Category Archives: How-To’s

Give Dad a Father’s Day he’ll love in West Michigan

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By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

Don’t forget that Father’s Day is Sunday, June 17th. This is a day all about celebrating dad. Many West Michigan businesses are hosting special events, discounts, or offers for the dad in all of our lives. No matter their interest, you’ll find something for him here. Give dad the gift of West Michigan this Father’s Day!

Father’s Day Specials

TreeRunner Adventure Park in Grand Rapids is hosting their annual Father’s Day event, where dads can come out and climb for free with the purchase of a full-priced ticket!

 

For Father’s Day, Arcadia Brewing Company in Kalamazoo is offering a “Buy Dad a Beer Day” special. Purchase a tier one beer for only $4 for the dad in your life!

 

Dads golf for free with a paid round at Waters Edge Golf Course in Fremont on Father’s Day. Waters Edge features a scenic and challenging 18-hole public golf course. Check out the course and book your tee times on Waters Edge’s website.

Father’s Day Events

Celebrate Father’s Day early with the Cars and Coffee at the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids on Friday, June 15th. This special evening event is bigger than ever before, with an expanded display area and much more.

 

Courtesy Michigan Maritime Museum

The Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven presents the 37th Antique & Classic Boat Show on Saturday, June 16th. This event celebrates all kinds of antique and classic small craft from power boats to paddle boats.

 

Virtue Cider has a special treat for dads and dad-types all weekend long. On Saturday, June 16th, they’ll have local barber Sharp Corners on-site giving haircuts, trims, and shaves. Dads will also enjoy a father-friendly Virtue Cider pork barbecue from 2-6pm, paired with buckets of Michigan Brut all weekend that you can enjoy on the outdoor cider house lawn.

 

Goodrich Park in Whitehall is home to the 40th Annual White Lake Area Arts & Crafts on June 16th and 17th. The festival is expected to draw thousands of people this Father’s Day weekend. Those attending can purchase a variety of hand-made art and crafts such as jewelry, wood furniture, and more.

 

The Hilton Garden Inn in Benton Harbor is hosting their Classic Car Cruise on Sunday, June 17th. Your visit starts with the Father’s Day buffet at the Garden Grille Restaurant, located in the hotel. Afterwards, head out to the car cruise to check out all the cool cars on display.

 

Historic Charlton Park in Hastings is hosting their 37th Annual Father’s Day Car Show on Sunday, June 17th. There will be over 800 vehicles on display for you and dad to check out together!

 

Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs is hosting their 34th Annual Father’s Day Festival on Sunday, June 17th. This event features live music, wine tasting, food trucks, a classic Corvette car show, kids games, and more. This festival is a great opportunity to get the whole family together outside in the Michigan sunshine and celebrate your favorite dad.

Outdoor Recreation that Dad Will Love

Celebrate the great dads in your life by visiting the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary in Augusta for a summertime walk around Wintergreen Lake on Father’s Day. Dads get in free on their special day! The sanctuary is a great place to enjoy nature and learn about the wonderful world around you.

 

For the Electric Bike Place in Grand Haven, Father’s Day is a time to celebrate all the dads. Spend the day riding through Grand Haven together on these unique electric bikes, a perfect activity for the entire family.

 

Take dad out for a golf weekend at Gull Lake View Golf Club & Resort in Augusta. They have six courses, making it a prime location for a golf outing. Their newest addition, Stoatin Brae, sports amazing views all around the course and vistas that rival courses across the country. Check out Stoatin Brae along with Gull Lake View’s other five golf courses this Father’s Day weekend!

 

Visit the trails of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings for Father’s Day. The institute is located on 742 acres with nine miles of hiking trails for you to explore. For more information on their trails, including a calendar of events, visit the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s website.

 

Golf in Mt. Pleasant is easier than ever with Michigan’s Central Swing’s Father’s Day promotion. By using the promotional code MCSDAD2018 in your quote request, you’ll receive a $50 gift card to local restaurants when booking your golf getaway. Treat dad to some of West Michigan’s finest golf in the Mt. Pleasant area.

 

Fathers tend to like the great outdoors, and Mecosta County is the perfect place to celebrate. The area is home to over 100 lakes and numerous streams, with the majestic Muskegon River being a big draw. If dad loves golf, Mecosta County has five beautiful golf courses, each with their own scenery and experience. To plan your entire trip, visit Mecosta County’s website.

A Feast Fit for a Father

Treat dad to brunch on Father’s Day at a local brewery like Thornapple Brewing in Grand Rapids! Thornapple will be serving up a delicious brunch alongside their beer, cider, mead, and wine.

 

A waterfront meal at Boatwerks Restaurant in Holland will be a real treat for dad! Their menu features everything from salads and seafood to burgers and pizza. Enjoy a great meal while taking in the lakeside views on beautiful Lake Macatawa.

 

Schuler’s Restaurant in Marshall is the perfect place for the whole family to spend time with dad on his special day. On Sunday, June 17th, meet for an out-of-this-world smorgasbord that only Schuler’s can deliver. Make reservations early and share the experience with your #1 dad.

 

Stop by Zazios at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo for their Cooking with Dad class on Saturday, June 16th. This cooking class will be a fun and interactive way to spend time together on Father’s Day weekend. They’re cranking up the grill and learning a few tips on best practices for everyone’s summertime favorites.

 

Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo is celebrating Father’s Day by raising a glass to dad, just steps from where Larry Bell started his family-owned business in 1985. The father in your life will enjoy tickets to Bell’s special Father’s Day beer dinner on Monday, June 18th as a way to show your love and gratitude.

 

Visit Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids for a delicious meal with dad. They create European-inspired cooking in their scratch-kitchen, with an equally impressive beer lineup. Their seasonal beers include the Tropical Saison, with real pineapple and mango balancing the hop complexity!

The Perfect Gift for Dad

Your dad will love tickets to the Circle Theatre in Grand Rapids! They have a full season of shows, including Snow White, Fun Home, Leading Ladies, and On The Town. For a full list of shows and performances, visit the Circle Theatre’s website.

 

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ Gallery Shop specializes in solving your gift-giving challenges! You’ll find a wide variety of handmade gifts, many by local artists, that dad will cherish.

 

Treat your dad to an extreme outdoor activity this Father’s Day with MACkite in Grand Haven! Their kiteboarding lessons are a fun and unique gift for any dad that loves being out on the water. During these lessons, dad will be pulled by a kite as long as 19 meters on a board, right on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. For information on kiteboarding lessons, visit MACkite’s website.

Frogs’ and toads’ songs of spring

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Photo courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Bill Cook, Michigan State University Extension

 

Most of us are aware that many birds claim territory with songs and calls. Robins and cardinals might top the list for the most frequently recognized spring migrants. However, as the frogs and toads emerge from their overwintering habitats, their voices are among the favorites. The woodland frogs begin the annual serenade.

 

Chorus frogs (Pseudacris triceriata), spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) and wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) can be heard in those crepuscular times (dawn and dusk).

 

Nearly as soon as the ground surface thaws and even when there is still snow on the ground, the chorus frogs make a call that’s reminiscent of running a fingernail along a stiff comb. Often the first to make itself heard in the spring, they can be easily distinguished from the louder spring peepers and wood frogs.

 

The peepers, particularly, can make a cacophony of sound heard from the inside of speeding cars, even with music playing! Passing through those wetlands might seem a bit like a visitation from an alien world. They might be the best-known northern frog.

 

Wood frogs are also among the first debuts of spring. Their calls can be distinguished by a rapid thrup-thrup-thrup that sounds a bit like rubber slipping across rubber. Populations of wood frogs are known to sound like a large of group of people, all talking at once.

 

Soon to follow the chorus frogs, peepers and woodies are the American toads (Bufo americanus). These marvelous sounds are high-pitched trills that last around 15-20 seconds. A neighboring toad will sing at a slightly different pitch. Many toads will sound like a choir of sopranos or like science fiction laser guns!

 

Gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) can be heard from springtime and into the fall. Their sound is often mistaken for that of a bird. It’s a bubbly sound, sort of like blowing a straw into a glass of water, only a much higher pitch. These are also the frogs that can appear on window sills during the summer. They can be colored gray, brown or green.

 

Northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) make a rapid clicking sound as well as a rubber-stretching sound or, maybe, a slow, creaky rocking chair. Sometimes, they sound like the rapid taps of a sapsucker on hollow wood. The pickerel frog (Rana palustris) has a similar call, a bit more like a giant zipper.

 

Later into the spring and into the summer, green frogs (Rana clamitans) announce themselves with a flat note that is a bit like a single strum on a loose banjo string. Green frogs, bullfrogs, and leopard frogs are generally associated with ponds.

 

Bullfrogs (Rana catesbiana) are aptly named for their calls, which, indeed, resemble the moaning of bulls in the field. It’s a low-pitched, short moo that is usually repeated several times in sequence.

 

Of course, all of these northern frogs and toads, including some not mentioned here, are associated with water and begin as tadpoles. Many of them, especially the woodland frogs, are associated with vernal pools. These pools are essentially ephemeral spring puddles in the woods. Besides frogs, vernal pools sport many other interesting critters, such as salamanders and fairy shrimp.

 

Learning the various sounds of frogs and toads is fairly easy with the numerous audio clips found on the internet. Without much practice, identifying species and population sizes can be fun spring activities. The Michigan DNR has some fun information about our frogs and toads including audio clips.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

 

Sportsmanship: Make it a measurement of character

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By Terry Clark-Jones, Michigan State University Extension

 

Sportsmanship is a way of life. What type of role model are you?

 

We usually think of sports as a way to teach kids various physical skills, but youth sports can offer many more learning experiences. There is a lot of research and writing concerning performance but there is very little on the impact around the social, emotional, intellectual, and moral impact of participants according to the Josephson Institute of Ethics. Children learn behavior from the adults most important to them. Those important people could be the parent, a teacher, coaches or a good friend. Regardless, it is important that adults model appropriate ways of being a good competitor and spectator.

 

Sports are a major social forces that shape the quality and character of American culture. It is an opportunity to teach kids how to handle themselves positively in difficult situations. Below are examples of how grownups can teach a child (and maybe some adults) to be a generous competitor, a good loser, and a graceful winner.

  • Teach sportsmanship — Require participants to demonstrate sportsmanship before, during and after a competitive event. This can be accomplished by following rules, being honest and fair, showing respect, being well-mannered, and accepting outcomes gracefully.
  • Applaud your children — Be sure to express your appreciation to the children, the other club/group, officials and others you wish to show respect. Examples of this are to accept the ruling of the officials, congratulate all participants, remain positive at all times, and be cheerful and friendly.
  • Show respect to others — Don’t heckle, boo, make rude and sarcastic comments or insult other spectators, competitors, coaches or officials. Try to keep emotions under control and give others the benefit of the doubt. Again show respect and please refrain from public arguments.
  • Be a polite participant — Listen, act interested, and remain quiet when participants are introduced or when announcements are made. Stay until the end of the event, even if your child is finished competing. By doing this you are being a positive role model and showing integrity. Be objective and accept the nature of competition.
  • Show Courtesy to others — Do not block the view of others when taking pictures or videos, standing in aisles, or by jumping and standing up in moments of excitement. Always leave the viewing area clean by throwing away any litter.

