Encore May 2026

Some

From the Editor

South Street is a visual treasure in the heart of Kalamazoo. Once the "Millionaires' Row" of our fair city, the street boasts beautiful and unique homes built at the turn of the 20th century. There are probably few people who have driven down that road and not wished they could peek inside the doors of one of these ornate homes.

This month we do just that with our cover story. Michelle and Pete Eldridge shared with Encore their experience of buying and restoring the Tudor-style home at 516 W. South St., built in 1908 by Carrie and James Gilmore. The Eldridges' effort has involved hard work that has taken several years and been done with the goal of keeping the house's beautiful details and character intact while making it more functional for modern living.

Speaking of hard work, this issue also looks at an organization that assists juveniles in navigating the legal system. Ebony and Dontray Hemphill had to learn these lessons on their own when their son DJ was involved in an altercation with a classmate. Astounded by the number of kids and families that deal with the legal system without guidance, the Hemphills created the nonprofit organization Bent Not Broken to assist other young people going through the juvenile justice system and their families.

We also might be teaching you a new word through one of our stories — "pommelier." As a sommelier is well-versed on all aspects of wines, so a pommelier is on all aspects of hard cider. We introduce you to self-described "cider nerd" Andrew Schultz, of Texas Corners Brewing Co., who is one of only eight certified pommeliers in Michigan.

This issue also has one of the most packed Arts sections and event calendars of the year. From Gilmore Piano Festival and choral, jazz and other musical events to a plethora of stage productions and author talks, May is absolutely abloom with activities. I encourage you to take advantage of this abundance.

And, finally, thank you for being a loyal Encore reader.

Left to right: Morgan Rogalke-Scime, Charles S. Ofstein, Tyler J. Stewart, William B. Millard

Jordan Bradley

After Jordan spoke with Andrew Schultz, a certified pommelier, for this month's Back Story, she was absolutely craving a glass of hard cider. “Andrew’s passion for craft cider and the agricultural framework that supports the craft beverage industry was honestly infectious,” she says. Jordan is a former intern for Encore who is now a freelance contributor. When she’s not writing, she can be found at a yoga studio or walking her dog — or at an apple orchard, now that she’s spoken with Schultz.

Publisher encore publications, inc.

Editor

marie lee

Lee

Marie admits that writing this issue's cover story on Michelle and Peter Eldridge's years-long restoration of an iconic Kalamazoo home on South Street was more fun than work. "I adore historic homes, and this one was a treat to be able to see. It was inspiring to see the pains the Eldridges took to honor the home's character and keep its intricate craftsmanship intact while making it a comfortable family home." Marie is the editor of Encore

Robert M. Weir

Robert, a frequent contributor to Encore, says that when writing for the magazine, he often encounters individuals who dig deep into their souls and their toolbox of humanitarian skills to help others in our community. Such is the case, he says, with Ebony and Dontray Hemphill, founders of Bent Not Broken, an organization that advocates for youths entangled in the juvenile justice system and assists their caregivers. "Bent Not Broken also helps young people keep out of that system in the first place," says Robert. "This article is a story of sadness, hope, determination and folks who reach out their hand to help others."

Proud Member of

Art Director alexis stubelt

Photographers brian k power

Contributing Writers

jordan bradley, lynn houghton, kevin king , marie lee , robert m weir

Copy Editors

margaret deritter katie houston

Poetry Editor margaret deritter

Advertising Sales janis clark kimberly juwong

Distribution ron kilian robert zedeck

Office Coordinator kelly burcroff

Proofreader hope smith

Encore Magazine is published 12 times yearly. Copyright 2026, Encore Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial, circulation and advertising correspondence should be sent to:

www.encorekalamazoo.com 117 W. Cedar St. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Telephone: (269) 383–4433

Email: Publisher@encorekalamazoo.com

The staff at Encore welcomes written comments from readers, and articles and poems for submission with no obligation to print or return them. To learn more about us or to comment, visit encorekalamazoo.com. Encore subscription rates: one year $36, two years $70. Current single issue and newsstand $4, $10 by mail. Back issues $6, $12 by mail. Advertising rates on request. Closing date for space is 28 days prior to publication date. Final date for print–ready copy is 21 days prior to publication date.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by those interviewed and published here do not reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Encore Magazine or the official policies, owners or employees of Encore Publications

Restoring the Glory Michelle & Pete Eldridge's project of a lifetime

Marie

Sondra K. Phillips,

Connie L. Rathbun,

First Things

Something Fresh Outdoor farmers markets open for season

Get your bags and baskets ready as area farmers markets open this month. These markets run through the summer months and feature fresh produce from local farmers as well as baked goods, plants and artisans' ware:

• Kalamazoo Farmers Market, at 1204 Bank St., opens May 2 and runs from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. every Saturday through October. Tuesday and Thursday markets begin in June.

• Portage Farmers Market, which opens May 3, has a new location this year, at 125 W. Centre Ave., just west of the Portage Zhang Senior Center. The market hours are from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sundays.

Something Cheesy

Downtown hosts

mac-and-cheese cook-off

Macaroni and cheese, that beloved comfort food, will take many forms on May 9 during Mac N Cheese May-hem, hosted by the Downtown Kalamazoo Collective and I Love Food Kalamazoo.

Attendees will be able to sample a variety of macaroni-and-cheese concoctions prepared by local chefs and vote for their favorites. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the South Kalamazoo Mall.

Tickets are $20 and available at downtownkalamazooshops.com.

• Texas Township Farmers Market, 7110 West Q Ave., opens May 9 and runs 8 a.m.–noon Saturdays.

• Richland Farmers’ Market, located at the Richland Community Center, 9400 East CD Ave., opens May 20 and runs from 3–6 p.m. Wednesdays.

• Vicksburg Farmers Market, at 300 N. Richardson St., opens May 22 and runs from 2–6 p.m. Fridays.

Something Prehistoric Exhibit offers dinosaur adventure

With animatronics, fossils and hands-on activities, an exhibit opening this month at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum offers a new look at dinosaurs.

"Dinosaur Explore" opens May 17 and will feature displays that show the science behind dinosaur adaptations and the connections humans share with these prehistoric creatures.

The museum's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and admission is free.

Something Delicious May offers a Vegan Chef Challenge

Ten local eateries will offer vegan menu options throughout this month as part of the Kalamazoo Vegan Chef Challenge, with diners having the chance to vote for their favorite meals.

The monthlong event is sponsored by Vegan Kalamazoo and Vegan Outreach. Participating restaurants include Texas Corners Brewing Co., WL Social House, 600 Kitchen & Bar, HUB Tavern + Grill, Mi Pi pizzeria and Re-Fresh Market (both at the Western Michigan University Student Center), Principle, Roca, Water Street Coffee locations, Matcharia and Studio Grill.

For more information, visit veganchefchallenge.org/kalamazoo.

Something Flighty

Watch and celebrate birds this month

Want to know a house wren from a house finch or a junco from a nuthatch? A variety of bird-focused events this month can help you become adept at bird watching.

The Kalamazoo Audubon Society offers two regular walking events focused on bird watching. Its Beginning Birding Walk, held monthly on the nature trails at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery, will be offered at 9 a.m. May 2. Meet at the hatchery's second parking lot, at 34270 County

Road 652, in Mattawan. The organization also offers weekly birding walks on the Kal-Haven Trail at 9 a.m. every Tuesday. For walking route details, visit kalamazooaudubon.org.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center offers two sessions each of two birdwatching programs in May. Birding the Kleinstuck Preserve, set for 8 a.m. May 6 and 13, will allow participants to help conduct a survey of migratory birds within the preserve. Birding with the Pros, set for 8 a.m. May 9 and 12, will offer a guided hike with an expert birder. Registration is required for these events and can be done at naturecenter.org.

Migratory birds will be the topic of two other bird-focused activities:

World Migratory Bird Day Celebration, hosted by the City of Kalamazoo's Parks and Recreation Department and the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 16 at Upjohn Park, 1000 Walter St., and offer bird walks, raptors, crafts and a scavenger hunt. More information can be found at kzooparks.org.

Portage Parks' May Ranger Hike will focus on migratory and local birds. The guided hike will run from 8 to 9:30 a.m. May 18 at the West Lake Nature Preserve, 9001 S. Westnedge Ave. More information is available at portagemi.gov/calendar.

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Five Faves Ward Morgan photographs captured the community

BY LYNN HOUGHTON

Over the years, many fine photographers have called Kalamazoo home, documenting the people, places, businesses, events and institutions that have made this community special. There were photographers who specialized in taking images of people, and photographers like Ward C. Morgan who took images of just about everything. Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Morgan worked for various companies until 1939, when he purchased a photography studio here. For close to 50 years, Morgan took photos of products, buildings, individuals and events. He retired in 1987 and died in 1997. The bulk of his collection, composed of close to 27,000 negatives, came to the Western Michigan University Regional History Collections more than 30 years ago. Here are five of my favorites:

Public Comfort Station, c. 1938

This image is a great example of how some things never change, including the need for public restrooms in downtown Kalamazoo.

In 1910, the Commercial Club even went so far as to state that a public restroom would help make this community one of Michigan’s leading cities. The discussion went on for several years, leading to a vote in which a restroom proposal was defeated. By January 1920, with financial support from the Chamber of Commerce, the city appropriated $12,000 for a public restroom. Three possible locations were considered, and the one chosen was at the southwest corner of Church and Academy streets, behind the county jail. Local architect Ernest Batterson designed the structure, which was completed in 1921 and operated by two full-time custodians. It was taken down by 1935 to make way for a new county courthouse on the square. The debate about public restrooms has continued over the years, and in 2020 the city installed a Portland Loo 24-hour public restroom on Water Street. Two more are planned for the near future.

Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood at Gibson Guitar Co., 1975

The Rolling Stones embarked on their three-month “Tour of Americas '75” on June 1, 1975, eventually traveling to 27 cities and performing 58 concerts. During a tour stop in Chicago, band members Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood came to Kalamazoo on July 24 to tour the Gibson Guitar Co. plant at 225 Parsons St. They were accompanied by executives from Norlin Music, the Chicago company that owned Gibson from 1969 to 1986. Not very many people knew about their visit, since there was no image or report of it in the Kalamazoo Gazette or on local radio or television stations. What remains are 12 photos taken by Morgan for Norlin Music. It appears that the bandmates enjoyed themselves but didn't stay long — they had to fly back to Chicago for that evening’s performance, which was Wood’s first time playing with the Rolling Stones but certainly not his last.

United Service Organizations (USO) Facility, 1944

Among the many photographs Morgan took in Kalamazoo during World War II were images of everyday life as well as images related to the war, such as those showing Girl Scouts planting victory gardens, products such as parachutes that local companies were making for the war effort, dances at Fort Custer and activities at the United Service Organizations facility. The local USO headquarters was initially located on West Michigan Avenue in 1941 but moved in 1942 to the second floor of 131 East Kalamazoo Ave., between North Burdick and North Edwards streets. Up to three days a week, hundreds of soldiers would come from Fort Custer, Kellogg Air Field and the Percy Jones Convalescent Center to play games, read and attend dances. It is estimated that in 4½ years more than 260,000 soldiers visited this facility, which received support from local organizations and churches and also War Chest funds. This image appears to be one from a quiet time of day.

