Remember When
Heirloom Furniture, near Galesburg, sold a wide variety of furniture, accents and collectibles for the home, ranging in styles from Victorian to Lodge.
The store had over twenty themed, expertly decorated rooms. I can still recall the Nautical, Western, Lodge, Cabin and Safari rooms. Each room had furniture, décor and fabrics that supported the theme.
They carried thousands of home accents and accessories, including framed art prints, clocks, pillows, throw blankets and afghans, rugs, Yankee Candles, artificial pine trees and greenery swags.
In addition, they sold collectibles and gifts, by popular brands, including: Boyd’s Bears, Bearstones, Folkstones, Dollstones, Noah’s Art, Mill Creek Sculpture and many others. Sports, Civil War and Nautical collectibles were their most popular collectible items.
Comfortable upholstered furniture, including sofas and recliners were available in a variety of fabrics.
They sold quality, solid wood furniture made in the USA. Bedroom suites, dining tables and chairs, living room furniture, home office, curio cabinets, glider rockers, quilt racks and so much more.
I first learned about Heirloom Furniture when I worked in advertising at the Kalamazoo Gazette and was assigned to their account. I enjoyed going to the store each week to meet with owner, Dan Dintaman, to discuss the ad copy. Afterwards, I perused the store and took pictures of the items that were to be advertised the next week. Once I returned back to the office, artist, Norm Goodling, would make line drawings from my photographs. Each intricate line drawing was a work of art that became the focal point in their ads. It didn’t take long to become a customer myself. I recognized the quality of the solid wood furniture, that was made to last! I still have the desk and dresser that I purchased for my son’s bedroom over 30 years ago. My grandsons still use this
Heirloom Furniture, to my daughter, and her family, which continues to stand the test of time for the next generation.
is the pearl of summer, shining with warmth and joy.”
Heirloom Furniture was located in Galesburg, between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. They were a welcome shopping experience, away from the hustle & bustle of the malls in both cities. The store opened at 8418 E. Michigan Ave. (M-96), in an existing 7,000 square foot building that was built on ½ acre lot in 1928. The building now houses the Liquor Outlet.
Many former customers fondly remember their open house events that were held three times a year. They offered over $1,000 in door prizes and refreshments were served. These events were held in conjunction with other local businesses - Bell’s Greenhouse, Kate’s Korner Kupboard and Grant’s Antiques.
Heirloom Furniture was established in 1963 and provided unique home furniture, accents and collectibles in this area over 40 years.
Jackie Merriam
Sources: KG 11/24/96, 11/11/99, KG2/6/2005.
furniture, when they stay overnight. I gifted the solid oak dining table and 6 chairs that I also purchased at
Like a seasonal change of wardrobe, you want your garden and outdoor spaces to reflect well on your fabulous taste. At the same time, you want the trendy flower choices you make to be easy to care for and offer you added benefits and harvests.
From customizing with color to selecting plants that will thrive through the season extremes, an on-trend garden in 2026 will be a breeze if you shop for some of the latest options in the gardening world.
#1 Dahlia
Keep them in full-sun for most bloom production. The center “puff” as the bloom matures is super-cute, too! Cut it as a long stem for a bud vase accent.
#2 Penstemon
These are tall, robust, and tubular flowers that are havens for hummingbirds. These plants tolerate a wide range of soils and conditions, but they really thrive in well-drained soil. Their compact size lets them fit anywhere you have a sunny space.
Photo courtesy of Proven Winners.
We are now into the thick of graduation party season, which I hadn’t given much thought to, until a recent dentist visit, to have my teeth cleaned.
While leaning back in the dental chair, with my mouth wide open, my
#3 Begonia
One of the best “beginner” plants to put in your garden is Begonia. They are drought-tolerant, can take sun or shade locations, and are relatively pest-free. Often found in red or pink flower choices, new plant breeding has introduced white flowers as an option.
#4 Dianthus
From tabletop potted types (below) to hardy perennial choices (above), there will be more Dianthus in gardens this year. Keep dianthus watered regularly and fertilize to maximize flowers and growth. Remove dead flowers (cut them to use indoors!) to promote more blooms. They flower best in spring and again in the fall.
#5
Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan) in general attract many pollinators like bees and butterflies migrating throughout the months. They’re also deer-resistant. They’re hardy to Zone 5a; remove brown foliage after a heavy frost in the fall to prep it for the next garden season.
hygienist, kept me entertained with the details of her daughter’s upcoming graduation party.
I was surprised by the amount of time, energy and money spent on graduation parties these days. The party would include a food truck, a venue rental, decorations and even a theme, in addition to graduation, at this shindig! These wonderful and clever grad party plans, made me reflect back to my own graduation party, which by today’s standards, can best be described as budget friendly!
My mom, the mother of 7, was great at throwing parties on a budget and many of our graduation parties were even “two-fers.” I shared my high school graduation party with
#6 Salvia
Very few pollinators and beneficial insects can resist Salvia plants. The newer breeding brings Salvia choices in all sizes. Salvia are drought-tolerant and sun-loving. You’ll love how low-maintenance it is!
#7 Angelonia
This is the best plant you’ve probably never heard of. The upright flower stalks have orchid-like blooms, and the color range is vast: From White to Cherry and Purple. Angelonia look delicate, but they’re tough and drought- and heat-tolerant – a great choice for busy gardeners. They are deer-resistant and come in several habits. Plant any Angelonia in full sun and watch them thrive.
#8 Zinnia
So easy to start from seed and plant directly in your sunny outdoor space, Zinnia is a friendly puff of color for your garden. Plant a multitude of colors for a prairie effect or go monochromatic for something more custom and elegant. Either way, Zinnias are drought-tolerant once
my brother, who was graduating from college. She ordered a 6-foot sub (which were popular at that time), prepared a few simple sides, ordered a sheet cake, provided lemonade, iced tea, and coffee to drink, and called it a day.
This was a typical graduation party model in the early 1980’s and we were thrilled with it.
Guests brought useful gifts, without the help of a registry! In fact, I am still using the clock radio by General Electric (with AM/FM, digital display and snooze button), that I received as a graduation gift 45 years ago.
Congratulations to all Graduates!
Jackie Merriam
established and attract butterflies for even more interest.
#9
Impatiens
If your outdoors is mostly shaded, you can still enjoy a colorful, flowerfilled space. Impatiens can flower in deep shade under trees or between buildings. They come in soft pink, bright violet, vibrant orange, as well as white and bicolor blooms. National Garden Bureau has designated 2026 as the Year of the Impatiens, which means you’ll be fashion-forward and have it made in the shade. Wedel’s carries New Guinea, SunPatiens and the standard types.
Ready to Set the Trend? Your Most Stylish Season Awaits
These choices above are a great start for gardeners of all abilities and passions. With a little planning, when spring arrives, you’ll be the tastemaker of the neighborhood and enjoying months of easy, trendy living color.
Cover Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Bronson
Katie Rotella, PanAmerican Seed from the National Garden Bureau with edits from Wedel’s
Angelonia
Rudbeckia
Penstemon
Zinnia
Random Acts of Artness
Life doesn’t ever seem to get easier, less busy, or less demanding, does it?
I am reminded to slow down, notice things, enjoy the little moments, but I must be honest with myself and you all--this philosophy isn’t just a simple finger snap and, there you go, instant calm. So, what moves us to do, to strive for more, show up, commit, be invested, give our all? Some of us just can’t slow down. Why is this? It’s passion and purpose.
Nature teaches this. The robin
Passion and Purpose
searching for worms after a fresh rainfall, the bee hovering from flower to flower, the squirrel sitting in a knot of a tree after scurrying to collect nuts. The constant drive of doing can be observed in the creatures all around us. It’s clearly a natural thing, this act of doing. There are differing beliefs that some people work hard to distract themselves from other things, some people work hard to make more money and for the want of material things, and some people work hard despite having or lacking all the things. This last reasoning may be tied to passion and purpose.
If you were to sit with your thoughts for a bit, perhaps while watching that robin tilting its head, feet planted, feeling movement of worms through the dirt below it; or possibly you’re listening to that bumble bee as it moves from one dahlia center to another; or maybe you can feel the wind that blows the tail of that squirrel laying in the hollowed out knot high up in the tree—what would your why be? What drives your purpose? Is there passion for the work you do?
My purpose has been the same for what seems like lifetime, although
it has looked different in the how, covering many years of career changes, from babysitter to office setting. My passion drives my purpose. My passion remains to make life better for at least one person every day; to hold the spotlight on others so they can shine in the way they were meant to sparkle, and to throw some art in where I can. I wonder if nature has little critters that do the same? I imagine if I spent time learning and understanding creature culture, patterns, and behaviors, there are quite a bit of other beings that do this, wholly created to do for others.
I encourage everyone to have a good long sit in nature, observe and learn the purpose, passion, and why from those that fly, and those that hurry, those that rest, and those that listen. Think about why you show up, what you commit to, hurry for, and rest from, and if passion is what moves your purpose and fulfills a need for you to do.