By practicing the above examples, any event can be a pleasurable activity for all involved. Most importantly you will become a positive role model for the youth around you!

 

Michigan State University Extension offers a multitude of classes and resources on stress and anger manage, parenting, conflict resolution and violence prevention.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Type 1 diabetes children and sleepovers

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Some things to consider when your type 1 diabetic child is ready to start sleeping away from home.

By Erin Carter, Michigan State University Extension

 

As children gain more independence and have a stronger need to be away from home to spend time with friends, sleepovers become a customary part of children’s experiences. Sleepovers can cause concern among parents with the worry of not monitoring every moment of their child’s day and night. It takes parental adjustment to allow children to begin to have this freedom.

 

A parent’s job is to have their child eventually leave the nest making healthy life choices for themselves and the people they come into contact with. Sleepovers offer time away from the watchful eyes of parents to begin to practice decision-making skills important to the development of individuality. Many parents have personal guidelines they follow to allow a sleepover at another family’s home.

 

The typical personal guidelines or rules families have regarding a sleepover are more complicated when the child considering a sleepover is type 1 diabetic (T1D).  It is possible for T1D children to have the same experiences children without the illness experience.  There are considerations to be in place when a sleepover is in the works between T1D children and their friends.

 

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a reliable resource for T1D families for the concerns of working through a chronic disease such as diabetes. Starting with the host family being aware of the issues associated with diabetes is a good place to start. A conversation and training session may be of great importance so all feel at ease. It is best to keep routines consistent when away from home and blood sugars can change (hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia) with the excitement and activity of being with friends overnight. There are signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia for an adult in charge of a sleepover with a T1D child in the mix to be aware. A discussion of these signs and symptoms should happen prior to the party. It will be easier to recognize changes and the need for a blood glucose reading. Along with a discussion, a print out of these signs and symptoms can be given to the host family for their review and to carry with them.

The ADA gives guidance about the demonstration training of the adult in charge prior to the sleep over:
  • Checking blood glucose levels
  • Counting carbs or stick with the food plan
  • Checking and giving insulin
  • Treating highs and lows
  • Responding to an emergency- especially when it requires glucagon
  • Helping the adult in charge to know what your child can eat and how that relates to his diabetes care.  If possible, create a menu with your child so that you all can agree on meals, snacks and insulin doses ahead of time.
  • You may want to request a text or phone call for an update during the evening to know how things are going with the diabetes management.

As the day of the sleepover gets closer, and it is time to pack your child’s diabetic supply bag the ADA has some advice of things to remember. First, pack twice the amount of diabetes supplies you think your child will need.

The packing list should include:
  • Insulin
  • Syringes
  • Blood glucose testing supplies
  • Pump and/or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) supplies
  • Ketone testing strips
  • Glucagon
  • Glucose tablets or fast-acting sugar to treat low blood glucose
  • A medical ID card (your child should always wear a medical ID bracelet)
  • Day and night phone numbers for your D-team
  • All your contact numbers
  • Batteries
  • Snacks like peanut butter and crackers
  • First aid kit
  • Anti-diarrhea pills
  • Anti-nausea drugs

There are many concerns when parenting a child with diabetes, but it is important to have diabetic children have the experiences letting them try to have diabetes be at the forefront of their thoughts. It is hard enough to deal with having a chronic disease when you are the adult, but when children are trying to fit in and make friends, diabetes can be even tougher. Michigan State University Extension has many programs to help people diagnosed chronic disease and the prevention of disease. Find a program fitting your health needs at the website or Facebook page.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

The dangers of secondhand smoke

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Children are susceptible to dangers associated with secondhand smoke.

By Kea Norrell-Aitch, Michigan State University Extension 

 

It is not safe to smoke cigarettes around children and, more importantly, it is not safe to smoke at all. But if adults determine they want to smoke, then they can consider this information for keeping their children safe and healthy.

 

Smoking cigarettes or using smokeless tobacco is detrimental to your health. Smoking can be addicting, which makes it difficult to quit. Tobacco products damage many organs in your body and can cause heart disease and cancer.

Why is smoking bad for your health?

Tobacco contains a chemical called “nicotine” that gives smokers a pleasant feeling. People get addicted to that good feeling. Electronic cigarettes and “vapes” also deliver nicotine. Just because these products are popular does not mean they are safe. In addition to the nicotine, tobacco products have other poisonous chemicals in them. These toxic substances can poison your body over time, especially your heart and lungs.

According to the American Heart Association, some of the thousands of chemicals found in cigarette smoke or smokeless tobacco are also found in other familiar things:

  • Acetone — nail polish remover
  • Hydrogen cyanide — insecticide
  • Methanol — antifreeze
  • Cadmium — batteries
  • Hydrazine — rocket fuel
  • Toluene — paint thinner
  • Polonium 210 — nuclear waste
  • Formaldehyde — embalming fluid
  • Lead — once used in paint
  • Nitrosamines — cancer-causing substances
  • Arsenic— used in pesticides
  • Propylene glycol – automobile anti-freeze

Now that we have reviewed the chemicals found in cigarettes, would you drink any of them? Would you give your baby or child any of these chemicals in a bottle or cup? That is essentially what you are doing when you smoke around them. It may not be as potent as the exact chemical, but over time smoking will have adverse effects from secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is smoke inhaled involuntarily from tobacco being smoked by another.

Effects of secondhand smoke

Children are most affected by secondhand smoke and least able to avoid it (because they have no control over their parents or caretakers actions). The secondhand smoke can come from adults smoking at home or in the car. Children who have parents who smoke are more likely to have the following health issues:

  • Asthma and asthma attacks
  • Lung infections
  • Ear infections
  • Colds including increased coughing and wheezing
  • Tooth decay

Many people think their children will not be affected by secondhand smoke if they smoke outside, in a different room in the house or in the car with the window open. All of these scenarios are false. Children can still be affected by secondhand smoke in the above-mentioned situations. Smoke can get in the parents’ clothes, hair, skin and in the areas where children are sitting or sleeping. If you can smell the smoke, then the chemicals are entering into your body and causing harm.

 

Did you know there is also something called “thirdhand smoke?” According to the American Cancer Society, thirdhand smoke is when the harmful toxins remain in places where people have smoked. Thirdhand smoke can be found in walls and upholstery.

 

Many times, children and teens watch and mimic what they see adults doing. Research from the American Cancer Society has shown that teen tobacco users are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs than are non-users. Cigarette smokers are also more likely to get into fights, carry weapons, attempt suicide, suffer from mental health problems such as depression, and engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. This doesn’t necessarily mean tobacco use caused these behaviors, but they’re more common in teens that use tobacco.

 

The American Cancer Society says if you smoke, one of the most important things you can do for your own health and the health of your children is to stop smoking. Quitting is the best way to prevent your children from being exposed to secondhand smoke. It may be hard to quit, but you can talk to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician if you need help.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Sleep for the health of it

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Not only does a good night’s rest feel great, it also plays a vital role in our health.

By Christi Demitz, Michigan State University Extension; Colleen Kokx, MSU Dietetic Intern 

 

Over 37 percent of Michigan adults get less than 7 hours of sleep a night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), compared to the recommended 7-9 hours. Sleep deprivation impacts nearly all aspects of human functioning. A person’s memory, communication skills, reaction time, situational awareness and ability to make decisions are decreased when sleep is insufficient. In addition to impaired cognition, one’s physical health is impaired as well.

 

Not getting enough sleep can increase your risk for a number of chronic conditions. Type 2 diabetes and weight gain are two common consequences of not getting enough shut eye. Inadequate sleep affects your judgment, causing you to be more likely to choose unhealthy foods. It also affects our hormone levels that regulate hunger. The body will not be able to signal when it is full versus when it is hungry as efficiently, causing you to eat more than you need. A Northwestern University study showed that night owls consumed 248 more calories a day than those who went to bed at a reasonable time. This can add up to a weight gain of over 25 pounds per year! Extra weight is associated with many diseases such as heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Additionally, too little sleep causes you to be fatigued, likely decreasing physical activity, which contributes to an unhealthy lifestyle.

 

In today’s fast-paced world, it may seem impossible to add an extra hour or two of sleep into your daily routine. The CDC provides tips to help improve your sleep health:

  • Be consistent and go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning; even on the weekends.
  • Be sure to sleep in a dark, quiet and cool room.
  • Avoid eating a large meal and drinking alcohol and caffeine before bedtime.
  • Leave electronics out of the bedroom, including TVs, smart phones and computers.
  • Exercise during the day; it can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

While you may think that guzzling coffee in the morning replaces any sleep you may have missed, it is not so. The only way to truly recharge your body is to get enough sleep. Challenge yourself to get at least 7 hours of sleep at night. Your mind and body will thank you.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Camping in West Michigan

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By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

Surround yourself with nature when you take a camping trip in West Michigan. There’s a place to camp around every corner, whether you’re looking for RV sites, a place to set up your tent or stay in a cabin. These family friendly vacations can be done on any budget without compromising any of the fun.

Camping in Southern West Michigan

 

Canoeing at Sandy Pines

Camping is about relaxation, fun, and making great family memories, and the Covert/South Haven KOA will help you accomplish those three things whether you stay for a night or a week. Located near six beaches, you can play in Lake Michigan, walk the pier to the lighthouses, feed the ducks along the channel, build a sand castle, and relax as you listen to the waves crashing on the shoreline. At the campground, there is always something fun to do with activities and events scheduled throughout the summer in addition to the KOA’s amenities. End your day with family time around the campfire, laughing, telling ghost stories, and roasting s’mores.

 

For over forty years, Sandy Pines Recreational Community in Hopkins has been one of Michigan’s most popular family vacation destinations. Situated on a sprawling 800-acre parcel just off US-131 in Allegan County (between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids), this park offers an on-site lake, four heated pools and a splash pad, an 18-hole golf course, mini golf, hiking and fitness trails, tot center, a ropes course, bocce ball, basketball, tennis courts, and more. Numerous seasonal activities, including flea markets, are also held each year.

 

One of southwest Michigan’s newest camping destinations is the Kal-Haven Outpost in South Haven. Offering 44 primitive wooded tent sites, 20 RV sites with power/water hookups, and seven spacious cabins, as well as a duplex and rental house, this 50-acre property is connected to the 33-mile Kal-Haven Trail Linear State Park. The cabins were built by a local craftsman and each sleeps up to eight, with three queen beds and a queen sleeper sofa, as well as a large sleeping loft. Each cabin is outfitted with handmade furnishings, a window air conditioning unit, a farmhouse table, and benches. Outside, each cabin features a fire ring, grill, and picnic table so that guests can truly enjoy the natural surroundings.