Swimming Tube Promotion, Otto

Kihm Tire Co., 1954

These children are looking happy, especially since they were receiving free inner tubes. Considering this photo was taken in July, one can assume the children might immediately put them to good use at a local lake, creek or river. Otto Kihm founded the tire company in 1937, and it was located on the east side of North Rose Street just north of West Kalamazoo Avenue. It started with two employees and one truck and eventually grew to several locations around the area, offering tire sales and service for cars and trucks. It continues to be in business on East Vine Street. Due to changes in the production of automobile tires, and unfortunately for children who enjoy playing in them, car tire inner tubes are no longer made.

Muggs the Lion, 1941

One wonders if Kathleen Brodie, secretary for Howard J. Cooper, owner of an auto dealership in downtown Kalamazoo, ever thought she would be sharing her desk with Muggs, the city’s resident lion, who used the space as his bed. Muggs was the size of a domesticated cat when he first came to Kalamazoo two years earlier, but when this photograph was taken in July 1941 he weighed 235 pounds. It must have been a sight to behold when Cooper took Muggs on walks around downtown on a leash. By the time World War II began, Muggs did not have very much impact on automobile sales, since civilians, with some exceptions, were not allowed to purchase cars. Muggs left Kalamazoo in the fall of 1945 for a zoo in South Bend, Indiana. Morgan's photo helps us remember one of Kalamazoo’s most unusual residents.

About the Author

Lynn Houghton is the regional history curator at the Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections, located in the Zhang Legacy Collections Center. There, she works with researchers and students of all ages. She is the co-author of Kalamazoo Lost & Found, a book on Kalamazoo history and architecture, and has written numerous Five Faves features for Encore. She also participated in the PBS series 10 That Changed America, about the history of architecture and urban planning, and she has led a series of walking tours in Kalamazoo and other parts of Kalamazoo County. She has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in history from WMU and a master’s in library and information science from Wayne State University.

Elina Organics

4205 S. Westnedge Ave.

269.384.2170 • elinaorganics.com

National award–winning, handmade organic, clinical skin care products and services, made in Kalamazoo. Voted Best Facial of Chicago by Chicago Magazine and Best Facial for Glowing Skin by CS Magazine

The Pantry on Tap

7634 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage

269.978.6641 • thepantryontap.com

Add some flavor to your life! The Pantry On Tap is a gourmet food & gift store featuring olive oils, vinegars, seasonings, dips and unique gifts. Bring out your inner chef! Located near our sister store, ChocolaTea.

Dragonfly Gardens

2650 N. Main St. #8385, Mattawan

269.668.2600 • dragonflygardensgreenhouse.com

For 15 years, Dragonfly Gardens has helped our community grow with a beautiful selection of perennials and garden staples. Together with Vintage Inspired, we create a place where home truly meets garden.

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Mitten Running Co.

6290 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage 269.492.3544 • mittenrunningco.com

Whether you are a seasoned runner, dog walker or just looking for quality athletic shoes, Mitten Running Co. has you covered. We offer the best name brands in running footwear, apparel, accessories and nutrition. Stop in for your free digital foot scan and our fit experts will get you dialed in for your next excursion. Located next to V&A Bootery in Portage.

Kzoo Cream

1502 S. Westnedge (near Crosstown Pkwy.) 269.599.1849 • kzoocream.com

Freshly baked with local ingredients, come try our Frosted Whispers cookies, the most delicious cream cheese cookies in Michigan! We also serve ice cream, dirty sodas, wraps, coffee and more. Stop in, call, or order online. Open Mon.–Wed. 3–9 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 3–10 p.m. and select Sundays.

Sherwood Gardens

414 N. Sherwood Ave., Plainwell

269.512.5857 • SherwoodGardens.net

Wedding venue specializing in full weekend celebrations. Rehearsals, ceremonies, receptions, and overnight stays take place among gorgeous gardens and grounds all located on our historic orchard estate.

Genesis Fitness & Wellness

205.433.9377 • genesisfitwell.com

Let our certified in–home personal trainers help you reshape your approach to achieving fitness and function. There has never been a better time to exercise in the privacy and safety of your own home.

Wild Birds Unlimited

3015 Oakland Dr. 269. 353.7550 • wbu.com

Shop local for all your spring birding needs! We're proud to provide the highest quality bird feeding products available anywhere, backed by expert advice to help you bring the joy of bird feeding into your backyard. We thank you for shopping at our store and for supporting our small business.

Noelle Photography

The Park Club

219 W. South St.

269.381.0876 • parkclub.net

Celebrate mothers every day with a gift membership to the Park Club. Enjoy fabulous food in a timeless venue. Holiday menus, special events, reciprocity and private downtown parking are just a few benefits. Remove the pressure from your festivities and call today!

Flair Interiors

427 W. Cork St.

269.372.0110 • shopatflair.com

Visit the Flair Interiors showroom and be inspired. We offer custom window treatments, furniture, and interior design services, helping you transform your home with personalized style, quality craftsmanship, and expert care.

Burtrum Furs and Leathers

5568 Beckley Road, Battle Creek

269.979.4101 • burtrumfursandleathers.com

IT'S TIME TO STORE YOUR FUR! Save $5 on each fur with this coupon through 7/31/26. Must bring this ad. $50 regular, $45 prepaid, $40 coupon

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Plainwell Ice Cream

621 E. Bridge St., Plainwell

269 685.8586 • plainwellicecream.com

Since 1978, the Gaylord family has been delighting Plainwell, Michigan, with over 50 homemade ice cream flavors at their cozy East Bridge Street shop, serving up classic cones, sundaes, shakes, and malts that capture the simple joy of Southwest Michigan summers.

Liberty Square Furniture

8639 Portage Road, Portage 269.329.0434 • lsfhome.com

Liberty Square is where you will find the largest selection of Berlin Gardens Outdoor Furniture in SW Michigan! Outdoor seating, dining, counter and bar height tables, chairs, gliders, occasional tables and umbrellas are now on display. Numerous color combinations and fabric selections available to special order.

Kazoo Books

2413 Parkview Ave.

269.553.6506 • kazoobooks.com

Five levels of new and used books. Antique and rare section. Check out our 'blind dates' and watch for our events on our website. Please use the entrance from the back parking lot. We are bigger on the inside.

St. Julian Winery & Distillery

716 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw

269.657.5568 • stjulian.com

Discover the tradition behind a century-old Michigan favorite. From premium spirits to award-winning dry and sweet wines, every glass is filled with locally grown fruit and the legacy of a family-owned craft.

Kalamazoo Civic Theatre

329 S. Park St.

269.343.1313 • kazoocivic.com

From splashy musicals to thought-provoking dramas, The Civic has something for everyone! For an unbeatable value, purchase a Flex Pass subscription and save up to 35% off regular ticket prices.

Bent Not Broken Organization helps youth and families navigate justice system

BY ROBERT M. WEIR

When Ebony and Dontray Hemphill's son, DJ, was 10, he was involved in an altercation with another student at school and was disciplined according to school protocols.

But the parents of the other child wanted more of a punishment and sought to have DJ charged with a crime, brought before a judge and given a police record. They wouldn't meet with the Hemphills to discuss the situation.

DJ was in the sixth grade at Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts when the altercation occurred in October 2019. “I had an incident, and they were trying to send me away to the juvenile home and do all this crazy stuff that wasn’t really necessary,” says DJ, now 17 and a senior who will graduate from Phoenix High School this month.

His mother says, "The appropriate consequences were rendered by the school according to the Student Conduct Code. His suspension was three days, and it was his only suspension. The parents of the other student wanted a longer suspension. After the school denied that, there was police involvement.”

Fortunately, the Hemphills had the time and resources to counter the actions of the other parents. They had each other, and they had support from people who knew DJ and advocated on his behalf to prosecutors in the Kalamazoo County justice system.

The Hemphill family, from left, DJ, Dontray and Ebony, all work at Bent Not Broken to assist those entangled in the juvenile justice system.

“Once we got DJ cleared," his father says, "we knew we had to do something to be fair to the community who helped us help our son, so we founded Bent Not Broken.”

Established in 2023 as a nonprofit, Bent Not Broken is an advocacy organization for youth going through the juvenile justice system, providing guidance and resources to ensure that both youth and their guardians are well informed, actively engaged in the legal process, and equipped to make informed decisions. The organization's goal is to foster collaboration, protect the rights of youth, and promote rehabilitation and positive outcomes for both the young person and their family.

Ebony is the founder and executive director of the organization, and Dontray directs youth development and community engagement. DJ is a youth lead within the organization who, his mother says, stands up to bullies in school and “is learning to use the right words to tell somebody to leave somebody else alone.”

Ebony says that even prior to the incident with DJ, she knew she wanted to do something to help youth. “I didn’t know what or how or why,” she says, “but I had the name” Bent Not

Broken, which is an affirmation that, while youths might occasionally get into trouble, they are not necessarily bad people and don’t belong in jail.

At the time, Ebony worked at Kalamazoo Central High School, managing student enrollment, attendance data and demographic records to ensure compliance with reporting requirements for state funding.

Dontray was a barber and a contract employee helping local social service organizations develop community organizing campaigns to bring about greater solidarity among neighborhood residents.

They were also raising their three children: Daiyana, now 25, Layla, now 19, and DJ.

The Hemphills originally operated Bent Not Broken out of their home in the Milwood neighborhood. Ebony met mothers and fathers anywhere they could meet: in coffee shops, libraries, their homes.

“One mom said, ‘I got two other kids. I don’t have no babysitter.’ So, we met in a park,” Ebony recalls.

Bent Not Broken is now housed at the Douglass Community Association, on West Paterson Street, and funded by grants from

several local entities. It has a staff of six and intentions to hire two more this year. The organization is currently assisting 22 youths and families and in the past three years has helped between 75 and 100 youths and families.

“It’s so hard not to say yes to people," Ebony says, "so I’m on a relentless pursuit of additional funding so we can reach our max of helping 50 youths at a time.”

Bent Not Broken works closely with the Youth Juvenile Justice Fellowship of the Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations, at Western Michigan University, and with the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) network in Kalamazoo.

Bent Not Broken also collaborates with Boys & Girls Clubs; Charlie’s P.L.A.C.E., which provides education, athletics and leadership skill development for youth; Dominica’s Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to helping underserved women and at-risk youth; Peace During War, a Kalamazoo-based anti-gun violence organization; Sports Kickback, which empowers youth through sports; Starting Life After Prison, a program that helps people who have served time reintegrate into society; and the Urban Alliance, whose

vision is to see people become spiritually, physically, economically and socially health.