If you lack passion in your dayto-day endeavors, I challenge you to seek it out, to find your why. Working with passion does not come with doing less. You’ll likely be very busy, maybe exhausted, but you’ll be so
content and connected to your purpose, you’ll feel it’s a natural part of who you are and find completeness in the totality of your created self. 20 original art sketches are placed randomly in copies of this month’s edition of the Good News Paper. It may not be great art, it may not even be good art, but it’s art that I do with passion and purpose, and I’d be honored if you find this piece of my why.
Peace, Love, and Art. -Amy Instagram: @amylgieschen
“TheDay
PrehistoryResurfaced
inaMichiganField”
Citizen scientists have a way of changing what we know about the world—often quietly, and often without credentials that would suggest they should. Curiosity tends to outrun titles. Think of Benjamin Franklin. He had little formal scientific training, yet gave us lightning rods, bifocals, lending libraries, and a long list of practical innovations. He followed questions, not job descriptions.
That same instinct showed up one cold day in January 2006. A man from the Mendon area—an archaeology enthusiast with a lifelong interest in the ancient people of the St. Joseph River valley—walked a barren, frozen field near Leonidas. He was doing what many collectors do: scanning the ground for arrowheads and artifacts. Then something unexpected caught his eye. A partial point, exposed just enough to notice. Its shape wasn’t typical. It was thinner, more refined. He knew right away this wasn’t ordinary.
The man was Thomas Talbot. In his hand was a Clovis point.
That matters. The Clovis culture represents some of the earliest known people in North America, dating back roughly 13,000 years to the end of the last Ice Age. They were highly mobile hunter-gatherers, moving in small groups across a landscape that looked nothing like today’s Great Lakes region. What is now southern Michigan was then a shifting mix of retreating glaciers, meltwater lakes, open tundra, and spruce parkland. It was rich with life, but unpredictable.
Clovis people followed that life. They hunted large Ice Age animals— caribou, mammoths and mastodons among them—using finely crafted fluted stone points like the one Talbot found. These were not crude tools. They required skill, planning, and good raw material, sometimes carried over long distances or exchanged between groups. Hunting was central, but not exclusive. They gathered plants and berries and built a flexible diet that matched a changing environment.
Tom has also developed a high level of expertise in identifying
specific varieties of chert and tracing their geological origins across the United States. He often relies on microscopic analysis to examine the structure and composition of the stone, allowing him to determine where it was formed—sometimes pinpointing sources hundreds of miles from where an artifact is found.
That level of detail is more than technical. It adds meaning.
Clovis people did not simply gather whatever stone happened to be nearby. They were selective and deliberate. They sought out high-quality chert and flint, learned where those materials could be found, and either carried them over long distances or acquired them through exchange with other
tells the story. He contacted the University of Michigan. With the landowner’s permission, the site became officially known as the Belson Clovis Site and the oldest known site of human occupation ever found in Michigan. What followed was careful, methodical work. Over the next several years, Talbot and a team of archaeologists surveyed and excavated the area. They worked layer by layer, reading soil that had been accumulating for tens of thousands of years. The deeper they dig, the farther back in time they go. What they found was not a one-time visit, but a pattern. This was a hunting site—one that Clovis groups likely returned to again and again, following seasonal movement of game across the region.
Sites like Belson are rare, especially in the Great Lakes. Most of what we know about Clovis people comes in fragments: a point here, a scatter of stone flakes there, maybe a kill site with bones and tools together. They didn’t build structures that last. They moved lightly. But taken together, these fragments reveal people who were highly adaptable, cooperative, and deeply tuned to their surroundings.
And in this case, that story might have stayed buried if not for one person walking a frozen field, paying attention, and asking a simple question: What is this?
groups.
The stone itself becomes a kind of record. By identifying its source, Tom can help reconstruct ancient patterns of movement, trade, and decisionmaking. It reveals a level of planning and awareness that goes well beyond basic survival. These were not casual toolmakers—they understood their materials, valued them, and used them with purpose.
Tom could have slipped that point into his pocket and called it a good day. That’s often how such finds end—isolated objects, stripped of context. Instead, he recognized something more important: where an artifact sits in the ground can matter more than the artifact itself. Context
The work is far from finished. In fact, it may be just beginning. Researchers are now examining microscopic traces of protein on and around the recovered tools— residue left behind from animals processed thousands of years ago. Those traces can reveal what was hunted or butchered at the site, from small fish to massive Ice Age mammals. It’s careful, patient work, but it has the potential to sharpen the picture in ways earlier generations could not. What began with a single point in a frozen field may, over the coming years, grow into one of the clearest windows we have into how these early people lived, moved, and survived.
James D. Coppinger
For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/
Fiv Five: A No e: Nov
Five strangers meet at a train station, but only four will leave alive. Readers are challenged to predict the victim from among a cast of flawed, unlikable characters whose backstories are unexpectedly gripping. This thought-provoking thriller is an ideal book club pick that will spark a different debate for every reader
Mason,
A P A Pararade of Horrib ade of Horriblles es Matt Dinniman (Ace)
Coming in off the back of a complex and scope-changing Book 7, Book 8 reminds readers of the horrible truth of the Dungeon: for all of their drive and cleverness, Carl and Princess Donut are still just a man and his talking cat trapped in an AI-controlled game that is trying to kill them. This interesting shift in scope and pacing reminds readers of the players' predicament
Public Library, VA
read-alike: Delicious in Dungeon series by
T The Cal he Calamity Club amity Kathryn Stockett (Spiegel & Grau)
In Depression-era Mississippi, a girl trapped in a Dickensian orphanage and a young woman trying to lift her family out of financial ruin cross paths Young Meg feels trapped, while Birdy is faced with family issues that run deep. This dualnarrated story is totally engrossing, and readers will be rooting for the characters
I Kno Know A Pl w Place: Rest Stop and ace: Rest Other Dark Detours Nat Cassidy (Shortwave Publishing)
Nat Cassidy is one of horror's more unique voices. This short story collection is terrifying and filled with relatable characters. These wild, grim, violent stories unfold as if the author has sidled up to you at a bar and started sharing them. And you simply can't stop listening.
T The L he Last P ast Page age Katie Holt (Alcove Press)
Ella thinks she’s going to inherit the used bookstore where she has worked for years, but is devastated when a grandson shows up as the new owner Now they must put aside their rivalry, and their off-the-charts chemistry, to save the store The characters' clever book reviews at the start of every chapter also serve to carry the plot forward.
John of John John of Douglas Stuart (Grove Atlantic)
Aimless art student Cal returns to his isolated Scottish home, forced to navigate his grandmother’s illness and a community that won’t accept his sexuality The story leans into incredible dialogue and raw evolving relationships with complicated people readers can't help but care about
Cal Calller Unkno er Unknown wn Gillian McAllister (William Morrow)
Simone comes to Texas from the UK to visit her daughter, Lucy. Lucy is kidnapped, and the perpetrators force Simone into trafficking drugs into Mexico for Lucy’s safe return. When a confrontation goes wrong, Lucy and Simone are reunited, but are suddenly on the run from the law. The story is breathtaking, and readers will constantly be on edge, wondering if and when the pair will be caught—and what the consequences will be
T The Burning Side he Sarah Damoff (Simon & Schuster)
April and Leo’s marriage is already on the brink when a devastating fire levels their home. Forced to retreat to April s childhood home with their children, they must navigate generational trauma and deep-seated grief alongside her parents and siblings. Amidst the literal and figurative ashes, the couple struggles to determine if their relationship is worth salvaging.
A F A Fortune of Sand ortune Ruta Sepetys (Ballantine Books)
When Marjorie covertly joins an artists’ residency in Prohibition Era Detroit run by a secretive benefactor, she finds both inspiration and compelling secrets Intriguing family dynamics and cons-within-cons abound in this novel set among monied families with ties to the growing auto industry
Bone of My Bone Bone Johanna van Veen (Poisoned Pen Press)
Sister Ursula, a nun fleeing brutal soldiers in 1635, meets Elsebeth, a peasant surviving the Thirty Years War. They escape into the Bavarian forest, experiencing the horrors of the undead while followed by a necromancer. This atmospheric, haunting folk horror read is told from multiple points of view
—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, OH NoveList read-alike: Mother, May I? by Joshilyn Jackson
Ilona Bannister (Crown)
—Marika Zemke Commerce Twp Community Library, MI NoveList read-alike: 59 Minutes by Holly Seddon
—Aaron
Radford
NoveList
Ryoko Kui
—Donna Ballard, LibraryReads Ambassador, NJ NoveList read-alike: The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows
—Lila Denning, St Petersburg Library System, FL NoveList read-alike: Midnight Somewhere by Johnny Compton
—Emily Orth, Surprise Public Library, AZ NoveList read-alike: The Heart of Winter by Jonathan Evison
—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI NoveList read-alike: Crucible by John Sayles
Migdalia Jimenez, Chicago Public Library, IL NoveList read-alike: Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
—Magan Szwarek, LibraryReads Ambassador, IL NoveList read-alike: Family Meal by Bryan Washington
—Kristin Skinner, Flat River Community Library, MI NoveList read-alike: Angel Down by Daniel Kraus
heart of the home Honoring My Father
As a little girl, I would tiptoe down the stairs into the basement, peek around the corner to watch my father. There he was, most every single evening after he came home from work, leaning into his painting. During the days, he was a commercial artist. In the evenings, he was simply – an artist. No greater passion for Viestarts Aistars. No greater hero for me.