 

Start your summer with a trip to Cornwell’s Turkeyville in Marshall. You will be surprised at all you can see and do at one location! Dine on delicious turkey, attend Cornwell’s Dinner Theater, or visit Camp Turkeyville Resort, Cornwell’s latest addition. This RV resort is perfect for families young or old, and even your furry friends! With full RV accommodations, Turkeyville will make your weekend visit or vacation a success.

 

Weko Beach

Located on the sunny shores of Lake Michigan, Weko Beach Park Campground in Bridgman is the place to stay. Swim or relax on the beautiful, sandy beach and stop by the beach house for lunch or a snack. They have developed and semi-developed campsites, boardwalks, tent camping, cabins, observation decks, hot showers, bathrooms, and more to make your stay a good one.

 

River Country is known for its amazing outdoor beauty, and there’s plenty to enjoy. The campgrounds here have everything your family needs to thoroughly enjoy your camping excursion. Here, you’ll find boat rentals, beaches, excellent fishing, and, most importantly, a deeper relationship with the great outdoors.

 

More Camping in Southern West Michigan

  • Allegan County Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Allegan
  • Coloma-St. Joseph KOA, Benton Harbor
  • Covert Park Beach & Campground, Covert
  • Fort Custer Recreation Area, Augusta
  • Hidden Ridge RV Resort, Hopkins
  • Hungry Horse Campground, Dorr
  • Kalamazoo County Parks and Expo Center, Kalamazoo
  • Oak Shores Campground, Decatur
  • Spaulding Lake Campground, Niles
  • Sunny Brook RV Resort, South Haven
  • Van Buren State Park, South Haven
  • Welcome Woods Family Campground, Hastings
  • Yankee Springs Recreation Area, Middleville

That business isn’t going to start itself — the SBDC can help!

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By Andy Hayes, Michigan State University Extension

 

Starting a new business or taking your business to the next level can come with many questions and loose ends to tie up before launching. In today’s world there are many places to go to find your answer. You can ask a family member or friend or you give it the good ol’ college Google search, but for new businesses that wants to start out on the strongest foot possible, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Michigan is a great place to go for guidance.

 

The SBDC of Michigan is a powerhouse, headquartered out of Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids. They have 11 regional offices and over 20 satellite offices around the state, making it easy for you to meet with a business counselor for a session or training. The SBDC offers many avenues of assistance for each stage of business: business plan development, raising capital and export strategies. In conjunction with the Sideman College of Business out of Grand Valley State University, the SBDC also produces market research in order for you to make the best decisions for your business.

 

Starting a business is costly, so it is always helpful to receive guidance from a credible source. The SBDC offers seminars and training sessions, at little to no cost, on various topics from writing a business plan to navigating social media. As your business develops its sea legs, it will be time to start thinking about the next step on where your business will or should go from here.

 

Strategic planning is important for businesses of all stages and sizes. SBDC business counselors aid in the development of growth strategies by helping businesses select their goals and generating the best steps to reach those goals. Their business planning services help optimize performance and pave the way to the next level.

 

Michigan State University Extension partner Northern Lakes Economic Alliance matches companies and communities within their four county service area with resources to begin the early stages of developing their business. NLEA hosts three Pitch Night programs for entrepreneurs at any age to pitch their business plan for chances to win startup seed dollars. NLEA works alongside companies, once a business plan is in place, with funding assistance and to settle in an area that’s right for them.

 

Michigan State University Extension has had a unique relationship with the regional economic development organization Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) for more than 20 years. Recognizing the strength of combining resources, this partnership focuses on economic development, entrepreneurship growth and community infrastructure throughout a four-county region in the northwest Lower Peninsula, specifically Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. As a result, the NLEA utilizes resources offered through MSU Extension as it provides leadership to statewide programs sponsored by MSU Extension.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Making Fruits and Veggies a Priority

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By Dawn Ware, RD, Dietician

 

What if we ate more fruits and vegetables in our diet? What would the benefits be? Here are a few good reasons:

  • You would get more nutrients like calcium, fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. This would also save on the cost of paying for supplements.
  • They are convenient. Grab a pack of carrots, snap peas, cut up cucumbers, an apple, banana, pear, cherry tomatoes or other fruit and veggies to take on the road for extra crunch and flavor.
  • More fiber and less trips to the doctor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation, heartburn. Fiber makes you feel full, so you are likely to eat less, and take in less calories to prevent weight gain.
  • Fruits and veggies can be eaten in different forms: dried, cooked, raw, 100% juice, and canned, so you don’t get bored.
  • They are naturally low in calories, higher in water and have zero cholesterol.
  • You can grow them. This teaches kids where they come from, and they taste better (less or no pesticides can be used).
  • They can be bought in season, so they are less expensive (see list below).
  • You can have fun with them. You can kabob either fruit or veggies and have them with dip or on their own. A fun kid and adult idea is “ants on a log.”

Get started now! Here is an example of a short list of fruits and veggies in season thisfall, which means more flavor, better cost and ideas for fall recipes:

  • Fruits: pears, cherries, cranberries, plums, grapes, passion fruit, persimmon, pineapple, pomegranate.
  • Vegetables: butternut, buttercup, acorn squash, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, butter lettuce, cauliflower, artichoke, jalapeno pepper, ginger, garlic, mushroom, lime, sweet potato, turnip.

For more information on fruit and vegetable cooking tips, seasonal fruit and veggies list, storing them, and other useful information, click here.

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Finding out what ‘well-being’ means to you

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Well-being involves finding a state of balance and being well both physically and mentally.

By Tracie Abram, Michigan State University Extension

 

What does “well-being” mean? As I ponder this question, I chuckle because I hardly ever hear people talking about how “well” they are. They usually talk about their problems, their aches and pains or stressors whether we want to hear about them or not. In other words, how “unwell” they are. When someone says they are concerned for your well-being, it typically means they are concerned about your overall health; your mental and physical health.

Well-being can be defined as having:
  • Positive relationships with yourself and others
  • Personal mastery — having feelings of accomplishment or self-worth
  • Autonomy — being able to make your own choices
  • A feeling of purpose and meaning in life
  • Personal growth and development

Our mental health relates to how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected.

 

One path to well-being is finding a state of balance that works for you. (Courtesy MSU Extension)

Experiencing a mental health issue or problem does not necessarily mean you have a diagnosable mental illness or disorder. Being able to talk freely about mental health issues is important in breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health. Mental health problems are much more common than many people realize, for example, more than 43 million Americans experience some form of mental illness in a given year. Help is available for anyone experiencing problems related to their mental health.

Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
  • Biological environmental factors
  • Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
  • Family history of mental health problems
Finding your state of balance

One approach to well-being is through achieving a “state of balance” affected by both challenging and rewarding life events. This state of balance is the ultimate goal, but a subjective one — meaning that you are the only one who can judge whether you have reached it. A state of balance can look different for each of us.

 

Author of the Nurturing Parenting Programs, Dr. Stephen Bavelek, states that there are specific needs that help us remain balanced or build resiliency. To remember them, he developed an acronym called the “Spices of Life.” Bavelek states that the more “spices” you have, the more resilient you become.

Dr. Stephen Bavelek’s “Spices of Life” acronym:

  • Social
  • Physical
  • Intellectual
  • Creativity
  • Emotional
  • Spiritual

Perhaps you are drawn to one or two spices that help you maintain a feeling of balance? My go-to spices when feeling stressed are talking to a friend (social), going for a walk or run (physical) and praying (spiritual), but I am grateful that I have the capability to access any and all of them when and if I am in need.

 

When you approach health with well-being in mind there are a wide variety of ways to maintain, improve and most importantly, enjoy your health!

 

Michigan State University Extension provides free and low-cost community-based health programs throughout Michigan. These include RELAX: Alternatives to Anger and Stress Less with Mindfulness, programs that can help people manage stress and anger and cultivate personal well-being.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. Reprinted with permission. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you know? Your child needs a check-up once a year

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Courtesy Cherry Health

 

By Cherry Health

 

Pediatric services are available at Heart of the City Health Center and Westside Health Center. Babies and children need more doctor’s visits when they are changing and growing the fastest. Get your child on the right health care path by scheduling an appointment today. We provide a full range of services under one roof.

 

Grand Rapids:

Heart of the City Health Center
Westside Health Center

 

Westside Health Center Pediatrics

 

At Westside Health Center Pediatrics, we want to take care of the whole patient by working as a team. We are improving what we do by changing the way we care for you.

 

Asthma care is provided as a team. The doctor checks the patient to make sure they have a healthy body. The RN Health Coach teaches the patient and family how to make living with asthma easier.

 

We also have team visits with a doctor and Health Coach for weight check ups. The doctor provides the physical check up at the visit. The Health Coach teaches the patient and family about healthy behaviors that are part of a healthy lifestyle, and helps the family set healthy living goals.

 

Complete health means taking care of our minds, too. When minds are not healthy, home and school can be difficult. Counseling services are provided on site in a place where the patient and family already feel comfortable. A psychiatrist is also on site to provide specialized help when needed.

 

Services available

  • Well child visits, sports, work and camp physicals
  • Immunizations
  • Lab work and diagnostic testing
  • Treatment for minor illness and injuries
  • Treatment for asthma, obesity and other conditions
  • Referrals for more serious illness, injuries and additional care
  • Access to behavioral health, dental and vision services
  • On-site pharmacy services
  • Free interpretation services
  • Online Patient Portal
  • Nurses available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for questions or assistance
  • Evening and weekend hours
  • Same day/next day appointments

Check out our new videos featuring asthma instruction and fun ways to get the kids moving!

 

Videos

 

Reach out and Read

 

Wyoming Community Health Center (courtesy Cherry Health)

Six of our locations participate in the national, research-proven school readiness program called Reach out and Read. This program, designed for children ages 6 months through 5 years of age provides a child with a new book at each regular check up to take home. Trained providers speak with parents about the importance of reading aloud and waiting rooms are filled with kids books. The goal of Reach out and Read is to help children be better prepared for kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills and a six-month developmental edge.

Women Infants and Children Program (WIC)

 

Cherry Health collaborates with the Kent County Health Department to offer the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) at Cherry Street Health Center and Westside Health Center. This is a state-funded nutrition education and food supplement program for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children up to age five. A registered dietitian provides counseling and education, as well as healthy foods to encourage proper nutrition, growth and development during pregnancy and the formative years of childhood. Breastfeeding education and support are also offered in the WIC Program. Pregnant women seen at any of our sites are offered WIC services, based on specific nutritional needs and income eligibility. For additional information, please contact 616.776.2134.

