<<

$4 • September 2009

Chief Hadley A Mission to Serve Ebiilcrqrob+

Klqqllilkd^dl)tebkdil_^ij^ohbqp ^kapq^vcl`rpbalkilkd*qbojlmmloqrkf* tbob fk ^ pbbjfkdiv bkaibpp altkt^oa qfbp ^ka obpriqp+ FqÒp klq ^k fksbpqjbkq pmfo^i) ^sbo^db fksbpqlop tbob kboslrp+ pqo^qbdvqe^q`^k_bq^hbkifdeqivlob^pfiv Pljbm^kf`hbakb^oqeb_lqqlj)ifnrfa^qba bub`rqba+ ?rq fq fp qeb jlpq qfjb*qbpqba qebfo eliafkdp) ^ka Üba ql `^pe+ Elt t^vql`ob^qb^kaprpq^fktb^iqe)^kafqÒp rkcloqrk^qbcloqebj+>qDobbkib^cQorpq) te^q Dobbkib^c Qorpq albp m^oqf`ri^oiv tb hklt j^ohbqp efpqlof`^iiv obt^oa tbii+Qla^vfp^kbta^v+Dfsbrp^`^ii)^ka fksbpqlop tel illh _bvlka qeb jljbkq tbÒiiebimvlrj^hbqebjlpqlcfq+ Cfk^k`f^iPb`rofqvcoljDbkbo^qflkqlDbkbo^qflk

/..plrqeolpbpqobbqh^i^j^wll)jf16--4ttt+dobbkib^cqorpq+`lj/36+055+65--5--+1.3+1222 Ebiilcrqrob+

Klqqllilkd^dl)tebkdil_^ij^ohbqp ^kapq^vcl`rpbalkilkd*qbojlmmloqrkf* tbob fk ^ pbbjfkdiv bkaibpp altkt^oa qfbp ^ka obpriqp+ FqÒp klq ^k fksbpqjbkq pmfo^i) ^sbo^db fksbpqlop tbob kboslrp+ pqo^qbdvqe^q`^k_bq^hbkifdeqivlob^pfiv Pljbm^kf`hbakb^oqeb_lqqlj)ifnrfa^qba bub`rqba+ ?rq fq fp qeb jlpq qfjb*qbpqba qebfo eliafkdp) ^ka Üba ql `^pe+ Elt t^vql`ob^qb^kaprpq^fktb^iqe)^kafqÒp rkcloqrk^qbcloqebj+>qDobbkib^cQorpq) te^q Dobbkib^c Qorpq albp m^oqf`ri^oiv tb hklt j^ohbqp efpqlof`^iiv obt^oa tbii+Qla^vfp^kbta^v+Dfsbrp^`^ii)^ka fksbpqlop tel illh _bvlka qeb jljbkq tbÒiiebimvlrj^hbqebjlpqlcfq+ Cfk^k`f^iPb`rofqvcoljDbkbo^qflkqlDbkbo^qflk

/..plrqeolpbpqobbqh^i^j^wll)jf16--4ttt+dobbkib^cqorpq+`lj/36+055+65--5--+1.3+1222 2009-10 SEASON

Tales from the Field with Jeff Corwin

OCTOBER 9 | 8 P.M. OCTOBER 18 | 2 P.M.

Remember when swing was king, when zoot suits Renowned speaker and television host Jeff Corwin were hot, and songs such as “In the Mood” and shares his passion for environmental conservation “Chattanooga Choo Choo” were even hotter? The in this highly interactive and educational program. Glenn Miller Orchestra brings audiences back year Corwin invites audience members on stage to interact after year with their big brass sounds and unique with a variety of live animals while he discusses the melodies. unique challenges each species faces in the world. Known around the world for his conservation work, Don’t miss one of the most popular bands of all time Corwin inspires audiences to become more aware performing the upbeat melodies that have been of the threats to wildlife and to the environment. This thrilling audiences for over five decades. family friendly event has been hailed as “the world’s greatest animal show.”

Presented in conjunction with the Binder Park Zoo and Kalamazoo Nature Center.

(269) 387-2300 | (800) 228-9858 www.MILLERAUDITORIUM.com FROM THE PUBLISHER The only Thing that is constant is change. While I agree the transmitted to them via the internet. Radio stations provide live world is continually evolving, I do not believe that change streaming video to go along with their internet broadcasts and comes as quickly or dramatically as many prognosticators would newspapers refer readers to web sites for more in-depth coverage want us to believe. An example is the very medium you are cur- or even video reporting. rently reading — a print publication. As the one magazine that has chronicled Kalamazoo culture 2009-10 SEASON As computers were becoming com- and history for the past 36 years, we want to be communicating monplace in people’s homes, there were effectively with area citizens as we head into the future. It seems widespread predictions about the imminent likely that our regular readers will continue to prefer a high qual- demise of books and magazines. In fact, ity printed publication that they can read at their leisure wher- books and magazines continue to be printed ever they choose. But, it also strikes me that there are others who and published in great numbers a quarter have yet to become regular readers, and we need to reach them, century later, with many of these publica- whether they are the occasional reader or those who have yet to Rick Briscoe tions being created to assist the readers in discover Encore. figuring out how to use their computers. The answer, of course, is online publishing. Did you know, There also continue to be many people who prefer to hold for instance, that we have been archiving past issues of Encore real paper in their hands rather than a laptop computer. I still on our web site since 2006, or that you can learn about, and even can’t imagine myself sitting down on a Sunday morning with a read our other publications when you visit our web site. Did you cup of coffee and a computer to relax and read the morning “pa- even know that our web address is www.encorekalamazoo.com. per.” Too many temptations creep in when I am online to check As the future unfolds, you can expect more from us electroni- my email, or head off to a related page and bounce all around cally, without compromise to our print magazine. Who knows, I the web without ever actually taking the time to just focus on may even learn to tweet so you can follow Encore on Twitter. one task for a few minutes of the week. But, alas, change is inevitable and those of us “in the me- dia” need to pay close attention to what our consumers desire. Rick Briscoe While books are still being printed, electronic readers are being Publisher improved and some people now read books that have been

THE KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS SEE, TASTE & TOUCH Tales from the Field with THE POSSIBILITIES WITH THE Jeff Corwin SCHOLTEN DIFFERENCE Motown featuringCelebration OCTOBER 9 | 8 P.M. OCTOBER 18 | 2 P.M. Maximizing the Enjoyment The Velvelettes of Your Home Remember when swing was king, when zoot suits Renowned speaker and television host Jeff Corwin Increasing the Value were hot, and songs such as “In the Mood” and shares his passion for environmental conservation SATURDAY OCTOBER 10 of Your Investment “Chattanooga Choo Choo” were even hotter? The in this highly interactive and educational program. 8:00 PM CHENERY AUDITORIUM Glenn Miller Orchestra brings audiences back year Corwin invites audience members on stage to interact after year with their big brass sounds and unique with a variety of live animals while he discusses the TICKETS: (269) 387-2300 or online KalamazooSymphony.com jazz melodies. unique challenges each species faces in the world. Known around the world for his conservation work, Don’t miss one of the most popular bands of all time Corwin inspires audiences to become more aware performing the upbeat melodies that have been of the threats to wildlife and to the environment. This thrilling audiences for over five decades. family friendly event has been hailed as “the world’s greatest animal show.”

Presented in conjunction with the Binder Park Zoo and Kalamazoo Nature Center.

Visit our Showroom 1728 S. Westnedge Ave. (269) 345-1166 scholtenkitchenandbath.com (269) 387-2300 | (800) 228-9858 www.encorekalamazoo.com 5 www.MILLERAUDITORIUM.com

Miller September 09 Encore.indd 1 8/6/09 12:50 PM Landscape Design • Construction • Maintenance

Local Designer, Dale Charbeneau featured at Vertegres. We Built That. 74 Years Ago. Art Hop Oct. 2 Start Your Holiday Shopping Early

Fontana Chamber Arts’ staff will model one-of-a-kind designs by: Dale Charbeneau

All proceeds will benefit Fontana Chamber Arts

Kalamazoo County Building Kalamazoo, Michigan

General Contractors Construction Managers Design/Build Services Self-Performing LEED-Accredited Professionals Building Information Modeling

1029 Portage Street | Kalamazoo, MI | 269.345.3561 | miller-davis.com

CELEBRATING

YEARS CONTENTS MAGAZINE

Publisher 8 Richard J. Briscoe KDPS Chief Editor Penny Briscoe JEFF HADLEY Assistant to wants to make a the Publisher Ronald Dundon positive difference. Copy Editor Cherri Glowe

Poetry Editor Volume Issue 37 1 September 2009 Theresa Coty O’Neil

Contributing Writers Kaye Bennett Penny Briscoe Bonnie Feldkamp Larry Massie Theresa Coty O’Neil Amy Remmert Robert M. Weir Safety Photo: Kalamazoo Public

Contributing Poets 16 Deborah Gang Life is now the cat’s meow Elisabeth Wenger for EARLESS ERNIE. SPECIALS

Feature Photographer John Gilroy 5 FROM THE PUBLISHER

Designer 10 TRIVIA PURZOOT Brakeman Photo: Ron Dundon Photo: Ron 26 STAR WATCH Encore magazine is pub- 18 Sparkle Lights lished nine times yearly, Six months on the September through May. 27 MICHIGAN MADE Copyright 2009, Encore Appalachian Trail gave Publishing Group, Inc. All MATT and KATE BATES It’s Poppin’ Good rights reserved. Editorial, a fresh perspective. circulation and advertising 28 GUESS WHO correspondence should be sent to 350 S. Burdick, Suite 316, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. 30 EVENTS OF NOTE Telephone: (269) 383-4433. Fax number: (269) 383- 32 MASSIE’S MICHIGAN 9767. E-mail: Publisher@ 36 Encorekalamazoo.com. The CINDY GREMBAN Rawson Does the Rocks staff at Encore welcomes and BOB WEIR take written comment from read- a scenic drive from ers, and articles and poems for submission with no Vegas to Oceanside. obligation to print or return them. To learn more about POETRY us or to comment, you may

visit www.encorekalamazoo. Weir Photo: Robert com. Encore subscription 25 Ubiquitous rates: one year $27.00, two 44 years $53.00, three years The KSO is evolving 50 Don’t Talk to Strangers $78.00. Current single is- sue and newsstand $4.00, under the guidance of $10.00 by mail. Back issues new executive director $6.00, $12.00 by mail. Ad- JENNIFER vertising rates on request. BARLAMENT. Closing date for space is 28 days prior to publication date. Final date for print- Photo: Rick Briscoe ready copy is 21 days prior to publication date. Cover and Guess Who photography: John Gilroy.

www.encorekalamazoo.com 7 Deputy Chief Sam Harris and Chief Hadley meet every morning to keep each other up to date on important issues and events.

Photo: Rick Briscoe KDPS Chief Jeff Hadley looks into his past to help pave the way for the future.

high school career day is the only explanation chief hadley is not afraid to say that he started life in a less Public safety chief Jeff hadley could offer to answer why than ideal situation. his mother’s problems of providing for her he decided to pursue the profession of law enforcement: five children overwhelmed her when Jeff’s father decided to take “ever since that event, i said, ‘That’s what i want to do.’ ” leave of the family unit. lacking an education and her hus- Now, just a little over 20 years later, Jeff has not only real- band’s psychological, financial, and physical support, she found ized his high school dream, but he has risen through the ranks it impossible to keep her children together in Fort Wayne, ind., decidedly quickly — to the point where he is now “the man in where Jeff was born. Jeff and his older sisters and brother were charge.” continually jockeyed back and forth amongst aunts, grandpar- at 39, Jeff has already spent more than a year at the helm ents, and friends while Jeff’s mother struggled. of the Kalamazoo department of Public safety, and, Finally, Jeff followed his brother, six years his senior, to according to Kalamazoo city Manager Ken collard, the Naples, Fla. Big brother had moved in with their father, and Jeff, community members responsible for hiring him made a at the age of 8, thought it would be a good fit. good choice. Unfortunately, Jeff’s father was in and out of the home set- “Jeff has proven that he cares and has done an outstand- ting there and moved a year later to Ft. Myers. Jeff, now a man ing job keeping issues from boiling over. he has faced many of 9, decided he liked it where he was — liked his school, his challenges this (past) year and has addressed them with great friends, his new life. going back to Ft. Wayne was not a choice sensitivity,” says Ken. he was eager to make, either; and lucky for him, he had another his youthfulness may or may not be an advantage in his option. no-doubt difficult job, but, more likely than not, his experi- in Naples, just below his father’s condominium unit, was ences as a youth are what developed in him the determination a kindly 70ish woman named ruth Bennett, whom he had required for his success. befriended. he had spent a great amount of time in her home,

8 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Chief Jeff Hadley stops in to see Exec. Lt. Scott Merlo in his office.

Photo: Rick Briscoe KDPS Chief Jeff Hadley looks into his past to help pave the way for the future.

seeking companionship, guidance and sometimes food and accomplished athlete who played basketball and tennis, earning shelter when he became lonely or had disagreements with his average grades with somewhat uneven performance, and mak- older brother. While his brother had not developed a friend- ing many friends. ship with her and eventually moved back to Ft. Wayne after When Jeff was a senior, Mrs. Bennett, now in her 80s, the disappearance of his father, Ruth seemed to take to Jeff broke her hip in a fall. Jeff, with a show of compassion perhaps from the onset and offered him a place to stay, both when his uncharacteristic of a teenage boy, cared for her when he wasn’t father left periodically, and, ultimately, when he left perma- at school. his responsibilities included the kind of assistance ne ntly. that would be difficult for a young man of his age, even help- “Mrs. Bennett was very kind to me,” he reminisces fondly. ing her with bathing and other personal care needs. “She “We were good for each other. At the time she was an elderly didn’t want any of those home health-care nurses,” he recalls. woman and didn’t see her son much, so I kept her company. eventually, Jeff graduated from Naples high School and “She probably put up with a lot of lip from this 10- to 11- attended edison Community College, studying, what else, year-old boy,” he reminisces. but criminal justice. his kindness to Mrs. Bennett was being he surmises that his father gave Mrs. Bennett a little repaid as well. Son Bob Bennett, now in his 60s, financed Jeff’s money to care for him at the beginning of his absences but is endeavor. “he appreciated the fact that I was there with her,” sure those funds didn’t continue once the arrangement became explains Jeff. permanent. To support his typical community-college lifestyle, he “She did it out of her own benevolence,” he says, and he also worked at the Vineyards Golf and Country Club. But one admits that she was his life line. day, halfway into completing his two-year degree, Jeff came Thanks to Mrs. Bennett, Jeff experienced some semblance home after classes to find his beloved Mrs. Bennett had passed of normalcy and security, working his way through school as an away — at the age of 85.

www.encorekalamazoo.com 9 Hadley

That day, June 23, 1990, was a turn- ing point for him. “The gravy train was over,” he says. “With Mrs. Bennett pass- ing away, it was one of those defining moments. I was a typical 20-year-old, but it caused me to wake up and smell the coffee. I had to find a place to live, ramp up my pace at school, and start providing for myself completely and totally. “For me at the time, it was an oppor- tunity to get off my tail and do some- thing for myself.” In short shrift he was able to find a place to live, thanks to another rela- tionship that had helped sustain and The Hadley family enjoys spending time at Lake Michigan. Here youngest son Hunter takes a nurture him throughout his young joy ride with his dad. years. David and Ivy Weeks had grown accustomed to Jeff being underfoot for topping short of his goals was diana roots where, in 1994, he was hired many years, due to a close friendship he simply not an option that crossed by the police department in Fort Wayne. had with their son, Pat. This generous SJeff’s mind, especially after all He also returned to school, completing couple already had four children but the support he had received from those both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees welcomed Jeff with open arms — and who could have remained aloof toward at Indiana Wesleyan in business with an he stayed until he could complete this his needs. So, still working at the golf emphasis in management, while work- phase of his schooling and get on his course but finished as scheduled with ing full time in law enforcement. “I just feet. his community-college experience, Jeff wanted to be self-fulfilled, says Jeff. “I “They had always treated me as applied to the police academy. always said I wanted to have my master’s one of their own,” Jeff gratefully recalls, He now recalls with just a tinge of by the time I was 30, and I was 32 when mentioning that he always felt supported wonder that the day he started in that I finished. I also knew that if I wanted to by them when they attended sports and program was exactly the first anniver- advance in this profession, I would have other school events in which he partici- sary of Ruth Bennett’s death — June 23. to go back to school.” pated. In fact, he still maintains a close “Did it mean anything,” he asks himself? Also providing him with a less for- relationship with this family. “Maybe she was helping me on my way mal method of preparing himself for the “I saw them this past summer in to independence.” rigors of leadership, early on he devel- Florida when I went there with my whole A few months later, the police acad- oped an interest in reading about presi- family and attended my 20th reunion, emy was behind him, and he joined the dential history. In particular, he shares and we e-mail back and forth regularly. Cape Coral Police Department, staying President Obama’s love for accounts of My wife, Jessica, is also in frequent con- just two years. Abraham Lincoln’s life and presidency. tact,” Jeff explains. Jeff had an urge to return to his In- Undoubtedly the insight gained from his formal and informal study was ultimately applied to the vice and narcotics work he did in Fort Wayne. At the urging of his superiors shortly after he was employed there, he submitted a letter of interest to that division and was Question: soon transferred.” He stayed in the front What area in Kalamazoo was commonly lines of that work, which he describes as “prostitution and drugs,” for five and a characterized as “Mansion Row? half years. Jeff says his youth (he started at 23) helped him to be successful in that divi- Answer on page 53. sion. “As I looked so young, for the first six months to a year I’d come in to get

