Good News December 2023

December 2023

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GOOD NEWS

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December 2023

Remember When

With the holidays upon us and the season of “sweet treats” in full swing, Awrey’s Bakery seemed like the perfect former business to remember this month. Their slogan: Baking your day sweeter since 1910, held true for 113 years before sadly closing just this past fall.

Awrey’s was well-known for their Windmill cookies (and even part of their logo), delicious Long John Coffee Cakes and date-nut bars to name a few. They produced over 130 premium bakery products including cookies, cakes, pastries, muffins, donuts, croissants, biscuits and many non-branded frozen baked goods for the restaurant and hospitality industries. You might be surprised to know that Awrey’s produced the cakes and dipper donuts for Bill Knapp’s and the iconic Sanders Bumpy cakes, in chocolate and caramel. I’m hopeful that they find another baker soon to produce these cakes and donuts again.

Awrey’s was founded in 1910 by Canadian immigrants, Fletcher and Elizabeth Awrey, when the family moved to Detroit from Ontario.

Elizabeth Awrey sold cookies, cakes and pies baked in their home’s coalfired oven before they went into the

baking business and expanded with a variety of pastries and brownies.

In the 1920’s, Awrey’s was the first baker to join with local supermarkets – a new concept, to have counters inside the grocers, which were more economical. By 1950, Awrey’s had about 70 bakeries, but would close all but 10 stores within the next 10 years. In 1960, Awrey’s operated 150 concessions in area grocery stores.

The original grocery plant was located on the west-side of Detroit, considered the Tireman—Grand River area at that time. Because the Tireman bakery seemed outdated and inefficient, Awrey’s built a 218,000-square foot automated plant adjoining a railroad line at 12301 Farmington Rd., in Livonia. The plant opened in 1967 and became one of the first computerized bakeries in the country.

They operated an outlet store at the new plant that sold a variety of their bakery products that didn’t meet their rigid quality control standards, at low prices to the community.

Many people fondly remember frequenting the store.

During the 1970s, due to the rising costs for retail clerks, inflicted by the Retail Clerks Union, Awrey’s closed all but one of their stores and gave the leased retail space back to the grocers. Instead, products were widely distributed by leading food

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service distributors and were available for sale in a variety of retail outlets including Kroger, Wal-Mart, Costco and hundreds of stores throughout the country. They also added a line of frozen bakery goods for many fastfood chains, airlines, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and prisons.

Institutional sales were an area for growth and became a large portion of their sales.

In February 2005, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing declining sales and higher costs for dairy products, fuel and health care for their 150 employees. That same year, two investment firms, Hilco Equity Management and Monomoy Capital Partners purchased Awrey’s for $25 million, according to a Free Press article.

In February 2013, Minnie Marie Bakers, a company based in the Midland-Bay City area bought Awrey’s just days after the bakery had closed and reopened it the next month. The business came within minutes of selling its assets at auction, according to Detroit News archives. However, the bakery’s rescue followed years of financial problems.

Awrey’s, one of the few iconic Detroit area brands that was still operating, closed their doors On October 21, 2023 and would no longer be Baking your day sweeter since 1910. Reasons cited for their demise included a decline in sales of sweet goods and the growing production costs.

Jackie Merriam

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

Savory Herb Salt Great Gift Idea Easy to Make!

Both a delicious addition to homecooked meals and a lovely gift for the holidays, herb salt is easy to prepare.

We’ve recently discovered herb salts as savory, mouth-watering additions to recipes, and also as an ingenious way to prolong the life of fresh herbs.

Salt preserves the herbs, and the herbs infuse the salts, making a flavor combo you can’t resist. Try herb salts on meats, roasted vegetables, popcorn, garlic bread, and even in your cocktails! You’ll want this new ingredient in your culinary arsenal.

blend. Herb salts will last about 6 months or longer in the refrigerator.

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Article courtesy of Botanical Interests.

Ingredients:

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3 cups loosely packed, fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano and mint ½ cup coarse salt

Directions:

1. Wash and dry herbs thoroughly.

2. Either pulse herbs and salt in a food processor (careful not to create a paste), or finely chop herbs and salt together with a knife.

Store your herb salt in a glass jar in the fridge. Shake periodically over 7 to 10 days while flavors

Blend ideas:

Italian blend: Basil, oregano, parsley, and salt Summer blend: Dill, parsley, and salt Thanksgiving blend: Sage, thyme, parsley, and salt Salsa blend: Cilantro and salt As you can see, the possibilities are endless!

Wedel’s has a nice selection of organic herbs that will do well indoors for the winter.

Your herb plants prefer a lightweight, well-drained soil – they don’t like to have “wet feet”!

Herb plants do best when they are growing in a terra cotta pot with a tray in a sunny window.

Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center 5020 Texas Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49009

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Brightly wrapped Christmas crackers caught my eye recently at World Market in Portage. Having young grandchildren, I’m always on the look-out for new ideas to share with them. I excitedly purchased

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a package and can’t wait to surprise them this holiday season.

Christmas crackers make a loud popping sound when pulled apart and contain a joke, party hat and a special gift. They are perfect to set at each place setting, a tree decoration, stocking stuffers or as fun welcome gifts for visiting friends and relatives.

Party crackers are a tradition dating back to the Victorian times. In 1840, a sweet shop owner, Tom Smith, started selling sugared almonds with sentimental messages as love tokens tucked inside the wrapper.

While watching his wood fire one Christmas, he saw a log burst into flame with a loud crack! This inspired him to make a log-shaped package for his sugared almonds that produced a surprise bang,

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a friction activated chemical explosion (silver fulminate). The cracker quickly became popular at parties with toys and hats added. By the end of the 19th century it was an established Christmas tradition and now, virtually every household in the United Kingdom has at least one box during the holiday season.

The late Queen of England loved the Christmas cracker tradition, especially the silly jokes, and had a custom-made Christmas cracker made for each member of the royal family.

This holiday season, enjoy your annual traditions and consider adding some new ones too.

Happy Holidays!

Jackie

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December 2023

New Year’s Fest – A New Year’s Eve Tradition New Year’s Eve is indeed a celebration no matter where you choose to celebrate. It is the people that make our New Year’s Eve celebrations memorable. For 38 years, the greater Kalamazoo region is a place where New Year’s Eve is celebrated in Downtown Kalamazoo with the tradition of performing artists, buildings that come alive with celebrated entertainment, a park with heated tents and more entertainment, fireworks, a ball drop, and almost everything in between. New Year’s Fest a performing arts festival. The 38th Annual New Year’s Fest, presented by Maple Hill Auto Group, offers a variety of entertainment options for people of all ages, sixty performances to be exact. This year’s event will feature a variety of ways to enjoy the event including outdoors in Bronson Park with heated tents and indoors at ten locations. The night wraps up with the New Year’s Eve ball drop, sponsored by Biddergy fire works at the

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stroke of midnight.

New Year’s Fest is a festival that has taken place for 37 years and promises the opportunity to see great performances, the ability to financially support the performing arts, and a way to join your family and friends to try new entertainment genres. With repeating 30- or 45-minute performances, you can try something a little more classical or listen to music you might not normally relate to. The website (www.newyearsfest.com) hosts all the information needed to enjoy. Please check the website regularly as new performances are added.

Buttons will officially be ready for online advanced sale on December 5. Admission comes in the form of a button, which is available for $7 in advance at 15 locations throughout Kalamazoo County. A complete listing by geographical area is included on the website. At the event, buttons are $10 and available in Bronson Park. Children 3 and younger are free. The button is the admission to the event locations including the

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heated tents.

Bronson Park is the hub of the event offering live bands performing from the Bronson Park Stage.