 

Maternal Infant Health Program

 

The Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP) is a parent support and coaching program for pregnant mothers and infants. If you are pregnant or have a baby under a year old, and are Medicaid eligible, you can receive MIHP as part of your insurance coverage.

 

MIHP services are provided by a team to support and encourage new parents. Services can be provided in your home, our office, or another place that you choose in the community.

 

We can help you:

  • Feel prepared for your baby’s birth
  • Make good choices for you and your baby
  • Understand your pregnancy and your baby’s development
  • Find medical care for you and your baby
  • Find the right resources in the community

MIHP involves a whole team in supporting families.

  • Your nurse will answer your questions and give you information about healthy pregnancy and infant development.
  • Your social worker will help you adjust to your pregnancy and parenting, handle stress, and find the resources you need.
  • The dietitian will help you understand healthy eating for pregnancy and how to feed your baby.

Community health workers can provide support, encouragement, and education as well as hands-on help connecting to resources in the community.

 

The community health workers are part of the Strong Beginnings program, which provides enhanced services for African-American and Latina moms participating in MIHP.

 

If you would like to receive MIHP and Strong Beginnings or learn more, please contact the MIHP Manager at 616.965.8332.

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Smart watering for lawns: Don’t let the lawn squeeze you dry

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Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

By Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State University Extension

 

One of the areas in the home landscape that can use a tremendous amount of water is the lawn.

 

Part of being a smart gardener is using resources wisely. With the number of hot summers Michigan has had lately, smart water use is certainly at the top of the list. One of the areas in the home landscape that can use a tremendous amount of water is the lawn.

 

Lawns need a certain amount of water to look good and stay healthy, but using too much or too little water can create problems that could be avoided. Using too much water can be expensive whether using a municipal water system or running a well pump into failure.

 

The first thing every lawn caretaker must decide is what quality of lawn they want. That includes the “no care, abandoned property lawn” to the “all the bells and whistles show lawn.” Most lawn caretakers fall somewhere between the two extremes. A frequent question that Michigan State University Extension horticulture educators are asked is how to have a decent lawn without spending a lot of money and time.

Several ways to save your lawn

Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

Set your mower at the highest setting to mow your grass to 3.5 to 4 inches finished height; the longer the blade, the larger the root system. The larger root mass will support a robust, more drought-tolerant plant. This can be done by gradually raising the mower deck with each mowing in the spring. MSU research has shown that grub damage can be eliminated simply by adopting this practice.

 

Get a soil test. Determine what nutrients need to be added to your lawn to improve its growth. A soil test will give you a recommendation of what fertilizers to use. Lawn grass does not require high amounts of phosphorus, so lawn fertilizers do not contain them. Order the Home Lawn and Garden Soil Test Mailer from the MSU Extension Bookstore for $25 and receive a recommendation for your lawn.

 

Water correctly. A lawn usually requires 1 inch of water per week. It doesn’t make a difference whether it falls from the sky or comes out of a hose. Buy a rain gauge; it measures how much rain has fallen. It is easier to replace any missing rain when you know what has fallen. During the summer months, lawn roots are typically about 3 to 4 inches deep. In the late spring and early fall, the roots go a bit more deeply, so heavy soakings are not necessary.

 

Watering should be divided into several applications per week. On sandy soils, it may be every other day. On heavier soils, it may be every third day. Lawns do not require multiple water applications a day.

 

It is best to water during daylight hours. Watering in the evening creates wet grass and with warm nights can enable certain lawn fungal diseases to become active.

Courtesy Michigan State University Extension

 

Lawn watering equipment can be simple or complicated. Lawn sprinklers are used by many lawn owners. They are attached to a hose and moved around. Lawn irrigation systems are the permanently installed systems that can be set to water automatically. More advanced systems have a built-in rain gauge and will adjust automatically to rain amounts. If water usage is important, consider upgrading your system.

 

Whichever kind of lawn irrigation system you have, staying with the 1 inch a week total may change what you are currently doing. Your lawn and your wallet will thank you.

Additional resources

Download a printable PDF: Smart watering for lawns: Don’t let the lawn squeeze you dry

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. Reprinted with permission. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

 

Pond plants are a vital part of a balanced aquatic ecosystem

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By Beth Clawson, Michigan State University Extension  

 

Plants in your pond balance your pond’s ecosystem. Aquatic plants offer food, shelter and environment for fish in ponds.

 

Michigan has thousands of natural ponds, vernal pools and wetlands where plants perform a specific role in those ecosystems. Understanding the important role of pond plants in Michigan before seeking plant removal management makes dealing with problems situations easier. Plants are a problem when they interfere with the intended use of the pond. This is particularly true with ponds constructed for a specific purpose such as ponds for sport fishing. Plants play a key part in the natural pond and the constructed pond.

 

The presence of aquatic plants in ponds are vital to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Aquatic plants come in a four specialized types in the pond. Forming the base of the food chain for almost all life in the pond, they produce dissolved oxygen in the water and serve as protection for small fish and invertebrates. Their roots hold the soil in place.

 

The four categories of aquatic plants are:

  1. Submerged: Plants that thrive under water that have roots in the soil at the bottom (pond weed and bladderwort)
  2. Floating: Plants that float at or near the water surface and have either floating roots or roots in the soil at the bottom (duckweed and lily pads)
  3. Emergent: Plants that is rooted in the soil under water, but the larger part of the plant is above water (arrowhead, rushes and cattails)
  4. Shoreline: plants that prefer the shore, but can take being moist and flooded seasonally. (blue flag iris, some shrubs and trees)

Aquatic plants benefits include:

  • Algae control. Plants absorb nutrients in the water from fish waste and reduces nutrient availability slowing algae blooms.
  • Shade and protection for fish. Plants can provide a hiding place for fish from predators both above and below the water. Additionally, plants shade the water reducing the amount of sunlight entering the water helping to slow algae blooms.
  • Food for fish and other wildlife. Fish, turtles, insects, ducks and geese and some mammals feed on aquatic plants.
  • Improved water quality. Many water plants not only absorb nutrients from the water, they also absorb pollutants and heavy metals too.
  • Erosion control. Emergent and shoreline plants often have very large root structures. This enables them to reduce wave action and stabilize the shore creating the most effective erosion control you can get in a pond.
  • Aquatic plants in the pond improves its aesthetics. Many emergent and Shoreland plants offer four seasons of interest at the pond providing attractive flowers, interesting structure, color and depth.

There are many native plants that offer a great variety of choices for managing your natural pond. They range from grasses, rushes and reeds; to lily pads, iris, pickerel plant and arrowhead; to shoreline shrubs and trees. Careful planning of your pond management including planting will go a long way to ensuring a balanced natural pond system. Avoid introducing non-native and invasive plants into your pond. When managing the plants in your pond, consider the role of the plant before considering its removal. If you have excessive plant growth, there may be a nutrient overloading issue that must be addressed first.

 

For more information about the aquatic plants and invasive species contact Beth Clawson, MSU Extension Educator. To learn more about invasive organisms and invasive aquatic plants contact Michigan State University Extension Natural Resources educators who are working across Michigan to provide aquatic invasive species educational programming and assistance. You can contact an educator through MSU Extension’s “Find an Expert” search tool using the keywords “Natural Resources Water Quality.”

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888.678.3464).

Employment Expertise: Detail-oriented? Meticulous? Recco Filters needs you!

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Recco Filters makes wire mesh fuel, hydraulic and pneumatic filters for the aerospace, fluid power and other industries. They’ve received multiple customer awards for quality.

 

Recco is currently hiring for several positions, so we chatted with their HR manager, Kimberly Stein, about these opportunities.

 

What makes a great Recco employee?

 

Because Recco makes small precision products, we need people whose work is meticulous and detail-oriented. We also look for people with a strong work ethic, who have good hand-eye coordination and the desire to learn.

 

How can a job seeker stand out in an interview?

 

Have your resume with you; being prepared is a key component during the interview process. It demonstrates organization and attention to detail. Be ready to explain how your current or past experience can be an asset to Recco. Also, be prepared to explain how you excelled at some aspect of your current or prior job.
Candidates should also be familiar with the work we do. Five minutes on our website will give them enough information to ask informed questions. When a candidate researches us, it shows me they’re interested and pro-active.

 

Express interest by asking questions either about the job or the company. It demonstrates initiative and professionalism.

 

What are some good questions job seekers should ask you during the interview process?

Here are a couple strong ones:

  1. How does this position fit into your company’s mission?
  2. Tell me more about the department I might work in.
  3. What does a successful employee look like to you?

Do you think you’d make a great team member and have 1-2 years of manufacturing experience?

 

Recco Filters is hiring! See details about all open positions here.
Assembly Operator

  • Kick Press Operator
  • Resistance Welder
  • Deburring Operator
  • Machine Operator
  • Quality Technician

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Healthy Aging

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Courtesy Cherry Health

By Rebecca Pavlock, AmeriCorps Member at Heart of the City Health Center

 

As we age, our bodies go through many changes. It is important to discuss these changes with our medical providers as we observe them, as some changes may be normal and healthy symptoms of an aging body and mind while other changes may be symptoms of conditions that would require additional support from your team here at Cherry Health.

 

Below are some things to think about before your next appointment with your medical provider:

 

Do you understand your prescription medications and how to take them? The average senior patient takes five or more prescription medications to manage their health. With so many different prescriptions, it can be difficult to remember what medications are treating and how often each should be taken. If you are struggling to manage your medications, please consult your medical team.

 

Are you feeling more forgetful than usual? Many individuals face increased memory loss as they age in a normal process referred to as age-associated memory impairment. However, if you or family members are concerned about your memory, please discuss your concerns with your provider.

 

Are you having a difficult time seeing or hearing? Many older adults require glasses or hearing aids in order to see or hear properly, so do not hesitate to discuss any changes to your vision or hearing with your medical provider.

 

Have you noticed any changes in your energy levels or sleep habits? As we age we often experience changes to our normal sleeping patterns such as becoming sleepy earlier in the day, waking earlier, or not sleeping as deeply as we used to. These are all healthy, normal changes. However, if you are experiencing disturbed sleep, insomnia, or are waking up tired every day, this may not be a normal part of aging.

 

Does fear of falling keep you from your usual daily activities? It is important to keep an active lifestyle as we age in order to maintain independence. Your provider may have recommendations for how to overcome your mobility concerns.

 

Do you often feel sad, anxious, or worthless? About 15% of older adults struggle with mental health conditions. If you find yourself frequently feeling depressed or anxious, bring this up in your next medical appointment. You may benefit from meeting with a counselor or strengthening your support system.

 

Our team here at Cherry Health is eager to support you!

