Things to know... The Bird Count

People to meet... Gladys Bybee

Plans to make...Paper Challenge Exhibit

by, for & about the people of buChaNaN, MIChIGaN

VOL I No. 9 February 23—March 9, 2018

The Buchanan Art Center welcomed delighted viewers on Sunday afternoon, February 18, as the crowd enjoyed a diverse sampling of the arts. Robin Maxon’s vivid and varied

watercolors drew great interest in the Roti Roti Gallery, as did the pleasing live music provided by the artist’s son. Memorable photographs displayed by students of BAC instructor

Vasilisa Kiselevich led people to seek out the Hess Library Gallery. But area resident artists and amateurs, who made “art” pieces incorporating back issues

of The Paper, generated some astonishment, as well as amusement, at their creations in the Show Place Gallery. Buchanan downtown businesses graciously donated awards for 12 worthy winners. The exhibit runs

through March 24.

What’s Inside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . DONORS AND AWARD WINNERS: THE PAPER CHALLENGEAlan Robandt Antiques—Laurel Ellerbrook, “A Second Chance”B &W Olde Village Inn—Heather Pletcher, “Tap Tap Bus”Dean Antiques—Rebecca Robbins, “The Deer”Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve— Elizabeth Pilley, “Books Necklace & Earrings”Havens Retreat Day Spa—Jan Ferris, “News and Blues Necklace”Kyle Zelmer / D.MottL Realty Group— Wendy Waterhouse Harding, “Blue Canvas”Pure Rituals Salon & Spa—Sandy Williams, “Paper Express”Redbud Hardware—Linda Canfield, “The Purse”Redbud Insurance Agency—Rex Canfield, “The Birdhouse”SL Consignments Gallery—Nana Maher, “Random Disorder”Slocum’s Gifts, Décor and More—Hope Robinson, “Spring Bouquet”Union Coffee House—Linda Canfield, “Princess Peggy Paper”The People’s Choice Award: Heather Pletcher, “Tap Tap Bus”

The Challengewas well-meT!

Rebecca Robbins: “The Deer”

One of the reasons for holding “The Paper Challenge” was to inspire people to re-purpose and recycle, and inspired they were!For more about the exhibit and other exhibitors, see inside.Photos here are by Vasilisa Kiselevich (whose students’ work is currently on exhibit at the BAC).

Heather Pletcher: “Tap Tap Bus”

Jan Ferris: “News & Blues Necklace”

Applauding the winners

A collage with READ as the focus.

Page 2: Letters, etc.Publisher’s commentsLetters to the Editor

Page 3: Life is Better Here

Keep LaughingPeople to Know: Gladys BybeePaula Deen Visit PhotoMemories Lillian Skinner Pridavka

Page 4: Body, Mind, sPirit & souL Magic is in the AirMichiana Metro Lighthouse ChorusHave you Considered Pilates?

Page 5: Misc.Rare Disease Police ReportRobin Maxon, Watercolor ArtistPage 6: coMPuting & BHs newsComputing Over CoffeeWinterfest SuccessPage 7: Birds and gardensFernwood NewsChristmas Bird CountClark Barker: Thinking about BirdsPage 8: caLendarThe Paper /Holmes PhotoRecycling Tips

tHe PaPer February 23–March 9, 2018 Letters, Etc. Page 2

MARy LISTERPublisher PATRICIA BANKEREditor

With special thanks to Mary Vincent, Don Holmes, Cindy Benson, Doyle Vergon, and Louann & Ned Gardner

for doing whatever it takes to get The Paper out there and into the hands of Buchanan Readers.

editoriaL BoardNancy FehlnerMary LysyMarjorie Trappadvisory BoardDarlene ClevengerDon HolmesRandal PeartRick Polos Alan Robandtattorney John Colip

advertising ManagerMary VincentcHurcH Liaison Louann GardnercaLendar coordinatorBeth MurphyfaceBook/instagraMRenée RuthcontriButorsOur Community

is published bi-weekly, and is distributed for free, both in print and electronically. It is a not-for-profit organization and relies on advertising, donations and volunteers to produce and distribute it. Donations can be made from our web site, or sent to:PO Box 63 Buchanan MI 49107 269.224.4949 www.thebuchananpaper.org buchananpaper@gmail.comor find us on Facebook and Instagram at The Buchanan Paper

Major Distribution Points for The Paper:Art CenterFernwoodHarding’s

HilltopLibrary

MarathonMartin’s Niles

Phillips 66 Senior Center

Union Coffee House

There are many people, places and things to write about out there in our community so

it’s difficult to decide what to publish. But you all have come through once again for this issue. You have shared letters, photos and stories which make us your town newspaper. Marie Kangas, bless her heart, just sent me a news clipping about a Weare, N.H. library producing a newspaper when the town’s only paper shut down. Their goal is the same as ours: “to create a sense of community and local pride, more civic engagement and,” says Librarian Mike Sullivan, “more energy around things that do happen around town.” Took the words right out of our mouths! What could be more fun, and at the same time spread a bit of joy in a world that so needs it right now. - Mary

BiLL Marx

It is with great pleasure I announce City Manager, Bill Marx, has received an excellent annual review for 2017 from the Buchanan City Commission.The Commission is pleased with his outstanding performance. Manager Marx contin-

ues to lead the City on a positive course and maintains a high level of customer service to city residents.