10 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 :YUhif]b[aUbmcZ gcih\kYghA]W\][Ubºg Blue Z]bYghUfh]ghg" ,,*$B"'&bXGhfYYh F]W\`UbX Water &*-*&-!)-+) HiYgXUmµGUhifXUm%%U"a"hc*d"a" GALLERY kkk"V`iYkUhYf[U``Yfm"Wca kkk"W`cW_hckYf[fYYb"Wca

@cWUhYXUhF]W\`UbXºg7`cW_hckYf;fYYb"5jU]`UV`YZcfdf]jUhYYjYbhg"

Young Jeff Hadley sports a softball team shirt. Jeff was an avid athlete as a youth. SUCCESS records for a case I was working on and I’d be wearing my hat backwards and SUCCESS IS IT’S OWN REWARD. wearing earrings and so on. I’d always have to go back to my desk to get my The nancial success you desire comes as a result of discipline and focus. badge and ID. The older officers enjoyed Whether you need retirement or estate planning, wealth management giving me some good-natured kidding or investment advice, the combined experience of one of southwest about that.” Michigan’s oldest and largest nancial planning organizations Jeff’s dedication to his job paid off, is a benet you won’t nd anywhere else. and he rose through the ranks to become captain of narcotics. Now his age was We call it The Wiser Advantage.™ a bit of a disadvantage until he proved himself. Men who worked under him Registered and were often old enough to be his Principal father were not so sure he could handle the job. However, Jeff’s determination and unwillingness to do anything but succeed soon won the men over. While in Fort Wayne Jeff also tried his hand at teaching criminal justice at Indiana University. Perhaps he got more than he bargained for in this – Robert Amberg Jr.*, Partner role. This time his return to academia Registered Principal earned him a marriage certificate. Jessica, the young woman he fell for, just three years his junior, managed a Try The Wiser Way™ day-care facility but had gone back to to financial freedom. school to take more courses in early Your initial consultation is childhood development. The two met, complimentary. soon married, and are now the heads of a blended family that includes six 6100 Stadium Dr. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 372.1430 / (800) 292.1472 children. thewisergroup.com Jeff affectionately describes his stay- at-home bride as a woman devoted to *Investment Advisor Representative with and Securities and Investment Advisory Services o ered through Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. (TFA) member FINRA, SIPC and a Registered the well-being of them all. He says she is Investment Advisor. Non-Securities products and services are not o ered through TFA. above all else a devoted mother. LD33696-09/09

Amberg Ad.indd 1 www.encorekalamazoo.com9/2/09 2:02:40 PM11 Hadley

Another fortuitous event that oc- curred while Jeff was working in Fort Wayne was his involvement in a think- tank organization, the Professional Po- lice executive Research Forum. Through this affiliation, he became acquainted with a recruiter named Rick Overman. Although the two lost contact for a time, eventually Overman was purging his e-mail list and ran across Jeff’s name, which resulted in bids for a couple of job opportunities in other cities. yet, while he was in the top tier of choices, the opportunities didn’t pan out. he said it had started to feel like he was “fishing in a pond that had very few fish.” The Hadley bunch — Cameron, 16; Jersey, 2 ½; wife Jessica; Trenton, 10; Alec, 15; Whitney, 12; Just about that time, the Kalama- and Hunter, 3 ½. zoo position became vacant and Jeff’s thoughts were a mixture of “Why not?” mazoo became vacant, there were a lot of In an effort to be completely thorough and “Will I measure up?” issues on the table,” Ken explains. There and gather as many opinions as possible, were raw emotions in the community prospects were eventually interviewed ut after an exhausting interview over such issues as public safety officers’ by Public Safety department heads. and review process, Jeff was hired attitudes, teen violence, neighborhood After it was determined that he was Bin 2008. his first day on the job responses to enforcement, and questions the strongest candidate, Jeff agreed to was none other than June 23. about equality. Public meetings were take a personality and work-style test Was Mrs. Ruth Bennett with him? A held throughout the community, which to assess compatibility — and his work superstitious person would answer: “yes.” spoke out loud and clear. The chief of record was scrutinized through a visit to Kalamazoo City Manager Ken Col- public safety needed to be someone sen- Fort Wayne. lard would likely say that Jeff was simply sitive to their issues. Upon being hired and because Jeff the right man for the job. After receiving over 60 applications, had no training or experience in fight- “hiring a police chief is no simple a panel of local individuals helped deter- ing fires, one of his first tasks was to matter. At the time the position in Kala- mine that Jeff was that ideal candidate. complete the fire training so that, like all

12 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 fers. There should be no excuses for any of us,” Jeff says. “We can’t underestimate the influence we have over our youth. An encouraging word or an ex- pression of inter- est in a child’s life can make all the difference.” Jeff uses Jeff spent much of his childhood with the David and Ivy Weeks Jeff Hadley (left) has maintained contact with one of his the Kalamazoo family. Here he is attending a family event that included Ivy closest childhood companions, Pat Weeks, whose family Department of Weeks’ grandmother. treated him like one of their own. Public Safety to officers at KDPS regardless of rank, he was moving his family to Kalamazoo illustrate. he mentions their program of would be cross-trained. as soon as possible. Because he believes partnering with Douglass Community Although he has not been actively he should live in Kalamazoo, his family Association and the Boys and Girls Club involved in fire fighting since his train- resides in the city, where his school- to find ways to help the city’s youth ing, he has visited the scene of some. age children attend Kalamazoo Public move beyond the violence that has been “What sticks out for me is the amount of Schools. he didn’t apply for the job so problematic. In addition, officers have work it takes physically and mentally to knowing about The Promise, but he implemented a fishing program and a deal with those situations to keep every- recognizes the advantages for his family reading program, with off-duty officer one safe, and you appreciate it so much and the community as a whole. involvement. more when you are there watching,” he “The Promise raises the expecta- KDPS also has begun utilizing a po- says. he explains that while all KDPS tions of all of us to play a role in develop- lice-academy approach to help build the officers are trained, the fire fighters are ing our children and youth in the city. leaders of tomorrow. This academy is a specialists. We have to go down on many levels to week-long program to help young people Another important task for Jeff get them to take advantage of what it of- learn leadership and team building to

www.encorekalamazoo.com 13 Hadley

become role models for their peers. Some participants are referred by parents who believe their children need direction, but other enrollees are involved through their own motivation. The program this summer included two one-week camp sessions with approximately 30 youths. While Jeff has not been actively involved in any of these programs due to demands of his new job, he visited the programs and interacted with the participants when he could. “I also like to drive by the youth center, shoot some hoops for a while, just little things like that,” he says. “It’s not just me doing this. Those Photo: Rick Briscoe officers do so much for the kids. We all Asst. Chief Lynn Wetmore (left), admin. asst. Lynette Curtis, and inspector Vernon Conkley gather do that kind of stuff every day. around the central office of the Internal Affairs division. “youth frequently have a lot of distrust of public safety officers. Officers place, and the experiences I’ve had are less of him now. can make a huge difference by being wonderful. There is a tremendous work Jeff is, however, looking forward approachable and offering that word of ethic here. When you travel around the this fall to attending the Kalamazoo encouragement,” Jeff says. “Sixty seconds country and compare Kalamazoo’s public Central varsity football games to watch of intervention could be a life-changing safety department to others, you’re hard his son, Cameron, who will be on the moment. pressed to find agencies that function as team. “I make it a point to be there for “Sometimes you don’t appreciate well as ours. Is there room for improve- the kids’ important things, but I missed what you have — Kalamazoo is a great ment? Always.” Cameron’s JV year last year because I Jeff believes that the new regional was in the fire academy. Those are the training cen- things I think are important — being ter can help to there for support. When I was in sports bring about that in high school, my friend Pat’s parents improvement. “It went to parent night and games for me could be one of — not my parents. My childhood taught the best in the me that these are the important things. region. Training “Because of my childhood, I think I is critical to hav- look more at what I don’t want to be like ing a competent as a father. I try not to be selfish and to group of men and be there for them and realize what an women serving important relationship that is. It is so our community.” important to try not to get carried away with the stress of the day, not to get mad ith at them when they do something that their bothers me.” Wown Jeff reflects on his parents a bit, children grow- commenting nonjudgmentally on his ing up here, Jeff own childhood: “It was what it was.” he and Jessica are big says he is glad he has his mother and sib- stakeholders, and lings back in his life, although he hasn’t Jeff reports that seen his father in 19 years.

Jessica Hadley presented this framed collection of memorabilia his kids have adjusted well eager to leave his own children with to husband Jeff on his 39th birthday. The items represent his to their new environment, lasting memories of togetherness, Jeff, service to the three police departments in which he has served. despite the fact that they see Jessica and the kids have already visited

14 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Lake Michigan, an enjoyable destination for them. When Jessica’s sister, who will soon move with her family to Kalamazoo, is available, they all like exploring Michi- gan together. Or they hang out at home, often play- ing the Midwestern card game, euchre. Jeff even admits to trying his hand in the kitchen from time to time. There’s never a dull moment in the hadley family that includes other ath- letes besides Cameron. Son Alec played varsity golf last spring at Kalamazoo Arched Central as a freshman. Twelve-year-old Bookcase daughter Whitney plays volleyball, soft- ball and basketball. The couple’s other children include 1 1 2 /2-year-old Jersey and sons hunter, 3 /2, and Trenton, who lives with his father. With so many youngsters in his per- Harbour Bay Furniture Co. Stuart, FL and Holland, MI sonal life, Jeff is eager for them to learn an important lesson from him: “I want to Downtown Holland · 212 S. River Ave., Holland · (616) 395-5554 show my kids you can do anything you Open Mon.–Sat. 10:00–5:30 www.harbourbayfurniture.com want in life. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. I hope to set a level of example for them,” he says. he doesn’t mean he wants his kids to become police officers — but to be SIMULTANEOUSLY RARE their own persons. With a laugh, how- 7t WELL DONE 1 ever, he notes that his 3 /2-year-old says monthy& he is going to be “a policeman, a fireman, and a Power Ranger.” wine flights At 39, Jeff hadley is among the youngest leaders at KDPS. But he has some very big shoulders for such a young SIMULTANEOUSLY RARE man. Maybe because of the heavy load WELL DONE he carried as a youngster, he learned that & the answer to getting places in life is to capitalize on the people who are willing to help, whoever they are, to be tough and forward thinking, and to give back when there is an opportunity to do so. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety cannot, alone, bring about change to the climate of the community, he says. “There is no time for finger pointing and playing the blame game. As a community, we all need to work £ääÊ7 -/Ê   Ê6 1 ÊUÊ <""]Ê Ê{™ääÇÊ together and take responsibility.” Óș°Î{ΰ{{{{ÊUÊ7 -/ ,-, -/1, /° " This story was co-authored by Amy  Ê"1,Ê"  Ê 6 /Ê  ,tÊ Remmert and Penny Briscoe.

www.encorekalamazoo.com 15 This portrait of a happy cat shows that Ernie has had a rags- to- riches Dixie Edwards and Ron Dundon were life. Here he poses for a princely portrait in his new home that he selected as the lucky adoptive parents. shares with his caretakers, Ron Dundon and Dixie Edwards, and Ron says, “There wasn’t anything special his feline big brother and sister, Mick and Shami. about us. We just got there first.” Except for Ernie’s very short ears, he blends in with the Earless Ernie Updateother cats in the family — all three are gray. Photos by Ron Dundon ALAMAzOO ReSIDeNTS remem- and enforcement shelter after he was not been reported. So, here is his story: ber the story of “earless ernie,” the delivered there by a concerned local “I like to put an “F” in front of my steel-gray cat found abandoned in resident. he was soon placed in foster name “earless ernie.” I don’t even fear the snow near the Kalamazoo/Van care where he learned the sweetness of the vacuum cleaner like my new siblings Buren county line. his ears had been cru- humanity from Lana hawkins. who have no clue about how tough a life elly trimmed by an unknown assailant. his rough start was covered by the can really be. I am the cool cat of the ernie’s plight was met with love at media, but since his adoption by Ron house, the mafia survivor with scars to the Kalamazoo County Animal Services Dundon and Dixie edwards, his fate has show and tales to tell — but I’d rather

Ernie’s Foster Mom By Bonnie Feldcamp

OUTIqUe OWNeR Lana hawkins that may be more aggressive towards Kalamazoo County Animal first visited the Kalamazoo County humans. Services agreed to her offer. even Animal Services and enforcement The general public has access to the though they do not have a formal foster shelter, looking for a pet of her own. She shelter area for locating their lost pet or program, they had gotten to know and found her kitty to take home but soon choosing a pet to adopt, and this con- trust Lana and were willing to allow returned to visit the ones she left behind. stant contact increases the susceptibility her to foster the cat family in her store, “It was very therapeutic for me to visit to upper respiratory infections and other Lana’s Couture. the homeless cats to play and offer them communicable illnesses among cats The remaining two kittens sur- affection,” Lana says. Lana stopped by Lana learned of the quarantine vived and were adopted as was the the shelter a couple of times a week: efforts during one of her many visits. A mother. Lana’s passion was sparked “Sometimes I knew that my visit would female cat had been turned in with her — and as a result, she continued to be the last offering of affection these cats kittens, and when Lana came for her help the county rescue, foster and place would receive.” visit, only two kittens of the litter were homeless cats. Due to the high volume of stray cats left; the others had died. The shelter staff One day she met young ernie, the in Kalamazoo and the lack of people did what it could to keep them all from steel-gray cat whose ears had been cru- willing to adopt them, many of the cats illness, including placing a towel over elly chopped off. ernie was in quaran- that end up in the shelter must be eu- her cage as an added germ barrier. tine at the County’s Lake Street shelter thanized. The cats that are placed in the Lana asked: “What if I take them and there was little hope for placement. shelter also run a high risk of becoming to my boutique and foster them? I could But Lana thought otherwise. She ill. A small quarantine room helps with help keep them healthy and try to get took him to her store on the Kalamazoo high risk animals, including feral cats them adopted?” Mall and nursed him back to health.

16 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Ernie and brother Mick have just eaten some “Purrrrrr. Purrrrrr. Sometimes I dream of my days on the streets, but those nightmares don’t last long catnip and now appear to be on full alert. when I snuggle into my heated cat bed, which rests conveniently against my very own scratching pad. Ernie is thinking: “If only the folks weren’t I may have mini ears, but I certainly still have ALL my claws!” vegetarian — we might get some steak!”

not go there — I’ve settled into a life of always food. But there’s nothing like a bird watching and happy napping. belly rub to totally melt any thoughts I “you see, I’m a guy who knows might have about acting out. I know I can’t when he’s got it good, and I’m content venture into the world like I once did, but, with my quiet indoor life in a peaceful hey, that was scary. Now I can doze off in residential neighborhood in Kalamazoo. the lazy beam of the sun without worry of I thought I had it pretty darned dangerous traffic or the criminals of the good at the store with Lana and friends, world who disfigured my gorgeous face. but, hey, man, now I have the makings But who cares about those ears any- of a true Cinderella story, except, of way. My folks adore me — and I’m cute.” course, I’m a guy.

