Remember When
Muir’s Drug Store opened in downtown Kalamazoo in the early 1950’s and proceeded to open additional stores to serve many communities in the Kalamazoo area, including locations in Milwood,- inside the Cork Lane Shopping Center Plaza (1032 Cork St @ Lover’s Lane), on the eastside of Kalamazoo in the Eastwood Plaza (3500 E. Main St.), and on the westside of Kalamazoo in the Westwood Plaza (4432 W. Main St.) in August, 1961. Muir’s became the fabric of the communities they served.
Muir’s Drug Store was a selfservice operation, complete with pharmaceutical and cosmetic departments, photo developing service, and what they referred to as a “modern luncheonette,” a renowned lunch counter and soda fountain, located in the back of the store. They were open long hours, daily from 9am-10pm and Sundays from 10am-10pm to best serve the community.
Former patrons shared their fond memories on the Vanished Kalama-
zoo Website, including: “lunch counter at Muir’s Drug... yummy!” “Got all my baseball cards from Muirs.”
“A lot of fond memories of Muir’s.”
“Muir’s was a local hangout.” “Muirs had a grill with booths, a counter and a juke box.” “The best cherry cokes and vanilla phosphates. French fries were a quarter” “Muir’s Drugs had the best Chocolate Sodas.” “Going to Muir’s drug store and having a vanilla phosphate, too good!” “Muirs was the place to be!” “A safe place to hang out when we were kids.” “I worked at Muir’s all through high school.”
“I use to go to Muir’s drug store for lunch when I was in 4th grade before they had hot lunch at school.”
“Used to go with my dad for a vanilla coke, back in the early 60’s.” “They had the best cherry cokes and real malts!” “My Mom worked at the soda fountain back in the late 50’s early 60’s. My brother and I would walk over there from Brucker Elementary School sometimes for lunch.” “I dont think I ever remember my parents getting a script or medicines from
anywhere but Muir’s Drugs.”
Many of the people that shared their memories seemed unaware that Muir’s had other locations in Kalamazoo besides the one they frequented. This was likely because, in the early to mid-1950’s families weren’t as mobile and didn’t need to travel outside their local communities for their daily needs.
What shocked me was that Muir’s Drug Stores were part of a chain of 49 stores. They began in Lorain, Ohio in 1922 by brothers, Boyce and Kenneth Muir, and their father, John Muir. They opened the first Muir Drug Store on the premise, that top quality, famous-name brands, if offered at low prices, would sell in large enough volume to justify their operating at lower-than-normal margin of profit. This premise was correct.
Within a few years of opening, main offices, warehouses and a manufacturing plant were erected in Grand Rapids. The company concentrated its operations closer to the main offices and the main distribution
routes that expanded into Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and western Ohio, discontinuing the extreme eastern store, the Lorain flagship store, 42 years after opening.
One of the amusing aspects of Muir advertising was their mascot: the stereotypical Thrifty Scot, he was even featured on service pins given to company employees. Early appearances show him as a small silhouetted figure. But as time went on, he became the smiling, friendly face of the company. Today of course, using “Scottish thrift” in advertising is recognized as an unflattering and silly stereotype.
Muir’s Drug Stores were woven into the fabric of the daily life in the communities they served, operating independently for over 60 years. The remaining 24-store, Muir Drug Store chain, was acquired by Rite Aid in June 1984.
Jackie Merriam
Who’s that digging in my yard: Skunks, raccoons or moles?
You can gain a better idea of which critter is digging up your yard or garden by the damage they cause.
Wedel’s lawn experts often have people stop in and ask, “What’s digging up my yard?” Damage often increases in the fall and spring, with animals driven by two primary motivations: food and shelter.
In the fall, animals are trying to gather as many calories as possible to make it through the winter. The fatter they are, the better their chances of surviving the cold, lean months. In the spring, after enduring harsh winter conditions, these animals are on the hunt for food to regain weight. Finding food is their highest priority but they may also be scouting for a safe place to live and raise their young. By observing the clues left behind, you can often determine which animal is responsible for the damage. Let’s explore the most common culprits and the telltale signs they leave behind.
Shallow holes in the ground surrounded by a ring of loosened soil
Skunks are nocturnal, so the soil disruption happens overnight. The holes, about the size of a skunk’s
Working on the Good News Paper, each month, I have the privilege of working with many small business owners. I admire their creativity, hard work and their ability to juggle
nose, are created when they dig for earthworms, grubs and other soil insects. The skunk presses its nose to the soil and digs with its long, front claws. A larger hole—and chunks of comb—may be found when a skunk digs up a below-ground wasp nest in late summer or fall. Skunks know that just below the surface is a protein-rich treat, just waiting to be harvested. In extreme cases, the ground may look tilled, with numerous small holes in the same area. During the growing seasons, skunks are on the patrol for earthworms, grubs and a variety of soil insects. Their diets also include crayfish, small animals, birds, bird eggs, frogs and even turtle eggs. Omnivorous skunks also enjoy fruit like mulberries, raspberries, cherries and grapes. They cannot jump or climb, so they work close to the ground.
Chunks of sod that have been ripped up and flipped over
Raccoons enjoy diets that are almost identical to skunks, but raccoons use their front paws like hands to pull up and flip pieces of sod. This behavior is quite common on newly laid sod or grass that has shallow roots. It is common to find raccoons
many tasks at one time. Earlier in my career, I never considered becoming a small business owner myself. However, things quickly changed after I was laid-ff from the Kalamazoo Gazette after 20 years of selling advertising.
I got a job doing some non-profit work, but really missed my connections with local business owners. I continually ran into former customers who would mention that they didn’t have anywhere to advertise and to find out what was going on in the area. These encounters made me realize the need for positive local news and affordable advertising.
and skunks feeding in the same area, sometimes leading to a noticeable skunk odor when the skunk is disturbed by the more aggressive raccoon.
Mounds of loose soil on top of turf or trails beneath the turf
Moles forage for grubs, beetles and worms just below grass roots. Contrary to belief, they do not eat roots— they rely exclusively on invertebrates as food. Star-nosed moles leave piles of soil on the surface when they push up from below to create air vents. In warm weather, the star-nosed mole works about 6 inches or more below the surface. Star-nosed mole mounds are unsightly, but do not cause lasting damage.
In contrast, eastern mole tunnels are just below the lawn surface and leave a distinct trail, which can be pushed down by walking on it. Frequently used trails may be pushed up again within minutes or hours. Moles can damage gardens if they inadvertently push newly planted annuals or perennials out of the soil. While unsightly, mole damage is usually not long-lasting unless the grass above their tunnels dries out and dies.
During the winter when the
It took some effort to figure out the logistics, but I’m so happy I took the leap of faith and started the Good News Paper. I love the interaction with local writers, business owners and the community at large. Having joined the ranks as a small business owner over 10 years ago, I realize more than ever how important it is to have the support of the local community to support our efforts.
During this holiday season and beyond, don’t forget –Shop Small, Shop Local!
Jackie Merriam
ground is partially frozen, both kinds of moles may push up piles of soil when they are active (Photo 6). They are feeding on earthworms and possibly grubs and soil insects. Moles vary on how long they may remain in an area. When food resources dwindle, they may move on.
Heaps of loose soil and a large hole close to a structure
Groundhogs also known as woodchucks or gophers, excavating dens can leave large mounds of soil and rocks near structures like sheds, garages and porches. They may also create burrows in raised garden beds or even large pots. Although groundhogs do not typically damage turf, they will feed on common plants found in lawns like clover, dandelions and plantain. They have voracious appetites and can quickly decimate a garden.
Lindsey Kerr, Michigan State University Extension Wedel’s Plant Professionals will be glad to help you determine which damaging culprits you have and recommend the best deterrents to use and preventative measures to take.
Designer: Lauren Ellis
Cover photo taken at Cherri’s Chocol’art in downtown Kalamazoo
Random Acts of Artness
Happy Holidays. It’s here. Gifting Season. As soon as the clock hit midnight, jack o’ lanterns turned into Christmas trees, and skeletons turned into reindeer. We are so quick to move on to the next holiday. This season is all about buying, gifting, and then more buying and gifting.
