Popsicle Recipes on page 12 & 13
Remember When Planting Tips for Attracting Pollinators to
Your Landscape Milham Park
(John A. Milham Park)
Milham Park was once one of the most popular park destinations in the area. It once offered everything from camping, fishing, swimming, golfing, a zoo, a boat lagoon, a merry-goround, a wonderful playground and more. The park was a popular place for school picnics, family reunions and church gatherings.
The Milham Park property, located on Kilgore Road at Lover’s Lane, is about 31/2 miles south of downtown Kalamazoo. The property was originally a family farm owned by brothers Frank and John Milham. John worked the family farm, while Frank was interested in exploring other options nearby in the city of Kalamazoo. Frank married into the Bryant family and became the President of Bryant Paper Company. He eventually became the Mayor of Kalamazoo. He wasn’t the mayor in 1910 when the city purchased the family property, but he was the chairman of the City’s Park Commission.
The property was over 66 acres of forest and marshy land in Kalamazoo township, where Portage Creek doubles back to itself. They set the price at $10,000, which was a substantial sum of money at the time. Frank realized the hefty asking price and donated $5000, along with a stipulation that the park be named after his brother, John. It was also agreed that John could reside in his home and an acre of property for his lifetime.
More than 5,000 people attended the official Grand Opening of the John A. Milham Park on April 10th, 1911. The Lake Shore Railroad even ran special day coaches to the park.
opened, 4,000 people used the new pool.
Roadways were constructed and swings, slides and a merry-go-round were installed and thousands of people came to the park for Labor Day that same year.
The popularity of the park dramatically increased in 1918 when the City Commission authorized a summer bus line to shuttle park-goers to and from the city.
A campground was added that same year. Improvements were made to the tune of just $250 to add a campground and was opened to cars and camping. Originally there was no cost to camp at the park.
In 1921, the onset of the automobile changed Milham Park from a local destination to a national and international one.
In 1923, the campground had more than 33,000 visitors from every state in the union; the majority from Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. Others came from as far away as Ontario, British Columbia, Australia, New Zealand, Panama, Mexico and Scotland.
During the Depression era, unemployed workers began squatting at the campground, which led the City enact a fee, 25 cents for the first 3 days and 50 cents per day thereafter, to encourage the tourists to keep moving. They also added police protection nightly and garbage service.
The city of Kalamazoo created a Recreation Department in 1924. Officials quickly authorized $500 to create a bathing place and boat lagoon at Milham Park. They damned and dredged the creek, and began to build a bath house. In 1926, when the pool
A zoo was built in the park in 1926 and opened in 1927. They had 5 brown bears, 2 raccoons, 2 monkeys, 2 rabbits, peacocks, pheasants, buffalo, foxes and other animals. A bear bit was carved into the hillside that was made of concrete and rocks and was located in the North corner of the park. Bear names over the years were Ramona, Kimone, Betty, Danny, Julie, Blackie, stumpy and Tom. Sometimes the zoo’s monkeys escaped and raised havoc in the neighborhood.
Eighty acres of land adjacent to Milham Park were deeded to the City of Kalamazoo for a golf course on October 22, 1929. The cost was $30,000, one half of which was contributed by Dr. W.E. Upjohn, and the balance was obtained through public subscriptions.
When the golf course was completed and ready for play, it was turned over by the City to the Municipal Golf Association on Memorial Day, May 30, 1931
Milham Park was included in the city’s parks and recreation summer programs in 1933, and remained so for many years. The big attraction for children was the merry-go-round, initially pulled by a tractor and operated on Saturday, Sunday, and holiday afternoons for a just 5 cents.
Milham Park was among the sites across the country where the Federal Government created programs to put the unemployed to work during the Depression. Much of the stonework and terraces date back to that time. Work also began immediately on a new stone bath house and concrete apron for the pool, for which the City paid only slightly over $3000, the Federal government Paid for the rest.
The pool that was filled with creek water, was unfortunately deemed unsanitary by State Health Department.
The City considered chlorinating the water, but instead closed the pool in 1938. It was replaced by a wading pool that doubled as an ice rink in the winter months.
The wading pool operated until 1963, which again was deemed unsanitary. City wading pools were drained and replaced with sprays in 1964. Sadly, the pools that served the local youngsters for many decades were filled in during the 1970’s and are now mostly green space.
During Milham Park’s heyday, in the 1970’s, the 120 acres park was visited by over half a million people each year.
Many former visitors share their fond memories on the popular Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook page, including: “It was a magical place to visit as a child.” “Best place in Kalamazoo when I was growing up!!” “Many memories, summer and winter!!” “Scraped my knees and feet a lot on the concrete bottom of the pool.” “It was so much fun. I was so little and pretended the bath house was a castle.” “I used to swim at that dam all the time when i was a kid, we would swim there to clean off after shagging golf balls and selling them back to the golfers at the other end of the river just passed the animal pits ,, we also would catch fish and feed the bears.”
The Morrow Dam in the middle of the park, was built in 1925, almost 100 years ago. It was recently removed in an effort to restore approximately 1600 feet of the Portage Creek Channel. This will provide a fish habitat and allow access for fishing, according to the DNR> Many of the amenities at Milham Park are now gone, but the park remains one of Kalamazoo’s oldest and largest public parks and holds great memories and historic significance for many Kalamazoo residents.
Jackie Merriam
Credits: (Kalamazoo Lost & Found by Lynn Smith Houghton and Pamela Hall O’Connor, (KG 8/4/71), Kalamazoo Tour Guide, 1971, Looking Back by Dave Hager, KG11/14/04, KG3/22/04, KG 1/17/09
• Plant a mix of flowers so that something is in bloom throughout the growing season.
• Have diversity in terms of color, shape, height and size. Different animals and insects are attracted to different colors.
• Plant in drifts or clumps to attract more creatures.
• Leave some plants behind in the winter. Some insects will overwinter in the dead stems of plants. The seeds and fruits can also provide an important winter source of food.
“What unites us is greater than what divides us” - Pope John XXIII
Attracting Butterflies
We may not think of butterflies as pollinators, but they are! While they may not pollinate as much as bees, they can be some of the most beautiful creatures to look at in the garden. Butterflies are attracted to purple, yellow, orange and red colored flowers in the garden. Lepidoptera is the order of butterflies and moths and includes many amazing species that live in Michigan from Mourning Cloak butterflies, that like to pretend to be dead, to one of our giant moths, the soft green Luna moth. Butterflies (superfamily Papilionoidea) generally fly during the day and have clubbed antennae while moths often fly at night and usually have feathery or pointed antennae. Skippers are a type of butterfly that have hooked antennae and are part of the family Hesperiidae.
For plants that attract butterflies and to set up your own Butterfly Garden, stop in at Wedel’s to pick up a complete Butterfly Garden list.
Attracting Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds prefer flowers that have a long or tubular shape. They also prefer bright colors like red, yellow, purple, orange and fuchsia. The color red is used more with hummingbirds because bees do not see red and so hummingbirds are the predominate pollinator of red tubelike flowers (Butterflies will also pollinate red flowers). That is why many hummingbird feeders are red.
The best way to attract hummingbirds is to set up a hummingbird garden along with a hummingbird feeder with nectar that is cleaned and changed regularly. Don’t forget an ant moat, since ants in a feeder will keep hummingbirds away! For plants that attract hummingbirds and to set up your own Hummingbird Garden, stop in at Wedel’s to pick up a complete Hummingbird Garden list.
Attracting Bees Bees are excellent pollinators since they don’t just drink nectar, but they
also collect pollen that helps pollinate crop plants, vegetable gardens, and fruits. Many bees have long tongues that allow them to reach into deep flowers that other insects cannot use. Bees are attracted to purple/violet/ blue, white, and yellow flowers but not red flowers.