“We’re one big circle, and we work together,” says Dontray.

In addition to helping families navigate the challenges of the legal system, Bent Not Broken provides mentorship, school study guidance and tutoring for young people. It helps them find seasonal jobs — endeavors suggested by the youth leads and designed to teach purpose, put some money in the youngsters’ pockets and keep them out of the judicial system.

Ebony says she has engaged with young people who are hungry and tell her, "'We don’t have money, and that’s why I got caught inside someone’s car, looking for change.'"

"Some are facing insecurities that make them do things that are not good," she says. "And some don’t know why they do things that get them in trouble; they say they’re bored.”

But Bent Not Broken’s most dramatic efforts occur within the judicial system: in jails, courts and the county juvenile detention facility. They utilize “participatory defense,” a community organizing model designed to engage the family and loved ones of the person who is going through the system.

“Most people go to court alone, so we join them in the courtroom to show the individual we’re here for them,” Ebony says. “I am extremely proud of every parent who steps up and advocates for their child. The process is heavy. It’s emotionally draining. If you’ve never had to go through the system with your child or the child you’re caring for, you cannot fathom the emotional baggage that goes with it.”

With passion, she speaks of “the games of random court dates at random times” and says that “some parents run out of capacity."

"They run out of vacation time. Some people work two jobs to make sure they have a roof and food, and they don’t have the time to sit down and figure out what they’re going to do,” she says. Also, some don’t have the technological skills or easy access to a computer and the internet to research their options.

Ebony describes the harsh reality of parents with numerous children and the emotional struggle they may experience if one of the children faces school discipline or judicial detention. “If you’re a mom of four boys and one gets into trouble and you don’t have the bandwidth for it, you might say, ‘I cannot do this' and just let the child

Bent Not Broken offers programs to help kids keep out of the justice system, such as this video-making project for middle-schoolers. (Courtesy photo)

go," she says. "Or some take it head-on and ask, ‘What do I need to do?’ And sometimes they simply say, ‘Hey, can you help?’”

Bent Not Broken cautions parents that the judicial system often demands that the accused make a quick decision about whether to plead guilty or innocent.

“Maybe you were at work, so you don’t know if your kid did it or not. You have not had an opportunity to see the evidence, talk to your kid, poll attorneys. You don’t really know what’s going on until 30 minutes before court, maybe an hour, and then they want you to, boom, make a decision.”

She tells parents, “Don’t do anything rash. Don’t make a decision that could affect your child’s entire life. Tell your attorney you need time to look at the evidence.”

She tells the story of someone — not a Kalamazooan — who, at age 28, was denied a job because of something he did at 14, even though the judicial system had told him the incident had been removed from his record.

Reflecting on the incident with DJ, Ebony says, “We were blessed that legal action didn’t move forward. And if you’re spiritual at all, you know things don’t happen to you; they happen through you for somebody else.

“That good thing done for DJ has turned (in)to (our) supporting other youth and families and parents who don’t have enough energy at the end of their workday to even figure out what type of shenanigan their kid is in.”

She shows motherly pride in her son. She says that DJ, having seen classmates at school get into trouble, has come to her and Dontray and said, “They need help. Are we going to help them?”

One youth at a time, Bent Not Broken is helping young people prove to themselves and others, “I am not broken.”

To contact Bent Not Broken, either because you need help or want to help, visit the organization's website, www.bentnotbroken.org, or send an email to advocate@bentnotbroken.org. Ebony Hemphill also offers her personal phone number: 269-552-8092. And she extends an invitation to those who need assistance to attend a Bent Not Broken meeting. The meetings are held at 6:15 p.m. Mondays at the Douglass Community Center, 1000 W. Paterson St.

This page: Michelle and Pete Eldridge in the doorway of their dining room, which also provides a view into the house's conservatory and front parlor. Opposite page: The Eldridge's Tudor-style home on South Street was built in 1908.

Restoring the

Glory

Instead of scaling down, empty nesters take on the project of a lifetime

BY MARIE LEE

BY BRIAN K. POWERS

In 2021, with one son off to college and the other a year away from graduating from high school, Michelle and Pete Eldridge began to plan their lives as empty nesters. So, they did what most empty nesters wouldn't do — traded in their four-bedroom house in Portage for a historic 6,200-square-foot home in need of restoration.

And not just any historic home but the Tudor house at 516 W. South St., built in 1908 by James and Carrie Gilmore, proprietors of what was then the Gilmore Brothers Department Store.

"We raised our kids in a neighborhood in Portage, and when our youngest was going to be a senior, we knew we were ready for something different," recalls Michelle, a partner in Clear Ridge Wealth Management. "I really thought we might move out and have some land, have some space."

Michelle began perusing online property listings, but when she'd find places of interest, Peter didn't share her enthusiasm.

Photography

"Pete would say, 'It's too far from downtown.' Then I found a house over by Whites Lake and when we drove by it, he said, 'Oh my gosh, I can't even get a trailer pulled around in that driveway. It is way too small,'" Michelle says, referring to the family's mode of transporting snowmobiles.

"It was a fluke when I found this house on Zillow. I said, 'Look at this. It's right downtown, and it's got a parking lot,'" she says with a laugh. "It was really kind of a joke. He goes, 'Wow, that's really cool. I wouldn't mind seeing it.' Not that we really thought we'd buy it, but he loved that it was downtown — we both work downtown (Pete is the zoning administrator for the city of Kalamazoo) — and the walkability."

The house also had a bit of unique history. James Gilmore died only a few months after the home's completion, and Carrie lived in the home for less than a decade before she married her neighbor, William E. Upjohn, president of the Upjohn Co. The house passed to her son, J. Stanley Gilmore, and his family lived in it until after World War II. In the 1950s, it became the Kalamazoo headquarters of the American Red Cross. The Red Cross moved to a new building in Oshtemo Township in 1999, and the house had had two other owners by the time it was purchased in 2012 by comedian Steven Lynch and his wife, Erin Dwight, who lived in it until listing it for sale in 2021.

Before the Eldridges could tour the house, it went under contract. While they were on

spring break in Florida, the real estate agent called, told them the contract had fallen through and asked if they were still interested.

Upon their return to Kalamazoo, Pete and Michelle toured the house, bringing along Sharon Ferraro, former historic preservation coordinator for the city. "That is probably what made us buy it," admits Michelle, "because we went through it and Sharon got so excited about all the historic features. And every little flaw we saw, she said, 'Oh, that's no big deal. I've got a person for that.'"

A prior inspection of the property was shared with the Eldridges, "so we kind of knew what we were dealing with," says Pete. “But it was a tough inspection report to digest and clearly the reason that the prior deal fell through.”

Clockwise from top left: The expansive landing on the second floor of the home; intricate detail in the grand staircase; a new master bathroom takes up half the space that was an unused dressing area; a vintage twin bed (one of a pair) in one of the home's six bedrooms; each fireplace in the house has unique stone, tile and wood surrounds; and the parlor on the home's first floor.

The Eldridges were undeterred. Maybe because, as Michelle jokes, "we can turn any snowmobile trailer around in this parking lot."

"The woodwork was hard to walk away from," adds Pete.

"What is still intact in this 1908 house is so stunning," he says. "Everything that was in need of repair seemed fixable. Granted, it's on very big scale, and we knew it was going to take years to do, but we're empty nesters. We've got a little more time on our hands now. If we're ever going to tackle something like this, this is the time."

Tackling the infrastructure

Over the next three years, the Eldridges updated the home's infrastructure, including replacing its three air conditioning units, trading out a boiler "the size of a golf cart" for a smaller and more efficient model, replacing the roof and repairing the home's 80-plus windows. They replaced rotting windowsills, fabricated new storm windows and screens, and restored leaded glass windows.

"That was a big thing for me. I wanted every window operable," says Michelle. "We could have abandoned the boiler but decided we wanted to keep the radiators and use them. We didn't want them to just be for looks."

A broken pipe two months after they moved in resulted in their having to replace most of the house's plumbing. But before

that could occur, asbestos wrapped around the water pipes had to be removed room by room throughout the basement — a lengthy process.

All this work had to be done before they could even begin "the fun stuff," says Michelle, referring to "Phase 2" — renovating and decorating the home. The couple wanted a master bedroom suite with a full bathroom, which wasn't the norm in 1908, and the home's decor had last been updated in 1999, when it was part of a Symphony House Showcase fundraiser in which each room was decorated by a different designer.

"Every room had its own theme. Everything was beautiful, but there wasn't a cohesive plan," says Michelle. "I had been trying to come up with ideas on my own where every room could stand on its own but with some sort of uniformity. I didn't want to make a decision on one room without at least having a vision for the rest of it."

Complicating the process was that each room has unique aspects that aren't duplicated elsewhere in the house, including stained glass in varying color palettes, different stonework surrounding each of the

house's six fireplaces, and distinctive detailed inlays in the wood floors.

Enter Sondra Phillips, owner of SKP Design. An interior designer with a long list of commercial clients including restaurants, financial institutions and senior living facilities, Phillips and Michelle had been friends for many years when Michelle asked for Phillips' input on wallpaper she was considering for the house.

"I came over, and she had about a hundred wallpaper samples," Phillips says, laughing. "Picking the paint and wallpaper is, like, the easy thing, but there were so many renovation things to consider too, especially when it came to functionality and logistics."

Clockwise from top left: This unused dressing room became a walk-in closet and bathroom adjoining the master bedroom; tile was salvaged from the dressing room floor and used in a backsplash of a new bar in the house's conservatory; the drawing room is the ideal place to entertain; all the bathrooms on the second floor were renovated, including this one; non-working stained glass pendant lights in a bedroom were rewired and repaired; tile salvaged while constructing the new bar in the conservatory was used to make repairs to the room's intricate mosaic floor.

'A holistic approach'

For the first five months of working together "we didn't even look at wallpaper," says Phillips. "We were figuring everything else out."

The Eldridges had been considering converting two bedrooms on the home's east side into a large master suite because of

their proximity to one of the house's two full bathrooms. Instead, Phillips proposed that a master bedroom with an en suite bath and closet be constructed out of an existing bedroom on the home's west side that had an adjacent but unused dressing room. That option would allow them to keep the house's original six bedrooms intact.

On the main floor, the house's conservatory — a bright room located between the parlor and dining room — had an intricate mosaic tile floor with missing and damaged tiles. Phillips suggested replacing a large stand-alone cabinet in the room with a built-in wet bar and salvaging tile removed during the renovation to make repairs to the floor.

In addition, Phillips proposed remodeling the home's existing bathrooms and adding a laundry room on the second floor as well as restoring original light fixtures, replacing others, and adding new furniture, rugs, paint and wallpaper.

Phillips' involvement was an inspired infusion for Pete, who admits that after spearheading the infrastructure work for three years, his enthusiasm for the project was flagging.