Many years ago, my mother-in-law introduced me to a giftgiving, limit-setting tradition. For my boys, for Christmas, I gifted them: “something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read.” Pretty sure it was some catchy Pinterest idea, like the phrase: “Live, Laugh, Love.”
Even though the idea could have been very temporary and faded in popularity like other trendy phrases and décor, we kept up this tradition each year. And here we are again, and the “early Black Friday sales” have launched. Stores and retailers are promoting deeply discounted deals and banking on customers, having an emotional connection to why these
items will make this season more memorable; a tangible thing that ties our love for others. Welp, no matter how much I love my boys, I can’t buy them everything. And they learned that very early on.
I have raised them to understand wants versus needs, not expect to just get things, not receive things as rewards for good grades or merits, and to be thankful for all things. From early on, I was purposeful in teaching them to understand that they will always have what they need, not necessarily what they want, and
sometimes they’ll get gifted a little extra just because I love them and am able to at that moment.
Now, this has created a problem I wasn’t expecting. I can’t get them to commit to more than one or two items for their Christmas wish list. They can’t come up with ideas of what they want. Yes, I still follow the 4-somethings rule, and those are the parameters of their wish list, but their understanding of the holiday season is not tied to getting things.
I’m not saying, I’m great at this parenting thing—cause, I’m not.
They video game too much, talk back, roll their eyes, sass me when asked to do a chore, and don’t go outside nearly enough, and rarely volunteer to help and procrastinate. But I am very proud of the boys I am raising. Boys who do care about their momma, even when at times I’m the one that receives their attitude. Boys who show respect and manners to everyone else, as reported by teachers, coaches, and friends’ parents. And boys that don’t constantly ask for things, because things are temporary, holidays come and go, but what truly matters is that they know they are loved and cared for and will always have what they need, even if they don’t always get what they want. I have been gifted two of the most wonderful boys—and at no deep discount. And I was given exactly what I needed.
Peace, Love, and Art. -Amy Instagram: @amylgieschen
Mon-Sat 10-6
The “Root” of Medicine
As a child, I suffered from asthma. I recall a quiet, elderly man who lived across the street coming to my house and offering my mother an herbal “Mullein Tea” he claimed would help ease my symptoms. My mother thanked him for his thoughtful compassion. However, she never gave me the tea. I’m sure her thinking was that his remedies were based on folklore and, who knows, might even be harmful.
Common or Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a familiar wild plant often found alongside roads and fields, conspicuous by its size and form. It can grow as tall as six feet, with a spike of yellow flowers at the top. Its telltale leaves are large, woolly, and silver-green. These are the leaves that are dried and crushed to make tea.
Mullein is not a true native plant but was introduced to North America from Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. Long before its arrival in the Americas, it was known for its medicinal properties.
Thinking back to that advice from a kindly neighbor so long ago, I decided to dig a bit deeper into the medicinal properties of this familiar plant and its reputation for treating respiratory ailments—especially asthma.
In the 1st century AD, a Greek physician, botanist, and pharmacologist named Pedanius Dioscorides (40-90 AD) documented Mullein’s use in his five-volume herbal guide,
De Materia Medica. He cited its efficacy in treating coughs, respiratory infections, and other pulmonary ailments. Later, Mullein became a staple throughout the Roman Empire. It was also widely used in traditional European medicine to treat bronchitis and asthma.
As Mullein spread across North America, indigenous people discovered its healing properties. I read that the Navajo were well aware of its use as a remedy for asthma and other conditions.
Thanks to the progress of biochemistry and medical science, it is now known that one key agent produced by Mullein is a compound called saponins. These phytochemicals, found in many plants, serve as part of the plant’s defenses. Saponins offer expectorant properties, helping to reduce mucus in the lungs, and sedative properties to calm the respiratory tract.
But for me, the bigger question is how ancient people, without the aid of modern science, were able to discover the medicinal properties of plants and resources around them.
My mother’s reluctance to trust a caring neighbor for medical advice is easily understood. Pharmaceutical companies likely share that same skepticism. And yet, to all of our benefit, many researchers have ventured into jungles and rainforests to interact with indigenous healers and shamans, who have shared their medicinal remedies and guided scientists
to valuable plants for further research.
According to a 2019 article on ThoughtCo.com by EarthTalk, “Some 120 prescription drugs sold worldwide today are derived directly from rainforest plants. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, more than two-thirds of all medicines found to have cancer-fighting properties come from rainforest plants. Examples abound. Ingredients obtained and synthesized from a now-extinct periwinkle plant, found only in Madagascar (until deforestation wiped it out), have increased the chances of survival for children with leukemia from 20 percent to 80 percent.”
Those are remarkable figures, especially when it’s reported that less than 1% of tropical rainforests have been explored for potentially beneficial plants and other organisms. Perhaps the greatest example is aspirin. Derived from willow tree bark, it was discovered by the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians as a treatment for pain and fever. It remains one of the most widely used medications for pain relief, inflammation, and fever reduction.
While aspirin’s pharmacological efficacy has long been recognized, it wasn’t until 1971 that scientists finally understood how it works. That year, British pharmacologist Sir John Vane revealed that aspirin inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which is involved in the synthesis of prostaglandins—hormone-like
compounds in the body. Vane was awarded a Nobel Prize for this research in 1982.
The key point is that we knew aspirin worked for nearly 2,000 years, even though we didn’t fully understand why or how—much like the properties of the roadside plant, Great Mullein.
As for my kindhearted neighbor, I can only guess how he acquired his botanical and wildcrafting knowledge. Without a formal science background, it’s likely he learned about the medicinal properties of wild plants primarily through folk traditions and community knowledge— information passed down orally from older generations or shared among neighbors. Perhaps he studied books on home remedies and herbal medicine, which, though not always scientifically rigorous, were available.
Clearly, the original insights of Pedanius Dioscorides in the first century informed my neighbor’s understanding of plants and medicine.
Yes, the unbroken quest to find healing properties in plants, fungi, and other organisms has deep “roots” in the development of human society and undoubtedly contributes to our survival.
James D. Coppinger
NOTE: Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider before using any herbal treatment.
T The Songbir he Songbird & d T The Heart of Stone he Carissa Broadbent ( Tor)
Mische, once the chosen girl by the Sun God, is now disgraced and awaits her fate in prison. Asar, the bastard son of the Shadowborn King, needs her magic for his mission. Together they navigate the five realms of the underworld to find relics that have been scattered, and face their past fears, and their worst secrets during their travels
—Melissa Turner, Maricopa Library & Cultural Center, AZ
read-alike: Nytefall by Chloe Penaranda
T The L he Lakake of L e Lost Girls ost Katherine Greene (Crooked Lane) When Lindsey was six, her sister went outside to grab her birthday cake and disappeared. Three other girls from the college she attended also went missing. Now, twenty five years later when a body is found, Lindsey must face the past Readers who enjoy coldcase mysteries will devour this dual-timeline novel.
—Carly Hathaway, Salem Public Library, VA NoveList read-alike: I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
Based on actual events, this is a fascinating look at early medicine and the ways women worked to heal, even as they were persecuted as witches. Apprentice midwife Elea hides her talents, but as the Black Plague reaches France, she’s called on to heal the Pope and an exiled Italian queen. Fans of historical fiction will have a hard time putting this down.
Bef Beforore W e We F e Fororget Kindness get Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Hanover Square Press)
Each story here follows an individual who wishes to go back in time at the magical cafe. As the individuals experience the past, they reflect on their life, which in turn serves to heal old wounds. Each tale tugs at the heartstrings and makes you want to wrap them up in a hug. This is another soft gentle addition to the Before the Coffee Gets Cold universe
by Hisashi Kashiwai
Spell
Ambassador, NJ
by Elsie Silver
LaRynn has inherited her grandmother's beachside home, but there’s a catch: her ex Deacon inherited half of it With funds running low, they marry in order to access her trust fund, leading them to fall in love again. This atmospheric tale is set against a stunning backdrop and will appeal to fans of slow-burn, emotionally charged romances
T The Serviceberry: Abundance he and Recipr and Reciprocity in the Natur ocity Natural al W Worlorld d Robin Wall Kimmerer (Scribner)
A lovely and powerful essay on reciprocity and the potential of a gift economy in the face of our unsustainable current models—illustrated by the analogous natural systems that create the serviceberry and its ecosystem. This illustrated gem brings a timely message, truly thoughtprovoking and inspiring.
Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI NoveList read-alike: The Mushroom at the End of the World by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing
T The City and Its Uncertain he City Its W Walalls: A No ls: Novveel l Haruki Murakami (Knopf)
In this reworking of a Murakami short story, the narrator grieves the loss of his teenage love. Through mysterious circumstances, he finds himself in a fantastical town, while his shadow self toils in an unfulfilled existence in Tokyo. An absolute treat for Murakami fans
T The Author's Guide to Mur he Author's Guide Murder: der: A No Novveel l Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White (William Morrow) What starts off as bawdy Scottish entertainment for three authors evolves into a sincere, deeply emotional story of women s strength and survival, each woman experiences a complete story arc,
—Kellie Gillespie, Olathe Public Library KS NoveList read-alike: Chelsea Springs Romances
NoveList
—Jennifer Winberry, LibraryReads
NoveList read-alike: Can't
Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
El Eleanoreanore of A e of Avignon: A No vignon: Novveel l Elizabeth DeLozier (Dutton)
T The Co-Op: A No he Co-Op: Novveel l Tarah DeWitt (St. Martin's Griffin)
—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, TX NoveList read-alike: Nicked by M.T. Anderson
—Migdalia Jimenez, Chicago Public Library, IL NoveList read-alike: Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
—Jessica
—Arianna Van Dam, Brown County Library, WI NoveList read-alike: The Kamogawa Food Detectives series
heart of the home
Ungrinching Christmas
Don’t throw your wadded up wrapping paper at me, but I’m about to admit to something that probably won’t bump up my popularity score: I am not a big fan of Christmas.
Over my childhood, growing up in a Latvian household, we kept to mostly Latvian traditions. Our tree went up just prior to Christmas Eve, and our celebration of the holiday happened on that same Eve, not the day after. There weren’t many, but each gift was chosen with care. Christmas Eve meant attending the Latvian church for a holiday service, singing hymns, concluding with dimmed lights, when candles were lit—first, the one at the aisle, then each person passing the flame along the line. We sang Silent Night in Latvian, and finally shared warm hugs and good wishes among the congregation. Back home, Mama served a dinner of roasted pork with sauerkraut, and a dessert of “debess manna,” or manna from heaven. It was my father’s favorite, especially with egg nogg poured over it.
Bellies full, we gathered around the tree. My sister and I had created pro-
grams we handed out. My father read the Christmas story from the Latvian bible, Mama read a story from the holiday issue of LAIKS, the Latvian newspaper. My sister and I would then give some carefully prepared performance—she usually played the piano, I mostly recited memorized poems. At long last, the gifts. Mama handed them out, one at a time. My father took his time unwrapping his, never ripping the paper, carefully folding it up for another use next year.
Why and how had I turned grinchy over the years? Simple. A holiday I had associated with loving memories of family and my Latvian community had faded against a burgeoning materialism. It seemed that every year, the season brought an ever-greater gluttony of greed. The spirit of the season, especially the religious one, seemed lost in demands for this and that toy, ever more expensive and extravagant, ever sooner broken and forgotten after the holiday had passed. Santa was exhausted.
But that tree. I loved that tree. I loved that moment when we had
all hung our favorite ornaments, the lights were strung, and my father— being an artist—added the finishing touches of silver tinsel. He took a good hour circling the tree, placing the silver strands in perfect symmetry. Only then did he turn on the lights, and the tree came alive as we gasped at its beauty.
If I had pretty much abandoned the holiday that had abandoned me, I kept the trees. All year long, the fir tree in my backyard, my father’s ashes buried around its roots, is lit up with white lights. Inside, on my patio, I keep a tiny tree in lights, its branches with tiny chicken ornaments, and a brass angel on top that blesses me every day of the year. In December, I place an 8-inch tree on my coffee table that I found at a Latvian Christmas bazaar.
that we have come to call Thanksmas. Rather than a day of extravagance, it is a day of family sharing a meal, with just a very few gifts, many more hugs. Our focus is on being together, enjoying the blessing of each other.
I avoid all the hustle and bustle. I don’t want to see it, I don’t want to be in it. I visit my grandchildren for a combination holiday in November
On Christmas Eve, I sit by my little chicken tree on the patio, watching the snow fall outside the patio windows, my dog Polly with her head in my lap, and I send up blessings to the heavens for the holiday that was. In my heart, it remains.
Zinta Aistars
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“In the universe, there are things that are known, and things that are unknown, and in between there are doors” – William Blake
The blessings of Thanksgiving came early when I had the fortune to take a trip with a dear friend to Sicily. In the whirlwind seven-day guided tour with a group of kindred adventurers, we saw historical sites that left me in speechless awe at how such architecture was built with hands and imagination, not electric tools nor blueprints.
We visited coastal landscapes once erased hundreds of years ago by a volcanic eruption and an earthquake. We walked on nutrient rich soil on a peak of collective volcanic ash and on the sidewalks of a city bustling anew. Both locations whispered how there is always continuation and new be
PiecePieceby
new life grows joyously again.
The clustered twelve blades of grass poking through dark brown volcanic ash after twenty-five years of willfulness and the small forest of vibrant green trees standing tall after one hundred years of determination affirmed this universal truth.
Though my breath was taken away time and again as I looked into the horizons at pristine shimmering green waters and hillsides as we stood at the tops of ancient towns, my photos reveal that what drew me in most was the doors.
Each one uniquely designed for entry into the unknown on the other side. Each building full of stories, certainly the past, some present, and others still awaiting the future narratives, and like different books on a library shelf, the multiple doors to a
different book cover, a different title. Doors painted, stained, elaborate, unassuming.
Like the variety of books available for a reader to explore, imagine, discover, and dive into, each door available for exploration, imagination, discovery, and knocking on to see if the unknown might reveal itself with a glimpse of knowing behind what the door allowed in and ushered out.
Like a variety of books shelved together for likeminded interest, the doors comprised a community of belonging the inhabitants know as home.
As we walked the cobblestone streets that weaved between the archways holding doors in place like bookends holding books upright, I found myself dancing between curiosity and reverence. Like wanting to pull a book off its shelf, I wanted
to wrap my finger around a door knocker and see who might answer. At the same time, I wanted to stay in awe of the unknown, inventing my own introduction to the story that I was not destined to open the pages to.
Like a list of book titles on a reading bucket list one can routinely peruse, I have the joy of standing in front of these doors time and time again thanks to the gift of digital photos. And perhaps that is what the best trips are all about. Always having wonder at our fingertips.
Wishing you and yours a joyous and restful holiday season.
Christine Hassing https://christinehassing.com
Abbey Road: Musical Landmark
“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
Paul McCartney, “The End,” the last song recorded together by all four Beatles
As teenagers, one of the favorite pastimes among my neighborhood friends was acquiring newly-released record albums by our favorite groups. In our neighborhood, the most followed group was the Beatles.
In the days before the Internet, we’d learn about new albums on the radio, in newspapers, and in magazines. Then we’d head to the Record Department at Meijer, Zodys, Zayre,
Yankee, or Kresge. We’d check out the albums and closely examine the cover art and the song list.
In addition to those outings, I often received Beatles albums for birthdays and Christmases. I still have most of them. This December marks 55 Christmases since Abbey Road—the eleventh and last studio album by the Beatles—was released. Today, many critics agree that Abbey Road was the band’s best album. And although the lads from Liverpool weren’t everyone’s cup of tea, their recordings, including Abbey Road, continue to sell well and attract new
listeners, including many born in the 21st Century.
