (Random House)

www.libraryaware.com

—Crystal Faris, Kansas City Public Library, MO NoveList read-alike: The Honey Witch by Sidney J. Shields

—Douglas

NoveList

—Brenna Timm, High Plains Library District, CO NoveList read-alike: Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

TTypeypewriter Beach writer Beach Meg Waite Clayton (Harper)

PParty of LartyLiarsiars Kelsey Cox (Minotaur Books)

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX NoveList read-alike: Death Upon a Star by Amy Meade

—Cyndi Larsen, Avon Free Public Library, CT NoveList read-alike: The Block Party by Jamie Day

—Krista Feick, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH NoveList read-alike: The Library At Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

—Jenna Friebel, Oak Park Public Library, IL NoveList read-alike: Don't Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine

Holly Jackson (Bantam)

—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, NY NoveList read-alike: The Crescent Moon Tearoom by Stacy Sivinski

—Donna Ballard, LibraryReads Ambassador, NY NoveList read-alike: Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto

heart of the home Home Is Where the Furball Is

As I sit down at my desk to write, a ginger cat, perched beside my laptop, licks his paw. He pauses the paw lick the moment I turn my head to look at him and instead gives the tip of my nose a lick with the gentlest nip. That’s Freddy.

A German-shepherd mix dog is curled up at my feet, snoozing comfortably but bright-eyed and awake the instant I show movement, ready for our daily romp. That’s Polly.

From where I sit, I can see a black tuxedo cat curled into herself, nose tucked into white paws, perched atop the back of the couch. That’s Azi.

If I glance out the second-story window beside my desk, I can see the slender, striped feline moving stealthily through the underbrush of the woods that surround my home, stalking whatever it is she can see, and I cannot. No doubt a mouse, a vole, a distracted chipmunk. That’s Jackie. My apologies to the rodent in his final hour.

Vanished into the wild but sure to show up at mealtimes, an old tabby tomcat with tattered ears who lived here before I did, now more than 14 years ago, retains his reputation among the other cats as a fierce warrior. He has earned that respect. It took nearly five years for me to earn

the feral tom’s trust and be allowed to touch him. That’s Murray.

The 14 chickens—eight elders and six pullets—of all types of breeds, in all kinds of colors and patterns, roam my yard and fear none of these animals, even as they watch the sky and vanish into the undergrowth the moment they spot a hawk overhead. They pay their rent daily with the most delicious eggs. The moment they spot movement in my kitchen, they run with impressive speed and

huddle around the door, pecking the glass for a treat. I’m a pushover, and they know it.

We all know the saying: “Home is where the heart is.” But what is it that warms the heart? How does a house become something more than a storage unit for our accumulation of stuff?

Surely it is the love that fills those walls, and it is our animals who give us a love that is easily the most pure we may ever experience. They are

grateful for the smallest attention. They hold no judgement against us. They forgive even our worst transgressions the moment we extend a gentler hand. They give no notice to our appearance, our social status, our moods, our bad habits. They do not betray, they do not lie, they do not abandon. Their love is ever faithful.

Unlike the love we receive from our family and friends, as important as that may be to the quality of our lives, our pets offer their love and devotion to us unconditionally and make no demands—perhaps only that occasional caress and treat but forgiving even that absence. It is why psychological studies show that our grief at losing a pet can hit us with such a powerful and lasting force.

It is also why I feel that my house became a home only when I heard the click, click of dog paws on my floor, heard the purr of the cat in my lap, and yes, was brought to laughter at the beaked little faces crowding my kitchen door for attention.

Every one of them is a rescue, either stray or feral or from a shelter or a factory farm. We have rescued each other. They are home to me as I am to them.

Zinta Aistars

Piece by Piece

My mom talks about how my maternal grandpa noticed the clouds in August. He would point out how they changed and looked different, indicating summer was winding down and fall would soon arrive.

I always notice the clouds in August.

A golden nugget I have placed in the treasure box of my mind and my heart. Not for richness in fine jewels, but for the immeasurable wealth it offers me in approaching and experiencing life.

“Knee high by the fourth.”   That is what my dad looked for in his corn fields as a sign of a good harvest to come. A greater likelihood if by the fourth the corn was knee high. Every year as July 4th nears, I always notice the corn.

A golden nugget I have placed

in the treasure box of my mind and heart.

Someone I once interacted with several years ago while I was a member of a board once shared with me how he began each of his days before 3:00 a.m. and how he loved to listen to the birds, for how they sang their loudest before daybreak.

Even if I don’t find myself awake in the middle of the night listening, quite frequently when I hear the birds sing their beautiful melodies during the day I think of how exquisite their sounds must be while I sleep.

A golden nugget I have placed in the treasure box of my mind and heart.

It was my first mountain hike with several experienced friends who were not only well versed on the pathway

up Mount Adams. They had summited several mountains of varying altitudes. Based on pace capability, our large group became small subgroups and the friend that led our small band of hikers taught us “one step, two steps, three steps, pause.”

On day one of our overnight mountain adventure, as we kept our backpacked bodies moving forward and upward towards base camp where we would spend the night before finishing our 12,000 feet above sea level summit the next day, we increased our endurance for the weight we were carrying and the change in altitude our lungs were experiencing by taking “one step, two steps, three steps, pause.”

Steadily and with a mindful presence on our current footsteps, tuning out the mind chatter that tries to

foster doubt and erode resilience and determination, we made it to base camp and ultimately to the top of the mountain taking in a breathtaking view that words and camera lenses struggle to describe.

I have physically applied “one step, two steps, three steps, pause” on more hiking adventures. To this day, I apply this mindset when I am navigating a project or a life experience that holds opportunity and challenge or conflict simultaneously.

A golden nugget I have placed in the treasure box of my mind and heart.

May your month of August fill the treasure box of your mind and heart with an abundance of golden nuggets.

Christine Hassing https://christinehassing.com

With the Birds A Wooded Weekend with Feathered Friends

In addition to our careers, it’s important to keep our brains active and do new things, such as working on puzzles, learning a foreign language, or playing a musical instrument. Earlier this spring, I registered for a two-day event that allowed me to do several new and different things all at once.