There are many plants that are bee and pollinator friendly. Among others, these plants will attract bees:
• Oregano
• Anise hyssop
• Lavender
• Catmint
• Salvia
• Borage
Information courtesy of Michigan State University Extension.
Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center
You can find other quotes with similar meanings by many prominent leaders, including President John F. Kennedy, all reminding us the importance of focusing on our common ground instead of fixating on our differences.
Humanitarian, Desmond Tutu, reminded us during his lifetime, “What unites us as Human Beings is our common humanity - the capacity for love and compassion towards each other.” He challenged us to remember that “we are all connected, not individuals separated from one another. In other words, what you do, what I do, affects the whole world. When you do good, it spreads goodness for the whole of humanity.” (Forbes Magazine, 12/26/21).
These profound statements by leaders who have dedicated their lives to peace and compassion, can help remind us to go forth in the spirit of understanding.
Our resolve is likely to be challenged during this election year. I encourage us all to keep the Pope’s words forefront in our minds and maybe even adopt it as your mantra: “What unites us is greater than what divides us.”
Jackie Merriam
This publication does not specifically endorse advertisers
Photo courtesy of Laura Kurella
What does your style say about you? Do you give it little or much thought? When I was younger, I wanted to design clothing, so I sketched and dreamed and upcycled many pieces. I did batik designs on t-shirts using discarded candlewax. I used bleach and spray paint over stencils cut from poster board. There were buckets of Rit dye, safety pins, and clearance fabric finds from JoAnn. Many hours of machine stitching. I didn’t have much money and almost all my money from my after-school job while in high school went to buy clothing at the mall. I would also find some great vintage pieces at Goodwill. With all this effort, was my intention to stand out or to fit it? I am still not sure what was my full motivation. I just had this urge to create and find some style. After high school, I went to art college in Detroit. I used to cuff my
Amazing Grace The Enduring Legacy of John Newton’s Masterpiece Random Acts of Artness
denim jeans 5-6”, wear unlaced, ratty green suede Pumas, and a bandana around my wrist (the latter was very utilitarian-to keep from smearing graphite while drawing during figurative class). Jump ahead 5+ years. I created a piece of art for a fundraiser for Goodwill. Artists were given vouchers to purchase anything they wished at a local goodwill and then to use those pieces to create. The final product would then be auctioned off at a fundraiser. I purchased bags and bags of jeans, cut them, sewed them, and stretched them onto a canvas frame. Onto that canvas, I painted a portrait of my brother wearing the best vintage find, an old denim jacket with sherpa lining that was my dad’s from his college days. Fast forward 15 years. I wanted to do another painting on stretched jeans for the Portage Youth Advisory Council’s Recycled Art Competition. To accomplish this piece, I was gifted some old jeans from a friend’s mom, pairs from the 1990s, and followed the same methodology as my last denim art piece. The portrait itself was based on a photo of another friends’ mom, again from the 1990s, sporting jeans, boots, and the best fanny pack. Rather than traditional portraiture, my painting style was influenced from 90s designs with neon colors and mark-making.
Style says so much about us whether we give it a lot of effort or nearly none. I feel that style in art, in clothing, in relationships is tied to who we are at our core and what we believe and value. It lives on in memories, photographs, art, and at times through the actual clothing pieces. I hope you create and stylize your life for what fits you and is important to
you; where you can look back and say, “Yeah, I tried that. I did that. That was me, my art, my style.” As before, 20 pieces of original art are randomly slipped into this month’s copies. With a cool fanny pack, you can style the world.
Peace, Love, and Art. -Amy Instagram: @amylgieschen
Of all the cherished hymns embedded in Christian tradition, few have achieved the enduring widespread popularity of “Amazing Grace.” This timeless hymn, with its stirring melody and compelling lyrics, has transcended generations and cultures, serving as a source of solace, inspiration, and hope for millions around the world. Behind this beloved anthem lies a remarkable story of redemption, composed by John Newton, a man whose life journey from darkness to light mirrors the transformative power of the very song he created.
Born in 1725 in London, John Newton’s early years were marked by hardship. His mother died when he was just seven years old, and his father, a ship captain, remarried, leaving young John to be raised by relatives. At age eleven, he joined his father at sea, on a personal journey that would lead him to emotional and spiritual despair.
Newton’s time at sea exposed him to the callous realities of the slave trade, an occupation in which he became fully involved. As a young man, he worked on slave ships transporting human beings under inhumane conditions. While deeply enmeshed
in this appalling trade, he became morally conflicted and a spiritual awakening began to emerge. Newton’s conscience was stirred, and he struggled with his sins and the need for divine redemption and forgiveness.
During a violent storm at sea in 1748, Newton experienced a profound moment of reckoning. Facing near-certain death, later reported that he prayed to God for mercy, and in that moment hour, found redemption. Newton experienced a powerful spiritual transformation that altered his life from then on. He renounced his involvement in the slave trade and eventually became an ordained minister in the Church of England.
Newton’s newfound faith propelled his inspiration to compose the lyrics for “Amazing Grace” in 1772. While Newton wrote the lyrics, the origin of the melody remains uncertain, with some attributing it to an old Scottish tune. Nevertheless, the hymn reflects Newton’s journey of repentance, forgiveness, and grace for which he remained forever grateful.
What sets “Amazing Grace” apart, and contributes to its enduring popularity, is its universal message of redemption and hope. Its simple yet
profound lyrics speak to the core of the human experience, touching hearts and minds across cultures and generations. From the humblest of church pews to grand concert halls, the song has been sung in times of joy and sorrow, serving as solace in moments of darkness and moving inspiration
Countless musical artists have recorded their own renditions of “Amazing Grace,” each imbued with their unique interpretation and style by artists like Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, and Judy Collins, among many others. From gospel choirs to country vocalists, rock bands to classical orchestras, this hymn has permanently established its place as one of the most recognized and emotive songs of all time.
services, and national ceremonies, its words offering comfort and courage to those in need.
Yes, the hymn’s opening line
“Amazing Grace” has transcended its religious origins to become a symbol of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. It has been sung at civil rights marches, memorial
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound” continues to offer solace and hope to all who hear its sweet refrain.
James Coppinger
heart of the home
When we are in a hurry and simply want to get clean, we step into the shower. When we want to soak away the stresses of the day, relax, shut the world out and renew our spirit, we draw a bath.
The bathroom becomes more than a place to brush our teeth and relieve ourselves—it becomes a spa, a retreat from the mad, mad world. Light the candles, pour a glass of champagne, bring out the luxury soaps and the Turkish towel. As warm steam fills the bathroom, fragrant soap bubbles rise with the level of the bathwater.
Bathtubs have come through many changes over the history of humankind. The Romans and Greeks had elaborate bath rituals, either in private baths or public bath houses.
Some credit John Michael Kohler with developing the first bathtub in 1883—a cast-iron horse trough with four feet attached to the bottom and an enamel finish.
In more recent years, bathtubs
have changed from clawfoot tubs in the Victorian age that originated in the Netherlands, found only in the homes of the wealthy, to built-in tubs during the 1900s. Most every American home had a tub built into the wall in a kind of alcove, often with a showerhead overhead and a shower curtain or shower doors to close off the space. In 2024, bathtubs have emerged once again from the walls and are now favored as freestanding soaker tubs.
The preferred bathtub of 2024 takes a prominent space in today’s bathroom, making a fashion statement all its own. These soaker tubs have more room for the soak as the faucet usually is placed outside of the tub. Shapes, colors, and finishes vary, matching most any décor. They may be built from enameled cast iron or steel, acrylic, or fiberglass. Copper is another material that can be used, in smooth or hammered finishes. Jets can be added for a water massage. An
electric system inside the walls of the tub can prolong the heat of the bath water.
The vintage clawfoot tub of the Victorian ages has not gone away. It is a classic look, allowing for a deeper interior than most tubs offer.