Realizing that it is a little cold, the bands will perform a 45-minute set with entertainment schedule until the countdown festivities begin at 11:45 p.m. Also in Bronson Park are two heated tents where there is a chance for families to meet super heroes and princesses along with a comedy tent for notso-superhero fans. Food trucks will be in Bronson Park offering a variety of food, beverages, and desserts. Remember, Bronson Park is part of the Central Commons District and so beverages purchased at various locations can be consumed in Bronson Park and the tents, but not the indoor locations.

“New Year’s Fest is a performing arts festival that brings the community together to celebrate the power of arts and the sheer fun of being together on New Year’s Eve in the heart of our community,” said Larry Potter, president of New Year’s Fest.

“New Year’s Fest is a one of a kind cultural arts celebration and provides a unique experience for festival goers,” Potter said. “People are able to create their own custom New Year’s Eve event that suits them.” “It allows people to design the night so that it fits who you are and what you love,” Potter said.

Entertainers are being added to the entertainment schedule and updates will be posted on the website and social media channels.

The event is supported through significant donations by: Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, Dorothy Dalton Foundation, Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation, and the Marvin and Rosalie Okun Foundation.

The event is also supported through corporate sponsorships, business and individual donations. The New Year’s Fest Board of Directors has directed this event since 1986.

New Year’s Fest of Kalamazoo, Inc. | 1417 S. Burdick St. | Kalamazoo, MI 49007 | 269-388-2830 | www. newyearsfest.com

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

Best Bid for Remembrance In 1963, sixty years ago, Robert Frost died at the age of eighty-eight.

And while that seems so long ago, his poetry remains contemporary – familiar, loved, and admired. Not least of which is his famous poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound’s the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.

In a letter Frost wrote to a friend and fellow poet, Louis Untermeyer, he said the poem was his “best bid for remembrance.”

Frost’s serene imagery of taking a few moments to watch snow falling onto a quiet woodlot, is universally relatable. Just as brilliant, was his insight to notice the seemingly insignificant horse’s harness shake and intuit its meaning. That was the genius of Frost, to capture and express where human consciousness and the natural world intersect.

I grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, where another American poet, Theodore Roethke, also lived at the time.

Roethke and I went to the same high school, Arthur Hill, though separated by many years. Roethke and Frost lived and worked during the same time period; I don’t know if they ever met, but, no doubt, likely familiar with each other’s work.

Last year, I purchased a used copy

Catalpa of Roethke’s book of poetry, “The Far Field.” During the last year of his life, he wrote sixty-one poems and in 1963 they were published posthumously in this award-winning final collection.

The copy I bought originally belonged to Carroll University Library in Wausesha, Wisconsin. The inside back cover still holds the borrowing card. The book was borrowed six times between March 1969 and February 1977. No idea where it remained from 1977 until I purchased it online from a bookseller.

Roethke’s poetry invokes imagery from nature which he skillfully transforms into expressions of feelings and emotions. While I enjoy Roethke, I do not get the immediate connection I experience with Frost; I have to think about (and guess) what Roethke was trying to express. With Frost, the imagery needs no “interpretation.”

My fascination with poetry is the

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juxtaposition of observation and perception. My favorite type of poetry is Haiku. It is just three non-rhyming lines: the first with five syllables, followed by a line of seven syllables, and the third line five syllables (5,7,5).

Haiku is almost always related to nature and somewhere within, there is an implied “seasonal word.” The goal is an instantaneous burst of insight— a connection between the outside world and one’s awareness.

A gate made all of twigsWith woven grass for hinges for a lock… this snail –Isssa–

One of my vivid childhood recollections happened when I was seven or eight years old. It had to be late-spring or early summer on a Saturday morning. It had rained overnight—one of those big, warm rains with thunder and lightning. The morning was sunny and warm and I recall the air was especially fresh and invigorating—that “clean spring rain

freshness.” I suspect part of that was a lingering aroma of ozone from the lightening just hours before. I could hear and see raindrops still dripping from the trees.

As I looked down the street toward the corner of Barnard and Cooper, two large Catalpa trees with their big heart-shaped leaves, were in magnificent bloom. I have heard that warm rains trigger Catalpa to bloom– I’m not sure that is true.

I don’t recall what drew me to that corner to stand under those Catalpa trees and simply take in that beautiful scene and moment. The wet side walk was littered with the marvelous blossoms which look like miniature white orchids, the perfumed air, the breath of a gentle morning breeze and warm sun was mesmerizing, bird song rose throughout the neighborhood–and it all contributed to an overwhelming sense of happiness, tranquility and inspiration. Every sense (vision, smell, sound, taste and touch) was fully awakened and indelibly translated and recorded in my mind and soul.

From that day forward, when I see a Catalpa, I am reminded of those few moments so many years ago and the impression it had on me.

It was an epiphanic moment in my young life filled with the enthrallment of being alive – hyper-aware and in awe of nature’s grandness. If I were to write a poem—I it would be about my experience under the blooming Catalpa trees on my street.

It was a “stopping by the wood” moment of simply “being there” and absorbing the experience.

Quakers have a concept called “centering down.” As they gather for worship they seek a state of calm and reflection and quietly wait for God’s inspiration. When I first learned of this practice, it reminded me of that morning.

So, thank you Robert Frost for your poetry, wisdom, and inspiration. And, thanks to those Catalpa trees that also brought such joy that morning and produced a memory that has lasted a lifetime.

James D. Coppinger

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS Bookshops & Bonedust Travis Baldree (Tor Books)

November 2023

In this worthy prequel to Legends & Lattes, a young Viv is laid up in the quiet town of Murk after her enthusiastic inexperience leads to a serious injury. She gradually assembles a group of friends including a swear-happy bookshop owner, a mercenary turned baker, and an irrepressible Gallina, eager to join Rackham’s Raiders. Murk doesn’t stay quiet for long with Viv around, and there’s plenty of coziness in the bookshop, eating delicious baked goods, and flirting with a new friend.

The Top T Ten en Adult Fiction and Nonfiction Chosen Monthly by America's Library Staff For book recommendations from Find out more at www.LibraryReads.org your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/

Day: A No Nov vel Michael Cunningham (Random House) This intimate and almost claustrophobic book follows a family on the same day in three different years: April 5th of 2019, 2020, and 2021. The story is about endings, beginnings, aging, relationships, and the impact of Covid-19. A lyrical novel, with deft prose and a focus on the internal lives of the characters. Cunningham has a gift of providing just enough detail to engage readers without weighing the prose down.

The Futur Future: e: A No Nov vel Naomi Alderman (Simon & Schuster) What would happen if three companies (think Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter), were removed from the world and their money put to saving the planet and all of the people on it? Alderman once again places the reader in a world that is falling apart, run by greedy billionaires who don't care what damage they do as long as they keep making more money. Look into The Future and get an idea of how that might go.

—Linda Quinn, LibraryReads Ambassador NoveList read-alike: Stay This Day and Night With Me

by Belén Gopegui

—Chad Cunningham, Monroe County Library System, NY NoveList read-alike: Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout

Pl Plot ot T Twist wist Erin La Rosa (Canary Street Press)

— Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Neill Public Library, WA NoveList read-alike: How Far to the Promised Land

by Esau McCaulley

When a famous author dies before he can make an important announcement about his career, Molly can't help but insert herself into the investigation. Molly and her friend Angela work to prove the author was murdered, but solving the case is not easy. Fans of the first book in this series will not be disappointed, and the ending may mean another sequel.

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A young Métis woman seeks to learn about her heritage as her mother tries to reconcile their lost years while protecting her daughter from what she perceives as the sins of her own mother. Told from the point of view of five generations of women, this is a beautiful and affecting debut.

