The Fremont Area District Library is planning to host several fun, FREE, and festive events in December for the whole family. We’ll host a Book Tasting: Best of the Season Bistro event on Thursday, December 1st from 3:30-5:30. Join us for cookies and cocoa in the Community Room while you browse new fiction, new teen fiction, forthcoming books and a few seasonal favorite reads. Next up for the holidays, we’ll have Drop-In Gift Wrapping set up in our Community Room from Dec. 2nd-23rd. Get all of your Christmas wrapping done -- FREE! We'll provide the gift wrap, gift bags, etc. Show up in the Community Room when it's available (check the meeting room calendar on our website or give us a call first to make sure it's open) and wrap your gifts! For our Movie Monday in December, we’ll show A Christmas Story (Rated PG; 93 min) on Dec. 12th at 2:00 p.m. Snacks provided! Toddler Storytime, for babies and toddlers up to age 3, will have its last Fall session on Wednesday, Nov. 30th at 10:00 a.m., and Family Storytime for children up to age 5 will have its last Fall session on Thursday, Dec. 1st at 10:00 a.m. Kids can make a special Christmas craft to take home on Saturday, Dec. 10th between 10:00 and 1:00 p.m. at our Christmas Craft Saturday. Our Saturday Storytime in December will be a special Christmas Storytime, where we’ll share some favorite Christmas stories together. Join us on Dec. 17th at 11:00 a.m. for this festive Storytime. We’ll be showing an Afternoon Christmas Movie on Thursday, December 22nd at 3:30 p.m. Snacks will be served, and all are welcome. Fit for Life Exercise Classes will continue on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00 p.m. through Dec. 14th. This is a free and low-impact exercise class for all levels of fitness. Junk Journaling for ages 10 and up will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 8th. The Daytime Book Group will meet on December 1st at 12:30 p.m. to discuss Secret of Snow by Viola Shipman. The Wednesday Readers Book Group will meet on Monday, December 12th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. The Non-Fiction Book Discussion will meet Monday, December 19th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Christmas in Plains by Jimmy Carter. Anyone is welcome to join these book groups. Books for these groups are available at the library’s front desk ahead of the meeting if you’d like to check out a copy and join the group. For more information about any of these events, please contact the library at 231-924-3480 or visit www.fremontlibrary.net.
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 Photo and article by Donna Iverson When it comes to holiday plants, poinsettia is Number 1. It is the best selling potted plant sold in this country. Over 70 million poinsettia plants are purchased this time of the year with most of them commercially grown in California. Poinsettia is native to the Americas, specifically southern Mexico and Guatemala. There it grows wild as a perennial shrub or small tree, reaching two to thirteen feet in height. Like many plants and animals, the wild poinsettia is losing its habitat as the forest land that it prefers is eroding. Soon only cultivated varieties will be available, of which there are 100 varieties and counting. The plant is named after botanist Joel Poinsett, who was the first US ambassador to Mexico. He introduced the plant in South Carolina when he sent cuttings in 1824. Two hundred years later, poinsettias are available everywhere, including garden centers, farmers markets and in grocery stores. As for caring for poinsettias, they need about six hours of bright indirect light and to be kept away from drafts. If these needs are met, poinsettia plants will last until Valentine's Day. The brighter the light, the more intense the floral coloring. When purchasing a poinsettia, be sure there is a hole in the bottom of the pot, as it needs good drainage, Newer varieties also come in a variety of flower colors in addition to the traditional red. These include white, purple, salmon and variegated. As a side note, the