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Preparing youth to be money smart after graduation

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By Frank Cox, Michigan State University Extension

 

What comes to mind when you hear preparing for post-secondary education? Other than filling out applications for colleges, trade schools, financial aid or scholarships, you may think of working hard to get good grades, studying to make high scores for the SAT or the ACT, or, for student athletes, improving skills to get a scholarship. What about preparing students to manage their money while they are in post-secondary education

 

According to a study on college students and personal finance by LendEDU, statistics show this can be an important topic to teach to students entering into post-secondary education. For example:

  • 58% of students reported they were not saving money each month.
  • 43% of students stated they don’t track monthly spending.
  • 29% of students stated they saved 0 percent of their monthly income each month.
  • 81% of students stated they do not have an emergency fund.

What can parents, schools or community organizations teach or emphasize to students as they enter post-secondary education? First, for the statistics above: budgeting and saving. Other than paying for the costs of college like tuition, room and board, and other academic expenses, other expenses such as the costs of hanging out with friends, going to restaurants or sporting events can affect the budgets of students (please see “1. Don’t deposit and dash” in “4 Steps to Financially Prepare Your Student for College” by U.S. News).

Some tips to assist students in money management for college from “6 Must-Follow Money Tips For College Students” in the U.S. News and World Report are:

  • Create a budget.
  • Separate wants and needs.
  • Set up a checking account.
  • Use, don’t abuse credit cards.
  • Do your homework on loans and financial aid.
  • Shop smart for textbooks.

The National Endowment for Financial Education also provides a helpful resource with “40 Money Management Tips Every College Student Should Know” to help provide strategies and resources for young people before and during their post-secondary education.

 

Also, Michigan 4-H Youth Development through Michigan State University Extension has resources for youth money management. Parents and caring adults can use resources such as National Endowment for Financial Education High School Financial Planning Program and Michigan 4-H Youth Money Management to build personal finance skills that will help youth not only in college but also through adulthood.

 

Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. As a result of career exploration and workforce preparation activities, thousands of Michigan youth are better equipped to make important decisions about their professional future, ready to contribute to the workforce and able to take fiscal responsibility in their personal lives. To learn about the positive impact of Michigan 4-H youth career preparation, money management and entrepreneurship programs, read the 2016 Impact Report: “Preparing Michigan Youth for Future Careers and Employment.”

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. Reprinted with permission. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888.678.3464).

Mammograms: What to Know Before You Go

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By Amanda Avella, AmeriCorps Member at Cherry Street Health Center

 

What do I need to know about mammograms?

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, but thanks to improved treatment and detection methods the survival rate has grown to over 90%. Mammograms should be performed every year once you are forty years old. Below is what you need to know before you go in for your screening.

 

What should I do to prepare for my appointment?

  • You will be asked to remove your shirt, so you may want to wear a skirt or pants and not a dress.
  • Do not wear deodorant or perfume. These often contain chemicals that can make the images unclear.
  • To reduce discomfort, schedule your mammogram at a time you know your breasts won’t be tender or swollen.

What should I expect at my appointment?

  • Your breasts will be x-rayed using a special machine specifically designed for mammograms. To get the clearest image possible your breasts will be compressed. This will likely cause some discomfort.
  • Appointments take about twenty minutes, but the actual mammogram is only a few seconds.
  • Let the technician know if you have been experiencing any breast changes or problems.
  • You will be contacted with the results of your mammogram within ten days. If you don’t receive a call back do not assume that your results were normal. Make sure to follow up with your doctor if they do not follow-up with you.

What if I don’t have health insurance?

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BCCCNP) assists patients in paying for mammograms. BCCCNP has provided services for more than 5.2 million people since the start of the program. In 2015 alone, BCCCNP served 301,732 people.

 

What if other questions come up?

Please contact Jackie Demull, Women’s Cancer Screening Program Coordinator, at 616.965.8200 ext. 7099 or Zenaida Carcini, Clerical Assistant, at 616.965.8200 ext. 7373.

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

Infusing water with fresh fruit an easy, tasty way to hydrate

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By Karen Fifield, Michigan State University Extension

 

Drinking enough water each day to stay hydrated can often feel like a chore, but, we know water is very important to keep our body working properly. According to United States Geological Service (USGS) water school, the human body on average is made of 60 percent water. The benefits to our body when consuming water each day are numerous.

 

Staying hydrated helps us:

  • Have healthier skin
  • Stay alert
  • Digest food
  • Maintain a healthy weight

Drinking enough water can be a challenge, but there are ways to make it easier. One popular way is to make fruit infused water and create a “water bar” — an area in your office or home set aside as a place where fresh drinking water can be found regularly. Adding fresh fruit to water can be a fun alternative to drinking plain water.

 

To make infused water, simply add washed fruit of your choice to a container of water and put it in the fridge to chill. Soon the flavor of the fruit will infuse the water. This drink can be a cool summer beverage or a little spice could be added to make a fall or holiday drink. Try adding a few sticks of cinnamon to an apple infused water and experiment with creating your own combinations.

 

Besides hydration, fresh fruit infused water has other benefits:

  • There is no food waste when all of the fruit is used.
  • It can be low-cost flavored drink option when seasonal fruit is used.
  • It contains no added sugar.
  • It is eye-catching.

Michigan State University Extension recommends you try infusing your drinking water with fresh fruit to help increase the amount of water you drink and stay hydrated.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. Reprinted with permission. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Active living and diabetes

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Walk Your Pet — Pets love to go outdoors, even on miserable weather days.

By Gretchen Stelter, Michigan State University Extension

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends physical activity to help control type 2 diabetes. This does not mean you have to endure more workouts, but incorporating activities into your daily routine will help. As always, talk to your health care provider before you change any daily routine that may affect your diabetes.

 

Focus on Movement: Forget the term exercise and replace it with movement. Thirty minutes of movement in 10-minute blocks is great. So, how can you do this?

  • Stroll With a friend: Time passes quickly as you strike up a conversation while walking.
  • Clean Your Home: To boost your calorie burn, dust, vacuum or scrub floors, to music: this will make you move faster and enjoy the chores more.
  • Walk Your Pet: Pets love to go outdoors, even on miserable weather days. Many times, they will take you on a nature adventure!
  • Gardening: You will use muscles you are surprised you have with all the digging, watering and stretching. Keep using them and as time goes by the muscles will not hurt.
  • Parking: If safe, park in the space furthest from the building. Those extra steps definitely add up!
  • Track Your Steps: Many phones have “FIT” apps on them or find a pedometer. You will feel more motivated as those steps add up and you will find you have a little completion with yourself.
  • TV Time Movement: During every commercial break get up and move. Stretch, dance or walk around the house. Do jumping jacks or march in place while watching the commercial. In one hour of TV you can accomplish 20 minutes of movement!

Everyone wants to be healthier. “Exercise and controlling your weight will help. If you have a goal to lose 5 percent of your body weight, this 5 percent will reduce health risks that are factors with diabetes such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and the action of insulin.” According to the CDC, you not only will have the above health benefits, but also the energy to do more activities.

 

With the onset of spring, try new activities. The fresh air, walking, visiting with friends and spring-cleaning will give you a new positive attitude and help control your diabetes.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. Reprinted with permission. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888.678.3464).

Radish variety can add flavor and crunch to your meals

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By Mariel Borgman, Michigan State University Extension

 

As the seasonal farmers markets across Michigan begin to open this month and next, radishes of all sorts will be available from local growers.

 

Some popular types of radishes that you may see at farmers markets include:

 

Red Radishes

Red Radishes

These are the most common radishes found in grocery stores. They have a bright red skin and white flesh.

 

Easter Egg Radishes

Easter Egg Radishes

As the name might suggest, these radishes come in many colors ranging from deep purples, to reds, to pinks and whites. They are often sold in bunches of mixed colors.

 

French Breakfast Radishes

These long, thin radishes are white near the root end and pink at the top.

 

Black Radishes

Black Radishes

The skin on these radishes is dark brown or black and they have a very strong flavor.

 

Watermelon Radishes

A winter storage variety radish with green skin that reveals a magenta and white center when peeled.

 

Daikon Radishes

These radishes are white and long in shape, like a large carrot or parsnip. They are popular in Asian cuisines.

 

French Breakfast Radishes

Quick-picked radishes were a big hit among farmers market shoppers when Michigan State University Extension sampled them last year. These quick pickles are ready to eat in just 40 minutes, and don’t require canning as they are eaten fresh. Check out the four-ingredient recipe.

 

Plain, fresh radishes can be delicious on their own as a quick snack. Try them with different dips such as hummus or vegetable dip like the Tangy Yogurt Vegetable Dip recipe in this article from Michigan State University Extension. Other ways to enjoy radishes include roasting, using them to top salads, or shredding them into a slaw.

Daikon Radishes

 

Radish greens are also an edible and nutritious vegetable. Remove them from the root and store separately. The greens will keep two to three days in the fridge and are delicious sautéed and added to stir fry or egg dishes.

 

Michigan State University Extension’s Community Food Systems Work Team supports the development of local food systems in Michigan. The Michigan Fresh program has tips on growing, handling and preserving as well as healthful recipes to take advantage of the delicious Michigan-grown bounty from your back yard or your local farmer’s market. For more information, connect with your local community food systems educator by visiting http://msue.anr.msu.edu/or calling 1-888-678-3464.

Watermelon Radishes

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Employment Expertise: Preparing for a Successful Career in Michigan’s Skilled Trades

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By West Michigan Works!

 

According to the Department of Talent and Economic Development, professional trades will account for more than 500,000 jobs in Michigan’s economy—approximately 15,000 new job openings annually—between now and 2024. But, there aren’t enough trained workers to fill these jobs.

 

How will those jobs get filled?

 

Employers are looking to apprenticeships to meet the critical demand for a skilled workforce. For job seekers, apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity to earn a wage while learning the skills for a career.

 

If you are interested in preparing for a successful apprenticeship experience, the Going PRO Apprenticeship Readiness program can help you build the literacy, math and work-readiness skills needed to enter a U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship program. The summer program (May – September) offers:

  • a paid work experience with a local manufacturing company.
  • course credits and certificates at no cost to you!
  • a pathway to a registered apprenticeship, a nationally recognized credential and a great career.

With the skills you develop through a professional trade apprenticeship, you can earn a good wage and benefits sooner than you imagined. And be on the path to a successful career. Did you know the median salary of a professional trade is $51,000?

 

If you are 18 years of age (by June 4, 2018) and live in Allegan, Kent, Muskegon or Ottawa county, apply at westmiworks.org/goingpro or contact Wendi Shinn at wshinn@westmiworks.org for more information. Registration is open until May 14, 2018.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Does gardening contribute to daily physical activity recommendations?

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Explore the different ways that gardening activities can help you meet daily physical activity recommendations.