"I was focused on the infrastructure and the building envelope (exterior work) but struggled with how our interior renovations were going to tie together from one room to the next and make this house more functional for us," he says. "The renovation plan devised by SKP Design and her general contractor, Russell Construction, was a holistic approach to complete revitalization that has really brought back the charm and my drive to switch gears to interior work."

With plans nailed down, the renovations started in May 2025 and took nine months to complete.

Phillips says she struck a "delicate balance between the house's existing elements and new elements in paying homage to the house's original beauty and color schemes while tying the design of the entire house together. My biggest discovery," she says, "was the passion that we all became wrapped up in for restoring this home and mixing historic details with modern elements along the way to create a 'happy' space."

And while "normal remodel tweaks" became necessary during the project, one happy surprise was that "we were unexpectedly able to salvage hexagon tile from the floor of the upstairs dressing room area and reuse it," Phillips says. "The color, size and shape of the tiles tied in beautifully with what we already had selected for the conservatory bar design."

A collective effort

Anyone who has seen the movie The Money Pit, about a couple embarking on the restoration of a mansion, can imagine the strain such a large-scale effort might put on a marriage. But that was not true for the Eldridges.

"One of the biggest surprises for me was Michelle was all in on restoring this home. It was not just an interest but a drive to bring this home back to its days of glory," says Pete. "We both understood the history of the Gilmore family and the Gilmore Brothers Department Store, which was a regional mercantile giant by 1890. The funds available to James and Carrie Gilmore to build this house meant it received many unique embellishments, from stained glass imported from France, many leaded, clear-

glass windows of several different designs, six fireplaces, and the oak-trimmed foyer and grand staircase.

"Prioritizing projects kept us sane and in sync," he adds.

"It has really been a fun project, and we’ve partnered really well," Michelle says. "There have been times when we haven’t agreed on a design direction, but we’ve always compromised. For instance, Pete didn’t care for one of the wallpapers that Sondra and I selected, so we let him choose the wallpaper for that room. And I love it!"

Flexibility, on the part of not only the owners but also the many contractors doing the work, was key to the project's success, says Michelle.

"Our contractors were so flexible as we added additional rooms for painting and wallpapering, additional lighting for replacement, movement of electrical outlets, etc.," she says. "One example, our son Mitchell’s bedroom, with all of its beautiful woodwork, was not on our list to address. But once we saw all the improvements in the rooms around it, we decided to patch and paint the ceiling, replace the wallpaper and add new bedding. That room also had four original stained glass pendant lights which were inoperable. We took them to The Heritage Company and had them rewired, and Pete was able to procure stained glass to replace three chipped pieces that looks almost identical to the original. It turned out beautifully."

The Eldridges are hesitant to attach a price tag to the work thus far, noting that Phase 3 will involve redoing the kitchen later this year.

To help control costs, Michelle made good use of Facebook Marketplace to find bargains on furniture and decorative elements, while Pete took on many infrastructure improvements himself, including taking a class so he could safely remove asbestos.

Michelle admits that the house is "an entertainer’s dream." In addition to the expansive first floor, the house's third-floor ballroom has become a popular place to host parties and for their sons to hang out with friends when home from school.

"Pete and I love to entertain and feel that we’re not only improving the house for our use, but we want to share it with our friends and family. We’ve already hosted three celebrations of life, three church Christmas parties with 70-plus people each time, and one house concert, in addition to many family and friends' parties," she says.

In addition to making it a family home, the couple sees their work on the home as contributing something lasting for the community.

"Pete and I are both from the Kalamazoo area, both have degrees from WMU," Michelle says. "We both work downtown and have a love for Kalamazoo. We love that the house is in a historical district, as we know that the exteriors of all of these houses on South Street will be preserved in their historical nature. South Street is one of the gateways to the downtown, and we’re completely aligned with the city’s intention to preserve these beautiful historic structures."

From left: The house's dining room before redecoration, during the process and the end result, which highlights ceiling detail and emphasizes the fireplace.

Courtesy Photo

TheArts

Art Hop

May

1

Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo

Art Hop will welcome spring this month with the theme "Play" that celebrates the curiosity that fuels artistic innovation.

This free event in downtown Kalamazoo runs from 5–8 p.m. and features a variety of artists’ works as well as live music and the chance to visit downtown businesses. For a brochure showing Art Hop sites and information about participating artists, visit kalamazooarts.org.

Toru Sugita: Prints

May 1–June 19

Kalamazoo Book Arts Center

Works by Sugita, known for his black and white intaglio and wood engraving prints with strong architectural elements, will be featured at the KBAC's gallery, 326 W. Michigan Ave.

A reception for the artist will be 5–8 p.m. May 1 at the gallery. For more information, visit kalbookarts.org.

Continuing Exhibitions

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts:

• Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks , through June 7.

• From Cobalt to Indigo: The Power of Blue in East Asia , through July 12.

• 2026 High School Area Show , through May 12

BookReleases

May 2 & May 9

Various venues

Two authors will celebrate the release of their latest books this month.

Poet Traci Brimhall will be on hand to celebrate the release of and give a reading from her new book, A Brief History of Falling, at 7 p.m. May 2 at the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W. Michigan Ave. Brimhall's book is a limited edition published by the KBAC. Poet Emily Daniel will also provide a reading of her work at the event.

On May 9, local author and illustrator Emmy Kastner will celebrate the release of her new book, All the Ice Cream in the Land, at 1 p.m. at the Kalamazoo Public Library's Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W. Main St. The event will feature Kastner giving a reading as well as ice cream-inspired activities and servings of Plainwell Ice Cream.

For more information, visit libguides. kvcc.edu/visitingwriters.

VISUAL ARTS

WestMichigan AreaShow

May 29–Sept. 27

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Works by artists from across West Michigan will be featured in this annual juried exhibition that will include paintings, prints and photos to mosaics, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, and mixed-media works.

The night before the exhibit opens, winners of the $6,000 in awards will be announced at 6 p.m. The show's juror, Xuxa Rodriguez, curator of Contemporary Art at Duke University’s Nasher Museum, will also present a lecture at noon that day in the KIA auditorium.

The KIA, 314 S. Park St., is open 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday and noon–4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10–$15.

LITERATURE

AuthorTalks

May 28 & 30

Various venues

Best-selling author and spiritual teacher Mark Nepo and Cheryl Neely, author of a 2026 Michigan Notable Book, will give readings this month.

Nepo will discuss his book, The Fifth Season: Creativity in the Second Half of Life, at 5:30 p.m. May 28 at the Kalamazoo Public Library. Nepo has published 27 books, including the New York Times bestseller, The Book of Awakening Neely will discuss her book, No Human Involved: The Serial Murder of Black Women and Girls and the Deadly Cost of Police Indifference, at 11 a.m. May 30 at Portage District Library, 300 Library Lane. In the book, Neely, who teaches sociology and criminology courses at Oakland Community College, examines the systematic dehumanization, underreporting and neglect of Black women and girls as victims of violence. Registration on portagelibrary.info is required to attend.

TheArts

Choral Performances

Throughout the month

Various venues

Several choral groups will perform this month around the area:

Kalamazoo Philharmonia, West Michigan Opera Project and Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus will present a semi-staged production of Giacomo Puccini: La Bohémeat 7 p.m. May 15 in the First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South St. Tickets are $3–$7 and available at the door. For more information, visit music.kzoo.edu/events.

Poems and different musical styles will be infused in the Kalamazoo Choral Arts' performance of Love Is (Vol. 9): Considering Matthew Shepard , inspired by the story of Shepard, a young gay man murdered in a hate crime. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. May 19 in the First Congregational Church, 345 W. Michigan Ave. Tickets are $9–$29.50 and available online at kalamazoochoralarts.org.

Blendings Vocal Ensemble will perform songs "of counts, dukes, kings, and queens" in Music Royalty , at 7:30 p.m. May 20 in the Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Drive. Tickets are $10–$20 and can be purchased online at blendings.org.

Finally, the Kalamazoo College Singers will perform a program at 7:30 p.m. May 20 in Stetson Chapel on the Kalamazoo College campus. For more information, visit music.kzoo. edu/events.

The Gilmore Piano Festival Through May 10 Various venues

There's something for everyone when largest piano festival in North America returns to Kalamazoo. With more than 75 events, including concerts by world renowned musicians, free concerts for children and a film series, the festival continues to infuse a love for all things piano in the community and beyond.

A full schedule of the concerts events is available online at thegilmore.org.

Musical Performances

Throughout the month Crawlspace Theatre

Jazz artists, composers and singers will be featured this month at the Crawlspace Theatre, located in the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition building, 315 W. Michigan Ave.

Detroit pianist, vocalist and songwriter Bob Mervak will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 29 and May 1. His April 29 show is part of the Gilmore After Dark series and tickets for that performance are $25. The May 1 performance, titled "Superstar Song Show," will feature Mervak playing his original songs with improvisers who will act out scenes inspired by music. Tickets are $8–$15.

Two of the Gilmore Jazz Fellows will also perform as part of the Gilmore After Dark series. Saxophonist, composer and bandleader Andrew Rathbun will perform at 10 p.m. May 1 and 2, while drummer Keith Hall will perform at 10 p.m. May 8 and 9. Tickets for these shows are $15.

The Randy Napoleon Octet, featuring jazz guitarist Randy Napoleon, will perform at 7 and 9 p.m. May 14. Tickets are $10–$25.

Randy Napoleon

Stulberg International String Competition

May 15–17

Dalton Center Recital Hall

Audiences can watch as 12 of the top young string musicians in the world compete in Kalamazoo during this annual competition celebrating its 50th year.

The schedule for the festival will be:

•Semifinal performances, 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 15, free

•Community master classes, 9 a.m.–noon

May 16, free

•Finals, 7:30 p.m. May 16, $10–$25

•Semifinalist master classes, 9 a.m.–noon May 17, free

For more information, visit stulberg.org. edu/music/events.

Seasons

May 16

Kalamazoo Ringers

The handbell choir will perform a program on seven octaves of handbells and six octaves of handchimes in shows at 3 and 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St.

Admission is free, but freewill offerings will be accepted. For more information, visit kalamazooringers.org.

'90sThrowbacks

May 20

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Boy bands and friends in low places are on the program when KSO musicians play a selection of 1990s pop music at 7 p.m. May 20, at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. The show will include songs by TLC, Boys II Men, NSYNC and Garth Brooks.

Tickets are $30 and available online at kalamazoosymphony.com.

May 30

Early Music Michigan

Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina, a musician born 500 years ago, and Johann Sebastian Bach's motets inspired by him, will be the focus of this concert at 3 p.m. First Congregational Church, 345 W. Michigan Ave.

Tickets are on a pay-as-you-will basis and can be purchased online at earlymusicmichigan.org.

Kalamazoo Choral Arts presents Considering Matthew Shepard

Hans Christian Andersen famously said, “When words fail, music speaks.” But what happens when poignant poems are accompanied by a chamber ensemble, a 72-voice choir, and soloists?

