Good News October 2024

Remember When

The roots of the Holly’s Restaurants in Kalamazoo began with the Webster family in South Haven. Ed Webster, was well known for having the best 5 cent hamburger at the Riverside Café and Lunch Room located on Williams Street in South Haven.

Ed briefly left South Haven and moved his family to Florida, but soon returned and opened the Webster Hotel (now Nichols Hotel). Ed’s two sons, Ward and Hollis, also became restauranteurs.

Upon returning to South haven, Ed and his grown son, Hollis, opened the first Holly’s restaurant, named Holly’s Fountain Lunch inside the hotel. The name Holly’s was Hollis’ nickname in school. They liked the sound of Holly’s better than Webster’s, which makes your mouth open wide when you say it, as if you’re eating.

Ed’s younger son, Ward, graduated high school in 1916 and moved to Chicago to work with Western Electric. After getting married and having a son, he moved back to South Haven in 1926 and bought out his father’s partnership in the hotel’s lunchroom venture.

Before long, they needed a larger location for their thriving business. Ward convinced his father and brother to make a $250 down payment on a much larger space across the street (the former Princess Café, acquiring a liquor license in the 1930’s, after the repeal of prohibition and Holly’s became a popular dining spot. The move allowed his father to convert the former lunchroom space into six more guest rooms in the hotel.

South Haven was the place to be from Memorial Day through Labor Day and the S.S. Roosevelt would drop thousands of people on the dock at various times through the day. Ward, and his wife Ann, would start making coffee at 5am, selling it for just 5 cents. A platter of ham and eggs was just 50 cents. They became known as “The Home of Big Breakfasts,” with fresh squeezed orange juice, bacon and eggs, Danish rolls and delicious waffles with fresh peaches and strawberries. Ward ran the restaurant from early morning to early afternoon and Hollis would

take over for the evening shift. They would switch off the cook and manager duties every few weeks. Their only day off was Christmas Day. In the mid-20’s you could get a full meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls & coffee for just 50 cents. Another dime would get you a slice of fresh apple pie, served with twoscoops of vanilla ice cream.

The business was going strong when Hollis found out he had contracted diptheria, which required a warmer climate to recuperate from the illness. Hollis withdrew from the partnership with his brother in 1936 and moved to Florida, while Ward ran the entire operation.

Two years later (1938), Hollis recovered and returned to Michigan. By then, the brothers had differing restaurant ideas. Hollis chose Kalamazoo and eventually opened 3 restaurants.

His first restaurant in Kalamazoo was Holly’s Grill in the 600 block of West Michigan, just west of downtown Kalamazoo, which he operated for 10 years before he lost his lease to make way for St. Augustine’s Church and school. The original diner building was picked up and moved in one piece to a site on West Lake in Portage. Hollis built a new restaurant right across the street that opened in 1948. (The building still exists at 645 W. Michigan and is presently home to the Fireplace & Grill Shop, next door to Bunca Car Wash). Former patrons shared these memories: “My dad used to take me there after doing my alter boy duties on weekday mornings. It was a great place.” “We ate there almost every Sunday for

brunch after mass. “Sunday morning was the best day for tips!! “The girls from Msgr. O’Brien skipped mass and went there for hash brown & bacon! We’ll burn in hell for that.”

In addition to Holly’s Grill, Hollis Webster also ran a small café on East Michigan in downtown Kalamazoo for many years, it was simply called Holly’s. There was also a Holly’s Landing on Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo.

In 1954 Hollis opened another Holly’s Grill in the State Theater building at the corner of Burdick and Lovell streets in downtown Kalamazoo, which began as a “snackteria” offering self-service sandwiches, salads, breakfasts and beverages. The restaurant eventually started serving burgers and fries. Here are some fond memories shared by former customers on the Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook page: “I remember my mom taking me to an occasional matinee and then we would go to the diner next door and I would get a cheeseburger.” “Hollys was the place that had the great olive burgers.” “We used to go to Holly’s before going to see movies at the State Theater.”

Holly’s continued to grow and incorporated the first Holly’s Grill. They moved their brand into Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids and Lansing. When they went public with their stock in 1961, they started running company cafeterias for firms like Sears & Roebuck and the Heath Company. They also signed an agreement with Holiday Inns of American to operate dining establishments inside some motels. In 1965 they even franchised with the Dallas, Texas

firm, to operate Bonanza Sirloin Pits, a relationship that lasted 4 years and produced outlets in many Michigan cities. The four restaurant locations around the state were switched to the Holly’s Steak name.

In the late 1960’s, they no longer wanted to operate fast-food, self-service concept restaurants and began opening chain theme restaurants around the state. The brothers opened the conventional restaurant on S. Westnedge (the former Tally-Ho location), which became Holly’s Bistro in June 1974 – Kalamazoo was the third of its kind in the Holly’s empire. The décor featured a touch of Americana as it existed years ago. Memorabilia such as old license plates, Tiffany lamps and aged housewares adorned the space. People embraced the new bistro and lined up to wait their turn at the 230-person capacity restaurant. Customers loved the live music, the French dip sandwich and the renowned salad bar with hot bacon dressing and French onion soup, to name just a few favorites. A former customer posted on the Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook page: “Holly’s Bistro was a great restaurant. I took my prom date there.”

Holly’s Restaurant’s became some of the most popular dining places in town for over half a century. They were known for having the best food, warm hospitality and fair prices.

Jackie Merriam

Sources: Greater Guide Magazine (Oct. 1976), KG 8/16/89.

Fall Perennial Care: 12 to Cut Back & 7 to Let Be

Putting your perennial plants to bed in the winter can be confusing. Some plants are very beneficial to wildlife and add beautiful textures to the garden in winter and should be left alone. But some plants need to be trimmed back to promote healthy growth and to prevent plant diseases. The time to cut back perennials is after at least one hard frost. Use a leaf blower to remove trimmed foliage from the area. Don’t put any diseased foliage in the compost pile.

12

to Cut Back

1. Columbine: cut foliage down to the ground and mulch. Dispose of any foliage affected by leaf miners by burning or in the trash, do not compost it.

2. Yarrow: cut any old foliage down but keep new basal leaves to protect the crown during winter.

3. Bee Balm: cut foliage down to 1 inch above the soil to discourage problems like mildew.

4. Peonies: prune stems within 2 inches from the ground. Peonies are also susceptible to mildew. Cutting back peonies before the first frost can limit next year’s number of blooms.

5. Garden Phlox: cut down to 1-2 inches above the soil to prevent powdery mildew.

6. Liatris - Blazing Star: trim flower spikes and leaves to the base of the plant.

7. Hollyhocks: cut down to about 6 inches high to reduce the risk of leaf rust. Scatter seedpods for more plants in spring.

8. Hostas: prune hosta leaves near

In thinking about my column this month, many ideas crossed my mind after a recent trip to the United Kingdom. My initial thought was to encourage readers to reach outside their comfort zone, whether it be taking a trip or trying something new.

the crown. Keeping hostas clean from dead leaves helps prevent slugs from destroying plants come spring.

9. Chrysanthemum: Cut back mums that are 2 years old or more after they’ve finished blooming or been hit by a hard frost. Use mulch to insulate the plant from harmful freeze and thaws. First year mums leave growth on to help keep mulch in place.

10. Iris: they are susceptible to the iris borer which will kill the iris plant. Iris can be spread with Hi-Yield 38 Plus to prevent infestations. The female moth lays eggs in plant debris where they overwinter, so it is especially important to clean up around the plant and remove all dead leaves and debris. Trim the fan of the

I had not been out of the country in close to 20 years. Each time I thought about it, I came up with excuses, including lengthy flights, prioritizing trips to see family, and if I’m being honest, because of the uncertainty.

I’m pleased to report that the excuses looming in the back of my mind were just that, excuses to stay in my comfort zone. When we boarded the 8-hour direct flight to England, I noticed many small children on the flight, without a care in the world. In fact, they were embracing the additional snacks and screen time during the flight.

I decided that I would follow the children’s lead and embrace the snacks, new release movies (screen

sword-shaped iris leaves at an angle so they slope upward into a center peak no higher than 6-8”.

11. Daylilies: cut leaves within 2 inches above the ground at the base of the plant.

12. Lilies: cut the stalk near the soil line after the leaves discolor.

7 to Let Be

1. Helleborus - Lenten Roses: semi evergreen foliage should be cleaned in the spring, not the fall.

2. Coral Bells - Heuchera: due to semi evergreen foliage, this plant should be cleaned in the spring.

3. Russian Sage: adds texture and shelter in the winter garden.

4. Coneflowers - Echinacea: seed heads add an important food source to winter birds.

time) and enjoy the pampering by the friendly flight attendants. I hadn’t had a meal on an airplane in years, which was a nice treat. When I was a kid, even a short flight to Florida included a meal. I remember marveling at the tiny salt & pepper shakers and the mini ketchup and mustard bottles, which I would bring home as a souvenir.