bright flowers are actually bracts, or modified leaves. Poinsettias are not toxic to people or animals although eating too many leaves can cause nausea and vomiting. Also the stems ooze a milky sap which can cause skin irritation in some people. If you haven’t purchased a poinsettia plant yet, you might want to do so soon. Then you can celebrate Poinsettia Day on December 12..a holiday declared in 1851. For more information on the care and feeding of poinsettias, check out https://gardenerspath.com/plants/houseplants/poinsettia-after-holidays/  Photo by Sally Wagoner A full moon hike northbound on the North Country Trail will begin at Loda Lake on December 8 at 8pm. Guests will park at the Loda Lake parking lot by 7:50 pm and the event is slated to last until 11pm. This event, facilitated by The Sunhart Center of Ecology & Design, is catered toward adults. Instructions are to dress warm and bring a flashlight. The hike is free although donations are accepted. Transportation assistance is may be available upon request. “The new ‘After Dark’ event series is designed to connect individuals to the more traditional and spiritual aspects of nature and our world,” states Carmen Alfaro, who will lead the hike. “I hope to give individuals the opportunity to really listen to and interact with our plant and animal relatives in a way we often pass by in our daily lives.” Loda Lake is a 72-acre preserve located in the Huron-Manistee National Forest, and is managed by the Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan. It has evolved into a unique haven for botanists and wildflower enthusiasts. North of Loda Lake, the hike will pass through secluded Manistee National Forest lands. “I have walked this path many times and I am always amazed by the spirit of this place. I am excited to share the sacredness with others," added Alfaro. Loda Lake is north of White Cloud. From north on M-37, turn left on 5 Mile Road, then north on Felch. The sanctuary entrance is one mile north on the right. As part of the National Forest, there is a self-service fee to park at Loda Lake. A daily, weekly or annual Huron-Manistee Recreation vehicle pass can be purchased from the Baldwin Ranger field office at 650 N Michigan Avenue in Baldwin. Carmen Alfaro is the owner of The Sunhart Center of Ecology & Design. The Sunhart Center serves the greater Newaygo County and West Michigan areas in eco-restorative landscaping, ecological consultation and Indigenous environmental stewardship. More information about The Sunhart Center and future events can be found on its Facebook page @Sunhart Center of Ecology and Design. Contact Carmen at (231) 450-4590 or email Carmen@sunhart.org.  Photo and article by Donna Iverson It’s November and some autumn flowers are still blooming. These include chrysanthemums, snapdragons, marigolds, petunias, zinnias, and one of my favorites: calendula. A member of the daisy family, calendula will bloom until the first hard frost. Sometimes called pot marigolds, calendulas are easy to grow, low maintenance, prolific bloomers, and attractive to pollinators, like bees and butterflies. Planted in early spring as seeds, calendula blooms in about six weeks. Deadheading increases flower production but come late fall, let the flowers go to seed. The plant will reseed itself. During the summer months, the flowers make beautiful cut flower bouquets. Companion plants include everything but dill, potatoes and parsnips. Native to the Mediterranean area and east Asia, calendula is a popular medicinal plant used to treat skin conditions. Calendula cream soothes skin rashes and other skin irritations. It is so popular it can be found on grocery store shelves as well as in health food stores. Its flowers are also edible and non toxic to humans and animals. The yellow flowers can be used to dye food, yarn and fabric, like cotton and wool. As winter approaches, instead of cleaning out the garden beds, let the brown stems of autumn flowers be. Plant stalks provide refuge for pollinators and other beneficial wildlife in your yard or community garden.