I’ve noticed a lot of things about my Co-written by Bonnie Feldcamp and Penny Ernie says, “Hey, Mom. I’ll take some more new digs. It’s safe and warm, and there’s Briscoe. bubbles. Got any big ones in that bottle?” Ernie’s Foster Mom

The Kalamazoo Gazette followed his story wards of Kalamazoo adopted him. racing pigeon. as did the Associated Press, and Lana Lana is considered a true friend of If the collaborative effort raises began receiving calls from all over the the Kalamazoo Country Animal Services enough funds for their building project, country to learn more about ernie. People and enforcement, according to Michelle it would mean great benefits for the even sent ernie gifts — and then, within Fruehaus, who works in the office. “Lana county’s pet population. They would a short time, Ron Dundon and Dixie ed- walks in with a radiant smile and walks have a vet on staff to treat illness im- out with kittens tucked under her arms,” mediately. There would be a separate Lana has rescued many cats by providing them temporary shelter until they can be assimilated says Michelle. area for animals ready for adoption so into homes. Here she cradles one of her babies. She finds them good homes, and to those not ready yet would be inacces- date Lana has assisted with the place- sible to the general public. This would ment of 134 cats. help in controlling illness, and animals In the January 2009 issue encore would be neutered before they were highlighted the efforts of Kalamazoo adopted out. Animal Services in working with the If you are considering adding a humane Society to build a new facil- pet to your home, please consider your ity that would assist both organizations county’s homeless pets and contact (The January article is now viewable on- Animal Services at 269-383-8775. If line at www.encorekalamazoo.com). The you would like to make a donation or pet population cared for by the county at support the efforts for a new facility, the time of this writing includes approxi- please contact the Kalamazoo humane mately 72 cats, 28 dogs and one injured Society, 269-345-1181

www.encorekalamazoo.com 17 Finder and F i r e d o g H i k e

t h e T r a i l By Kaye Bennett Kate and Matt Bates rest next to the white blaze that marks the Appalachian Trail. Having conquered 1,000 miles of trail at this point, For the Bateses, 2,175 miles of putting one foot in front of Matt has resorted to wearing a kilt at times to stay cool. the other Resulted in a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment.

OOKING FOR a not-so-quick, not-so- trip. She found it ... arduous. program in counseling at Western Michi- easy way to get in great shape and One night, around the honeymoon- gan University. Matt brought his forestry lose lots of weight while still eating ers’ campfire in the Porcupine Mountains degree to southwest Michigan, landing a all the food you could possibly want? of northern Michigan, Matt told his new job with the Girl Scout Council, manag- you might consider hiking the Appala- bride that he dreamed of their hiking the ing an outreach program for Boy Scouts chian Trail (all 2,000-plus miles of it). It Appalachian Trail (AT) someday. and Girl Scouts. worked for Kalamazooans Matt and Kate Kate’s response was quick: “Over Matt soon initiated Kate into longer Bates. my dead body,” she avowed. hikes and more extensive backpacking. here’s how they did it: The Appalachian Trail, conceived of he knew she enjoyed it but admits to be- The first step is to plan ahead. by forester Benton MacKaye in 1921, was ing astounded when, several years after Waaaaay ahead. Matt, 31, started his completed in 1937. It follows the ridge their brief honeymoon campfire discus- preparation as a child, hiking with of the Appalachian Mountains through sion about the Appalachian Trail, the his dad and becoming an eagle Scout. almost continuous wilderness, from idea came up again, this time by Kate. A hunter and angler, Matt has always Mount Katahdin, Maine, to Springer Matt says he was flabbergasted when maintained his love of the outdoors. Mountain, Ga. It is 2,175 miles long, give Kate asked him whether he still har- Kate, 30, not so much. She’d done or take a mile or two. hiking the entire bored a desire to walk the Trail. But he some shorter walks, but it wasn’t until Trail is the goal of many, the accomplish- answered that, yes, he did. the honeymoon of these two high-school ment of but a few. Not long after, in about 2006, the sweethearts, in October 2001, after Despite Kate’s response, the mar- two started to get serious about the they’d both graduated from the Universi- riage survived the honeymoon, and the planning. ty of Wisconsin Stevens Point, that Kate young couple relocated to Kalamazoo First, they decided, they would went on her first week-long backpacking in 2001 where Kate entered a graduate need to save some money. Actually, they

18 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 For months before their trip, the Bateses planned their menu and prepared their food supply.

needed to save a lot of money. They can’t do Maine trails in the winter. Other preparations consisted of wanted to “thru-hike” the Trail. That’s Once they knew when — and from working with suppliers, especially Lee’s AT talk for walking from one end of the where — they would leave, the Bateses Adventure Sports in Portage, to outfit Trail to the other, all in one chunk. launched into their next planning phase: themselves with gear, including a tent, Those who hike a section and then gathering gear, planning food and logis- stove, lights, water filters, first-aid kits, stop and come back later to walk some tics, and preparing themselves physically thermal products, summer and winter more, sometimes taking 20 or 30 years to for the trip. This, too, was a multiyear sleeping bags, bug spray (100 percent complete the Trail, are called section hik- project. DEET was all — they would soon find ers, which, according to Kate, is, in many Their ability to get into optimum out — that worked), hiking poles, rain ways, more difficult than thru-hiking. physical shape for a six-month hike over The Bateses (left), with Amanda Bates and Just as soon as section hikers get many mountains was limited. As Matt Sarah Lawton, reach the peak of Mount their “trail legs” (that’s when walking points out, “You can’t prepare in Michi- Katahdin in Maine’s Baxter State Park. The starts to get easier), Kate says, they quit gan for hiking mountains.” name was given to the peak by the Penobscot Indians and means “greatest mountain.” and then have to start the conditioning They did the best they could, over again the next time. continuing to hike and backpack A third type of hiker is called a flip- locally, and working with physi- flopper. These hikers complete the hike cal trainers. Their plan was to in one trip but use an alternate route, start their AT trek “slow and such as hiking north for part of the Trail easy,” spending the first two and then traveling to the north end of months building strength and the trail and hiking south to where endurance and trying to avoid they left off. injury. They knew that for every 2,000 hikers who begin ut the Bateses would thru-hike, a thru-hike of the AT, only and that would take about six about 200 finish. Matt and Bmonths — and those would be Kate wanted to be among six months without a paycheck. So a that 10 percent. robust bank account prior to starting was a must. In order to save enough money for the trip, Matt and Kate would have to severely limit their living expenses. Like rent. Kate’s job as a residence hall direc- tor at Western Michigan University came with a rent-free apartment on campus, so money that would otherwise have gone toward rent started going into the couple’s AT savings plan. As they thought through the logis- tics of their trip, Matt and Kate decided they would make their hike in 2008 and travel from north to south, from Maine to Georgia. South to north is the route more commonly chosen by thru-hikers, but Kate wanted to finish out the WMU school year, which meant they could not start until June. Because June plus six months equals December, they would have to hike south. They recognized that even the most ardent hikers Bates Hikers Seth Krufka, Becca Deulac, and Matt and Kate Bates dress for Halloween on the trail. clothes, down vests and fleece wear. Scout Council, Weight and shape of the gear were huge had agreed to considerations, so they devoted many give him unpaid hours to weighing things and practicing leave from his packing techniques. job as fund As they were outfitting themselves, development there was one thing they didn’t know manager. How- about yet, but would learn on the Trail: ever, because the comfort of wearing skirts (or, in the Council Matt’s case, a kilt) in hot-weather hiking. was in the Observing other AT hikers who had process of a major reorganization, there one week eschewed hiking shorts in favor of skirts were no guarantees that he would have shy of six months, five and kilts, the Bateses ordered some while a job when he got back. Things weren’t million footsteps spread over 14 states. on the Trail and had them shipped to that uncertain for Kate; she quit her job As thru-hikers, they would climb up and one of their mail drops. at Western and knew she didn’t have a down a total of 91 miles — the equiva- Then there was the question of job waiting. lent of climbing 16 times from sea level food. Kate became an expert on meal Quitting her job as residence hall to the top of Mt. Everest and back down! planning for the Trail. Kate and Matt director meant that their apartment was It didn’t take long to discover one dehydrated their own food, from picking also gone. Kate points out that, over- reason why most thru-hikers choose the apples and drying them, to mak- night, they became homeless and jobless, to start in Georgia and hike north: the ing venison jerky from deer Matt shot, by choice. It was, she says, “scary, Hundred Mile Wilderness. People who’ve to organizing whole dinners, such as but liberating.” already been hiking the AT for six months chicken couscous, beef pot pies, ravioli, or so, having started on its southern end, cranberry chicken and fruit crisp. Kate heir belongings in storage, their are trail savvy and tough by the time spent months organizing hundreds of gear packed, their cats temporar- they’re reaching the end of their trip. Fac- meals at a food preparation station set up Tily relocated, and their families ing the hundred miles of southern Maine in their spare bedroom. For a taste of the and friends ready to give moral and that comprise the longest stretch of the sort of food the Bateses took on the Trail, sometimes tangible support by sending AT without hostels or roads or towns, and you can try their recipe for Chicken and food and other necessities and, yes, Girl the need to carry 10 to 12 days of food Cranberry Gravy with Mashed Potatoes Scout cookies, to mail stops along the in your pack: None of these things faze a (see sidebar, page 21). way, it was time to take off. trail-hardened hiker with the end in sight. Finally, when there was nothing left Two of their sisters and Kate’s aunt But when those same hundred miles come to buy, nothing left to pack, and noth- drove Matt and Kate to Maine, where all on day three of the trip, long before you ing left to dehydrate or freeze-dry, it was of them hiked together to the beginning have your trail legs, long before you’re in June 2008. of the Trail at the top of Mount Katah- shape: That’s a whole lot harder. Before they could start their trip, din. The next morning, June 13, 2008, Especially when it rains. And it did Matt and Kate had to cut themselves the family left, and Matt and Kate began rain. For the first 40 days of their trip, loose. Matt’s employer, the Girl their hike, a hike that would take them Matt and Kate had rain 30 days. During that time, they never had three days

The six-month journey to complete the entire Appalachian Trail extended over three seasons.

20 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Quiet, Comfortable, Affordable in a row without rain. Choice Reservations That, of course, made their earliest Aged Steaks Appreciated 375-3650 days on the Trail a morass of mud. Fresh Fish eleven days after taking to the Trail, Dinner from Matt and Kate, soggy and muddy but Slow Roasted 5:00pm daily more experienced by far, walked into Prime Rib Monson, Maine, the end of the hundred RESTAURANT & TAVERN Mile Wilderness. They were pretty sure Visit our website at www.greatlakesshippingco.com by now that they could conquer the Conveniently located at 4525 West KL Ave, east of Drake Road whole Trail. Talk to anyone who’s ever thru- hiked the Appalachian Trail and the sub- ject of food comes up immediately. That’s because the hike burns between 6,000 Free ultrasound vein and 12,000 calories a day, way more than any normal diet can supply — and screening requiring far more food than anyone can carry in a backpack. The Bateses weren’t obese to start with, but by the end of If you suffer from painful, tired or heavy their trip, each had lost between 30 and legs, take advantage of Premier Vein Center's free ultrasound vein screenings. 40 pounds; this necessitated periodic Test results available immediately. calls to outfitters for smaller clothes to To schedule a free appointment Chicken and Cranberry Gravy time call (269) 276-9286. With Mashed Potatoes (Serves 2) Screenings take place in our medical office on the campus of Borgess In a quart freezer bag put: Medical Center. 1 c. instant mashed potatoes ground pepper to taste 1 tsp. dried chives

In a second freezer bag put: 1 pouch chicken gravy mix 1/2 c. Craisins

Also take: 1 pouch chicken (7 oz.)

In camp: Add 1 c. boiling water to the potatoes; squish well. Add 1 c. boiling water to gravy mix; squish well and Premier Vein Center offers the area's most minimally invasive add chicken. Wrap in towel for 10 office-based procedures for the treatment of vein disorders. All minutes. procedures are performed by our Board Certified Physicians. Squish again; pour gravy mix over potatoes and enjoy.

Taken from: “Freezer Bag Cooking: Trail Food Made Simple,” PREMIER by Sarah Svien Kirkconnell Call (269) 276-9286 today premierveincenter.com 1535 Gull Road, Suite 200

www.encorekalamazoo.com 21 Bates

be mailed to the next mail drop. would order the biggest breakfast on than 5,100 people have hiked the whole By Virginia, “the hunger” set in. the menu and then start adding the side Trail. So Matt and Kate knew they would Their body’s fat stores long since deplet- dishes.” This was often followed by the meet up with other hikers along the way. ed, both Matt and Kate found themselves “longest shower ever” at a local hotel. What they did not expect was that some becoming obsessed with thoughts of The Appalachian Trail attracts four would become close friends. food. They made a rule: They couldn’t million hikers and casual walkers a year. But first — a word about trail talk about food until they were 24 hours Between 1936 and 1969, only 61 people names. AT hikers, like members of other or less from the next town. Then, when had hiked its entire length. After that, exclusive groups, tend to give themselves they got to that town, Matt says, “you usage skyrocketed. Since 2000, more — or be given by others — nicknames

A Walk With the Kids By Penny Briscoe

NA DAy AND AGe when families down the terrain with parents, friends, They sleep in a tent, under a simple are struggling to find time together and even grandparents. tarp, or in one of the permanent wooden and youngsters are in need of some Our oldest son, Rick, who grew up in shelters provided along the way. They good, old-fashioned, outdoor exer- Parchment and has always enjoyed the out- learn the value of the basics, such as the cise, trail hiking is a logical solution. doors, frequently takes his 12-year-old son, power of interdependence; the need for Children do very well on the trail and Joshua, and 10-year-old daughter, Andrea, clean drinking water and how to filter seem more than happy to give up the on a walk in the woods. he lives within an it from nearby streams; the importance cell phone and computer games. The hour of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsyl- of fire to prepare a hot meal; and the challenge brings them fresh air, scenic vania and can’t think of a better experience requirements of proper sanitation and views, and a little huffing and puffing for his children than to spend a weekend waste disposal. They also learn the joy of while carrying their own gear up and or longer outdoors in the wilderness. uninterrupted time with family — which may even include grandparents. Last Memorial Day weekend, we were invited on a three-day trek on the tions Serving K nera ala Appalachian Trail with them to gain a Ge ma ee z glimpse of why it’s so grand. Needless hr oo T to say, we were hooked! Of the hiking experience, son Rick says: “There is nothing more magical than the expres- sion you get from a child when she looks out from a mountain top and stands in amazement at the view. Kids of all ages can recognize the majestic beauty that is everywhere in our great country.” 372-3400 www.devisserlandscape.com

Twelve-year-old Joshua Briscoe sets down his 35-pound pack while taking a break on a family trip along the Appalachian Trail.

22 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Face your future

that describe traits they have, or wish Your facial future should be flawless. At Great Lakes they had, or wish they didn’t have. When Plastic & Hand Surgery we can help ensure this. they sign logbooks or refer to each other, Using our Reveal Imager™ computerized complexion these are the names they usually use. analysis system, we can identify damage beneath the early on, Matt proved he could surface of your skin before it becomes visible to the naked eye. Based upon this analysis, our Board Certified Plastic make campfires even in the wettest of Surgeons, Drs. Scott Holley and Raghu Elluru, will develop conditions; thus, his moniker became a custom skincare regimen to keep your skin looking young and beautiful. “Firedog.” Kate was the one who located pieces of gear that Matt or other hikers Call today for your personal Reveal Imager™ consultation. A Walk With the Kids Body Contouring Laser Skin Tightening Botox & Fillers

Facial Rejuvenation Breast Enhancement

Battle Creek Kalamazoo/Portage 269.979.0900 269.329.2900 800.321.1165 800.273.3990 3600 Capital Ave. SW, Suite 205 3200 W. Centre Ave, Suite 201 Battle Creek, MI 49015 Portage, MI 49024

Andrea Briscoe, 10, carrying a 20-pound pack, finds that hiking is easier with trekking poles.