Any feelings of uncertainty were quickly replaced with feelings of excitement that I embraced every day of the trip.

Be brave, step out of your comfort zone and step into new experiences and fun!

Jackie Merriam

5. Perennial Hibiscus: is one of the last perennials to come up, so leave the stalks in place so you know where they are. As new leaves emerge trim the old growth as needed.

6. Sedum: is a plant you can mostly leave alone. Larger varieties add interesting textures to the garden in winter.

7. Ornamental Grasses: dried ornamental grasses such as miscanthus, little bluestem or fountain grass can look beautiful in the winter or can trap snow and help insulate plants and shelter wildlife.

Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center

Cover photo taken at Gull Meadow Farms in Richland

Random Acts of Artness

I shopped at Goodwill and St. Vinnies when they were the only ones in town, hitting up thrift stores with my mom when I was in high school. When you still used cash to purchase your finds. Back when a kitchen chair cost $4, you paid with a five, and got change back. I don’t thrift as much anymore because my needs have changed. I used to always be on the hunt for that next vintage find, but my priorities have changed. I used to get a thrill out of that item I didn’t know I needed, but my ideals have changed. Very recently my life has changed.

I presented an art experience the other day, a team building activity called, “Paint and Pass.” The staff had a great time, it facilitated communi-

cation, trust, creativity, laughter, and the utmost respect for one another’s canvases: “I don’t want to mess it up; I want it to look nice.” At one point, a staff member expressed anxiety over the time limit and the requirement to pass, just when it was getting good. They were invested in their markmaking additions, and now they were told to pass the painting, allow another person to create over, on, or around their work, and they could do nothing about it. Accept the change. They painted “Chaos,” literally, the word, and then fire. Fear not, it ended well, was a favorite activity for all, and gave an opportunity for reflection.

People have so much responsibility to one another and the mark-making

we have on each other’s lives. Everyone has an idea of what the perfect life might look like for them, then we come in and add our ideas to it. We can positively affect their painted story, or negatively affect it. We can try with the best of intentions to replicate what they want for their life, fail or succeed, our influences upon them can change the picture. I’m frequenting the thrift store again. But not to find anything. I’m in the process of moving and am donating so many things that I don’t need or want or are not a priority. I found what I needed. I found love and someone willing to always try his best to add to my perfect painting. I trust that he won’t mess it up, even if a bit of chaos is added to it, because

change is hard. Change is thinking you have the perfect picture in mind, starting it and then handing it off to someone else, over and over again. Over 20 years ago I created prints at Art School of my best friend, Cait, images from a road trip to Marshall, MI from Detroit, visiting antique and thrift stores. These have been filed away in a portfolio for over 20 years. Change means gifting art that sits in portfolios untouched for years, because if you must choose between less things and love, choose love, it always gives exact change. 15 prints are randomly placed in copies of this month’s edition.

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

Enjoy FREE general admission at the KIA every fourth Thursday of the month, featuring extended hours thanks to generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All Program.

Shaping the Migration of Canada Geese: A Tale of Shiawassee Flats

By the mid-20th century, native populations of the Canada Goose dwindled due to habitat loss and overhunting. Concerned conservationists sought to reverse this decline by reintroducing Canada Geese. Here is part of that story:

I grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, minutes north of the 10,000-acre Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge established in 1953—also known as the “Shiawassee Flats.”

My father was a lifelong member of the Saginaw Field & Stream Club which was devoted more to conservation efforts than just hunting and fishing. The club was affiliated with the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) founded in 1937. Its mission is “to unite citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.”

Dad often took me to the monthly meetings which always had a program or presentation which featured wildlife and conservation projects. One fall Saturday morning, we went with a group of club members to tour the newly developed Shiawassee Flats.

As we drove into the preserve along narrow dirt trails atop the levees that divide its vast acreage of shallowflooded reservoirs, I was impressed by the expansive stretches of open water that provided refuge, food, and cover for tens of thousands of migrating birds and waterfowl both in spring and fall. The water level was controlled by dikes and pumping stations placed along interconnecting channels. Each summer, farmers leased the drained land to grow crops and left a portion of standing grain during harvest to provide additional food for wildlife.

I recall my excitement seeing huge rafts of ducks and geese gathered in these open areas, watching spectacular flocks swooping in to land or taking off, and hearing the intensity of their collective calls that resoundingly announced their presence.

The highlight of the tour was a planned demonstration (from a distance) of the capture of hundreds of Canada Geese for a banding and breeding project. An unflooded field was spread with corn to attract hungry geese. Arrayed along the margins were “cannons” (hollow cylinders) with charges attached to a folded net. Once a sufficient number of geese were on the ground and occupied by the grain, the cannons were fired and a huge net expanded in an arch over the birds and captured them underneath before they could escape.

A team of wildlife workers went out and began capturing individual geese under the net to transport to a field station. There, other refuge staff clipped the primary flight feathers on the geese, banded each bird, and release them into an accompanying flooded marsh.

The purpose for clipping primary flight feathers was to prevent them from continuing their migration that spring because they could no

longer fly until new feathers grew back. Thus, they remained on site to breed. The goslings that hatched in the Shiawassee Flats would be biologically imprinted to that location forever. Those first-year goslings would become future breeding pairs of Canada Geese that would continue to nest in the Shiawassee Flats. The average lifespan in the wild is twelve years. Michigan was no longer a fly-over area. The refuge, and other similar sites throughout the U.S., reestablished a resident population of Canada Geese.

Yes, with the capture and release of that modest number of Canada Geese in the early 1960s at the Shiawassee Flats, it marked the beginning of a remarkable conversion from transitory to resident populations.

Over the following years, the geese population flourished and grew large; some may say, too large. The reintroduction of Canada Geese presented challenges for local communities. Their prolific breeding habits led to

conflicts with agricultural interests, as geese foraged farm fields and pastures. Concerns about crop damage and grazing competition with livestock, prompted efforts to manage goose populations through habitat modifications and other deterrent techniques. Likewise, their growing presence around populated lakes, parks, and golf courses, generated additional complaints–often considered a nuisance especially because of their prolific droppings. Additional management efforts, such as expanded hunting seasons and increased daily limits, have been instituted in response to regionalized overpopulation.

The State’s 4,100-acre Todd Farm, located in Fennville, Michigan, is part of the Allegan State Game Area as a managed hunting area that draws thousands of goose hunters each fall—thus providing both recreation and a boost to the local economy.

Despite challenges, the presence of Canada Geese continues to be a testament to the success of conservation initiatives. Their seasonal migration spans thousands of miles across North America to the delight of countless onlookers. The sight of V-shaped formations flying overhead is a cherished symbol of the changing seasons.

Today, the legacy of Canada Geese in the Shiawassee Flats is a testament to what can be accomplished when people and organizations such as the Saginaw Field & Stream Club and its members, team up to support and sustain conservation efforts.

Those initial efforts that transitioned the Shiawassee Flats from a migratory stopover to having a thriving resident population of Canada Geese has played a major role in the development of management strategies to maintain a balance between wildlife and human interests. I am grateful to have witnessed its beginning.

James Coppinger

Find out more at w w w.Librar yReads.org

For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/

T The Book Sw he Swap ap Tessa Bickers (Graydon House/HTP)

English majors, librarians, and romance readers will love this book. Watching the relationship unfold between Erin and her Mystery Man over the pages of beloved books is delightful, plus they are each on their own individual journeys of self-discovery This novel is a must read for book lovers everywhere!

WA

An A Academy f cademy for L or Liars iars Alexis Henderson (Ace)

This dark academia fantasy is an immersive, glittering jewel shot through with tendrils of true horror. In Savannah, GA, a young woman gets recruited to a mysterious academy of magic teeming with secrets Fans of Lev Grossman and Olivie Blake will enjoy this book, yet Henderson is a wholly unique voice in the genre

—Gregg Winsor Johnson County Library, KS NoveList read-alike: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

A Kid fr A from Marlbor om Marlboro o Road: A No Road: Novveel l Edward Burns (Seven Stories Press)

This coming-of-age adventure/family story by director and actor Edward Burns features relatable Irish American characters and summer experiences. It's a well-written, sweet read about a family full of life while dealing with death.

Phenix, Boulder Public Library, CO NoveList read-alike: Another Brooklyn by Jaqueline Woodson

Anna Johnston (William Morrow)

T The Night Guest he Guest Hildur Knútsdóttir (Tor Nightfire)

If you’re in the mood for a wonderfully disturbing book, this should be on your radar. A woman who can’t explain her constant exhaustion and inexplicably weary body discovers that she has been walking for miles overnight—but it’s what’s been happening during these excursions that will shock her and the reader alike Delightfully chilling!