Under Marx’s leadership in 2017, Buchanan saw a number of improvements to city infrastructure. Highlights include the replacement of the Schirmer Parkway wastewater lift station, upgrades and maintenance to both water towers, as well as replacement of the intersection at Front Street and Redbud Trail.

Manager Marx continues to be involved on many boards and organizations and is a leader amongst his peers in southwest Michigan.

This year brought the challenges of medical marijuana licensing to the city. Marx is committed to providing the opportunity for patient access in a way that reflects commu-nity values.

As we enter the new year, we are grateful for Manager Marx’s service, and are eager to see what 2018 brings for the City of Buchanan.

Life is better in Buchanan.

Mayor Brenda J. Hess

All letters to the editor may be edited for grammar and spelling, but not content (unless for length). They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman

Devin Nunes and his staff are supposed to be investi-gating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion be-tween the Russians and the Trump campaign. Instead of doing this, however, Nunes (who was a member of the Trump transition team) is doing everything he can to undermine the committee’s investigation, as well as the criminal in-vestigation being conducted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

The most recent under-mining effort by Nunes and his staff involves a memo they wrote claiming to show that the Department of Justice abused its sur-veillance authority relative to a member of the Trump campaign. The memo is supposedly based on clas-sified information collected by U.S. intelligence agen-cies related to Russian involvement in the last election.

The Justice Department and the FBI have vehe-mently opposed the public release of this memo on the grounds that it “paints a false narrative” and could endanger national security. Despite these warnings, the Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee voted to approve the memo for public release.

The memo was then sent to the White House and it was up to the presi-dent to decide if it should be made public.

Before he even read the memo Trump said he was “100 percent” in favor of release. On Friday he released the memo. Trump is clearly much more con-cerned with creating a false narrative that he believes will benefit his interests than he is with protecting national security.

Our Liar-in-Chief has continued to claim there was no collusion between his campaign and the Rus-sians. If that is true, then he should have no fear of the

investigations now pro-ceeding. Instead, he is do-ing all he can to undermine and subvert these investiga-tions.

Innocent people do not behave the way Trump is behaving. There is clear collusion between the Trump White House and many congressional Re-publicans, who are actively attacking the “rule of law” that is the very foundation of our Constitution!

Don Holmes, Buchanan

Read and be happy! Compliments of

Joe Jilek, Insurance Agent695-2200

If your place of business would be a good place to distribute The Paper, please let us know. We’d be glad to provide you with the latest issues.

coLLusion in tHe wHite House?

tHe PaPer February 23—March 9, 2018 Life is Better here Page 3

“Life is better here...” is the City slogan. So in this regular feature you can tell us what makes life better here — and how it can be improved. We encourage your submissions.

Buchanan is a community that is full of history and culture, and

it shows through many things, such as the historic buildings and the beauty of McCoy Creek. But so much culture shines through Buchanan’s people— the great family that the roughly 4,500 residents have created just by living here. The community is also supported by its incredibly hard-working city employees.

Gladys Bybee is one of those staff members that Buchanan is lucky enough to have obtained. Twenty years ago, the world was a different place; 1998 was the year everyone was watching Jim Carrey star in The Truman Show, and listening to Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls on repeat in their CD players. The United States finished in 6th place with 13 total medals in the 1998 Winter Olympics and Disney opened the doors to its very popular Animal Kingdom Theme Park.Twenty years ago, Buchanan changed too; Gladys Bybee was appoint-ed as the City Clerk. It is a job that is full of surprises and not for the weak, but Gladys grabbed the reins and has never looked back.

The City Clerkship is full of responsibilities, all with the goal of community betterment. Gladys has a long list of to-dos every day and is happy to summarize her role as the queen of organization. Even though her desk may not always be tidy, she keeps many records and critical documents organized and secure. Sure, the community’s paper pusher is a fan of the traditional filing system for many of the leases, vacancies, contracts and other documents, but a huge impact Bybee has had on the community’s organization is managing the cemetery records. One of her biggest accomplishments as a public servant has been upgrading the cemetery’s records and transferring them elec-tronically. It was not a one-time project, and she still handles the task by making sure that all the plans and steps are executed. “I was the champion of the cemetery records.” Bybee stated.

Gladys tries to follow a routine, but working with the public brings new challenges and conversations with every new day. “Every-one’s concern is important.” Bybee said.

Over the past two decades, Gladys’ role in the Clerk’s office has been just as important as her role in the community. If you know anything about Gladys, you know how in-tune she is with her Native American culture. Some of Gladys’ favorite hobbies are gardening and native crafts such as beadwork, bag, drum, and shoe making. She has had a lot of fun creating crafts through beadwork down at Pears Mill where she is a demonstrator annually.