The actual clawfoot comes in different styles—the bird’s or dragon’s claw holding a ball; an animal paw; a cannonball; or the armada, inspired by naval ships, allowing the tub to sit closer to the floor. The average size of the clawfoot tub is 54 inches by 32 inches, but they can be as large as 72 inches long and 42 inches wide for the most luxurious bath.
Yet not all tubs are created for that therapeutic soak. Many families choose tubs for the convenience of bathing small children or even pets. From a bath for the baby in the kitchen sink, the child soon requires the larger tub, and it doesn’t take long to fill with rubber duckies and tiny steamboats and fishes squirting
bubbles to bring about splashes and laughter. The bathtub can become a place of family memories, too soon outgrown.
When that high rim of the soaker tub becomes too difficult to climb over, a walk-in tub becomes the final luxury. Flush with the floor and with a much higher wall, walk-in tubs offer a door the user can open to simply walk in and sit down on a bench as the water fills the space at shoulder height. They are sold usually for the safety they offer for those with limited mobility. The walk-in tub can hold 35 to 80 gallons of water and is available with heated back rests and hydrotherapy jets. Candles, champagne flute, bubble bath, and floating rose petals are optional—but preferred. Rubber duckies are also invited.
Zinta Aistars
In my memories, though I could not sit upright in my loft bed without bumping my head, my cubby hole where I slept was fit for a queen. Or at least for a little girl who was spoiled like a princess by her grandparents.
I recall the table. Securely in place between two cushioned bench seats. By day, the table filled the space we considered our dining room. And living room. And kitchen. After all, the sink for doing dishes, the countertop, and the mini fridge was merely inches away from the table. By night, the table and bench seats became grandpa and grandma’s bed.
I don’t remember eating meals at the table, though I’m sure we did. I do remember eating outside at picnic tables, adorned with plastic table clothes. A table decorated with love, just as grandma put love into every meal prepared. I wish I could remember the different foods we ate. I am certain what we did eat was homemade and that many of the ingredients were supplied from their garden. I can’t recall grandma ever serving anything processed. On the special treat occasion we did eat out, it was Elias Brothers or a D&W Rootbeer
Drive In.
If there were mosquitoes, I have blocked any bzzzzz bzzzzz buzzing and itches out of my collection of memories. I wish I could remember looking out the window of my loft at the stars. Though I don’t have that memory readily available in my recollection file, I am certain I drank in that joy given how I purposefully sleep with rain covers off tents now so that I can fall asleep to the glowing galaxy shining its bright light for me all evening until the sun takes over and tells the stars they can rest. I don’t recall laying in my loft listening to nature’s songs, but again, given how I love the bull frog serenades, the owl jamborees, and the deer blowing trumpet noises at the scent of me in their back yard while I snuggle into my sleeping bag in a tent, I anticipate my love for these noises was initiated through the screens of opened windows in a camper.
We always camped where we could put on our shower friendly flip flops, or at least I don’t remember “rugged” camping with grandpa and grandma. Perhaps it is in my genes though, to love backpacking with a
tent for several days with the only running water the nearby river, given how my grandparents loved to fly into a remote part of Canada for fishing for a week.
I discovered a picture of a camper that the child in me remembers as a palace. A palace fit for a princess spoiled well by her grandparents. Grandparents who gave me such gifts as the value of simplicity. Communing with nature. Presence with each other. Befriending time. Learning how to leave Rushing at home. And most of all, love.
Christine Hassing https://christinehassing.com
The Great Depression spanned 10 years, from 1929 to 1939, and its devastation can only be imagined by most people today. Many families lost homes and fortunes, thousands of businesses and banks failed, and at its nadir, one in four American workers were unemployed. The major industrial cities on Lake Erie (Cleveland, Detroit, Buffalo, and Toledo) were hit especially hard, with unemployment rates ranging up to 70 percent.
In 1935, civic leaders in Cleveland had an idea for mitigating the hard times. The following year, 1936, would mark the 100th anniversary of Cleveland becoming a city. A centennial celebration might provide some relief from the stress and “dreariness,” and also provide an economic stimulus—and jobs. The result was the Great Lakes Exposition. Its stated purpose was to highlight the “material, social, and cultural progress of the Great Lakes region in the last 100 years,” and “indicate the paths of progress for the future.”
Over just 80 days, a crew of 2,700 workers planned and built 186 buildings and rides, as well as infrastructure including gas, water, electricity, roads, sidewalks, rest rooms, and
sewers. On a 135-acre site on Lake Erie that had been the city’s landfill, workers built 35 “nationality villages,” created to provide visitors with the atmosphere of other countries including international music and foods. The exposition had a midway, a Hall of Presidents and Hall of Progress, an Automotive Building, an art gallery, and horticultural gardens. The exposition opened on June 27, 1936, one month after the Republican National Convention was held at the new 12,000-seat Public Auditorium near the exposition’s main entrance. Nightly radio broadcasts originated there during the exposition. At the opening ceremony, President Franklin D. Roosevelt turned on lights by pushing a button remotely from the White House. He attended in person two months later. Cleveland’s own Jesse Owens attended, shortly after winning four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The exposition was originally planned only for 100 days over the summer of 1936, but with the event’s success, it was decided to reopen it for the summer of 1937. General admission was 50 cents, equivalent to $11 today.
A favorite attraction was the Aquacade water show, managed by impresario and showman Billy Rose. Swimmers in the Aquacade shows included Olympian Eleanor Holm as well as Johnny Weissmuller, star of the Tarzan film series and holder of five Olympic gold medals and 67 world records. Other performers at the exposition included Ed Wynn, Fibber McGee, Jimmy Durante, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Rudy Vallee.
The giant industries of the Great Lakes region were well represented, with exhibits by General Motors, Ford, Standard Oil, Pennzoil, Sears, Sherwin-Williams, Otis Elevator, Goodyear, and Firestone. The Goodyear Blimps gave rides over the city for $3, equivalent to $67 today. Although the exposition was not a World’s Fair, it drew 7 million people over the two summers and brought an estimated $70 million into the
local economy, equivalent to $1.6 billion in 2024.
Today, the site of the Great Lakes Exposition is occupied by the Great Lakes Science Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and part of the Cleveland Browns’ stadium facilities. The last vestige of the exposition, the Donald Gray Gardens, was removed in the late 1990s when the Browns’ new stadium was built.
Tony Ettwein
A. A Goodyear blimp flies over Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s South Pole exploration ship
B. Great Lakes Exposition postcard showing the Aurora Borealis on the horizon
C. Poster for the Great Lakes Exposition in Cleveland, 1936
D.
R)
(L to
Impresario Billy Rose with swimmers Eleanor Holm and Johnny Weissmuller
According to the NIMH, in 2021, 21 million adults experienced depression in the United States. Females are more likely to suffer from depression than males, according to NIMH. Depression causes people to lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, can lead to physical ailments, and if left untreated, can in some cases lead to suicide, as reported by Mental Health America in 2024.
There are several causes of depression. It could be genetic, as having a family history of depression increases the risk of experiencing it. Mental Health America also reports that genes and environmental factors could lead to depression. Biological factors such as having too little or too much of specific brain chemicals, referred to as neurotransmitters, can cause changes in the brain.
Negative cognitions can lead to low self-esteem, which could result in the development of clinical depression.
Gender can also play a role in experiencing a depressive episode. Women tend to experience symptoms of depression during various stages of their life such as menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, weight fluctuations, and stress from balancing multiple responsibilities.
Often, medical diagnoses can contribute to feelings of depression.
Mental Health America lists heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and
hormonal disorders as health diagnoses linked to depression.
Medications may have side effects that affect one’s mood and can bring on depression. It’s important to contact your medical provider if the prescribed medication is causing feelings of depression or hopelessness.
Depression can also be caused by various life events such as divorce, financial problems, the death of a loved one, the diagnosis of a loved one with a medical health disorder, work stress, and loneliness due to lack of a support system. I
If you are experiencing depression, you may have symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, changes in sleep patterns, fluctuations in weight, loss of pleasure, loss of interest in sex, irritability, somatic symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, chronic pain, or digestive disorders, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, loss of energy, feeling guilty, hopeless, or worthless, and thoughts of suicide.