More than 60 years after the Beatles first visited the United States, they remain the best-selling and most influential band of all time. Individually, its members were acclaimed for their musical skills. Between them, they could play more than 50 instruments. Ringo Starr was consistently the drummer, with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison trading duties on guitar and bass, as well as harmonica, keyboards, sitar, and other instruments. (The three guitarists all played Kalamazoo-built Gibson and/or Epiphone guitars, as well as models made by Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Höfner, and other brands.) Each of the four sang lead on multiple songs.
In addition to their performing skills, all four wrote songs, with the team of Lennon and McCartney writing more than 180. They valued variation, with McCartney saying “We always wanted each record to have a different sound,” so a listener could tell what song was being played after the first few notes.
The Beatles’ performing and songwriting skills were at their collective peak for Abbey Road, which was produced by George Martin, with assistant engineer Alan Parsons. They incorporated a mix of rock, blues, pop, and progressive rock, with songs ranging from the dark humor of “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” and
whimsical “Octopus’s Garden” to harmonized ballads “Because” and “Sun King.” Side Two of the album features a 16-minute medley of eight songs that blend from one to the next, despite being in multiple keys. Tracks included complex instrumentation and some of the band’s most intricate vocal harmonies. “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” incorporated heavy, repeating guitar riffs and white noise, building to a crescendo, then suddenly stopping with no fade-out. “The End” features Ringo’s only drum solo in the band’s recording history.
Abbey Road took its name from the studio at which it was recorded, which in turn was named after the studio’s location. Formally called EMI Studios at its founding in 1931, cellist Pablo Casals recorded there in 1936, Major Glenn Miller and his Army Air Force orchestra in the 1940s, and Australia’s Seekers in the mid-1960s. The album’s cover art, by photographer Iain Macmillan, became instantly iconic, and has been much imitated.
Next month, we’ll look at a song from Abbey Road which I believe is the all-time favorite Beatles song among musicians. Hint: It wasn’t written by Lennon and McCartney.
Tony Ettwein HistoryZoo1837@gmail.com
Relationships Dealing with a Parent’s Diagnosis of Dementia
As a child, no matter how old you are, it is difficult to watch your parents or caretaker deteriorate. This can be one of the most challenging experiences in life. We perceive this person as strong, thus witnessing their decline can feel overwhelming. As their condition progresses, you may need to consider providing outside help for them, such as memory care or nursing homes. It can also be frustrating when they can‘t remember conversations or daily activities. Many individuals wonder if their parents will continue to remember them, and the memories created. Some may even feel annoyed or scared, realizing that their parents won‘t be around forever.
It is important to prioritize selfcare and acknowledge your emotions when your parent is sick. Exercise is an effective way to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression as it releases feel-good endorphins. While it‘s okay to experience anger or any other emotion, it‘s essential to know how to manage and react to these feelings. Taking time for yourself is crucial during this challenging period to avoid feelings of resentment and better attend to the needs of your parent.
You may also be grieving the loss of who your parent was before their illness. It‘s important to recognize this grief and seek support if needed. Dealing with a parent who has dementia can be particularly painful, especially when they don‘t remember shared experiences. Anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss are common in such situations, and it may be helpful to shift your mindset to accepting and loving your family members as they are now, rather than yearning for who they used to be.
Moreover, it‘s common to experience changes in your identity when dealing with such stressful situations. If you‘re struggling with a parent‘s dementia diagnosis, it‘s essential to prioritize self-care, accept things beyond your control, and seek support if you‘re experiencing anxiety, depression, or stress. Consulting with a mental health professional can help you understand and manage your feelings, providing you with tools to navigate through this challenging phase of life.
Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC
Building a Lifelong Reading Habit
My children shared a boundless energy in their early years. In particular, my sons (born 16 months apart) could build a challenging energy to contain. Often, they could be nudged into creative and memorable sessions, building giant geodesic domes out of rolled up newspapers in the living room or working through that energy with productive, athletic drilling sessions with their father on the “wrestling rug.” Building a lifelong reading habit amid such energy requires a plan. Here are a few helpful tips: Start early: Read to your children every day! Make bedtime your ally. If they refuse to go to sleep, offer “just one more” story.
Keep the experience positive: They might only sit through part of the story. We also used to attend free community music concerts. At first, the kids often needed to leave by intermission, or “halftime.”
Plan bookstore adventures: At the
beginning of the summer, we budgeted for a shopping trip where the kids could enjoy a snack and pick out a book for summer reading. Listen to the audio book before watching the movie: We used to check out the Harry Potter CDs from the library, listen on longer road trips, and then go see the movie. Decorate with books for curious minds to explore: Every March, scattered around our home were stories of leprechauns, St. Patrick, and tales
of Celtic heroines like Brave Margaret.
Share your favorite stories: Growing up in a family of history majors, I fondly remember many evenings hearing about memorable moments in history. One of my favorites was the story of President Theodore Roosevelt and the Pedicaris incident. Later, my mother shared the 1959 American Heritage article, Pedicaris Alive or Raisuli Dead!, and family movie night included John Milius’
historically inaccurate but spectacular movie, The Wind and the Lion. A lifelong reading habit offers an academic edge, a powerful tool to search for answers to life’s challenges, and most important, gifts a world of imagination at your children’s fingertips.
Maggie Murphy is a lifelong Michigander. She graduated from Hillsdale College, attended graduate school at GVSU, and works at Kellogg Community College. Maggie is the author of the children’s book, “Sara Dippity,” and is a contributor to Smart Women, Smart Money Magazine. She also enjoys performing Irish, Scottish, and Americana folk music and running a small farm with her husband, Chad. More information can be found on her website, www.cairnhillfarms.net.
Maggie Murphy
Recipes Reindeer Games!
Set your inner child free for the holidays with fabulous, fresh flavors that add a little whimsy to your holiday spread!
Stylist/Photographer: Laura Kurella.
The old cliché, that Christmas is for children, was surely conjured by adults who let the stress of the holiday season get the best of them.
That said, I must confess that I too, have spent many an adult year (decades honestly) so focused on its demands and responsibilities that I didn’t get to enjoy the holiday, or the special reason for the season, so it is with a humble heart that I say, “Lord, please forgive me for missing out on the joy the holidays are meant to bring.”
It is easy to get sucked into the commercial spin and all the pressure that it brings, but in truth we are all
still children deep inside who love this time of year. The only thing that’s changed is the noise in our heads, and what we allow the outside world to carry in.
Losing out on the joy for so many years, I am grateful that I eventually came to realize that we need not wait until Christmas to show others love. To express kindness toward strangers, to give to charities, or to feel the profound sense of God’s love and joy that we naturally felt in our hearts as children at Christmas. In truth, it’s always there. We just need to lean into it!
We do need to be more like children because we were lots less stressed back then, and we enjoyed life far more than adults do, especially these days.
I don’t know about you, but I much preferred how holidays felt when I was a child.
So much so that I made a vow to myself to try (whenever possible) to
pull my mind, heart, and spirit back to the mindset I possessed as a child. Back when I was not shackled by all adult noises that swirls, stresses, and depress our adult heads.
Doing so, even for a little while, does help lift the weight of the world off our chests, and stepping into the kitchen while unburdened also allows your inner child to run free which, dare I say, can make you feel “giddy!”
Allowing ourselves to return to childhood innocence, even for small spurts of time, is the greatest and kindest gift we can give ourselves, and there’s no better place to let your inner child out than in the kitchen during the holidays.
As a child, I remember smearing buttery Ritz crackers with a thick blanket of the port wine cheese that Dad used to buy small brown crocks only at Christmas time. Thinking about those days got me to try my hand at making crackers from scratch because not only do they sport amaz-
ing, fresh flavor, and you can cut them into eye-catching-cute shapes, but also save a ton of money not buying those way over-priced and notso-great-tasting boxed crackers on store shelves.
There is also no limit to what you can create, especially if you have a box of cookie cutters at your disposal. Do yourself a favor, cut yourself some slack this year. Reconnect with your inner child and let them add some old-fashioned (and flavorful) fun back into your Christmas this year. You will be glad you did!
Here now are some of my favorite ways to celebrate Christmas with finger foods that remind you of favorites both old and new. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!