“I try to incorporate my culture with the community simply by answering questions about my culture.” Gladys stated. She is humble when talking about her role in the community, and simply tries to answer people’s questions respectfully and to the best of her ability on every topic.

A mother of two and grandmother of four, Gladys fills her (hand-stitched) moccasins with nothing but compassion. Her role in our beautiful community is accomplished through her creativity, under-standing, and positivity. Oh, and lots of Lay’s Potato Chips—you know, the ones in the yellow bag. Potato chips and milk chocolate are Gladys’ guilty pleasures.

Her passion and genuine fulfillment begged me to pose the ques-tion: is this something she chose or was it serendipi-tous? Gladys responded, “It just happened and it’s because it was meant to be. I’m here for helping the community.”

PeoPle to Know...Gladys Bybee

by Renee Ruth

Gladys demonstrating Native American beading techniques at Pears Mill

I was 23 in 1971 when I bought the small café on Redbud Trail that I named Salt &Pepper Café. I only owned it for one year because I sold it to

get married and move to Virginia where my husband had been transferred by Kawneer, who later transferred us to Atlanta and then to Arkansas. After he retired, we moved back to this area. My memories of Buchanan never faded.

I have such fond memories of the people who came into the café. The men who delivered supplies would go around and pour coffee (it was only 10 cents) if we were busy. The guys who owned Thompson’s Grocery Store would come in and we were always playing tricks on each other. One day they were going to go hunting and came in for breakfast (we opened at 5am). We went out and toilet-papered their truck. Another time we put snowballs in the freezer until summer and then threw them at them. Another fond memory was a Christmas present of McDonald’s Gift Certificates that I received anonymously. I later found out it was my accountant.

My sisters were in high school (in Galien, go Gaels) and worked for me. My mother was working at Electro Voice and would do a lot of baking for me. One time I made her famous Apple Dumplings. A teacher that would frequently come in for lunch ordered one. Upon trying to cut into the crust (it was very tough), he poured milk over it and brought it to me and said, “Keep this and I will be back after school to eat it.”

I have fond memories of the Sullivan Brothers who frequented the Café and would share their wisdom. The merchants and patrons were so friendly and it made for a family atmosphere. My last day there, merchants came by to say their goodbye’s. I cried all day.

-Sandy (Williams) Whitmyer

Keep laughing!

On a recent trip to Savannah GA, Kathy Swem, Lee Ann Flenar and Donna Lace had lunch with Paula Deen at her restaurant.

Memories...Mildred (Lillian) Skinner Pridavka recalls being 12 years old and pouring coffee (all they would allow her to do) in the Buchanan Grill, owned by her sister Lois Skinner. She had eight siblings: Mary Skinner Banke, Lois Skinner, Lila Skinner Sullivan, Jane Skinner Schneider, Emily Skinner Huggett, Murriel (Lillian’s twin) Skinner Jerue, Bob Skinner and Loren Skinner.

Mary, Lois and Lila Skinner, facing west on Front Street in front of The Buchanan Grill (current Bucktown Tap location) circa 1943/1944.

Photo provided by Lillian Skinner Pridavka.

tHe PaPer February 23—March 9, 2018 Body, Mind, Spirit & Soul Page 4

“Body, Mind, Spirit & Soul” is a regular section featuring selections in the areas of faith, health, spirituality and wellness. We encourage your submissions.

“To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture

which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again,” as Ralph Waldo Emerson so wonderfully stated.

Take a look around you. Have you noticed the changes that are happening right before your eyes? Can you sense it? Can you feel it? It’s quite magical and timeless. It’s free for those who choose to experience it. And it just might take your breath away!

Step outside. It’s the subtle changes that are happening out in nature, which all lead up to the beautiful awakenings of spring! To be fully aware and truly take a bit of time to observe the wondrous beauty that surrounds us. To notice the changes in the landscapes, to witness the ever-evolving canvas as a work of art is created. You may see beauty and feel joy like you’ve never experienced just outside your door or at a nearby trail. Let me be your guide and I’ll help your vision clear.

Magic is in the AirA Photo Essay by Jill K. McDonald

Flowers by Jill K. McDonald

This past November the Michiana Metro Light-house Chorus held their Annual Food Bank

Fundraiser, A Helping Hand of Harmony, the pro-ceeds of which were pledged to area food banks. Recently Bill Ropp, Lighthouse Chorus Treasurer, presented one of the beneficiaries, the Redbud Area Ministries, a check for $710. The total proceeds from the Annual Fundraiser exceeded $5,000, which were donated to five different food pantries in the area. The other food pantries included Niles, Berrien Springs, Benton Harbor and Edwardsburg. Chorus President Era Snyder noted that these contributions were made possible through the tremendous support of area busi-nesses that advertised in the fundraiser program, as well as supporters throughout the county who attend-ed the fundraiser. The Chorus also held a food drive

the evening of the performance, during which over 200 pounds of canned goods were collected.