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—Cari Dubiel, Twinsburg Public Library, OH NoveList read-alike: How Lucky by Will Leitch

Cal Calamity amity Constance Fay (Bramble)

—Kaite Stover, Kansas City Public Library, MO NoveList read-alike: The Last Party by Claire Mackintosh

The Other Half Charlotte Vassell (Anchor Books)

There's something about the sleaze hidden beneath a thick veneer of lucre that is always compelling. The posh characters here are in and out of each others' pockets (and beds). When one winds up dead beneath a hedge, a trio of outsider detectives seek out who is responsible. The mystery is tidied up nicely, with enough hanging threads to leave readers excited for more.

—Krista Feick, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH NoveList read-alike: The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Notable Nonfiction:

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Read-alikes provided by NoveList and the LibraryReads Community. | Made in LibraryAware - www.libraryaware.com

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Available at Michigan News Agency, Kalamazoo On-line at Amazon.com or Barnes&Noble.com For a signed copy to give to that special someone, contact that author at Christinehassing.com

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Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl Mary Mahoney and Allison Horrocks (Feiwel & Friends)

Be sure to check out our social media for the Bonus Pick annotations!

For dog lovers, for those who’ve experienced PTSD, for anyone who seeks inspirational stories of hope and healing from pain, trauma, sorrow, despair, or grief

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Childhood sweethearts Nicole and Tom win the lottery and are thrust into a life of splendor, including a dreamy glass mansion.

When Tom turns up dead in the pool, Nicole doesn't know whom she can trust—was Tom’s death a tragic accident or is someone trying to get a piece of the winnings?

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Bonus pick:

The Manor House Gilly Macmillan (William Morrow)

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NoveList read-alike: Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

— Candice Machata, North Kingstown Free Library, RI NoveList read-alike: My Heart is a Chainsaw

by Stephen Graham Jones

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The My Mystery stery Guest: A Maid No Nov vel Nita Prose (Ballantine Books)

—Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, NJ

Celia finds herself trapped in someone else’s life. Allie’s birthday trip turns into a slasher fest in a cabin in the woods. Maggie is kidnapped and made to play a dangerous dystopian maze game. All three women find themselves in situations reminiscent of their favorite horror fiction, and are fighting to survive. What is really happening, and is it possible to make it out alive? A thrilling page turner.

Life after Maid is where Class begins, and takes us to the heart of systemic inequity that exists in this country.

Unflinchingly honest and gripping, this is a memoir that is either relatable, pivotal, and/or eye opening.

It will change readers.

A Gr Grandmother andmother Begins the Story: A No Nov vel Michelle Porter (Algonquin)

In need of a hope-filled gift idea for that special someone?

Good Girls Don't Die Christina Henry (Berkley)

Cl Class: ass: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger Hunger,, and Higher Education Stephanie Land (Atria/One Signal)

Romance writer Sophie has the hots for her landlord, former indie movie star Dash.

He's stand-offish, but that's because he's harboring a secret crush on her. Their paths collide when, hungover, she barfs on him. Readers will be charmed by this sexy, lowstakes romance as the the relatable characters slowly build themselves up to reach for each other.

—Jennifer Rusche, William Jeanes Memorial Library, PA NoveList read-alike: Exes and O's by Amy Lea

—Lauren Abner, KY Dept for Libraries & Archives, KY NoveList read-alike: Under the Whispering Door

by TJ Klune

a Portion of every Bar Benefits loaves anD fisHes Winnie-Wink candy bars will be sold throughout the holiday season at various retailers and other outlets in Downtown Kalamazoo.

Each candy bar purchase has a prize and a chance to find the Golden Ticket hidden inside to win Big!

101 S. Kalamazoo Mall cherrischocolart.com 269-998-7339

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

heart of the home

END of OPEN CONCEPT Too Much Openness For decades, seemingly every home remodeling television show began with “Take down the walls!” “Open and airy!” “Let in the light!”

Sometime soon after the pandemic, however, that call changed. As people were locked into their homes, even bringing the workplace home, families began to crave the separation of walls once again.

The open concept in home design mostly meant eliminating walls between entryways, living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens. With more time spent at home with a number of people, however, a few negatives became ever more apparent. With all that open space came a lack of privacy.

Noise in one area spread through into the next. Kitchen mess was painfully visible in living areas. Heating and cooling bills tended upward as all that open space can be more difficult to heat and cool. And it can be challenging to decorate one immense open space for its many uses.

While back in the 18th and 19th century homes with multiple rooms were a show of wealth, more recently,

higher sale prices went to homes that had more open space. In the day of walls, adding parlors and smoking rooms and libraries were a sign of higher status for homeowners. In more recent years, all those closed-off spaces made a house look dated.

What comes around, goes around, right? Yet there can be definite positives to bringing back walls into our homes. Yes, privacy. A family together is a nice idea, but there are times that one wishes to curl up quietly with a

good book while the children play in raucous fun. Someone working at home will need solid walls to separate the workday from family time.

When cooking up a feast for guests, the kitchen mess can overtake counters and islands, dirty dishes fill the sink, and not always tantalizing smells waft throughout the entire house. It’s not what you want your guests to see. With all the main spaces open to public view, all those main spaces need to always be spic

and span.

As awareness of climate change grows and as heating and cooling costs grow with it, putting up walls can decrease those costs. A room can be closed off when not being used. A home with more walls can be easier on the thermometer.

Bringing back walls in new construction is easy to do.

Talk with your designer, your architect, your builder on how to make rooms work for you and your family’s needs.

But what to do if you are already in a home with the open concept? While putting up walls can be daunting and costly, there are ways to delineate and at least visually designate separate spaces. Bring different colors into each space so that each space has a different feel to it. Use the furniture to draw lines. Mix and match styles of furnishings. Place rugs to bring in boundaries. Use lighting to add a different ambiance to each space. And shush those noisy kids when they get too loud.

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December 2023

BLACK HOLE O SUN:

GOOD NEWS

The April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

In August 2017, our family drove to Clarksville, Tennessee to see the total solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and leaves the moon’s shadow on our planet.

Wherever the moon completely blocks direct light from the sun, that part of the Earth experiences a total solar eclipse. Our experience in Clarksville was remarkable. For 2 minutes and 40 seconds, the sun was completely blocked from view. It looked like a black hole in the sky surrounded by the bright white ethereal corona, which dimly lit everything around us and streaked the entire horizon with the colors of the rainbow.

December 7th 11am-1:30pm

It was a once-in-aLet’s hope for good weather. lifetime experience.

Some news sources are Or, with some reporting that hotel luck, twice in rooms in the eclipse a lifetime. path are already In a few hard to find, months— as they were on April with the 2017 8, 2024— eclipse. another The 2017 total solar eclipse covered eclipse a 71-mile-wide will cross path from coast the United to coast, Oregon States. It to South Carolina. will be visNext April’s will traible within 150 verse from the Mexican miles of Kalamazoo border northeast to New and, for viewers England. The path will be wider, near the center of its path, 124 miles, affording an opportunity totality will last nearly 4.5 for more people and resulting in the minutes. longer duration. Anyone within that In the 247-year history 124-mile path will be able to see toof the United States, only tality, but people closer to the center 21 total solar eclipses have of the path will experience it for a passed over the lower 48 longer time. states; some Americans The eclipse path will include will be fortunate enough to 13 states and several major cities see their second one in less across Middle America. Starting at than seven years. the Texas-Mexico border, cities in A big factor determinthe path will include San Antonio, ing whetherConnection we can see Depot Austin, Dallas, Little Rock, Evansthe eclipse is the weather. ville, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Toledo, Wherever clouds block Erie (Pennsylvania), Buffalo, Niagara, the view of the eclipse, you Syracuse, Burlington (Vermont) can’t see it there. Period. and continue into Canada. Weather

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permitting, Indiana and Ohio will provide excellent viewing. A small sliver of Michigan in southeastern Monroe County will be on the edge of the path for about two minutes.

