Just saw this and love it! Who else is offering cooking classes (or food growing) this fall?
Kvcc also has knife skills classes and the Food Innovation Center has a full catalog.
I wish I was in town for this, it looks so interesting! Keith digs up such interesting facts in his digital collections at the Library. Here's his article about the subject from a few months ago, which is probably the core of the presentation: https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/towns/oshtemo-village/
Feel like digging into a local(ish) mystery with me?
I'm picking up an old nation-wide search for an "orphaned" girl/woman who inherited $300,000 in 1913.
As far as I know she was never officially found (even though over 500 women who did not know their origins wrote to the sheriff leading the search). The name of her father who had left her the money was also never released (as far as I know) in an attempt to keep false claims to a minimum.
The law firm holding the money for the child was located there in Corning, but I don't have a company name to look for, either. So, I'm kinda hoping someone familiar with local history might know of this story and know how it resolved, or if it is still unresolved, may be able to help me find out the name of the law firm and/or the father so I can keep looking.
The names I do have are "Bessie Clark(e) Weaver" and "Sarah Belle Miller".
See, there was a case of mistaken identity. It's all very confusing coming from a time before the Internet and being pieced together from old newspapers, but the short of it is this: a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weaver living in Elmira, NY, had adopted a baby girl from Southern Tier Orphan Asylum in Corning, NY. (I don't know anything about the orphanage, but will be looking into them next!)
The child's father had not died; he had just been unable to care for her at the time. He went out West and made a fortune. He died in 1913 and had left it to his daughter saying, "spare no expense to find her."
The family had moved to Manton, Michigan. Mrs. Weaver said that in 1883 she taken the girl, aged 7, to Grand Rapids Orphan Asylum and left her there, being unable to care for her. She was supposedly adopted by a family by the name of Warner, of Coldwater, Michigan.
The confusion over her name was because the Weavers had adopted two girls at separate times and (if I understand correctly) had ultimately given both girls to the Grand Rapids Michigan Orphanage at different times. Neighbors in Manton only remembered the later girl, "Bessie Clark(e) Weaver", so that's the name they gave to the law firm and the Sheriff to search for.
The Sheriff had been all over Michigan and Indiana, even up into Canada trying to track down "Bessie". He finally found her, just as Mrs. Weaver realized he was looking for the OTHER girl: "Sarah Belle Miller"
So now the Sheriff had to start over.
Mrs. Weaver said she had heard from Sarah several times after she had been given up. Sarah was dissatisfied with the new family and begged to be taken back to the Weavers.
It is thought the Warners moved from Coldwater to "a large Michigan city" (possibly Detroit), and then the trail goes cold.
Aug 14, 1913 Sheriff Chamberlain said he was in contact with the daughter of "Sarah", but none of the newspapers announced he had actually found her. The daughter's name is also unknown to me.
By March 1914 the sheriff had given up.
There was a brief period where a Mrs. Luther Ide of Brooklyn, Michigan, claimed to be Bessie/Sarah and sent in "proof" but people who knew her growing up came forward to disprove her claim.
The last mention of "Bessie Clark(e) Weaver" I could find was classified ad in Oregon on Mar 11, 1918- "she may be your neighborβ.
So, that's what I have! Anyone have any "new" leads? Feel free to share around, just let me know if you find something!
...slowly, and when the office was closed so I couldn't be seen actively planting. ;)
It's at the far end of the property so management rarely goes by it. But my neighbors walk by it all the time.
I was very nervous about planting because I didn't want to get in trouble and knew it could be ripped out at any moment, but I explained to the new Groundskeeper that I was just trying to buy time for the pineapple mint to take over. (It's in a concrete island, so couldn't escape) Thyme also survived the winter, surprisingly.
I started filing in the empty space with old potatoes and onions and tomatoes from my cabinets. Eventually I expanded into planting old seeds I had been carrying around for years... a sort of Hail Mary "if it grows it grows".
Purple green beans came up. As did a row of zinnia. When plants got clearanced at a local nursery I planted snapdragons and pansies. Then purple sage, dianthus, kale, pok choi, and a purple mini pepper. (Slugs destroyed the pepper). It was important to me that things be edible (but 'disguised' as ornamental)
I was AMAZED at how the garden helped me connect with my neighbors. So many neighbors passed me working in the garden (at times no one was in the office) and told me how they looked forward to seeing what was growing and blooming. One neighbor said it reminded her of her home in Jordan, where they call snapdragons "fish mouths".