On June 7th and 8th, the Michigan Audubon Society hosted a bird photography tour at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan, about 24 miles north of Ann Arbor. Registration was limited to a small group of participants—10 bird enthusiasts took part—who enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of the park, observed a number of wild bird species, and learned from experts about birds and photographing them. Our event coordinator was Lindsay Cain, Manager of Education & Events for the Michigan Audubon Society. Our tour guide was Jocelyn Anderson, a professional photographer and bird enthusiast whose images of birds

and other animals are quite remarkable. Jocelyn won the 2020 Michigan Audubon Photography Awards and won honorable mentions in 2022 and 2024. Her work has been featured on the Audubon Society’s national website, in Midwest Living magazine and other publications. In addition to Jocelyn’s amazing photographs, her social media posts are frequently videos that show wild birds literally eating out of her hand, sometimes one species after another.

That’s also one of the remarkable things about the park: your proximity to birds and other wildlife, and how much they’ve learned to trust humans. It’s not uncommon to have a red-winged blackbird, chickadee, nuthatch, or flicker land next to you on the fence railing of the boardwalk, and if you happen to have a handful of peanuts and pieces of suet, they’re likely to land right in your hand. And frequently, big rust-colored sandhill cranes will stroll past you on sidewalks while plump little chip-

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munks come up to your feet to check whether you have snacks.

Even for a birdwatching novice like me, the workshop resulted in some nice photos. Kensington Metropark is perfect for observing—and being part of—the nature around us. It’s 4,481 acres of wooded and rolling terrain around Lake Kent, and has areas for walking, bicycling, boating, fishing, cross-country skiing, and disc golfing, in addition to having a golf course and sledding areas. The park is located on the Huron River Parkway and is very close to Interstate 96.

The boardwalk is a starting point for a walk around Wildwing Lake, where visitors can observe one of the largest great blue heron rookeries (a collection of nests high in the trees) in Michigan. Heron parents make trips to and from the rookery to obtain food for their offspring.

In addition to getting some great suggestions for taking and processing photos, attracting birds, and ideas about photo equipment, the work-

shop allowed us to enjoy nature for two days, enjoy some fun discussions with the group leaders and participants, and put in 8-10 miles of good walking over the weekend.

Michigan Audubon’s Lindsay Cain says this workshop is one of six similar events that are sponsored by the organization this year, including some in the Upper Peninsula, another great place to observe birds.

If this experience sounds interesting to you, I’d be remiss in not suggesting that you check out activities of the Michigan Audubon Society at https://www.michiganaudubon.org/ .

Tony Ettwein

HistoryZoo1837@gmail.com

A. Adult great blue heron brings dinner home to one of the largest heron rookeries in Michigan. Photo by the author.

B. Two black-capped chickadees battle it out over a peanut. Photo copyright Jocelyn Anderson Photography.

Embracing Therapy: A Brave Journey to You

Let’s talk about therapy. Real talk. For a lot of people, the idea of sitting across from a stranger and spilling your guts sounds… well, terrifying. You’re walking into a room—or clicking into a screen—ready to reveal your raw, unfiltered emotions to someone you barely know. Someone who doesn’t know your past, your heartbreaks, your inner battles. That takes courage. Big, bold, beautiful courage.

But here’s the truth: sometimes the doors we fear the most are the ones that lead to freedom.

I believe this with every fiber of my being—everyone needs therapy. Not because you’re broken, not because you’re weak, but because you’re human. Therapy is a gift you give yourself: a sacred, protected space to unpack your life without interruption, without judgment, without masks. It’s a mirror reflecting who you are right now, a telescope helping you explore who you were, and a compass guiding you toward who you want to become.

Therapy isn’t just “talking about your feelings”—it’s about discovery, healing, growth, and empowerment. It’s about unlocking emotions you didn’t know you’d buried. It’s about breaking old patterns that no longer serve you. It’s about shining light into dark corners you’ve been too afraid to enter alone. And most importantly? It’s about taking back control of your story.

Here’s where the magic happens: when you begin to understand your emotions, you gain the power to respond instead of react. Instead of snapping in anger or shutting down in fear, you learn to pause, breathe, and choose a healthier path forward. Therapy equips you with a toolbox filled with coping strategies, conflict resolution skills, and problem-solving techniques. You’ll discover new ways to calm anxiety, navigate grief, heal trauma, and strengthen relationships—skills that ripple into every corner of your life.

And no two therapists—or therapy journeys—are alike. Every therapist

brings their own expertise, style, and approach to the table. Some may lean into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helping you untangle the web between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Others may guide you through EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to process trauma stored deep in your nervous system. Maybe you’ll explore Internal Family Systems (IFS) to connect with different parts of yourself, or Narrative Therapy to rewrite the story you’ve been telling about your life. Some therapists use mindfulness, somatic practices, play therapy, art therapy, Virtual Reality Therapy (VR) or solution-focused strategies.

There’s no single “right way”—only the way that works for you.

And listen: if the first therapist you meet doesn’t feel like the right fit, that’s okay. Finding a therapist is like finding the perfect pair of shoes—it needs to feel comfortable, supportive, and right for the journey ahead. Give it a few sessions, but trust your intuition. It’s not “shopping around”—it’s advocating for your healing. The right therapist will feel like a safe harbor, someone who both challenges and champions you.

Let me be clear: therapy isn’t easy. It’s not a magic wand. It’s not a quick fix. It’s work. Deep, sometimes uncomfortable, but profoundly rewarding work. You’ll have moments where it feels like you’re peeling off layers of old skin—raw, vulnerable, exposed.

But if you lean in—if you show up, speak honestly, practice the tools outside those four walls—you’ll start to feel stronger. You’ll feel lighter. You’ll feel more you than you’ve ever felt before.

Therapy gives you permission to be messy. To cry until your chest aches. To swear when the pain feels unfair. To sit in silence when the words won’t come. And through it all, your therapist is right there, holding space—not to fix you, but to walk beside you as you learn to fix yourself. And the moment you pick up the phone, send that email, or click “schedule” for your first appointment? That’s a radical, powerful declaration:

I am worth this time. I am worth this investment. I am worth healing, growth, and peace.

If you’re hesitating, ask yourself: What’s standing in my way? Is it the old stigma whispering that therapy is “for other people”? Is it fear of unearthing pain you’ve buried deep? Is it the worry of what you might discover about yourself? You’re not alone in those fears. But ask anyone who’s walked the therapy journey, and they’ll tell you: it’s worth every tear, every tough conversation, every moment of uncomfortable growth.

Because therapy isn’t a last resort— it’s a bold act of self-love, self-respect, and self-empowerment. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a commitment to your strength. It’s a promise you make to yourself to stop surviving and start thriving.