Based in Niles, MI, the Lighthouse Chorus is a men’s a cappella chorus that sings primarily in the barbershop style of music. Using contemporary ar-rangements, the Chorus performs a variety of mu-sic, including jazz, rock and patriotic, spirituals and ballads. They have performed in almost every southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana commu-nity, singing on stages, in parks, on sidewalks and in churches. They often give back to their commu-nities by holding fundraisers for local organizations. They are always looking for new members and in-vite anyone who is interested to visit a rehearsal on Thursdays at 7 PM at the Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Grant St., Niles.

Lighthouse Chorus benefits

Redbud Area MinistriesKristi McPherson of RAM accepts check from Bill Ropp on behalf of Michiana Metro Lighthouse Chorus

Look-Listen-Let it soak in. Look around you. Notice how the trees are mostly bare. Their skeletal shapes each are so unique. You can see far through the trees in this mid-season. After the spring wildflowers emerge, the understory will spring to life and make the forest seem more secluded. Do you see the nests left from prior seasons? Do you see the dried flowers that have held up? They can remind us of the beauty that was and is also to come. Do you notice the daylight slowly, but surely increasing each and every week?

Listen. In the morning, the birds have started to sing. Perhaps not many and it depends on the weather, but listen closely, and in the distance. Soon various birds will sing a myriad of songs. When you’re near water, listen closely and soon you’ll notice changes. Peaceful babbling can now be enjoyed, though soon frogs and red-winged blackbirds will add their beautiful melodies to the mix.

Let it soak in. Feel the earth beneath your feet. On cold days, it will crunch and as it warms it will squish. The earth is thawing out and soon flowers will burst forth! Feel the crispness in the air, refreshing and cool. As southern warmth begins to push north, the air takes on a new invigorating feel. A sign that spring is surely on its way!

So as we patiently await springtime joys, perhaps don’t overlook the beauty that surrounds you in the present moment. Perhaps jot down in a journal the highlights you witness each day, even just outside your door. Soon you will realize everyday there are treasures to behold!

McCoy Creek by Jill K. McDonald

the “center” of the body and consists of the deep abdomi-nal muscles along with the muscles closest to the spine. Pilates also stresses spinal and pelvic alignment, which is critical in getting us to move the way we’re supposed to move to avoid injury.

The current Redbud Fitness and Lifestyle Center is located

at 117 N. Redbud Trail in Buchanan. The new Center is at 500 E. Third Street. They are awaiting final inspections and permits, so check their Facebook page, call their new number 269-695-7720 with questions or visit their website at www.redbudfitness.com for more information.

If you’re looking for an ex-ercise that’s gentle, yet

challenging, and works your core like no other, consider Pilates (pi-lah-teez). Joseph Pilates, a German boxer who emigrated to the United States in the 1920s, created this fit-ness method. Pilates uses controlled movements that strengthen deep-core muscles in your entire torso.

It combines exercises with a special breathing technique and concentration, so it con-nects the mind and body, and can help relieve stress and anxiety. It can be done on the floor using a mat and your own body weight as resistance or on a Pilates Reformer.

Floor or Mat Pilates fol-low a sequence of moves that flows like a dance; in fact, dancers were the first group to embrace the activity for the performance benefits it gave them. Other exercises involve special equipment devel-oped by Pilates himself, with springs and pulleys to create the resistance.

Best known is the unusual looking bench called the Re-former. The tension can be adjusted, so Reformer Pilates is good for both beginners and advanced enthusiasts. The Redbud Fitness and Lifestyle Center will be offering both styles of Pilates. The fitness center will be offering group mat Pilates and small group Reformer class, as well as pri-vate one-on-one sessions and private small group classes. Redbud will also be offering Pilates in its state-of-the-art therapy center. A Reformer will be used by physical thera-pists to help clients recover more quickly from injuries.

Many people are unfamiliar with Pilates, but it is one of the fastest growing exercises in the world. And millions more

have experienced the physi-cal fitness benefits of added strength, length, and agility that it provides. However, few know that Pilates is rapidly rising in another area—reha-bilitation from injury.

Many injuries are caused by muscular imbalances within our bodies. And many things cause these imbal-ances—our posture, the way we walk, bend over, sit, lie down, or work out; basically the way we move or forget to move. Most of us move incor-rectly in some way or another, which puts too much pressure on some muscles and weakens others, causing an imbalance. Pilates exercises promote an even musculature throughout the body by strengthening the core. The core is considered

Have you considered

pilates? by Megan Smedley

Megan Smedley on the Reformer bench

tHe PaPer February 23—March 9, 2018 Misc. Page 5

reports1/31/18 - 2/14/18

p o l i c e

The Buchanan Police Department had 107 responses during this period.1/31: Officers responded to assist in a call concerning a water leak problem. They responded to a request to assist another agency with an alarm. Administered a preliminary breath test. Investi-gated a concern about a suspi-cious person in a neighborhood. Assisted the fire company on a call. Investigated a complaint about a threat to a person. Were called to look into a suspicious situation. Assisted in dealing with a transformer fire.2/1: Assisted a person by trans-porting the person to their home. Responded to assist with two medical emergency calls. Per-formed one welfare check.2/2: Administered two pre-liminary breath tests. Officers assisted an individual with a lockout problem. Responded to a call to assist another agency.2/3: Officers had to respond to an unfounded alarm. Administered two preliminary breath tests. Investigated a property damage accident. Assisted a motorist who was dealing with a vehicle prob-lem. Responded to two requests for help in lockout situations. Investigated a possible larceny. Responded to an alarm.2/4: Officers responded to a call concerning a domestic violence complaint. The suspect was gone upon the arrival of the officer who responded. Administered three preliminary breath tests. Re-sponded to assist with a structure fire. Assisted two individuals who had lockout problems. Investigat-ed a concern about a suspicious situation. Responded to an alarm. Made a warrant arrest.