After all the white people have died in the U.S., Charlie reunites with his biracial daughter, Sydney This debut is both a dystopian tale and a beautiful story of a daughter coming of age learning more about herself and her relationship with her father

Frederick Fife lost his home, but he finds much-needed shelter and loving care in a nursing home when he is mistaken for one of the residents, Bernard, while out on a walk. Assuming another person’s identity is not something Frederick set out to do, and how this story unfolds is anybody's guess in this sweet, funny, and heartwarming novel. Pl Play

—Andrienne Cruz, Azusa City Library, CA NoveList read-alike: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Co Collorored T ed Teelleevision: A No vision: A Novveel l Danzy Senna (Riverhead Books)

Richard Powers (W.W. Norton & Co )

Residents of the island of Makatea must decide on a seasteading proposal that would forever change their way of life in this epic tale of activism, ambition, relationships, and the wonders of the oceans. For readers who love National Geographic documentaries, happily look for life on every watery horizon, and enjoy a variety of welldeveloped characters

T The Vil he Villlage L age Libribrary Demon- ary Hunting Society C. M. Waggoner (Ace)

Jane has been working on her second novel for a decade, but the finished product is met with a not very enthusiastic response by her agent Stymied by her circumstances, Jane pins her hopes on a collaboration with a TV producer and makes some questionable choices. Readers will root for Jane to get out of the hole she’s dug for herself in this sharp dark comedy

in LibraryAware - www.libraryaware.com

Small-town librarian Sherry Pinkwhistle doesn't find it strange that she is always on hand to solve local murders. But when a loved one is targeted, she realizes that a demon may be possessing the town. This cozy paranormal mystery is full of likable quirky characters

—Sharon Layburn, South Huntington Public Library, NY NoveList read-alike: The Grip of It by Jac Jemc

—Jennifer Sullivan, Sno-Isle Libraries,

NoveList read-alike: The Reading List by Sarah Nisha Adams

—Shannon Carney, Baltimore County Public Library, MD NoveList read-alike: A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

Sky Ful Full of El l Elephants ephants Cebo Campbell (Simon & Schuster)

—Katharine

—Michelle Morris, Fort Worth Public Library, TX NoveList read-alike: The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, TX NoveList read-alike: North Woods by Daniel Mason

—Kristin Skinner, Flat River Community Library, MI NoveList read-alike: Emily Wilde series by Heather M. Fawcett

heart of the home The Sting of It

I watched my hand swell to nearly twice its size. Grasping the door handle of my kitchen door that leads out to the deck, I didn’t even notice the wasp that was resting there. Until I gave it a squeeze, and it returned the favor with a surprisingly painful sting.

Ouch! Why was the wasp inside my door and not outside? Then I noticed the activity. Several wasps were dancing around the glass of the door, and outside I saw a cluster focused on the upper corner of the door jamb. Experience told me this was trouble. The last time I was stung by a wasp, I ended up in the emergency room with a swollen face and neck, popping steroids for two weeks after.

Having the wasps inside my kitchen was especially alarming. I admit, I was pretty freaked out—and I called my beekeeper in a panic. Oh, bless him, he was soon at my door with a smoker and a can of killer spray. Seeing the entryway—in that upper corner of the door where the jamb came up against cedar shakes, leaving a thin, open seam—he went to work. A tiny entryway, the size of a pencil, was on the inside of the door jamb, giving the wasps entry to my kitchen. I handed him a can of caulk to seal the seam after he sprayed it liberally. The wasps swarmed angrily around him.

A day later … they were back. My beekeeper returned with more spray, more caulk. That should do it, he said. They should suffocate in there while the others returning from their wasp journeys would not be able to get in, he assured me.

A day later … they were back. Three days later, my swollen hand still ached. I had to use other doors to get in and out of my house. I didn’t want to bother my guardian angel beekeeper a third time and was determined to solve this on my own. I started reading everything I could find about wasps.

To my surprise, I learned there are about 20 different kinds of wasps—yellow jackets, hornets, and others. Wasps can be differentiated from bees by their pointed bodies and waists. My aggressive friends appeared to be paper wasps. Usually building paper-like nests under eaves and in trees—easily enough destroyed with a sprayed solution of dish detergent with water—they do sometimes like crevices into houses as mine did. Their tiny jaws work at the wood fibers, mixing it with their saliva, and turn it into the paper you see that forms their gray nests. In my

case, that part was hidden behind the exterior of my house, but I learned, while some types are solitary, there could be well over many thousands of wasps living inside that space, all subservient to their queen.

What good could such stinging little beasties do? Turns out, quite a bit of good. They are excellent pollinators; they eat pests for breakfast; and the fig wasp ensures that figs exist at all. Thank a fig wasp for that Fig Newton you enjoy.

Not in my house, however. Be gone! I was willing to leave paper nests in trees at a distance from my home, but not in and around it. After four days of spraying and caulking, the wasps continued to congregate. I could see tiny new openings burrowed into the caulk for entry. My only hope? The coming of fall. As temperatures cool, wasps die. Only the queen remains, awaiting spring to lay her eggs. I would have to wait her out and seal and seal again the seam around my door. And enjoy another Fig Newton.

Note: If you are stung by a wasp and experience trouble breathing, swelling around the face and throat, dizziness or nausea, seek immediate medical help—or use an EpiPen if you have one.

Zinta Aistars

PiecePieceby

An apple is an excellent thing - until you have tried a peach. –George du Maurier

Recently I had an opportunity to travel to Georgia on a business trip. Though I didn’t get the joy of eating a scrumptious peach pie or any other sweet treat filled with Georgia’s delicious state fruit, I couldn’t help finding myself falling in love with the sweetness of the people.

Yes, Ma’am’s communicated not only courtesy or hospitality. The genuine sincerity that filled the tone of voice, the smiles, and the body language spoke respect and humbleness.

The speed limit through the threean-a-half hour drive from the airport to where I was visiting fluctuated between 45 and 55 miles per hour. Surely designed for safety through

residential areas and the countryside. Yet, I also believe either consciously or more likely sub or unconsciously, the road designers also knew the value in being present with the journey, not hasting to the destination. Citizens embodied this sentiment; no vehicle impatiently raced past me as I drove between 55 and 60 mph.

A countryside at heart girl, I was relishing the feeling of home as I drove the winding roads past wooded tree lines and fields, lush green everywhere I looked right and left. I found myself longing to come back in a few weeks when harvest season began after I learned that the leaves didn’t change color on all those trees that ushered my way, but that it was the most amazing smell when the peanuts were being harvested and the

cotton fields were filled with white splendor.

I was in awe when it came time for my return to the airport, coming up to a stop sign to turn left onto a heavily trafficked in both directions road. I witnessed the vehicle in front of me patiently waiting to turn left in what appeared to be a nearly impossible situation given the length of cars coming from the left and the right NOT at the same time. Any appearance of a break in traffic from the left was continually met with oncoming cars from the right. And vice versa.

Suddenly, a vehicle coming from the left stopped, holding up at least fifteen cars behind it so that the driver in front of me could turn left. No honking horns. No drivers trying to

maneuver a drive along the shoulder from the right to bypass the stopped vehicle they assumed was about to make a left turn into a gas station. No judgment that this vehicle in front of me should take a different route if they wanted an easier time turning onto the busy road. Simply a random act of kindness, a driver noticing another driver in need, with all in the traffic procession patiently accepting this gesture.

A couple of minutes later, it was my turn to receive a random act of kindness and offer the only thing I could. A friendly wave fueled in motion by overflowing gratitude.

Christine Hassing https://christinehassing.com

Pam Am Flight 6: Miracle on the Pacific

Fifty-three years before Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles set US Airways Flight 1549 down on the Hudson River saving all on board, Pan American Flight 6 ditched with a similar outcome. On October 16, 1956, all 31 passengers and crew on the flight survived when their aircraft ditched in a more remote spot: the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

After World War II, the number of trans-oceanic airline routes greatly increased. Boeing began building its 377 Stratocruiser Clipper, which had a pressurized cabin and full sleeping berths. It was powered by four big

propeller-driven engines, carried up to 100 passengers, and had a range of 4,200 miles.

Pan Am employed the Stratocruiser for its round-the world Flight Number 6, which started in Philadelphia with stops in London, Frankfurt, Beirut, Pakistan, Burma, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Honolulu before crossing the Pacific to San Francisco.

The Stratocruiser used on Flight 6 starting on October 13, 1956, was named Sovereign of the Skies, registration number N90943. Each leg of the flight until Honolulu was completed without incident, and it left Hawaii’s

territorial capital for San Francisco on October 15. Twenty-four passengers were aboard, including two infants. The crew of seven was led by Capt. Richard Ogg and First Officer George Haaker. The aircraft left Honolulu at 8:26 p.m. and climbed to its planned cruising altitude of 21,000 feet.

At 1:02 the following morning, with Flight 6 over an endless Pacific and halfway to San Francisco, the No. 1 (far left) propeller began to overspeed. First Officer Haaker reduced the engine’s power and tried to feather (rotate the variable-pitch propeller blades) to slow the engine’s speed, to no avail. Capt. Ogg then locked up the engine by cutting its oil flow, but the propeller continued to spin, increasing drag and fuel consumption.

Ogg and Haaker knew they didn’t have enough fuel to reach San Francisco.