“Choral music transcends virtually any other art form when it comes to telling a story and transforming even the most battered and bruised heart,” notes Chris Ludwa, conductor of Kalamazoo Choral Arts.

The nearly 80-year-old ensemble may indeed prove this point on Tuesday, May 21st at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church in downtown Kalamazoo when it attempts to heal us all from the brutal murder of the namesake of the work and to challenge us to stand up to hatred in whatever form it takes.

Utilizing the evocative words of Lesléa Newman, Rumi, Hildegard of Bingen, and the composer himself, along with songs inspired by Bach, country, blues, musical theater, Gregorian chant, and narrations, the work brings the full story of Matthew Shepard to life. Despite dealing with a horrific topic, ConsideringMatthewShepard is not a depressing night of music. Choirs and audiences recall it as “cathartic, important, and life-changing,” to name a few descriptions. It also represents a powerful opportunity to learn how to be an ally to those in the LGBTQ community. In a world currently torn apart, this choral masterwork moves the audience away from headlines and social media comments, asking us to go deeper into a beautiful story of how we nurture one another and challenge ourselves to ensure a community where all of us are fully embraced as we are.

TheArts

TheProducers

May 1–17

Kalamazoo Civic Theatre

In this musical comedy, a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his accountant scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history to hustle their backers out of millions.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. May 1–2, 8–9 and 15–16; and 2 p.m. May 3, 10 and 17 at the Civic Auditorium, 329 S. Park St. Tickets are $17–$32 and available online at kazoocivic.com or by calling 343-1313.

TheAdventuresofJohnny Forest&SueMcGee: TheDragonfly

May 2

All Ears Theatre

This all-audio theatre production set in 1950s America reveals a criminal element at a county fair's biplane fly-in event that puts The Dragonfly — a rare plane — in peril. The free show will be 6 p.m. May 2, Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition, 315 W. Michigan Ave., allearstheatre.org.

WilliamWycherly’s TheCountryWife

May 14–17

Festival Playhouse

THEATER

Cinderella:TheRemix May 1–9

Face Off Theatre

In a new take on the familiar tale, Cinderella is a DJ who dreams of leaving her stepmother's basement in a time when hip-hop Hollywood doesn't allow girls to be DJs.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. May 1–2 and 8–9, and 2 p.m. May 3 in the Carver Center, 426 S. Park St. Tickets are $5–$20 and available online at faceofftheatre.com.

Eleemosynary

May 8–23

Kalamazoo College thespians will stage an adaptation of the 1675 Restoration comedy that looks at sexual hypocrisy of London society through Harry Horner, a notorious womanizer and Margery Pinchwife, a naive, young newlywed.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. May 14–16 and 2 p.m. May 17 in Kalamazoo College's Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St. Tickets are $6–$27 and available online at festivalplayhouse.kzoo.edu.

New Vic Theatre

Three generations of emotionally disconnected women come together in this play that explores family, communication and the need for connection.

Show times are 8 p.m. May 8–9, 15–16 and 22–23 at the theater, 134 E. Vine St. Tickets are $12–$33.50 and available online at thenewvictheatre.org.

DINING DESTINATIONS

TheArts

THEATER

TheCottage

May 15–31

WMU Theatre

This romantic comedy follows the antics that occur after a woman exposes her affair to both her husband and her lover's wife, resulting in unraveling more secrets than she intended.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. May 15–16, 22–23 and 28–30; and 2 p.m. May 17 and 31 in the York Theatre at Western Michigan University. Tickets are $12–$22 and available by calling 387–6222 or visiting wmich.edu/theatre.

IntotheWoods

May 28–June 7

Farmers Alley Theatre

Familiar storybook characters set off on a journey to break a witch's curse, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them in this Tony Awardwinning musical.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. May 28–30 and June 4–6, 2 p.m. May 30–31 & June 6–7, Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, 343–2727, farmersalleytheatre.com.

DoctorVoynich &HerChildren

May 22–24

Queer Theatre Kalamazoo

This dystopian tale, set in a nottoo-distant future where reproductive healthcare and sex education have been outlawed, follows a trans doctor and her apprentice as they travel across the Midwest in their mobile medical clinic.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. May 22–23 and 2 p.m. May 24 at the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition building, 315 W. Michigan Ave. Visit queertk.org ticket information.

Comedy performances

Throughout the month

Crawlspace Comedy Theatre

Those needing a little — or a lot — of levity this month will find a full slate of humor at the theater located at 315 W. Michigan Ave. Scheduled performers are:

• Daddy’s Boys and Rapid Fire, May 2

• Crawlspace Eviction, May 8 and 9

• Blunder Bus and Pop Scholars, May 15

• What Sharp Teeth and Oh Hey!, May 16

• We Need A Hero: An Improvised Adventure, May 22

• Bench Back Booth and Piebenga Plumbing, May 23

• The Buttons and Rapid Fire, May 29

• Daddy’s Boys and Improv Trio, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. May 30

Unless noted otherwise, shows are at 7:30 p.m. at 315 W. Michigan Ave. For more information and tickets, visit crawlspacecomedy.com.

TheArts

is published in partnership and funding provided by

Double-Wide Lungs

Double-wide trailers always Remind me of a set of lungs.

There is space to live, more room To hide from the toxins.

I lived in a single-wide, Held my breath half the time.

The air smelled of stale beer, Pepto-Bismol, and jealousy.

Would another lobe filter out the cries, Exhale happiness and safety?

The cancer was too aggressive, Spread throughout the aluminum.

I’m still coughing today.

— Kevin King

King is a librarian who currently works as the Library Solutions Strategist for Hoopla Digital and formerly worked at Kalamazoo Public Library. He has lived in Kalamazoo for nearly 30 years with his wife, Kathleen, and their daughters, Abigail and Rachael. Kevin wrote his first poem in second grade, inspired by the rock band KISS.

PERFORMING ARTS

THEATER

Plays

Eleemosynary — Three women & the word that binds them, 8 p.m. May 8–9, 15–16 & 22–23; New Vic Theatre, 134 E. Vine St., thenewvictheatre.org.

William Wycherly’s The Country Wife — Comedy about deception, gender roles & fidelity, 7:30 p.m. May 14–16, 2 p.m. May 17, Balch Playhouse, Light Fine Arts Building, 129 Thompson St., festivalplayhouse.kzoo.edu.

The Cottage — Comedy about the unraveling of secrets, 7:30 p.m. May 15–16, 22–23, 28–30; 2 p.m. May 17 & 31, York Theatre, WMU, 387–6222, wmich.edu/theatre.

Doctor Voynich & Her Children — Dystopian tale of a doctor dispensing banned medicine, May 22–24, Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition, 315 W. Michigan Ave., queertk.org.

Musicals

The Producers — The intentional production of a theatrical flop, 7:30 p.m. May 1–2, 8–9 & 15–16; 2 p.m. May 3, 10 & 17, Civic Auditorium, 329 S. Park St., 343-1313, kazoocivic.com.

Cinderella: The Remix — The familiar tale set in hip-hop Hollywood, 7:30 p.m. May 1–2 & 8–9; 2 p.m. May 3, Carver Center, Kalamazoo Civic, 426 S. Park St., faceofftheatre.com.

Beetlejuice— Musical about a deceased couple & a demon, 7:30 p.m. May 8; 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. May 9; 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. May 10, Miller Auditorium, millerauditorium.com.

MenopauseTheMusical2— With tunes from the ’70s–‘90s, 2 p.m. May 16, Miller Auditorium, millerauditorium.com.

Into the Woods — Storybook characters break a witch’s curse, 7:30 p.m. May 28–30, June 4–6, 2 p.m. May 30–31 & June 6–7, Farmers Alley Theatre, 221 Farmers Alley, 343–2727, farmersalleytheatre.com.

Other

The Adventures of Johnny Forest & Sue McGee: The Dragonfly — All-audio theater production, 6 p.m. May 2, Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition, 315 W. Michigan Ave., allearstheatre.org.

Wild Kratts Live 2.0— Based on the animated show, 6:30 p.m. May 28, Miller Auditorium, millerauditorium.com.

MUSIC

Bands & Solo Artists

Live Music at Zero – Live music, 6–9 p.m. Wednesdays & Fridays, Zero: Non-Alcoholic Bar, 202 S. Kalamazoo Mall, welcometozero.com.

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe Concerts — Yolonda Lavender & Asia Sings, May 1; Tropidelic w/ Tobyraps & The Palmer Squares, 7:30 p.m. May 6; Chris Knight w/Matt Woods, May 14; Headband Henny, Wavy Awakening & Tekeo, May 15; KSO ’90s Throwbacks, 7 p.m. May 20; The Mountain Goats, May 22; Harrison Gordon, Worry Club, Liquid Mike, Kerosene Heights & more, 6 p.m. May 29; Redferrin, May 30; shows at 8 p.m. unless noted, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., 382-2332, bellsbeer.com.

Gun Lake Casino Shows — Latin Night, 7 p.m. May 1; Sweet Diezel Jenkins, 9 p.m. May 1; Legends of Rock, 9 p.m. May 2; Jedi Mind Trip, 9 p.m. May 8; Completely Unchained, 8 p.m. May 8; Kanin Wren: Taylor Swift Experience, 8 p.m. May 9; PS Dump Your Boyfriend, 9 p.m. May 9; Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys, 8 p.m. May 15; Shania Twin: A Shania Twain Tribute, 8 p.m. May 16; Bee Gees Gold, 8 p.m. May 23; 1123 129th Ave., Wayland, gunlakecasino.com.

The Geezer Happy Hour — Jazz, rock & soul by Duke & the Loose Cannons, 4–7 p.m. May 4 & 18, Shakespeare’s Pub, 241 E. Kalamazoo Ave., shakespearespub.com/happenings.

Orchestra, Chamber, Jazz, Vocal & More

The Gilmore Piano Festival — World-class musicians celebrating piano repertoire, April 30–May 10, various locations; see thegilmore. org for full schedule.

Bob Mervak — Pianist, vocalist & songwriter, 7:30 p.m. May 1, Crawlspace Theatre, 315 W. Michigan Ave., crawlspacecomedy.com.

Andrew Rathbun — Jazz saxophonist 10 p.m., May 1 & 2; Crawlspace Theatre, crawlspacecomedy.com.

Keith Hall — Jazz drummer, 10 p.m. May 8 & 9; Crawlspace Theatre, crawlspacecomedy.com.

Randy Napoleon Octet Jazz Show — 7 & 9 p.m. May 14, Crawlspace Theatre, crawlspacecomedy. com.

Giacomo Puccini: La Bohéme — Kalamazoo Philharmonia, West Michigan Opera Project & Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus, 7 p.m. May 15, First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South St., music.kzoo.edu/events.

Seasons — Kalamazoo Ringers perform, 3 & 7 p.m. May 16, First United Methodist Church, 212 S. Park St., kalamazooringers.org.