2/5: Responded to assist in a medical emergency call. Admin-istered a preliminary breath test. Responded to a civil matter call. Assisted an individual having a lockout problem.2/6: Responded to a request for an assist to another agency with one of their calls. Had to deal with an “illegal dumping” violation. Assisted the Berrien County Sher-iff’s Office with one of their calls. Responded to assist in an medi-cal emergency call. Received a complaint about an act of juvenile harassment. A verbal warning was given. Administered a preliminary breath test.2/7: Stopped a vehicle and made an arrest because the driver was driving with a suspended license. This was the driver’s second offense. Officer assisted an indi-vidual with a lockout problem. Administered a preliminary breath test. Responded to a call about a person who had died of natural causes.2/8: Officers had to assist with two medical emergency calls. Inves-tigated a complaint of threats that were made. Did a welfare check on a juvenile who did not show up at school. Assisted a person who had a lockout problem. Received a call concerning a dog at large, and responded to investigate. Looked into a noise complaint. Had to deal with a complaint about an incor-rigible juvenile.2/9: Officers responded to a call concerning an assault. The indi-vidual was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Assisted with four medical emer-gency calls. Dealt with a situation

where there was a violation of the Controlled Substance Act–Mari-juana. Administered a background check on an individual for a gun permit. Had an individual come in to the police department because they needed food. Investigated a personal injury accident. Investi-gated a property damage accident. Received a call to deal with a per-son who was plowing a driveway because the plow was too loud. When the officer arrived to look into the situation, the individual was gone.2/10: Administered three prelimi-nary breath tests. Offices assisted another agency with a warrant arrest. Had an individual resist arrest.2/11: Officers made a general assist. Assisted with a medical emergency call. Administered three preliminary breath tests. Dealt with a person who was interfering with a city snow plow. Took care of a cell phone that was found. Investigated a concern about an abandoned vehicle. Performed two welfare checks. Administered a subpoena service.2/12: Administered a prelimi-nary breath test. Investigated two property damage accidents. Responded to an unfounded alarm. Assisted an individual with a lockout problem. Responded to a call concerning an animal problem. Investigated a slide-off accident. Investigated a suspi-cious situation call. Responded to a call concerning an attempted blackmail via Facebook. Assisted with a medical emergency call.2/13: Officers responded to a false alarm. A property watch was performed. Investigated a possible civil problem. Dealt with a handi-cap parking violation. Assisted with a medical emergency call. Investigated a call concerning a suspicious vehicle.

-Bob Hess

Rare Disease Day is observed annually on the last day of February, so in 2018 it falls on Wednesday, February 28. Not many people

know about it unless they have a rare disease. Our family knows about it because our daughter Julie, an 8-year- old Girl Scout Brownie at Moccasin Elementary School, has two rare diseases: Charcot-Marie- Tooth Disease and Alpha-1 Anti Trypsin Deficiency. Julie was diag-nosed during the last school year with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT). She was also diagnosed with Alpha-1 Anti Trypsin Deficiency (A1AT) within 3 weeks of being born. Both of these diseases are inher-ited from the parents. We knew about CMT being in our family history before Julie was born. The A1AT we didn’t know about, although an uncle of ours had cirrhosis of the liver which became A1AT.

We want to let our community know about these diseases; more awareness will help people understand them and may also lead to a cure. CMT & A1AT are just two of the 6000+ different rare diseases that affect approximately 300 million people around the world. The challenges that we have faced include EMG (electromyographic and nerve conduction studies) and MRI testing, bloodwork, ultra-sounds, orthotics fittings, seeing neurologists, gastroenterologists, geneticists, physical/occupational therapists, and dealing with medi-cal bills.

We had been seeing gastroenterologists and neurologists in different cities on a yearly basis, but now a doctor comes down monthly to St. Joseph, Michigan from the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. CMT is a disease of the peripheral nerves that control muscles. Orthotics for legs and/or feet are recommended, along with physical/occupational therapy as needed. Julie participates in floor hockey and swimming.

A1AT is a genetic condition that can lead to lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age. It is important for people with A1AT to avoid smoking, second hand smoke and alcohol, and to live a healthy and active lifestyle. In other words, we act like we are allergic to these three things! There are no cures for these two diseases, although there is a breakthrough for a certain form of CMT. So there is hope for a cure!