Rick believes that it is important for Over 25 Years of Caring for Our Community kids to experience nature and understand the basics of the natural world. “Without basic life experiences, how can anyone ever care enough to want to make a dif- ference,” he says. “If you get out of the city and just look up at night, it will change you, no matter how old you are.” Matt Bates (see main story) agrees that backpacking should be a part of the lives of the young. In late August he taught Backpacking 101 to girls of all ages who attended the Girl Scouts heart of Michigan’s 1st Annual Jamboree at Camp Linden in Linden, Mich. As an “We wouldn’t give up those days having outgrowth of that class, he is planning some Girl Scout backpacking outings in Mom home with us for anything. the next year and hopes girls throughout We couldn’t have done it without you.” Michigan will take steps to show them- selves a hiking good time. For more information, contact Matt Talk to us. at Girl Scouts heart of Michigan, where he works, www.gshom.org. you can bet (269) 345-0273 I’ll be the first one with my hand up to join them as a chaperone.

www.encorekalamazoo.com 23 Bates

misplaced, so she became “Finder.” Seth Krufka, 26, now of New york City, had the trail name of “Lightening Rod.” Seth was hiking the AT with his girlfriend Becca (trail name “Songbird”) and her dog Rudy (trail name “Cliffhang- er”). Rudy hiked with Seth and Becca for the middle two months of their trip, carrying his own seven-pound backpack and eating dehydrated dog food. Seth says that he and Becca and Rudy were arriving late at a camp in Connecticut when they heard eerie music coming through the woods. The music turned out to be from Matt Bates’s cedar flute, and thus were the two sets of hikers introduced. The Bateses and Seth’s trio returned to the Trail separately, and for awhile the only contact they had was seeing each other’s trail names in the log books at shelters. The next time they met was outside harper’s Ferry, Va. No cedar flute music this time, but Seth does recall that Matt was wearing his hiking kilt. When they met a third time, in Virginia’s Shenandoah, the four (Rudy had gone home by now) decided to hike the last 800 miles of the Trail together. All theBest! Seth said they shared adventures that were “horrifying and wonderful,” such as being jostled in the back of a pick-up 0-%#63%*$,µ4#"3(3*-- 3*0$0''&&/&84(*'54 truck doing 35 mph on mountain roads. PMECVSEJDLTDPNEOUO SBEJTTPOL[DPN “I’m not a praying person,” Seth says, XFTU 40'*"'-03"-(*'54 “but I did then.” )0-*%":*//,"-".";008&45 TP¾B¿PSBMDPN Matt and Kate hiked with Janet Norman IPMJEBZJOOL[DPN 40-803-%$"'& *$&)064&#:0-%#63%*$,µ4 TPMXPSMEDBGFDPN PMECVSEJDLTDPN Finder and Firedog’s Hiking Statistics 4:%/&:.&/µ480.&/µ4"11"3&- Trip miles 2176.1 *%6/41"4"-0/ SBEJTTPOL[DPN JEVOTQBTBMPODPN Total number of days 178 8-&3µ413*.&45&",)064& Total number of hiking days 158 ,"-".";00"5)-&5*$$-6# XFCTUFSTSFTUBVSBOUDPN Average miles per day 12.16 LBMBNB[PPBUIMFUJDDMVCDPN 8*/(µ445"%*6. Average miles per week 85.11 3"%*440/1-";")05&-46*5&4 XJOHTTUBEJVNDPN Number of days in trail towns 20 SBEJTTPOL[DPN ;";*04.0%&3/*5"-*"/ Number of nights in a shelter 73 [B[JPTDPN Number of nights in a tent 51 Number of nights in a hotel 24 Number of nights in a hostel 22 Number of nights in a house 8 Longest day (miles hiked) 25.30 Number of days hiked more than 20 miles 25

24 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Ubiquitous

In the bright corn dawn, the farmer walks out slowly to the old shed, red paint thinly clinging to the sides like strange lichen, and pulls on his shiny rubber boots, crackling new. he clumps over to the tractor, wobbly on its wheels from long service, but before he climbs up to the cab he reaches down, scrapes off the price-sticker from a boot, $3.25 for the pair. At one point in their adventure, Matt and Kate The black gumminess found themselves to be part of a rescue crew. stays under his fingernails all day — (trail name “Beetle”) and Pauline houle persistent and sticky, no sandpaper (“Pollywog”), ages 57 and 62, from Maine dirt to rub it out from under to New hampshire, where houle fell and until he washes his hands for dinner. broke her ankle on the top of a moun- By elisabeth Wenger tain. Matt soon got first-hand experience in mountain rescue. Elisabeth was born in Washington, D.C., and moved with her family to Three Riv- Along with 14 others, Matt helped ers, Mich., in 2001. Currently she is attending Houghton College in New York and is transport houle five miles down the majoring in creative writing with a focus on poetry. Last year she studied at Oxford mountain to the hospital. The first three where she steeped herself in the thoughts and words of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, T.S. miles were so steep that the team had to Eliot, and W.H. Auden. carry her gurney between them, climb- ing down steep, slippery paths. When the grade eased, the rescuers inflated a giant, low-pressure tire, fastened the lit- ter to it, and the crew’s job from there to the bottom was to use all their combined weight and strength to keep houle and the gurney from careening out of con- trol. houle’s ankle was set in the hospital and she returned home. Most people who hike the Appa- lachian Trail combine nights spent in tents, shelters (just three walls and a roof), hostels, and the occasional hotel or private home when the Trail comes near a town. (See sidebar for how many nights Matt and Kate spent in each) Though they’d done the more difficult southbound hike with an eye toward finishing in the sunny South, Matt and Kate still encountered bitterly cold weather toward the end of their trip. Their research had prepared them for temperatures in the 40s, but it dipped into single digits. By this time, they were hiking with Seth and Becca, fortunate because the two couples helped each other deal with weather-related equipment problems. (Continued on page 52)

www.encorekalamazoo.com 25 It’s Poppin’ Good By Bonnie Feldkamp

IT’S FuNNy HOW LIFE gives you a certain nudge down the right well received. Customers even began to request that they make path when you’re not expecting it. Maureen Kearns, Owner of more flavors. Maureen listened to the good advice and put her Kalamazoo Kettle Corn, received this push after she left the cor- home oven to work in creating a recipe for her very own, but- porate world to pursue her passion of making gift baskets. She tery, caramel corn. always included popcorn in her baskets (her last name, Kearns, Local retail stores soon began to stock her products, and sort of sent her there by default) and this is when Maureen received her second little business nudge was left looking for a new supplier in the right direction. The health department told her: “We see when her first one was bought by a you in the stores; it’s time to become a real business.” larger company. Maureen and her husband heeded the good counsel and Maureen sampled different pop- leased space on Ravine Road, said goodbye to the home-oven corn flavors in her quest for the right baking, and upgraded to a commercial kitchen. “We had to source, but she was never fully satisfied reconfigure the recipes for the new equipment,” Maureen ex- with the flavor. Then it was suggested plains. “I had to tweak my recipes for a year before I got to her that she make her own. them right.” That’s exactly what she did — her hard work paid off. Kalamazoo Kettle Corn was born with the help of her husband. Togeth- and now ships the product nationwide. er, they researched the possibilities Ninety-five percent of their business is wholesale, and and found more and more information the company offers some unusual flavors — like Chocolate regarding kettle corn. Together they Peanut Butter Bliss and White Chocolate Cherry (made with approached several reputable sources real Michigan cherries) — available in retail stores like hard- to help them start their business, but ing’s and D&W. Five sales representatives provide kettle corn they were surprised that they were bearing the proud Kalamazoo label to retail locations across the given discouraging advice. “I actu- country, and it has been sold in all but three states. Maureen Kearns Kalamazoo Kettle Corn ally had someone ask me: ‘Why would But Maureen still loves to make those gift baskets that someone buy popcorn from you when started it all. “We welcome walk-ins at our store and the holiday they can just pop a bag in the microwave?’” season is always busy with baskets of our kettle corn being sent They disregarded the negative feedback and decided to all over.” Kalamazoo Kettle Corn personally delivers anywhere proceed with caution anyway. They eventually took their show in Kalamazoo and will ship to meet nonlocal requests. Stop in on the road, popping mounds and mounds of yummy kettle to Maureen’s store or order from the comfort of your computer. corn at fairs and farmers’ markets — and the kettle corn was “every basket is made to order just for you.”

We’re All About Saving You Money, Time, and Patience. ValueValue When sending voice, data and images by fiber around the world. Value Packages include: Fiber Optic Services Long Distance Hosted IP E-Mail Hosting What you receive VoIP / SIP Phones Voice Mail when you rely on Teleconferencing & Metro E Toll-free calls (between Battle Creek & Kalamazoo) CTS for all your IT needs.

When you call CTS, you’ll speak to a real live human being. That’sThat’s invaluableinvaluable!! www.ctstelecom.com or call 269-746-4411

26 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Sparkle Lights By Theresa Coty O’Neil

ONA LATE SuMMER EvENING a few years ago, my youngest son As fall approaches, Richard explains, the Summer Tri- was playing in the yard when he suddenly ran inside, breath- angle, which slowly becomes visible in the early evening, is less and excited. he wanted me to come out and see something the “season’s dominant asterism.” If you face south and look to extraordinary in the sky. he called them “sparkle lights.” the right, you will see Vega, the brightest star in the triangle, This was his first experience seeing stars, and so by a located 26 light years away from earth. If you direct your eyes stroke of negligence, he got to view the splendor without any to the east, you’ll see Deneb, which adult explanation. his enthusiasm reminded me of the awe a is the tail of Cygnus the Swan (also star-filled night can inspire, and the accompanying sense that, known as the Northern Cross). Look like the Polynesians who made their way through the Pacific further south and you will spot claiming island after island as they followed their “star path,” Altair, also part of the head of the we each have our own star path, as mysterious and grand. constellation called the eagle. In honor of stars (moon and planets, too) and of the Inter- “It takes a little practice and national year of Astronomy 2009, this column will be devoted imagination to see the triangle,” to highlighting stellar events in southwestern Michigan, bits Richard said. But historically, imagi- of advice for amateur astronomers, and astronomy-related hap- nation and astronomy have gone penings around Kalamazoo. The International Astronomical hand-in-hand, as the naming of the Union chose 2009 to celebrate the night sky because it is the constellations can attest. 400th anniversary of Galileo’s first telescopic viewing, among Typically, astronomers avoid other reasons. the moon, because, as Richard says, Richard Bell, a self-proclaimed night owl, astronomy “It’s bright and obnoxious.” As- instructor at both Kalamazoo Valley and Glen Oaks com- tronomers affectionately call it the munity colleges, and media coordinator for the Kalamazoo “dead rock in space.” But if there’s a Astronomical Society (KAS), will be walking us through the single month to seek out the moon, Richard Bell, Kalamazoo night sky in the upcoming months. Richard, who September is usually it. This year, KVCC and Glen Oaks CC has been gazing towards the heavens since he first became fas- however, the harvest Moon (so cinated at a very young age, attends annual Star Parties around named because it gives farmers extra light by which to gather the and coordinates viewings and events for the their harvest) doesn’t occur until October 4th. For several KAS. “Star Wars” and his own avid reading excited him with nights in a row, the harvest Moon appears large, bright, and the sense that “there was something out there besides the local sometimes orange. neighborhood.” (Continued on page 53)

www.encorekalamazoo.com 27 GuessWHO CLUES

• The original Statue of Liberty was a gift from to the United States. Our Statue is a gift from Duluth, Minn., to Kalamazoo.

• Our “Guess Who” has been volunteering to spread “Goodwill” for over 25 years.

• A seamstress might think her first name is really foldy, pleaty or darty.

• She has children and grandchildren spread from the east coast to the west and all the way to Africa.

ANSWER ON PAGE 54.

Photography by John Gilroy. University Symphony Orchestra — This Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Performing Arts concert will feature the 2009 Stulberg silver 349-7775 medalist, Ran Cheng. Oct. 4, 3 p.m. Miller Plays Auditorium, WMU. 387-4667. Speed Bump by Dave Coverly — The wit and whimsy of this cartoon artist are “9 Parts of Desire” — This drama is a Chamber, Jazz, Orchestra shown in original daily and Sunday car- profound and impassioned look at the lives & Bands toons, along with illustrations from “Sue of contemporary Iraqi women. Sept. 24, 25, MacDonald had a Book” by fellow Ann 26, Oct. 1, 2, 3, 8 p.m., Oct. 4, 2 p.m. york Bullock Series — A series of concerts Arbor resident, Jim Tobin. Kick-off recep- Arena Theatre, WMU. 387-6222. performed by guests of the WMU School of tion Sept. 5, 5 p.m. Through Jan. 10. Music; Cleveland Jazz All-Stars, Sept. 13, 7 In Search of Motion: John Cavanaugh/ Musicals & p.m. Dalton Center Recital hall. 387-4667. Sculptor 1921–1985 — hammered lead, Opera Pacifica Quartet — Fontana Chamber aluminum, bronze, ceramics, and wax Arts season-opener features this compel- sculpture, all of which demonstrate an ethereal sense of movement, are shown in “The Best of Times” — This is the third ling ensemble performing Mozart, Ligeti, this exhibition. Runs Sept. 19–Nov. 8. installment in a series of musical revues and Beethoven. Sept. 25, 8 p.m. Dalton ARTbreak — enjoy informal free lectures saluting the folk music movement. Sept. 4, Center Recital hall, WMU. 382-7774. and presentations on art-related topics 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, Oct. 2, 3, 8:30 p.m. Guest Artist Recital — euphonium player including; The Cats of Mirikitani (part New Vic Theatre, 134 e. Vine St. 381-3328. Brandon Jones will perform. Sept. 28, 6 1), Sept. 8; The Cats of Mirikitani (part “Evil Dead” — This “killer musical” is p.m. Dalton Center Recital hall, WMU. 2), Sept. 15; Art and Mathematics, Sept. based on the 1980s horror film premise of 387-4667. 22; hockney at the Tate, Sept. 29. Bring a teenagers in an abandoned cabin dying one Gilmore Rising Stars Recital — Nareh lunch to these 12:15 p.m. sessions. by one, but the songs are hilarious. Sept. Arghamanyan performs works by Rach- Art & All That Jazz — The KIA’s popular 18, 19, 25, 26, Oct. 2. 3. 9. 10, 8 p.m. Whole maninoff, Mendelssohn and more. Sept. series combines great art with live music Art Theatre. epic Theatre, 359 S. Kalama- 27, 4 p.m. Wellspring Theater, epic Center, and refreshments. Musical guest TBA. zoo Mall. 345-7529. 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall. 342-1166. Sept. 18, 5–7 p.m. “Fiddler on the Roof” — This rousing, Emeritus Recital — Robert Whaley will Embracing Diverse Voices: African- heartwarming produc- perform on tuba with trombonist Daniel American Art in the Collection of the tion filled with music, Mattson and pianists Phyllis Rappeport I know of no Kalamazoo Institute of Arts — During dance, poignancy and and yu-Lien The. Oct. 5, 8:15 p.m. Dalton more encouraging the past decade, the KIA has undertaken laughter is a treasure Center Recital hall, WMU. 387-4667. fact than the an initiative to acquire a significant body of the American stage. unquestioned of works by African-American artists of Sept. 25, 26, Oct. 2, 3, 9, ability of a man Miscellaneous regional and national renown, including 10, 8 p.m., Oct. 1, 7:30 to elevate his Robert Scott Duncanson, henry Ossawa p.m., Oct. 4, 2 p.m. Civic Jeff Goldsworthy — This comedian will life by conscious Tanner, Jacob Lawrence, ernest C. With- Auditorium, 329 S. Park bring the house down with laughter. Sept. endeavor. ers, Richard hunt, Lorna Simpson, and St. 343-1313. 25, 7 & 10 p.m. Miller Auditorium, WMU. Henry David Kara Walker. This exhibition marks — and 387-2300. Thoreau celebrates — the KIA’s progress toward Symphony that goal. Oct. 3–Nov. 29. “Turandot” — The KSO and Raymond Visual Arts harvey will present Puccini’s masterpiece Park Trades Center opera with special guest artists and the 345-3311 Kalamazoo Singers. Sept. 19, 8 p.m. Miller WMU Richmond Center for Auditorium, WMU. 349-7759. Visual Arts (RCVA) Open Studios — Visit with artists and see The World of … Mendelssohn — To mark various demonstrations including glass 387-2455 blowing by the West Michigan glass Soci- the bicentennial of the German composer ety during Art hop. Sept. 11, 5–9 p.m. Maestro Raymond harvey will explore his Amy Hauft: Counter Re-formation — Saniwax Gallery — Photography by Gary life, times and music. Oct. 4, 3 p.m. Light In the Albertine Monroe-Brown Gallery Cialdella with an opening reception during Fine Arts Center, K-College. 349-7759. visiting artist Amy hauft will display her Art hop. Sept. 11–25. sculpture. Opens Sept. 10.