Laura Kurella is an award-winning recipe developer who enjoys sharing her recipes from her Michigan kitchen. She welcomes your comments at laurakurella@yahoo.com.
Tasty Chicken Tapas
Approximate servings per recipe: 12.
1/3 cup plum jam or preserves
1-ounce low sodium soy sauce,
1 ounce rice vinegar
1 ounce BBQ sauce cayenne powder, to taste
1 small onion
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs—ground
Cooking spray
1 bell pepper, seeded and cut into cubes
8 ounces pineapple chunks, in its own juice
Garnish: Fresh chives, snipped (optional)
In a small, heavy saucepan over medium high heat, combine plum jelly, soy sauce, rice vinegar, BBQ
sauce and cayenne powder. Bring to a boil then simmer until reduced to a thick sauce—approximately 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse onion, bread crumbs, paprika, pepper, if using, egg and olive oil until thoroughly combined. Add chicken and pulse just until well combined. Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, divide chicken mixture into approximately 12 mounds then shape into mini patties. Coat a heavy skillet with cooking spray then place over medium heat. Brown patties on each side until cooked through—about 2.5 minutes per side—then remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, add bell pepper and pineapple then sauté until desired tenderness. Assemble skewers by placing a slice of bell pepper on top of the chicken patty then top with a chunk of pineapple. Run a skewer down through all of them then plate and drizzle with sauce. Sprinkle with fresh chives, if desired.
Ready in: 40 mins; Yield:36 crackers 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon unrefined mineral sea salt + more for topping 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 tablespoons light oil 2/3 cup water
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put the flour, baking powder, sugar, and 1/2 tsp of salt in the food processor. Pulse to combine. Add cold butter a few small pats at a time, and pulse to combine. Add oil. Pulse to combine. Add water a little bit at a time. Pulse to combine after each addition. The dough should start to form a ball. Roll dough out as thin as you
can. (Use a pasta roller, if you have one.) Use cookie cutters to cut dough out—Ritz-shaped or any shape that you like!
Poke holes in the dough in any pattern you like (smiley faces would be fun!). Keep in mind that the holes are not just decorative; they help the crackers to bake correctly - so be sure to poke some. Bake the crackers on a parchment- or Silpat-lined baking sheet for 10 minutes or until the crackers just begin to brown. While the crackers are baking, melt the remaining butter, and mix in the remaining salt. Remove crackers from the oven, then brush them immediately with salty butter.
Time: 5 mins; Yield:4 cups (16 servings)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
16 ounces cheddar cheese, brick
1 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 teaspoon natural fine sea salt
1/2 cup port wine (or favorite beer)
In a heavy skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter then hand shred cheese into the pan. Stir, then add sour cream, cayenne powder and salt. Once cheese is fully melted, add wine (or beer) then, using a whisk or an immersion blender, beat until
smooth. Scrape mixture into an airtight container then refrigerate for at least 24–48 hours to mature flavors fully before serving.
NOTE: Can be reheated and served hot, or more wine or beer can be added to thin out for dipping. Serve port with assorted crackers—butter crackers preferred. (Pair with the same liquor used –port, beer) This recipe can be further enhanced with the addition of bacon bits or horseradish.
Spectacular Spinach Artichoke Pinwheels
4-ounce brick Romano cheese
8-ounce brick Parmesan
1 small yellow onion (or a bunch of fresh chives)
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 large eggs
8 ounces Neufchatel (or cream) cheese
10 ounces frozen creamed spinach*
1 can small artichoke hearts, drained
4 tubes refrigerated Crescent dough sheets (or 4 puff pastry sheets, thawed)
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In the bowl of a food processor, process Romano and parmesan with onion and garlic until finely chopped. Add pepper, lemon juice, and eggs and process until well blended, then add Neufchatel (or cream) cheese and pulse until mixed in well. Add
spinach and artichokes then pulse just until artichokes are chopped finely, giving mixture a slightly coarse texture.
Unroll sheets of dough and divide cheese mixture evenly among them, spreading a thin layer evenly over the dough’s surface, leaving a ¼-inch of one long edge clean. Starting with the opposite long edge, roll each dough up then use a sharp wet knife to cut each dough into six or 8 individual pinwheels. Arrange pinwheels on a parchment-lined air bake sheet then bake until cooked and lightly browned, about 12 to 15 minutes. *=If you cannot source creamed spinach, in a skillet over medium heat, combine leaf spinach with 1 tablespoon of flour, 2 tablespoons butter, and ½ cup of milk (or sub). Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens, then set aside to cool.
Prep
On a lovely fall day, my friend and pickin’ buddy, Julie, and I climbed into my Jeep for a day of junkin’. Our plan was to meander towards the Village of Paw Paw, a place so nice, it was named twice (actually, the Village was named by the indigenous population for the strange fruit bearing trees growing alongside the river.)! We had heard rumored through the grapevine (also prevalent in Paw Paw!) that Jane Kesteloot,of Plain Jane’s Antiques, had re-opened her shoppe in downtown PawPaw. We were anxious to visit, and let our good readers know of another antiquing spot!
Reason enough for a road trip! One just never knew what treasures one
may find along the way! Estate, garage, or yard sales were all possibilities! My Jeep was known to stop readily at ANY, and ALL! - and, it did! When it could not possibly hold one more item, we ended at Plain Jane’s Antiques!
After a seven-year absence, Jane is enjoying an enthusiastic welcome to her original location in downtown historic PawPaw.
I can recall meeting Jane in her first shoppe years ago. She has changed things about, upped the anty! The shoppe is a welcome array of antique, vintage, and rusticity. A touch of local, and new for extra flavor also grace the shelves. Jane’s decorating flair of shabby chic, to
Health Where Did I Leave My Keys? Part 2
Some months back I wrote an article on keeping our brains fit. Normal aging often makes remembering things a bit more challenging. (I bought my wife a T-shirt that says, “I came, I saw, I forgot what I came for.” We laugh about it, but somewhere in that humor is a concern, and that concern is “will I get Alzheimer’s disease?” So, I’m always on the lookout for information that may help address that fear.
There’s plenty of evidence that diet (especially the MIND diet which emphasizes plant-based foods), physical exercise, and social connections play a very important role in keeping our brains healthy. However, what role does genetics play in brain health? Will genetic predisposition determine my brain health, irrespective of me doing all the right things?
I was struck by an article in the November, 2024 issue of Consumers Reports ON HEALTH. It posed the question “Why Some People Don’t Get Dementia.” It went on to explain the concept of cognitive reserve. It refers to the ability to maintain normal cognitive function, even when
age-related brain changes resemble those of someone with dementia.
Thirty percent of cognitively normal people have enough plaques and tangles in their brain to meet the pathologist’s criteria for having Alzheimer’s disease. Until recently, scientists didn’t understand why.
Recent research suggests that life experiences affect how parts of the brain interact, leaving some people better able to cope with brain disease or aging. Stimulating experiences such as an engaging occupation, frequent social interaction, and learning new skills may all be protective. Emerging research suggests that high cognitive reserve may even help protect against dementia in people who are genetically predisposed to get it. I found this finding remarkable. It says we don’t necessarily have to accept the hand we’re dealt genetically. We can take a proactive approach to brain health. In addition, to social connections, physical exercise, and diet, there are a few more things we can do.
One is protecting our hearing and vision. As the severity of hearing
loss increases, the risk of developing dementia also rises. The same is true for vision loss. Another is avoiding air pollution. Inhaled particles can get deep into our lungs, into our bloodstream, and eventually to our brain. Still another is reducing alcohol intake. One recent study looked at brain scans of 40,000 people and found that how often people consumed alcohol was one of the dementia risk factors with the biggest impact.
One “fun factor” is engaging in mentally challenging activities. Playing “brain games” either by yourself or with a group (hint: a group is more fun) gets your brain working and forms new neural pathways. My term for it is “making our brains sweat.”