For more information on these rare diseases visit these websites: Alpha-1 Foundation: http://www.alpha1.org Charcot-Marie- Tooth Association: http://www.cmtausa.org RareDisease Day US: http://www.rarediseaseday.us/ National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.(NORD): http://rarediseases.org/

If you see us here in town, feel free to stop us and ask us about these diseases. We don’t mind taking the time to answer your questions. The theme this year for Rare Disease Day 2018 is research. This gives people the ability to contact policy makers, researchers, compa-nies and healthcare professionals, with the goal of increasing interest in rare disease research.

Tom & Rebecka HoytBecka210@att.net Robin Maxon (pictured on

the right above) is a graphic designer by trade and an artist at heart. Her family fostered her interest in art at a very young age keeping her well supplied with crayons, markers and paint. Initially studying art at Central Michi-gan University, she received her Commercial Art & Design degree in 1981 from Ivy Tech.

Robin paints a broad spec-trum of subjects. With her camera always handy, she attempts to capture the play of light and the nuances of color in something common, natural, or unexpected. She enjoys the process of creating a composition, sometimes using several images for one painting. Her painting style has an illustrative component with more emphasis on realism, although she will sometimes incorporate abstract elements to keep it fun and loose.

Robin MaxonA self-proclaimed “graphic designer by trade and an artist at heart.” Her watercolors are currently on exhibit at the Buchanan Art Center through March 24.

Robin’s son, Daniel Maxon, played the acoustic guitar and sang during Sunday’s afternoon reception.

by Rebecka Hoyt

BHS Students pose in their “Tacky Tourist” day attire for Spirit Week on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.

Winterfest 2018 was a huge suc-cess in Buchanan. Students

were asked to show their school spirit by dressing up everyday that week in rela-tion to the theme of the day. Monday was Pajama day, Tuesday was Tacky Tourist Day, Wednesday was Neon Day, Thursday was Throwback Thursday, and Friday was Spirit Day.

The students who showed the most spirit had the opportunity to be crowned Mr. or Ms. Bucktucky. This is a title giv-en to those who went above and beyond with their spirit during the week. Drew Ruth, Mr. Bucktucky, and Katie DeV-laminck, Ms. Bucktucky, were crowned during the Winterfest game on Friday night. Between the girls’ and the boys’ basketball games, Winterfest royalty was crowned. Each grade elected and voted for four girls and four boys from their class whom they believed should be Prince and Princess for their class.

The senior class did the same, but for the titles of King and Queen.

The outcome of the Princes and Princesses were Katie Schau and Ty Scurlock for the Freshman, Sophomores were Natalie Riley and Aidan Kile, and Juniors were Natasha Makumbe and Garret Lollar. Seniors Cora Schau and Adam Eger were voted to Winterfest Queen and King.

The games against Comstock on Friday night had a lot of support from The Herd. Unfortunately, the girls’ team lost, however, the boys finished with a victory. Lastly, the week ended with the Winterfest dance on Saturday night. It was an im-mense success and everyone had plenty of fun! The dance was hosted by the BHS Student Council and was held at the Niles Campus of Southwestern Michigan Col-lege. Those who attended hung out with friends and danced to music all night.

winterfest successby Kirsten Vite, BHS Journalist

The Herd showed up to cheer on our girls’ and boys’ varsity teams on Winterfest, February 2, 2018.

tHe PaPer February 23—March 9, 2018 Computing & BHS News Page 6

Ever wished for a quicker way to do something on your computer, or within Microsoft Word or Excel? Below are some keyboard shortcuts that just might save the day!

windows sHortcuts (Most used)Note: The “+” sign indicates that you press both keys at the same time. “Highlighted” means that you’d held the mouse down and dragged it across a selection of words, which makes it have a light blue background, as if it has been highlighted.Ctrl + C = Copy the text or file that you’ve highlighted. Ctrl + V = Paste the text or file that you’ve highlighted.Ctrl + Z = Undo the action you just made.Ctrl + X = Cut the text or folder you’ve highlighted, in order to move it to another location on your computer or in the document you’re working in.Ctrl + P = Print the current document or page you’re in. Ctrl + S = Save the document you’re in. Ctrl + O = Open a document or file.Ctrl + Q = Quit the document or application you’re in. Ctrl + N = Open a new document or file. Shift + Delete = Send the file directly to the trash can, without the computer asking “Are you sure you want to do this?”CTRL + A = Select All. This selects all of the text on a page or within a document.F3 = Find or Find Again. This allows you to search a document for particular words.ALT + TAB = Switch through the windows you’re working in. Windows Key or CTRL + ESC = Opens the Start Menu.F5 = Refresh the web site you’re on or folder you’re in. Windows Key + L = Lock your computerWindows Key + E = Open up “My Computer” Windows Key + D = Show the desktop.Windows Key + M = Minimizes all of the windows open.

Mac sHortcuts (Most used) is the Command keyCtrl + Shift + I = When used within Safari Internet Browser – this will auto-matically open a new email with the link to the web page you’re in. This is used mostly to send a web page link to yourself or a friend.