Born in Dobele, Latvia, in 1927, my father was the eldest of four brothers. When the Soviet army
invaded the Baltic countries during World War II, the Aistars family packed up what they could hold in hand and escaped into the night to avoid deportation to Siberia. Even after years living in a displaced persons camp in Germany, my father never stopped thinking of Latvia as his home. He never stopped longing to return, but the Soviet occupation would last for half a century, and the Aistars family would eventually be forced to create a new home in the United States.
Art was what carried him through those difficult years of surviving a war, a loss of home, establishing a new one in a strange country far away in a language he didn’t know and a culture alien to him. When he married my mother, whose life story was similar, and grew their new family with my sister and then me, he stayed true to his passion. He mastered enough English to earn his degree at the Art Institute of Chicago, and he earned his citizenship after serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean war (yes, non-citizens get drafted into the military here).
Thinking about my father as I mark another Father’s Day without him— he died in 2020 at the age of 93—I
have to wonder how many people in the United States fully realize what it means to lose one’s home to be thrust into an unknown world, forced to reinvent oneself and one’s life, starting with nothing but grit. We live in a time when immigrants are too often treated with disrespect if not cruelty. What would you pack if you could carry only what you can hold in your hands? Where would you go if you were driven from your home in the dark of night under the threat of deportation or execution as an invading army approaches? How would you establish a new life, a new home?
Peeking around the corner of my father’s art studio in our basement, I watched my father paint. He loved watercolor the most, but he also painted in oils, sitting at an easel. Nearly all of his art captured images of the home he had lost or the people of his ancestry wearing the national folk costumes of Latvia.
When he wasn’t painting, as I grew up, we would take walks at night, just the two of us, and he would tell me stories of his homeland, the home of my ancestors. He would tell me of his childhood, his early youth, the beauty of that county on the Baltic Sea. The Latvian language, my first until I
attended public school and the only language spoken in our family, was our connecting thread to that faraway land.
Wherever we might live, home is the place in our hearts, no matter where we are. Home is in the family that surrounds us. Home is in the art that expresses our love and longing.
Zinta Aistars
June. Graduation celebrations. Father’s Day. The official first day of summer. Vacations.
I recall a trip with my parents to Busch Gardens. I was maybe seven or eight years old. I remember the Clydesdales, which is perhaps why I love every Clydesdale Superbowl commercial to this day. I also remember standing next to the life size Tuscan Bird (a person in one of those animal costumes). I still remember how bad that bird smelled!
If you were to ask about highlights from other vacations, I would have similar stories. Not Clydesdales and less than aromatic birds! I would share my most treasured recollections, which include the unplanned bumps that make some of the best memories.
Like the road trip my husband and I took to South Dakota. Our
destination plans included seeing the badlands and the corn palace, after a stop in Minnesota to visit the Arctic Cat snowmobile factory. Our transportation was a Ford Ranger. (Note, my first brand new vehicle, one my husband had put a nice tonneau cover on.) Based on our budget at the time, our lodging was a tent.
Night one, in a campground in Minnesota, found us inside our tent holding it down through a rainstorm that suddenly arrived and took what felt like several hours to leave. I anticipate the storm was as quick as the clapping thunder, but my memory has embellished it to feel like all night.
Fast forward to a nice KOA campsite in Deadwood, nestled on a hill above the historic town and below the infamous cemetery where Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane are
laid to rest. Sunshine filled day one we embarked on an adventure to visit underground caves. Afterwards, driving down a long road through mostly open prairie, we saw something splat in the road a few feet in front of us. Then another splat. And then a couple of more as we realized it was hail!
We did our best to seek cover below a few towering pine trees whose limbs were not very sheltering as we listened to several hammers (aka hail) strike the roof and hood of the ranger, while also watching as the hail ripped the tonneau cover.
It was the next day or two when after a beautiful scenic drive through Fort Custer State Park and strong wind - did I mention strong – that we returned to camp to discover our tent lying on the ground. When we went to put the stakes back up, we
discovered our tent was in shreds. No. No bear. No vandalism. Just good rain-soaked stress, frail for mother’s nature’s huffs and puffs.
We swooped everything up in our arms, shoved it under our ripped tonneau cover, and drove a few hours east to a hotel, making sure we saved enough money to get us home the next day. I remember seeing the signs for Corn Palace as our dented ranger headed home.
In case you are thinking “what a bad vacation!,” I find this to be one of my best. Perhaps for the metaphor it holds about life. No matter the storm, it is who we have beside us that makes it all an adventure worth remembering.
Wishing you a memorable summer.
Christine Hassing https://christinehassing.com
Chuck, Bob, Frank and Mayo The Sad Season of the 1966 Detroit Tigers
Longtime Detroit Tigers fans have experienced some great seasons, including world championship teams in 1968 and 1984, and further back, 1945 and 1935. The Tigers have also experienced disappointing seasons, marked either by many losses or by missed opportunities to win it all. But few Tigers teams—or major league baseball clubs in general— have experienced the true sorrow of the 1966 Tigers. The team didn’t perform badly: Their record was 88-74 with a third-place finish in the
American League.
The Tigers had four managers in 1966. The first two died within 10 weeks of each other. But all four played a role in developing the team that won the memorable 1968 World Series in seven games against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Tigers started the 1966 campaign under Charlie “Chuck” Dressen (pronounced DREE-sen), who had been hired as the team’s manager in mid-season of 1963. Born in 1894, Dressen had played eight seasons as a major league third baseman, then managed and coached for more than three decades. He also played quarterback for the NFL’s Chicago Staleys before they changed their name to the Bears. Dressen deserves credit for mentoring and helping select many fan-favorite standouts who would play on the 1968 championship team, including Michigan natives Bill Freehan, Willie Horton, Jim Northrup and Mickey Stanley, as well as Mickey Lolich, Denny McLain and Earl Wilson.
On May 16, just 26 games into the 1966 season, Dressen suffered a heart attack, his second in less than a year. He was put on medical leave and in his absence the Tigers named Bob Swift as manager. Swift, a major
league catcher for 14 seasons, had played with the 1945 world champion Tigers.
The Tigers had a respectable 32-25 record at the All-Star break in midJuly, but during that break, Swift was hospitalized for what he thought was a stomach problem. However, tests revealed that Swift actually had inoperable lung cancer. The day after the All-Star break, the Tigers named coach Frank Skaff acting manager.
In early August, Chuck Dressen appeared to be recovering but suddenly died of another heart attack on August 10th at age 71.
Frank Skaff finished the season as acting manager, the team achieving a record of 40-39 under his leadership. The Tigers played their last game of the ’66 season on October 2nd and 15 days later, Bob Swift died from his lung cancer at age 51. Frank Skaff later served as the Tigers’ first base coach, for a single season under Billy Martin in 1971 but never managed again.
On October 3rd, the day after the Tigers’ last game, they hired a new manager for the 1967 season. Edward “Mayo” Smith had played just one season in the Majors, 1945, then managed for five seasons. He had most recently been a scout for the
New York Yankees. Smith rearranged the Tigers’ puzzle pieces that had been gathered by Dressen, Swift, and Skaff, and led the 1967 Tigers to an exceptional season that saw the team lose the pennant to the Boston Red Sox on the heartbreaking last day of the season
But the following season, the 1968 Tigers won it all.
Tony Ettwein
HistoryZoo1837@gmail.com
Photo Index
A. The legendary Chuck Dressen managed the Tigers from 1963 to 1966
B.The Tigers second manager in 1966, Bob Swift, was a catcher with the 1945 world champion Tigers
C. Frank Skaff, who finished the ’66 Tigers season as acting manager, as an infielder for the 1935 Brooklyn Dodgers
D. Mayo Smith was hired as the Tigers 1967 manager the day after the end of the team’s heartbreaking ’66 season
E. Veteran player-manager Chuck Dressen was the Tigers’ first manager in 1966
SPRING is back, and with it comes one of our favorite feelings… market season is finally here! This season of Vintage in the Zoo marks something especially meaningful, our 10th Season of hosting Vintage and Handmade Market events for this incredible community. It’s hard to put into words what that milestone means to our team, family, vendors, and everyone who has supported this journey along the way.
What started as a dream rooted in creativity, sustainability, and community has grown into something far beyond what we ever imagined. Over the years we’ve watched hundreds of small businesses launch, artists discover new audiences, friendships formed between vendors and shoppers, and thousands of people gather around the shared joy of shopping small. We are endlessly grateful to every person who has attended an event, told a friend, or believed in what we are building together. Season 10 is shaping up to be one of our biggest and most exciting years yet.