So go ahead. Pick up the phone. Make the appointment. Say yes to the messy. Say yes to the healing. Say yes to the journey. Say yes to you.

Because you, my friend? You are worth it. Every single step of the way. Dr. Julie Sorenson

Relationships

Not Just Tough…, Connected: The New Man’s Survival Guide

Men, We Need to Talk: About Loneliness, BBQs, and Why You Deserve Real Connection

Let’s get real for a minute: when was the last time you had a conversation that wasn’t just about fantasy football, work stress, or what kind of charcoal is best for the grill?

Too often, men are told to be “strong,” “stoic,” “the rock.” But somewhere along the way, strong started to mean silent. And silent turned into isolated. Now, we’re staring down a quiet crisis that isn’t getting nearly enough airtime: male loneliness and emotional disconnection.

The Silent Epidemic

Here’s the truth bomb: Men are lonelier than ever. Many have poured decades into building careers, raising families, and staying “tough,” only to wake up one day realizing they’ve lost the friendships that once gave life color and connection. According to research, men account for nearly 80% of suicide deaths in the U.S., and loneliness is a massive contributor (CDC, 2023).

And no, the solution isn’t just grabbing beers once a month or exchanging half-hearted “how’s it going, man?” at the gym.

Real Talk: Why

We’re Here

Let’s break it down.

Guys tend to bond over doing stuff — watching the game, fishing, competing, grilling, fixing up the garage. That’s great… unless you don’t vibe with those things. Then what? Suddenly, you’re the odd man out, standing at the edge of the social barbecue with no one handing you a plate or passing the aux cord.

Many men rely heavily on their romantic partners to organize their social world. So when a relationship ends—divorce, breakup, or loss—the social scaffolding collapses, and you’re left with a lot of silence and not much support.

You might be craving real conversations. You might want mentorship or deeper friendships. But let’s be honest—how many of us were ever taught how to make friends as adults? (Spoiler: almost none.)

Here’s What You Can

Do (Yes, You)

Church Guy?

Find a men’s group. Look for someone in your congregation you admire and shoot your shot. Yes, it might be awkward at first. That’s normal. Keep showing up.

Not Into Church?

Check out Meetup.com in your area. You’ll find hiking clubs, grilling groups, board game nights, meditation circles, even axe-throwing. No, seriously. There’s something for everyone.

Feeling Stuck?

Therapy isn’t just for breakdowns. A good therapist can help you build confidence, learn communication tools, and rediscover how to connect. That’s not weakness—that’s wisdom.

By the Numbers

Let’s talk data for a second:

• Loneliness is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (HoltLunstad, 2015).

• It raises your risk for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and depression.

• Men without strong social connections are significantly more likely to die by suicide. And yet... most men don’t talk about it. They bottle it up. They push through. Until they can’t anymore. The Truth? You Deserve More Than Just “Fine.”

You deserve friendships that don’t feel like small talk at a cookout.

You deserve people who text to check in—not just to borrow your power tools.

You deserve spaces where you can be real. Laugh hard. Cry (yes, cry). Be seen.

Investing in connection isn’t soft. It’s strong as hell. And it might just save your life.

So go on. Send that text. Join that group. Book that therapy appointment. Ask that guy to grab coffee.

Build your circle—brick by brick.

Because real strength? That’s vulnerability, courage, and connection. And, it looks good on you.

Dr. Julie Sorenson

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Recipes All Ears!

Nothing beats the flavor, texture, and kernels that burst with sweetness when you bite them than freshpicked summer corn!

It’s quite likely that most of us possess fond childhood summer memories that include the consumption of sweet, summer-fresh-picked corn.

Mine revolve around Mom who always took advantage of its economical bounty. When we were kids (she had seven of us), she would make corn on the cob a star attraction, telling us of how rare it was because back then it was only available a few weeks out of the entire year.  With such a big build up and rarity, Mom would often serve it alone as a monomial, and from her huge, white enameled soup pot that was so expansive that it could easily accommodate a whole bushel’s worth!

Dialing summer dining down to a whole new level of simplicity, Mom elected not to serve us, but instead allow us to serve ourselves- straight from the stove! This liberty, which we loved, allowed us the freedom of choosing the cob we wanted and whatever bowl, plate, spoon or fork we wanted to go with it. It also placed no limit on how much we could consume.

Mom would always announce, “Eat all you want and there’s plenty of butter for them, too!”

Given that most of Mom’s summer

meals were fresh-produce-forward, the copious amounts of fiber they naturally contained made it almost impossible for any of us to overeat. This made Dad curious one evening. He wanted to know exactly how many cobs of corn each of his children were able to consume in one sitting, so he made a game out of it.

Since we all loved corn, we were all eager to see for ourselves as well.

With me being the youngest and smallest, I struggled to eat slightly more than one cob eaten.

My older, larger-in-size sisters all seemed to top out after eating two.

However, our skinny-as-a-rail sister, Nancy, surprised us all when she was able to gobble down three full ears!

Tickled that the skinniest of us won the eating contest, Dad awarded Nancy with a quarter, which was big money in the 1960s, then donned her with the official title of “corn on the cob queen!”

While those childhood summers feel like they are a few lifetimes away, munching on some fresh-picked corn makes them feel like they just happened yesterday.

It is a blessing (thank you, GOD) that a few sweet kernels is all it takes to rekindle tender childhood memories long cribbed away in our hearts, and there’s no better time to indulge in its fresh-picked summer sweetness!

A great way to trigger fond childhood memories is by consuming a

favorite recipe from the past. One of my favorite corn recipes was Mom’s creamed corn that she made using only white corn in back in the day. This was because (back then) yellow corn was tougher and not as sweet as white. Today we have white and peaches & cream (my favorite), and yellow is sweeter and more tender, so you can use any you prefer.

I love making Mom’s recipes because not only does its taste cause those sweet childhood memories to flood

in, but also causes times when it feels like Mom is standing there, cooking right along with me. Here now are some old and new ways to both rekindle and create sweet memories by going all ears! Enjoy!

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.

Mom’s Marvelous Creamed Corn

Yield: 8 servings

1/2 cup unsalted quality butter

1 yellow onion, minced

2 to 3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed

4 cups corn kernels (about 8 to 10 ears worth)

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon unrefined (colored) sea salt

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or preferred sweetener)

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup half & half

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

In a skillet over medium heat, combine butter and onion. Cook, stirring, until onions begin to caramelize, about 7 minutes. Add pressed garlic and cook for one more minute than add the corn, cream, salt, syrup (or sweetener), and pepper.