I gave tours and invited people to harvest what they wanted. Several took me up on it. It has been super satisfying.
The apartment is filling it in on Monday as part of a rework of the property design.
I'm sad to see it go, but I knew the day would come. I'm so glad I went ahead and did it anyway. It really was magical while it lasted, especially against a backdrop of despair, and I'll hold those moments in my heart forever.
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." - Audrey Hepburn
Our dreams of homeownership won't be coming true for a while and our baby dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) we had hoped to plant there is due for an upgrade of root space. (We grew it from a less than a foot tall sapling) We'd like it to go to a public arboretum or park in Kalamazoo so we can visit it in the future.
It's a "living fossil", thought to be extinct in the 1940's, so we'd prefer it to go somewhere other people can enjoy it and appreciate its history, too.
Does anyone have a direct contact to an organization who could give it a new, permanent home in their collection ASAP? We're running out of time to move it and don't have a vehicle that can transport it safely, either, so they'd have to come get it near 9th and Stadium.
Thanks for any leads!
Edit to add for those curious: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metasequoia_glyptostroboides
And since it came up last year, Wedel's normally sells seeds for the regular market price printed on the packet... no markup.
Who else has cheap seed right now?
Seeds can last MUCH longer than the season they're packed for... if kept in a cool, dry, dark place.
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Prepare for food prices to go up and incidents of contamination to increase. Grow food for yourself, friends, and neighbors if possible. Find the resources and education while they exist and share what you find with others. Form a co-operative with neighbors if you can (trade skills, produce, etc)
City Prepping is a good, rational, non-partisan place to start.
Check KVCC Food Hub for Community Classes involving growing or foraging or using plants
KVCC also has Culinary Community Classes like cooking and knife skills classes and a FOOD PRESERVATION CLASS in November
In the official box at Township/Clerk's office, or hand directly to the clerk/clerk's staff up until 8pm on election day.
More information: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/absentee-voting
A free concert following the Ribbon Cutting.
Some cool history in Oshtemo, now a non-motorized recreation trail.
The KLS&C Railroad Story: https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/transportation/kalamazoo-lake-shore-chicago-railway/
The Forgotten Stations (Including "Brighton Crossing", where the new 6th Street parking lot is now) :
https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/towns/brighton-rix-walker-eassom/
How Oshtemo Owes Its Existence to the Railroad: https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/towns/oshtemo-village/
If you don't have a location already planned to attend, the Five Senses Garden at Oakland and Howard will be doing the reading at 6:00pm!
Please add other places doing the reading!
If you haven't read the list of Intolerable Acts included in the Declaration, they might surprise you!
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
πCanadiana Fest is in Kalamazoo Sept. 19 this year!π
July 1, 1867 is when the three separate colonies of the United Canadas (Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into a single dominion within the British Empire called Canada. (Full constitutional independence from England didn't happen until 1982)
Michigan also used to be part of "New France", but that's a history for another time. (But definitely look into why Niles is called "The City of Four Flags")
As for Canadianess,
If either of your parents were Canadian Citizens, you are ALREADY Canadian! (Even if you were born outside of Canada) You'll just need a Proof of Citizenship Certificate from Canada to show they recognize you.
As of Dec 15, 2025 the First Generation Limit has been removed so if any of your grandparents, or great grand parents (and so on) were Canadian Citizens and you can PROVE a chain of descent through birth certificates or other vital documents, you can be given a Proof of Citizenship Certificate and start working on other documents like passports.
There's a bit of a backlog of applications right now, as Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sorts out how to process the new wave of requests, but some of those vital documents you would need to submit might take some time to arrive, so it could work out well in timing.
r/Canadiancitizenship is the hub of information (more accurate than ANY of the media reporting or immigration lawyers publishing information, unfortunately)
As of now the Proof of Citizenship Certificate fee is only $75CAD. Ordering your vital docs will have different fees (but also could be a good thing to have for your family, anyway. Multiple copies are often much cheaper when ordered at the same time, since the fee is the cost of looking for the document.)
Anyway, the Canadiana Fest website/YouTube has some webinars about how to apply and how to find your vital documents and even how to address your finances if you decided to move. Check it out.