Fremont Library to Host Michigan Notable Author John Wemlinger
Live @ the Library, a series of events including author visits and informational presentations at Fremont Area District Library is thrilled to host Michigan Notable Author John Wemlinger as he presents his newest book, The Cut. In The Cut, named a 2022 Michigan Notable Book, Alvin Price and Lydia Cockrum literally bump into one another in the summer of 1870 and fall in love. Coming from vastly different backgrounds, their relationship encounters struggle amid the feuding farmers and powerful lumber industry in Manistee, Michigan. Additionally, a terrible storm on October 8, 1871 will sweep across the upper Midwest, setting off fires in Chicago and dozens of other cities, including Manistee. Will their love endure? John Wemlinger will also answer questions and have books available to purchase and sign. This free program will begin in the library’s Community Room on Thursday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. Learn more about library events by visiting www.fremontlibrary.net or call 231-924-3480.  Fremont Library to Host Japanese Balloon Bombs Presentation & Native American Heritage Presentation Live @ the Library, a series of events including author visits and informational presentations is hosting two events at the beginning of November. The first will be about Japanese balloon bombs during World War II, and the second will be about life on historical Turtle Island before European contact. Floating Vengeance: The World War II Japanese Attack on Michigan presented by Michael Unsworth: Japan sent over 9,300 balloons to attack the North American mainland from November 1944 to early April 1945. This campaign was Japan’s attempt at vengeance for the April 1942 Doolittle attack on the island of Honshu. Built of laminated panels of paper, filled with hydrogen gas, and kept aloft by an ingenious altitude control mechanism, the balloons traveled the jet stream to make the 6,200-mile crossing of the Pacific. The furthest east they were discovered was in Michigan. This talk will discuss general outlines of the balloon attacks followed by a detailed description of the two balloons which were discovered at the border area of Kent & Allegan counties and in Farmington in the Detroit suburbs. Presenter Michael Unsworth is the co-author of the annotated bibliography Future War Novels (1984) and the editor of Military Periodicals (1991). He has also written a number of articles, concentrating on military history. He has written several articles and given numerous lectures on the Japanese balloon attack. Most recently he appeared in the Great Balloon Bomb Invasion which is on the Discovery+ streaming service. This free program will begin in the library’s Community Room on Tuesday, November 1st at 7:00 p.m. Under the Western Sun: An Indigenous Account of Life on Historical Turtle Island presented by Carmen Alfaro: Have you ever wondered what life was like on Turtle Island (North America) before European contact? Did you imagine towering cities with sanitation canals, trade networks that spanned thousands of miles, and artisan-crafted books? Join Carmen Marie, Wixárika, of The Sunhart Center of Ecology & Design for an interactive conversation on what life was really like just over 500 years ago and the rich heritage it brings to contemporary Indigenous Peoples. Recording devices requested to be turned off during drumming and songs. Carmen Marie is the Two-Spirit, Wixárika owner of The Sunhart Center of Ecology & Design, a social-mission driven center "dedicated to stewarding our Lands for the next 7 Generations." She draws her knowledge from many sources including Elders' teachings, a background in cultural anthropology, and her mentors. She specializes in Traditional Ecological Knowledge, native food and medicine plants, and Wixárika culture. This free program will begin in the library’s Community Room on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Learn more about library events by visiting www.fremontlibrary.net or call 231-924-3480.   Photo and article by Donna Iverson Survivor elm. That’s what a lone elm tree is called when it is the sole tree of its species still standing, maybe within a mile radius. Scientists believe these survivor elms have some kind of genetic resistance to Dutch elm disease. They are identifying and studying these elms in the hope of restoring the elm tree in greater numbers in the landscape. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is leading the effort in our state. In cooperation with the US Forest service, the DNR is asking for information from anyone finding an elm tree in their neighborhood. The elm tree’s location can be reported at https://mucc.org/bringing-back-the-american-elm/ The DNR is collecting branches from elm trees. These samples are being used to create a seed orchard of genetically diverse and resilient American elm trees that will not succumb to Dutch elm disease, according to the United Michigan Conservation Club website. Several elm varieties are showing promise. They include varieties called Valley Forge, Lewis and Clark, Jefferson and New Harmony. The American elm tree dates back to the Miocene geological era, approximately 20 million years ago. It was introduced to the Americas from Europe in the 1800’s and was popular with furniture makers. Soon it became the most popular shade tree in the eastern US and Midwest. It grew to 100 feet with a huge canopy that provided both beauty and shade for its owners. It can live to be 200 years old. Disaster struck in the early twentieth century. In 1921, two Dutch pathologists discovered the first signs of Dutch elm disease. The disease was not Dutch in origin but acquired its name from the nationality of the two Dutch women who identified it: Bea Schwartz and Christine Johanna Buisman. Dutch elm disease is a fungus spread by bark beetles. It spreads through the tree's vascular system, killing it in one to four years. The fungus can affect other trees also but that is rare. In the last 100 years, the disease has killed off 40 million American elm trees. Today, the nearly-extinct tree is slowly making a recovery.