In a measuring cup, whisk together the half & half and flour then and stir into the pot.

Bring pot to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or until mixture is thick and creamy. Serve hot.

Laura’s Oh-So-Sweet ‘n’Spicy Crab Chowder

Yield: 4 servings

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 sweet onion, finely minced

4 inner stalks celery, finely minced

2 cloves elephant garlic, some chopped, some minced

4-6 ears of corn

1 1/2 cups half & half

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon unrefined sea salt

1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Dap of chicken broth paste (optional)

Pinch cayenne powder (optional)

Small bunch fresh chives, snipped

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 pound crab meat

In a large, deep pan sauté onion

in oil and butter until onions begin to caramelize, about 7 minutes. Add celery, stir, and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic. Sauté 1 minute then grate corn off the cob into the pan and add cobs, too. Add corn cobs, half & half and then add half of the corn kernels. Bring to a boil then cook on a simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

In the last five minutes of simmer, remove corn cobs, scraping broth back into pan and discarding cobs. Add remaining seasonings, and crab meat. Cook, stirring gently for 5 minutes. To serve, divide your favorite seafood equally into bowl, then ladle hot chowder over. Sprinkle with fresh snipped chives, if desired, then serve.

Rewarding Corn Risotto

Yield: 6 servings

6 ears fresh corn, kernels removed

4 cups chicken bone broth, divided

use

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

use

1 yellow onion, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup arborio rice, rinsed

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)

1/2 cup heavy cream  sea salt and pepper, to taste Garnish (optional): Lemon zest, minced Italian parsley, lemon wedges  Puree half the kernels in a blender with 2 cups of the broth. Strain through a sieve and add only the strained liquid and the remaining broth to a saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and hold warm, covered, on the smallest back burner. In a covered skillet, sauté onion and

Classic Scalloped Corn Recipes

garlic in 2 of the tablespoons of butter until onion becomes translucent. Add rice and stir for 2 minutes, then add the reserved corn kernels. Cook for a few minutes, then begin adding the hot corn broth one or two ladles at a time, stirring very frequently. When the rice has absorbed almost all the liquid, add two more ladles of the hot corn broth to the pan. Repeat this process until all corn broth has been added, rice becomes al dente, and sauce becomes creamy, about 20 minutes.

Finish by adding in fresh lemon juice and remaining butter. Once butter melts and is mixed in well, add in the heavy cream, stirring just until mixture is fully heated through. Season to taste with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish (if desired) then serve at once with lemon wedges, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings

4 cups creamed corn

1 cup crushed saltine crackers, divided use

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted, divided use

2 large eggs, beaten 1/2 teaspoon Hungarian (sweet) paprika

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter the inside of an 8 x11 x 2-inch casserole dish.

In a mixing bowl, place half of the cracker crumbs (1/2 cup), and then sprinkle them with half of the melted butter (1/4 cup). Blend to combine

then add creamed corn and eggs to the buttered cracker crumbs and mix well. Pour mixture into the buttered dish.

Returning to the mixing bowl, add remaining 1/2 cup cracker crumbs to the unclean bowl. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup melted butter and toss then sprinkle with the paprika and pepper. Mix well then, using hands, sprinkle butter-spiced crumb topping over the top of the casserole. Place in the preheated oven and bake until topping browns slightly and filling bubbles along edges, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Vintage Hot, Hot, Hot!

In the 1960s, Mattel cofounder Elliot Handler envisioned a toy car like no other. Inspired by the success of Barbie, Handler sought to create an equally dominant brand for boys. At a time when Matchbox, Husky, and Budgie had saturated the market with die-cast miniatures, many— including Elliot’s wife and Mattel executive Ruth Handler—expressed skepticism. Elliot, however, saw untapped opportunity. Unlike existing miniature car models that emphasized realism, Handler imagined toy cars built for speed.

To bring his vision to life, Handler enlisted the talents of General Motors designer Harry Bentley Bradley and missile engineer Jack Ryan. Rather than replicate everyday Detroit cars, the men took inspiration from California’s hot rod scene. Using bold styling and vibrant colors, the team crafted a line of mini muscle cars.

Mattel’s engineers focused on performance. They built lightweight bodies on wide mag wheels with torsion-bar suspension. They minimized axle friction using mandolin strings and Delrin plastic bushings. These innovations allowed the cars to reach the toy equivalent of 200 mph—making them not only stylish but exhilarating to play with. As the story goes, when Handler saw a prototype zoom across the floor, he exclaimed, “Those are some hot wheels!” The name stuck and a brand was born.

In 1968, Hot Wheels debuted the

“Sweet 16” lineup, which emphasized sleek lines and Spectraflame paint jobs. Mattel paired these cars with the now-iconic bright orange plastic racetracks and loop-the-loops. Over 16 million Hot Wheels sold in the first year.

Hot Wheels continued to move with the times. The 1970 “Mongoose vs. Snake” drag racing series brought real-world motorsport to toy aisles. Sets like the “Sky Show” and “Flying Circus” added variety. The 1980s introduced “Real Riders” with rubber tires. In the 1990s, Hot Wheels entered the professional racing circuit, sponsoring NASCAR teams. The following years saw partnerships with motoring notables like Kyle Petty, Tanner Foust, and

For collectors, valuing Hot Wheels involves an understanding of condition, casting, and year. Top prices go to

mint-condition Redline models. Produced between 1968 and 1977, these feature a painted red stripe around each wheel. But red-striped wheels alone don’t guarantee authenticity. True Redlines were made only in the U.S. or Hong Kong. The embossed year on the bottom of a Hot Wheels car marks the copyright date of the casting, not the year of manufacture. Since Mattel often reused molds for decades, dating a car involves comparing features like color, wheels, and interior.

Among all Hot Wheels cars produced, none is more coveted than the rear-loading Pink Beach Bomb. This Volkswagen-inspired van, with two surfboards sticking out the back, failed Mattel’s track tests due to poor balance. Mattel scrapped the design and reworked it to hold the surfboards on the vehicle’s sides. Only two pink versions of the initial prototype are known to exist. The best-conditioned example, owned by collector Bruce Pascal, is valued at around $175,000.