Fortuitously, in the 1950s and ‘60s the U.S. Coast Guard regularly stationed a cutter in the Pacific midway between Hawaii and California, in an area called Ocean Station November. Such was the case early on October 16, 1956, when the 255-foot USCGS Pontchartrain was stationed at “November” to monitor weather. Capt. Ogg radioed Pontchartrain, informing them that it would ditch, just as Engine No. 4 also failed.

Flight 6 dumped much of its fuel to remain aloft. Capt. Ogg began making eight-mile circles and brought

Flight 6 down to 2,000 feet, while the aircraft and Pontchartrain made visual contact with each other. At 5:50 a.m., Ogg informed Pontchartrain that Flight 6 would ditch in another 20-30 minutes, in increased daylight.

At 6:15 a.m., Flight 6 touched down at 100 mph, lightly at first, then violently as it slammed into a swell. The tail broke off, but the crew had planned for that by moving everyone out of the tail during landing preparations. Pontchartrain’s crew immediately deployed three life rafts and helped passengers aboard. There were minor injuries, but all survived. Twenty minutes after Flight 6 touched down, it sank into the Pacific. The rescue was one of at least a dozen times Pontchartrain assisted imperiled travelers.

Remarkably, the ditching and rescue were filmed by Pontchartrain crew, and can be viewed on YouTube.

Tony Ettwein HistoryZoo1837@gmail.com

A. US Coast Guard Cutter Pontchartrain, which rescued passengers and crew of Pan Am Flight 6

B. Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Sovereign of the Skies, which ditched in the Pacific on October 16, 1956

C. Pan Am Flight 6 sinks into the Pacific less than 20 minutes after touching down on the surface

Raising children is hard work. It is both exhausting and rewarding. Once they have flown the next your job doesn’t stop here, and you will forever be there for them if they need you. As they get older they don’t need you as much, but they will forever love you. If you are frustrated because your adult child is showing signs of entitlement, you are not alone. We all want better for our children than we had for ourselves, so we do things to set them up for success even if it means we sacrifice some things for ourselves. No parent is perfect, and many mistakes may be made but they are learning experiences and life lessons to assist in raising successful, independent, and happy humans.

Parents will often say “Why does my adult child treat me this way”? Causing them feelings of sadness, anxiety, frustration, overwhelmed, and lonely when they feel tension from their adult child. There could be a wide array of reasons in which your adult child has become emo tionally distant, and you can feel a strain within your relationship. It is possible your child doesn’t even know he or she is upsetting or hurting you.

If you feel there is a lack of respect or consideration for your needs it is important to have a healthy conversation letting them know how you are feeling. However, they may not see things through your lens turning what may have been intended to be a constructive conversation into conflict.

It can be difficult for an adult child who may be suffering emotionally to have calm yet constructive conversations. They may take things out of context try to assert control or manipulate situations straining the parent-child relationship. Often there is a lack of empathy or consideration for the parent’s feelings. It is important to set boundaries of clear and concise respectful communication to resolve any issues and allow for a healthier dynamic for the parent and adult child relationship. Parents need to take off the walk all over my sign

within the relationship. Here are a few things that are essential for moving through rocky waters.

• Don’t beat yourself up because of previous mistakes.

• Don’t allow yourself to be a doormat for your child’s frustration.

• Use “I” messages when communicating your feelings.

• Don’t compare yourself to your friends or other parent›s relationship with their adult children. If your child tries to make you feel guilty, next time take a deep breath and remember you are not a doormat. Do these things instead:

• Notice you are being manipulated and allow yourself not to get sucked in.

• Set boundaries and be able to express your needs and wants.

• Often your child wants to argue. Say to yourself “I am not going to argue with them” Instead let them have the last word. Remind yourself you are doing the best you can.

your child’s words or choices. You need to remember it’s something you can’t control. Practice forgiveness and self-compassion. When you can forgive yourself, recognize mistakes happen, and you are human can help free yourself of guilt. It is important to take ownership of your mistakes, express remorse with sincere apologies, work on making amends, and show yourself love knowing each day is a fresh start to be the best version of you. If you have made mistakes with your children it can be hard to let go of the guilt but remember you are human and there is no one-sizefits-all book on parenting.

It’s okay to sit with the feelings of guilt, but then it’s important to replace the feelings of guilt with a new belief. Stop blaming yourself for

Ask your child to have a heartto-heart talk to try and rebuild the relationship. Hopefully, they will recognize if they have not been kind to you or taken advantage of the things you have done for them. Set up a plan for when there is conflict so you can have a healthier more productive way to find solutions instead of sitting in hurt.

Dr. Julie Sorenson, DMFT, MA, LPC

parenting Helping Your Kids Regulate Emotions

There is so much talk about regulating emotions but what does regulation an emotion even mean? What does it look like to do so and how does one help a child to learn these skills? If one was to think about emotions as waves that come and go throughout our day, regulating one is the process of riding that wave instead of getting completely sucked into it or avoiding the water all together. It is a crucial life skill and healthy emotional regulation skills are critical to academic success, navigating healthy relationships, and living a full and meaningful life. One of the biggest myths about emotional regulation is that regulation means to be calm. While feeling calm is nice, the goal of emotional regulation is to find balance between feeling and thinking, to feel the wave

and remain aware that you are riding one. Regulation doesn’t mean to get rid of, it means to connect… connect to an honest and authentic experience of the emotion one’s body is sharing, to connect feeling with understanding.

Infants do not have the ability to regulate emotions on their own. Children are engaged in the tricky process of learning how to do so. They are dependent on their caring adults to provide co-regulation to help them learn to name, organize and ride the waves of emotions that day to day life brings. When a child feels flooded by a wave of emotion, it can feel out of control. They don’t yet have the cognitive capacity or the life experience to make sense of what is happening in their body. This is where co-regulation comes in. It is the process of an

adult feeling what the child is feeling, taking that out of control feeling and finding a way to start to make sense of it, and using that information to help the child start to make sense of it. Co-regulation does not require feeling calm, just having a little awareness to balance out the intense feeling that is occurring.

Here are some tips for emotional regulation and co-regulation: Start with noticing and naming what you are feeling in your body

Check in with yourself: are you aware that you are feeling something or are you just overwhelmed and trying to survive it

Ensure safety for your little one first and then take a time out for yourself to help the emotion turn down just enough to find a little more awareness of the process that is

happening

Reconnect with your child; help them put a name to the feeling; it helps to use your own experience as a guide

Offer some options for acceptable ways to show, feel, and express the emotion (remember it is more helpful to teach littles how to feel their emotions, not to stop feeling it)

If you or your child are struggling to regulate emotions, there are supports available to help build these vital skills. Please reach out to a local therapist who can help support your journey of learning how to feel and ride the waves.

Christina Thomason, LMSW Acacia: A Place for Personal & Family Development

Recipes Autumnal Teas

Autumn is a great time of year to indulge in new teas, and thanks to Mother Nature you may find some free samples growing (if grown without pesticides or insecticides) in your own backyard!

Using plants that grow (organically) in our own backyard not only makes them free, but also purer and likely higher in quality than anything sold, especially since we have no way to verify the integrity of teas that are sold.

There is something that is especially satisfying, rewarding, and most definitely reassuring when we consume something we grew and handpicked. Knowing a plant’s provenance removes those nagging questions of unsavory additions, sources, or staleness, which affects medicinal benefits.

Avid gardeners, Hubby and I never thought to grow plants for tea until we got to know Nicole Apelian by watching the History Channel’s ALONE series.

An herbalist, author, biologist, anthropologist, wilderness skills instructor, survival skills consultant, keynote speaker, and a TV celebrity (thanks to her 2015 + 2018 ALONE appearances), Nicole Apelian has faced many survival challenges in her life, but her greatest came in 2000

(well before competing), when she lost the use of her legs and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  Wheelchair bound, Nicole chose to tap into Nature’s positive energy to successfully manage her MS. Miraculously, her mobility returned, and she has lived (and competed) wheelchairfree ever since!

A kind, gentle, and generous spirit, Nicole shares her MS regime (and much more) on her free website, nicoleapelian.com. She also offers deeper dives into both survival and Nature’s healing powers in easy-tounderstand books on these subjects. Her story intrigued us so much that it got us to start growing more than just fruits and vegetables in our garden.

Now that autumn is here and is bringing its unique beauty,  we are busy with storing all the awesome plants we can benefit from (simply and easily) by steeping into teas.

The only rules to consuming plants from your own yard are to make sure they have not been sprayed or chemically treated with any pesticides or insecticides, and they have been properly identified. Today’s phones are able to scan images in real time and help identify plants with a high degree of accuracy, so I recommend letting your phone serve as a field assistant to double check any plant you are considering.

It is also worth noting that tea is generally considered safe for most

people. However, it’s always best to consult with your own healthcare professional before adding any new herbal tea to your routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have allergies.

I also always test (fresh) plants before consuming by rubbing them on the inside of my wrist. If there is any skin reaction then absolutely do NOT consume!