When a loved one is experiencing depression, it is important to support them. Here are some suggestions on things not to say to them: “It’s in your head.” “Just don’t be depressed.”
“You don’t seem sad.” “Try harder.”
“You’ll get over it.” “You don’t look depressed.” “There are a lot of people who are worse off.” “Be positive.”
“Don’t be so dramatic.” “I’m tired of you acting so depressed.” “Change your attitude.” “Stop being the victim.” “What’s wrong with you?” “It’s
a phase.” “Things could be worse.”
“Snap out of it.” “It’s your fault.” “Get your act together.”
The good news is that depression is treatable. Antidepressant medication, therapy, or a combination of the two can help improve mood. Reaching out to a local therapist is the first step. Together with your therapist, you can determine the best treatment modality for you. An assessment can determine if the treatment is working or if a different modality needs to be introduced. The more effort you put into the treatment, the more effective it will be. It’s okay to ask for help. You can find a local therapist
on Psychology Today by clicking on „Find a Therapist“ and entering your zip code. When starting therapy, it’s okay to shop around for a therapist you feel connected to, so you can feel safe in sharing your feelings.
References
Mental Health America, 2024, Depression, Mental Health America Incorporated.
National Institute of Mental Health, 2024
Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC
parenting Keeping Those Brains Working Over Summer
Summer is here, and the kids are home from school, ready to have fun. It‘s a season of discovery, spending quality time with family and friends, and exploring new places. However, it‘s important to keep the kids engaged in learning over the summer to ensure they‘re prepared when school starts again in the fall. Teachers often must spend time reteaching behaviors, rules, and information that may have been forgotten over the summer break. This responsibility falls not only on the teachers but also on the
parents. Why not help your child by keeping their previous year‘s skills sharp and encouraging them to learn new ones?
There are plenty of resources available to help with math, English, writing, science, and social studies. You can make learning fun by incorporating activities such as singing songs, conducting experiments, writing short stories, and finding ways to make learning enjoyable. For example, you could plan a trip to the museum and then have your child
write a short story about their experience there. After finishing the story, have them read it aloud to you so you can experience the museum visit through their eyes.
Additionally, numerous virtual websites offer interactive experiences for kids. These virtual field trips can take them to destinations they might not be able to visit in person due to distance. Some examples of virtual field trips include: [list of virtual field trip options]
https://www.discoveryeducation. com/community/virtual-field-trips/ https://www.michiganlearning.org/ virtual-field-trips/ https://www.weareteachers.com/ best-virtual-field-trips/ https://wgvu.pbslearningmedia. org/shared/12718/4846901/ https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=YbObBIuxfgk
Your school may also have online opportunities to keep your child’s mind fresh. It is good to create routines for your child. Starting your day with some chores can allow your child to learn responsibility. Carving out some time for reading can also enhance their reading and comprehension skills. Many local libraries and bookstores have fun reading programs where your child can earn prizes for the time or number of books they read.
Allowing time for free play provides children with the ability to use their imagination. Kids love doing science experiments, this could be a way to have some quality time with your child. Allow them to pick out a few experiments they want to do and maybe some that you are interested in. Legos are also a great way for children to learn, as it takes discipline to follow directions and create. Another summer idea to keep kids involved and stimulate their brains is career exploration. Taking your child on field trips to different establishments and talking to them about different careers is an activity that allows them to think about different career paths they may not have considered before. Here is a link for additional career exploration: https://www.pbs. org/video/curious-kids-careers/. While your kids are home for the summer, give them learning opportunities, but don’t feel that you need to have them overscheduled. Provide them with opportunities for camps. Allow your children to explore sports, music, and theater to encourage a well-rounded mindset.
Dr.
Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC
Recipes cool treats!
Summertime is a fun time, especially for kids (of all ages) because the weather brings such beautiful skies to help usher in a bounty of delicious fruits that are just ripe for the pickin’ and to do something delicious with, like make popsicles!
One of my favorite summer memories of childhood (likely because my mother allowed us to concoct all kinds of crazy flavors) was to make our own popsicles, which we were fervent at all summer long!
On days when there was no fruit at hand, I recall turning to my next favorite sweet thing- green KoolAid! I loved its flavor so much, likely because Mom bought it unsweetened. This meant we could make it more flavor forward and less sugary, which dulls flavors.
I would mix one of the 2-quart packages into about a quart of water and then add only about 1/3 cup of sugar instead of the 1-cup the package called for. I’d also add a pinch of salt because Mom always said, “Salt helps make sweet taste sweeter!” I’d carefully pour my green con-
coction into her metal ice cube trays then pop them in the freezer up until they were almost, but not quite solid.
I’d take out a few of the almost frozen cubes then drop them in one of those old aluminum tumblers that made your hands cold, then I’d use a fork to crush it into ice slivers to slurp up with a straw.
Ah, childhood!
I must confess that even though I have made well over sixty-three trips around the sun, the kid in me still craves green Kool-Aid slushies whenever hot summer days roll around.
That’s why you will always be sure to find a stash of unsweetened green Kool-Aid (now called “lemon-lime”) packets tucked in our root cellar.
Mom was much better at the fancy fruit pops she used to dole out, but she was always sure to enlist us in helping. Simple things like laying out newspaper so she could cut melons, or gathering the trays and molds to make the frozen treats were always tasks handed to us kids.
Looking for a modern source for homemade “sickles” that offered that fruit-forward chill that Mom was famous for on hot summer days, I
found two sources with some very fresh and delicious ideas: Watermelon.org, which is self-explanatory, and Produceforkids.com.
Created in 2002 by Shuman Produce Inc., a leading grower and shipper of Vidalia® sweet onions, Produce for Kids® is a website that works to educate us on healthy eating with fresh produce while also raising funds for local children’s non-profit organizations.
Filled with helpful tips, advice, planners and recipes - I found a whopping 24 healthy and fruity popsicle recipes right on the masthead – you can easily find recipes for what’s in season, healthy recipes for classic family favorites and you can sign up for their newsletter so you’ll never miss a beat – or would that be beet – ever again!
This resource is packed with healthy information, advice, and recipes that we can all use because honestly, when it comes to healthy and flavorful nutrition, it doesn’t matter if you are 2 or 82, we all need food that makes us feel good – inside and out!
This is especially true when it
comes to popsicles, and I don’t know a single age group that doesn’t like them!
Using fresh fruit and vegetables helps to infuse much-needed nutrients and fiber into cool treats, ones that are super essential to our health, which makes any super-chilly treat made from fresh produce a super delight - no matter your age!
Watermelon.org also offers a simply stunning recipe collection that is so eye appealing it will have you heading out for melon after visiting, so consider yourself warned.
Here now is a small, sun-kissed sampling of more than 20 different pure-flavor popsicle recipes waiting for you at Produceforkids.com that I’ve paired with a sweet sampling of the many more cool and quenching recipes that await you at watermelon. org. ENJOY!
Laura Kurella is an award-winning home cook who loves to share recipes from her Michigan kitchen. She welcomes comments atlaurakurella@ yahoo.com.
PB & J Popsicles
Recipes
Recipe provided by watermelon.org
6 cups cubed watermelon
2 tablespoons honey
1 lime, juiced and zested, divided
3 tablespoons Kosher salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
1. Combine watermelon, honey and lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute.
2. Divided watermelon mixture
Popsicles
Recipe provided by produceforkids.
Yield: 30+ popsicles
Chili-Lime Watermelon Popsicles Rainbow
evenly between a 10-slot popsicle mold, filling each three-quarters full. Insert popsicle sticks and cover with popsicle mold lid. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until solid.