30 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Miscellaneous STEPPING BACK WITH THE ARTS Art Hop — View the works of area artists at local venues/galleries in downtown The constellation Orion, also known Kalamazoo. Sept. 11 & Oct. 2, 5 p.m. 342- as the hunter, is one of the largest and 5059. best known in the night sky. The three stars that comprise Orion’s belt are easy to spot. Other features include the sixth brightest star in the heavens, Rigel, the Literary Events hunter’s left foot, and the Orion Nebula, which is part of the sword. The mythol- ogy behind it is this: Orion was the son Kalamazoo Public Library of the sea-god Poseidon and euryale, 553-7809 daughter of Minos. The young Orion got into trouble and was blinded as punish- not abide this and sent a scorpion to kill Poetry Feast: Vine-Ripened — Area writ- ment. he stumbled his way to the east Orion. After Orion’s death, zeus agreed to ers read from the fruits of their summer where helios, the Sun, healed him. Later, place him in the heavens to eternally hunt labors. Readers include Bonnie Jo Camp- while hunting, he threatened to kill every and, as a memorial, placed the scorpion bell, elizabeth Kerlikowske, Nina Feirer, beast in the world. Mother earth could among the constellations as well. and a scarecrow. Sept. 28, 7 p.m., Central Library, 315 S. Rose St. Listening to Music — This program will enhance your ability to enjoy all types of plastic models ranging from space crafts, music, from classical to rock and every- Museums custom cars and hotrods to airplanes and thing in between. Presented in partnership helicopters when these modelers gather for with Fontana Chamber Arts. Oct. 1, 7 p.m., their 11th annual show. Sept. 5. Central Library, 315 S. Rose St. Kalamazoo Valley Museum Super Science Saturday: Up, Up and Meet Author Bob Downes — This 373-7990 Away! — An event geared toward kids of author took four months to backpack his all ages, you can find out how hot air con- way through europe, egypt, India, and vection can make a flying machine, build Meet the Velvelettes — A special ex- southeast Asia, and wrote about it in Planet a model of a hot air balloon, and make a hibit featuring Kalamazoo’s own famous Backpacker. Books available for sale and snake dance! These half-hour activities Motown singing group, The Velvelettes. signing. Oct. 5, 7 p.m., Central Library, 315 will occur at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Through Sept. 27. S. Rose St. Sept. 26. Grand Re-opening of the Planetarium — Public grand re-opening of the new W.K. Kellogg Manor House Portage District Library Digistar 4 planetarium. Families can take 329-4544 away their own Galileoscope (quantities 671-2416 limited and on a first-come basis, one per Meet the Chef — Karla Richards, baker family). Visitors can view, free, two new Manor House Tours — See this 1926 at Food Dance Cafe, is producing seasonal shows, “Stars of the Pharaohs” and “Secret home and the 32-acre grounds and food items for the Bank street farmers mar- of the Cardboard Rocket.” Mini-missions gardens. Sept. 13 & Oct. 4, at 20-minute ket. She will demonstrate her techniques in the Challenger Learning Center will run intervals from 1–4:15 p.m. 3700 e. Gull and cook up creative fall dishes from local for $3/person. Sept. 19. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Lake Dr., Augusta. produce at the Portage District Library Family Performance — Storyteller, Sept. 23, 2–3:30 p.m. Pre-registration comedian and actress Tonya Dallas brings (Continued on page 51) requested. Call 329-4542 ext 600. energy, humor, and great stories that the Buy Local Kalamazoo — This program’s whole family will enjoy. Oct. 3, 1 p.m. one year anniversary celebration will allow you to meet business owners and learn Please send notification of activities to: Air Zoo Encore “Events of Note” how you can promote our local economy. 382-6555 350 South Burdick St., Suite 214 Short program, speaker and refreshments. Phone: 383-4433 • Fax: 383-9767 Sept. 24, 5:30 p.m. International Plastic Modelers Society E-mail: [email protected] Show — The Air zoo will host over 300

www.encorekalamazoo.com 31 Rawson Does the Rocks By Larry Massie

wetting their bag- gage. They spread “These coasts are out their clothing on the grass to dry most delightful and and left every- thing, includ- wondrous … for ing the precious carpetbag, on the Nature made it lawn of the newly built residence so pleasant to the belonging to the patriarch of Grand eye, the spirit Island, Abraham Warren Wil- and the belly.” liams. They then knocked on his door, and the old man immediately

LBeRT LeIGhTON RAWSON, a began regaling Albert Rawson sketched Grand Island Harbor as it appeared during 37-year-old painter and writer the strangers with his 1866 visit. Not until the 1890s would Munising emerge as a from out east, thought the tales of his many genuine community. famed Pictured Rocks of Lake Superior adventures since he rowboat on a tour of the Pictured Rocks. a “pleasant summer retreat” marred had settled on the island with his family After spending a miserable night swelter- with but few disadvantages, “the chief of in 1840. ing on the floor of Lemm’s house not which is the appalling fact that it is about Fierce barking, growling and scrab- far from an immense cooking range in two or three days’ canoe journey either bling suddenly interrupted the conversa- which Mrs. Lemm baked biscuits for the way to a beef-steak.” If Rawson seemed tion. They raced out to find that a pack trip far into the evening and with a little sensitive on the subject of beef, of Indian mongrels had ripped open the the windows shut tight against the there was good reason. carpetbag and made off with every bit of “mosquitoes that had gathered by the he and several companions ar- the “savory sirloin.” Thus bereft of his millions to welcome the strangers,” they rived in Grand Island harbor aboard the coveted meat, Rawson would have to were only too happy to set out early the steamer Planet in July 1866. The steward subsist on Superior’s renowned piscine next morning. of the vessel had kindly cooked up an delicacies. Within minutes of the canine The Pictured Rocks, a series of red ample supply of steak and other edibles crime, he observed a family of resident Cambrian sandstone cliffs interlaid with that he presented to the tourists in a Chippewa busily cleaning the day’s catch mineral oxides, stretch approximately 27 carpetbag, commenting: “This will keep of gigantic lake trout and white fish, long miles along the shore of Lake Superior you in memory of civilized life while in revered by earlier travel narrators as from present-day Munising to the Grand the wilderness.” “food fit for the gods.” Sable Banks west of Grand Marais. In When being rowed to the island, Rawson hired Williams’ son-in-law, places they soar more than 200 feet the skiff had taken on water, thoroughly Bill Lemm, to convey them in his 15-foot above the lake.

32 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 The first european to describe them, assemblage of grand, picturesque and French explorer Pierre Radisson, who pleasing objects.” canoed along the southern shore of Lake Schoolcraft later collected Chip- Superior in 1658, wrote in his journal: pewa legends, which he published as “These coasts are most delightful and “Algic Researches” in 1839. henry Wad- wondrous … for Nature made it so pleas- sworth Longfellow utilized Schoolcraft’s Rawson Does the Rocks ant to the eye, the spirit and the belly. At work as the source for “The Song of one point we came to a remarkable place. hiawatha” (1855), and many of hia- By Larry Massie It is a bank of rocks that the wild men in watha’s exploits are set in the region of our party made a sacrifice to; they call the Pictured Rocks. it ‘the likeness of the devil.’ They sling In 1835, Dr. Chandler Robbins Gil- much tobacco and other things on it in man from New york became the pioneer veneration … Along the shore there are tourist to travel to the Pictured Rocks many caves caused by the violence of simply to observe their grandeur. he the water. When the lake is agitated, the wrote: “Nothing I had ever heard has at waves go into these cavities with great all prepared my mind for the sublimity force and make the most horrible noise, and beauties of this scene.” like the shooting of great guns … ” The Copper Rush of the 1840s and henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who ac- the subsequent exploitation of the Up- companied Michigan Territorial Gov. per Peninsula’s metallic riches brought Lewis Cass on an exploration of Lake increasing numbers to marvel at the rock Superior in 1820, described the Pic- formations east of Munising. tured Rocks as “surprising groups of Grand Island had long been a favor- overhanging precipices, towering walls, ite camping ground of the native Chip- caverns, water falls, and prostrate ruins, pewa, who called it Gitchi-Menesing. In which are here mingled in the most the 1850s, a company of Philadelphia wonderful disorder, and burst upon the land speculators purchased a plot of view in ever-varying and pleasing suc- land on the mainland across from the cession … It may be doubted whether, island and platted a city they named Bill Lemm, Albert Rawson’s Pictured Rocks in the whole range of American scenery, Munising. They built an opulent hotel guide, posed proudly with his trusty rifle. there is to be found such an interesting and printed a map of the community At his feet is the stern of his 15-foot rowboat he named after his daughter, Cora.

www.encorekalamazoo.com 33 Massie

picturing parks, wide boulevards and camp there for about a week, feasting One pleasant morning Rawson and other civic improvements. The hotel on the fish they caught and roasted over a friend named Doxtater paddled to the was occupied by a few tenants for one the campfire and other provisions Lemm Grand Portal, the Pictured Rocks’ most season only, and the first Munising brought back during several trips to spectacular formation — the one the remained merely a city on paper. Grand Island. A near constant breeze off Chippewa venerated as “the likeness In the 1870s another attempt at the lake kept away most of the blood- of the Devil or evil spirit.” entering the settlement was made with the construc- sucking insects. They had also towed huge arched portal, with the eye of an tion of iron furnaces, but the Munising along a small birch-bark canoe and artist, Rawson described the interior: Furnaces ceased operation in 1877. Not “Imagine yourself in a room four until the 1890s, when a tannery and hundred feet long, by one hundred several sawmills started up, would Mu- and eighty wide, and one hun- nising finally become a bona fide com- dred and fifty to two hundred munity. In the 20th Century a big paper feet high to the arched roof, mill and wooden-ware factory further built of yellow sandstone, spurred the economy. Munising seamed with decay and continues to thrive, especially dripping with water. Shout, each summer, as the gateway to and your voice is multi- the Pictured Rocks National plied a hundred-fold by Lakeshore created in 1966. echoes that reverberate But in 1866, as Lemm several seconds, sharp, rowed the tourists across metallic … especially South Bay (now Munising when the sun is toward Bay), the only structure at the west the bright light the future site of Munising is reflected back from the was the boarded up hotel, waves into the cavern, although the first features of and undulates like a sea of the Pictured Rocks, the Chim- light overhead; a picture in neys — tall, slender columns living colors, so tender, so of rock thrusting above the quiet — luminous, pearly tree line — appeared to Raw- greys, bright flashes, cool son “very much like factory- high lights, all warmed by chimneys, and one expects to see Near Chapel Rock in 1866, Albert Rawson and companions made the yellow sandstone, drip- smoke issue from them.” their campsite. ping with water, on which the About four miles east of Sand effect is thrown. Point, the end of Munising harbor, amused themselves, when the weather Gazing into the structure, Rawson Rawson noted Miners Castle with its permitted, with leisurely forays to the grew uneasy as he noticed “the waters “tall towers, solid walls, battlements, various Pictured Rock attractions. are undermining the foundation, and doorways, loopholes … like a real When not fishing for Superior’s wearing holes everywhere in the support Norman Castle.” finny delicacies, Lemm angled for metal of the walls and roof, and some day — In a hurry to reach their planned fragments, useful in the Upper Penin- how far into the future it is impossible camping spot at Chapel Beach before sula’s frontier, from the wreck of the to guess — the sandstone will be cut nightfall, the tourists rowed diligently Superior located near Spray Creek Cas- entirely through, and the immense roof past Stately Falls, Mosquito harbor, cade, two miles east of the campsite. On come down into the waves …” Colored Caves, Lovers’ Leap (site of the October 30, 1856, the Superior, a 567-ton Rawson’s enjoyment of the Pictured ubiquitous, aboriginal, unrequited-love steamer en route to Marquette with min- Rocks excursion and delightful camping suicide legend), Rainbow Cave, Grand ing supplies and passengers, broke her at Chapel Beach came to a sudden end Portal, Battle Ship Cave, Flower Vase rudder during a fierce gale. The help- a couple of days later with the arrival Rock and Indian Drum Cave. less vessel was soon smashed to pieces of another camper, Frederick Watson, At Chapel Beach, one of the Indian against the rocks, and 42 of the souls esquire. It seems that the previous rowers quickly constructed a hut of poles aboard drowned. Later, the steam engine summer, Peter White, Marquette’s most lashed together at the top and covered of the Superior was salvaged and used to illustrious founding father, had commis- with sheets of birch bark. They would power an Upper Peninsula sawmill. sioned Rawson to capture in water colors

34 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Underneath everything we are, underneath everything we do, we are all people. Connected, interdependent, united. And when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. That’s what it means to

LIVE UNITEDTM GIVE. ADVOCATE.VOLUNTEER.

Greater Kalamazoo www.KalamazooUnitedWay.org United Way

Forty years after Albert Rawson predicted the demise of the Grand Portal, it became a fact. the region’s scenery. having seen the al- bum of paintings, Wilson had decided to HERITAGE COMMUNITY OF KALAMAZOO‘S convince Rawson to teach him in a quick lesson or two what had taken the profes- MEMORY CARE SYMPOSIUM sional artist decades to perfect, and he persistently pestered him to do so. “Keeping Connected with Someone with Dementia” The bane of many a spoiled vaca- tion, an irritating interloper, drove Rawson in despair from the beach. One Join us in the Life Enrichment Center, of old Williams’ sons soon carried him Wyndham Apartments on Thursday, October 1 to Marquette in his sailboat. he returned east with mostly pleasant memories of “Keeping Connected with Someone with “the unrivaled and peculiar glories of the Dementia” – Two presentation times at Pictured Rock.” 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Daniel Kuhn, MSW and Rawson continued to carve out a co-author of “The Art of Dementia Care” will notable career, publishing more than present “Keeping Connected with Someone with 20 books about Biblical complexities, Dementia.” He will explain the experience Arabian travels, archaeology, history and of dementia through the words and experiences other subjects. he illustrated numerous of people who have the disease and what their books and articles (including an 1867 ar- psychological and social needs are. ticle about his trip to the Pictured Rocks in “harpers Monthly”); executed more Tour our facilities from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. than 3,000 engravings; and traveled to Learn more about our Memory Care Center of europe where he painted portraits of Excellence “person-centered” approach called queen Victoria, Louis Napoleon and Best FriendsTM during our special Open House other royal celebrities. In his earlier at Wyndham Apartments. writings he hewed closely to traditional Christian doctrines, but in his 50s he Valet parking is available and refreshments will dabbled in the outré. In 1882 he founded be provided. Free and open to the public. Call America’s first Theosophical Society in 269.226.6321 to make your reservation today! Rochester, N. y. Rawson died at his home in New Jersey at the age of 75 in 1903. Three years later, precisely 40 years after his prophecy about the demise of the Grand Portal, a huge section of the 2300 Portage Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 roof collapsed, destroying the magnifi- 269.226.6321 cent structure and forever closing the www.heritagecommunity.com great cavern.

www.encorekalamazoo.com 35 In-N-Out Burger in Las Vegas

Story and Photos By Robert Weir

First tip: Skip “the strip.” Too much glitter and glitz. Too much consumptive waste. Too much encroachment on delicate desert environment. Instead, slip out to nature.

hen my friend Cindy Gremban asked me to accompany her to the June wedding of her son, eric, and his bride, maria, in California, i said, “Sure.” The wedding was to be in Temecula, low-mountain wine country southwest of Los Angeles. Being adventuresome, Cindy and i decided to camp during the week prior — in can- yons, deserts, beaches, and on mountain tops. “everything except a rain forest,” Cindy said. Come along. ride with us. We’ll take you with us and introduce you to people and places we encountered along the way.

Kalamazoo, Chicago, Vegas. With both backcountry apparel and formal wedding attire packed, Cindy and i drove from Kalamazoo to Chicago on Saturday, June 6. We boarded a flight at midway, followed the sun, and secured our rental car in Las Vegas two hours before sunset. Great. We would pick up a can of fuel for our camp stove and head out to the desert. not so easily done, however. The first mega store was sold out of the type of fuel we need- ed; the second mega store didn’t carry it; and the third, a sporting goods outlet, had the right product but it only came packaged with a stove. forty dollars lighter and with a second stove we wouldn’t use, we noticed darkening dusk and our own grumbling tummies.

36 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Californians Paul Foster and Bobby Alvarez climb at Red Rock Canyon.