What’s the closest city to Kalamazoo that’ll be in the center of the eclipse path? By coincidence, it’s Wapakoneta, Ohio, the hometown of Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the moon. The Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta will have some special events that day, but hotels near the city will be hard to find.

Important: Do not look directly at the eclipse without using certified eye protection! Doing so can cause permanent eye damage. Namebrand astronomy product companies already have products in stores and online, and they’re worth the cost to save your vision.

Tony Ettwein

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

be ART ful

There is a lovely little art gallery and artist studio nestled in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo. For many years, this very special place has been located on the historic Kalamazoo mall. Every day I am reminded how grateful I am to be a part of this transformative and inclusive environment.

MRC artWorks, a skill-building program of MRC Industries, is a professional working art studio and retail gallery. I began my career with artWorks as an art instructor three and a half years ago. I learned about each of our artists strengths and interests in order to support and encourage their individuality and unique body of work. Currently, we offer services to 70+ extraordinary human beings per week.

Did you know that MRC artWorks offers one-of-a-kind art that has been created by adults with disabilities?

Through an unwavering dedication, we provide key opportunities for our artists to achieve creative self-expression in a way that promotes personal growth, dignity and self-confidence.

Dating back to the 1940’s, MRC Industries has been breaking barriers by serving individuals in Kalamazoo County with developmental or intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, emotional impairments and mental illness to achieve their fullest potential.

Creativity knows no bounds! I am so proud to embrace an environment that provides a safe and empowering space for our artists to thrive where the focus is on their abilities rather than their disabilities. We believe that every voice deserves to be heard and every talent deserves to shine!

Through meaningful employment, workforce development and active community involvement, we strive to

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enrich the Greater Kalamazoo area with the diversity of art by promoting our artists work through a variety of venues and partnerships. All our artists receive a 75% commission from the sale of their work, which not only serves as their source of income, but also enhances and reinforces their self-esteem and self-worth.

After two and a half years as an art instructor, I transitioned into a newly established role of the artWorks retail supervisor. While I no longer teach art, I still engage with our artists every day, but now have the advantageous opportunity to really showcase their work and share their incredible artistic journeys with others. Growing and fostering invaluable community outreach connections have helped to increase brand awareness and secure additional revenue for our artists. I want everyone to know just how talented and remarkable they are! Our gallery beautifully houses an eclectic mix of fine art. From paint-

ing and mixed media to jewelry and fiber, all these autonomy-created pieces have been lovingly made by hand.

I am also pleased to announce that MRC Industries has been awarded the Chamber’s Choice 2023 Nonprofit of the year by Southwest Michigan First. MRC Industries service philosophy is that every person is unique, valuable and entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. I feel truly blessed to be a part of the MRC family! xo - Bridget MRC artWorks 330 South Kalamazoo Mall 269.978.0028 Gallery Hours: Mon-Wed 9-4 | Thu-Fri 9-7 | Sat 11-4 https://mrcindustries.org https://www.instagram.com/ mrcartworks https://www.facebook.com/mrcindustries

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10

December 2023

Piece by Piece

Joy is a net of love by which we can catch souls – St. Teresa of Calcutta The Heart Math Institute has conducted research demonstrating we can feel each other’s hearts up to fifteen feet away. Not just those we know. And love. We can feel stranger’s heart’s, too.

At the point you read “Piece by Piece”, the holiday season will be in full swing. Among the theme words associated with December is “joy” (you were thinking I was going to write “hectic”, weren’t you!) (smile) On a recent weekend adventure with a dear friend, my sister, and her family, I had the opportunity to experience the impact on others from the joy in my heart.

It began on Thursday when I picked up my friend from the airport, whisking her away to the upper peninsula of Michigan. We had a destiny with a half marathon on Mackinac

Island on Saturday but would first be touring Munising and Tahquamenon Falls before a ferry would deliver us to the run and a Halloween celebratory weekend.

While showing my friend the falls she had never seen, joyfully celebrating another trip together (a twiceyear tradition we started during the last 10 years of our 27+ year friendship), our paths crossed with three other visitors, also joyously enjoying each other’s company. After exchanges of where we were from, expressed appreciation for the pleasant day to hike, and phone swapping for group photos, five people walked away with even larger smiles than the ones we each wore when we said first hello.

Fast forward to joyfully running at approximately mile eight in sunshine and breathtaking fall colors. I look ahead, recognizing from photographs

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two dogs walking their owners. One owner being walked behind the leash is a friend who had been living internationally; I hadn’t seen her in person for at least seven years.

A large hug filled with joyous oh my gosh, you’re kidding me exchanges before she continued behind wo eager leashes and I continued to mile 9, 10, 13.1. The remaining five miles ran with a heart pumping gratitude for the seasons of our in-person friendship. This special friend who greatly influenced my heart beating a certainty that hope whispers.

Saturday night my niece and I were finishing a favorite game of peek-a-boo. For my niece, peek-aboo includes her making all kinds of faces and body movements that she wants you to copy. In the copying earns that kind of childlike laughter that originates in the toes, deeply rises through the stomach, and erupts

GOOD NEWS

from the mouth with pure. Joy. A couple we didn’t know walked in the corridor where my niece and I were busy laughing from our toes up.

I glanced up to see the biggest smile directed at my niece and I when I heard the joy in the gentleman’s voice as he exclaimed to his partner, “That is GREAT!!

I think it is fair to say they felt my niece and my hearts. I anticipate their hearts filled the same.

Joyful blessings to you and yours.

Christine Hassing https://christinehassing.com

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December 2023

HEALTH

11

GOOD NEWS

What’s the Skinny on Fitness Trackers?

Perhaps some of you will get fitness trackers or smart watches with tracker features for the holidays. If so, you’ll join the millions of people who want to know if they’re getting the right amount and quality of exercise.

But does this technology really work?

Let’s find out.

Let’s start with a basic question.

Does it make a difference which wrist the fitness tracker is on? The answer is yes. Wearing it on the wrist of your dominant hand may overestimate or underestimate your activity. Why? Because daily activities like brushing your teeth, eating, or writing may overestimate and pushing a shopping cart or holding a cell phone while walking may underestimate. Trackers record arm swings as substitutes for steps, since we typically swing our arms when we walk or run.

Tests for accuracy were done by wearing both a pedometer and a wrist fitness tracker at the same time while walking on a treadmill, running on a treadmill, and doing normal household chores. The fitness tracker

recorded 6% fewer steps than the pedometer while on the treadmill but 20% more steps while doing household chores. It may be the fitness tracker records activities like folding laundry as steps.

What about heart rate which is an important measure of exercise intensity? Fitness trackers operate on the same technology as an oximeter, that device that clamps on the tip of your finger and measures the oxygen level in your blood along with your heart rate. Research shows that fitness trackers do pretty well when measuring heart rate. The caution is to make sure that they are firm on your wrist.

The most frequent piece of information wearers of fitness trackers have is energy expenditure or calories burned. This often gets translated into how many calories can I consume after a workout. On this measure the answer is not so good.

The device asks the wearer to input information on gender, height, weight, and age. This information in plugged into an equation to estimate

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how many calories are burned at rest. It then uses your heart rate data to estimate the number calories are burned when active.

So now the bad news. Data from 22 studies showed that calorie burn was off by an average of 30% or more for all brands of fitness trackers.

While it still depends on the activity, fitness trackers overestimate the number calories burned. Combined with underestimating the number of calories in calorie-dense food like candy bars, you may actually gain weight.

Given the research, is it worth using one? My personal opinion is yes. When someone wears a fitness tracker it tells me that they’re interested in exercise. That in itself is a big plus. Once they learn its limitations, keeping track of daily activity is a good habit. It can provide reminders to be more active, even if it’s standing up and stretching after sitting at your

desk or watching television. It can remind you that perhaps you’re more sedentary than you realized.