Solving a puzzle often is a rewarding experience, but if it’s the same
type of puzzle (for example word search or crossword puzzles), you may not get the benefit of solving a new type of puzzle. I challenge you to try anagrams, word ladders, memory puzzles, even if you need to consult the answer-page frequently. Once you understand how a new puzzle works, you may learn a new skill and make your brain more fit. So maybe adding a couple of puzzle books to your Christmas list isn’t a bad idea and making a resolution to do them with friends is even better.
My best wishes to you for your best holiday season ever.
Till next time,
Ken Dettloff ACE
LOCAL DAR CHAPTER HOSTS AMERICAN REVOLUTION EXPERIENCE TRAVELING EXHIBIT
The Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will be hosting the American Revolutionary Experience Traveling Exhibit for the month of December at the Ladies’ Library Association in downtown Kalamazoo. The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation. Created through a collaboration between the American Battlefield Trust and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the exhibit is also made possible by generous matching funds from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program battlefield interpretation grants. Elizabeth Santas Kraatz, Regent of the Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Chapter, NSDAR: “We are excited that we can make this exhibit available to our community. Kalamazoo is one of only two locations in Michigan selected to host the exhibit.”
Sharon Carlson, PhD, President of the Ladies Library Association of Kalamazoo and appointed by Governor Whitmer to serve on the State’s committee overseeing the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary (America250MI.org): “The American Revolution secured our independence and created our national identity, expressing the ideals of liberty, equality, and civic responsibility that have defined our country since 1776. We look forward to sharing this with the community and finding ways to en-
gage as our nation observes its 250th birthday.”
The American Revolution Experience invites visitors to consider the choice faced by members of the revolutionary generation as tensions mounted in the 1770s: Would these ordinary citizens risk their lives and livelihoods in pursuit of liberty? Or would they remain loyal subjects of the British crown, coming into conflict with neighbors and family? The exhibit surfaces diverse viewpoints and experiences, touching on the journeys — both literal and figurative — of Patriots and Loyalists, men and women, Black and Native populations and even international allies. Rather than focusing only on generals and famous statesmen, it introduces audiences to drummer boys, military mapmakers and other ordinary people who were impacted by global events.
The exhibit will run from Monday December 2, 2024 through Tuesday December 31, 2024, closed on December 9 and during Christmas break December 23 – 26, 2024. Admission is free. For further details on times, contact the Ladies’ Library Association at 269-344-3710 or view the calendar of events for America250MI at www.America250MI.org/calendar.
About National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is one of the largest women’s lineage based, patriotic nonprofits in the world, with 190,000 members and approximately 3,000 local chapters in the
United States and abroad. Since its founding in 1890, close to one mil-
lion members have carried out their mission. They are an organization both steeped in history and forwardthinking -- a vibrant service organization recognized around the world.
The women who make up the membership are varied and come from all walks of life yet share a common bond of tracing their ancestry back to those who helped gain our nation’s independence. The DAR are committed to honoring our nation’s past by serving our communities today. Headquartered in Washington D.C., the DAR is committed to a lasting mission of promoting three key areas: historic preservation, education and patriotism. Contact www. dar.org for more information.
About the Ladies’ Library Association
The Ladies’ Library Association (LLA) the first women’s organization established in Michigan and the second oldest in the nation. It evolved out of informal gatherings in private homes beginning in 1844. The diligent acquisition of books led to the creation of a subscription-based library in 1852, the first public library in Kalamazoo. In 1878 the LLA became the first women’s organization in the nation to construct a clubhouse. The Venetian Gothic building has been lovingly maintained and is recognized as a national historic site. At its founding, the LLA was known as the “collegiate course” for women who were largely excluded from higher education at that time. It continues to inform, educate and inspire its members in the 21st century.
About the American Battlefield Trust
From a grassroots organization
started by historians nearly 40 years ago, the American Battlefield Trust has grown into one of the most successful land preservation and education organizations in the nation. The Trust has protected almost 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War, representing 160 sites in 25 states from Massachusetts to New Mexico. Its 350,000 members and supporters believe in the power of place and the continued relevance of our shared history to modern American society. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.
Dec 2 (Mon) 10am – 5pm
Dec 3 (Tues) 10am – 5pm
Dec 4 (Wed) 10am – 5pm
Dec 5 (Thurs) 10am – 5pm
Dec 6 (Fri) 10am – 8pm
Dec 7 (Sat) 10am – 5pm
Dec 8 (Sun) noon – 3pm
Dec 9 Closed for a private event
Dec 10 (Tues) 10am – 5pm
Dec 11 (Wed) 10am – 5pm
Dec 12 (Thurs) 10am – 5pm
Dec 13 (Fri) 10am – 8pm
Dec 14 (Sat) 10am – 5pm
Dec 15 (Sun) noon – 3pm
Dec 16 (Mon) 10am – 5pm
Dec 17 (Tues) 10am – 5pm
Dec 18 (Wed) 10am – 5pm
Dec 19 (Thurs) 10am – 5pm
Dec 20 (Fri) 10am – 8pm
Dec 21 (Sat) 10am – 5pm
Dec 22 (Sun) noon – 3pm
Dec 23 – 26 closed for holiday break
Dec 27 (Fri) 10am – 8pm
Dec 28 (Sat) 10am – 5pm
Dec 19 (Sun) noon – 3pm
Dec 31 (Tues) noon – 5pm
Treasured Family Recipes
When we were kids, I didn’t know that my family and I were international foodies. Many years later, I realized some food my family ate in the 60’s/70’s wasn’t standard American fare. Most of the time we ate like everyone did from the old Food Pyramid (which is now called MyPlate) - meat, potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls, and dessert. But a few of my friends made comments that they had never seen some of the foods we used: Avocados, stuffed artichokes, home-made pastas, boiled orange salad, Polish pierogis, real Polish sausage, anise candies, pfeffernusse, pizzelles, gnocchi, or antipasto. We were very lucky because both sides of my grandparents emigrated from Italy and from Poland to the US in the day, and who brought along recipes from the old country. We enjoyed diverse and wonderful food!
Two of my favorite handed-down recipes are my mom’s Polish-style Christmas fruitcake which takes 14 ingredients, 3 hours to bake, and 2-4 weeks to “set” the flavors; and my dad’s traditional Italian New Year’s Eve feast called “Feast of the Seven Seas,” when we ate seven different seafoods and fish. As a kid, I never appreciated all the time and
attention it took to make complex recipes like mom’s fruitcake, or the work it took for my dad to cook his New Year’s Eve feast.
Before New Year’s Eve, we’d take a trip to Chicago and shop at ethnic grocery stores for ingredients to bring back to Kzoo. The most unusual seafood we once had for our Feast of the Seven Seas was sliced abalone. It tasted like flavorless rubber bands IMO. But I loved scarfing the big breaded oysters, oysters on the half shell, crab claws, prawns, and my dad’s famous (or infamous) squid soup. Little did we know that my dad carefully removed the floaty things on top of the soup before serving it. Guess what those floaties were? Squid eyeballs! I’m sure I wouldn’t have touched it if I’d known that at the time! I still make a version of his soup recipe, but with cod and shrimp, and definitely minus the squid. (Sorry, dad.)
For Christmas I make one or two vintage recipes a year from my mom’s old recipe box, such as plum pudding or chowder. Many of their recipes call for ingredients with old fashioned rich flavors such as: Cloves, nutmeg, real butter, lard, cane sugar, rum, candied fruit, marzipan, real cream,
almond paste, fresh garlic, prosciutto, antipasto, and more. Not all of these ingredients are considered healthy, but they’re exactly why the old recipes taste so very good.
The piece de resistance I make for the holidays is my mom’s Polish-style fruitcake. That’s right, I said fruitcake. Before you make any fruitcake jokes, if you tasted my fruitcake, you would like it and you’d never make fruitcake jokes again! Get in line and take a number, it’s been a hit with everyone who’s tried it.
Now that I’m an adult and have made many of my family’s wonderful recipes, I’m sending thanks to them again for handing down their cherished recipes for us to enjoy.
So how about it? Are you going to
make your favorite recipes for the holidays, or make something new?
Maybe you’ll make those wonderful thick, white, chewy Christmas cookies with creamy colored frosting and cut into holiday shapes? That’s one cookie recipe I’ve never mastered.