By Tyler Becker, Michigan State University Extension

 

It’s that time of year again. Gardening and landscaping season is upon us. Time to go into the shed and dust off your shovel and go down to your local hardware store to get prepped for growing season. You may be excited to start gardening, but at the same time, maybe you are reluctant because you remembered how sore your muscles were from your first day last year. If you are one of these people, you will not be surprised to hear that gardening activities count towards physical activity recommendations.

 

Heavy gardening activities can strengthen your body.

Gardening and landscaping provide numerous physical and mental benefits. One physical benefit of gardening and landscaping is that you burn calories. This could contribute to weight management by helping you use up some of the energy from the food you consume. The amount of calories used depends on the activity, intensity and duration.

 

You may already think of gardening as a physical activity, one that provides cardiovascular or aerobic exercise for your body, but did you know that some gardening activities can contribute to the muscle- and bone-strengthening guidelines?

Gardening can help strengthen your body

Heavy gardening, which requires you to use a lot of your muscles can help with overall strengthening. Think of bending down to pick up something heavy, digging holes or making a paver wall. Overall, the type of activity and intensity is key. The activity has to be more strenuous than simply bending down to pick up a dropped glove; think of picking up pavers or a bag of mulch. Strive for an intensity in which you are sweating and may not be able to keep a conversation going with someone. Some other activities that may count towards muscle- and bone-strengthening, including shoveling, raking and pushing a wheelbarrow.

Modify gardening and landscaping activities to exercise your whole body

One easy way to include additional musculature (exercise different muscles) during gardening is to switch hands periodically when doing tasks like raking or shoveling. Another method is to change the activity you do every 15 to 30 minutes. An example could be pulling weeds for 15 minutes and then switching to dumping bags of mulch around your trees or bushes. It is likely you already have a rhythm down, but simply going from one activity to another in this way, can incorporate more musculature and increase the number of calories burned. Plus, this approach can break up the monotony of performing the same activity over and over again.

Tips for reducing pain and soreness.

Do you avoid gardening because it makes you feel too sore? There are a number of ways to prevent or even alleviate pain while gardening and landscaping. First, always use proper form during activity regardless of what it is. Moving with proper form helps you avoid pain and injury. For example, if you are picking something up from the ground, keep your shoulder blades back and down, and bend and lift with your knees, not your back.

 

Always listen to your body. If you “overdid it” one day, you probably should take it slow the next day. Also, there are a number of garden tools available that can help alleviate any potential or existing pain. Your local hardware store may have gloves and garden utensils designed for those with arthritis-related issues. Using garden tools as simple as knee pads or foam pads can help lessen any potential knee pain. You should also take breaks here and there while gardening just as you would if at the gym. Try sitting down for five minutes and rehydrating with water. Lastly, be sure to stretch after gardening. This can help not only improve/maintain flexibility but improve muscle recovery too.

 

Remember, if you do not currently garden or landscape, start slow and ease into it; especially if you are focusing on using it to contribute to daily physical activity recommendations, including muscle- and bone-strengthening exercise.

 

Michigan State University Extension has a number of resources including the Master Gardener Program for those considering gardening, and those who have been gardening for a while.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Good Mental Health Habits for Kids

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Courtesy Cherry Health

By Mandy Dahms, RN, Registered Nurse Care Manager

 

May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Children can have mental health challenges just as adults can. As a matter of fact, over 2 million children in Michigan experience mental health challenges such as ADHD, anxiety and depression. In order to decrease this number, it is very important to provide our children with whatever there is possible to promote good mental health. The following are some simple suggestions to promote the mental health of a child:

  • Make sure that your child gets regular exercise, balanced meals, plenty of sleep and has time for relaxation.
  • Talk about your child’s troubles with them. Let your child know that their concerns are important to you.
  • Be a role model. Talk about your own feelings when possible, apologize, and don’t express anger with violence.
  • Provide your children with unconditional love. The love, security, and acceptance trio are the foundation to children’s good mental health.
  • Praise your children for the little and big things they do for the first time and/or well, encourage them to make the next steps and help them explore and learn about new things.
  • Surround your child with supportive teachers and care takers.
  • Bring fun and playfulness into your routines. Families tend to stick to routines and forget to have fun. If your child seems stressed or overwhelmed by the routine change it up; for example, every Friday night your family goes to the library – change it up and go to a movie, play games or simply find something different to do.

Children can live happy and productive lives that are filled with love, harmony, and great mental health, but it will take us adults to help them in this direction!

 

Reprinted with permission from Cherry Health.

As temperatures begin to rise, so do car interiors

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Precautions for those with heat sensitivities and weakened immune systems.

By Pam Daniels, Michigan State University Extension

 

Even mild external temperatures can quickly raise the temperature inside a closed vehicle to dangerously high levels.

 

Sitting in a closed up car for 10 minutes can cause the body’s core temperature to climb. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) report that very high body temperatures can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, as well as heat stroke or death. For individuals with chronic disease, weakened immune systems, the elderly or the very young (and pets), high temperatures coupled with heat sensitive immune systems can rapidly become dangerous.

 

Michigan State University Extension offers the following information to help you and your family stay safe:

  • When outside temperatures are in the 60 degree Fahrenheit range it will cause the temperature insides a closed car to rise well above 110 F.
  • The temperature inside the car does not have to hit 100 F for a person to be at risk.
  • The inside of a closed vehicle acts like a greenhouse, trapping sunlight and heat making the inside of the car much hotter than the air outside. Even when outside temperatures are mild, anyone sitting in a closed car for a short period of time (20 minutes) is at risk of hyperthermia (body temperature greatly above normal).
  • Child safety – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers valuable tips on preventing heat stroke to children in parked cars. They have also investigated various alarms and reminder technology equipment for cars that help reduce heat stroke fatalities.
Take precautions
  • Avoid leaving anyone unattended in a closed vehicle. Rolling down the window two-inches or even half way, won’t help cool the interior temperature.
  • Lock your cars while at home. Children have died from getting into cars, for whatever reason, an then becoming confused and trapped inside the vehicle.
  • Always check the car seats before leaving the vehicle. Making a visual check of the car a part of your routine can help make sure that no child or pet is left unintentionally in the car. Use notes, colored stickers or some type of reminder system so when you exit your car you check the backseat.
Learn the laws
  • Become informed by learning about your state’s vehicle code. Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles and/or contact any local law enforcement agency.
  • Keep a watchful eye and if you sense that a child or pet is left unattended in a vehicle and is in danger, don’t hesitate to seek help. Do not go in search of the car owner. Dial 911 and let the authorities handle the situation.

For more information on health and wellness visit Michigan State University Extension.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

How long does home-preserved food last?

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Know the shelf life of home-canned and frozen food to avoid food waste and maximize nutrition.

By Kara Lynch, Michigan State University Extension

 

Don’t let your preserved food go to waste — enjoy it when it tastes great and is nutritious.

May brings flowers and seed magazines stuffed into your mailbox. It is also the perfect time of year to start planning your garden with canning season in mind. Preserving food is a great way to avoid wasting food when you have more fresh produce than you need right away. Just make sure you are able to use all your canned or frozen food within the recommended time.

How long do home-canned foods last?

If foods are preserved correctly, they are safe for years but the quality and nutritional value decreases with the passing of time. The National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends only preserving enough food to last one year. So that your home-canned foods taste great and are nutritious when you decide to eat them.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a planning guide (page 32) that may be helpful when working out how much food to can or freeze to meet your needs for the year.

Choosing the right canning equipment

It is critical to can foods safely using the right equipment. Use a steam canner or water bath canner for high-acid foods and a pressure canner for low-acid foods. Just within the last couple of years, atmospheric steam canners have been approved to use with high-acid foods. It is also important to use research-based recipes and follow directions carefully. Research-based recipes can be found in updated Ball Blue Books, So Easy to Preserve, the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning and Preserving. Michigan State University Extension also offers an online home food preservation course.

How long do frozen foods last?

Frozen foods lose moisture the longer they are in the freezer. If the food was correctly frozen and kept at it zero degrees Fahrenheit it is safe indefinitely, however the quality and nutritional value deteriorates, just as it does with canned foods. The USDA has developed the Food Keeper app for smartphones, as well as a website, that lists the shelf life of various foods.

Tips for using up preserved food
  • Home preserved food makes great gifts. If you do have a bountiful harvest, can the extra produce, put a pretty label on the jars and share with your loved ones.
  • Are you in need of an appetizer but don’t have time to make anything?  Pull the dilly beans from your pantry or get the pepper jelly out and combine it with cream cheese to make an amazing dip.
  • Consider your home preserved foods when planning your meals. This helps ensure that you are using up your stored items in a timely way and creates less waste. As you make your grocery list, you may notice cost savings as you pull from your pantry rather than purchasing additional food.
  • Use your home preserved foods in the search cue when looking for a recipe online. This will bring up unique, nutritious recipes utilizing your preserved items. Use pickled beets in a salad recipe, add frozen peas to a casserole, try frozen peaches in a peach cobbler, top cheesecake with home preserved jams, the list is endless.

Michigan Fresh is a Michigan State University Extension initiative that provides information on safely storing and preserving a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. MSU Extension also offers a range of food safety and food preservation classes, in person and online. Contact your local MSU Extension county office to learn more about available classes.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Tips for reseeding lawns in spring

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Turfgrass damaged from de-icing salts used during winter may need reseeding. Photo credit: Kevin Frank, MSU

By Kevin Frank, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

 

Maybe spots of your lawn died last summer; maybe spots were killed from de-icing salt, dog spot or snow mold over the winter. Regardless of the cause of death, as spring finally arrives seeding dead areas in lawns is a common weekend activity.

 

In the next several weeks as temperatures warm, there might be some areas that are the victim of grub feeding. If you’re reseeding following grub damage, Michigan State University Extension recommends waiting about one to two weeks after applying a grub insecticide before reseeding. For all reseeding, it is safe to apply fertilizer at the time of seeding. For new establishment, a starter fertilizer is recommended. Starter is a fertilizer that has a nitrogen to phosphorus ratio of 1:1 or 1:1.5. A starter fertilizer application at seeding will prove beneficial in getting the young turf seedlings going. Application rates for a starter fertilizer at seeding are approximately 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Starter fertilizer for new establishment is permitted under Michigan’s fertilizer act. Make sure to follow label directions, contain all fertilizer on the area to be seeded and off the driveway, and keep a minimum of 15 feet from any surface water.

 

Make sure to keep the seeded area moist throughout establishment. Depending on what Mother Nature supplies, a new seeding may require watering several times a day. A good mulch cover will help the area stay moist so the site may be watered less frequently. Water lightly when irrigating; there is no need to see water standing or running off the site.

 

Avoid applying herbicides this spring, i.e., no fertilizer plus crabgrass preventer or weed-and-feed products. Young seedlings don’t tolerate herbicides very well and the guideline is usually to wait three “real” mowings before applying any herbicides or in some cases at least 60 days. Real mowings mean you’re actually cutting grass, not just running over the area to trim down any weeds.