However, if wearing a tracker actually adds more stress to your life, it may not be the thing to wear. I remember having dinner in a restaurant when a person at the table consulted their fitness tracker and actually left the table to go outside for a walk because they didn’t reach their daily goal for steps.

For those of us that wear trackers, I hope this was informative. For those who are fortunate to get one as a gift, wear it good health. Make sure that you wear it and it doesn’t wear you.

Best wishes to all readers of this great publication. Remember to be kind and MAKE every day good.

Till next time, Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal and Brain Health Trainer.

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

Recipes Raising the Bar! My dear mother was best known for her extraordinary talent for making the most amazing pastries, especially her special bar cookies, which had such a divine mix of flavors that they raised the bar on what a good bar cookie should be!

Photographer: Laura Kurella This month is a special month. Not just because it marks our countdown to the Christmas holiday, but also because it marks a big milestone for this column: Number #100 to appear in this publication!

Funny, I feel like I have only begun to scratch the surface of the mountain of morsel ideas I have tucked into my head, so I guess that means I still have a long, long way to write!

I attribute my plethora of palate pleasure ideas to my parents, most especially my mother, who was known by others as Florence Kurella, to me simply as, “Ma.” God blessed me when He gave me a woman of such courage, strength, energy, endurance, drive, determination, imagination, creativity, and faith.

Observing her never-ending struggle to keep up a home filled with seven children and run her own bakery (and other business endeavors) while also being a wife taught me, by the sweat of her brow, that anything is possible so long as you put your mind, heart, and hand seriously into it.

This “heart and hand” philosophy of hers was visibly present in all things she did, especially her cooking, which is likely why she used I as a vehicle for getting her philosophy to also bloom within me.

I clearly remember the day it happened, even though I was just a young girl, because it was the day she wouldn’t buy me any cream-filled cookies.

I was really upset, pouting to be sure, but she just looked at me squarely and said, “If you want those cookies bad enough, you’ll figure out how to make them at home for yourself.”

“How can I make these?” I spouted.

“With a recipe,” she shot back.

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Young and foolish, I continued to argue until she took me into her bakery and handed me one of her select cookbooks that just happened to have the recipe for them inside.

She then took the time to guide me through the recipe as I made them.

She never showed me how because she said that we learn better through our own hands than we do someone else’s. I initially thought Ma was just being mean because in my head I never imagined myself capable of making those fancy cookies I saw in cellophane in the grocery store.

However, upon tasting the cookies I made, and finding them even more delicious than store-bought, I was forever changed.

Looking back now, I realize that what Ma was doing was teaching her “Dorothy” of a daughter how to “click” those heels!

Moments like these from childhood that help us to grow seem to stitch themselves tightly into the fabric of our lives. Perhaps to serve as reminders to us of those moments we went from being blind to being able

to finally see.

I’ve had lots of those moments, especially when in the kitchen with Ma because she had such a high bar of perfection that it left many “rejects” for us kids to eat.

The one thing she was a real stickler about with bar cookies was to never sell one with an outer crust, so that meant we kids always got the entire outer edge of the pan- Yum!

BASE 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 egg 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup chocolate graham cracker(9 full sheets), crumbed 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon unrefined (colored) sea salt 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips TOPPING 3/4 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided use 1 3/4 c. shredded sweetened coconut 1/2 c. sliced almonds about 12 oz. sweetened condensed milk (not quite one can) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving sides tall for easy removal.

Spray sheet with cooking spray then set aside.

In a large bowl and mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add

the vanilla and egg and mix until combined, then add the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt. Blend until fully combined then stir in the chocolate chips.

Using greased hands, press the dough out evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Place in the oven and bake for 5 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle it with the mini chocolate chips (reserving a small amount).

Then sprinkle with coconut and sliced almonds.

Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk, then sprinkle with remaining (reserved) mini chocolate chips.

Return pan to the oven and bake for 10 minutes, then rotate pan in oven so side facing back is not facing front, then loosely tent pan with foil, and continue to bake for 15 more minutes.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before placing in the refrigerator to cool completely prior to cutting.

Cut as desired.

To celebrate the season, here now are some of Ma’s (aka Mrs. K’s) most amazing bar cookie recipes. Enjoy and have a very, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Laura Kurella is an award-winning recipe developer and the author of the award-winning culinary memoir, Midwest Morsels, which is on sale throughout the holidays on Amazon.

Laura loves to share recipes from her Michigan kitchen and welcomes comments at laurakurella@yahoo. com.

13

December 2023

Recipes

GOOD NEWS

Ma’s Best Cherry Coconut Bars

Incredible Cranberry Crush Bars

BASE 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cake or pastry flour 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened FILLING 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons cake or pastry flour 3/4 cup cane sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 extra large eggs 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped 1/2 cup sweetened, flaked coconut 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans Garnish: Powdered sugar Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Base: In the bowl of a food processor, combine flours and powdered sugar, mixing well then add butter in pieces and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press base mixture firmly into an ungreased 9-inch square pan then bake for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Add eggs, mixing well then stir in cherries, coconut, and nuts. Spread over the pre-baked base then return to the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and center is solid. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Approximate servings per recipe: 24.

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, or sub 1 1/2 cups cane sugar, or sub 2 eggs, beaten, or sub 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups cake or all-purpose flour, or sub 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon unrefined mineral salt 1/2 cup chopped nuts, favorite kind (optional) 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen cooking spray powdered sugar, or sub(optional) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9x12 cake pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter and sugar and beat at high

speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to stir then add beaten eggs slowly, mixing until well incorporated then add vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder. With the mixer set to the lowest setting, by spoonful, add flour mixture then add nuts and cranberries, stirring just until mixed in. Spread evenly into the prepared cake pan then place on the center rack of the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and center is slightly firm to the touch. Cool for 10 minutes then slice. After completely cooled, sprinkle powdered sugar over the top, if desired.

Approximate servings per recipe: 12.

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

Relationships

There is No, One Size Fits All When it Comes to Parenting: It’s Okay to Say “No” There is a lot of controversy in the world today surrounding discipline and consequences regarding children.

There is no one size fits all, and every child is different. Some children may respond better to a harsher approach, while others react to reasoning, and others may need a gentler approach. Each parent/guardian must determine what works best for their family. However, it is okay to say „no.“ Children thrive when they have expectations, routines, consistency, rules, and consequences.

I have worked with youth in many settings as an Educator, Behavior Interventionist, School Counselor, and Outpatient Therapist. Most youth will tell me they like to know their schedule, what they are doing, and if things change. They also tell me it‘s confusing when parents/ guardians aren‘t consistent with making them follow the rules, don‘t follow through with consequences, or don‘t know the consequences. My experience with youth tells me young people feel less anxious when aware of the expectations.

Your child doesn‘t need to be your friend; they should not be concerned about adult-size problems.

When parents and guardian share their adult-size problems, it can cause children to feel guilty anxious, and wonder what they can do to help remedy the situation. The adult-size problems are not for them to find solutions to. Being your child‘s friend can muddy the waters and make it confusing for the child when you do discipline.

Routines are essential because they create a safe zone where children know what is expected. Sometimes, things pop up out of the impending routine. When that happens, it is essential to share the change with your children and explain why there has been a change and that sometimes you can do nothing

about disrupting the schedule. You can provide them with coping skills needed for self-regulation if they become uneasy about the change in routine.

Consistency is important to children because they know what is going to happen. They don‘t feel they are in a chaotic cycle when the expectations and consequences in their life are consistent. Young people have mentioned how frustrated they become when they don‘t follow the rules and one time get a consequence, but maybe not the next time if they do the same unexcepted behavior.

Consistency allows children to feel safe and secure while knowing what to expect. It also helps them to foster skills for their adult lives.