Today’s collectors can also find value in modern releases. Limitededition “Treasure Hunt” and “Super

Treasure Hunt” cars can resell for $20 or more. Even factory error cars— such as those improperly packaged or with missing paint—can command high prices.

Hot Wheels continues to innovate with creative track sets and replicas of elite race cars. Lined up end to end, every Hot Wheels car ever sold—8 billion and counting—would circle the Earth four times and then some—a testament to the power of determination, innovation, and imagination.

Bridget Klusman

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

A. 1971 Blazing Yellow Olds between 3000 - 6000

B. 1968 Green Custom Cougar 300 – 400

C. 1968 Blue Custom Corvette 300 – 500

D. The Sweet Sizteen

E. 1969 Hot Pink ’31 Ford Woody 1000 - 2000

Art and his twin brother, Ritis, are unwelcome guests who don’t have the courtesy to leave when we want them to. And they can be a real pain! But the more we learn about them, the more ways they’ll get the hint and leave, or else visit less often. And the key to keeping them away is movement and muscle tone.

There’s even more evidence that leg strength plays a major role in reducing the risk of osteoarthritis and its associated symptoms, including knee pain. Researchers in the Netherlands looked at a group of about 5,000 older adults who did regular exercise, including a combination of weightbearing exercise, such as walking or running, and non-weight-bearing exercise such as swimming and cycling.

Over a six-year period, 8.4% of participants were diagnosed with osteoarthritis. People who had medium or high muscle mass in their legs were at lower risk of developing osteoarthritis. Those with the lowest muscle mass had the highest risk of osteoarthritis.

This study builds on earlier research that suggests a link between regular exercise and osteoarthritis. What’s somewhat new is the implication that leg strength, shown to correlate with thigh mass, plays a central role in

A Visit with Art and His Twin Brother, Ritis

affecting osteoarthritis risk in people who participate in weight-bearing exercises.

It’s believed that leg strength helps stabilize and protect joints. Also, muscle flexibility helps you achieve full range of motion. Regular exercise

has the added benefits of promoting healthy weight and improving the flow of blood and oxygen to your joints and tissues. Note, however, that being overweight increases the risk of osteoarthritis.

So now that we know this, what do we do about it. Most of us don’t have memberships to fitness centers that have $5,000 leg press machines. Well, there are three exercises you can do right at home;

The first is the sit-to-stand exercise. Use a chair with a stable back and seat. Make sure you sit with your hips are parallel to or slightly higher than your knees. If your chair seat is too soft, your hips will be lower than your knees and getting up will be harder. Keep your knees at a 90- degree angle, with your feet and face forward. Slowly rise to a standing position without using your arms. It helps to tip your head forward a bit so that your nose is over your toes. Be aware of what part of your legs are engaged when you stand up. It should be your thighs. Repeat 10 times for starters.

A second exercise is even easier. It’s called the wall-sit. Stand with

your back against a blank wall. Lower yourself slowly so that your knees get to a 90- degree angle. If this is too difficult for starters, lower yourself as low as you can before reaching 90-degrees. Hold for 10-20 seconds. Caution: have someone nearby in case you need help standing up. Finding yourself stuck against a wall, and not be able to sit down or stand up, is no fun.

The last one is standing on the edge of a step or stair. Make sure there is a handrail. Holding onto the handrail, step up one stair and raise your other leg to meet it. Step down so that both feet are back on the ground or lower step. Alternate legs when making the first step. Repeat 10-15 times.

I hope this helps when you get a visit from Art and his brother. Don’t serve them any cookies; they’ll stay longer.

MAKE you day great and remember to be kind.

Till next time,

Ken Dettloff ACE Personal and Brain Health Trainer

Local Walking Group Steps Up for Bronson’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with Community Walk

Stellar Steppers, a local walking group founded by Bronson NICU nurse DeLight Brown, is organizing its 2nd Annual Sunrise to Sunset Walk on Monday, September 8, 2025.

This 35-mile event along the KalHaven Trail, where participants will walk the entire trail from sunrise to sunset, will raise funds for Bronson’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), supporting care for the tiniest patients and their families.

The idea for the walk started last year as a personal challenge for one of the group’s members (Tamera Walker) and has since grown into a way for the group to come together and support a cause that’s close to their hearts. Many current and former members of Stellar Steppers have personal connections to the NICU, either through their work or through family ties, making this fundraiser especially meaningful.

“This is our first year turning the

walk into a fundraiser, and we’re excited to support the NICU babies and families,” says Brown. “It’s a great way for us to stay active, support each other, and give back to the community.”

The walk is open to everyone — participants can walk the entire 35 miles or join in for any portion. All donations go directly to the Bronson Health Foundation’s NICU Fund.

How to Support

the Cause:

Order an Official Event T-Shirt: Supporters can purchase a limited-

edition t-shirt to show their support. $3.50 from every shirt goes directly to Bronson’s NICU.

Join the Raffle: Anyone who walks in the event or orders a shirt will be entered into the raffle. Participants receive one raffle ticket for every t-shirt purchased. You do not need to be present to win, but you must either walk in the event or purchase a shirt to be eligible.

Donate or Get Involved: Visit www.stellarsteppers.com or scan the QR code to donate, learn more, or join the walk.

To learn more, donate, join the

walk, or follow along, visit www.stellarsteppers.com, join our Facebook group and event page, or scan the QR code below.

The NICU has touched thousands of babies and families in Southwest Michigan. Parents have shared the following quotes about their NICU experience: “I couldn’t thank the NICU staff enough. Helping our baby become so strong. For encouraging and letting me be so hands on as much as I could. I loved helping in anyway and I enjoyed learning how to take care of my baby while the nurses were by my side. Thank you all! “Not a day goes by that we don’t think about all of our amazing doctors and nurses that helped our strong boy conquer his greatest feat yet, words could never convey how grateful we are for everyone who cared for him at the beginning of his sweet little life.”

DeLight Brown

Eighty-five years ago, Ann Ewing Smith founded the Kalamazoo Area Newcomers Club (KANC) to welcome new residents to the area, provide social ties and more. Today, the mission has evolved to provide friendship, activities and programs to women new to the area, as well as, longtime residents in our community.

Kalamazoo Area Newcomers Club in a non-profit social organization for all women and is especially helpful for women in transition. Whether it’s a new town, new career, marriage, divorce, retirement, new job, loss of spouse/partner, you will find a dynamic group of women to connect with and enjoy the many social activities that the club offers. Annual membership is just $20!