One plant that is common, easy to identify, and generally safe are marigolds, which hail from the calendula family.

We originally planted marigolds around our garden because their scent is a natural deterrent for pests like mosquitoes and nematodes, making them a beneficial companion plant in vegetable gardens. However, thanks to Nicole, we’ve learned that marigolds are part of the calendula family and have numerous health benefits that have been used medicinally for centuries.

Offering anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, what’s interesting is that marigolds/ calendula also offer a natural way to improve our complexion, combat premature aging, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and promote overall skin health, too.

Research published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology shows that calendula extract significantly improves skin hydration and elasticity, stimulates collagen

production, and promotes a more youthful and radiant complexion. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe eczema, psoriasis, and acne. For maximum benefits, drink marigold tea daily and use cooled tea as a facial toner.

Research published in the Journal of Wound Care also noted that calendula extract can help reduce swelling and promote faster healing of wounds.

Offering a unique and pleasant taste profile that is mild, slightly sweet, with a subtle, earthy, and floral note, marigold/calendula tea has a gentle aroma reminiscent of fresh flowers. Delivering a flavor described as slightly bitter with a slight pepper aftertaste, this tea’s flavor intensifies the longer it steeps, so do keep this in mind.

Marigolds contain saponins, tannins, essential oils, flavonoids, resin carotenoids, bitter herbal substances, Vitamin A, beta- carotene and other vitamins and minerals.

While each part of the marigold / calendula has medicinal properties, the flowers have the highest amount of medicinal substances. That is why the petals are plucked and used. They dry well, too.

Laura Kurella is an award-winning home cook who loves to share recipes from her Michigan kitchen. She welcomes comments at  laurakurella@yahoo.com.

Marigold (Calendula) Tea Easing Echinacea Tea

1-2 teaspoons dried marigold/calendula petals      (or 2-3 fresh marigold or calendula flowers)

1 cup hot water

Optional: honey, lemon, or other herbs for flavor

Bring clean water to a boil. Remove water from heat.  place flower petals in a tea infuser or directly into a tea cup.

Pour hot water over the petals. Cover, and allow to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.

Remove the infuser and/ or strain the solids from the tea.

Add honey, lemon, or other flavorings (if desired).

NOTE: Use only organic (nonsprayed), food-grade marigold or calendula petals to ensure safety and quality.

Flavor Variations: Marigold /calendula pair well with mint leaves, fresh ginger, lemon balm, chamomile, or rooibos.

VARIATION: Natural Skin Toner-

Simply apply cooled marigold tea to the skin with cotton (after cleansing) to enhance skin tone and texture. Pineapple sage is a mint family

perennial from Mexico (botanically known as salvia elegans) that was traditionally used to treat sleeping disorders, fever etc. However, research has revealed that it has anti-depressing agents, and can relax / soothe an upset stomach. Relieve nausea, indigestion, colitis, and help increase the flow of bile and other stimulating digestive enzymes. It has anti-inflammatory properties and estrogenic properties, which help treat menopausal symptoms, stimulate nerves, improve mental health, and help enhance metabolism to help promote weight loss.

Getting its name from the sweet pineapple scent it emits when crushed or rubbed, pineapple sage has a fresh tangy flavor characteristic of other sages but distinctively sweet like tropical fruits such as pineapple or melon.

Fresh young leaves are preferable since they contain higher levels of essential oils resulting in more pronounced aroma than older matured ones which lose some potency over time. Be sure to crush/muddle some fresh pineapple leaves right before use.

1/4 cup echinacea petals/leaves, dried 1 teaspoon mint, dried 1 cup boiling water In a cup, or tea ball, combine herbs.

The showy purple cone flower that is Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs in America today. While planted predominantly for show, or to draw butterflies, Echinacea is a Native American medicinal plant that’s been used for more than 400 years. Considered a general “cure-all” throughout history, its use began to decline in the United States after the introduction of antibiotics, but has become increasingly popular in Germany throughout the 20th century. Today, echinacea is used to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu, to help boost the immune system, and help the body fight infections, including those that involve yeast or viruses.

Offering a flavor that is earthy, slightly sweet, and mildly bitter, with a hint of grassiness, it also has a bitterness and somewhat floral note to

Add boiling water. Allow tea to steep for 5 to 15 minutes NOTE: The longer the tea steeps, the more bitter it will become.

it along with an herbaceous aroma, which adds to its distinct taste, and why many supplement it with honey, lemon, and or ginger to give it a more balanced taste.

According to the National Institutes of Health, those allergic to ragweed, mums, marigolds, or daisies, taking immunosuppressant medications or tamoxifen, have allergies or asthma, are pregnant or nursing, or who are undergoing eyelid surgery should not use echinacea. Echinacea may also interfere with some other medications. Talk to your doctor if you are taking medication or currently managing a medical condition to make sure that echinacea is safe for you. While its roots hold a lot of nutrients, the flower’s petals and leaves offer medicinal benefits and removal does not harm this perennial plant.

KALAMAZOO CLEANING BUSINESS OWNER SERVES LOCAL CANCER PATIENTS AND NOW SERVES ON THE CLEANING FOR A REASON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LEASE - Contact Jeannie Henderson 269-377-8289

KALAMAZOO CLEANING BUSINESS OWNER SERVES LOCAL CANCER PATIENTS AND NOW SERVES ON THE CLEANING FOR A REASON BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeannie Cleaning is celebrating its seventh year of partnering with Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit organization aimed at providing free house cleaning to cancer patients across the United States and Canada. Serving our Hometown and Leading the Charge Nationally

Since 2017, Jeannie Cleaning has supported 114 Kalamazoo-area cancer patients with donated cleanings valued over $40,000. Jeannie Cleaning has been in the Top 10 out of 1400 partner cleaning companies for the past several years. Kalamazoo native, Jeannie Henderson is the co-founder of Jeannie Cleaning with her husband, Terry, and has recently accepted a seat on the ISSA Charities Board of Directors which oversees Cleaning for a Reason, ISSA Scholars and ISSA Hygieia Network.

, MI – September 6, 2024 – Jeannie Cleaning is celebrating its seventh year of Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit organization aimed at providing free house patients across the United States and Canada.

Hometown and Leading the Charge Nationally Jeannie Cleaning has supported 114 Kalamazoo-area cancer patients with donated over $40,000. Jeannie Cleaning has been in the Top 10 out of 1400 partner cleaning past several years. Kalamazoo native, Jeannie Henderson is the co-founder of with her husband, Terry, and has recently accepted a seat on the ISSA Charities which oversees Cleaning for a Reason, ISSA Scholars and ISSA Hygieia Network.

“So

Close To My Heart”

“My mother was one of the first cancer patients we cleaned for and now my husband, Terry, is also in treatment. This is so close to my heart as I have experienced firsthand the toll that cancer treatment has on the patient and their families. With all the appointments and exhaustion, the last thing that you have the energy to do is worry about cleaning ,” said Jeannie Henderson. “That’s why we feel very honored to be able to lighten the load for cancer families by providing free cleaning services.”

How We Serve

can apply for complimentary house cleaning services at cleaningforareason.org/patients.

featuring games, magic, cider, donuts, family portraits and pumpkin decorating.

Oct. 14-18: Cleaning for Cancer Week

For the 6th year in a row, Jeannie Cleaning hosts Cleaning for Cancer Week with the goal is to clean for cancer patients every day of this week. The community can help by nominating a local cancer patient who could benefit from a free cleaning visit.

Oct. 15: Qdoba Mexican Grill Fundraising Night

Oct. 17: Blaze Pizza Fundraising Night

About Cleaning for a Reason

Heart”

Through their partnership with Cleaning for a Reason, Jeannie Cleaning aims to clean for four cancer patients’ each month for two consecutive months, free of charge. Ongoing services are available at discounted rates for six months. They provide this service to patients in the Greater Kalamazoo area. Patients outside of this area can apply to be connected with a cleaning company close to their home. Cancer patients

Cleaning for a Reason Events Throughout October

one of the first cancer patients we cleaned for and now my husband, Terry, is also in close to my heart as I have experienced firsthand the toll that cancer treatment and their families. With all the appointments and exhaustion, the last thing that you do is worry about cleaning ,” said Jeannie Henderson. “That’s why we feel very to lighten the load for cancer families by providing free cleaning services.”

In addition to providing free cleaning for cancer patients, Jeannie Cleaning is committed to spreading awareness and raising funds for Cleaning for a Reason by hosting events in October. With over $24,000 raised to date… The 2024 Jeannie Cleaning fundraising goal is $10,000.