3. Meanwhile, combine kosher salt, remaining lime zest and chili powder in a small bowl.
4. Unmold popsicles and sprinkle with chili mixture. Serve and enjoy.
Recipe provided by produceforkids. com These pops get their “jelly” flavor from fresh strawberries and blueberries, helping the whole family sneak in more produce! 3 cups blueberries 1 cup strawberries 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup unsweetened rice milk
1/3 cup agave nectar In the cup of a blender, combine blueberries, strawberries, vanilla extract, rice milk, peanut butter, and agave nectar. Blend until smooth then pour, dividing equally, into six individual Popsicle molds. Place in the freezer and freeze until solid – about four hours. Approximate servings per recipe: 6.
Recipe provided by watermelon.org Yield: 8 servings
3 ½ cups cubed watermelon
5 ½ tablespoons sugar, divided 1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup canned coconut milk, well shaken
6 medium kiwi fruits
1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
1. Add watermelon, 2 tablespoons of sugar and lemon juice to a blender and blend until well pureed. Skim off foam and carefully pour into up to 10 popsicle molds filling to about ? full. Cover with the lid and insert the popsicle sticks and freeze for 3 hours. Watermelon juice separates naturally so stir it gently every 30 minutes. Once the juice is slushed, sprinkle chocolate chips over the tops and push gently down to immerse, keeping some touching the insides of the molds.
2. After three hours, whisk coconut milk, 1 ½ tablespoons of sugar until sugar is dissolved and chill for 30 minutes. You want a nice pourable
consistency after chilling, not too thick. If it thickens too much, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of cold water to thin.
3. Remove popsicles from the freezer and pour about a tablespoon of coconut milk into an even layer over the watermelon layer. Return to the freezer, uncovered, and chill for at least 45 minutes. Meanwhile, peel the kiwis (or cut tops and scoop out flesh) and transfer the fruit to the blender along with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Pulse until pureed. Pour through a mesh strainer to remove seeds and chill the puree for 30 minutes.
4. Take popsicles from the freezer and top each with kiwi mixture, about a tablespoon each. Return to the freezer and chill until popsicles are fully solid, about 2-3 hours.
5. To remove popsicles from molds, turn the tray to the side and run plastic molds under warm water for several seconds without letting water touch the kiwi at the top. Then slowly pull from molds.
or
strawberries or raspberries TO CREATE EACH LAYER: Place all the layer›s ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more liquid to help it blend if it›s too thick. Transfer mixture to a bowl or container, rinse the blender and prep the next layer.
TO ASSEMBLE: Carefully layer each color layer in a popsicle mold in the order of a rainbow by carefully spooning, with a tablespoon to scoop, the layer›s mixture into the mold. (Spooning reduces layers blending too much.) Once molds are full, add sticks and freeze overnight. To release mold, fill the kitchen sink with room temperature water. Place mold in water, making sure the water does not go above the top of the mold. Allow the mold to sit in the water for a few seconds then wiggle popsicles free.
Whole Fruit Popsicles
Recipe provided by produceforkids. com
About 2 kiwis
1 cup strawberry halves
1 cup roughly chopped mango
1 cup blueberries
1 cup roughly chopped watermelon
1 cup rough chopped pineapple
Working with one fruit at a time, puree in a small food processor. Rinse the machine out between fruits.
Carefully spoon a layer of fruit at the bottom of each popsicle mold. Gently tap the mold on a firm surface to level the puree. Freeze until solid.
Continue until you have filled the molds. If any of the purees are a little too thick to work with, stir in a little water. Clean up any spilled puree from the insides of the molds as you go so they won’t mar your design, just scrape the drips down with a popsicle stick.
To un-mold, fill your sink with hot tap water, and hold the mold in the water, just up to, but not over the top edge, for a few seconds. If the popsicles don’t slide out, hold the mold in the water a little longer.
Spoon another layer of fruit in each mold and stand a stick upright in each. Force it down gently into the frozen bottom layer so it will stand up straight. You are not going to use the plastic top for this recipe, just leave it off. Again, firmly tap the mold down on the counter to level the puree and freeze again until the second layer is solid. (The freezing time between layers will vary with your freezer temperature, but it might take 45 minutes or so.)
Laura Kurella
Layered Watermelon Popsicles
Both sides of my parents’ families endured food insecurity during the Great Depression when they were kids. I grew up hearing stories from both of them and my grandmother about eating horse meat in desperation, never wasting any food at all, and getting 1/2 an orange for a treat on Christmas, to name a few. There are people in our community right here and right now dealing with food insecurity. I wanted to learn more about the effects of food insecurity so I did an internet search. Here are a few of the answers provided by several reputable sources and I invite you to do a search on your own for more info. Food insecurity influences many aspects of people’s lives, negatively affecting things such as health, productivity, mental health, the educational system, the medical system, and more.
One of the local organizations that addresses food insecurity is celebrating a special year. In June, Twelve Baskets Food Pantry on Portage Road will celebrate its ten year anniversary serving the people of Portage, Schoolcraft, Three Rivers, Vicksburg, and families in the wider community. They are part of the 211 emergency service too.
Twelve Baskets is kicking off their anniversary with a funds campaign to ensure they can continue to provide their much-needed services to the local community in the future.
Twelve Baskets is inviting you to help alleviate some of the problems caused by food insecurity by donating what you can to their Ten Year Anniversary fund raising campaign.
Their two small buildings on Portage Road, along with their parking lot, are in need of upgrades and repairs,
which is the reason they are launching their campaign. You can also help them at any time, not just during the campaign, by donating unexpired food items (check their website for the most needed items) or volunteering your time in many different ways.
Twelve Baskets was founded in 2014 and has grown from providing groceries to 18 families twice a month to currently serving more than 350 families, plus operating a free store to assist with clothing and household needs. They have a very dedicated team of volunteers serving in different roles for food distribution. For example, one volunteer was so dedicated they hit a turkey on their way in one day, shattering their windshield, but continued on in to help distribute food. Twelve Baskets receives support from businesses, individuals, schools, churches, restaurants, grocery stores, local gardeners and farmers, and have received a few small grants. They are affiliated with Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks and pantries. They are working toward a future where no one goes hungry.
I feel lucky to live in our local community filled with incredibly generous people who willingly offer their time, talent, and funds. And lucky to be living in Michigan - a state that produces more than 300 different agricultural commodities, which makes Michigan one of the most agriculturally diverse
states in the U.S.
Tonight, think about the food that you see on your dinner plate. Before you start eating, put 1/2 of your dinner back into your fridge; then put 1/2 of what’s left on your plate back into your fridge. Then look at your plate and see how you feel about what’s left on it. Do you think you’d feel hungry? Then envision that feeling happening several times a week. Let’s work together as a community to end hunger locally. Check out Twelve Basket’s website for ways that you can help your neighbors and how Twelve Baskets can help you too: www.twelve-baskets.org
Ann Murray is an award-winning commercial illustrator and author. She has illustrated 8 childrens books and her stories have been in 3 published anthologies.
It’s a Wonderful Life
I know it’s July and this is the title of a classic Christmas film, but it just so happens that optimists live longer. Increasing evidence suggests that practicing optimism affects your health. A Dutch study found that older adults who generally expected good things to happen lived longer than those who tended to expect doom and gloom. After accounting for factors such as age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and socioeco-
nomic status, those who scored high on the optimism scale had a 29% reduced risk of early death compared to those who scored lower on the scale. A positive outlook appeared to be particularly protective against early death from cardiovascular problems. Highly optimistic participants were 77% less likely to die from a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular event than were highly pessimistic participants. A Mayo Clinic study found similar
results. Researchers examined the relationship between how adults explained the causes of life events and their mortality rate over a 30-year period. They found that individuals who were more pessimistic died younger than those who were more optimistic.
Optimists tended to believe factors associated with bad events were temporary and not their fault. Pessimists were more likely to blame themselves, feel that their situation was going to last forever, and feel that a bad event would undermine everything.