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Rules: kids like to know what the rules are. They also like to be a part of creating rules. Each family can decide what rules fit their family dynamic, but having children participate in the rule’s discussion gives them more buy-in. I suggest a family meeting to create rules, boundaries, and a space to discuss expectations openly.

Check-ins can be helpful to have everyone have a voice on how things are going and if anything needs to be added or taken away. The check-ins allow everyone to be on the same page, know the expectations, and voice opinions while having the buyin of the family rules/consequences.

Allowing children to be heard and validated in these situations

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helps them feel like a part of the family unit. It may allow for deeper communication as they grow into adolescents and young adults.

Consequences are essential to have in place so children know if they have made a mistake or broken a rule, they will have to serve the time.

It is vital to have the consequence fit the crime. If a young person is grounded for several weeks for a minor infraction, it may not prevent them from making that choice again or possibly worse decisions. They may say, „I was grounded for three weeks for forgetting to take out the garbage or being five minutes late for curfew, then who cares if I do…., because I will have to suffer endlessly anyway“.

However, if consequences are made and explained that fit the unexcepted behavior, children may be less likely to repeat the offense. Children who don‘t have consequences or aren‘t told „no“ may have a more difficult time in school, have more behavior referrals, and may make poor adolescent choices that can harm them. As parents/guardians teaching your children, they have consequences for their actions that set them up for success as an adult, in their careers and in their relationships.

Remember, it‘s okay to say „no,“ and It‘s okay to make mistakes as parents/guardians. No guide tells you how to raise your child. There are many parenting books and advice on what to do and how to do it, but at the end of the day, you are the captain of your family‘s ship and can decide how to navigate rough waters.

If you are struggling with the stress of parenting, many local therapists would be happy to assist you, and it is okay to reach out and ask for help.

Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

Overprotective parenting No one wants their child to have a difficult or troubled life. We all wish for the best for our children.

But can we ensure a good life for our children? We can teach our children values like honesty, integrity, accountability, autonomy, compassion, responsibility, and loyalty, and we can teach our children to live these values.

We can hope these values form the basis for habits like hard work, good citizenship, kindness, and generosity.

Can we do more? Some parents go a little too far. Some parents, in an effort to help their child or to reduce their own nervousness, engage in: Micromanagement—You may feel there is one “correct” way to do something, but there are other ways to do it (e.g., loading a dishwasher, folding clothes, making friends). If a child meets a cousin for the first time, he might not want to talk right away. The parent who repeatedly says “go talk to Ethan” or “we came here so you can meet Ethan” is missing an important developmental and protective aspect. Children are often cautious when first meeting people or re-meeting people until they feel comfortable. This is protective and allows them to develop a sense of safety. Respect their development and say something like, “You are feeling shy right now”. This validates their feelings rather than invalidating

them.

Another example is using a purple crayon to color a horse. While there are no purple horses in real life, pointing this out to a child is micromanagement. Hair dyed green or mismatched clothing is trying something out, as all children do.

If you are upset about this, you are overprotective.

Power struggles and negotiation— If you are in power struggles with your 4-year-old because they won’t stay out of your office during work hours or with a 15-year-old about the time she is expected home, you may be too demanding or too permissive if you get into power struggles or

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negotiations too easily. If you want to raise a debate team member or litigator, negotiating with a child is a good start. Set boundaries, and if necessary, install a lock if your 4-year-old doesn’t comply with the work hours boundary.

Protection from other people— Concern about how other people treat your middle schooler is not something you should mettle in unless it involves inappropriate or extreme behaviors. Rather, you can provide your middle schooler with guidance on how to manage the situation themselves. There may be circumstances in which you should contact the principal or counselor,

invite them to help your child address the situation.

Overindulgence—If your child doesn’t have chores, expectations, and structure to their day, you may be overindulging your child. Children need responsibility, expectations that are age and developmentally appropriate, scheduled activities (e.g., school, meals, interests), as well as free time.

Excessive worry—If you worry and fret about your child without a significant reason (e.g., course failure, excessive sleep, crying, acting out), you may be worrying excessively.

These forms of overprotection rob your child of valuable growth opportunities. Experiencing life allows your child to grow and develop into a person who lives their values and can navigate various situations and people.

For additional information consult: https://alankazdin.com/everydayparenting-the-abcs-of-child-rearing/ Alan Kazdin, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychology and Child Psychiatry at Yale University and Director of the Yale Parenting Center.

Sheryl Lozowski-Sullivan, M.P.H., Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist specializing in pediatric psychology and behavioral psychology.

16

December 2023

GOOD NEWS

The Role of Parents in Youth Sports: Support and Guidance Youth sports play a vital role in the physical, emotional, and social development of children. Engaging in sports activities helps kids build essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and self-confidence. While coaches and mentors are essential in shaping a young athlete’s journey, parents also play a pivotal role in their child’s sports experience.

to bounce back from defeats is a valuable lesson in youth sports.

Modeling Good Sportsmanship

Parents serve as role models for their children, and this includes demonstrating good sportsmanship. Encourage your child to show respect for opponents, coaches, and referees, regardless of the outcome of the game. This not only helps foster a positive atmosphere in sports but also instills important values that extend beyond court or field.

Encouragement and Positive Reinforcement

The importance of parental encouragement in youth sports cannot be overstated. Children look to their parents for approval and affirmation. When parents attend games, cheer their children on, and offer positive reinforcement, it boosts the child’s self-esteem and motivates them to perform better.

It’s essential to remember that success in sports is not just about winning but also about effort and improvement.

Balancing Expectations

It’s natural for parents to have expectations for their children’s performance in sports. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between setting realistic goals and not imposing undue pressure. Parents should encourage their children to do their best without

Avoiding Overemphasis on Winning

making winning the sole focus. Unrealistic expectations can lead to stress, anxiety, and even the early burnout of young athletes.

Providing a Supportive Environment

Creating a supportive environment at home is paramount. This includes ensuring that the child has the necessary equipment, transportation to practice and games, and a nutritious diet. It’s also about fostering a culture

where the child feels comfortable discussing their experiences, both the triumphs and the challenges.

Teaching Life Lessons

Youth sports offer numerous opportunities for parents to teach valuable life lessons. Through sports, children learn about discipline, time management, and the importance of hard work. Parents can help reinforce these lessons by discussing the parallels between sports and other aspects of life, such as school and friendships.

Respecting the Coach’s Authority

In most youth sports, there is a coach responsible for training and guiding the team. Parents should respect the authority of the coach and avoid interfering in their decisions.

While it’s acceptable to discuss concerns or seek clarification, it’s crucial not to undermine the coach’s authority, as this can lead to confusion and disarray within the team.

Managing Disappointment Disappointment is a part of sports, and children will inevitably experience losses and setbacks. Parents play a vital role in helping their child cope with disappointment and learn from it. It’s essential to frame losses as opportunities for growth and development, rather than as failures.

Encouraging resilience and the ability

While winning is a natural desire in sports, overemphasizing it can have negative consequences.

Parents should help their children understand that the process of learning, improving, and enjoying the game is just as important as the outcome. This perspective can alleviate stress and anxiety and allow children to experience sports with a healthier mindset.

As a coach and a mom of athletes, I’ve had the unique privilege of witnessing the profound impact parents can have on their children’s journey in youth sports. From this perspective, I can’t emphasize enough the vital role parents play in supporting and guiding their young athletes.

In the end, the impact parents have on their young athletes is immeasurable. Whether it’s a loud cheer from the sidelines, a comforting embrace after a tough loss, or a simple “I’m proud of you,” our support and guidance shape their sports experience and, by extension, their character. It’s a journey filled with triumphs and tribulations, but when parents embrace their role with love, understanding, and a focus on development, they can ensure their children have a truly enriching and fulfilling youth sports experience.