From September to May, KANC hosts a luncheon and an informative and entertaining program that appeals to any age group. The luncheons are held at noon, on the third Thursday of each month at a local restaurant or private club. As an example, last fall, the monthly luncheon was held at the Kellogg Manor House and the program featured Holiday Decorating by local business owner Sherrie Snyder, with Green Goddess Farms.

They also offer a number of smaller Special Interest Groups. If you enjoy being active (hiking/biking/XC skiing), books, knitting/stitching, card games, gardening, volunteering, arts & entertainment, dining and more, KANC has something of interest for everyone. Visit the website Kazoonewcomers.com for a listing of all activities.

When KANC began in the 1940’s, it was common for husbands to work full time and for wives to stay

home with the kids. Many women had little opportunity to meet and connect with other women. To serve this need, Smith partnered with the Kalamazoo YMCA and formed the Newcomer Club of the Young Women’s Christian Association, which became very popular. The group grew to 400 members by the 1970’s.

Meetings were held at the YWCA for more than 30 years, before becoming an independent group not affiliated with any larger organizations. Recently, they have 150 members.

Although a lot has changed since the group began, including more women working, the need for women to connect with each other hasn’t changed. Especially since the onset of COVID, which has increased many women working remotely.

If you would like to make new friendships and enjoy interesting activities and programs with other women, consider attending the September meeting on September 18th at noon. The speaker will be Robert G. Sawyer, M.D., Dean of the WMU Medical School. He will be speaking about the Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. The meeting will be held at The Fountains Banquet Center, located at 535 S. Riverview Dr. in Kalamazoo. Anyone interested in attending the September program should email kanc. kalamazoo@gmail.com by September 8th, 2025.

For more information visit their website at Kazoonewcomers.com, follow on Facebook/Kalamazoo Area Newcomers Club, Contact by email at kanc.kalamazoo@gmail.com.

Jackie Merriam

Patricia Niewoonder KANC President 2024-2025 presenting a Charity donation of $1000 to Maggie Hesketh, Executive Director of the First Day Shoe Fund.

BrickUniverse LEGO® Fan Expo Arrives in Kalamazoo for First Time

August 23–24 at the Expo Center

Get ready, Kalamazoo! The nationally acclaimed BrickUniverse LEGO® Fan Expo is making its Kalamazoo debut this August 23–24, 2024, at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center for an unforgettable weekend of building, creativity, and fun for all ages.

This first-ever LEGO® fan expo in Kalamazoo is expected to draw thousands of enthusiasts, families, artists, and curious minds to explore stunning LEGO® creations, meet renowned LEGO® artists, and engage in hands-on building zones designed to inspire.

Highlights of BrickUniverse Kalamaz]oo Include:

Jaw-dropping LEGO® models built by nationally acclaimed artists

Interactive Building Zones for kids and families

Vendors offering LEGO® sets, minifigures, and rare collectibles

Opportunities to meet the creators behind the bricks

Educational and STEAM-friendly

experiences that combine play with learning

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or brand new to the world of LEGO®, BrickUniverse offers an immersive, screen-free experience that sparks imagination and brings people of all ages together.

“This event is about more than just bricks,” says Angela Beights, founder and director of BrickUniverse. “It’s about creativity, learning, and connection. We’re thrilled to finally bring it to Kalamazoo.”

Tickets Available now at www. brickuniverseusa.com.  Timed sessions available each day – early booking recommended.

For more information visit the website at brickuniverseusa.com, email angela@brickuniverseusa.com or call Angela at 434-906-3428.

BrickUniverse has become a fanfavorite event in cities across the U.S. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the LEGO® magic right here in Southwest Michigan.

environment

The Pollinator’s Salad Bar

I’m Just Your Type!

Isn’t it just the best thing to sit outside on these warm summer evenings? That lazy way to end a busy day is one of my favorite pastimes. I try to make the most of every one, as there are so few of them. I know that between October and May it will be too cool or downright cold to enjoy the waning daylight and chat with neighbors as they walk their dogs or push their baby strollers.

The only frustration in my peaceful routine is the intrusion of pesky mosquitoes and their seemingly relentless pursuit of my flesh. Once they begin pestering, it’s only a short time before I need to come inside to escape their infernal biting. The insects seem intent on torturing me, but I vaguely recall hearing that some folks are more highly prized as a blood source for those bites than others. I thought I would review some research to see if science affirms the notion that some humans attract more biting mosquitoes than others. If data supports that hypothesis, is it just a fun (?) fact to know and tell, or are there deeper implications for human health?

The most common statement found in popular science literature is that certain ABO blood groups, commonly expressed as blood types, attract more mosquitoes, and are therefore responsible for more mosquito bites. Several widely-cited studies provide data that seems to agree, with a few caveats that I will discuss.

Most of the mosquito species cited in the literature belong to the Aedes genus. These types of mosquitoes are important vectors that carry West Nile and Zika viruses, both of which can cause serious disease in humans. For this reason, studies of these particular species and their feeding preferences have broad implications for worldwide public health. Fortunately, these types are not the most common found in Michigan. Zika infections in Michigan are limited to individuals who have been infected elsewhere (like Africa) and bring the

illness with them when they return to Michigan. West Nile virus, however, can have dire health consequences and does occur in the state, although it is not as common here as it is elsewhere in the U.S. West Nile is transmitted to humans not only by Aedes mosquitoes, but also by Culex species, also known as common house mosquitoes. The Culex are the most common type in our area. Only female mosquitoes of any species are capable of biting. Ingesting a blood meal supplies proteins necessary for the production of viable eggs. Given our proximity to bodies of standing water, there are a vast number of breeding spots for them to populate. Controlling mosquito populations is an important task for public health departments.

Three studies, in 1974, 2004, and 2019, using different methodologies, collected data that support the observation that mosquitoes are most attracted to humans with Type O blood. They also chose Type B, although it is less appealing. Type A is the least favored at the all-you-caneat blood buffet. The actual mechanism by which mosquitoes detect blood type is currently unknown. The choice of a “victim” upon which to feed is, however, far more complicated than a single biochemical characteristic. Like all life forms, we humans are a complex smorgasbord of biochemical signals. ABO blood group is only one selection factor considered by mosquitoes when choosing a meal. Studies suggest that it is not even the most critical consideration.