 

Dr. Frank’s work is funded in part by MSU’s AgBioResearch.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Updated 2018 hop management guide available to Michigan hop growers

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By Erin Lizotte, Michigan State University Extension 

 

Updated management reference available for Michigan hop growers through Michigan State University Extension.

 

In an effort to assist hop growers in making pesticide and nutrient management decisions, an updated “Michigan Hop Management Guide, 2018” has been created and is available at the Michigan State University Extension Hops page. The packet includes an updated list of registered pesticides, nutrient management recommendations and a guide to seasonal pest occurrence in Michigan.

 

As the growing season approaches, please sign up to receive MSU Extension’s Hop & Barley Production Newsletter, and follow the Michigan State University Hops News Facebook page for up-to-date information. Finally, please sign up for the new MSU Hop listserv for an interactive discussion of all things hop-related. To subscribe:

  • Send an email to: listserv@list.msu.edu
  • Leave the “subject” line blank
  • In the body of the email, type: SUBSCRIBE Hops
  • You will receive a confirmation email directing you to click on a link (this is to avoid spammers). Click on the link.
  • To send an email to the list once you have joined, just send it to: hops@list.msu.edu

To protect yourself, others and the environment, always read the label before applying any pesticide. Although efforts have been made to check the accuracy of information presented in the “Michigan Hop Management Guide,” it is the responsibility of the person using this information to verify it is correct by reading the corresponding pesticide label in its entirety before using the product.

 

Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. Information presented here does not supersede the label directions.

 

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2015-09785. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888.678.3464).

Employment Expertise: Driven to succeed

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Would you have a reliable way to get to work if you didn’t have your own car?

 

Do you live and work somewhere you can easily access public transportation?

 

If the answer is no, how would you maintain a job?

 

Millions of Americans lack reliable transportation. For individuals that don’t have a car or can’t afford or access public transportation, finding a job and showing up every day is a challenge.

 

Sean Phillips knows that struggle first-hand. Sean had a low-paying job that didn’t bring in enough money to support himself and his family; having enough money to pay for essentials—such as gas for their car—was a common difficulty. Being able to afford the training needed to qualify for a better-paying job seemed impossible.

 

Sean decided to take a step toward creating a new life. He came to West Michigan Works! to get help removing the obstacles that were keeping him from opportunities to better support himself and his family.

 

Sean received training funds to attend Tri-Area Trucking School. The funding allowed him to get books and other resources needed for the courses. He also received mileage reimbursements to ensure that he could get to and from his courses. After he successfully completed training, his family received additional transportation supports that allowed them to get a second vehicle. The vehicle support allowed both him and his wife to maintain full-time jobs.

 

Sean is now a Certified Class A & B Commercial Driver and is employed full time with a successful delivery and warehousing company.

 

“I want to thank Michigan Works for the supports they provided. I was able to earn my CDL and further my skills, knowledge, and confidence so I could get a new job at this stage in my life.”

 

Do you face obstacles to finding and keeping a good-paying job? Visit a service center to find out how West Michigan Works! can support you.

Employment Expertise: Important Questions to Ask in an Interview

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Most interviews end with this question: What questions do you have for us?

 

Your interview isn’t over yet! Show curiosity and interest in the company during this part of the interview. Impress the employer with great questions- not ones you already know the answer to, such as position details or wage information.

 

Ask questions to see if you’re a good match for the company. This is your time to shine. Here are five important ones:

  1. What does success look like in the position?
  2. What experiences and skills describe the ideal candidate?
  3. What is the next step in the interview process?
  4. How do you see this position changing in the next three years?
  5. How can I best help you and the team succeed?

Choose three questions that make the most sense for your interview. Write them down in a notebook. During the interview, reference your list if you forget what question to ask next.

 

The bottom line: ask questions that show you’re interested in the organization. Good questions will impress the employer.

 

Ready to take these questions to an interview? You’re in luck! There are 13+ hiring events this week with employers offering on-site interviews. See the dates, times and employers on our website here.

 

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Spring’s first vegetable, asparagus

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By Chris Venvema, Michigan State University Extension

 

Freezing asparagus preserves the fresh flavor

 

Although spring has sprung, it is still pretty cold, but it is not too early to think about harvesting the first vegetable of spring, asparagus.

 

Officially named Asparagus officinalis, asparagus is actually a flowering perennial.

 

With its dark green color, asparagus is rich in vitamins A & B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Since it is 93% water, asparagus is low in calories and very low in sodium. Asparagus is a very good source of dietary fiber. When harvesting the asparagus, it is important to gather the tender young shoots. The larger and taller shoots are a woodier product. However, these older shoots should not be discarded, they can be peeled and enjoyed as well. Asparagus can be preserved for later use by freezing, canning, pickling or drying. The technique used depends upon the later intended use. For the fresh from the garden flavor, freezing is ideal.

 

To freeze asparagus it is necessary to blanch the young spears. To prepare the asparagus for freezing requires that young tender spears be selected. The stalks should be washed, trimmed and sorted according to size. Cut the spears to fit the containers for freezing. Water blanching requires the water to be boiling in a kettle. Tender small spears require a blanching time of two minutes, medium size spears need three minutes and large spears need four minutes. Cool quickly in ice water. Then drain and package leaving no airspace in the rigid container. A technique for individual size pieces is to drain and pat the spears dry. Next arrange the spears or pieces on a cookie sheet. Then place the cookie sheet in the freezer until the pieces are frozen. Finally put the frozen pieces in plastic bags, making sure there is no air trapped in the bag and put in the freezer.

 

Michigan State University Extension recommends canning asparagus because it is considered a low acid vegetable. Select tightly closed spears that are four to six inches in length. Wash thoroughly. Trim off the scales and tough ends. Then wash again. The spears can be cut into one inch pieces or left whole (4-6 inches).

 

For the raw pack technique, pack the asparagus tightly into hot jars, leaving one-inch headspace. If salt is desired put a ½ teaspoon of salt into pint jars or 1 teaspoon of salt into quart jars. Fill the jars with boiling water leaving one-inch headspace. Remove the air bubbles.  Wipe the rim. Adjust the pretreated lids and process.

 

Processing can be done in a dial gauge pressure canner at 11 pounds of pressure OR in a weighted gauge pressure canner at 10 pounds of pressure. The processing times are 30 minutes for pints and 40 minutes for quarts.

 

It is spring time!  Why not preserve spring’s first vegetable of the season, asparagus, today!

 

Resources:

http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/asparagus.html

http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_04/asparagus_spears.html

http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_06/pickled_asparagus.html

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888.678.3464).

Worried about oak wilt? (You should be)

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Photo 1. Oak wilt symptoms. A) Dying red oak showing foliar wilt symptoms. B) Crack in the bark indicating mycelial mat presence. C) Nitidulid beetle visiting a mycelial mat. D) Gray spore containing mycelial mat and pressure pad. Photos: Monique Sakalidis

By Monique Sakalidis, Michigan State University, Department of Forestry

 

Remember the no-prune dates of April 15–July 15 to reduce the chance of oak wilt infection.

 

Bretziella fagacearum (used to be known as Ceratocystis fagacearum) is a fungal pathogen that causes the disease oak wilt.

 

How did oak wilt come to the United States and how long has it been here?

 

Oak wilt was first recognized as an important disease in 1944 in Wisconsin, where in localized areas, over half the oaks had been killed. The fungal pathogen is thought to be native to the Eastern U.S. Difficulties in identifying the fungus led to a delay in recognizing the exact extent of its impact until the 1980s. More recent evidence suggests oak wilt is an exotic disease that arrived in the U.S. in the early 1900s. The fungus has not been reported in any other country other than the U.S., so its origin remains unknown. In Michigan, it was first reported in the 1970s.

 

Extent of range

 

In the U.S., oak wilt has been confirmed in 24 states, including 829 counties. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed oak wilt in 56 Michigan counties. Oaks comprise about 10 percent of the forest in Michigan and oak wilt has the potential to impact the 149 million red oak trees across 3.9 million acres of Michigan forest land (private, state, local government and federal ownership).

 

Why is oak wilt a problem?

 

Oak wilt is a serious disease of oak trees that mainly affects red oaks. The disease also affects white oaks, but because they are somewhat more resistant (due to their better ability of compartmentalizing the fungus whilst maintaining a functioning water transport system), the disease progresses more slowly. Activities that result in tree wounding such as pruning, tree climbing spikes, nailing signs on trees, hanging lanterns on trees, tree barking and storm damage during the warmer months of the year can result in more new tree infections. Oak wilt causes devastating ecosystem damage and is also an aesthetic blight across the landscape.

 

Oak wilt symptoms

 

An infected tree is often first noticed due to a sudden drop or browning of leaves in the summer months (Photo 1A). Leaves may be brown, somewhat bronzed or partially green. Often, leaf tips and margins will be bronze or brown whilst the leaf base will remain green (Photo 2). There are other pest, pathogen and environmental problems that may cause similar symptoms and therefore it’s important that suspected oak wilt-infected trees are lab verified.

 

Photo 2. Typical fallen leaves associated with oak wilt. Photo: Monique Sakalidis.

How it kills the tree

 

Once the fungus enters the tree via a spore coming into contact with a tree wound or via interconnecting root grafts, it grows throughout the water conducting channels of the tree—the xylem vessels. These vessels are eventually blocked by the fungus and structures produced by the tree, and this means water cannot be effectively transported and we start to see the “wilting” effects. Tree death in red oak is rapid and can occur within three to four weeks after initial appearance of symptoms.

 

Six to 12 months after the tree has died, the fungus will complete its life cycle and produce spore-containing mycelial mats (Photo 1D) on the dead tree. These mats form under the bark and, as they mature, produce specialized, non-spore producing structures in the center of the fungal mat called “pressure pads” that exert pressure outward to the bark, causing it to split (Photo 1B) and thus provides a route for insects to reach the mycelial mats. These mycelial mats have a distinctive odor that makes them attractive to a variety of beetles (Photo 1C) that will feed on the mat then fly to other mats or fresh tree wounds, through which the fungus then enters the tree and starts the infection process anew.

 

How it is spread

 

Spread of the disease is rapid and there are multiple ways the disease can be spread.

  • Below ground by root-to-root transmission. Local spread of oak wilt occurs when the fungus travels through the interconnected roots of infected and healthy trees. This can account for up to 90 percent of new infections each year. This type of spread results in outwardly expanding pockets of dead trees (infection epicenters) in the landscape (up to 39 feet per year). One important management strategy when dealing with oak wilt is disrupting these root grafts via trenching or vibratory plows.
  • Overland by insect transmission. Nitidulid beetles carry fungal spores from sporulating mats on infected trees to wounds on healthy trees, from which a new infection can develop. Overland transmission results in new infection centers. Removing the entire infected tree, including stump removal, and limiting activities that result in tree wounding is essential to reduce overland infection.
  • Overland by firewood. Since mycelial mats develop on dead oak trees, they can also form on wood cut from infected oaks. Sporadic long-distance infections can result from moving firewood. Specific handling of firewood is mentioned below.