If you happen to make them, I’ll trade you a slice of my home-made fruitcake for a cookie. You won’t even have to stand in line and take a number. :) Happy holidays and bon appetit.
Ann Murray is an award-winning commercial illustrator and author. She has illustrated 8 children’s books, and her stories have been in three published anthologies.
Small Town Cafée
The Cereal City Concert Band is proud to present their highly-anticipated annual holiday concert, themed “A European Christmas”. Join us as we bring the festive moods and melodies of the holiday season from Europe to your back door on Sunday, December 8th, 2024, at 3:00pm at the Pennfield Performing Arts Center, 8587 Pennfield Rd, Battle Creek. As we ready for the Mid-Europe Wind Band Music Festival in Austria in July 2025, this performance will offer a sampling of Europe’s rich tradition of holiday music.
This concert will begin with a special Proclamation presentation by the Mayor of Battle Creek, Mark Behnke. We may also have additional VIPs from the office of Calhoun County and Michigan state legislature.
The concert includes versions of beloved holiday melodies as well as
“A EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS” AT THE CEREAL CITY CONCERT BAND’S
HOLIDAY CONCERT
symphonic masterworks that span the entire European continent.
Beginning in France and the Netherlands, Pierre La Plante’s Joyeux Noel brings forward the lilting tunes of French carols and pastorales, while Jan Hadermann’s Flemish Christmas weaves together rich renaissance polyphony with the dancing rhythms of the Low Countries. Heading through central Europe, Chris Sharp’s suite Christmas in Vienna sets familiar holiday tunes among savory jazz-inflected harmonies and the pulse of the Viennese waltz. David Lovrien’s Minor Alterations: Christmas Through the Looking Glass reimagines a medley of well-known melodies in minor modes.
Making our way eastward, we make a stop in Ukraine for the Mykola Leontovych’s classical Ukrainian Bell Carol before heading northwest to Russia for Minka’s Sleigh Ride: On
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Old Russian Songs, also by Pierre La Plante. The showpiece of the concert is Alfred Reed’s magisterial masterpiece for symphonic band, Russian Christmas Music. You can almost sense the bells and smells as the swelling contours of Orthodox chants and folk songs in the town square paint an unforgettable scene. And, no holiday concert would be complete without a sleigh ride together with you, and Leroy Anderson’s classic is here to take the reins.
The band supports the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign, so let’s help them out by bringing a new unwrapped toy to place in the bin as you enter the auditorium. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a raffle of beautiful Poinsettia plants donated by various local businesses.
Concert tickets are $10 for Adults, $5 for Students, Seniors (65+), and Veterans, and free for children 5 and
under. You may purchase tickets at the door, in advance on our website at https://cerealcityconcertband.org/ schedule/, or at Eventbrite at https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/cereal-cityconcert-band-christmas-concerta-european-christmas-tickets1058509021979?aff=oddtdtcreator
environment Oh, Tannenbaum
The holiday season is upon us. Immediately after we pack away the ghosts and goblins on November 1st, it’s time for carols, greeting cards, and, of course, “good will to men”. A brightly lit and beautifully decorated tree is the centerpiece of many gatherings this month. Last December, CNN published that, of those who decorated a Christmas tree, 77% used one that was artificial, while only 23% opted for a natural specimen. I could easily write several articles examining the pros and cons of “fake” versus “real” trees and the ecological considerations of each, but we will leave that for another time.
I am not a tree expert by any measure. I know a few deciduous species when I see them, but identification is an area in which I have little confidence. I can describe a coniferous tree as one that usually, but not always, remains green, failing to change its color and lose its foliage in the fall and winter months. They are conifers because they develop cones to distribute their seeds. In the United States, many conifers are a predominant tree variety in cooler, moister, Northern climates.
Growing up, to my uneducated eye, every conifer was a pine. That is possible, because members of the “Pinus” genus are the most common evergreens we are most likely to encounter. For this reason, every live Christmas tree I ever bought was, to me, a pine - either already cut and on a lot or one I finagled my kids to hack at with a tree saw. I’m better educated now and want to share what I’ve learned.
A visit to the Christmas tree farm or grow lot will divide the available varieties into three main types of evergreen conifers: pines, spruces, and firs. I want to offer a quick primer to help distinguish between these groups and provide some pros and cons for each.
Pines, as stated, are the predominant conifers that grow naturally
in forested land. Depending on the grower, they are also the most commonly encountered tree on a holiday lot. Their needles quickly identify them. They always display needles bundled into a cluster of two, three, or five. There are many varieties of pines, but most wholesalers typically grow red pines, including Scotch (or Scots) pine. These deep green trees have sharp, paired needles two to four inches long. They are mildly fragrant, may show sap on their main trunk, and have solid and regular branches perfect for hanging sturdy ornaments. White pine is another variety. These trees are also popular but have longer, softer needles bundled into clusters of five. Their aroma is lighter than the Scotch variety, and their branches are less bulky, making them a safe choice for smaller, more delicate ornaments. They are noteworthy for their tendency to give off less pollen when brought inside – a plus for allergy sufferers. They are frequently the most budget-friendly option.
Spruces, another popular holiday choice, bear their shorter needles singly, and are not bundled. Close examination of the needles shows them to be square or triangular in crosssection and can be easily rolled between your fingers. If the needles are removed from the branch, they leave a short wooden stump called a peg. Spruces typically have straight trunks with heavy branches that retain their needles throughout a long indoor season. The trees, known for their full, conical shape, are an excellent source of strong fragrance in the house, if that is a desirable selling trait for the purchaser. Spruces are easy to have, except for one notable feature that makes it a no-go for some potential decorators. Those beautiful, regularly oriented, deep green needles are so prickly that hanging ornaments can be a nightmare. A spruce is an excellent choice if you persevere through the discomfort.
Firs are some of the most expen-
sive trees on many lots and for good reason. They are lovely! They boast a bright dark green color, with some (such as concolor) having a bluishgreen tint to their needles. They are, like spruces, fragrant but not overwhelmingly so. Their branches are strong enough to hold heavy ornaments but perhaps not as dense as pine, so it is easier to observe more delicate items that nestle in the branches. Like spruces, their needles are borne singly, but are lighter and more flexible. Fir needles are flat and will not roll easily between the fingers. When they are pulled from the branch, a scar is evident instead of a peg. Most notably, the foliage is soft and easy to handle. Their indoor lifespan is somewhat shorter than the spruces and pines, so they require frequent watering. Regardless, it is essential to ensure that all indoor Christmas trees always have an adequate water supply.
The journal of a site called Playful Learning published a quick memory tool for remembering the conifers: “Spruces are stiff and sharp; Firs are flexible and friendly.” I’ve had all of these varieties in my days of having and decorating real trees for the holidays. I must say that firs have been my favorite. That said, I’ve had more pines over the years, simply for their convenience and moderate cost. I’ve accumulated a lot of beautiful (and precious to me) ornaments over the years, and the sturdiness of the pines is superior. I love the look and smell of blue spruce, but mercy – they are a torture to decorate!
Even if you have an artificial tree that you usually trim for the holidays, I hope you will consider visiting a local farm or lot to purchase this year’s specimen. Consider buying a tree as a donation for a needy family. I especially want to support our local growers and encourage their continued success.
One might think that owning a Christmas tree farm would be pretty
simple. Plant some seedlings, come back in about a decade, and harvest. Sounds like a piece of cake! Unfortunately, it’s much more complicated, risky, and work-intensive than that. A healthy, sustainable tree farm harvests only about 10% of its trees annually. The new seedlings planted to replenish those removed require extensive care, especially in the early years. They need fertilization and watering to encourage adequate root structure. As they grow, pruning and perhaps staking are required to establish a strong, straight trunk, with intermittent trimming to encourage the branches to grow full and strong. Like any other managed crop, all the trees require constant surveillance to keep pests at bay. It is demanding work, but necessary to provide the centerpiece for so many family celebrations!
However you celebrate - happy holidays to you all – every one!