Using the same people, researchers examined the association between outlook on life events and selfreported health status 30 years later.
Optimists generally reported fewer health limitations and problems with daily routines, less pain, more energy, and greater ease with social activities. They were also more peaceful, happy, and calm most of the time.
Other studies suggest that optimists are less likely to experience coronary artery disease, and if they do undergo heart surgery, their recovery and health are better afterward. Individuals who are pessimists have been found to be more prone to depression, have weaker immune systems, and use more medical and mental health services.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure how optimism benefits health or how pessimism can translate into poorer health and early death. Optimists had higher levels of physical activity, more moderate use of alcohol, less smoking, and higher educational levels. They were also more likely to live with a spouse. But even after adjusting for these factors, optimism still had an independent effect on the death rate.
of the explanation may be that optimists, by their very nature, tend to report better health. However, the Dutch study found that optimists lived longer than pessimists, even if they had chronic illnesses or physical disabilities. It’s also possible that the habits of optimists, such as taking medications as prescribed, are more likely to promote health and recovery. Simply thinking happy thoughts won’t prevent or cure a serious illness. There are factors, however, that people with a health condition often share a number of characteristics. A sense of community for support and encouragement; Some element of spirituality; Some acknowledgement that “bad things happen to good people.” We’re living in times that many of us find it hard to be optimistic. But these key ingredients may help you make the best of the life you’re living. Remember to MAKE your day great and be kind, Till next time,
Ken “Clarence” Dettloff ACE Certified Personal and Brain Health Trainer
Traveling exhibit based on a New York Times best-selling children’s book series
The next exhibit at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum brings to life New York Times best-selling children’s book series “The Questioneers,” which centers on five fearless, problem-solving second-graders who dream big, persevere and aspire to science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) careers.
The free traveling exhibit “The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think.
PLAY!” runs through Sept. 1. It is based on “The Questioneers” book series written by Chicago- based author Andrea Page, who grew up an avid reader and lover of adventures in the small town of Benton, Illinois, whose population is just over 6,700 people.
Before Page wrote fiction professionally, she fixed computers at a computer software company and was a technical writer; she had studied biology and computer science in college. It is no wonder her book series’
NEW MUSEUM EXHIBIT
INVITES KIDS TO READ, QUESTION, THINK AND PLAY
Clearly Indigenous
“The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. PLAY!” exhibit poses questions, identifies challenges and sparks creative problem-solving. Like the characters Iggy Peck, Rosie Revere, Ada Twist, Aaron Slater and Sofia Valdez, every future leader will find inspiration to solve everyday mysteries and to think more critically about their world. Most importantly, they will learn that, despite inevitable challenges, they should always continue to “Read. Question. Think.” and never give up on their dreams.
At the exhibit, visitors can try their hands at being a scientist through such activities as investigating cause and effect, and figuring out why a clock goes “tick tock.” Or engineer rockets, test their flying (or falling) contraptions, and pilot a life-size Heli-o-cheese-copter. Other activities include building whimsical bridges, designing buildings and exploring how one person’s bravery can change the world. Would-be artists will learn about the power of art, finding their voice, and what makes them unique and important to the world.
“The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. PLAY!” was created by DuPage Children’s Museum. “The Questioneers” is by Andrea Beaty with illustrations by © David Roberts. “The Questioneers” is a registered trademark owned by Abrams. There is no charge for entry to the exhibit or the museum, which is located at 230 N. Rose St. in downtown Kalamazoo. It is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and governed by its Board of Trustees.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts to present the unprecedented exhibition Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass through August 25, 2024
The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is pleased to host Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass, a groundbreaking exhibition giving broader and overdue recognition to a wide range of contemporary Native American and Indigenous, Pacific-Rim artists working in glass. The exhibition features nearly 100 glass art objects created by twentynine Native American artists and leading glass artist Dale Chihuly. Many of these artists are also widely known for their work in other media.
In addition, two Australian Aboriginal artists and two Maori artists, who have collaborated with Native American artists, are also featured, for a total of thirty-three indigenous artists, as well as Chihuly.
Clearly Indigenous was originated by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and the traveling exhibition was curated by Dr. Letitia Chambers and toured by International Arts and Artists. A companion book published by the Museum of New Mexico Press features most of the artworks in the exhibit.
The stunning art in the exhibition embodies the intellectual content of Native traditions, newly illuminated by the unique properties that can only be achieved by working with glass. Says Dr. Chambers, “Whether re-interpreting traditional stories and designs via glass or expressing contemporary issues affecting tribal societies, Indigenous glass artists have created a content-laden body of work. These artists have melded the aesthetics and properties inherent in glass art with their cultural ways of knowing.” The result is a groundbreaking exhibit featuring an impressive body of works illuminating these artists’ reflections on Indigenous basketmaking, textile, and pottery
traditions; ancestral stories; as well as the importance of animals of the land, air, and sea.
A collaboration between the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), resulted in establishing a glass program and a hot shop for the IAIA, where Chihuly was in turn, influenced by indigenous cultures, as evidenced by his Basket series.
Alongside Chihuly, among the artists included in this seminal exhibition are Larry Ahvakana (Inupiat), Dan Friday (Lummi), Carol Lujan (Diné), Robert “Spooner” Marcus (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo), Lillian Pitt (Warm Springs, Wasco, Yakama), and Preston Singletary (Tlingit).
The KIA has excellent examples of Chihuly’s and other glass artists in its collection. “We are thrilled to present Clearly Indigenous as the KIA begins its celebrations for our 100th anniversary. This singular exhibition continues to emphasize our institution’s commitment to presenting the wealth of diverse artists from our past, present, and future,” says Rehema Barber, Director of Curatorial Affairs.
Clearly Indigenous Special Exhibition Pricing Adults: $13
Seniors (60+), Active Military, Groups (10 or more): $8 College Students (18+ with ID) & Youth (ages 7-17): $7
Children (ages 6 & younger): Free Museum Members: Free based on membership level Admission price includes all Special Exhibitions and the museum’s permanent collection galleries. We strongly recommend advance ticket purchase. Guests purchasing tickets on site may experience a wait to enter this exhibition. Plan ahead and purchase your admission
tickets online or a timed entry ticket at the Guest Services Desk. Timed entry tickets are available 30 days in advance. Nonrefundable tickets are “final sale” tickets that may not be returned for a full refund after purchase.
Admission discounts such as Art Bridges Foundation Access for All, Museums for All, and Blue Star Museums may also be available. See those program pages for more information or call 269-349-7775 to speak with a Guest Services team member.
Some exhibitions, programs and events carry an admission charge or registration fee beyond the museum’s general admission and include admission to exhibitions and the collection galleries as part of that admission charge or registration fee.
In honor of our 100th anniversary, admission to the museum will be free during the entire month of July, made possible by the generous support of Jim and Carol Carter, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, PNC Bank, The Santreece Foundation, and Warner Norcoss + Judd LLP.
A. Angela Babby, Melt: Prayers for the People and the Planet, 2019, Kiln-fired vitreous enamel on glass mosaic on tile board, 30” x 30”, Image courtesy of Angela Babby, Photo by Angela Babby, © Angela Babby.
B. Raven Skyriver, Mahi Mahi, 2017, Offhand sculpted glass, 16” x 31” x 19”, Images courtesy of Raven Skyriver, Photograph by KP Studios, © Raven Skyriver.
environment Considering Blue Food
As we move into summer, going to the farmers’ market is a highlight of the week. There are so many beautiful examples of produce, and what an array of colors! Almost every imaginable hue is represented… apples, carrots, plums, and all the different varieties of berries – just the right additions for my morning protein smoothie!