Cool and unusual facts

 

One way this fungus is spread is by sap-feeding nitidulid beetles, also known as picnic beetles, and, to a lesser extent, bark beetles. The mycelial mats smell like fermenting apple cider vinegar, red wine or even bubblegum.

 

Management actions and options

 

Because red oaks have no natural resistance to this disease, the only way to stop new infection is to prevent the spread of the fungus to new, healthy trees and locations, and reduce the fungal presence or inoculum load in known oak wilt-positive locations. This is done by reducing activities that cause tree wounding, disrupting root grafts that may have formed between healthy and infected trees, and by removing confirmed oak wilt-positive trees.

 

Help prevent the spread of oak wilt

  • Do not prune oak trees during the warmer months of the year. Limit any activity that results in tree wounding or movement of cut trees, such as pruning, harvesting, thinning, utility line clearance and firewood. To prevent aboveground spread, trees should not be pruned from April 15 to July 15.
  • Paint tree wounds with pruning paint as soon as they are made. Beetles have been known to find their way onto wounds within 10 minutes of pruning.
  • Do not move firewood. If you cut oak down, either chip, debark, burn or bury it. If you cut it into firewood, cover the wood with a plastic sheet (minimum 4-millimeter thickness) and bury the edges of the plastic underground, making sure none of the plastic breaks. This needs to be left for six to 12 months until the wood has dried out enough—and therefore isn’t conducive to fungal growth—and the bark falls off.
  • Report suspect trees to the Department of Natural Resources Forest Health Division by emailing DNR-FRD-Forest-Health@michigan.gov, calling 517-284-5895 or through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) website or MISIN mobile app.
  • Get a lab verification of oak wilt via the Michigan State University Diagnostic Services Clinic. Unless there is the presence of a mycelial mat on a dead tree, the presence of oak wilt must be lab-verified before any management options. See MSU Diagnostic Services’ specific sampling instructions.

Additional resources

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Bicycling in West Michigan

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By Jeremy Witt, West Michigan Tourist Association

 

There’s nothing better than getting some fresh air while riding your bike on one of West Michigan’s many trails. With trails of varying length and difficulty, you can find something for any skill level. Are you looking for a relaxing ride along the lakeshore or a challenging trek from one city to another? There’s a trail for that! If you’re looking for an excuse to get out on your bike, then spring and summer in West Michigan are the perfect seasons to put on your helmet and hit the road.

 

Bicycling in Southern West Michigan

If you are a pedal pusher of any kind, the Kalamazoo County Parks should be on your list of places to check out. Kalamazoo is a hotbed of cycling activity that appeals to both mountain bikers and road bikers alike. A hidden gem for road cyclists is the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. The KRVT offers more than 22 miles of paved trail that connects the Kal-Haven trail to the heart of Kalamazoo and beyond.

 

The KRVT is part of a greater vision called the “Great Lake to Lake Trail” that will connect South Haven to Port Huron when complete. If hitting dirt trails is more of your expertise, Kalamazoo has something new and exciting to offer too. Last summer, the Maple Hill Trail was officially opened to the public. This 5-mile trail offers bidirectional riding depending on the day, and has something to offer riders of all skill levels. These two trails are just scratching the surface of what Kalamazoo has to offer!

 

Virtue Cider is very bike-friendly and it’s often a stopover for cycling tourist all year long. They’ve added a small in-house menu for travelers needing to fuel up or refuel! Grab a gourmet grilled cheese or choose from their selection of packaged charcuterie, cheeses, and snacks in the Bottle Shop.

 

Make sure to download the Coldwater Country Map-N-Tour app, including a 15-mile and 20-mile bike tours of the area. The app also includes local favorite things to see and do, along with places to stop for a bite after working up an appetite on the area bike tours.

 

River Country is known for its amazing outdoor beauty, and there’s plenty to enjoy. Outdoor activities are plentiful in all seasons, including plenty of biking. One must-visit place is the Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Jones. This 10-mile paved trail is best suited for beginners and intermediate riders, but everybody will find something to love. The trail offers a very fast, tight, and twisty single track, which is great for control practice.

 

Hastings offers something for cyclists of all ages and skill levels. River Walk Trail is open to cyclists and is a pleasant excursion for those seeking an easy, scenic ride. Hammond Hill Multi-Use Trail offers more than six miles of trail through rolling hills, woods, and meadows. It is suitable for mountain and fat tire bikes. Year-round cyclists, whether training for an event or simply seeking a challenging ride, can follow the area’s local race’s permanently courses along Barry County’s scenic back roads.

 

Coldwater Country Map-N-Tour app

Rent or bring your own bike to the Greater Lansing area and trek through over 15 miles of trails along the Lansing River. If you want to ride through the city, a trip through trendy Old Town and downtown Lansing is both bicycle-friendly and enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to ride in a bustling downtown setting or want to visit the tranquil beauty that is the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers, you’re already in the right place.

 

More bicycling in Southern West Michigan

  • Coloma-St. Joseph KOA, Riverside
  • Cranberry Lake Campground, Marcellus
  • Biking in Central West Michigan

Did you know that the Hart House Bed & Breakfast in Hart is cyclist-friendly? It’s located near the Hart-Montague Trailhead, offers secure bike storage, and has a repair area with the tools necessary to fix your bike. There’s also a brewery and pizza joint nearby for thirsty and hungry riders looking to load up on carbs and proteins for the next day’s ride. Return to your private room in the evening to relax after a nice long day.

 

If you’re visiting Grand Haven and wish to enjoy the sights in a different way, Electric Bike Place offers electric bike rentals. Rent by the half or full day and cruise in style through the area’s trails, along the lakeshore, or to and from downtown. Electric Bike Place even provides the bikes, locks, and helmets, making renting an electric bike and enjoying your day on the town even easier.
Windmill Island Gardens is conveniently located very close to downtown Holland. Less than a mile separates great downtown shopping from acres of Dutch-themed fun. It’s a very quick bike ride and Windmill Island even has bike racks available at their entrance for visitors to stash their fiets (Dutch for “bike”!).

 

Enjoy paved trails or rustic single tracks for biking or hiking in Muskegon County. The Hart-Montague Trail and Musketawa Trail offer 24 and 26 miles of paved rail-to-trail recreation. And, three state parks, city and county parks offer options for hiking the signature sand dunes. Over 25 miles of single track winds through rolling hills, marshes, lakes and forests. Trailhead access is off Russell Road where a day pass or season passes are available. Beginners, choose the shorter two-mile green loop. The blue and black trails offer intermediate and experienced riders a 10-mile or 13-mile loop over roots, bridges, and ridgelines, with plenty of lake/stream views.

 

For more ideas on where to go bicycling, visit West Michigan Tourist Association.

 

 

Employment Expertise: I need a job! How do I find the right one?

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By West Michigan Works!

 

Are you unemployed? Do you want to break into a new field? Whatever brings you to the job search process, where do you start? A successful job search starts with a strategy — a plan with defined tasks that will help you achieve your goal.

 

Your first step: Take time to look at what motivates and interests you. Begin by identifying your skills, interests and values. Here are some questions to get you started:

  • What were your favorite things about previous jobs?
  • Are there any moments that stand out or projects that you really enjoyed?
  • What were your favorite classes in school?
  • What work-related activities do you like doing?

The goal of this process is to dig into your motivations and passions. This exercise should act as a springboard for exploring careers that will be a good fit for you. Matching a job with your skills, interests and values will lead to higher job satisfaction. It will also save you time and help you organize the next steps of your job search process by narrowing down what fields to explore.

 

West Michigan Works! offers services, based on eligibility, to help you get started with your job search, including skills assessment, one-on-one career counseling, and assistance finding training to prepare for a new career.  You can also check out these free, online career exploration tools:

  • O*Net Online provides information on careers you might be interested in — onetonline.org
  • Pure Michigan Talent Connect’s Michigan Career Explorer offers career research and exploration resources — mitalent.org/career-explorer
  • My Next Move can help you narrow down careers based on what you like to do and offers tools specifically for Veterans — mynextmove.org

Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.

Rhubarb: A spring-time delicacy with pucker power

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Mmmm — rhubarb and strawberry pie

By Jeannie Nichols, Michigan State University Extension

 

Rhubarb is a springtime delicacy that is classified by botanists as a vegetable, but because it is so popular in desserts, it is often recognized as a fruit by many consumers. Rhubarb is traditionally made into sauce or pie, this led to it getting the nickname “pie plant.”

 

Hothouse, or forced, rhubarb is a pink to rosy-red color all the way to the leaf. It will have a milder, more delicate flavor than field or homegrown rhubarb. Use hothouse rhubarb only when fresh because it loses color rapidly when canned or frozen. Medium to thick stalks are best to use because they are the most tender.

 

Fresh field or homegrown rhubarb is available late April through June. It can be mostly green or have a rosy to dark red color and have medium to thick stalks. Homegrown rhubarb is more tender than hothouse, however, both provide a tasty source of calcium and potassium.

 

Remember to cut off and compost, or discard, all rhubarb leaves when you harvest rhubarb. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid which is harmful to eat.

 

Enjoy rhubarb in pies and muffins or as a sauce

 

When rhubarb is combined with strawberries, raspberries, apples and other fruits, the flavor only gets better. Rhubarb also makes a terrific sauce for chicken, venison, halibut and salmon. Adding diced rhubarb to muffins and biscuit recipes not only adds nutritional value but makes the muffins and biscuits sing with flavor without making the batter runny.

 

Rhubarb (courtesy Michigan State University Extension website)

Store rhubarb in the fridge

 

Stalks of rhubarb can be placed in a perforated plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator crisper for two to four weeks. If you add a wet paper towel to the bag of rhubarb, it will help to keep the rhubarb from drying out.

 

Preserve rhubarb by freezing

 

Freeze homegrown rhubarb early in the season when the color is best and the stalks are almost tender. Freezing rhubarb is easy. Just rinse stalks well, dry them with a paper towel and cut them into one or two-inch pieces to fit your freezer containers or freezer bags. If you have an amount you need for a favorite pie, crisp or bread recipe, you can measure that amount into the freezer bag and label it with the date and amount, then when you take it out of the freezer you won’t have to measure the rhubarb before adding it to your recipe. You can also make cooked rhubarb sauce; pack it into containers, leaving one-half inch headspace, label and freeze.

 

Michigan State University Extension’s MI Fresh, has a range of information and resources about Michigan’s bounty of fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamentals. Here you will find information on recommended varieties, storage, food safety and preserving techniques for many fruits and vegetables.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. Reprinted with permission. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888.678.3464).