This winter kept us busy with the continuation of our “Night Shop”
Season 10 Preview
pop-up series at Louie’s Trophy House. These events have become one of our favorite traditions, bringing together vintage vendors and an amazing party atmosphere that helps carry us through winter. Combined with the sounds from DJ Dan Steely and his guest DJ’s, the energy has been top notch.
Last year also marked the beginning of an exciting partnership with Western Michigan University, we’re thrilled to continue expanding those events this season. The response from students, faculty, and the greater Kalamazoo community exceeded all expectations during our inaugural “Vintage Crash Market” events. Bringing vintage clothing, music, and
small business culture directly onto campus has created a unique and welcoming environment.
Our outdoor market season officially kicks off this spring with returning events at both the Grand Rapids Downtown Market and the Kalamazoo Farmers Market. These events have become the heart of our regular season, and we could not be more excited to welcome everyone back. We want every market to feel like more than just a shopping event, we want it to feel like a celebration of creativity and community connection.
As we reflect on ten seasons of Vintage in the Zoo, we are overwhelmed with gratitude. None of this happens without the vendors who
trust us with their businesses, and our team who work tirelessly behind the scenes, our families who support the vision, and the thousands of shoppers who continue to show up year after year. Watching this community grow has been one of the greatest honors of our lives.
Season 10 is here and we truly believe it will be our best yet. We hope you’ll join us at an event this year and continue helping us grow the “Free to all, come shop small” mantra that has guided Vintage in the Zoo from day one. We’ll see you soon!
Patrick Turner / Megan Zielke Vintage in the Zoo | Vintageinthezoo.com
Adult Summer Camps Are a Thing And Honestly We Need Them
Somewhere along the way we stopped having fun.
Not the scrolling on your phone while half watching Netflix kind of fun.
I mean real fun. The kind where you lose track of time, laugh without thinking, and feel like yourself again. Instead, we wake up tired, push through the day, and tell ourselves we will rest later.
But here is what I see every single day in my work.
Later does not come. Burnout does.
And that is exactly why adult summer camps and retreats are becoming so popular right now.
Wait Adult Summer Camps Are Actually a Thing
Yes and not in a weird way. In a this makes so much sense way.
We are talking about full camp experiences for adults. Cabins. Campfires. Activities. Connection.
Except this time you do not have to worry about curfew and no one is emailing you.
Here are some real ones people are going to right now.
Social and Classic
Camp Experience
Camp No Counselors
A three day all inclusive camp with games, lake time, themed parties, and actual connection.
Club Getaway
Tons of activities including zip lining, water sports, fitness classes, or just relaxing if that is what you need.
Connection and Women Focused Retreats
Camp Social
Built for women who want connection without pressure. Real conversations and real friendships.
Campowerment
Personal growth meets camp energy.
A mix of healing, empowerment, and fun.
Wellness and Reset Retreats
BookRetreats United States Options
From yoga retreats to quiet reading escapes. Doing nothing is finally allowed.
Soul Camp
Mindfulness, movement, and emotional reset wrapped into a camp style experience.
Adventure and Growth Based Experiences
NOLS Adult Expeditions
Wilderness based experiences that build resilience and confidence.
Adult Space Academy
You can literally train like an astronaut.
Why Are Adults Actually Doing This
Because people are exhausted. Not just tired.
Mentally overloaded, emotionally drained, constantly on.
And most people do not actually know how to rest anymore.
These camps remove decision fatigue, pressure to perform, and constant stimulation.
You do not have to plan. You do not have to be on. You just show up.
What This Does for Your Mental Health
This is not just fun. This is regulation, reconnection, and reset.
Your nervous system slows down. You reconnect with yourself. You experience real connection. Your mind finally gets quiet.
And that is where change actually begins.
And Let’s Talk About Play
Play is not childish.
Play is regulating.
Play is healing.
Play is how we reconnect.
Most adults do not give themselves permission to do it anymore.
These spaces bring that back.
So Should You Go
If you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or emotionally tired in a way sleep does not fix
Then yes this might be exactly what you need.
Not as an escape. But as a reset.
Which Retreat
Do You Need
Because the truth is not everyone needs the same kind of reset. Take a second and go with your gut.
1. When you think about getting away what sounds best
A. Laughing, being social, meeting new people
B. Deep conversations and meaningful connection
C. Quiet, calm, reading, journaling
D. Pushing yourself, trying something new, being outside
2. Your current stress level feels like
A. I am bored and need energy
B. I feel disconnected from people
C. I am mentally and emotionally drained
D. I feel stuck and need a challenge
3. What do you actually need right now
A. Fun
B. Connection
C. Rest
D. Growth
Your Results
Mostly A Social Camp Reset
You need energy, laughter, and lightness.
Camp No Counselors Club Getaway
Mostly B Connection Retreat
You do not need more people you need real people.
Camp Social Campowerment
Mostly C Wellness Reset Retreat Your nervous system needs a break. BookRetreats
Soul Camp
Mostly D Adventure Growth Experience
You are ready to push yourself and shift something deeper.
NOLS Expeditions
Adult Space Academy Final Thought
You do not need to earn rest. You do not need to hit burnout to take a break.
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is step away long enough to come back clearer, calmer, and more like yourself.
Dr. Julie Sorenson, LPC, LMHC
References
Camp No Counselors. 2026. Adult summer camps. Retrieved from Club Getaway. 2026. Camp for adults. Retrieved from Camp Social. 2026. Adult camp experiences. Retrieved from Campowerment. 2026. Adult retreat experiences. Retrieved from NOLS. 2026. Adult expeditions. Retrieved from BookRetreats. 2026. Adult retreats in the United States. Retrieved from U.S. Space and Rocket Center. 2026. Adult Space Academy. Retrieved from
Recipes Sizzlin’ Summer Sticks!
I don’t know why but the minute the warmer weather comes along I immediately start craving things that are sizzled on sticks, which also happens to be the world’s oldest form of barbecue!
Perhaps it’s because of those sensory memories that tie back to childhood barbecues that I so loved, or perhaps it’s even more deeply stitched into me from an ancestral, primitive past. Regardless, I know I am not alone because almost every culture has its own version of meals on a stick, so it’s clearly a cooking technique that has all nations savoring this style of simplified cooking.
The Japanese have yakitori, the French have brochettes. Oriental cook satay while Peruvian make anticuchos. The Spanish make pinchos morunos while the Armenian make shashlik, and Turkish make showy shish kebabs!
According to “A Mediterranean Feast” by Clifford A. Wright (1997), the origin of skewer style roasting does tie back to Turkish history of nomadic and seminomadic life when cooking literally on-the-go over open-field fires was very common. Ironically, our modern lives have us more on-the-go than ever, making meat on a stick an ideal way to both cook and eat today. Whether having
guests or a family meal the versatility of skewers enables us to put a meal together that pleases everyone and since everything is cut into bite-sized pieces it cooks quickly, too.
I personally love that skewers can (and should) be prepared in advance, which enables the cook to relax and enjoy some time with those present for the meal.
Skewers offer us the ability to travel around the world with our tastebuds, too. Don’t be afraid to try a variety of recipes, which can span anywhere from Turkish to Greek to Middle East, or Indian or Asian, too. For fun, do be sure to add in your own American twist on these cuisines, which will make the dish a signature that’s unique to only you!
The biggest secret to a great skewer
is in your marinade. They not only infuse flavors not found naturally in the food, but also add extra moisture, which helps prevent the food from drying out while cooking. When using a marinade, be sure to get the air out of the package before sealing the bag. This ensures the contents gets saturated with the marinade. Turning/flipping the bag often while marinating also helps ensure even saturations of all pieces. Many supermarkets now carry packaged spice blends as well as bottled marinades and sauces, which add even more ease into lending flavor to quickly-cooked skewers.
I say experiment. Try using your favorite salad dressings or sauces with your favorite cut of meat, seafood, and or vegetables and fruits. I’ve
found that sweet French dressing adds a new level of flavor to grilled shrimp, and Asian oyster sauce is quick and easy way to elevate the flavor of most beef. Simply coat the beef cubes with oyster sauce just before, and then immediately after, grilling and you can closely mimic that great taste of those ‘Sizz Steak’ appetizers served in Asian restaurants.
Try experimenting with the skewers themselves, too. A strong rosemary stem makes a pretty and flavor-infusing skewer.
For those of you who are in a real hurry, look for pre-assembled skewers in the meat and frozen food sections of your favorite grocery store or better yet, pre-make a double batch of skewers, taking them all the way to the point that they are ready for the grill, then place half of them in vacuum freezer bags so they are waiting in your freezer for those days when you need something quick, hearty, and delicious!
It is so easy to make skewers at home and honestly, what’s more fun than eating meal on a stick? Here now are some flavorful ways to create your own sizzlin’ stick feast. Enjoy!
Laura Kurella is an award-winning home cook who loves to share recipes from her Michigan kitchen. She welcomes comment at laurakurella@yahoo. com.