Nikki Hackworth Director of Marketing The Dome Sports Center/ Home of Next Level Performance

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

Kellogg Manor House

Holiday Market to Feature Local Artists

Take a walk through each festively decorated room of the W.K. Kellogg Manor House this holiday season and round out your shopping with treasures from local vendors.

Visit the Holiday Market for selfguided tours and shopping from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that began on Saturday, Nov. 18. Weekend shopping will continue on Nov. 25 and on Dec. 2, 9 and 16, all Saturdays. The market also will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Conclude your tour and shopping with a cup of hot spiced tea. Docents will be on site to answer questions about the estate and W.K. Kellogg’s former summer home.

Admission to the Holiday Market is

$5 (free for members, students, and children under 5 years old).

Two special events are planned in tandem with the market:

Saturday, Dec. 2 — Kids Day From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., children ages 4-12 can enjoy craft making, hot cocoa, a candy cane hunt, and more.

Included with Market admission.

Wednesday, Dec. 6 — Sip and Shop From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., enjoy free admission to the Holiday Market. A cash bar will be offered.

The W.K. Kellogg Manor House is located at 3700 E. Gull Lake Dr.,

Your Home For The Holidays!

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Santa’s Workshop Fun st nd Dec. 1 & 2

Crafts & fun things to create for all ages, live music, take pictures with Santa and more!

•Practical gifts they’ll appreciate •Fresh Christmas trees, wreaths & arrangements •Bird feeders & feed •Unique gifts & more

Christmas Story & Santa Pictures th th Dec. 8 & 9

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in Hickory Corners. To learn more, visitconference.kbs.msu.edu. Direct questions to the Manor House at (269) 671-2160 or conference@kbs. msu.edu.

About the Manor House

Built in 1925-26 on the highest point overlooking beautiful Gull Lake, the Manor House was once the summer home of W.K. Kellogg. The Manor House›s mission is to share with the public Kellogg›s legacy of philanthropy as well as information about the research undertaken at the Kellogg Biological Station. The Manor House hosts special events to further support KBS›s research and

education mission, and is available to tour independently year-round or with a docent by appointment.

About the Kellogg Biological Station

As MSU’s largest off-campus educational complex, KBS has put its land-grant values into practice for nearly a century, providing the public with examples of science’s crucial role in sustaining natural and managed communities. KBS students and faculty work to understand and solve real-world environmental problems for a better tomorrow. To learn more, visitkbs.msu.edu.

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

NEW EXHIBIT DISPLAYS ITS RARELY SEEN FURNITURE PIECES

Two centuries of history represented in the ‘Off the Shelves’ exhibition

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s newest exhibit treats the public to a rare peek at its furniture collection that spans over 200 years of history, from one-of-a-kind items to massproduced pieces made by local and international craftspeople and manufacturers. It opens Oct. 31.

“The ‘Off the Shelves: Exploring the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s Furniture Collection’ exhibit highlights artifacts few have seen at the museum at any point since its founding in 1881,” said Julie Bunke, the museum’s manager of exhibits and interactive experiences.

“On display, for instance, will be Dobbin the horse, which was used to train cavalry officers; a reproduction of King Tut’s throne that was on display at Gilmore’s department store for years; and the neon Hoekstra Hardware sign that graced the back entrance of the store for several

decades.”

Expect a range of objects, including trunks, chairs and other pieces that all tell stories. Bunke invites visitors to come learn some of those stories and get a glimpse of preserving the history of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. The exhibit runs until Jan. 21.

The museum, which has a wideranging collection totaling around 60,000 items, is currently undergoing a large-scale reorganization in collections storage. As a result, many larger objects, which are often not in the exhibit limelight, are freed up for viewing.

Admission is free to the exhibit and the museum. Visit kalamazoomuseum.org for more information. The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is governed by its Board of Trustees.

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December 2023

GOOD NEWS

Weapons of Mass Romance The holidays are upon us, and it’s time to set our thoughts to the festivities ahead. If you are of European heritage, an old-fashioned tradition is the hanging of a bough of mistletoe.

There are many myths surrounding this seasonal happening. Still, some scholars believe that the original story memorializes the passing of a young Norse god by being stabbed with a tiny sprig-like arrow of mistletoe.

Whether or not the puncture was accidental or malicious (kind of like the Norse equivalent of a “drive-by”) depends on the account you read but suffice it to say that his mother was sad and decreed that the plant would be transformed from a weapon of death to an invitation to love – with a kiss! I found a mention of a UK church hosting a Mistletoe Service where people are invited to be pardoned. It’s not Easter, but a message we might all take to heart.

Perhaps one of the reasons we don’t see too much mistletoe hanging around over holiday entrances bears reference to the “rules” of mistletoe engagement. As quoted in the Smithsonian Magazine, Washington Irving wrote that “young men had the privilege of kissing a girl every time he plucked a seed from the cutting.

When the seeds were all picked, the kissing had to cease.”

Depending on the kissing partner, a young lady could either want a hanging with many berries or none. In today’s world, it sounds like some-

one might wind up in the emergency room or jail. Additionally, the berries and leaves (in fact, all of the plant) are toxic – not only to pets but to humans.

I like the idea of redemption from tragedy. Isn’t that what we want for our children? When I watch the nightly news and see acts of compassion and forgiveness, I’m reminded that I’m called to be part of that journey, hard though it sometimes (usually) is.

Even the derivation of the name mistletoe is interesting. The name mistletoe is an amalgam of two words, mistel, and tan. The first refers to an Anglo-Saxon word meaning dung.

The second relates roughly to a stick.

Hence the word means “poop on a stick.” Not very romantic, for sure.

The plant family includes sandalwood, usually considered perfume oil or incense. This family, including mistletoe, are parasites on trees, frequently spruce, but in other parts of the country, oaks, and other hardwoods. All plant family members have specialized roots that look like spears with sharp arrow-like projectiles. These structures sink deep into the host tree, totally piercing the bark and becoming rooted, as it were, in the tissues that transfer water, nutrients, and even sugars necessary for the tree’s survival.

Essentially, these parasites “steal” the photosynthetic resources from the plant. These goodies provide most of the needs for the little robbers. To

finish the job, whether sandalwood or mistletoe, the plants establish waxy leaves that enable them to top off the requirement for carbohydrates using photosynthesis.

As happens so often in nature, a little bit of parasitism is not too bad.

However, a fundamental law of evolution is that every life form wants to survive and reproduce. Sandalwoods accomplish this by digging even deeper into the growth tissues of their hosts. Mistletoes took a slightly different path. Those little white berries contain a seed, and a thick, sticky gum surrounds the seed. As we see so often, birds play a critical role. The birds eat the seeds, and even though they pass them out in their excrement, the seeds (and the poo) stick to their feathers. No bother for the birds! They find a perch high up in the spruce tree (or other host), and here they carefully scrape their tailfeathers against the branches’ stems, positioning them so that they are in perfect location to dig in with their barbed roots and begin to feed.

Of course, this is hard on the tree.

Some tree specimens become so laden with parasitic mistletoe that they don’t have enough living tissue to survive.

In 2001, NPR presented an interesting short podcast that interviewed a West Virginia forester and gun enthusiast who thoroughly enjoyed his sporting pastime of blasting the most laden branches with his trusty shotgun. To each his own, I guess.

I must confess that the stories I’ve related are about American Mistletoe.

We can’t support that species here in southwest Michigan. A few small stands exist in southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio. We have our own smaller sub-type, Michigan Mistletoe. It doesn’t matter; the ideas about the plants’ ecology and habits are the same.

In closing, if you want to resurrect an old-fashioned, politically incorrect party activity as part of your holiday merriment, be my guest! You should check with your legal/human resources department if you do. Be sure you have plenty of releases to sign and cameras to protect the innocent!