Every dollar helps connect another cancer patient with the much needed support of donated cleaning services. People can help by attending one of the events listed below or direct donations can be made at https:// tinyurl.com/2xuwhfxr

2024 CLEANING FOR A REASON EVENTS:

Oct. 5 - Fall Fest Open House for Cleaning for a

Reason

A first-ever event held at the Jeannie Cleaning Office in Portage

Cleaning for a Reason partners with more than 1400 residential cleaners throughout the United States and Canada to offer free house cleaning to any household battling cancer. Since 2006, the nonprofit and its partners have donated more than $19 million in services, helping more than 55,000 cancer patients. In 2017, Cleaning for a Reason was adopted by ISSA Charities, the charitable arm of ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. To learn more about Cleaning for a Reason and to apply for free house cleaning, go to cleaningforareason.org.

About Jeannie Cleaning

Jeannie Cleaning is locally owned and operated by Jeannie and Terry Henderson, who have both been long-time philanthropists in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is their personal and professional mission to Make Lives Better through all that they do. To learn more, visit JeannieCleaning. com.

Vintage in the Zoo and Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market a love story in phases

With the weather getting cooler and the days shorter, it can now officially be said: “Fall is back!” We hope this Summer has been a wonderful time for all our fantastic Good News Paper readers. Vintage in the Zoo has had a GREAT market season so far, and with just a few events left on the main schedule, we are so proud of the continued community support we have seen and felt in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

With the many changes and construction projects happening in Downtown Kalamazoo, we decided in Fall of 2023 to move our market events back to the Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market on Bank St. for 2024 and beyond. After many discussions on how the public might accept this change, we were so pleased with the massive outpouring of good vibes and agreement we received from our guests, vendors, staff and partners to the decision. A little-known fact is that Vintage in the Zoo events started out at the Farmers’ Market in Kalamazoo back in 2017. Our choice to move to Downtown Kalamazoo we fueled by the impending revisioning and construction of the Farmers’ Market just before the pandemic kicked off. When we decided to cancel our 2020 market season due to COVID-19, the choice became clear; move downtown to avoid the construction of the new market space and help bring focus and needed retail activity to the heart of Downtown Kalamazoo post-pandemic. Well, what a difference a few years can make, right?! We now sit on the other side of that story and decision path; we are back at the Farmers’ Market and could not be happier. This has felt like a homecoming and

all the feelings of our original intention to create a public event, focused on fun, art, music, and supporting small business owners’ dreams have returned stronger than ever. Vintage in the Zoo has benefitted greatly over the years from amazing event-partner relationships, some specific likeminded people in those roles, and a shared vision for bringing bigger city feels to the quant city we all call home. Upon exploring our potential return to Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market, the folks at People’s Food

Co-op (who manage the space) welcomed us with open arms, wonderful ideas, and a hope that we would eventually return. Their team has been super professional, and detail oriented which has helped make this transition seamless. The new Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market space is truly beautiful and dynamic. Highly advise anyone who has not been there yet to visit a weekly Famers’ Market event, or Vintage in the Zoo Market event – the space is big, bright, modern, and welcoming. We should all be very

proud to have such an event space and operations team in Kalamazoo as we all benefit from its existence.

The new Farmers’ Market space has offered Vintage in the Zoo Markets many upgrades and expanded capabilities for hosting our events. The expansive and well-lit parking offers ease-of-access to our guests and vendors, and a raised sense of security. The large market sheds and upgraded tables offer our vendors more space to display their goods while also giving a bit of breathing room between booths, allowing vendors and guests to move more freely throughout the space. This has also helped enable guests to stay and mingle longer, which grows community spirit. The new a sound system and bathroom facilities raise our infrastructure value allowing for a better ran and more welcoming atmosphere – and give us space to heighten the creative and artistic vision we have for the events, while not sacrificing to manage infrastructure development needs.

The moral of this story is, if you have a business, want to start a business, or are just dreaming about what your path could be – never doubt seizing the opportunity (or any opoportunity) as it comes. It might not always be the perfect plan you envision but taking that first leap will likely lead you right where you need to be, eventually.

There is one opportunity to check out Vintage in the Zoo at our new home in Kalamazoo on October 13th for our Season 8 events - we hope you at the Farmers’ Market!!

Patrick Turner / Megan Zielke VintageintheZoo.com

Health Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

It was a great song by The Platters in the late 50’s, but this is about actual smoke from wildfires and air pollution, and it’s not something to sing about. Smoke not only gets in our eyes but in our lungs and even our brain.

Over the last 30 to 40 years, there has been a significant increase in the number and intensity of fires. It was only last year that the air quality of southwestern Michigan was significantly impacted by forest fires in Canada. As the planet warms, higher temperatures and drier air mean more fuel available to burn.

Smoke knows no boundaries. Particles in the smoke, once in the atmosphere, have the ability to travel hundreds and even thousands of miles. In 2020, Europe was able to identify smoke particles coming from the US.

Scientists are concerned about particulate matter (PM 2.5) or smaller,

meaning that the particles are no more than 2.5 microns in diameter. That’s about 10 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Size matters, because the particles can bypass all your natural defense mechanisms.

Your nose has twists and turns and hairs that capture the really big particles. Mucus and cilia in your upper respiratory tract can capture the midsize particles, so you can cough those back up. But particles smaller than 2.5 microns may be able to cross the lung-blood barrier and get access to the rest of your body.

When particulate matter is high, people with asthma and COPD will suffer health issues and may even be hospitalized. There’s also data that particulate matter has long-term effects on the risks of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and dementia. Very small particles inhaled into our lungs might generate inflammatory

signals that travel to the brain. The smallest particles could travel to the brain directly from the nose to the brain.

So how do you protect yourself? A lot depends on the state of your current health. If you have asthma, COPD, or heart disease, the best way to know if you’re at risk is to check the outdoor air quality, much the same way you check the weather. The index starts with green (good) and goes on a sliding scale to purple (really bad). You can invest in a lowcost monitor ($60-$150) that you can carry with you. Note that air quality data is only as good as its proximity to the person. If air quality is bad, try staying indoors and avoid strenuous exercise like running or cycling outdoors.

What about just closing the windows if you choose to stay inside? Unfortunately, that doesn’t take care of the problem. Your HVAC (heat-

ing, ventilating, and air conditioning) should be kept in good working order, including timely changing of air filters. If you don’t trust it, you can purchase an air purification system. You can even make your own by going to epa.gov/air-quality/wildland-fires-and-smoke. The website also explains how to create a clean room. (hint: don’t burn candles.)

There are many, however, that have outdoor jobs that need to be done even when the air quality is bad. For those who must work outdoors, wearing an N95 mask is highly recommended. Make sure the two straps go around your head, not your ears. I hope you’re all well and remembering to MAKE your day great. Till next time,

Ken Dettloff ACE

Personal and Brain Health Trainer

Portage author and amateur historian Tony Ettwein has published his second book and first novel, titled: Texting Lincoln: A semi-true tale of an Illinois prairie lawyer’s return to Kalamazoo.

The novel takes place in present-day Southwest Michigan where clandestine technology leads to the sudden and mysterious appearance of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. He quickly makes a friend who tries to help him return to his time and place, and on the way, we learn about what Lincoln might have thought about today’s world. The story also includes strange but true – and sometimes hard to believe – stories about Lincoln, his times, those around him, and peculiar incidents. Along the way, Lincoln returns to the location of an important speech he made in August 1856, in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park. Tens of thousands came to hear his speech about the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the proliferation of slavery. Lincoln received many invitations to travel outside Illinois in that presidential election year of 1956, but he only accepted one: to speak at

Portage Author Publishes his First Novel, About Lincoln and Kalamazoo

Bronson Park in Kalamazoo. Four short years later, Lincoln was elected president, during a time of unprecedented conflict in our nation.

To this day, historians continue to discuss Lincoln’s role in our nation’s history. His speech in Kalamazoo that day does much to explain his positions on slavery, the treatment of African Americans, the concept of united states, and the commonality of all Americans.

Texting Lincoln is a half-fact, halffiction tale of Lincoln’s return to Kalamazoo, and even a day trip to his hometown of Springfield along the way.

Ettwein, is a fourth-generation resident of southwest Michigan and third-generation resident of Kalamazoo-Portage. He enjoys talking with others about history, especially American and Michigan history. He can be contacted at HistoryZoo1837@ gmail.com

On a side note: Ettwein is a frequent contributor to the Good News Paper and Michigan History magazine. He published his first book

in January 2018, titled: 1968 + 50: Looking back at the historic, tumultuous year of 1968, a factual account of that year of astounding, historic changes that still affect our world. The book was revised in June 2023 under the title 1968: Turning Points. “I was thrilled to learn that this book is now being used as a supplement for high

school history classes,” said Ettwein. The books are available for purchase at Michigan News Agency and This is a Bookstore in Kalamazoo and on Amazon.com.

Jackie Merriam

Mirages Are Real. Aren’t They?