Recipes South Pacific Skewers
Yield: 6 servings
1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can unsweetened
pineapple chunks
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 large green pepper, 1-inch pieces
12 medium mushrooms
18 cherry tomatoes cooked rice, warmed
Place cubed chicken into large shallow dish.
Drain pineapple, reserve 1/2 cup juice. Set pineapple aside. In a small saucepan, combine juice with soy sauce, vegetable oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, dry mustard, and fresh ground pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Pour over chicken. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving marinade. On a skewer, alternate chicken, pineapple, green pepper, mushrooms, and tomato pieces. Grill kabobs over hot coals for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, turning and basting frequently with the reserved marinade. Serve over hot rice.
Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Skewers
Yield: 6 servings
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon minced canned chipotle
Chiles in adobo
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon unrefined (colored) sea
salt
1-pound large shrimp, shelled and de-veined
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
In a large bowl, combine the honey, Chile pepper, garlic, and salt. Add
shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Remove shrimp from marinade, reserving marinade. Thread shrimp through the tail and head onto skewers. Grill over direct high heat for 2 to 4 minutes, turning once halfway through grilling time and basting with reserved marinade. Arrange skewers on a serving dish and sprinkle with the cilantro.
Southwest Michigan Wedding Venue
Historic orchard estate specializing in full weekend weddings, with overnight lodging for friends and family on the grounds. Enjoy rehearsal, ceremony, and reception among our seasonal flower gardens and wooded backdrops, as well as a secluded riverside honeymoon suite for the happy couple, all conveniently located in downtown Plainwell.
Free Meals for Youth Under 18 through the Rural Non-Congregate Meal Program
The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo is proud to announce that it will offer its free meal program for local families this summer, through the State of Michigan’s Rural Non-Congregate Meal Service program.
Beginning the week of Wednesday, June 24, children 18* years of age and under can receive a bundle of seven healthy breakfasts and lunches each week. These bundles ensure youth have nutritious meals throughout the week, helping to combat summer hunger. Legal guardians and parents are welcome to pick up meals for their children. Youth need to be present. Bundles will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
*Persons with disabilities 26 years old and under also qualify for this
meal program.
The Y is finalizing the details for a second location on the east side of Kalamazoo County and will be announced at a later date.
Y staff will be in the parking lot at the Kalamazoo Public Library, Oshtemo Branch on West Main St., every Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM through August 19. [There will be a drive-thru line available -- grab and go style -- for easier loading of bags and milk gallons.]
Bobby Ludwick, VP of Youth Services and Grants, shares, “Offering this program builds on our strong legacy of providing meals to our community. For us, Youth Development starts with meeting basic needs,
and providing healthy meals helps make sure kids are getting what they need and gives peace of mind to parents and guardians.”
The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo is no stranger to providing essential meals to the community. For the past six summers, the Y has served as a Congregate Meal Site, offering free lunches to youth 18 and under through the State of Michigan’s Meet Up & Eat Up program in a social setting. This program is vital in preventing summer hunger, which can lead to summer learning loss, often called “summer slide,” for children in low-income areas where 50 percent or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
Beyond summer food programs,
the Y also demonstrated its commitment to feeding families during a critical time through the COVID lockdown, when local schools were closed and families lacked access to school meals. During this period, the Y pivoted from its traditional youth programs and health and fitness services to distribute over 137,340 meals to youth and families as part of its COVID Emergency outreach efforts. #No Kid Hungry #kzooymca #youthdevelopment #freemealsforkids
Vicky Kettner
Association Director of Marketing, Community Relations, and Member Engagement
Health Turning Down the Volume on Food Noise
No, this isn’t about wearing ear plugs when you’re eating your Rice Krispies. It’s about persistent thoughts about food, like thinking about what you’ll have for dinner, once you’ve finished breakfast. Or hearing the call of Moose Tracks ice cream in your freezer as you drive home from work.
According to a recent article in the Harvard Health Newsletter, persistent thoughts about food are a real issue for people who struggle to maintain a healthy weight. “Food Noise” even has its own definition: “persistent thoughts about food that a person perceives as unwanted or distressing and that may cause social, mental, or physical problems.” Giving some thought to food is important, especially if a person is trying to eat healthier or planning a meal for the family. But problems arise when that thinking starts to feel more rigid and gets in the way of living one’s life.
For some, trying to lose weight is a full-time job. Past experiences or restrictive diet, weight cycling, or repeated attempts to lose weight through deprivation can increase our thoughts about food. Limiting food contributes to your body thinking about scarcity when there was an abundance of food before. This amplifies “food noise” and encourages you to seek out food. Commercials
touting pizza, chips, or the latest fastfood creation don’t help.
Food noise can be challenging, but some lifestyle habits can help turn down the volume.
Eat regular, balanced meals. Skipping meals or eating at unpredictable times can trigger stronger urges to think about food. A more structured meal routine may help lower anxiety about food. Including some protein and fiber in every meal, may help
by taking more time for the food to digest, thereby prolonging the feeling of being full.
Practice mindful eating techniques. Eating with more intention can help you enjoy your food more. Experts recommend sitting down to eat your meals, rather than eating them onthe-go. Minimize distractions like phones, tablets, television, and print so that you can give your food full attention. Practice putting your fork
down between bites.
Prioritize sleep and exercise to manage your stress. Ongoing stress can cause your body to produce more cortisol, a hormone that can boost appetite and spur stress eating. To make stress more manageable, focus on getting enough sleep and aim for 30 minutes of activity most days of the week.
Take a step back from the noise. When you feel a thought about food coming on, take a deep breath and distance yourself from it. Think of the feeling like a cloud moving across the sky and let it pass. The ability to resist engaging with those thoughts takes time and practice. Each time you practice this technique, you reinforce a healthier response.
Get help if you need it. If food noise persists, consider discussing it with a qualified health professional. A multidisciplinary approach includes nutrition, exercise, behavioral counseling and sometimes medication.
There’s really no one-size-fits-all solution to food noise, but there are many ways to manage it. Good luck. Remember to MAKE the day great and be kind.
Till next time,
Ken Dettloff ACE
Personal and Brain Health Trainer
Kick off summer with the 75th Annual Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair in beautiful Bronson Park, located on the corner of Park and South Streets in downtown Kalamazoo. The Arts Fair began in 1951 in Bronson Park as the “Clothesline Art Show,” creating an opportunity for artists to show and sell their work. Celebrating its 75th year in 2026, it is the second oldest continuously running juried arts fair in the United States. The KIA Arts Fair will feature up to 145 fine artists in 12 distinct mediums presenting their jaw dropping, one of a kind works of fine art to collect, wear and use.
Shop a wide selection of fine artists working in a variety of mediums and including:
• Jewelry, Precious & Non-Precious
• Photography, Digital Media
• Drawing, Pastels & Prints
• 2D & 3D Mixed Media
• Metal, Sculpture
• Fiber, Leather
• Ceramics
• Painting
• Wood
• Glass & more!
“The 75th KIA Arts Fair is both a celebration of our history and a reflection of our future. For genera-
tions, this event has made art accessible, supported artists, and energized downtown Kalamazoo. It’s also a powerful reminder of the role the arts play in bringing people together, fostering creativity, and strengthening our region. As a community-focused art institution, we’re proud to continue that legacy—inspiring new audiences, celebrating artists, and helping to shape the vibrancy of our city.” says Michelle Hargrave, Executive Director of the KIA.
Throughout Friday and Saturday, you can partake in strolling, shopping, live entertainment, kids’ activities, artist demonstrations led by the Kirk Newman Art School. Food trucks and seating will be available during the two-day event.
The Arts Fair is FREE and open to everyone, welcoming all to visit the KIA with free admission on Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, allowing visitors a last chance look at the Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks exhibition before it closes on Sunday, June 7 (more information on Future Now below).
Awards Reception
On Saturday, June 6, at 10am, the “Best in Category” and the “Student Award” winners will be announced, with winners in each category receiving a cash prize.
New to the Arts Fair this year is the People’s Choice Award. Vote on Friday (3-8 pm) in the park, must be
present to cast your vote! Awards will be announced at 10am on Saturday. The People’s Choice Award is sponsored by Discover Kalamazoo.
Live Music and Other Activities
Live music on the Bronson Park Stage, presented by the KIA and Sounds of the Zoo, runs throughout the weekend as well. More information regarding live music performances will be available soon.
The KIA is proud to celebrate and be a part of JumpstART Summer weekend featuring the KIA Arts Fair, Art on the Mall, the Do Dah Parade and Kalamazoo Pride. Join us in Bronson Park for an unforgettable celebration of creativity, community, and the power of the arts for our milestone 75th KIA Arts Fair!
Please check back throughout the year as Participating Artists and schedules are confirmed.
For more information about the 75th Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair, or to sponsor or volunteer at the event visit https://www.kiarts.org/ arts-fair/
About Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks (Open Now!)
Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is a groundbreaking exhibition featuring nearly 60 futuristic footwear designs pushing the boundaries of what footwear can be. Exhibiting an incredible mix of fashion, design, gaming, new media, architecture, and material arts as well as sustainable and collabora-
tive practices, the exhibition showcases work by designers as diverse as Rem D. Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid, innovators Mr. Bailey and Salehe Bembury, as well as designs made in collaboration with fashion icons Rick Owens, Stella McCartney, and Yohji Yamamoto, and top gaming and innovation companies such as PlayStation, Gravity Sketch, and more.
Future Now features sections exploring Innovation, Sustainability, Transformative, and Virtual shoes. Exhibition highlights include the self-lacing Nike MAG (first conceived for the movie Back to the Future Part II), digitally designed and 3D-printed shoes, sneakers made from mushroom leather and reclaimed ocean plastics, virtual footwear, and more.
The Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks exhibition is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.
Extended Hours on FREE Thursdays
Enjoy free general admission and extended hours until 8pm on Thursdays thanks to generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program and the Efroymson Family Fund.
Free Thursdays removes barriers and opens doors to inspiration, learning, and connection, whether someone is a lifelong art enthusiast or just wants to explore and reflect.
Serving Ice Cream and Smiles
Fifteen years ago Kathleen and Andy Widner were in the final stages before the grand opening of their small business. Driven by what Kathleen describes as “Andy’s midlife crisis,” the couple had been entertaining, then fulfilling, an idea of Andy’s about what it would look like to own their own business and to be their own bosses rather than continuing work under the constraints of a regular job. They were a few months shy of their dream becoming a total reality, and were excited to see what the future had in store while also reflecting on how they got there.
Kathleen was raised in Morgantown, West Virginia and graduated from West Virginia University before following her parents to Kalamazoo, Michigan. She met Andy, who grew up in Concord, Michigan, and graduated from Western Michigan University, at Bourbon Street Bar in Kalamazoo, and their connection sparked a 30-year marriage and the raising of their two daughters in Plainwell.
Andy had been working in banking for the first 20 years of his career and was beginning to find the job more frustrating than enjoyable. He longed for something more meaningful in
his career. He dreamed about what it could mean to start a business and initiated conversations with Kathleen about actually pursuing it. They were the perfect team: Andy’s knowledge of the financial aspect paired with Kathleen’s experience in marketing and advertising could only mean success for future store owners. The Widners were determined to open their own business.
The Widners met with Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated and the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center for guidance. Both organizations helped the Widners find resources such as lawyers, architects, and mentors. As for what kind of store they wanted, the Widners wanted to bring their favorite sweet treat, Plainwell ice cream into downtown Kalamazoo where there wasn’t yet an ice cream shop. The Widners were advised to pair ice cream sales with something else that would sustain the shop during the winter months when ice cream wouldn’t be as popular, so they planned to sell Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College merchandise to create a local spirit shop. They aptly named their
store The Spirit of Kalamazoo.
In the years after their grand opening, Kathleen and Andy have expanded their merchandise to include more Kalamazoo and Michigan themed items, like clothing, glassware, and tchotchkes. Their customers varied from people looking for gifts for their out-of-town families, tourists wanting a memento from their trip to Michigan, or locals who were proud to be from Kalamazoo. Not to mention the hundreds of children who wanted a scoop of ice cream on a hot day.
The Widners agreed that they couldn’t have picked a better location for their store. Downtown Kalamazoo has a lovely community among the business owners themselves and the customers they serve. Andy and Kathleen enjoy chatting with visitors and getting to know their regular customers. They employ local college students to help manage the store, and they both enjoy meeting new, young personalities who are just beginning their careers and futures.
As the Widners prepare for their 15th summer with The Spirit of Kalamazoo, they are looking forward to upcoming downtown events such as Kids in the Zoo on June 13th.
They plan on having a
The Spirit of Kalamazoo will celebrate its 15th anniversary this September. While there aren’t specific plans yet, Kathleen and Andy are preparing for having a celebration. “We’re so grateful to still be here,” Kathleen said.
I’m also grateful for the existence of The Spirit of Kalamazoo. I worked my first job there under Andy and Kathleen, and had a blast being downtown, scooping ice cream, and chatting with the Widners. I visit the store when I can, especially when I’m craving that delicious Plainwell ice cream. Thank you, Andy and Kathleen, for your support of Kalamazoo and me, and congrats on 15 years!
Carson Williams
special kid’s ice cream sundae as well as featuring a bubble machine at the door.
Kathleen & Andy Widner
Dinosaur Explorer journeys through the wildest, wackiest and most wondrous dinosaurs to examine how the human body really works through the lens of these creatures. Although they lived millions of years before us, dinosaurs adapted to thrive on Earth. Join us as we explore and understand the most fascinating organisms in history.
Exhibit highlights Dinosaur Explorer invites you on an unforgettable adventure to explore the world through new eyes, compare yourself to the strangest and silliest dinosaurs, and create a whole new understanding of the most fascinating organisms in known history. And, who knows — maybe ancient history won’t feel so far away.
Through a series of dynamic displays that feature advanced animatronic dinosaurs, authentic casts and actual fossils along with highly interactive hands-on activities, you
will learn the science behind dinosaur adaptations and understand the connections humans share with our prehistoric predecessors.
As you move through a series of vibrant vignettes, you will discover what modern paleontology knows about the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, as well as what remains uncertain.
You will be challenged to imagine how, through small changes such as tooth form or brain sizes, paleontologists have completely altered the world’s understanding of these incredible creatures’ success.
You will be empowered to hypothesize about prehistoric life by piecing together paleontological and biological clues.
This highly modular dinosaur exhibition utilizes the latest animatronic technology to create quiet, smooth, lifelike movements and features the most current dinosaur science, cour-
tesy of content partner Dr. Gregory M. Erickson, one of only 150 fulltime professional dinosaur paleontologists in the world.
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am4pm, Sunday 12-4pm. General admission to the museum is FREE! They are located at 230 N. Rose St., in downtown Kalamazoo.
Pain at the Pump
Now that gas in Kalamazoo County has reached almost $5 a gallon, it is a topic of conversation among everyone I know. Many people have a definite opinion about who is (or isn’t) to blame and whether (or not) the “pain at the pump” will turn out to be a good thing in the long run. Most of us just want the pocketbook relief that lower prices would bring. To insert another perspective, I’ve heard news reports that attribute at least part of the price increase to the yearly conversion of winter-blend to summer-blend gasoline formulations by gasoline refineries.
What exactly are these two different fuel concoctions? How do they differ? What is the rationale for the yearly seasonal switch? Isn’t gas, gas? I think it was when I was a kid!
To understand why refineries change the composition of gasoline to specific seasonal blends, it is important to consider the nature of an internal combustion engine. In almost all cars, air and fuel (in this case, gasoline) are drawn into the engine’s multiple cylinders. A piston moves into the cylinder, compressing the air-gas mixture and increasing its pressure. A spark ignites the pressurized mixture, causing a miniexplosion that displaces the piston, increasing the cylinder volume and decreasing the pressure within the cylinder. Heat, waste gases, and water produced by the mini-explosion are released into the engine’s exhaust. The repeated motion of the cylinders, coordinated with these combustion events, drives a cam that powers the vehicle’s propulsion system.
From the passage of the Clean Air Act by Congress in 1970 until the early 2020s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has had the authority to require that separate summer- and winter-blend gasolines be formulated and marketed. The purpose of these different blends was to lower tailpipe emissions that, in part, contribute to smog and other forms of air pollution. These represent a major human health hazard affecting millions of people annually, particularly in urban areas where many sources of air pollution are concentrated. The Act established federal guidelines for healthier ambient air quality and empowers the EPA to regulate pollutants that will, when applied consistently, reduce or virtually eliminate toxins in the air. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), while not regulated as criteria pollutants in and of themselves in the legislation, are considered dangerous precursors to compounds that combine with ozone to create smog. Smog itself is designated as a criteria pollutant and poses a particularly dangerous threat to vulnerable populations. In warm weather conditions, VOCs react with atmospheric ozone, sunlight, and particulate matter to create the dark haze that adds to respiratory distress in populations that are already compromised by asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other breathing issues.
So, how do different seasonal gasoline blends actually affect the
levels of VOCs in the air that we breathe? The “chemistry” behind winter- and summer-blend gasolines is largely based on differences in hydrocarbon composition within the gasoline itself. Seasonal formulations are different mixtures that contain components of varying volatilities. To a chemist, volatility refers to the ability of a compound to evaporate into the air. If you’ve ever spilled acetone and seen how quickly it evaporates, you’ve experienced the concept of high volatility. Water, on the other hand, does not evaporate quickly; it is an example of a compound that has low volatility. In general, smaller hydrocarbons (compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms) are more volatile than larger hydrocarbons. Methane (commonly known as natural gas) and propane, which we use as fuel in our grills, are small molecular-weight hydrocarbons. They usually exist in the air as gases.