Just seeing the palette of available fruits and vegetables reminds me of an old skit on Saturday Night Live from 1975, when the late social commentator and comic George Carlin lamented the lack of any naturally blue foods. It got me thinking about whether and why that observation might be so. To learn more, I went to Google for a relatively shallow dive. There are three major groups of pigments active in the Plant Kingdom. Chlorophylls, which are responsible for photosynthesis, are green, of course. Since they are critical to a plant’s ability to convert ultraviolet light from the sun into chemical energy needed to grow and thrive, they are the “Big Daddy” of the pigments.
You may recall that plants look green because their pigments strongly absorb light energy in specific wavelengths and reflect weakly absorbed colors. It so happens that chlorophylls absorb the wavelengths of visible light in the blue (most strongly) and red areas (less strongly) of the spectrum. Green light is not useful for photosynthesis, so it is reflected back, making most vegetation appear to be that color.
The other two broad classes of pigments are not used for photosynthesis but are produced by plants to advertise their reproductive structures, namely flowers and fruits/vegetables. These pigment groups are carotenoids and anthocyanins.
Carotenoids are responsible for many reds, yellows, oranges, and even browns typically seen at the farm market. Think carrots, of course, as well as peppers, tomatoes, and even watermelon. These pigments are a biochemical precursor to Vitamin A – essential for animal growth and development, including immune
function and vision. Your mother may have reminded you to eat your carrots, noting Bugs Bunny’s visual acuity!
Anthocyanins make up the myriad reds, pinks, blues, and purples of a wide range of foods we eat. If you love berries of all sorts, grapes, cherries, and eggplant, you are enjoying anthocyanin-rich examples. The wide variation of red to purple color exhibited by the pigments is due to subtle variations in molecular structure. Minor chemical substitutions to a master molecule are responsible for anthocyanin-rich flowers’ and fruits’ wide range of colors. Of interest to gardeners, a slight change in soil acidity can cause the pigment to change from purple to pink, as is sometimes seen in hydrangea blossoms.
According to the National Institute of Health, anthocyanin-rich foods possess many health benefits. They exhibit anti-inflammatory benefits, aid in good cardiovascular health, and have powerful antioxidant properties. For this reason, we are frequently urged to eat a steady, and bountiful diet of brightly colored fruits and vegetables.
You might have noticed that the color common to both classes of fruit and vegetable pigments is red. Consider that the overarching purpose of coloration in flowers and fruits is to draw, in succession, pollinators and then fruit- and vegetable-eating animals to distribute the seeds. In the natural world, the color red is the jackpot! Nothing in nature (at least in the visible spectrum) “pops” like red. As an interesting sidenote, in the artist’s color wheel, red is the complement to green, lending contrast and vibrancy to the color pair. Yelloworange is a distant second to green in terms of contrast and visual appeal. In your travels, notice what flowers stand out in a garden or lawn. Hands down, it is bright red – a poppy, rose, or dahlia. Bright orange-yellow daylilies are also eye-catching - blues and purples, not so much. From an evolutionary standpoint, plants that best advertise their flowers
be pollinated and have their seed-containing fruits distributed (hence, spreading their genetic traits) than those with less striking color characteristics. In the world of biology, that is a huge advantage! How does this explain the many varieties of purple fruits? What pollinates those plant species? Insects! Bees, in particular. Insect eyes typically can discern colors in the ultraviolet range. Purples and ultraviolet wavelength «colors» are very evident to insects for pollination. Blues are also perceived, but to a lesser extent. So - is it true that there are no naturally blue foods? Usually, it comes down to color perception and semantics. Are blueberries blue or purple? Many would say purple, and that observation has been validated by scientific studies that isolated blueberry pigment and performed spectral analysis on the resulting solution. They do look blue in their just-picked natural state. That may be due, however, to a very thin layer of a waxy substance that naturally protects the tender skin of the berries. Beautiful blue mushrooms grow in some parts of the world, and some are even edible. So, they may be considered «food,» although they don›t count as fruits and vegetables because they are not plants but belong to the Fungi Kingdom – another classification altogether. I won›t come down on either side
additional social polarization. Color identification is notoriously subjective. I know for sure that naturally blue foods are unusual and have a unique story to tell. That said, I do love a good blue raspberry popsicle on a hot day! But, of course, there›s nothing natural about that color or flavor at all!
Cheryl Hach
Retired Science Teacher
Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center
References Adams, C. (2011, December 8).
Why is there no blue food? The Straight Dope. Retrieved June 6, 2024, from https://www.straightdope. com/21344119/why-is-there-noblue-food
Penn State University (2016, February 18). Why is there no blue food? Ecologist’s Notebook. Retrieved June 6, 2024, from https://sites.psu.edu/ ecologistsnotebook/2016/02/18/ signs-of-winter-12-why-is-there-noblue-food/ C5613902/ Khoo, H. E., Azlan, A., Tang, S. T., & Lim, S. M. (2017, August 13).
Anthocyanidins and anthocyanins: Colored pigments as food, pharmaceutical ingredients, and the potential health benefits. Pub Med Central. Retrieved June 6, 2024, from https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC5613902/
Museum to Host March 6
FREE july Events
Through Sunday Jan. 19, 2025 Exhibit: Kalamazoo State Hospital: 165 Years of Psychiatric Care, Kalamazoo Valley Museum
virtual
Mondays, July 1,8,15,22,29 Parchment Update Interviews Parchmentlibrary.org
Mon., July 1 – Wed., July 24 Scavenger Hunt – Where’s Waldo Pick up passport at Gilbert & Ivy 7/24 -Drawing 7pm at Gilbert & Ivy
Mondays, July 1,8,15,22,29 Family Storytime, 10-10:45am Books, songs @ Clark Park
Mondays, July 1,8,15,22,29 Cruz in at Dean’s Ice Cream, Plainwell, 4-8pm
Monday, July 1
Early Bird Comedy Open Mic, 7:30-9:30, Crawlspace Comedy Theatre, Kalamazoo
Tuesdays, July 2,9,16,23,30
Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market 8am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.
Tuesday, July 2
Elementary Craft 2:30-4:30 Teen Craft 4-5:30pm Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, July 2
Outfront Kalamazoo Career Services -help with resumes, jobs, applications, scholarships & more! walk-in 4-5pm, 340 S. Rose St.
Tuesday, July 2
Tuesdays on the Road, 5-7:30pm, Food trucks, entertainment & yard games, Parchment Save-A-lot
Tuesdays, July 2,9,16,23,30 Theme Trivia Tuesdays, 7-9pm, Revel and Roll West
Wednesdays, Juiy 3,17
Mugs & Hugs, stories & more 10-11am, Vicksburg Library
Wednesdays, July 3,10,17,24,31 Cruise-In, 5-8pm, Gilmore Car Museum
Wednesdays, July 3,10,17,24,31 Karaoke Bingo, 7-10pm Presidential Brewing Co.
Thursdays, July 4,11,18,25
Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market 8am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.
Thursdays, July 4,11,18,25 Plainwell Farmer’s Market 3-6:30pm, 200 Allegan St.
Thursdays, July 4,11,18,25
Triple Threat Trivia, 6:30pm, must Register, Presidential Brewing Co.
Thursdays, July 4,11,18,25
Live Music, 6:30-8:30pm Saugatuck Brewing Co., Kal.
Thursdays, July 4,11,18,25
King Trivia, 7-9pm, Gull Lake Distilling Company
Friday, July 5
Memory Café – for people with Mild dementia and their care Partners, 10:30am – Noon Paw Paw District Library
Fridays, July 5,12,19,26
Quickdraw Trivia, 7-8:30pm Valhalla/Norse Nectar Meadery
Saturdays, July 6,13,20,27
Kalamazoo Farmers Market 7am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.