‘Tis the season for all things spooky... Halloween! Not experiencing many spooky events in my own life, I’m writing about an experience that was quite unusual - the day my husband and I saw a “real” mirage. A few winters ago, we headed to Lake Michigan for photos of the ice  formations. It was bitterly cold, so we dressed extra warmly. Arriving  at the beach’s deserted parking lot, we slither/climbed down a steep  cleft in the dune to get onto the beach. Once there, we looked to the  south and off in the distance, at the

opening of the channel that dumps  water into Lake Michigan, we saw four tiny figures on the beach. We  decided to walk the other way, north, instead. The Lake was angry,  churning up a choppy mixture of brownish sand and slushy ice reminding me of a cement mixer. After a cold walk north, we turned around south and walked toward the  channel. As we got closer to the channel, the same tiny figures were  still there. They began to grow in size as we walked closer to them,  just like objects normally do. I began

noticing the figures had stopped  moving and were intently looking our way. I saw that all their chests  were extremely buffed up like body builders wearing bulky coats with  hoods pulled around their faces. They began slowly walking our way with  intention, their heads menacingly thrust forward at us, hands in the  front pockets of their hoodies, using what I call a swaggering ape-like  walk, and swaying back and forth. They kept getting bigger as we got  closer. I thought, “These guys are so buffed they look like a professional wrestling team, all four dressing and looking alike.” My husband was getting similar impressions. As they got closer, I began to feel scared. To our left were tall  sheer-faced dunes which trapped us on the narrow beach. There was nobody else around on the beach. In my vision, the landscape became flattened like a projection and lost depth, and I wondered if this was the day I’d  meet my maker. To my right was brown churning frigid Lake water and I imagined us weighed down by our heavy clothes and floating in the icy water. With our puffer coats, hiking boots, and fleece-lined pants, we  couldn’t even manage a good kick if we needed to. We realized we  wouldn’t make it to the cleft to climb up to the car before they reached  us. I began looking for a weapon and

there wasn’t a big rock or stick  anywhere. My husband also realized we had no defenses.

Suddenly when the figures got 60+feet away, they gave what I call a  movie special effect - a little jiggle/ shiver and presto! They turned  into an ordinary man and woman in winter gear peacefully strolling  toward us. It was like breath-taking magic. I was stunned! I was so  relieved I began to babble to them about the weather and other  inanities. They were friendly ordinary people and didn’t appear to  notice the fear we had gone through before they “materialized.” We climbed up to our car and agreed we’d seen our first mirage, and it  was a whopper! We drove straight home and I was never so glad to see my friendly normal neighborhood again. I began researching mirages around Lake Michigan and found out they are fairly common when the weather conditions are just right. This may not be a spooky Halloween event, just a weather phenomenon, but I know two people who will never forget it!

Ann Murray is an award-winning commercial illustrator and author. She  has illustrated 8 childrens books and her stories have appeared in 3  published anthologies.

A New Chapter for Community Athletics

The Next Level Sports Center, previously known as The Dome Sports Center, is excited to announce its grand opening on November 2nd, from 5-8 PM. This community event is FREE to the public and marks the beginning of a new chapter for our facility and the community we serve. We’ve rebranded to better reflect our mission: to be a home for all athletes—of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re a senior citizen looking to improve your golf game and try pickleball for the first time, a 12-year-old aspiring volleyball player dreaming of national tournaments, or an athlete with disabilities eager to experience the thrill of playing baseball and exploring new sports, Next Level Sports Center is here to support your journey.

Why the Name Change?

The transition from The Dome Sports Center to Next Level Sports Center represents our commitment to helping every athlete unlock their personal best. While we continue to offer everything our members have come to love, our new name encapsulates our passion for supporting athletes in reaching their next level, whatever that may be.

Our 30-Acre Campus: A Hub for Community Athletics

Our facility is more than just a place to play sports; it is a hub for

personal development, teamwork, and community engagement. Our expansive 30-acre campus is designed to cater to the diverse needs of our community:

Golfers can enjoy our outdoor driving and target range, indoor driving range within the dome, putting green, and state-of-the-art TrackMan golf suites.

Athletes have access to athletic turf spaces for training, court space for basketball, volleyball, futsal, and pickleball, as well as outdoor athletic fields and grass volleyball courts. Individuals with Disabilities can experience the joy of sports at the Miracle Field—a specially designed baseball diamond for children with disabilities.

Our Sports Science Center houses Armor PT and True 2 Form, offering sports performance and rehabilitation services.

Community Playground that is open to the public, featuring wheelchair ramps and ADA swings, ensuring that all children, regardless of their physical abilities, can play and enjoy.

Continuing and Expanding Our Offerings

Rest assured, the Next Level Sports Center will continue to provide all the programs and services that you have come to expect from The

Dome Sports Center. From youth leagues and camps to adult programs and open play sessions, our facility remains a cornerstone for sports and recreation in the area. However, we are not stopping there. With our new identity, we have big plans to broaden our impact by bringing even more athletic opportunities to all members of the community, including those with disabilities and special needs. Our goal is to ensure that every athlete—no matter their starting point—has access to the resources, coaching, and support they need to achieve their next level.

Bringing Value to the Community

At Next Level Sports Center, we believe that sports have the power to transform lives. Whether it’s a young child learning the fundamentals of a new sport, a senior looking to stay active, or an individual with special needs finding joy in being part of a team, every athlete has a place here. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of our community by offering inclusive, accessible, and engaging programs that cater to all skill levels and abilities.

We are particularly excited to introduce new features that reflect our commitment to inclusivity, such as a poured court for pickleball, improved accessibility with features like a personal airlock, and climate-controlled

spaces that ensure comfort for all. These enhancements are designed with the community in mind, ensuring that everyone, from seasoned athletes to beginners, can participate in a safe and supportive environment.

Unlock Your Next Level

At the heart of Next Level Sports Center is a simple yet powerful belief: each and every individual has a “next level.” Whether it’s mastering a new skill, gaining confidence, making new friends, or achieving a personal best, our passion and mission are to help you unlock that potential. Our dedicated staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse program offerings are all geared toward supporting you on your journey, whatever your goals may be.

As we celebrate the grand opening of Next Level Sports Center, we invite you to join us in this exciting new chapter. Come explore our facility, meet our team, and discover how we can help you reach your next level. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community, one athlete at a time.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Next Level Sports Center— where your journey to unlocking your next level begins.Bottom of Form

Nikki Hackworth: Director of Marketing: Next Level Sports Center

environment Honey, It’s Cold Outside

I woke up this morning snuggled under a warm blanket, appreciating the crisp, chilly breeze coming through my bedroom window. What is better than a sunny, early autumn morning in Michigan? I don’t know. For me, this weather is the best!

Canning season is in full swing and, for those who grew up in the tradition, represents an homage to life before supermarkets that offered fresh produce from all over the world at any time of year (if you are willing to pay the price!). In the not-too-distant past, big carefullytended gardens produced a bounty of tomatoes, green beans, and perhaps even corn. A trip to the orchard would yield bushels of apples that would provide applesauce for a sweet treat all winter long. Much of this time-intensive activity has fallen out of favor as lifestyles have changed to necessitate mealtimes that are much different from those of our parents and grandparents.

However, for non-human animal species, the quest to gather and store enough resources to get through the coming months is serious business. I am amazed each year to watch the neighborhood animals in their significant efforts to pack on some extra poundage, gather nuts and seeds, and hoard nesting materials - all to ease the perils ahead.

As a beekeeper, I have had the privilege to observe firsthand the activities of my bees as they prepare to cluster up for the winter. Late summer and early fall are the robbing seasons at the hive. Guard bees are stationed at the entrance to literally sniff out intruders, physically run (or sting) them off, and ensure that the “goods” inside are safe from marauders.  Ants, wasps, yellow jackets, and even mice and other pests can lay waste to the entire work season if the winter provisions are not protected. And what is this “gold”? You guessed it – honey!

Why do bees make honey? They make it for themselves, of course. We are only beneficiaries of the extra bounty. Like other animal species,

insects need a source of carbohydrates (sugars) and protein to survive. Pollen is a rich source of protein, and hives routinely have a stockpile of honeycomb cells packed with pollen that was collected from myriad flower visits throughout the foraging season and brought back for storage. Honey is processed from nectar, also collected from flowers, but it must undergo a more labor-intensive sequence of steps. That activity, however, is well worth those bees’ efforts for them as well as us.

Only the most mature bees are suited for foraging. These workers find blossoms, frequently by following a scent trail left by earlier hive sisters. They have long tongue-like appendages that, when inserted deep into the flower structure, allow them to suck up the sweet nectar into a special storage structure called the honey stomach. Specialized enzymes in that organ break down the nectar into simpler sugars, which are easier to process in subsequent steps. Each flower provides only the tiniest of drops, but after visiting many flowers, the stomach is full, and the bee returns to the hive. Once inside, she passes the contents, mouth to mouth, to a house worker bee. Droplet by droplet, she transfers the sweet liquid to many other workers until her honey stomach empties. She then leaves the security of the hive to repeat the process again and again.