In the petroleum industry, Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) is a standard measure of how easily gasoline evaporates. Mixtures with high RVPs contain smaller hydrocarbons that are more volatile (evaporate more easily) than those with low RVPs. Summer gas blends have low RVP values, so there is less evaporation into the air at typical, warmer summer temperatures.
Winter gas has high volatility, but since the ambient air temperatures are lower, vaporization is much less of a problem. The hydrocarbon that adds most to the volatility of winter-blend gasoline is butane. This small molecule exists as a gas at temperatures just a “snooch” below freezing (31°F) but a liquid when the temperature is only slightly more frigid, below 30°F. Butane has exactly the right chemical properties for a gasoline blend, vaporizing readily at cold, but not too cold temperatures, and sparking easily. Just a few degrees below freezing, butane remains liquid and in solution with larger, less volatile liquid hydrocarbons typically found in gasoline. When the weather’s frigid and the car’s been sitting out all night, it’s
other household equipment that do not have gas caps to prevent gasoline from evaporating into the atmosphere. I know that it may be inconvenient to wait until another day to mow the grass (tongue-in-cheek) or to wait an extra day or so to gas up the car, but if you’re looking for a little something you can do to limit your carbon footprint, heeding those suggestions might be a good place to start.
nice to get the boost of volatility from butane compression in the cold cylinders. It’s easier for the spark to ignite gasoline containing a little butane, making those icy morning starts a little less taxing on the engine. If its evaporation point was much higher, however, the butane would be a gas even on cold mornings and would evaporate off the mixture in the gas tank, and who wants that? Nobody wants to come out and find that even a small percentage of the gas they just purchased to fill their tank has evaporated into the air. Not only is that expensive, but it’s very bad for air quality.
For this reason, summer-blend gasoline contains very little butane. If butane was present on warm nights, that component of the mix would evaporate into the atmosphere. Bad for the air, bad for the pocketbook. Because butane is quite inexpensive, summer-blend gasoline, containing low-RVP components, costs a little more than winter-blend gasoline, but it burns more efficiently, yielding higher mileage. It’s a little more expensive to refine (small hydrocarbons must be removed before petroleum products are made into gasoline), but it’s better for engines and the air. Summer-blend gasoline components are in the “Goldilocks” zone - volatile enough to ignite readily in the engine cylinder, but not so volatile that they evaporate from the tank.
That is a generally true statement – except… When the weather gets very warm and humid, and the sun is beating down on hot concrete, you might hear about Ozone Action Days. These are periods designated by the EPA as particularly hazardous for smog formation. On Ozone Action Days, the weather is so warm that even low-volatility gasoline is likely to evaporate into the air, promoting smog formation. On these days, it is common to hear advice suggesting that consumers refrain from filling up their gas tanks when fuel might splash out of the tank, and limit their use of small engines like lawn mowers, gas-powered weed whackers, and
So how much of a difference does this actually make? Why is it a topic of conversation, at least right now? In March of this year, the EPA issued a temporary waiver that allows gasoline manufacturers and refineries to market high-RVP gasoline during the upcoming summer. It means that winter-blend gasolines, those with higher VOC concentrations, can be sold, even though they may contribute to air pollution and smog. The decision was in response to high gasoline pump prices and the possibility of oil shortages brought on by the most recent Iran War. Like most things, the decision has its good and bad features. On the plus side, for your pocketbook, price is an important consideration. Winter gas is cheaper than summer gas. Butane is cheap as a fuel and serves a great function in the winter when temperatures are cold. Gas prices are a little lower in the winter for this reasontypically a few cents a gallon cheaper than the summer-blend. From the standpoint of air quality, well, that’s not so positive. Selling winter gas in the summer might not be the best idea if the end game is to reduce smog and improve the air we all breathe. More evaporated butane can enter the air, including some small amount of the gasoline we pay for. Trade-offs are always complex and depend on the data we currently have on hand. I’m glad that making those decisions is not my job!
However you burn gas this summer, I hope it’s doing something fun. When I watch the news, it seems unlikely that I’ll be flying anywhere commercially, barring an unforeseen emergency. That seems like a crazy way to spend my vacation dollars, unless I’m going far, far away. Like many of you, I will hit the open road; maybe I’ll take a few day trips to see my grandsons play baseball. Mostly, I suspect that I will enjoy a ride in the country, windows open, with a big scoop of ice cream! That indulgence, I think, I can afford with some regularity!
Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher
Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center
Please scan the QR code to access the references for this article.
Through July 26
Exhibit: Black Cowboys: An American Story, Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Through June 12
Westminster Art Exhibit, westminsterartfestival.org
Monday, June 1
Family Storytime 10-11am, Books, songs, Vicksburg Library
Mondays, June 1,8,15,22,29 Support Group: depression, Bi-polar disorder & mental health challenges, 7-8:30pm, Portage , Chapel Hill United Methodist Church
Mondays, June 1,8,15,22,29 Trivia, 7-9pm, Louie’s Corner Bar, Texas Corners
Mondays, June 1,8,15,22,29 Piano Karaoke, 7-10pm Old Skool Bar, Kalamazoo
Mondays, June 1,8,15,22,29 Open Mic Night, 8-11pm, Louie’s Trophy House, Kal.
Tuesdays, June 2,9,16,23,30 Kalamazoo Farmer Market, 8am-4pm, 1204 Bank St.
Tuesdays, June 2,9,16,23,30 Portage Garden Club Plant Sale 9am-1pm, 2732 Kalarama Ave.
Tuesday, June 2, 1-2:30pm Adult Scrabble, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, June 2, 1-4pm Adult Craft Stitching Group, bring Your project, Parchment Library
Tuesday, June 2
Teens/tweens Dungeons & Dragons, 4-6pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, June 2 Portage Garden Club Evening Perennial Sale, 5-8pm, 2732 Kalarama Ave.
Tuesdays, June 2,9,16,23,30
Open Mic: 6:30-9:30pm, Karaoke: 10pm – 12am, Old Dog Tavern
Tuesday, June 2
Open Mic Comedy, 7-9pm, Apoptosis Brewing Co., Kal.
Tuesdays, June 2,9,16,23,30 Trivia Night, 7pm, Louie’s Lake Bar & Grill, Portage
Tuesdays, June 2,9,16,23,30 Trivia Night, 7-9pm, Louie’s Trophy House, Kalamazoo
Tuesdays, June 2,9,16,23,30 Team Trivia, 7-9pm, Shakespeare’s Pub, Kalamazoo
Tuesdays, June 2,9,16,23,30, 7-9pm Music Bingo, HighDive Kitchen, Kal.
Tuesdays, June 2,9,16,23,30 Karaoke, 8:30-12am, LFG Gaming Bar
Wednesdays, June 3 & 17, 10-11am Mugs & Hugs, Vicksburg Library
Wednesdays, June 3,10,17,24
Teen Dungeons & Dinosaurs, 3-5pm, Register: Richland Library
Wednesdays, June 3,10,17,24
Free ½ hour of Bowling, Crafted Copper, Kalamazoo, 4-10 pm
Wednesdays, June 3,10,17,24, 5-8pm Cruise-Ins, Gilmore Car Museum
Wednesday, June 3
LEGO Trivia Night, 6-7pm All ages, team or solo, Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo
Wednesdays, June 3,10,17,24 Trivia, 468 Wine, Portage, 6-8pm
Wednesdays, June 3,10,17,24 Trivia, LFG Gaming Bar, 7-9pm
FREE June Events
Wednesdays, June 3,10,17,24
Trivia, 7 & 8pm, Brewery Outre
Wednesdays, June 3,10,17,24
Trivia, Apotosis Brewing, 7-9pm
Wednesday, June 3,10,17,24
Karaoke Bingo, 7-10pm Presidential Brewing, Portage
Wednesdays, June 3,10,17,24
Euchre, 7:30pm, Green Top Tavern
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25
Kalamazoo Farmers Market, 8am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.
Thursday, June 4, 9:30-10:30am
Adult Book Club: The Day the World came to Town by Jim DeFede, Vicksburg Library
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25
Storytime, all ages, 10:30-11:15, Schoolcraft Library
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25
Free Thursdays, 11am-8pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursday, June 4, 3:30-6pm Elementary “Drive-in” Movie night With popcorn, you bring, drink, blanket & cardboard box, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, June 4, 4-5pm
Adult Writer’s Motivational Group, Vicksburg Library
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25
Teen Dungeons & Dinosaurs, 4:306:30pm, Register: Richland Library
Thursdays, June 4 & 18, 6-8pm
Music Bingo, Zero: Non-Alcoholic Bar
Thursday, June 4,11,18,25 6-9pm Blues Jam! Shakespeare’s Pub
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25 6-9pm
Music Bingo, Apoptosis Brewing
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25
Triple Threat Trivia, 6:30-9:30pm Presidential Brewing Co., Portage
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25 Trivia, 7pm, HopCat Kalamazoo
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25 7pm Trivia, Distant Whistle Brewhouse
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25, 7-9pm Music Bingo, Louie’s Trophy House
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25, 7-9pm King Trivia, Gull Lake Distilling Co.