In-N-Out Burger.Solution: an In-N-Out Burger, homes in California to climb at Red Rock. The previ- one of Cindy’s traditions when traveling to the ous day, they had spent 12 hours ascending epineph- Southwest. What’s natural about fast food, you might rine, a 2,200-foot chimney that Paul called “a stimulat- ask? The answer: all-natural ingredients. Founded ing climb” — thus its name, a synonym for adrenaline. by harry and esther Snyder in 1948, the In-N-Out “All climbs have descriptive names,” said Paul. Burger has maintained its original simple fare: only “No Mistake. Big Pancake. edging Skills or hospital burgers, fries, and drinks free of additives, fillers, and Bills.” On the day we talked, they were going to “take preservatives. it easy” with a few ascents of less than 100 feet each. The beef comes from premium cattle, is packed “Climbing is as diverse as life,” Paul philosophized. and made into patties by in-house butchers, and Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop. The Red Rock shipped daily to 233 franchises in Utah, Arizona, Canyon National Conservation Area encompasses Nevada, and California. The Web site claims total 197,000 acres within the Mojave Desert. Located 20 freshness. “We don’t even own a microwave, heat miles west of Las Vegas, it features wild horses and lamp, or freezer,” it states. burros, big horn sheep, cacti, petroglyphs, picto- The Strip. Our appetites were sated, but the sun graphs, and ample samples of rich red rock escarp- had long passed over the mountains, leaving full ment, hundreds of feet in height, that are often darkness overhead. It was Saturday night. OK, let’s contrasted, ivory-white or pale-gray striations. cruise the strip. Why not? The 13-mile scenic loop ascends 1,000 feet from Well, one hour and 2.5 miles of stop-and-go-and- the visitors center to the mid point, topping out at stop-then-stop-some-more traffic later, we could offer 4,721 feet above sea level. Numerous parking areas plenty of reasons: pedestrian crowds, garish architec- permit opportunities for photography, short walks, ture and theme lighting, blaring noise, openly pro- hiking, and rock climbing. moted prostitution. Once we cleared the last traffic Molly Sheridan. At one of these scenic over- light, we were outta there. looks, we met Molly Sheridan, a tall, slender woman Red Rock Canyon Campground. Thirty min- who appeared to be in her 30s. “I started running late utes later, we set up camp under a host of bright stars in life, at 48,” she said, adding that she was now 52. and a growing, nearly full moon. Warm, dry wind The 13-mile loop was part of Molly’s daily training blew gently through the canyon. With low, low hu- regimen as she prepared for the Bad Water Ultrama- midity, there was no need for a rain fly over the tent. rathon. With a distance of 135 miles in Death Valley And sleep came quickly and peacefully. in mid-July and an elevation gain of 13,000 feet, it is Paul Foster and Bobby Alvarez. While eating touted as “The World’s Toughest Foot Race.” entrance breakfast the next morning, I noticed two men orga- is by invitation only. nizing rock climbing gear at the neighboring campsite. Molly, who has run for six days across the Paul Foster had been climbing for 22 years, and Bobby in the des Sables — carrying her own Alvarez for 2 1/2; they had driven 250 miles from their backpack and water, no less — was to be one of 86

www.encorekalamazoo.com 37 Travel

competitors. Of the expected 120-de- the finish line because of a forest fire that dunes, volcanic cinder gree heat, she says: “The human body is forced evacuation of the area. She earned cones, Joshua tree forests, amazing; it acclimates.” an award for having completed the race and carpets of wildflowers.” Checking the Bad Water Web site in in less than 48 hours. her only rest was a Joshua Tree National late July, I saw that Molly ran 131 miles 10-minute nap after 40 hours of running. Park. On Sunday night, in 45:09:17, stopping four miles short of Mojave National Preserve. Thirty we camped at the Barker miles south, Cindy and I Dam Camp in the heart of eschewed Interstate 15 and Joshua Tree National Park, a took the scenic two-lane 558,000-acre wilderness area road through the Mojave that features gorgeous, scale- National Preserve, a 1.6 able boulders that nature million-acre park of desert has piled 50 to hundreds of solitude. With topography feet high in artistic forma- of canyons, mountains, and tion. The park is named for mesas, its human-made its most notable vegetation, features include abandoned the sparsely branched Joshua mines, homesteads, and tree, a giant member of military outposts. A U.S. the lily family whose botanical relatives Department of Interior Web include flowering grasses and orchids. It site describes its natural reminded me of The Lorax tree drawn by beauty as “singing sand Dr. Seuss.

Molly Sheridan trains on the 13-mile In the morning, we walked and ran scenic loop in Red Rock Canyon. three miles to Barker Dam, a rain-fed basin accessible only through narrow canyon passageways. The natural rock formation was augmented with a concrete        dam for cattle around 1900. Today, park wildlife drink from there — when water is present, that is. We laughed at signs, embedded in dusty ground, that warned: No Swimming. Cholla Cactus Garden. Descending and letting the car coast at a comfort- able 45 mph toward the southern edge of Joshua Tree, we encountered FINE a majestic sight at the Cholla Cactus A GREAT Garden where acres of sun-drenched, WINES silver-white cacti — and some ma- AND SELECTION OF hogany brown from age — adorn the GARS AND landscape. Standing up to four feet tall, SPIRITS CI these immobile desert dwellers appear SMOKERS’ adorable, with uplifted teddy-bear arms SSORIES and delicate, yellow, cup-like blossoms RIEDEL ACCE shaped like raspberries. But signs at the STEMWARE entrance to a narrow trail offer a strict warning: “Do Not Touch.” each spear is Visit our smoke- ee razor-sharp and barbed. Small sections shopping environment of the stalk can break off and adhere to clothing and skin; removal is nearly On the Kalamazoo Mall at South St. impossible — and painful. 4,BMBNB[PP.BMMr   Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. On Tuesday, we drove Interstate 10 into a

38 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 Bob Weir takes a break to enjoy the fresh air of Wellman’s Divide, elevation 9,720 feet.

The Cholla Cactus 25-mph headwind through the San Gor- Garden in Joshua Tree National Park, gonio Pass, which features a wind farm Calif. contrast with a with over 4,000 wind generators. Our man-made forest of wind generators. destination was Mt. San Jacinto, by way of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The tram’s valley station in Chino Canyon sits at an elevation of 3,500 feet from which cable cars ascend more than a

$PODFSUTCFHJOBU1.BUUIF%BMUPO$FOUFS3FDJUBM)BMM 8.6 F O N T A N A C H A M B E R A R T S presents

Pacifica Quartet Esperanza Spalding Fri, September 25, 2009 Sat, October 3, 2009 .P[BSU -JHFUJ#FFUIPWFO0I.Z 'SPNUIF8IJUF)PVTFUP,BMBNB[PP 1BDJĂDB2VBSUFUTVOJRVFUBLFPOUIFTFJDPOPDMBTUJDNBTUFST &TQFSBO[BiSPDLTUIFCBTTuBNVTUIFBSFWFOU w w w . f o n t a n a c h a m b e r a r t s . o r g TICKETS (269) 387-2300 or visit Miller Aud. Ticket Office

www.encorekalamazoo.com 39 Travel

mile, nearly vertically at a rate of 21 mph, needed more than shorts and T-shirt at rific view of the valley, we set out with to the mountain station at 10,801 feet. The the top. backpacks to Tamarack Valley Camp, 2 change from the hot desert sonoran life Mt. San Jacinto State Park. After 1/2 miles away with an elevation gain of zone to the arctic/alpine life zone occurs a reasonably priced, sumptuous meal 1,300 feet. Darkness arrived before we in a mere 15 minutes — translation: We at Peaks Restaurant, which offers a ter- made that distance, so we chose the safe A Run With the Marines By Cindy Gremban

OU NeVeR KNOW when a won- ning, exercising, and playing sports derful opportunity will present to build strength, endurance, and itself. I have run the Chicago Mara- discipline. They were in great shape. thon, a local triathlon, and the Kal-haven On Friday, I met a very large Trail from Kalamazoo to Lake Michigan. group of Marines and I decided But nothing will ever compare with my to run with them. I assumed they experience running with the Marines! would quickly run by me. however, My son eric, who is a Marine, was I was inspired and picked up my getting married on June 13, 2009. My pace listening to this male choir of friend Bob and I were camping at Camp more than 200 voices as they “sang” Pendleton, Calif., prior to the wedding. their various cadences. every morning, I went for a run along the When Marines run in a group, ocean and saw groups of Marines run- one person shouts a statement such as, “One, Two, Three, Four,” and the group answers in a rhythmic man- THEATER RENTAL ner, “Marine Corps.” The leader may then Then I ran back to the guide in the shout, “Next came the color gold,” and the front row, the one who carries the unit group responds, “Marine Corps.” Some- flag. As we ran, I chatted with the guide times the leader will shout “feels good” or and the four others in the front row. “sounds good” or “fired up” or “here we They were respectful and encouraging. go.” The group then repeats the cadence. As we neared our campsite, I asked It was difficult for me to understand some the guide if I could get a picture. he was of the words, but my main memory was agreeable and told me where the group the powerful energy and the full sound of would be running after leaving the beach. the Marine voices. I quickly ran to our camp and asked On this morning there was such a Bob to bring his camera — and he took a long line of Marines that three differ- picture of me running with the Marines The Wellspring Theater offers a unique ent cadences sounded at the same time. through a parking lot. and beautiful setting to hold your next performance, workshop or meeting. There was this incredible male choir Altogether, I ran about three miles Our state-of-the-art 120-seat theater and the sound of the magnificent Pacific with this wonderful group of motiva- offers many amenities in downtown Ocean. I could have run forever with tional men. To them, it was just another Kalamazoo's exciting Epic Center. these brave, inspirational men. run along the beach. To me, it was a once I began running at a distance to stay in a lifetime opportunity, and being with Wellspring's Studio 19 offers out of their way, but I had questions. I them instilled confidence. a more casual atmosphere for rehearsals, meetings or classes. ran up to the road guards, the two who In addition to being a Marine mom, run in front wearing reflective vests to I work for the Defense Logistics Agency, CALL WELLSPRING AT stop the traffic at intersections. These which supports the Marines and all the 269/342-4354 OR VISIT guys were so friendly — and welcomed military. I am honored to have had this WELLSPRINGDANCE.ORG FOR my questions. I asked how many Ma- opportunity to run with these Marines RATE AND AVAILABILITY rines were in this group and was told who serve our country and represent INFORMATION. more than 200, an unusually large num- values of honor, courage, and genuine ber to run together at one time. respect. Semper Fi.

40 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 alternative and pitched our tent in the along an angular path of low shrubs guessed it, melted chocolate into which first reasonably level spot. salted with white boulders. But our we dipped bananas, strawberries, marsh- The next morning, we complimented watches and the midday sun told us it mallows, cake, and brownies. With 142 our wisdom for not having attempted to was time to turn around. We had a din- locations in 37 states, The Melting Pot is go farther over roots and rocks the night ner date with eric and Maria that night, a fine-dining treat. before. Reality also told us we would not at sea level, in Oceanside. Camp Pendleton. The Del Mar attain the summit of San Jacinto Peak The Melting Pot. The Melting Pot Recreation Beach at Camp Pendleton before needing to return to the valley restaurant serves fondue like we had provides 28 cottages and over 100 below. yet, we pressed on amid lush ferns, never seen. The first course is a pot of campsites for military personnel, wildflowers, and giant conifers in various cheese, kept warm with burners set into reservists, and Department of Defense stages of growth and decay. the table, along with bread and fruit. The civilians. Cindy, who works for the De- Our reward was a spectacular second course is a selection of raw meat, fense Logistics Agency in Battle Creek, above-the-clouds view of lower sur- seafood, and vegetables that we skewered is one of the latter and reserved our rounding peaks at Wellmans Divide, and lowered into boiling hot water for campsite. We were not alone, but while followed by a sun-drenched traverse one to two minutes. Dessert was, you all other “campers” came with luxury

Looking for a new view?

1SJNF-PDBUJPOTt'MFYJCMF5FSNTt$PNQFUJUJWF3BUFT 8JMM3FOPWBUFUP4VJUt4VJUFTUP"DDPNNPEBUF:PVS/FFET

Jim Gilmore Enterprises

$BMM$ISJT4IPPLGPSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPOY DTIPPL!OFXTVT

www.encorekalamazoo.com 41 Travel Look And Feel Your Best. “We strive to provide a superior care experience by creating a pleasant personal setting for the finest surgical procedures.” RVs, we were the only ones in tents. Dropping into sleep with the sound Body Contouring of waves at night was serene. But wak- Liposuction, Abdominoplasty Breast Surgery ing to Marines exercising at daybreak Augmentation, Reduction, Reconstruction was, well, interesting. Their sounds Facial Surgery included callisthenic-induced grunts as Facelift, Eyelid Lift, Brow Lift, Rhinoplasty well as rhythmic cadences as columns Reconstructive Procedures of men and women ran along the firm, Burns and Burn Scars, Facial Trauma, Congenital Deformities tide-soaked sand. Skin Rejuvenation Physical training is part of a Ma- IPL Treatment of Skin Pigment Abnormalities, rine’s occupation, an activity they engage Small Blood Vessels and Hair Removal, in throughout the day. eric described for Laser and Chemical Peels us the Marine’s “warrior athlete” semian- nual combat readiness exam, which he, at age 25, has completed in half of the allotted time. event one: run 880 yards in boots and camouflage utilities in 3 minutes, 48 seconds (males) or 4 min- On-site surgical center providing quality, confidential care utes, 34 seconds (females). event two: lift a 30-pound ammunition can from below 575 W. Crosstown Parkway – Kalamazoo the chin to above the head 45 times Phone (269) 343-5750 – Toll-Free (877) 995-5750 (males) or 20 times (females) in two Steven M. Nitsch, M.D. minutes. event three: dash for 25 yards, drop to the ground and high crawl for 10 yards, then low crawl for 15 yards; get up and run zig-zag through pylons for 25 yards; drag another Marine (a simulated casualty) for 10 yards, then pick up the New ad #5RMarine and carry for 65 yards; set the 8/08 Marine down and pick up a 30-pound ammunition can and run for 50 yards, zig-zag for 25 yards through pylons; set the can down, pick up an inert grenade The Mark Creativeand lob Services it at a target 20 yards away, drop 3975 N. 10th Street to the ground, and perform three push- Kalamazoo, MI 49009 ups in 3 minutes, 29 seconds (males) or 375.5659 4 minutes, 57 seconds (females). Ocean Sailing and Kayaking. On Wednesday, eric, Cindy, her friend Gee McNease, and I went aboard the 35-foot mark Eric Gremban, Gee McNease, Bob Weir, and creative Cindy Gremban sail aboard the sloop Gringo.

42 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 AHHHH... The bride’s family, Luis and Evelyn Centeno, and cousins Alex, Reecah and Sheela Tuliao, who traveled ...a finished project! from the Philippines for the wedding, and mother of the groom, Cindy Gremban. The Centenos moved to the United States from the Philippines where Luis was a bank accountant and Evelyn an operating- room nurse. They came for greater opportunity for themselves and their children, and because Luis’s eyesight was preventing him from distinguishing numbers on a ledger sheet. The couple now owns a What a great feeling! bowling alley and restaurant that employs 40 people and specializes in pizzas. sloop Gringo for two delightful hours The Wedding. Friday morning, we of sailing off the coast of Oceanside. broke camp and drove an hour inland • Fast The winds were light as Capt. Monte C. to Temecula in the heart of Southern yearley unhooked the dock lines. With California’s wine country. Rehearsal mainsail already raised, we slipped out that afternoon and the outdoor wedding • Efficient of the slip, through the harbor, and out on Saturday took place at the vineyard to the Pacific. of Wiens Family Cellars. • And will save A harem of at least two dozen sea eric and Maria’s choice of location lions barked from the platform of a was excellent. They were married in the you money! navigational buoy, and we sailed toward company of family and friends, many of them for a closer look before tacking them Marines, in the glow of late after- out to sea. Conversation was light and noon sun with a backdrop of grapevines If you are interested in jovial, as it should be in the peaceful and mountains. The ceremony was environs of gently rolling waves, as we sincere, the service supreme, the food cutting costs and took turns steering the boat. fantastic, and the wine divine. increasing productivity That night, with a carryout pizza in - give us a call. the backseat, we drove to the San Diego The newly married couple, Eric and Maria Gremban. airport to pick up the groom’s brother, Derek. We can HELP!! The next day, Thursday, Cindy and I rented kayaks from La Jolla Kayak. Our guide, Ashley, led us and six others on a tour of the Seven Caves off the coast of La Jolla. The rollers were gentle copy print scan fax so we entered one of the caves, a thrill- www.cornerstoneos.com ing experience facilitated by Ashley who swam with fins behind each kayak 269.321.9442 as she steered us in and out one at a time.

www.encorekalamazoo.com 43 Photo: Robert Weir Executive Director Jennifer Barlament and Music Director Raymond Harvey collaborate on details of the season’s performances. A Musical Duo Enriches the Region By Robert Weir The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s new Executive Director adds her own kind of flair and brings a talented bassoonist with her.

ringing complementary skills to kalamazoo as well as to their marriage, Jennifer Barlament and ken potsic offer welcome freshness to the community. B Jennifer is the new executive director of the kalamazoo symphony orchestra, having arrived and assumed that position in mid-april. she has a knack for organizational leadership, especially in the realm of finance and fundraising, which she blends with great knowledge of orchestral repertoire, thanks to her training as a clarinetist. ken is a bassoonist. With an innate love of music, combined with proficiency in machining, he is one of only about six people in north america who specialize in repair and restoration of bassoons. He moved his equipment into town and set up shop in the park trades center in July. as a couple, they perform clarinet and bassoon duets for each other and friends, share an appreciation of residential architecture and historic preservation, enjoy outdoor silent sports that include cycling and hiking, and have started collecting phonograph records. Jennifer promises noticeable changes in kso performances. ken may be less visible, unless asked to perform on stage with the kso, but … well, consider how unique is it to have in our midst someone with the rare expertise of repairing bassoons. their complementary interests are also evident at home, where, as ken says, “We listen to opera while working on the house.”