Today is a day to celebrate all things Canadian, even if you just love Canada and everything they have brought to the world! (Insulin, CanadArm, egg cartons, and yes Peanut Butter! to name a few)
Maybe borrow a Hoopla audio book with your KPL library card about Canadian trivia ("So You Think You Know Canada, Eh?") or modern politics ("10 Days That Shaped Modern Canada") or history ("North of America"). Heck, Mike Myers did a fantastic "love letter" to Canada called, "Canada" which is a great overview of how he experienced Canada as a kid and young adult in the 70s and 80s. So many treasures.
Happy Canada Day All π¨π¦
(And let's make a special wish for the Gordie Howe Bridge to be open soon!) π€π€
I was trading reading lists with someone in another thread and decided it's time to check in to see what you all have been reading, or plan to read over this weekend. Or the summer.
Audio or physical book (or movie/TV series binging) , what are you reading or watching?
(Unlikely that a bunch of certs will be released to us tomorrow, but one can dream...)
Happy Canada Day Eve!
With so much delay and the Surrender Situation, what are you doing to celebrate Canada Day?
I had an idea of what I wanted my Canada Day to look like (being IN Canada as a Certificate holding Canadian, for one) but as I approach my one year wait anniversary I realized that wasn't happening.
I had even hoped to just go to Windsor and have a poutine. But that's not happening, either.
Right now the best I can do is wear a pro-Canadian t-shirt and bracelet and sing O Canada and cry as I eat the last of my black forest Whippets from our last crossing. Maybe watch Fly Away Home.
Anyone else scale back? (Or up?) Looking for ideas stateside to add to my day to make it as Canadian as possible.
Edit: A fun format could be what you're -Eating -Reading -Listening to
Here's the A/C Adventure Plan we came up with to give you some Air Conditioned Options to prevent Cabin Fever. If you have other event info or tips to stay cool, drop it on the comments.
(Heat illness is no joke and can come up on you suddenly. Be in contact with someone and let them know if you're starting to overheat.)
(depending on location): Klassic Arcade (1.0, 2.0, 3.0) 12:00 - 8:00 most days, 12:00 - 5:00 on Sundays $10 all-day-play admission
Mega Family Time at The Point 9:00 - 11:00 (bounce house, crafts, games, toys, coloring)
Community Full Court Open Gym at The Point 1:30 - 3:30 "Shoot Some Hoops", free... "donations appreciated"
Family Movie Night at Eastwood Library 2:00 - 3:30
Tickets Are Cheap On Tuesdays at most movie theaters!
Bridge (cards) Club at Vicksburg Library 9:30 - 12:00
Hand & Foot (cards) at Oshtemo Community Center 12:00 - 3:00
Live Alligator Show at Parchment Library 2:00 - 3:00
TEEN: Weekly Gaming at Richland Library 3:00 - 5:00
American Flag Safety Pin Flag Craft at Galesburg Library 5:00 - 6:00
Genealogy Session with a presentation from The Library of Michigan at Vicksburg Library 6:30 - 8:30
Hand & Foot (cards) at Richland Community Center 11:30 - 3:00
Euchre (cards) at Richland Community Center 12:00- 3:00
Ping-pong at Richland Community Center 1:00 - 3:00
Painted American Shirt Craft at Galesburg Library 1:00 - 5:00 (bring your own white shirt)
TEEN: Movie Moguls (registration required) at Comstock Library 2:00 - 4:00
Stitch and Chat at Galesburg Library 10:00 - 12:00
LEGO Weekly Challenge at Richland Library 10:00 - 6:00
Mahjong at The Point 11:30 - 1:30
Beginning Crochet at Schoolcraft Library 3:00 - 4:00
Elementary "Drive-in" Movie (bring your own kid sized box) at the Vicksburg Library 3:30 - 6:00
Mahjong at Richland Community Center 6:00 - 8:00
Adult Summer Camp: Team Game Night at Richland Library 7:00 - 8:00
TEEN: Tasting History (registration required)- The First Thanksgiving (making "sobaheg", exploring 1621 food culture in Massachusetts, and playing board games) at Richland Library 2:00 - 5:00
Weekly Artists Meet-up at The Vine Neighborhood Association 5:30 - 8:00