Fremont Library to Host Homeschool Basics Program & Dementia Behaviors Program
Live @ the Library, a series of events including author visits and informational presentations is hosting two events at the end of October. The first will be about Homeschool Basics, and the second will be about Understanding Dementia Behaviors. Homeschool Basics: Interested in homeschooling but don't know where to start? Or maybe you've been homeschooling for awhile, but you're looking for some fresh inspiration and tips. Join seasoned homeschoolers Angela Brott and Samantha Kauffman as they present information about Michigan homeschool law, how to shop for curriculum, ideas for your homeschool space, tips and tricks, etc. This free program will begin in the library’s Community Room on Tuesday, October 25th at 7:00 p.m. Understanding Dementia Behaviors & Enjoying Family Celebrations: Behavior is a powerful form of communication and is one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings as the ability to use language is lost. However, some behaviors can present real challenges for caregivers to manage. Join us to learn strategies to help intervene with some of the most common behavioral challenges of Alzheimer's disease. Plus learn practical tips to reduce stress and agitation during holiday celebrations. Registrations preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. You can register by calling the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. This free program will begin in the library’s Community Room on Thursday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. Learn more about library events by visiting www.fremontlibrary.net or call 231-924-3480.  Photo and article by Donna Iverson
The farmers market vendors were dressed like witches and goblins. Ghostly sheets hung from nearby trees. Even the squash were doing their part. Ominously appearing to slither along the ground were the snake gourds. Scientifically known as Trichosanthes cucumerina, snake gourds are native to tropical regions in Asia. They grow wild in India, China, Nepal, Indonesia and Australia. But with the warm summer this year, at least one Michigan farmer was able to grow them locally. Technically a fruit and not a vegetable, there are two kinds of snake gourds…the edible and the ornamental kind. Those pictured here are edible and immature. Cucumbers and the squashes are close relatives. The snake gourds need warm nights to produce fruit on vines that grow to six feet and need a trellis for best results. In their immature state, they taste like cucumbers and are eaten raw. Mature snake gourds develop a red pulp and are used as a substitute for tomatoes in African dishes. They can also be cooked like zucchini. Especially popular in India, the snake gourd is used both in cooking and in medicine. Medicinally, the snake gourd is a staple of Ayurvedic medicine. It is used to treat stomach, liver and skin maladies. Ayurvedic practitioners claim it detoxifies the kidneys, prevents constipation, loosens phlegm and soothes depression, anxiety and acid reflux. Its seeds are recommended for hypertension, diarrhea and fever. If the ornamental variety is allowed to harden, it can be fashioned into an Australian didgeridoo. And of course, they make great Halloween decorations that will scare any goblins passing by.  Mom Isabel Hasselman tries out the new family workstation in the adult area of the library with 1-year-old daughter, Lennon. Fremont Library Serves Parents & Caregivers with New Family Workstations From our friends at FADL: Staff at the Fremont Area District Library are thrilled to announce that the library now has two family workstation carrels for parents and caregivers. One is in the Children's Department and one is in the adult area. Library Director Jackilyn Roseberry says, “Here at the library, we feel extraordinarily fortunate to have so much support from our community. Not just from our patrons who come in every day but also from organizations like the Gerber Foundation, who recently provided us with a grant that allowed us to purchase these carrels for the library. These will allow a parent/caregiver to work on the computer while keeping their little one(s) in a safe confined place next to them. We want to make sure everyone in the community feels welcome here and that we have a place for them. Whether you need to check your social media, email a friend, apply for a job, complete school work, or anything else that requires a computer, you will be able to do that with your young child by your side.” Each carrel will be equipped with a learning panel, age appropriate board books, and other age appropriate toys that will be cleaned regularly and replaced as needed. Computers will soon be installed at each workstation. The Fremont Area District Library would like to extend a huge thank you to the Gerber Foundation for helping them serve our community!  Lennon digging her digs |
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