Saturday, July 6
Internet Users Group, 10amNoon, Bring your smart phones & Mobile devises, Paw Paw Library
Saturdays, July 6,13,20,27
Retro Cartoon Brunch, 11am-2pm, Free entry, food/drink for purchase, Presidential Brewing Company
Sundays, July 7,14,21,28 Portage Farmer’s Market 9am-1pm, Portage City Hall
Monday, July 8
Parchment Book Group: Isadore’s Secret by Mardi Link, 6pm, Parchment Library
Tuesday, July 9 Kevin Devine Children’s Concert, 10-11am, Maple Lake Amphitheatre, Paw Paw
Tuesday, July 9
ARTBreak: West Michigan Area Show Artist Highlight, 12-1pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Tuesday, July 9
Movies at Vicksburg Library Elementary 1-3pm, Teens 3-5pm Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, July 9
Tuesdays on the Road, 5-7:30pm, Food trucks, entertainment & yard games, Linden Grove Middle School, Kalamazoo
Tuesday, July 9
Cookbook Club: Cooking with Scraps by Lindsay-Jean Hard select a recipe, make & bring, 6-7pm, Richland Library
Wed., July 10 – Mon., July 15 Kindleberger Festival of the Performing Arts, Kindleberger Stage in Parchment Kindlebergerarts.org
Wednesday, July 10
Birds & Coffee Chat on Zoom 10-11am - Corvids (crows, ravens, blue jays etc.) birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu
Wednesday, July 10
The Iconix Live music at The Gilmore Car Museum Cruise-in, 5-8pm, Gilmore Car Museum
Wednesday, July 10
The First Six Week of Beekeeping with Robert Candido, 6:308:30pm, Schrier Park, Portage
Wednesday, July 10 Audubon Society Presentation “Owls,” with Russ Schippers 6-7pm, Vicksburg Library
Wednesday, July 10
Chief noonday Chapter Meeting & Speaker from The Far Out Mapping App, 7pm, Delton Library
Thursday, July 11
Adult Book Club, 9:30-10:30am, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, July 11
Bingo Beyond Barriers, 1-2pm, Richland Library @ the Richland Presbyterian Church, next door.
Thursday, July 11, 25
Teen Break & Bulldog Break 2:45-5:45pm, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, July 11
Celtics & Classics, 6-7pm, Presented by musician Brian McClure, Paw Paw Library
Friday, July 12
Art Hop: Celebrating Black Arts, 5-8pm, Downtown Kalamazoo
Friday, July 12
State on the Street: The Bootstrap Boys, Bar-5:30pm, Music 6pm, State Theatre
Friday, July 12
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Talk: Restoration and reciprocity: Healing relationships with the Natural world, 5:30-8:30pm Kalamazoo Nature Cent
Friday, July 12
Vicksburg Historic Village Movie & library giveaway “Christmas in July,” at dusk
Saturday, July 13
Kindleberger Festival Arts & Crafts Show- 9am-3pm, Car Cruise In – 10am-2pm, Dwtn. Parchment Parade 10am Kindleberger Park, Parchment
Saturday, July 13
CND “FarOut“ Mapping App Demo Hike, 9:30am, W.K. Kellogg Experimental Forest, 7060 N. 42nd St., Augusta
Saturday, July 13
Internet Users Group, bring Mobile devices & questions 10-12pm, Paw Paw Library
Saturday, July 13
Black Arts Festival 2024, 11am-8pm, Bronson Park, Kalamazoo
Saturday, July 13
Art Detectives: While You Were Asleep, 10:30-11:30pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Saturday, July 13
KIA Centennial Community Day, 11am – 5pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Saturday, July 13
Silent Book Club, 1-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Saturday, July 13
Recycle, Reuse, Revenge! A Su-slain-able Murder Mystery 2-4pm, Richland Library
Sunday, July 14
Oshtemo Music in the Park-The Iconix, 6-7:30pm Flesher Field Gazebo
Monday, July 15
Adopt a Highway event, 9am, NCTA Chief Noonday Chapter Meet at corner of Dickman & Armstrong Park, Battle Creek
Monday, July 15
STEAM, activities & more 11am-12pm, Vicksburg Library
Monday, July 15
Teen Craft/Activity/Book Club 1-2pm, Vicksburg Library
Monday, July 15
Live Music: The Kalamazoo Concert Band, 6:30pm Kindleberger Park, Parchment
Tuesday, July 16
Potawatomi Zoo, 10-11am Maple Lake Amphitheatre In Paw Paw.
Tuesday, July 16
Lego club, 1-2pm & 5:306:30pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, July 16
Magic Show: A-2 Magic, 2pm, Parchment Library
Tuesday, July 16
Tuesdays on the Road, 5-7:30 Plainwell Fannie Pell Park
Tuesday, July 16
Mystery Book club - Sherlock Holmes Series, 6:30pm, Parchment Library
Wednesday, July 17
Book Discussion: Self-Portrait with Nothing, 2-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Wednesday, July 17
Roz Puppets presents: The Mystery of Cacklewood Forest, An original production, 6-7pm Vicksburg Library
Thursday, July 18
The Heartbreak Book club: Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan, 6:307:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Thursday, July 18
STEAM, activities & more 6-7pm, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, July 18
Kalamazoo Night Market 5-10pm, 1204 Bank St.
Thursday, July 18 Indigenous Art and Activism, 6-7pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursday, July 18
Monthly Euchre Tournament 6pm, Crafted Copper, Kal.
Friday, July 19
Tourch a Truck, Preschoolers 10-11am, Elementary 11amNoon, Vicksburg Historic Village lot
Friday, July 19
Festival Fridays, 5-10pm, Music,by The Skeletones, food trucks, market & more! Arcadia Festival Site, Kal.
Saturday, July 20
Silent Book Club, 1-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Sunday, July 21
CND National Ice Cream Day Hike Event, 2pm, NCTA Chief Noonday Chapter Meet at corner of Dickman & Armstrong, Battle Creek. Post hike: Fat Mike’s, Augusta
Sunday, July 21
Live Music: Kanola Band 6:30pm, Kindleberger Park
Monday, July 22
Adult Movie Club: Featuring The Classics – 1944 crime drama classic, 3:30pm, Vicksburg Library
Monday, July 22
Silent Book Club, 5:15pm Parchment Library
Tuesday, July 23
Science Heroes: Adventure Of the Lost Treasure, 10-11am, Maple Lake Amphitheatre
Tuesday, July 23
Glass Art with Ekin Deniz & Joshua Davids, Noon-1pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Tuesday, July 23 Tuesdays on the Road, 5-7:30pm Food trucks, entertainment & Yard games, Midtown Fresh, Kal.
Tuesday, July 23
Cookbook Club: One Pot, Pan, Planet by Anna Jones select a recipe, make & bring, 6-7pm, Richland Library
Wednesday July 24 Silent Book Club, 1:15pm Parchment Library
Wednesday, July 24 All About Green Burial, 6-7pm, Richland Library
Thursday, July 25 ArtBridges Accesss for All, 11am – 8pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Tuesday, July 23 Teen Intro to Card Making, 1:30-2:30pm, Vicksburg Library
Wednesday, July 24 Teen Puzzle Fun, 3-5pm Vicksburg Library
Thursday, July 25 Adult Writers’ Motivational Group, 4:30-5:30pm Vicksburg Library
Thursday, July 25 Book club: A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao, 6:307:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Friday, July 26 Vicksburg Library at the Vicks. Farmer’s Masrket, 2-6pm
Friday, July 26 Friday at Celery Flats McKinney Brown Duo-4:30pm The Iconix - 6:45-8:30 Food trucks on site!
Saturday, July 27 Summer STEAM Days! Space, 10am-2pm Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Rd.
Saturday, July 27 Grief Circle, 10am-Noon Rootead Kalamazoo
Saturday, July 27 Silent Book club, 1-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Sunday, July 28 Live Music: Crossroads Ressurection, 6:30pm Kindleberger Park
Monday, July 29 Peace Corps Adventures 6:30pm, Parchment Library
Monday, July 29 Elementary Activity/Craft 12-1pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, July 30 A2 Magic Show, 10-11am Maple Lake Amphitheatre
Tuesday, July 30 Children’s Concert: Rockin’