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25, 7pm
Music Bingo, Shakespeare’s Pub
Thursday, June 4
Epic Eagles: The Definitive Tribute to the Eagles, 7-9pm Overlander Bandshell, Portage
Thursdays, June 4,11,18,25 Trivia, Alley Cat, 8pm-12am
Friday, June 5,12,19,26
Sit N’ Stitch, work on your project, 10am- 12pm, Richland Library
Fridays, June 5,12,19,26
Family Story Time, 10:15am, All ages, Richland Library
Friday, June 5 Memory Café- for people with mild dementia & care partners, 10:30am-Noon, Paw Paw Library
Fri., June 5 & Sat., June 6
Art on the Kalamazoo Mall, Fri. 12-8pm, Sat. 9am-5pm
Fri., June 5 & Sat. June 6
KIA Arts Fair, Bronson Park Fri. 3-8pm, Sat. 9am-5pm
Fridays, June 5,12,19,26
Artist Meet Up in the Vine, 5:30-8pm, 806 S. Westnedge
Fridays, June 5,12,19,26
Music Bingo, 7-9pm, LFG Gaming
Fridays, June 5,12,19,26
Karaoke Night, 8pm – 1am Old Dog Tavern, Kalamazoo
Fridays, June 5,12,19,26
Live Music @ The Dock at Bayview, 8pm-12am
Fridays, June 5,12,19,26
Xtreme Karaoke! 8:30pm-12am Shakespeare’s Pub, Kalamazoo
Saturdays, June 6,13,20,27
Kalamazoo Farmers Market 7am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.
Saturday, June 6
Beginning Birding Walks, 9-11am Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery
Saturday, June 6, 11am DOO-DAH Parade, dwtn. Kal.
Saturday, June 6
Gelli Plate Printing: Sneakers 11am-2pm, KIA Library
Saturdays, June 6,13,20,27
Live Music @ The Dock at Bayview, 8pm-12am
Saturdays, June 6,13,20,27
Karaoke Night, 9-12pm, Louie’s Trophy House, Kalamazoo
Sunday, June 7,14,21,28
Portage Farmers Market, 9am-1pm, 7900 S. Westnedge
Saturday, June 6, 10am-2pm
Unearth a Story Summer Reading Kickoff, Parchment Library
Sunday, June 7
Cars n’ Cones car show, 2pm Frosty Boy, Gull Rd., Kal.
Sundays, June 7,14,21,28
Extreme Karaoke, 8-11pm, Shakespeare’s Pub, Kal.
Sundays, June 7,14,21,28
Karaoke Night, 8:30pm-12am
LFG Gaming Bar, Kalamazoo
Mondays, June 8,15,22,29
Family Storytime @Clark Park, If rain @Vicksburg Library ,11am
Monday, June 8
Parchment Book Group: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, 6pm, Parchment Library
Monday, June 8
Bach Around the Block, 7pm St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Kal.
Wednesday, June 10
Birds & Coffee Chat on Zoom, Five Must-Do Kalamazoo Birding Experiences,10am, Register: birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu
Wednesday, June 10
Vinyasa Yoga with Alla (adults) 5:15pm, Parchment Library
Thursday, June 11
Adult Writers’ Motivational Group, 4-5pm, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, June 11
Manierre Dawson’s Mother and Child & Henry Ossawa Tanner’s The Visitation, 5:30-6pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursday, June 11
An Introduction to AI 6-7pm, Paw Paw Library
Thursday, June 11, 6:30-7:30pm Friends Read Book Club, discuss what you’re reading, Paw Paw Library
Thursday, June 11
Concert: Kait Rose & Co.: Fleetwood Mac Tribute, Overlander Bandshell, 7-9pm
Friday, June 12, 3pm Flower Crowns, ages 11-17, Register: Richland Library
Saturday, June 13
Digging Up Your Family Story, 10:30am, Parchment Library
Saturday, June 13
Vicksburg Old Car Festival, 9am3pm, Downtown Vicksburg
Saturday, June 13, 10am-noon
Internet Users group, Paw Paw Library
Saturday, June 13
Kids in the Zoo, 10am-4pm Downtown Kalamazoo Mall
Monday, June 15, 6pm
America 250 Craft Night (adults & ages 15+), Parchment Library
Tuesday, June 16
Lego & Duplo Club, 1-2pm & 5:30 – 6:30pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, June 16, 6:30pm
Adult Mystery Book Club: A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber, Parchment Library
Wednesday, June 17, 1-2pm
Dino Adoption, ages 3-6, Register: Richland Library
Wednesday, June 17, 2pm OLLI at WMU Senior Readers Theater, Parchment Library
Wednesday, June 17
Book Discussion: Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner by Natalie Dykstra, 23pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Wednesday, June 17
Adult Craft: Bird Collisions, 57pm, Drop-in Vicksburg Library
Thurs., June 18 – Sun. June 21
Black Voices of Dignity, Th-Fr. 49pm, Sat.-Sun. 12-6pm, First Congregational Church of Kal.
Thursday, June 18
Juneteenth Commemoration, 11am-2pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Atts
Thursday, June 18
Russ Schipper’s Variety Bird Show, 4-5pm, ages 4+, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, June 18
Kalamazoo Night Farmers Market, 5-10pm, 1204 Bank St.
Thursday, June 18
Family STEAM Night, 6-7pm Vicksburg District Library
Thursday, June 18
Summer Jams open Mic: music, Poetry and creative expression, 68pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Friday, June 19, 2-5pm
Tasting History: Zongzi, ages 11-17, Register: Richland Library
Friday, June 19
Juneteenth Commemoration, 710pm, 320 Library Ln., Portage
Saturday, June 20, 10am-1pm Brunch & Bikes: safety, obstacle course & more, Vicksburg Library
Saturday, June 20, 10am-4pm Smokey Hill Designs laser suppLies sale, Kalamazoo Expo Center
Saturday, June 20, 11am Adult Chair Yoga, Parchment Library
Saturday, June 20
Rootead’s Juneteenth Celebration in Bronson Park, 1pm
Saturday, June 20, 2-3pm Read w/Rabbits, Vicksburg Library
Saturday, June 20
Drive-In Movie: Luca, 9:30pm Ramona Park, Portage
Sunday, June 21
Free admission for Dads, 9am-5pm, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Monday, June 22
LEGO Club for Kids, 10:30am Parchment Library
Monday, June 22, 3-4pm
Music at the Blissful, ages 0-5+, Vicksburg Library
Monday, June 22, 3-4pm Summer Reading Kick Off in the square, Richland Library
Tuesdays, June 23 – Aug. 4
Youth Author/Illustrator, grades 1-5 2:30-4pm, Register: Richland Library
Tuesday, June 23, 3:30-6pm Dungeons & Dragons Basics, ages 6-11, Register: Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, June 23
Walk with A Doc., 6:30-7:30pm Vicksburg Trail @ Richardson St.
Wednesday, June 24, 10:30am Youth Stepping Stone, grades 1-5, Register: Richland Library
Wednesday, June 24
Dinosaur Trivia Night, 4-6pm Register: Vicksburg Library
Thursdays, June 25 – Aug. 6 Explorers Traveling Story Time, 11am, ages 3-6, Richland Library
Thursdays, June 25 – Aug.6 LEGO Challenge @Richland Library
Thursday, June 25
Botanical Art of Julia Whitney Barnes, 6-7pm, KIA, Kalamazoo
Thursday, June 25, 6:30-7:30pm
Between the Lines Book Club Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, Paw Paw Library
Thursday, June 25
Adult Nature Craft, 7-8pm Register: Richland Library
Fridays, June 26 – Aug. 7, 10:15am Family Storytime, Richland Library
Friday, June 26
Listen Up Audiobook Club: The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn 10:30-11:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Fri., June 26 – Sun. June 28
Hot Tub & Swim Spa Sale, Fri.Sat. 11am-7pm, Sun. 11am-4pm, Kalamazoo County Expo Center
Friday, June 26, 1-4pm
Cave Painting Chalk Art, all ages, Richland Library
Friday, June 26
Block Party @ Celery Flats, Ptg. Party - music, activities…6-9pm
Friday, June 26
The Heartbreak Book Club: Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Sat., June 27 -Sun. June 28 Kal. County 4-H Youth Horse Show 9am, Kalamazoo Expo Center
Sunday, June 28
The Vine Barn Local Market, 12-4pm, 311 Wall St., Kal.
Sunday, June 28
Live music: In The Grey, 6:308pm, Flesher Field, Oshtemo
Monday, June 29, 11am Dino Terrariums, grades 1-5, Richland Library
Tuesday, June 30
Ranger Hike: Migratory Birds, 89:30am, register: City of Portage, West Lake Nature Preserve
Tuesday, June 30
Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary, 2pm, Parchment Library
Tuesday, June 30
Teen Candy Sushi & Origami, 4-6pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, June 30
Build & race LEGO Race car, 67pm, Bricks and Minifigs, Kal.
Tuesday, June 30
Pollinator-Friendly Gardening, 6-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library