Jennifer Barlament

“you will probably see some things from the kalamazoo symphony orchestra that you never expected,” says Jennifer Barlament, with a teasing hint of humor in her voice. and what might those things be? “you just have to wait,” she replies, noting that some new ideas may be imple- mented in the current 2009-2010 season. “there are a lot of possibilities,” she adds. those possibilities stem from a spirit of nimbleness that Jennifer believes is critical to the

44 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 success of any organization, especially one that provides a service the job, too. We had four rehearsals, then a concert” as is typical of performing arts. “We have to be in constant contact with the of professionals but unusual in a school context that features community,” she says. “that is true not just for the person sitting numerous rehearsals prior to a performance. in the leadership role; it means that everyone who works as a part the orchestra, which performed twice each semester, was of this organization shares in that leadership. everyone brings managed by the 10-person management core group that con- their own background and expertise to the table. everyone has sisted of a personnel manager to recruit musicians, a facilities ideas. and that has a lot of potential to change some of the things person to secure concert sites, a publicist, a liaison with eastman, the community sees about the organization.” and others. the managing director was Jennifer Barlament who stepping outside the norm is not unusual for this young, chuckles as she says, “i was doing very similar things to what i’m attractive woman who initially intended to be an orchestral doing now as the kso executive director.” clarinetist. Born in chicago in 1973, Jennifer started school in recognizing her proficiency for spreadsheets, Jennifer took Farmington, mich. But while still in kindergarten, her father, a second look at her inherent fascination with physics and math- who was a civil service ematics. “i have a sense of busi- employee within the U.s. ness and numbers,” she says, “and Defense Department, took an ability to analyze, see trends, an assignment that moved project into the future, understand the entire family — Jenni- what makes costs happen and fer, her father, mother, older what makes income happen, and a sister, and younger brother good knowledge of marketing and — to for the first fundraising.” four years of Jennifer’s equally important, she adds, elementary education. she is her understanding and appre- finished her preparatory ciation for the art form itself. “i education in Hinesville, have a great passion for music and ga., and then obtained a the musicians who perform it,” bachelor’s degree in music, she says. she cites as her personal with a physics minor, repertoire: good taste in music, from emory University in Photo: Rick Briscoe knowledge of a wide range of Jennifer Barlament and husband Ken Potsic are both accomplished atlanta. musicians who sometimes perform together. music from classical to pop, and at the eastman awareness of artists who are mak- school of music in rochester, n.y., where she earned a master’s ing great contributions to orchestral music. of music in clarinet performance and literature, Jennifer stepped speaking philosophically, Jennifer draws an artful connec- outside the box and shifted her career from being onstage to tion between notes and numbers. “of course, sound-wave physics orchestra management. is involved with the creation of notes,” she says, “but i think the “as a player, i was very focused on wanting to play in an real correlation between music and science is in math, in the orchestra. But there wasn’t a great orchestra for us to play in at way musicians process information when playing an instrument. eastman, and the available chamber ensemble and recital oppor- there are a lot of minute decisions: this note is this long, and the tunities weren’t performing repertoire we needed to play in order next note is that long. so, the musician is constantly thinking in to win an orchestral audition.” the solution? “some colleagues a very mathematical way about time. the physical part of playing and i — all students — started our own orchestra.” an instrument requires discipline, diagnosis, and analysis.” admittedly, Jennifer says, the group didn’t start out to be an she continues: “the thing about the art of mathematics and orchestra but, rather, an opportunity to get together with friends the art of music is the structure in which you work. also, the lee- every two weeks to read repertoire, like Brahms’ “second sym- way within that; there is a lot of creativity involved. the numbers phony,” a composition that was common to orchestral auditions. become a tool for problem solving. in music, the notes become a “eventually, we decided that we were really good and that we tool for expression, to make the piece work and make an impres- should perform!” Jennifer says. sion on people.” Because eastman’s facilities were booked with student recitals and school concerts, the group — consisting of 70 to 80 ennifer’s unique perspective and knowledge regarding both students and calling themselves the new eastman symphony — the business and the performance aspects of orchestral music took their performances into the rochester community. Jcome from her career track, which has covered the coun- “We attempted to make it as real life as possible,” Jennifer try. Upon her graduation from eastman in 1998, Jennifer was states. “it was preparing us not just to win auditions, but to play accepted into the orchestral management Fellowship program

www.ENCOREkalaM azOO. COM 45 Barlament Michigan Festival of Sacred Music of the american symphony orchestra the opening of a new concert hall and the league (now the league of american hiring of a new music director. Hold- FIFTH orchestras). then, at age 25, she worked ing the second highest position in the BIENNIAL as a fellow for 3 1/2 months each at the organization, Jennifer planned and ran all FESTIVAL san Francisco symphony, the new Jersey concerts. NOVEMBER 12-22 symphony orchestra, and the Detroit of her tenure in Baltimore and 2009 symphony orchestra. omaha, she states, “i think i’ve been very KALAMAZOO “it was a practicum,” Jennifer considerate about my career, and each explains. “the host managers committed move has seen an increase in responsibili- themselves, personally and as represen- ties.” she views each step as having been Join us for a festival where tatives of their organizations, to spend- beneficial to all parties. i“ t’s really impor- the sacred music of ing time with me. they were my mentors tant to contribute to an organization as many faiths is shared and celebrated. and inspiration. they gave me projects well as to learn as much as you can. i feel FOR MORE INFORMATION & that helped both me and the organiza- strongly that i have been in places where i COMPLETE PROGRAM SCHEDULE tion, a lot of behind-the-scenes assign- needed to be so i could learn and also that OF FREE & TICKETED EVENTS ments. it was a great experience, and i i had something to offer.” visit: www.mfsm.us learned much.” of particular benefit was as she starts her term in kalamazoo, or phone: 269.382.2910 her participation in contract negotiations Jennifer defines the current economic TICKETS at www.millerauditorium.com, between the san Francisco symphony times as interesting. “there are some by phone: 269.387.2300 or 800.228.9858, and their musicians. changes we have to make to return to in person: Miller Auditorium and Jennifer’s first position, after com- financial sustainability” she says. Epic Center Box Office Tickets also sold at door. pleting her fellowship, was as director of then, she revisits the theme of cre- special projects for the Detroit symphony ative nimbleness: “you’ll see the kso as a orchestra for whom she completed proj- more nimble organization that is con- ects begun during her practicum. From stantly responding to external factors and there, she worked a two-year stint as con- is in close touch with its community. and cert manager for the Baltimore symphony is trying new things.” orchestra. that was followed by six years and those new things? as general manager for the omaha sym- Jennifer smiles and offers mysterious phony, a position she held when recruited responses about “orchestral steadiness, to be kso’s executive director. consistency, and sustainability,” followed While she was in omaha, the orches- by “not being afraid of change while tra experienced many changes, including maintaining integrity and tradition,” and While on tour in Japan with the Eastman Wind Ensemble in 1996, Jennifer Barlament visits a Shinto shrine.

46 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 YOUR SeptemberFiddler 25on –the October Roof 10 AWARD-Winning THeatre! OctoberTwelfth 9 – OctoberNight 24

It’s a Wonderful Life, Save Novemberthe 27 Musical – December 13 40% The 25th Annual PutnamJanuary County 15 – January Spelling 30 Bee Great Theatre JanuaryIs He29 –Dead? February 13

At the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in up to Sewanee, Tenn., in 1995, Jennifer Barlament Voice of Good Hope performs with a colleague. Seasoand seen February 19 – March 6 Subscription “moving within existing structure to try All My Sons new things, evaluating, and trying more March 26 – April 11 new things.” with a But while she speaks in nonspecifics, TheApril Dixie 2 – Swim April 17 Club Jennifer offers a direct invitation to the community: “i want everyone to feel free Jekyll &May Hyde, 14 – May the 29 Musical to call us and ask, ‘Have you ever thought FBC1697_Schlueter475x4875.qxd:Layout 1 8/19/09 2:26 PM Page 1 about doing this?’ i want people to tell us how they feel about a concert, good 2009-2010 Season or bad. that’s very important to kso’s CALL THE BOX OFFICE TODAY: continued vitality.” KEYSTONE COMMUNITY BANK Vitality, youth, enthusiasm, ideas, 269-343-1313 energy, and nimbleness. these are the HAS MONEY TO LEND. gifts that Jennifer Barlament brings to the kalamazoo symphony — and to all who come and listen and view the orchestra’s eystone Community Bank has performances. Kmoney to lend. We are a healthy Michigan bank that is committed to Ken Potsic Michigan and will continue to follow the fundamentals of responsible “in common parlance, i’m a bassoon banking. So whether you wish to repair person, but there is so much more deposit money or borrow money, our to it than repair,” states ken potsic with one of his frequent laughs. “the term is business principles are summed up in misleading because bassoons are rarely our guiding line: We’re all about you. broken. much of what i do is preservation or restoration or modification.” Thomas Schlueter Bassoons are not as standardized President/CEO as other instruments, ken explains, dis- playing youthful expression on a boyish face. correspondingly, ken’s skills — his 269.553.9100 orchestral-caliber playing ability � � combined with his machining ability — Kalamazoo Paw Paw Portage don’t match a standard norm either. “not www.keystonebank.com We’re all about you.

a lot of people do bassoon repair,” he Member FDIC says, “because, if they’re good mechani-

www.ENCOREkalaM azOO. COM 47 Photos: Robert Weir Robert Photos: Ken Potsic stands next to his industrial In order to properly seat a new leather and lathe, which he uses to repair bassoons in felt pad over the tone hole, Ken Potsic heats his Park Trades Center shop. the exterior of the bassoon key.

cally, they’re often less interested in play- the managing director. ing, and, if they’re a good player, they’re after graduation, ken returned to often not interested in the mechanical chicago where he played in the civic aspects of it.” orchestra of chicago, an affiliate of the Born and raised in chicago’s west- chicago symphony orchestra. When ern suburbs, ken began to study piano Jennifer took her first career assignment at age 6 and then chose bassoon at 9. “i with the Baltimore symphony orchestra, was in first or second grade,” ken recalls, she and ken were, as he says, “pretty “when a woodwind quintet visited my el- much on the marriage track.” He moved ementary school. i saw the bassoon, and there, too, and they married in 2003. it looked really interesting. the bassoon- While in Baltimore, ken played ist kept putting the reed in his mouth, as a freelance bassoonist with various and because its color was light brown, i orchestras, including those in: Wilm- thought it might taste like butterscotch. ington, Del.; lancaster, pa.; annapolis, of course, he was putting it in his mouth md.; and Baltimore, md.. He also met to keep it moist, but i didn’t know that Holden mcaleer, one of only a handful of then.” in third grade, ken selected the full-time bassoon-repair persons in all of bassoon as his school orchestral instru- north america. ment, but his fingers were not long to his apprenticeship, ken brought enough to reach the keys, so he played a bassoon-reed profiling machine that oboe for one year. he had designed and machined while By his senior year in high school, a student at northwestern and vin- ken was serious about music while also tage metalworking equipment — drill considering a career in science. He at- presses, lathe, a milling machine, band tended northwestern University intent saw, grinder, and sander — that he had on a double major in bassoon perfor- acquired while working a summer job at mance and chemistry. But he let the lat- the University of chicago. ter drop and graduated with a bachelor’s “i had the tools. i had the playing degree in bassoon performance in 1996. abilities to properly evaluate an instru- He then went to eastman school of ment and to tune it. and i had the music in rochester, n.y., and earned machining skills. so, bassoon repair was opening 9.9. 9 a master’s of music in Bassoon perfor- a natural thing to get into,” he says. mance and literature in 1998. it was at eastman that ken met itting at his work bench in his shop the NEW Jennifer Barlament, both of them per- in the park trades center this past forming 18th- and early-19th-century ssummer, ken talked of the art of chamber music in a woodwind octet. reed making. “any professional bassoon “We got to be friends, and there was a player or any serious student or amateur real connection,” he says of their initial makes their own reeds,” he says. “that is attraction. ken became the facilities a huge learning curve. Bassoon players in parkview hills manager for the new eastman sym- say that if you start with a pile of cane on (269) 375.2105  3501greenleaf blvd phony, a student-run organization of 70 one side of your bench and a wastebas- eNewMartells.com to 80 musicians, for which Jennifer was ket on the other, when all the cane is in

48 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 ENHANCING YOUR the basket then maybe you know how to CORPORATE make a reed.” IMAGE ken was among the rare few who be- gan making reeds at a young age, while still in fifth grade. i“ was mechanically inclined, and i relished the opportunity to start making them myself,” he says, adding that he spent more time honing : Park Club, Fountain Room 349-6805 CLIENT that skill than practicing. USE: Web, Newsletter, Promotion the actual work time to make a reed might be only 1.5 hours, spread over weeks or months. He points at a block of wood with vertical dowels that neatly hold six reeds in process — called “blanks” — and says, “i made these over a year ago. the longer i let them rest and season, the better.” the process of making a bassoon HeHeilmans reed begins with a six-inch piece of hol- NUTS & CONFECTIONS’ low cane that is cut into strips, planed — or “profiled” — to a prescribed thin- kind of nutty, but in a good way! ness, folded in the middle across the grain with its ends bound together with 1804 South Westnedge Ave • 269-383-1188 • www.nuts2you.com brass wire and cotton string, and then left to season. 4 3/4" x 2 1/4" the final step is to contour the blades, which ken calls “crucial,” “the real fun,” and “the real work on which you can spend a lot of time and may never get right. out of 10 reeds, i might Your flyers should get two that i really like.” LOOK BETTER ken’s bassoon repair and restora- than theirs. tion services are varied, costing from $50 to $8,000. With the cost of a new professional-quality bassoon at $30,000 Visit or more, ken says, “it’s rare to give up on PortagePrinting.com a bassoon, and many people are willing to SEE HOW. a to put quite a bit into restoration of an 8167 HeilmansEncoreAd2Fn instrument of that value, especially the 9.12.07 “strads” of the 1930s and ’40s. they are [email protected] never so far gone as to be unrepairable.” Bassoons are made of maple, a relatively soft wood. the conical bore is lined with ebonite, a hard rubber that protects it from decay due to condensa- tion of human breath. “the bassoon was developed by the Call Heckel family in germany, beginning in 323-9333 1831,” ken states. “early bassoons were & ask how. made of fruitwood or boxwood and would last maybe five or 10 years in professional 1116 West Centre Avenue • Portage, MI 49024 usage. today, they can last indefinitely.”

www.ENCOREkalaM azOO. COM 49 Barlament

still, wood rot in the tone holes may cause unwanted air leakage and tone distortion. to address that problem, ken fabricates silver tone hole liners, using his machining skills and musicianship to determine the proper dimensions to obtain optimum playing characteristics. on instru- ments with extensive damage, ken might replace several inches of rotted wood. prior to World War ii, bassoons didn’t have a high D or high e key, features that are common today and that ken retrofits for some customers. ken Ken Potsic, Laura Barlament, and Jennifer Barlament stand atop the 14,000-foot Mount of the Holy Cross in Colorado. also replaces worn and corroded key components and replates metal parts he believes is better than commercially horizontal stripes on the outer surface of with a fresh coating of silver or nickel. available pads. the instrument, which Heckel burns into a frequent task in bassoon repair is He takes particular pride in his the wood and another german manu- the replacement of dried and hardened ability to restore the traditional finish on facturer, püchner, paints on. ken has pads, which ken makes himself with older Heckel bassoons. “striping is tradi- encountered bassoons that were refin- leather and felt from a special source that tion,” ken explains in regard to black ished by inexperienced owners, noting they were sanded and finished with typi- cal hardware-store varnishes. to restore Don’t Talk to Strangers those instruments, ken might reburn the stripes or repaint them according to the We live in a neighborhood where manufacturer’s style. children are allowed to play outside to re-create a bassoon’s original and even ride around a block or two. protective coating, ken mixes his own one warm gift of an april evening, i varnish, which he makes from raw shel- walked to the mail box, just lac blended with sandarac from an excuse to feel purposeful. a little and gum mastic from the island of girl passed me as she kick-pushed chios, greece. From studying formulas her scooter. i guessed age six — for violin varnishes, he has developed a so hard to gauge once yours are grown. spirit varnish with the desired degree of silently, i admired her layered flouncy skirt elasticity and durability. in carnival colors, topped by a bikini string searching for a single word that de- top — a bike helmet finesk en’s unique set of skills, he looks incongruously finished her. to another cherished orchestral and she took the time to turn around as chamber instrument. “people who work she passed and gave a on violins are called luthiers,” he says. “i trusting smile. i would have treasured basically do what a luthier does, except just that but a few yards later on bassoons.” she twisted again, looking back ken wonders if, someday, he might and, still obediently mute, smiled craft bassoons from scratch, favoring one last time before turning the corner. the more organic and less boomy quality of instruments from 70 and 80 years By Deborah gang ago compared to those of today. But, for Originally from Washington D.C., Deborah moved to Kalamazoo to attend graduate now, he is quite content with the niche school and stayed to work in mental health for 30 years. She is an admirer of he loves, and he expects to stay with southwest Michigan summers and the nearby “freshwater ocean.” Another of her bassoon repair and restoration for a long literary works, “I Am a Bad Mother,” will be published in literarymama.com time. He says, “enabling people to make in early November. beautiful music is a great reward in itself.”