+ C = Copy the text or folder that you’ve highlighted.+ V = Paste the text or folder that you’ve highlighted.+ X = Cut the text or folder out that you’ve highlighted.+ Z = Undo the recent change you just made.+ A = Select all. + F = Find. Useful if you’re in a document and are searching for a particular text.+ G = Find again. Useful for when searching once more for particular text. + H = Hide the windows of the front app you’re in. + N = Open a new document or window.+ M = Minimize the window you’re in. + O = Open the item you’ve selected or open a box to select a document to open.+ P = Print the document or page you have open. + S = Save the current document you’re in. + W = Close the front window. + Q = Quit the application you’re in. + Control + Power Button = Force your Apple to restart.

I hope you find some of these useful, not to mention some pos-sible time-saving, once you master some of these shortcuts. They do come in handy.Until our next cup! - Ed Marshall, ed@askthemarshall.com

Computing Over Coffee

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has been around since 1899.

It was the brainchild of Frank M. Chap-man, a renowned ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City and, at the time, the editor of the National Audubon Society’s Bird-Lore magazine. The object of the CBC is to tally as many individuals of as many species as possible within a 15-mile-diameter circle within a 24-hour period in a three-week period between mid-December and the first week of January. The Niles Area CBC encompasses the entire City of Buchanan and much of Bu-chanan Township. This winter marked the 57th year the Niles Count has been held.

Weather-wise, December 16, the day of the 2017 Niles count, was a treat: clear-blue skies with temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s. But that doesn’t always make for the best birding, as when it’s milder the birds sometimes aren’t as active, finding food with ease in the wild and not visiting feeders as heavily as when it is cold and snowy. Nevertheless, the final tally of submitted data came out with strong numbers. Sixty-one species were identified that day, one more than the average of 60, with Barred Owl added during the count week. A total of 10,576 individuals was tallied, a whopping 3,235 more than average and 2,820 more than the 2016 total.

Three species established new high counts: 22 Cackling Geese (a miniature version of the Canada Goose recognized as distinct only since 2004, this is only the third sighting on the Niles count); 2,264 Herring Gulls (the gulls congregate at the Southeast Berrien County Landfill); and 7 state-threatened Red-Shouldered Hawks (two more than the previous highs in 2004 and 2011).

It is always exciting to find species that aren’t regulars on the Niles CBC. This year that distinction included the first Snow Goose in eight years and only the 9th sighting in count history. Also exciting were the first Red-Headed Woodpeckers in 11 years; with this sighting and a few yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, all seven possible woodpecker species were recorded–that doesn’t happen too often!

Missed for the second year in a row was Bufflehead, a striking black-and-white duck that is typically present along the St. Joseph River. As expected with the mild weather, feeder birds were a bit slow and generally down in numbers. I am always grateful for the feeder counters, for they inevitably find birds that are not encountered in the field. This year they turned up the only Fox Sparrow, Common Grackle, Purple Finch, and Pine Siskin, plus the count-week Barred Owl.

The results of all Christmas Bird Counts held in 2017/2018 (about 75 of which were held in Michigan) are available at www.christmasbirdcount.org. The 2018 Niles count will be held on Saturday, December 15th. At the Fernwood feeders, two Red-breasted Nuthatches currently feast on peanuts and a nice flock of Blue Jays has been around for several months–come out for a visit soon!

Wendy is Head Naturalist at the Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, where she can be reached at (269) 695-6491 ext. 220, or at wjones@fernwoodbotanical.org.

Snow Goose 1 white phaseCackling Goose 22Canada Goose 854Mute Swan 16 Trumpeter Swan 10Mallard 312Common Goldeneye 11Hooded Merganser 10 Unid. ducks 4Wild Turkey 52Pied-billed Grebe 1 Great Blue Heron 6Sharp-shinned Hawk 1Cooper’s Hawk 7 Unid. Accipiters 2Red-shouldered Hawk 7Red-tailed Hawk 33Rough-legged Hawk 3 Unid. Buteos 1Ring-billed Gull 456 Herring Gull 2264 Unid. gulls 557Rock Pigeon 286Mourning Dove 121Eastern Screech Owl 5Great Horned Owl 1Barred Owl CWBelted Kingfisher 5Red-headed Woodpecker 3Red-bellied Woodpecker 72Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3Downy Woodpecker 72 Hairy Woodpecker 15Northern Flicker 25Pileated Woodpecker 7American Kestrel 2Blue Jay 264American Crow 631Horned Lark 6Black-capped Chickadee 107Tufted Titmouse 96Red-breasted Nuthatch 4White-breasted Nuthatch 87Brown Creeper 3Carolina Wren 5Winter Wren 1Golden-crowned Kinglet 1Eastern Bluebird 109 American Robin 38 European Starling 2333Cedar Waxwing 73Snow Bunting 17Yellow-rumped Warbler 1American Tree Sparrow 95Fox Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 7 White-throated Sparrow 23 White-crowned Sparrow 3Dark-eyed Junco 705 Unid. sparrows 2 Northern Cardinal 165Common Grackle 4 Purple Finch 6 House Finch 106Pine Siskin 6American Goldfinch 280House Sparrow 149