House workers continue to deliver the nectar droplets to other bees. As these passages continue, the liquid dehydrates considerably and becomes more concentrated. Eventually, the still-wet honey is packed into the familiar hexagonal wax honeycomb cells we are familiar with. The bees finalize the honey for storage by fanning their wings to dry the sticky liquid further. The honey, which entered the hive as nectar with 80% water content, is then concentrated to a semi-thick honey containing only about 18% water; it is now ready to be capped with a final wax covering to seal the opening. Honey can be hive-stable for years due to its very

high sugar content, which makes it resistant to microbial growth.

The actual job of foraging for pollen and nectar is done at the end of a bee’s life. It’s hard work, and after five or six weeks of being buffeted by winds and wayward vegetation as they visit the flowers and then fly back to the hive, their wings are battered, and their bodies are worn out. These final noble weeks are spent in service to the hive because these efforts help ensure its survival.

According to the Flow Hive blog, a single bee will only produce about a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her entire life!  Given that the average hive will require at least 50 pounds of honey to feed itself over the winter, it is evident that hives need a constant supply of bees to survive winter, even if weather conditions are optimal. Fortunately, a healthy hive has so many bees, assuming they have a strong egg-laying queen, that honey production is frequently two to three times the amount necessary for healthy overwintering. Lucky for us, there’s plenty of goodness to share. When I tell people I have three dogs, two cats, and 50,000 bees, they sometimes look at me as if I’m a little crazy. Maybe it’s the dogs….

Don’t complain about the price the next time you purchase honey at the store. It’s pretty cheap, considering the bees’ efforts and the beekeeper’s labor-intensive work. And there is really no better alternative as a topping for homemade biscuits or to soothe a scratchy throat!

Cheryl Hach Retired Science Teacher Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center

References:

Flow Hive US (n.d.). How do bees make honey? Flow Hive US - Beekeeping Basics. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.honeyflow. com/blogs/beekeeping-basics/howdo-bees-make-honey

Chicago Botanic Garden (n.d.). Drop by drop: How honey happens. Smart Gardener. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/smartgardener/how_honey_happens

Wong, S. (n.d.). Why do bees make honey? New Scientist. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www. newscientist.com/question/beesmake-honey/

FREE october Events

Through Sunday Jan. 19, 2025

Exhibit: Kalamazoo State Hospital: 165 Years of Psychiatric Care, Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Tuesdays, Oct. 1,8,15,22,29 Theme Trivia Tuesdays, 79pm, Revel and Roll West

Tuesdays, Oct. 1,8,15,22,29 Trivia Night, 7-9pm Louie’s Trophy House

Tuesday, October 1

Victorian Southwest Michigan True Crime, 6-7:30pm, Presented by Michael Delaware, Paw Paw Library

Wednesday, October 2, 16 Mugs & Hugs, stories & more 10-11am, Vicksburg Librrary

Wednesdays, Oct. 2,9,16,23,30 Wednesday Wigglers, infant & Toddler, 10:15am, Richland Library

Wednesdays, Oct. 2,9,16,23,30 Dungeons & Dragons, teens, 3-5pm, Richland Library

Tuesday, October 2

Meet Michigan Author: Gina Stevens, 6-7pm, Richland Library

Wednesdays, Oct. 2,9,16,23,30 Karaoke Bingo, 7-10pm Presidential Brewing Co.

Thursday, October 3

Adult Book Club: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel 9:30-10:30am, Vicksburg Library

Thursday, October 3

Movie for Elementary kids, Wonka or Onward, 4-6pm, Popcorn,Vicksburg Library

Thursdays, Oct. 3,10,17,24,31 Triple Threat Trivia, 6:30pm, must Register, Presidential Brewing Co.

Thursday, October 3

Dark Corners of Michigan, 6-7:30, Michigan’s creepiest prisons & Jails, Presented by author, Tobin Buhk

Thursdays, Oct. 3,10,17,24,31 Live Music, 6:30- 8:30pm Saugatuck Brewing Company

Thursdays, Oct. 3,10,17,24,31 King Trivia, 7-9pm, Gull Lake Distilling Company

Thursdays, Oct. 3,10,17,24,31 Music Bingo, 7-9pm Louie’s Trophy House

Fridays, Oct. 4,11,18,25

Family Story Time, 10:15 All ages, Richland Library

Friday, October 4

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

Friday, October 4

Friday Night Food Truck Fest, 5-10pm, Arcadia Creek Festival Place, Kal.

Fridays, Oct. 4,11,18,25

Quickdraw Trivia, 7-8:30pm Valhalla/Norse Nectar Meadery

Saturdays, October 5,12,19,26

Kalamazoo Farmers Market 7am-1pm, 1204 Bank St.

Saturday, October 5

Taste of Heaven Block Party, Activities, free hot dogs, popCorn & drinks, 11am-3pm, 2328 Winters Dr., Portage

Saturday, October 5

Live Music for Silent Classics 11am & 1pm, Kalamazoo Valley Museum

Saturdays, Oct. 5,12,19,26

Retro Cartoon Brunch, 11am-2pm Free entry, food/drink for purchase Presidential Brewing Company

Sundays, Oct. 6,13,20,27

Portage Farmer’s Market 9am-1pm, Portage City Hall

Sunday, October 6

Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market Plant-Based Party, 12-4pm 1204 Bank St., Kalamazoo

Mondays, Oct. 7,14,21,28 Parchment Update Interviews Parchmentlibrary.org

Mondays, Oct. 7,14,21,28

Family Storytime, 10-10:45am Books, songs. Vicksburg Library

Tuesday, October 8

ArtBreak: Building Safe Spaces Noon-1pm, Kalamazoo Institute Of Arts

Wednesday, October 9

Birds & Coffee Chat on Zoom 10-11am-Planning a birding trip birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu

Wednesday, October 9

BINGO Beyond Barriers, For Teens & adults with intellectual & developmental differences 1-2pm, Presented by Richland Library, 8047 Church St.

Wednesday, October 9

Book Discussion: All the Beauty In the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me, 2-3pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Wednesday, October 9

Things that Go Bump in the Night, for teens 7 older children 6-7pm, Richland Library

Thursdays, October 10, 24

Teen Break & Bulldog Break, Activities, crafts, games & treats, 2:45-5:45, Vicksburg Library

Saturday, October 12

Internet Users Group, Bring Your smart phones, mobile Devices & questions, 10am12pm, Paw Paw Library

Saturday, October 12

Art Detectives: The Dead Family Diaz, Story in English & Spanish crafts & Disney Pixar movie Coco film screening Afterwards ,10:30-11:30am Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Saturday, October 12

Geek Fest, 11am – 3pm Comics, games, Tech., & more! Vicksburg Library And several local libraries

Monday, October 13

Vintage in the Zoo 10am-5pm, 1204 Bank St.

Monday, October 13

Genre Gathering: Mystery/ Thriller – discuss these novels 3-4pm, Vicksburg Library

Wednesday, October 15

LEGO & DUPLO Club, 1-2pm & 5:30-6:30pm, Vicksburg Library

Wednesday, October 16

Open Mic Night, 8pm Louie’s Trophy House

Thursday, October 17

Artful Evening: Artist Happy Hour: How to Get the Gig, Panel discussion, 5:30-7:30pm Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, October 17

STEAM, 6-7pm, hands-on Activities, Vicksburg Library

Thursday, October 17

The Heartbreak Book Club: When in Rome, by Sarah Adams 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library

Thursday, October 17

Slaptail Nation Presents: Slap Your Tail Comedy- Open Mic Doors open 7am, show 7:30pm Dormouse Theatre, Kalamazoo

Friday, October 18

The Mystery Writer’s MurderSolve a murder, register ahead: 629-9085, 6-8pm, Richland Library

Friday, October 18

Live Music with Old Hank’s Son, 8am-Midnight, Louie’s Trophy House

Sunday, October 20

Trunk or Treat, 1-3pm

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church 9800 E. BC Ave, Richland Pumpkin & face painting, free Costumes while supplies last.

Monday, October 21

STEAM, 11am-Noon, Hands-on Activities, Vicksburg Library

Tuesday, October 22

ArtBreak: Let Freedom Swing: Jazz Music in American Culture, Noon-1pm, Kalamazoo Institute Of Arts

Wednesday, October 23

Cookbooks & Company – cook a Dish from selected cookbook. Share results and discuss, 6-7pm, Vicksburg Library

Wednesday, October 23

Halloween Team Trivia - treats prizes, mocktails, 6:30-7:30pm Register: 629-9085, Richland Library

Thursday, October 24

Art Bridges Access for All 11am-8pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Thursday, October 24

Writer’s Motivational Group 4:30-5:30pm, Vicksburg Library

Saturday, October 26 Grief Circle, 10am-Noon Rootead Kalamazoo

Tuesday, October 29

ArtBreak: The KIA Centennial: People, Places & Events, 121pm, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Wednesday, October 30

Classic Films for Adults: 1960 Classic Horror film, 6-8:15pm, Vicksburg Library

Thursday, October 31

Trick or Treat, 5-8:30pm, Pick up a treat, Vicksburg Library

Thursday, October 31

Between the Lines Book Club: Solito by Javier Samora, 6:30-7:30pm, Paw Paw Library