Stulberg International String Competition — Competition of young string musicians, semifinals 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. May 15; master classes, 9 a.m.–noon May 16; finals 7:30 p.m. May 16; semifinalist master classes, 9 a.m.–noon May 17.; all events in Dalton Center Recital Hall, WMU, stulberg.org.

Crescendo Academy of Music Student Recital — 2 p.m. May 17, First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South St., crescendoacademy. com.

Love Is (Vol. 9): Considering Matthew Shepard — Kalamazoo Choral Arts performs, 7:30 p.m. May 19, First Congregational Church, 345 W. Michigan Ave., kalamazoochoralarts.org.

'90s Throwback — Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra performs ‘90s pop music, 7 p.m. May 20, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, 382–2332, kalamazoosymphony.com.

Music Royalty — Blendings Vocal Ensemble performs, 7:30 p.m. May 20, Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Dr., blendings.org.

Kalamazoo College Singers — 7:30 p.m. May 20, Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo College, music. kzoo.edu/events.

K-College Jazz Band — 7:30 p.m. May 22, Dalton Theatre, Light Fine Arts Bldg., music.kzoo. edu/events.

Looking Bach: J.S. Bach & the Music of Palestrina — Early Music Michigan performs, 3 p.m. May 30, First Congregational Church, earlymusicmichigan.org.

Crescendo Community String Orchestra — Folk & modern tunes, 3 p.m. May 31, Venue TBA, crescendoacademy.com.

Academy Street Winds — 4 p.m. May 31, Dalton Theatre, Kalamazoo College, music.kzoo. edu/events.

COMEDY

Crawlspace Comedy Theatre — Daddy’s Boys & Rapid Fire, May 2; Crawlspace Eviction, May 8 & 9; Blunder Bus & Pop Scholars, May 15; What Sharp Teeth & Oh Hey!, May 16; We Need a Hero: An Improvised Adventure, May 22; Bench Back Booth & Piebenga Plumbing, May 23; The Buttons & Rapid Fire, May 29; Daddy’s Boys & Improv Trio, 7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., May 30; all shows at 7:30 p.m. unless noted, Crawlspace Theatre, 315 W. Michigan Ave., crawlspacecomedy.com.

FILM

Tampopo— Screening of the 1985 film followed by discussion, 8:30 p.m.; pre-show 7:30 p.m., May 14, Dormouse Theatre, 1030 Portage St., dormousetheatre.com.

VISUAL ARTS

The Carnegie Center for the Arts 107 North Main Street, Three Rivers, 273-8882, trcarnegie.com

Misrooted — Artworks of nature, through May 5.

StudentArtShow2026— Works by St. Joseph County high school students, through May 5.

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 314 S. Park St., 349-7775, kiarts.org

Exhibitions

2026 High School Area Show — Juried exhibition of works by high school artists, through May 12.

Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to CuttingEdge Kicks — Footwear blending fashion, new materials & technology, through June 7.

From Cobalt to Indigo: The Power of Blue in East Asia — Exploring the use of the prized pigment, through July 12.

WestMichiganAreaShow— Juried exhibition of works by area visual artists, May 29–Sept. 27.

Events

Art Bridges Access for All — Free admission on Thursdays, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

The Power of Blue in East Asia — Discussion of Cobalt to Indigo, 5:30 p.m. May 7; registration encouraged.

Dress Code: Edward Hopper, Urban Solitude & the Clothing of Modern Life — James Denison presents, 6 p.m. May 7; registration encouraged.

Future Now — Curator Elizabeth Semmelhack presents, 6 p.m. May 14; registration encouraged.

Library Activity — Origami shoes, 11 a.m. May 16.

Book Discussion — Sneaker Marauders: Poems by Ran Walker & Van G. Garrett, 2 p.m. May 20; registration encouraged.

Best of the Kazoo 48-Hour Film Festival — Highlights of films created in 48 hours, 6–7:30 p.m. May 21; registration encouraged.

ARTbreak — Dr. Xuxa Rodríguez discusses Curating At the End of the World: An Apocalyptic Manifesto, noon May 27, KIA Auditorium; register online.

West Michigan Area Show Awards Night & Members’ Preview — Winners announced, 6 p.m. May 28.

Other Venues

Emergence: Graduating Seniors Exhibition — Works by WMU seniors, through May 2, Albertine Monroe-Brown Gallery, Richmond Center for Visual Arts, 387-2436, wmich.edu/art.

Art Hop — Art on the theme of “Play,” 5–8 p.m. May 1, downtown Kalamazoo, 3425059, kalamazooarts.org.

Toru Sugita: Prints — Wood engraving prints, May 1–June 19; reception 5–8 p.m. May 1, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W. Michigan Ave., kalbookarts.org.

Washington Avenue Arts & Culture Crawl — Noon–4 p.m. May 16, various venues, Edison neighborhood,edisonneighborhood.com/waacc.

LIBRARY & LITERARY EVENTS

Comstock Township Library 6130 King Highway, 345-0136, comstocklibrary.org

CTL Writers — Group writing discussion, 10 a.m. May 1, 15, 22 & 29.

Book BINGO! — Win a book, all ages welcome, 1 p.m. May 2.

Buck-a-Bag Book Sale — Fill a bag with books for $1, May 4–16.

Journaling Club — For adults & teens, 11 a.m. May 7; registration required.

Pride Book Club — Discuss Ash Van Otterloo’s The Beautiful Something Else, 6 p.m. May 13, registration required.

Shred Truck — Secure paper shredding, 10 a.m.–noon May 16.

Incredible Insects — Discussion with live bugs, 1 p.m. May 16.

Adulting 101: Meat-Free Meals — For young adults or for a refresher, 6 p.m. May 18; registration required.

Into the Wild & Back Home Again — Discussion on Michigan park, wildlife & landmark photography, 6 p.m. May 20; registration required.

Ask an Attorney — Discussion of guardianships & conservatorships, 5:30 p.m. May 27.

Kalamazoo Public Library 553-7800, kpl.gov

First Saturday with Promise to Read — Community literacy program, 10:30 a.m. May 2, Central Library, 315 Rose St.; registration required.

Tech Basics — Using the Mouse and Keyboard, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. May 5; Internet and Email, 1–3 p.m., May 13, Central Library.

KPL Mobile Library — 3 p.m. May 5, Maple Grove Village, 735 Summit Ave.; STEM activity for kids and free book, 4 p.m. May 6, Interfaith Homes, 1037 Interfaith Blvd.; 10 a.m. May 13, Kalamazoo Literacy Council, 420 E. Alcott St.; 3 p.m. May 13, Parkview Hills Clubhouse, 3707 Greenleaf Circle; 4 p.m. May 13, Oakwood Neighborhood Association, 3320 Laird Ave.; 3:30 p.m. May 18, New Village Park/Heather Gardens, 2400 Albans Way; 10 a.m. May 19, Lodge House, 1211 S. Westnedge Ave.; 3:30 p.m. May 19, Interfaith Homes, 1037 Interfaith Blvd.; 4 p.m. May 20, Douglass Community Association, 1000 W. Paterson St.; 3:30 p.m. May 26, Milwood Commons, 2031 East Cork St.; 11:30 a.m. May 28, Leisure Time Condominiums, Green Meadow Rd.; 2 p.m. May 28, Leisure Pointe Condominiums, 4814 Weston Ave.; stops are about one hour unless noted otherwise.

Kalamazoo Writers — In-person program for local writers, 4 p.m. May 5, Central Library.

Graphic Novel Book Club — Discuss Tom King & Bilquis Evely's Helen of Wyndhorn, 6 p.m. May 5, Central Library.

Hollywood Costumes Memorabilia — Private collection display & discussion, 5:30 p.m. May 6, Central Library.

Genealogy Scrapbook Workshop — Research family trees & access digital resources, Thursdays, Alma Powell Branch, 1000 W. Paterson St.

Chinese Calligraphy— Hands-on workshop, 11 a.m. May 9, Central Library; registration required.

Breathwork with Apral — Deep breathing exercises, 11 a.m. May 9, Eastwood Branch, 1112 Gayle Ave.

All the Ice Cream in the Land Book Release — Release of Emmy Kastner’s new book with ice cream-inspired activities, 1 p.m. May 9, Oshtemo Branch, 7265 W. Main St.

Samuel Nalangira Drumming — Interactive drumming session, 2 p.m. May 9, Central Library.

Music & Memories — Music engaging older adults & those with memory loss, 11 a.m. May 11, Oshtemo Branch.

Introduction to Ayurveda — Simple practices for well-being, 6 p.m. May 11, Eastwood Branch; registration required.

Page Turners Book Club — Discuss Kaliane Bradley’s The Ministry of Time, 6:30 p.m. May 11, Oshtemo Branch.

GLAMA Acoustic Slow Jam — Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association members play, all acoustic stringed instruments welcome, 5:30–7:30 p.m. May 12, Central Library.

Washington Square Spring Celebration — Food, music, llamas & activities, 5:30 p.m. May 13, Washington Square Branch, 1244 Portage St.

Euchre, Anyone? — For all experience levels, 4:30 p.m. May 14, Eastwood Branch.

Dungeons & Dragons Game Night — For all experience levels, 5:30 p.m. May 14, Central Library; registration required.

Pre-War Blues Recital & History — Nicholas Veine presents, 1 p.m. May 16, Central Library.

Yoga with Apral — 5 p.m. May 19, Eastwood Branch.

#DWord Book Club — Discuss Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman, 6 p.m. May 20, Central Library.

Intro to Genealogy Resources — Databases & online resources, 10 a.m. May 21, Alma Powell Branch.

Classics Revisited — Discuss Robert Traver’s Anatomy of a Murder, 2:30 p.m. May 21, Central Library.

Senior Citizen Breakfast — Breakfast & conversation, 10:30–noon May 22, Eastwood Branch.

Mark Nepo — The author reads from his book, The Fifth Season, 5:30 p.m. May 28, Central Library.

How to Use Your iPhone — Learn basic functions, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. May 29, Central Library.

Bujo & Chill — Lo-fi music & bullet journaling, 10:30 a.m.–noon May 30, Oshtemo Branch.

Parchment Community Library 401 S. Riverview Drive, 343-7747, parchmentlibrary.org

Kalamazoo County ID Mobile Unit — Get or renew an ID, 3–6 p.m. May 4.

Preserving Family Heirlooms — Tips from historian/curator Jared Yax, 6:30 p.m. May 5.

Parchment Book Group — Discuss Kate Quinn’s The Briar Club, 6 p.m. May 11.

Vinyasa Yoga with Alla — All levels welcome, 5:15 p.m. May 12.

Chair Yoga — All levels welcome, 11 a.m. May 16.

Indie Lens Pop-Up — Watch & discuss The Grocery List Show, a documentary on international grocery stores in the U.S., 6 p.m. May 18.

Mystery Book Club (adults) — Discuss Anna Lee Huber’s Mortal Acts, 6:30 p.m. May 19.