50 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009 You need a strong supporting cast to deliver a

(continued from page 31)

Jansen Valk Thompson & Reahm PC Nature Com andis dedicated to providing innovative solutions to our business and personal clients through sound, expert accounting, tax, andPrmance fi nancial advice. Audubon Society of Kalamazoo Call today and learn how we can help 345-6541 maximize your performance. 555 WEST CROSSTOWN PARKWAY, SUITE 101 | KALAMAZOO, MI 49008 | 269.381.7600 | WWW.JVTR.COM Sandhill Cranes — tom Hodgson of the Jackson audubon will speak. sept. 28, 7:30 JVT1928_JVTR_EncoreAd_082009.indd 1 8/24/09 9:59:51 AM p.m. people’s church, 1758 n. 10th st.

Kalamazoo Nature Center 381-1574

BioBlitz — kick-off the celebration of the knc’s 50th anniversary by interacting with guest scientists through programs and hikes. sept. 12, 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Kellogg Biological Station 671-2510

Public Tour — the kellogg Bird sanctuary will host a public tour of the facilities. sept. 26, 10 a.m. 12685 e. c ave., augusta. Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy 324-1600

Chipman Preserve Workday — Heal the landscape and help restore native vegeta- tion. Bring work gloves, boots, and long pants in case of poison ivy. call to rsVp and/or to carpool. sept. 26, 9 a.m. –noon. Miscellaneous

Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest — celebrate local food and farming with an exciting day of great food, music, demonstrations and exhibits. sept. 20, 11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. tillers interna- tional, 10515 east op ave., scotts. Visit David Small & www.swmiharvestfest.org for details. Sarah Stewart

www.kpl.gov

www.ENCOREkalaM azOO. COM 51 Bates (Continued from page 25)

Backpackers who complete all 2,175 miles in one continuous trip are called thru-hikers. Matt and Kate Bates are shown on the left, with Seth Krufka and Becca Deulac.

to a world that offers so many choices, Structures like this one are found periodically along the trail and are maintained by volunteers who live in the area. Sometimes they prove to be more comfortable for sleeping than a tent. they agreed. On the Trail, all that mat- ters is having food, shelter and clean Frozen water filters and ropes, “real” life. To their great relief, despite water, and all that you need is in your slushy water bottles and hypothermia the Girl Scout Council’s reorganization, backpack. For thru-hikers, life on the AT made the group miserable, even as they Matt was soon offered a job there. It took becomes an endless procession of days continued to hike 20 to 25 miles a day. Kate a bit longer, but six weeks after they that are alike. Author Bill Bryson, in “A Kate says the cold caused her to consider got home, she, too, landed a job, as Walk in the Woods,” calls it the “tran- abandoning the hike, just 500 miles from an academic advisor at Davenport U quil tedium” of the Trail. Seth Krufka the end. In the next town, she says she niversity. says it’s a world where the only way you bought “a ton” of warm clothes, reinstat- The couple is now in the process of know it’s the weekend is by the increased ing her normal determination to finish buying a home. number of day hikers you encounter. the hike. Reflecting on what the AT taught Matt and Kate were practically oblivious them, both mention the phenomenon of to the ’08 presidential election, hav- hile the cold weather and “trail magic,” and how it demonstrated ing spent November and the preceding frozen boots almost drove the basic kindness of people. AT hikers months on the Trail. It’s easy to see why WKate Bates to despair, her often find, emerging from the woods, re-immersion into real life brings culture husband’s low point had come much that locals have left food along the shock to AT hikers. earlier in the trip: during the long rainy roadside for them; motorists frequently Matt and Kate say they see another spell at the north end. Then, he discov- offer them lifts into town or give them hike in their future, but they have no ered a use for Sham-Wow cloths that money for coffee. Sometimes it’s even desire to be among the few who walk even TV pitchmen don’t mention: They more magical, with drivers showing up the Appalachian Trail more than once. can be used to dry a hiker’s clothes and unbidden and giving hikers a ride, just in “We’ve already done that one,” they said. boots. Stuffed into soggy boots over- time to keep them from being lashed by But maybe the Pacific Crest ... or the night, they render them much drier by a vicious storm. Matt believes that trail Continental Divide. Matt and Kate’s eyes morning. magic has renewed his religious faith. are focusing on the new challenges of When Matt and Kate got to Springer While six months of enforced these western trails, trails that are even Mountain, Ga., Kate’s aunt met them and togetherness does suggest a potential longer, with higher mountains, than the walked the last mile of the Trail with strain on relationships, both Matt and Appalachian Trail. them. They finished the trip on Decem- Kate have found, now that they’re back You can read a day-by-day account of ber 7, 2008. home, that they truly miss spending all Matt and Kate Bates’s Appalachian Trail After reuniting with friends and of their time together. hike in their online journal at http://www. relatives, it was time to resume their It was overwhelming to come back trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=213827

52 ENCORE • September 2009 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Star Column

Blue Water Gallery ...... 11 (Continued from page 27) Bronson Healthcare Group...... 55 Cornerstone Office Systems ...... 43 And if it happens CSM Group ...... 48 to be cloudy and CTS Communications, Inc ...... 26 overcast, don’t Dave’s Glass Service ...... 27 DeMent & Marquardt, PLC ...... 33 despair. On Sep- DeVisser Landscape ...... 22 tember 19th, the DeYoung Landscape ...... 6 Kalamazoo Valley Douglas & Son ...... 25 Museum’s Plan- Fontana Chamber Arts ...... 6 & 39 etarium re-opens Framemaker...... 46 after a three- Gilmore Enterprises ...... 41 John Gilroy Photography...... 49 week closing to Great Lakes Plastic & Hand Surgery ...... 23 celebrate its new Great Lakes Shipping Co...... 21 $1.3 million laser Greater Kalamazoo United Way ...... 35 projector. The Di- Greenleaf Hospitality Group ...... 24 gistar 4 Laser is a Greenleaf Trust ...... 2 Habitat for Humanity...... 24 full-color projec- Harbour Bay Furniture ...... 15 tor that replaces Heilman’s ...... 49 the planetarium’s Heritage Community ...... 35 former outdated black-and-white projector. Seven new programs will be featured (more Hospice ...... 23 to come on these) in the fall. Admission to the 109-seat planetarium will be free on Irwin Union Bank...... 54 opening day. Jansen Valk Thompson & Reahm ...... 51 Kalamazoo Civic Theatre ...... 47 So as the days get shorter, don’t forget to look up. Sparkle lights (or a large, bright Kalamazoo Foot Surgery ...... 13 moon) may inspire a sense of unexpected appreciation for the universe in which we KNI/Southwest Michigan Imaging ...... 56 live. Isn’t it grand? Kalamazoo Public Library ...... 51 Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra ...... 5 Keystone Community Bank ...... 47 Langeland Family Funeral Homes...... 22 Michigan Festival of Sacred Music...... 46 Millennium Restaurant Group...... 48 A look at Kalamazoo Miller Auditorium ...... 4 Miller Davis ...... 6 The Park Club...... 12 (question on p. 10) Parkway Plastic Surgery ...... 42 Answer! Portage Printing ...... 49 Premier Vein Center ...... 21 The largest, grandest houses in Kalamazoo Scholten Kitchen & Bath ...... 5 were built on Michigan Avenue, named Main South Street Cigar & Spirits ...... 38 Street, in days of old. Now called Michigan Village Place...... 3 Avenue, the homes were located between Webster’s ...... 15 Oakland and Park streets. Some of the most Wellspring Theatre ...... 40 distinctive included the M.H. Lane House, Willson Insurance ...... 42 built in 1891 and owned by Moses Henry R.B. Wiser & Associates ...... 11 Lane, president of Michigan Buggy Co. and the World’s Fair Commissioner for Michigan in 1892 and 1893. The O.M. Allen House, which included more than two-dozen rooms, Poetry anyone? How about was built in the mid-1880s and was owned sharing your verse with by Oscar M. Allen, founder of Globe Casket Kalamazoo-area readers? Company, among other business ventures. Please submit a short per- The William S. Dewing House was built William S. Dewing House sonal profile to accompany it. in 1882, sold to St. Augustine’s in 1924 to be used as their Encore Magazine rectory, and demolished in 1975. The last of the “mansions” was c/o Poetry Editor demolished in 1986, although the cupola was saved for posterity. 350 S. Burdick St., Suite 316 That home was built for William House in 1860 and eventually Kalamazoo, MI 49007 [email protected] became the Truesdale Funeral Home.

www.ENCOREkalaM azOO. COM 53 Answer To GuessWHO

Tucky Elliott

Tucky Elliott is the personification of the Statue of Liberty for this month’s Guess Who. She and her husband, Chuck Elliott, have been enlightening icons in the Kalamazoo community for years. Costume courtesy of Timid Rabbit Costume Shop. BeeaM^eÊi=ej>[Whj Duluth, Minn., is Tucky’s hometown. She attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., where she earned a Bachelor of Arts To get her exercise, Tucky hits the gym three times a week and degree. She and Chuck, former CFO of the Kellogg Corporation, is a daily walker. She also lists reading as one of her interests. have been married for 10 years. Their family consists of Chuck’s But helping people is where her heart really lies. Her contri- two children and four grandchildren and Tucky’s four offspring, butions are too numerous to list in full, but a partial list would 8HEDIED$ED;E<7C;H?97ÊI Liz, of Boston, Dave, who lives in Nairobi, Kenya, Carol, of Ed- include more than 25 years of volunteer service to Goodwill wards, Colo., and Bill, of Arvada, Colo. Tucky is justifiably proud Industries, assisting at the Free Clinic of Kalamazoo, and service to of her four kids and eight grandchildren who range in age from 2 MRC Industries, the Kalamazoo YWCA, Kalamazoo Rotary Club, JEF>;7HJ>EIF?J7BI$ to 12. and a true dedication to the arts. The Elliotts are big supporters Tucky was employed as Director of Development at Kalama- of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and the KSO League, and zoo College from 1983 to 1988. She then worked in the same posi- they were honored with the 2005 Cooper Award for Distinguished tion for her alma mater, Carleton College, until 1991. Volunteer Service by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Edboed[^eif_jWb_diekj^m[ijC_Y^_]Wd_ihWda[ZWced]j^[dWj_edÊiX[ij ^eif_jWbi\eh^[WhjYWh[$?jÊi8hedied$M^oWh[m[iefhekZjeX[dWj_edWbbo h[Ye]d_p[Z\ehj^[gkWb_joe\ekh^[Whjfhe]hWc57^kdZh[Zh[Wiedi"ijWhj_d] m_j^j^_i0Oekedbo^Wl[ed[^[Whj$?jZ[i[hl[ij^[X[ijYWh[$

To create your own Photo Debit Card, go to: IrwinUnion.com/photocard

Kalamazoo | 1717 South Westnedge Avenue | 269.383.5930

© 2009 Irwin Union Bank. Member FDIC. Irwin Union Bank & Trust and Irwin Union Bank, FSB are members of the Irwin Financial family of companies. Restrictions apply. A valid Irwin Union Bank personal checking account is required to order a Photo Debit Card. Standard Fee for Photo Debit Card is $9.95. To receive the Irwin Union Bank photo debit card free of charge, the promo code must be entered at the time of purchase. Promo Price valid from 8/3/09 to 6/1/10. May not be combined with other offers. Offer subject to change. *Free Checking available with a Free Basic checking account only. **Irwin Union Bank will rebate any ATM fees charged by other banks directly into your account on the following business day. In addition, Irwin Union Bank will waive the fees normally charged to its clients for using foreign ATMs. This service does not apply to clients maintaining accounts in Bartholomew County, IN.

54 ENCORE • SEPTEMBER 2009

BRO80011_Top-100-MagAd-C 1 1/9/09 9:51:44 AM

TOP 100 AD— JOB # BRO80011 DATE 1.07.09 INITIALS DATE CLIENT BRONSON MAGAZINE “C” CD Brad Gilmore HEADLINE Look Who’s Got... AD Benson Hardy LIVE 7.25" x 9.875" CW TRIM 8.125" x 10.625" 1 BLEED 9" x 11.5" AM Robin Pfeifer MEDIA MAGAZINE PM MMc COLOR CMYK CLIENT C MYK BeeaM^eÊi=ej>[Whj 8HEDIED$ED;E<7C;H?97ÊI JEF>;7HJ>EIF?J7BI$

Edboed[^eif_jWb_diekj^m[ijC_Y^_]Wd_ihWda[ZWced]j^[dWj_edÊiX[ij ^eif_jWbi\eh^[WhjYWh[$?jÊi8hedied$M^oWh[m[iefhekZjeX[dWj_edWbbo h[Ye]d_p[Z\ehj^[gkWb_joe\ekh^[Whjfhe]hWc57^kdZh[Zh[Wiedi"ijWhj_d] m_j^j^_i0Oekedbo^Wl[ed[^[Whj$?jZ[i[hl[ij^[X[ijYWh[$

BRO80011_Top-100-MagAd-C 1 1/9/09 9:51:44 AM

TOP 100 AD— JOB # BRO80011 DATE 1.07.09 INITIALS DATE CLIENT BRONSON MAGAZINE “C” CD Brad Gilmore HEADLINE Look Who’s Got... AD Benson Hardy LIVE 7.25" x 9.875" CW TRIM 8.125" x 10.625" 1 BLEED 9" x 11.5" AM Robin Pfeifer MEDIA MAGAZINE PM MMc COLOR CMYK CLIENT C MYK encore_new 1/23/09 9:59 AM Page 1 The Future of Imaging is Here

When KNI introduced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and on the campus of Borgess Medical Center, KNI’s (MRI) to Southwestern Michigan in 1985, few people long-standing medical partner. Specialists at Premier knew what was in store for this amazing technology. Radiology in recent years have helped KNI continue to grow and make possible new procedures and new Originally used primarily to diagnose disorders of the technology. The Premier team has more than a dozen brain and spine, MRI has become the safest, most- radiologists, including MRI specialists. advanced diagnostic imaging technology available to physicians. MRI today is used by physicians to help KNI continues to introduce new software, techniques patients prevent disease, to detect injury and illness and knowledge to serve physicians and patients in all parts of the body and to design treatment plans throughout Southwestern Michigan. and monitor post-operative surgery progress.

KNI is home to the most powerful and the most advanced imaging technology in Southwestern Michigan. Five MRIs, including this region’s only high- field open MRI, serve patients at KNI’s Gull Road site

KNI • 1700 Gull Road • Kalamazoo, MI 49048 • 269.342.1099 • www.kniimaging.com