TOTAL SPECIES 61TOTAL INDIVIDUALS 10,576(official CBC totals)

Christmas Bird Count by Wendy E. Jones

r e s u L t s

tHe PaPer February 23—March 9, 2018 Birds and Gardens Page 7

Photo courtesy of the Owl Research Institute

Image

FERNWOOD NEWSLakeLand award: Lakeland Health recently awarded $25,000 to Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve in support of a walk-ing and hiking trail improve-ment project. Funds were awarded from the Lakeland Health Community Wellness Endowment, established in 2014 to help sponsor local organizations that promote community health. This most recent grant awarded to Fern-wood aligns with this mission and offers area resident of all ages a local and affordable way to stay active. “On behalf of all at Fernwood, I extend our great thanks to Lakeland Health for this very generous grant that will allow us to im-prove our trails, expand and enhance our interpretation and signage, and strengthen our existing wellness program for the community,” said Carol Line, Fernwood’s Executive Director.

sPring garden syMPosiuM: Fernwood Botanical Garden has announced details of its 2018 Spring Garden Sym-posium to be held Saturday, March 3, from 9 am to 4 pm, presented in partnership with Chicagoland Gardening Magazine, Garden Design magazine, Stonehouse Nurs-ery, and Vite Greenhouses. Guest speakers, Christy Webber, Jeff Epping, Andrew Bunting and An-namarie León, are nationally recognized garden leaders, horticulturists, landscape ar-chitects, and garden designers.

The day long symposium will explore design approach-es that enhance and evoke the features of exceptional gardens and will present powerful stories of industry entrepreneurship and urban community garden activism. Lunch by Chef Tim Carrigan will be included as well as a guided tour of Fernwood. Visit Fernwood’s website for details: www.fernwoodbotanical.org.13988 Range Line Road, Niles Call (269) 695-6491Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am–5 pm and Sunday, noon– 5 pm Winter café hours are Friday through Sunday 12pm–3pm through February.

Mill Pond APArtMents for people over 62 and disabled persons of any age

269-695-0475 ● TDD: 711 ● Fax:269-695-1057800 E. Smith St., Buchanan MI 49107

Office Hours: 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm

One-bedroom units include step-saving kitchens, a dinette area, and a spacious living room. Rent is based on income.

Thinking about the Birds

I am quite fond of birds. I enjoy watch-

ing them at the back-yard feeders. And I am aware that there are literally hundreds of thousands of them

flying over our heads, in the dark when humans can’t see or hear them, migrating back and forth in spring and autumn. (I sometimes wish

I could fly, but migrat-ing seems really labor-intensive!)

I also like know-ing that right here in Berrien County, we

have 61 different spe-cies hanging around in winter.

If I happen to be out-side, in our yard, and see a stray feline ap-proaching, I do my best to chase him/her off.

Which raises the question: Should cats be allowed to roam free in town? I assume that this activity is illegal.

I don’t mind cats, and do understand that many of them yearn to go outside and indulge their hunting instincts. But I wonder if their humans know just how dangerous it is for both the cats and the birds?

What do you think?Let us know!

16580 Bakertown rd. (corner of gaLien-BucHanan rd & Bakertown)

(269) 695-2334 www.countryHeritagecu.coM

February 23- March 9

Don Holmes holding a back issue of The Paper. Back issues are available for free (while they last) at the Buchanan Art Center through March 24.

Richard Swem Cameron Ondresky

Starks Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services

301 W. Front StreetBuchanan, MI 49107

(269) 695-6881

SWEM CHAPEL

Dick@swemchapel.com Cameron@starksfh.com

Should Cameron’s pic be bigger?

●Most dryer lint is highly flammable, so it ignites easily when used as a fire starter. Even better, you can stuff dryer lint into empty cardboard toilet-paper tubes and use them as “starter logs” for your fireplace or woodstove.

●After you’ve enjoyed a leafy head of romaine lettuce, save the bottom inch or so of the heart, cut a thin slice off the bottom and then place the stump upright in a shallow pan with a half-inch of water. If you keep it in a sunny location and add more water as needed, new leaves will sprout in a couple of weeks for a future round of salads.

Weekly Union 25 Aug 1864Bitten by a snakeProfessor Girac, music teacher of this city, was bitten by a rattle-snake on the finger one day this week in the neighborhood of the railroad bridge. The Professor supposed he had killed the varmint

and being something of a naturalist thought he would examine it, when he was bitten. He immediately cut off the snake’s tail and made a brake [sic] for the city. The reptile proved to be a rattle-snake three years old. Medical aid was immediately procured but, at the present time he is very sick, his arm and side being badly swollen. If any of our readers should be bitten by a rattle-snake, all they need do is to immediately apply wet tobacco to the wound and get tolerably drunk on whisky. We have known of this remedy being tried a number of times and never knew it to fail of effecting a cure.

--Niles Republican--

serving the community for 40 years