Portage District Library 300 Library Lane, 329-4544, portagelibrary.info

Kalamazoo County Historical Society — Local history speakers & discussion, 7 p.m. May 4.

Yoga with Apral — 4 p.m. May 5 & 21; registration required.

Know Your Rights! — Tenant-landlord workshop with Legal Aid, 6 p.m. May 5; registration required.

Muffins & the Market — Recent stock market trends, 9 a.m. May 7 & 21.

Family Book Club Trivia — Compete in trivia about a book, 6 p.m. May 7; registration required.

Documentary & Donuts — View Joyce Carol Oates, 10 a.m. May 8.

Speed Friending for Adults — For the neurodivergent population, but all are welcome, 5:30 p.m. May 12; registration required.

Pop Culture Trivia — Individual or teams up to six compete, 6 p.m. May 13; registration required.

Cupcake Decorating Tips — Pastry artist Katie Wittenberg, 6 p.m. May 14; registration required.

International Mystery Book Club — Discuss Anthony Horowitz’s Magpie Murders, 7 p.m. May 14.

Kalamazoo Macintosh Users Group — Help with Macintosh programs & accessories, 9 a.m. May 16.

Saturday Sound Immersion — Wind Willow Consortium members play, 10:30 a.m. May 16; registration required.

Light Lunch & Literature — Discuss Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s White Nights, noon May 18; registration required.

Kalamazoo Valley Genealogical Society — Information on genealogy, 7 p.m. May 18; inperson & online.

Kalamazoo County ID Mobile Unit Event — 3–5 p.m. May 19.

Caregiving for a Loved One Experiencing Cognitive Decline — With Courter Memory Center, 6 p.m. May 19; registration required.

Plots & Pages: A Local Writers Group — Discuss the craft of writing, 6 p.m. May 19.

Professional Headshots — Scheduled 5-minute sessions, 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. May 20; registration required.

Drop-In Genealogy Help — 10 a.m., May 21.

Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones — Discussion on How Nature Made Me a Better Human Being, 6:30 p.m. May 27.

Cooking Demo with Chef Gandia — 6 p.m. May 28; registration required.

Cheryl Neely — Author of No Human Involved: The Serial Murder of Black Women and Girls and the Deadly Cost of Police Indifference, 11 a.m. May 30; registration required.

Richland Community Library 8951 Park St., 629-9085, richlandlibrary.org

May the 4th: StarWarsCelebration — Crafts, trivia, book displays, Sabacc tables & special guests, 5–6:30 p.m. May 4.

Bridge Club — Noon Tuesdays.

Banned Books, Brunch & Bus Trip to the Theatre — Discussion on censorship in Michigan libraries & bus trip to see the premiere of Bad Books, 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m. May 7, Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Ave., richlandareacc.org; ticket purchase required.

Richland Area Writer’s Group — Open to new members, noon May 8 & 22, in person & online.

Cookbook Club — Recipes from Alison Roman’s Sweet Enough, 6 p.m. May 12.

Adult Dungeons & Dragons Bravo Team — New crusade each month, 5–8 p.m. May 13 & 3–6 p.m. May 20; registration required.

Roots & Recipes — Cultural Cooking in America: Ken Miller, May 14; Presenter TBD, May 28, both sessions at 6 p.m., Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Ave.; registration required.

Michigan Trivia — Teams of up to six, 7 p.m. May 19, First Presbyterian Church of Richland, 8047 Church St., registration required.

Richland Genealogy Group — Discussion group, 10 a.m. May 21, in person & online.

Romance Book Club — Discuss Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke, 6 p.m. May 27, Ned’s on Gull Lake, 15450 M-43, Hickory Corners; registration required.

Vicksburg District Library 215 S. Michigan Ave., 649-1648, vicksburglibrary.org

Bridge Club — 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays.

Scrabble Club for Adults — All skill levels, 2 p.m. May 5.

Book Club for Adults — Selection at circulation desk, 9:30 a.m. May 7.

Writer’s Motivational Group — Set goals & report progress, 4 p.m. May 7.

Photography Class with Sarah Mowinksi — Smartphone photography, 5:30 p.m. May 27.

Other Venues

Adult Book Fair — Michigan authors, refreshments & giveaways, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. May

2, Creaky Floor Bookstore, 33 W. Battle Creek St., Galesburg, creakyfloorbookstore.com.

Traci Brimhall Book Release & Emily Daniel — Poetry readings, 7 p.m. May 2, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, 326 W. Michigan Ave., kalbookarts.org.

On a Lighter Note — Enjoy a lighthearted book, 5:30 p.m. May 12, Van Buren District Library -Antwerp Sunshine Branch, 24283 Front St., Mattawan, 668-2534, vbdl.org.

Reading Race Group — Discuss James Hannaham’s Didn’t Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta, 6:30 p.m. May 12, SHARE Garden Atrium, 471 W. South St., kpl.gov/events. Roots & Branches — Genealogy resources & assistance, 6:30 p.m. May 26, Vicksburg Depot Museum, 300 N. Richardson St., vicksburghistory.org.

MUSEUMS

Gilmore Car Museum

6865 Hickory Road, Hickory Corners, 671-5089, gilmorecarmuseum.org

Wednesday Night Cruise–Ins — Collector cars, music & food, 5–8 p.m. Wednesdays through September.

Craft Wine & Beer Tasting Event — Wine & beer samples, food & music, noon–5 p.m. May 9.

Diamond Anniversary Gala — Dinner, music & silent auction, 6–10 p.m. May 16.

Vintage Boat & Travel Trailer Rally — Vintage boats, travel trailers & RVs, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. May 23; registration required for participants & tickets for spectators.

Kalamazoo Valley Museum 230 N. Rose St., 373-7990, kalamazoomuseum.org

Black Cowboys — Black laborers on ranches & cattle drives, through July 26.

Dinosaur Explorer — Animatronic dinosaurs, fossils and the most current dinosaur science, May 17–Sept 6.

NATURE

Kalamazoo Nature Center 7000 N. Westnedge Ave., 381-1574, naturecenter.org

Nature Journaling — For teens & adults, 10 a.m. May 2; registration required.

Life in the Kalamazoo River — Hike & learn the watershed, 2 p.m. May 2; registration required.

Birding the Kleinstuck Preserve — Help with a migratory bird survey, 8 a.m. May 6 & 13; meet at Maple Street YMCA parking area, 1001 Maple St.; registration required.

Virtual Butterfly Monitor Training — Monitor butterflies for conservation work, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. May 7; registration required.

Silver Maples: Keep Moving with Dr. Spitsbergen — Program for adults aged 50+, bring lunch; 11 a.m. May 7; registration required.

Birding with the Pros — Guided hike with an expert birder, 8 a.m. May 9 & 12; registration required.

Salamander Walk — Learn about Michigan’s salamanders & newts, 2 p.m. May 9.

Family Wildflower Walk & Workshop — Walk the Emma Pritcher Prairie & create pressed flower candle holders, 10 a.m. May 10; registration required.

Foraging the Edible Wilderness — Foraging basics along KNC trails, 5 p.m. May 14; 10 a.m. May 16; registration required.

The Poetry of Steve Brown — Reading from his book, News of Need, 10 a.m. May 16.

Golf Cart Tours — View nature through binoculars, 10 a.m. & noon May 21; registration required.

Soap Making Workshop — Simple soaps from raw ingredients, 10 a.m. May 23; registration required.

Discover KNC — Guided hike of Raptor Ridge Trail, 2 p.m. May 23.

River Guardians — Sample & identify macroinvertebrates of the Kalamazoo River watershed, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. May 30, begin at Merrill Park, 5845 Comstock Ave.; registration required.

Music Mornings — Opera singer Sara Emerson leads a song & walk, 10 a.m. May 30; registration required.

Wetland Wonders — Sample & identify wetland inhabitants, noon May 30; meet at Cooper’s Glen Auditorium.

Kellogg Bird Sanctuary 12685 East C Ave., Augusta, 671-2510, birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu

Mother’s Day — Moms get in free, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. May 10.

Birds and Coffee Chat Online — Discussing peregrine falcons, 10 a.m. May 13.

Behind the Scenes: Raptors — Avian caretakers feed & care for resident raptors, 10 a.m. May 16.

Fishing for Eagles — Learn about fishing & catch a meal for eagles, 9:30 a.m. May 30; registration required.

Other Venues

Garlic Mustard Pull Contest — Pull the invasive plant in Portage parks & win a prize, May 1–31; orientation & registration, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. May 8, Portage Parks & Recreation Building, 7900 S. Westnedge Ave.; portagemi.gov/calendar.

Kalamazoo Astronomical Society Meeting — A Lifetime of Comet Searching: Using the Night Sky to Support an Exhilarating Life with David Levy, 7 p.m. May 1, Room 1104, WMU’s Rood Hall, 2101 Wilbur Ave.; register for in-person or online viewing at kasonline.org.

Self-Guided Storybook Hike — Celebrating the bloomin’ lupine, May 2–28, Chipman Preserve, 8395 E. Main, Galesburg, swmlc.org.

Beginning Birding Walk — 9 a.m. May 2; Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery's 2nd parking lot, 34270 County Road 652, Mattawan, kalamazooaudubon.org.

Weekly Kal-Haven Trail Walks — Birding walk, 9 a.m. Tuesdays; 4143 N. 10th St., see kalamazooaudubon.org for route details.

Kalamazoo Astronomical Society Public Observing Session — Galaxies of the Great Bear, May 9; First Quarter Moon, May 23; 9 p.m.–midnight, Kalamazoo Nature Center, 7000 N. Westnedge Ave.; register at kasonline.org.

World Migratory Bird Day Celebration — Bird walks, raptors, crafts & scavenger hunt, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. May 16, Upjohn Park, 1000 Walter St., kzooparks.org.

Ranger Hike: Migratory Birds — See & hear migratory birds, 8–9:30 a.m. May 18, West Lake Nature Preserve, 9001 S. Westnedge Ave., portagemi.gov/calendar.

Self-Guided Storybook Hike — See David Harrison's And the Bullfrog’s Sing: A Life Cycle Begins along the North Country Trail, May 29–June 7; hike begins at Noonan Road & Sheffield Road in Hickory Corners, northcountrytrail.org/ events.

MISCELLANEOUS

Vegan Chef Challenge Kalamazoo — Sample vegan menus & vote for favorites, May 1–31, veganchefchallenge.org/kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo Rock, Gem & Mineral Show — 50+ booths plus demonstrations, 2–8 p.m. May 1, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. May 2, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. May 3, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St., kalamazoorockclub.org.

Bark in the Park — Dog-themed event, food trucks, vendors & adoptable dogs, 5:30–6:30 p.m. May 1, Fairmount Dog Park, 1108 Prairie Ave., kzooparks.org/events.

Kalamazoo Farmers Market — 7 a.m.–1 p.m., Saturdays, 1204 Bank St.; opening day, May 2; pfcmarkets.com.