Happy Holidays!

Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center References: Dunn, R. (2011, December 21).

Mistletoe: The Evolution of a Christmas Tradition. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag. com/science-nature/mistletoe-theevolution-of-a-christmas-tradition-10814188/ National Public Radio (2001, December 8). Shooting Down Mistletoe.

All Things Considered. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https:// www.npr.org/templates/story/story. php?storyId=1134545

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December 2023

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FREE december Events virtual

Museum to Host March 6 Through December, 2023 Exhibit: Wonder Media: Ask The Questions, KVCC Museum Through January 7 Exhibit: Splat! The Buzz About Fly Swatters, KVCC Museum Through January 21 Exhibit: Off the ShelvesFurniture& artifacts collection that spans 200 years. KVCC Museum Fri., Dec. 1 – Wed., Dec. 27 Signature Artists Annual Gallery, Carillon Center, 6762 South Westnedge in Portage Fri., Dec. 1 – Sat. Dec. 2 Holiday Greens Sale, Fri. 9-4, Sat. 9-3, Portage Senior Center Friday, December 1 Memory Café for people w/mild Dementia & their care partners 10:30am-Noon, Paw Paw Library Friday, December 1 Art Hop, downtown Kalamazoo & Vine area, 5-8pm Friday, December 1 Art Hop with the Kalamazoo Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra 6-8pn, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Friday, December 1 Team Trivia: Food & Drink, 7pm Richland Library, Register:629-9085 Fridays, Dec. 1,8,15,22,29 Trivia Fridays, 7-8:30pm Valhalla Horse Nectar Meadery Friday, December 1 Imagine: World Peace with guest Artists The War and Treaty, 8pm Miller Auditorium, Reserve seat free ticket at 387-2300 Saturday, December 2 Craft Show @ Spring Manor 610 Mall Dr., Portage, 8:30-4.

Sat., Dec. 2 & Sun. Dec. 3 33rd Annual Christmas Craft Show Sat.,9am-4pm, Sun., 10am – 4pm Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo Saturday, December 2 Buy Local Art & Gift Fair, 9-4 Kalamazoo Nature Center Saturday, December 2 Jerico Faire, 11am-5pm 40+ local makers & artists for shopping, live music & food 1501 Fulford St., Kalamazoo Sundays, Dec. 3,10,17,24,31 Portage Farmers Market 9am-1pm, 7900 S. Westnedge

Sunday, December 3 Michigan-Made Holiday Artisan Market, 11am-4pm, the Bellflower, 4700 W. “D” Ave., Kal. Sunday, December 3 “Fa-la-la” a Jazz Christmas with Kalamazoo Community Chorale 3pm, First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St., Kal. Sundays, Dec. 3,10,17,24,31 Music Open Mic Night, 7-11pm Valhalla /Norse Nectar Meadery Mondays, Dec. 4,11,18,25 Parchment Update Interviews Parchmentlibrary.org Monday, December 4 Trivia for Adults: 50’s, 60’s & 70’s, 1-3pm, Vicksburg Library Mondays, Dec. 4,11,18,25 Team Trivia at Old Burdick’s Wings West, Kalamazoo, 7-9pm Tuesday, December 5 ARTbreak: The Kirk Newman Art School: Moving Forward, Looking Back, 12-1pm, KIA Tuesdays, Dec. 5,12,19,26 Theme Trivia Tuesdays, 7-9pm Revel and Roll West, Register: (269) 488-3800 Tuesday, December 5 WMU University Concert Band 7:30pm, Dalton Recital Hall Wednesdays, Dec. 6,13,20,27 Village Playdates – infant-4yr olds & their families, 10-11am Rootead, 500 E. Kalamazoo Ave. Wednesdays, December 6 & 20 Mugs & Hugs, 10-10:45am, Stories & more, Vicksburg Library Wednesday, December 6 Make a Gingerbread House– All ages! 3-5pm, All materials are supplied, Register: 649-1648, Vicksburg Library Wednesday, December 6 Holiday Chocolate & Wassailing, 6-8pm, Parchment Library Wednesdays, Dec. 6,13,20,27 Final Goofery Comedy Night, 8:30-10pm, Final Gravity, Kal. Thursday, December 7, 14,21,28 Christmas Bazaar, 11-1:30pm, At the Shalom Woolery 3191 Van Buren St., Parchment Thursdays, Dec. 7,14,21,28 Trivia Night, 7pm, Gull Lake Distilling Company, Galesburg

Thursdays, Dec. 7,14,21,28 Euchre Tournament, 7-10pm, Final Gravity Brewing

Thursday, December 14 Classics Film Club, 7pm Richland Community LIbrary

Friday, December 8 WMU Horn Choir, 2:30pm Dalton Center Recital Hall

Thursday, December 14 Comedy Open Mic Night, 9-11pm Valhalla/Norse Nectar Meadery

Saturday, December 9 The Christmas Craft Show, 9am3pm, Kalamazoo Expo Center Saturday, December 9 Your Story! Public Media Network, 10am-Noon, Make a Video, Epic Center, Kalamazoo Saturday, December 9 Art Detectives: Extra Yarn, 10:30amNoon, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Saturday, December 9 WMU Jazz Rhythm Section Day 8am, Dalton Center Sunday, December 10 2nd Sundays Live! Concert: Kalamazoo Saxophone Quarter, 2pm, Parchment Library Monday, December 11 Parchment Book Group: Vera Wang’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutano, 6pm, Parchment Library Tuesday, December 12 ARTbreak: Remembering C.C. Wang – Artist, Collector & Connoisseur of Chinese Paintings, 12-1pm, KIA Tuesday, December 12 Crafts for Adults: Orange pomander balls, 1-3pm, Vicksburg District Library Tuesday, December 12 Mystery Book Club – SJ Bennett Series: Murder Most Royal 6:30pm, Parchment Library Wednesday, December 13 Bird & Coffee Chat: Sightings of birds that are rare to Michigan, 10am on Zoom, Register: kbs.msu.edu, Kellogg Bird Sanctuary Wednesday, December 13 Adult Writers’ Motivational Group, 5:30-6:30pm, Vicksburg Library Wednesday, December 13 Book Discussion: The Art Thief, 6-7pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Thursdays, December 14 & 28 Teen Break/Bulldog Break, 18 & under, games, crafts, treats, more!

2:45-5:45, Vicksburg District Library

Friday, December 15 Richland Area Genealogy Group, 10am, Richland Library Friday, December 15 Moonlight Madness, 6-11pm Downtown Kalamazoo Friday, December 15 Books with Friends Book Club, 7pm, Richland Library Saturday, December 16 Kalamazoo Indoor Flea Market 9am-3pm, Kalamazoo Expo Ctr. Saturday, December 16 Santa’s Winter Workshop, 11am-2pm, Take pictures w/Santa, enjoy games, crafts, snacks & live holiday Music, Paw Paw Library Saturday, December 16 4th Annual Community Dance Showcase, 3-5:30pmDormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage St., Kal. Monday, December 18 STEAM Event, 11-Noon Vicksburg District Library Monday, December 18 Movie Club: Dr. No (1962), 1-3pm, Vicksburg Library Tuesday, December 19 ARTbreak: Craft in America: Holiday, 12-1pm, KIA Tuesday, December 19 LEGO Club, 1-2pm & 6-6:45pm Vicksburg District Library Thursday, December 21 STEAM Event, 6-7pm Vicksburg District Library Thursday, December 21 Heartbreak Book Club: The Good Ones by Jenn McKinlay, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library Friday, December 22 Team Trivia: Michigan History, 7pm Richland Library, Register: 629-9085 Thursday, December 28 Between the Lines Book Club: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library Saturday, December 30 EPS Foam Recycling, 10am-1pm Mayors Riverfront Park, Kal.