Cheryl Hach
Retired Science Teacher
Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center
References:
Lindberg, B., & Craig, B. (2023, November 16). Real Christmas trees: Which one is right for you? MSU Extension. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://www.canr.msu. edu/news/choosing_the_right_christmas_tree Young, C. E. (2019, November 19). Is It Pine, Spruce, or Fir? The Ohio State University Extension. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https:// ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-80 Playful Learning (n.d.). Simple Keys for Identifying Conifers: The Pine Family. The Journal. Retrieved November 8, 2024, from https:// www.playfullearning.com/simplekeys-identifying-conifers-pinefamily/
FREE december Events
Through Sunday Jan. 19, 2025
Exhibit: Kalamazoo State Hospital: 165 Years of Psychiatric Care, Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025
Exhibit: Secret Societies Illuminated In Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Sundays, Dec. 1,8,15,22,29 Portage Farmer’s Market 9am-1pm, Portage City Hall
Mondays, Dec. 2,9,16,30 Parchment Update Interviews Parchmentlibrary.org
Mon., Dec. 2 – Tues., Dec. 31 The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit Ladies Library Association
Mondays, Dec. 2,9,16,23,30 Family Storytime, 10-10:45am Books, songs. Vicksburg Library
Monday, December 2 WMU Drum Choir, 5pm Dalton Center Recital Hall
Monday, December 2 WMU Chamber Music Series, 7pm, Zion Lutheran Church, Kalamazoo
Tuesdays, Dec. 3,10,17,24,31 Preschool Story Time (ages 3-5) 10:15, Richland Library
Tuesdays, Dec. 3,10,17,24,31 Drop in Gaming, 3-5pm Richland Library
Tuesdays, Dec. 3,10,17,24,31 Trivia at Sit & Stay Winery, 6-8pm, 260 E. Michigan Ave., Kal.
Tuesdays, Dec. 3,10,17,24,31 Trivia @ 468 Wine, 6:30-8:30, 8842 Portage Rd., Portage
Tuesdays, Dec. 3,10,17,24,31 Theme Trivia Tuesdays, 7-9pm, Revel and Roll West
Tuesdays, Dec. 3,10,17,24,31 Trivia Night, 7-9pm Louie’s Trophy House
Wednesdays, December 4, 18
Mugs & Hugs, stories & more 10-11am, Vicksburg Library
Wednesdays, Dec. 4,11,18 Wednesday Wigglers, 10:15am (Infant-Toddler) Richland Library
Wednesday, December 4
Holiday Chocolate, 6-8pm Parchment Library
Thursday, December 5
Adult Book Club: Master & Commander by Patrick O’Brien, 9:30-10:30am Vicksburg Library
Thurs.,Dec. 5- Fri., Dec. 6
Holiday Art Sale, Thurs. 5-8pm, Sat., 9am-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursday, December 5
Adult Art Club, 6pm, Register Ahead, Richland Library
Thursday, December 5
Between the Lines Book Club: James by Percival Everett 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Fri., Dec. 6 – Sat. Dec. 7
Holiday Greens Sale, Fri. 10am6pm, Sat. 9am – 3pm, Portage Zhang Senior Center
Fridays, Dec.,6,13,20,27
Family Story Time, 10:15 All ages, Richland Library
Friday, December 6
Memory Café – for people with Mild dementia and their care Partners, 10:30am – Noon Paw Paw District Library
Friday, December 6
Art Hop, various locations in downtown Kalamazoo, 5-8pm
Saturdays, Dec. 7,14
Indoor Market, 10am-2pm Plainwell City Hall
Friday, December 6
Kalamazoo Concert Band
Holi-Day Concert featuring Megan Dooley & Jordan Hamilton, 8pm, Miller Auditorium
Friday, December 6
Christmas Craft Show, 9am –3pm, Spring Manor in Portage
Fridays, Dec. 6,13,20,27
Quickdraw Trivia, 7-8:30pm Valhalla/Norse Nectar Meadery
Friday, December 6
Live Music: DJ Trenne, 8pm The Dock at Bayview, Richland
Saturday, December 7
Buy Local Art & Gift Fair 9am4pm, Kalamazoo Nature Center
Sat., Dec. 7 - Sun., Dec. 8 Handmade Art & Craft Show
Sat., 9am-4pm, Sun. 10am-4pm Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo
Saturday, December 7
Live Music: Crazy Mic, 8pm, The Dock at Bayview, Richland
Sunday, December 8
2nd Sundays Live: Allegan Brass Collective, 2pm Parchment Library
Monday, December 9
Parchment Book Club: Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.Tolkien, 6pm, Parchment Library
Tuesday, December 10
ArtBreak: Legendary Artist’s Talk: James Palmore, 12-1pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Wednesday, December 11
Birds & Coffee Chat on Zoom 10-11am-Sigtings through out The Year on rare Michigan Birds birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu
Thursday, December 12
Artful Evening - Image Meets Text: A Legendary Poetry Workshop, 6-8pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Thursday, December 12
Holiday Handbell Concert, 6-7pm, Paw Paw Library
Thursday, December 12
Adult Winter Blanket Making & Cookie Exchange, 6pm, Register ahead, Richland Library
Friday, December 13
Live Music: Jeremy Allison, 8pm The Dock at Bayview, Richland
Saturday, December 14
Church Cookie Walk, 9am-1pm Scotts United Methodist Church 8458 Wallene, Scotts
Saturday, December 14
The Christmas Craft Show, 9am 3pm, Kalamazoo Expo Center
Saturday, December 14
Art Detectives - Shaped by Her Hands: Potter Maria Martinez, 10:30am--Noon Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Saturday, December 14
Santa’s Winter Workshop, 10am-1pm, Pics with Santa,Crafts, Games & more, Paw Paw Library
Monday December 16
Duck-orating Contest, decorate A rubber duck in a winter theme Drop ducks off through Jan. 9th
Monday, December 16
STEAM, 11am-Noon, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, December 17
ArtBreak: Exploring Common Myths about the Samurai,121pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Tuesday, December 17
Lego & Duplo Club, 1-2pm & 5:30-6:30pm, Vicksburg Library
Tuesday, December 17
Mystery Book Club: Murder at Kensington Palace by Andrea Penrose And Virtual Author 6:30pm, Parchment Library
Thursday, November 21
Slaptail Nation Presents: Slap Your Tail Comedy- Open Mic Doors open 7am, show 7:30pm Dormouse Theatre, Kalamazoo Visit, 6:30pm, Parchment Library
Wednesday, December 18
Book Discussion: The Friday Night Club: A Novel of Artist Hilma af Klint and Her Creative Circle, 2-3pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
Wednesday, December 18
Sip & Shop, 5-8pm The Dock @ Bayview, Richland
Wednesday, December 18
Open Mic Night, 8pm Louie’s Trophy House
Thursday, December 19
Teen Break & Bulldog Break 2:45-5:45, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, December 19 STEAM, 6-7pm, Vicksburg Library
Thursday, December 19
The Heartbreak Book Club –Unleashed by Victoria Schade 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library
Thursday, December 19
Live Music: Kyle Jennings, 7-10pm, The Dock, Richland
Thursday, December 19
Slaptail Nation Presents: Slap Your Tail Comedy- Open Mic Doors open 7am, show 7:30pm Dormouse Theatre, Kalamazoo
Friday, December 20
Team Trivia, 6:30pm, Register Ahead, Richland Library
Friday, December 20
Live Music: DJ Trenne & Ugly Sweater Party, 8pm, The Dock @ Bayview, Richland
Saturday, December 21 Kalamazoo Indoor Flea Market 9am-3pm, Kalamazoo Expo Ctr.
Monday, December 23 Silent Book Club, 5:15pm Parchment Library
Thursday, December 26
Writer’s Motivational Group, 4:30-5:30pm, Vicksburg Library
Friday, December 27
Live Music: Weist Hunt Duo, 8pm, The Dock, Richland
Saturday, December 28
Grief Circle, 10am-Noon Rootead Kalamazoo
Saturday, December 28
Live Music: DJ Trenne, 8pm The Dock @Bayview, Richland