Bronson Community Open House — Health resources, haircuts, hot meals, clothing & free cancer screenings, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. May 2, Bronson Cancer Center, 805 John St., bronsonhealth. com/classes-events; registration required for screening.

Portage Farmers Market — 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sundays, May 3–Oct. 11, Portage City Hall, 7900 S. Westnedge Ave., 329-4522.

Kalamazoo Valley Crop Hunger Walk — Benefitting Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, 2 p.m. May 3, begins at Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge Ave., register online at events. crophungerwalk.org.

Cribbage — Play with Kalamazoo Cribbage Club #321, 6 p.m. Mondays, Zion Lutheran, 2123 Bronson Blvd., cribbage.org, 377-6711.

Festival Fridays — Live music, vendors & food trucks, 5–10 p.m. May 8, S. Burdick St., downtown Kalamazoo, foodtruckrallykz.com.

Texas Township Farmers Market — 8 a.m.–noon Saturdays, opening day May 9, 7110 West Q Ave., texastownship.org/168/farmers-market.

Kalamazoo Indoor Flea Market — 9 a.m.–3 p.m. May 9, Kalamazoo County Expo Center South, 383-8778.

Mac N Cheese May-hem — Mac-and-cheese cookoff, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. May 9, Kalamazoo Mall, downtownkalamazooshops.com.

National Train Day — Celebrate the transcontinental railroad's 1869 completion, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; activities 1–4 p.m. May 9, Vicksburg Depot Museum, 300 N. Richardson St., vicksburghistory.org.

Bike Rodeo — Biking skills, maintenance & safety for kids, 5–6:30 p.m. May 13, Rockwell Park, 1106 Trimble Ave., kzooparks.org/events.

K-Town Shakedown 2026 — Roller derby, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. May 15–17, Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Drive, wingseventcenter.com/ events.

Perennial Sale – Hosted by Portage Garden Club, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. May 15 & 16, 2732 Kalarama Ave., portagegardenclub.com.

Friday at the Flats — Food trucks, music & vendors, 6–9 p.m. May 15, Celery Flats Pavilion, 7335 Garden Lane, portagemi.gov/calendar.

Perennial Plant Swap — Bring healthy divided perennial plants, seeds or bulbs to share, 9–11 a.m. May 16, Portage Parks & Recreation Building, 320 Library Lane, portagemi.gov/ calendar.

Kalamazoo Antique & Collectible Toy Show — 9 a.m.–2 p.m. May 16, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 517-524-8899; early bird admission 7:30 a.m.

'Burgs Half-Birthday Bash — Sales, yard games, food trucks & music, May 16, downtown Vicksburg, vicksburgmi.org.

Be Strong, Be Healthy, Be You — Free women’s health event with screenings, cancer awareness, mental wellness support, massage demos & more, 1–4 p.m. May 16, Mount Zion Baptist, 120 Robertson St., bronsonhealth.com/ classes-events.

Vintage in the Zoo — Vintage & handmade goods, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. May 17, Kalamazoo Farmers Market, 1204 Bank St., vintageinthezoo. com.

Party in the Park — Story hour with costumed characters, 10–11 a.m., May 20, Bronson Park; bring a blanket to sit on; kpl.gov/event; registration required.

Richland Farmers’ Market — 3–6 p.m. Wednesdays, opening day May 20, Richland Community Center, 9400 East CD Ave., richlandareacc.org/richland-farmers-market.

Beekeeping for Beginners — Kalamazoo Bee Club presentation, 6 p.m. May 21, Portage Parks & Recreation Building, 320 Library Lane, portagemi.gov/calendar; registration required.

Vicksburg Farmers Market — 2–6 p.m. Fridays, opening day May 22, 300 N. Richardson St., vicksburgfarmersmarket.com.

Andrew Schultz (continued from page 38)

As a member of the third generation to oversee Schultz Fruitridge Farms, Schultz is a big fan of the fruit’s humble history. For Schultz, this history helps foster approachability in cider.

“Sometimes I think, with wine or beer or whiskey, we can all get a little uppity when we’re passionate about something,” Schultz says, “but I think that apples are a good gateway, and cider is a good gateway to craft beverages.”

How did you get where you are today?

I grew up on a fruit farm in Mattawan. My grandfather started the farm with my grandma in 1951 after coming back from World War II. They grew apples, grapes, cherries, peaches. The farm has grown over the years; this year is its 75th anniversary. I'm the youngest of four siblings. I got to do all the fun farm work being the youngest — I’m being sarcastic. My brothers knew they wanted to be farmers, but I knew I didn’t, so I went to Michigan State University. I earned a degree in agribusiness management in 2011 and moved to Texas and worked a corporate job for three years. It wasn't a good fit for me, especially coming from a blue-collar background.

At the time, my dad and brothers were opening Texas Corners Brewing Co. For a long time, my dad asked me to come back and help. Eventually — after, like, six months of badgering — I realized that if I was going to do it, I wanted to get involved at the ground level. I wanted to be a member of a community. I wanted to have an impact on the people around me, not just be a number or cog in the wheel. I felt like I could be more purposeful in my career by working back home in a smaller community, making a difference and building the business from the ground up.

Texas Corners Brewing started with cider, but it quickly snowballed into craft beer and food. We’re in an old, renovated white-steeple church in Texas Corners. We purchased it in 2013, took two years to renovate it and opened in 2015. I came back and helped open the restaurant, hired all the staff. Late March was our 11-year anniversary. Our craft cider comes from the 35 acres of apples we grow in our family's orchards.

How did you come to be a pommelier, and what is involved in it?

I love cider, so that's where my passion starts. The pommelier certification was developed in the last decade by the American Cider Association, which promotes hard cider across the country.

In 2023, we purchased Lawton Ridge Winery, which added capacity for us to make wine and also more cider. That was the turning point. I wanted to take wine and cider more seriously and deepen and broaden my knowledge. The pommelier certification covers all aspects of hard cider. It's like what a sommelier is for wine and a cicerone is for beer. The intent of the certification is to help promote the cider industry, which supports craft beverage producers and farmers, and that's what I'm all about. Certification covers things from how to taste and analyze cider, how to pair food with it, how cider varies from region to region, and the history of cider making.

There are two levels. I did the Level 1 pretty easily, because I grew up in the cider and apple industry. Level 2 is dramatically harder. It took me months of study. It's an exam which is written — I hadn't written that much since college and had hand cramps during the exam. Phase two of the test is a sensory exam about tasting and evaluation. To be transparent, I failed the sensory part the first time I took the exam. You can retake the portion that you fail, which I did three months later, and passed. It's pretty common for a lot of the pommeliers out there. I think that's good and shows it's not a cake walk.

You are one of eight certified pommeliers in Michigan. How does the certification influence how you approach the products you make?

A lot of times, especially with wine, it gets very narrow and specific when they're describing flavors or what food you can pair it with. I've seen wine labels, like, “Pair this with Greek gyros.” My certification allows me to step out and take a broader look and say, “Goes better with Mediterranean food.” It’s a more approachable take to get people involved. I think if you get too narrow and too focused, it is off-putting.

A big trend in cider has been single cider (made from only one varietal of apple). When you go to the farm and you eat a Granny Smith, it's different than a Red Delicious, and that shows up as an element in cider. Earlier this year we did a single varietal cider tasting of five different ciders from five different apples. When you taste these ciders side by side, they're dramatically different. I think that helps people understand and appreciate cider more. Our focus is to promote the apple and educate people on how cider can vary just based on the type of apple you use.

We have a winemaker who also makes our cider. We collaborate on what to bring forward. There are two sides to it: the commercial side, where we have to stay in business and produce ciders for the masses and that people enjoy, ... and then we have the cider nerds, which is me [he laughs] — the fun stuff that's like, “Hey, I wonder what this tastes like?”

— Interview by Jordan Bradley, edited for length and clarity

Andrew Schultz

This 'cider nerd' loves the accessibility of apples

For Andrew Schultz, an owner and operator of Texas Corners Brewing Co., hard cider is the epitome of an American drink.

“I love the fact that our forefathers drank cider. It’s a very American thing,” says Schultz, who is certified as a pommelier, an expert on hard cider. But more than that, apples are “very relatable,” he says. “Everyone’s taken a bite of an apple.”

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Kalamazoo Airport’s Runway Extension is a Community Enhancement

By Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport Staff

On April 27, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport broke ground on the first phase of a longplanned, over $14 million runway extension project. The runway extension is a major investment in safety and peace of mind for the entire community and is primarily funded with Airport Improvement Program money from the Federal Aviation Administration.

While airport projects can sometimes feel technical or hard to understand, the idea behind this one is simple: a longer runway gives pilots more room to operate safely, especially during takeoff and landing.

The project will increase the runway length from 6,502 feet to 6,952 feet in its first phase, with a final length of 7,102 feet when Phase 2 is completed in 2027. That extra distance may not sound like much, but in aviation, even a few hundred feet can make a real difference. It gives pilots more time and space to react if something unexpected happens.

This becomes even more important when you consider Michigan’s weather. Rain, snow, and ice can make runways slippery, just like roads. When that happens, airplanes need more distance to safely slow down after landing. A longer runway provides that added cushion, helping reduce the risk of aircraft sliding too far or having to brake too aggressively. For passengers, that means safer, more controlled arrivals and departures, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Another benefit is how the extension supports areas beyond the runway that are designed for safety. These zones act as a backup in the rare event that an aircraft goes past the

end of the pavement. By increasing the overall usable space, the airport is better aligned with modern safety recommendations from the Federal Aviation Administration, which helps reduce the severity of incidents if they occur.

All of the above enhance the dependability of the runway and will reduce the number of flights impacted by environmental factors such as weather.

One myth about the runway extension is that it will attract more flights or airlines. It would be nice if adding more runway length was the key factor, but attracting more flights and airlines is based upon the market and the use of existing flights. For perspective, Chicago’s Midway Airport is served primarily by 737s and its longest runway is 6,522 feet.

This project also reflects the airport’s importance beyond just Kalamazoo. Even smaller airports play a role in the national air system, especially when

it comes to handling emergencies or serving as alternate landing locations. A longer runway makes it easier for pilots dealing with medical situations or mechanical concerns to land safely here, if needed. That adds an extra layer of security not just for local travelers, but for anyone flying in the region.

For most travelers, these improvements will go unnoticed — and that’s actually a good thing. The goal is to make flying feel routine, predictable, and safe, regardless of conditions. Behind the scenes, however, this project is doing important work by reducing risks, improving reliability, and ensuring that the airport keeps up with today’s safety standards.

In the end, the runway extension is about more than pavement. It’s about protecting passengers, supporting pilots, and strengthening a key piece of infrastructure that serves the entire community. For more information about the runway extension project visit the airport’s web page at www.flyazo.com.

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Make the most of summer nights with live entertainment, games, great food, and drink specials on the patio. Domestic Draft Beers $5 Your

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