A and B factors are called antigens and are the result of markers on red blood cell surface membranes. One way to think about antigens is that they are like chemical luggage tags, only attached to cell surfaces instead of suitcases. These markers aid the body in recognizing what is “self” versus “non-self”. Antigens that are not “self” trigger an immune response, which can include demoli-

tion and removal. For this reason, blood transfusions are almost always between recipients and donors of compatible blood types. There are numerous other sorts of antigens on all our cells, as well as a vast array of foreign antigens that stimulate an immune response when we are exposed to them.

Additionally, about 85% of the human population are characterized as secretors. These folks carry the antigen for blood group not only on their red blood cells, which are generally not accessible to the outside world unless one is bleeding, but also in body fluids such as tears and sweat. Secretors, especially sweaty ones, attract far more mosquitoes than nonsecretors. I think of it in a similar way to the coming attractions at the movies – biological advertisements indicating what blood “goodies” will be found inside, after the insect bites.  Even for non-secretors, sweat is a powerful mosquito attractant. Lactic acid and ammonia, present in perspiration in trace amounts, serve as lures for them.

Another major factor contributing to mosquito attraction is the production of carbon dioxide (CO2). Only animals contain blood, and their exhaled gases are a beacon for passing insects seeking their next meal. Larger animals have higher metabolic rates, more blood, and produce more CO2. Athletes, for example, tend to make more CO2 during exercise, sweat more (releasing more ABO blood antigen) and frequently have more skin exposed to dissipate their body heat in an effort to keep cool. Their increased body temperature also produces a flushed appearance, bringing blood closer to the body’s surface as another cooling mechanism, making it easier for the “she”squito to tap into the blood meal. A large, sweaty, blood type O individual, out for an evening run, would be a jackpot for the neighborhood mosquitoes.

For many of the same reasons,

it’s worth noting that pregnancy is another mosquito mother-lode (please pardon the pun…). Most people, when expecting, engage in important metabolic work to build that baby! This upregulation of biologic energy also increases their body mass, temperature, and CO2 production.  Parents-to-be should be mindful to cover up and use a safe insect repellent when enjoying the outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Although I’m not necessarily seeking a dating partner, I may feel the need to cultivate some new friendships, based on the new information I’ve gleaned from my research. I need to find a new chum who wants to sit on the porch in the evening. Specifically, someone who is Type O, a secretor, and enjoys talking, releasing copious amounts of CO2. Oh yes, and they have to like flowers, cats and dogs, and bees. And, of course, me! How hard could that be??

Cheryl Hach

Retired Science Teacher

Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center

References: Stanford Blood Center (2019, September 19). Bloodsuckers: 7 things you should now about the mosquito. www.stanfordbloodcenter. org. Retrieved July 6, 2025, from https://stanfordbloodcenter.org/ bloodsuckers-7-things-you-shouldknow-about-the-mosquito/ Mosquito Squad (2023, December 20). Mosquitoes like certain blood types. Www.Mosquitosquad. com. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.mosquitosquad.com/ triad/blog/mosquitoes-like-certainblood-types/ Jill, S. S. (2020, September 16). Are mosquitoes attracted to certain blood types? Www.Healthline. com. Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.healthline.com/health/ mosquito-blood-type

Through August 31

FREE august Events

Exhibits Collorful Collections & The Art of Advertising Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Through August 31

Exhibit Wallace & Gromit And Shaun the Sheep Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Fridays, August 1,8,15,22,29 Sit N’ Stitch, 10am-12pm Richland Library

Friday, August 1

Memory Café – for people with Mild dementia and their care Partners, 10:30am – Noon Paw Paw District Library

Friday, August 1

International Snacks Taste Test, Grades 6-12, Richland Library, Register ahead: 629-9085

Friday, August 1

Vicksburg Historic Village Movie & library giveaway, Movie: “UP.” Starts at dusk.

Fridays, August 1,8,15,22,29

Live Music @ The Dock at Bayview, 8pm-12am

Saturdays, August

2,9,16,23,30

Kalamazoo Farmers Market

7am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.

Saturdays, August

2,9,16,23,30

Texas Township Farmers Market

8am-Noon, 7110 Q. Ave.

Saturdays, August

2,9,16,23,30

Otsego Farmers Market 9am-2pm, 112 Kalamazoo St.

Saturdays, August

2,9,16,23,30

Live Music, The Dock @ Bayview, 8pm

Saturday, August 2

End of Summer Reading Celebration, 11am-noon, Pizza Lunch/Foam party, Richland Village square

Sundays, August

3,10,17,24,31 Portage Farmer’s Market 9am-1pm, Portage City Hall

Sunday, August 3

Concert in Bronson Park, Dwtn. Kalamazoo, Zion Lion, 4-5pm

Monday, August 4

Kalamazoo Nature Center FREE Admission Day, 9am-5pm

Mondays, August 4,11,18,25 Family Storytime 10-11am, Books, songs, more! Vicksburg Library

Monday, August 4

Special Event! Mr. Jim Magic Show! All ages from 0-100 11am, Vicksburg Library

Mondays, August 4,11,18,25 Comstock Farmers Market, 3-7 pm, Merrill Park

Mondays, August 4,11,18,25

Cruis- In’s at Dean’s Ice Cream in Plainwell

Tuesdays, August 5,12,19,26

Kalamazoo Mini Farmers Market 8am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.

Tuesday, August 5

Craft Stitching Group, bring your craft, 1-4pm, Parchment Library

Tuesday, August 5

Tuesdays on the Road, food Trucks, live music, community 5-7:30pm, Midtown Fresh, Kal.

Tuesdays, August 5,12,19,26

Trivia @ 468 Wine, 6:30-8:30, 8842 Portage Rd., Portage

Tuesdays, August 5,12,19,26

Trivia Night, 7-9pm Louie’s Trophy House

Wednesdays, August 6, 13,20,27

Paint a Book Brick, 10am-2pm Richland Library

Wednesdays, August 6 & 20

Mugs & Hugs, stories, activities, play, 10-11am, Vicksburg Library

Wednesday, August 6

Teen Movie @ Vicksburg Library, 12-2pm, The group chooses the Movie, we make popcorn.

Wednesdays, August 6,13,20,27

Teen Dungeons & Dragons, 3-5pm, grades 6-12, Register: 629-9085, Richland Library

Wednesdays, August 6,13,20,27

Richland Farmers Market, 3-6, @ Richland Community Center

Wednesdays, August 6,13,20,27

Cruise In’s & Live Music, Gilmore Car Museum, 5-8pm

Wednesdays, August 6,13,20,27 Beats on Bates, Outdoor Concerts, 5:30-8:30, Bates Alley, Kalamazoo

Wednesdays, August 6,13,20,27

Trivia at the Taproom, 7-9pm, Apoptosis Brewing Co., Kal.

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

Kalamazoo Mini Farmers Market, 8am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

Allegan Farmers Market, 8am-2pm, Corner of Water & Cutler St.

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

Free Thursdays, 11am-8pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, August 7

Navigating Modern Media for Children, ages 10 & under, 3-4pm, Richland Library

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

Plainwell Farmers Market 3-6:30pm, 200 Allegan St.

Thursday, August 7

Elementary Movies @ the Vicksburg Library, 4-6pm, Popcorn provided.

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

Teen Dungeons & Dragons, 4:30-6:30pm, Register: 629-9085, Richland Library

Thursday, August 7

Gallery Gathering: West Michigan Area Show, 5:30-6:30pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, August 7

Wine & Euchre, 6-8pm, Sign up ahead, 468 Wine, Portage

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

Triple Threat Trivia, 6:30pm Presidential Brewing Co.

Thursday, August 7

Hollywood Memorabilia Showcase, 7pm, Richland Library

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

King Trivia, 7-9pm, Gull Lake Distilling Co., Galesburg

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

Music Extreme Bingo, 7pm Shakespeare’s Pub

Thursdays, August 7,14,21,28

Music Bingo, 7-9pm, Louie’s Trophy House, Kalamazoo

Friday, August 8

Navigating Modern Media for Teens, grades 6-12, 3-4pm, Richland Library

Saturday, August 9

End of Summer Reading Celebration & Party, 10-11am For toddlers/preschoolers, 12-1 pm tweens/teens Vicksburg Library

Saturday, August 9

Internet Users group, bring Smart Phones, 10am-Noon & questions, Paw Paw Library

Sunday, August 10

Live Concert: Out of Favor Boys, 6-7:30pm, Texas Drive Park

Monday, August 11

Parchment Book Group: The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb, 6pm, Parchment Library

Tuesday, August 12

Tuesdays on the Road, food Trucks, live music, community Woods Lake Elementary Parking lot, Kalamazoo, 5-7:30pm

Tuesday, August 12

Navigating Modern Media for Adults, 6-7pm, Richland Library

Tuesday, August 12

Foster Care Craft & Learn, 6-7pm, Heart for Home Presents a family craft & info. About short term respite foster Care, Paw Paw Library

Tuesday, August 12

Mystery Book club: The Glass Room by Ann Cleeves, 6:30pm Parchment Library

Wednesday, August 13

Birds & Coffee Chat on Zoom: Raptors, 10-11am, register: birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu

Wednesday, August 13

ArtBreak: West Michigan Area Show, 12-1pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, August 14

Teen Break & Bulldog Break, A safe place for teens & tweens Under 18. Crafts, games & treats, 2:45-4:45,Vicksburg Library

Thursday, August 14

Artful Evening: A Conversation With Leo Villareal, 6-7pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, August 14

Friends Read Book Club, 6:307:30pm, Discuss what you are Currently reading & enjoy Refreshments, Paw Paw Library

Friday, August 15

Vicksburg Library @ The Vicksburg Farmers Market in the Pavillion, fun activities, 2-6pm

Saturday, August 16

Latinx Festival, Noon – 10pm Arcadia Creek Festival Place, Kal.

Saturday, August 16

Aviation Steam Day, 10am2pm, Air Zoo, Kalamazoo

Sunday, August 17

Lakeside Concert & Manor House Tours, Noon-5pm Tours: 12-2pm, Concert 3-5pm W.K. Kellogg Manor House

Sunday, August 17

Speaker Series: The Edmund Fitzgerald, 2pm, Vicksburg United Methodist Church

Monday, August 18

STEAM event & activity 11am-noon, Vicksburg Library

Tuesday, August 19

Lego & Duplo Club, 1-2pm & 5:30 – 6:30pm, Vicksburg Library

Tuesday, August 19

Tuesdays on the Road, food Trucks, live music, community Fannie Pell Park, Plainwell, 5:30-7pm

Tuesday, August 19

Meet MI Author: Angeline Boulley 6-7pm, Richland Library

Wednesday, August 20

Book Discussion: Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections between Mathematics & Literature, 2-3pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Wednesday, August 20

Make Bookish Buttons, 2-3pm, register ahead: 349-7775

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, August 21

Kalamazoo Night Market 5-10pn, 1204 Bank St.

Thursday, August 21

Leo Villareal Family Night, 6-8pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, August 21

STEAM event & activity 6-7pm, Vicksburg Library

Thursday, August 21

The Heartbreak Book Club: Breathe the Sky by Michelle Hazen, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library

Thursday, August 21

Between the Lines Book Club: The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library

Thursday, August 21

Slap Your Tail Comedy Open Mic Night, 7:30- 9:30pm, open @ 7pm, Dormouse Theatre, Kal.

Fri., Aug. 22 – Sun., Aug 24

Kalamazoo Balloon Festival $5 Parking, $7 Activities Gull Meadow Farms, Richland

Friday, August 22

Friday at Celery Flats in Portage, Food, music & fun! 5-8pm

Friday, August 22

Movie in the Park: A Minecraft Movie, 8:30-11, Movie 9pm, Celery Flats, Portage

Saturday, August 23

Craft & Vendor Show, 10am3pm, Girl Scouts Heart of MI

Sunday, August 24

Concert in Bronson Park, Kal.: The Andrew Fisher Quartet –Stevie Wonder Tribute, 4-5pm

Monday, August 25

Adult Silent Book Club, 10:30am-Noon, Vicksburg Library

Tuesday, August 26

Tuesdays on the Road, food Trucks, live music, community, 5-7:30, 118 N. Main, Lawton

Wednesday, August 27

ArtBreak: The Lingnan School, 12-1pm, Kalamazoo Institute Of Arts

Thursday, August 28

Summer Jams: A night of local Talent - share your music, Poetry or spoken word, 6-8pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, August 28

Open Mic Comedy Night, 6:30-8:30pm, Sit & Stay Winery, Kal.

Friday, August 29

Jigsaw Puzzle Time for adults

11am-noon, Vicksburg Library