 Photo and article by Donna Iverson Of all the squirrels in your yard or neighborhood, you may have overlooked this little guy. He’s a ground squirrel..tiny by comparison to a regular squirrel. But he is smart, resourceful and downright fun to watch. If you look for him this winter, you won’t find him. He is hibernating in an underground burrow or den. While hibernating, his body temperature drops, his heartbeat slows as does his breathing. Occasionally, he will arise from this torpor, to recharge his batteries for short periods of time. He will exist in this condition for months, from fall until early spring. As a squirrel watcher, I can tell you ground squirrels are smarter than your average squirrel. Having installed a squirrel guard in the bird feeder, it took the ground squirrel one day to get around it. The traditional sized squirrels never figured it out. I call him Little Red and miss him in the winter when he’s hibernating below ground. Come spring, he will be raiding the bird feeder, and I don’t really care. He has to eat too. And while I enjoy his antics, he isn’t just having fun. He has many predators to avoid. They include hawks, eagles, coyotes, foxes, snakes and even the household cat. Come spring, welcome him back and you will find him to be an amazing Michigan native animal.
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  Dale and Kathy Painter to discuss new release Come join Newaygo Area District Library in the City Chamber Room December 11th at 6:00 pm as local debut authors Dale and Kathy Painter discuss their new book: Standing in the Crossroads... Walking on Spirit-Led Pathways! Newaygo natives and lifelong adventurers, Dale and Kathy were married in 1969 and have spent decades exploring both the world and their faith side by side. Their book is a “wandering memoir,” tracing their journeys as faith-filled backpackers from 1969 to 2025. Discover how their travels across continents, countless trails, and life’s many crossroads have shaped their relationship as a couple and defined spiritual life-lessons.   Author Sharlene MacLaren The Fremont Area District Library is excited to welcome local Christian author Sharlene MacLaren for a Live @ the Library presentation on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 p.m. In this presentation, Sharlene will talk about how to explore the many paths of writing and publishing. Learn what it really takes to catch the eye of a traditional publisher, get an honest look at the world of self-publishing (pitfalls included) and rediscover the pure joy of writing for its own sake. Publishing doesn’t have to be the final destination; sometimes the journey is the reward! Sharlene is the author of many popular Christian fiction books, including the Daughters of Jacob Kane series and the Little Hickman Creek series.  Making the daubers at last year’s workshop. Photo courtesy of NCEC  Val Deur demonstrates how easy it is to use the Make It & Take It herbicide dauber. Photo by Sally Wagoner From our friends at Newaygo County Environmental Coalition A “Make It & Take It” workshop to create an herbicide dauber for removing woody invasive shrubs will be hosted by the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC). It will take place on Saturday October 25 from 12pm - 3pm, at 432 Quarterline Street, Newaygo,49337, in the NCUCC building. After the workshop portion of the program, participants will practice how to use their newly constructed daubers on local woody invasive plants. Val Deur, volunteer for NCEC and creator of the workshop, is providing the herbicide dauber kits for $25. “The materials are all easy to get at your local hardware store,” states Val. “We are providing the kits for half the retail cost so people will be able to remove invasive shrubs that are overtaking their property.” “Invasive woody shrubs and vines such as autumn olive, bush honeysuckle and invasive bittersweet are all non-native species,” states Sally Wagoner of NCEC. “The problem with invasive species is they take over an environment and crowd out the native plants. Native plants are vital to our pollinators such as butterflies, bees and other insects as they all evolved together over thousands of years. They have specific symbiotic relationships that are needed for both plant and insect survival.” The workshop is free and open to the public. For those who wish to make and take home a dauber, they can purchase the kit upon registration for $25. “Using an herbicide dauber is safer and more effective to use on woody shrubs and vines than spraying herbicide,” added Sally. “The dauber keeps the herbicide directly on the freshly cut stump or vine, rather than floating in the air. It pulls the herbicide into the roots where it will kill the whole plant.” Sally continues, “I recommend thanking the shrub, or thanking your own perspective on its creator, for its growth and life before removing it. All plants have purpose. These are just taking away the habitats that our native bees and butterflies need, so that is why we do this type of restoration.” Registration is required for those who wish to make their own dauber as well as those who wish to attend the workshop without purchasing a dauber kit. Seating is limited, and there are only 25 dauber kits available at the workshop, so early registration is encouraged. Additional dauber kits can be ordered at the workshop. Register by scanning the QR code, or go to the link: https://bit.ly/Dauber More information about the workshop and how to register can be found at the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition Facebook Events Page: Facebook@NCEC2/events, or visit the calendar at www.nc-ec.org. Questions can be directed to Sally: [email protected]; call or text 231-519-3419.
 From the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition Volunteers are needed to help with habitat restoration at McDuffyee Creek Preserve near Bitely, MI, on Saturday, October 18 and 25. The habitat TLC (Tender Loving Care) workdays will run from 10am – 2pm, and will be led by Marie Wilson, Board Member of Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC). “Volunteer restoration at McDuffy Preserve includes removing invasive shrubs like Autumn Olive and Honeysuckle with loppers and saws,” explains Marie. “Each workday will include time to explore the preserve to learn a little more about it.” McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve is a 300 acre protected area in northern Newaygo County that is owned and managed by the Land Conservancy of West Michigan (LCWM). Marie is a habitat volunteer for both LCWM and NCEC, and is a graduate of the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program. The Preserve features a 4-mile trail system that meanders through wetlands, forests, and the Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette River, a state designated Wild and Scenic River. It is home to diverse wildlife including salmon and trout. "Marie's project area at McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve has a lot of potential. With the right management it will become a healthy and functional oak savanna,” states Lucas Dykstra, Stewardship Manager with LCWM. “By removing invasive shrubs that threaten to shade out native plants, we hope that the area can be a home for rare species like Karner blue butterfly and others that rely exclusively on oak savanna habitats. Volunteers play a pivotal role in realizing the habitat's potential and will get to see the fruits of their work for decades to come." Marie recommends being prepared for the weather of the day, be it rain or cold. Long pants and long sleeves, sturdy boots or shoes, a water bottle, snacks or lunch are needed as well. “I am very happy to meet volunteers, show them the preserve, make new friends and get some of this important work completed,” added Marie. Those interested in volunteering should email Marie for more details on what to expect, what to bring, and directions on where to park: [email protected]. Information is also available on Facebook at www.facebook/NCEC2/events.  Photo courtesy of LCWM  On Saturday, October 4, community members are invited to collect their own native plant seeds with Katie Clark of the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC). This event is from 2pm – 4pm at the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Tall Grass Prairie Installation, 4424 W. 48th St, Fremont, 49412. Walk-ins are welcomed but registration is recommended for schedule updates. To Register go to: https://bit.ly/NativePlantSeeds; Scan the QR code below; Or go to NCEC Facebook Events Page (NCEC2/events). For questions email [email protected]; call or text 231.519.3419. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather should it be cold or wet; wear closed toe shoes or boots, long pants and sleeves. Rescheduling due to weather will be sent in an email to those who register, and will be posted on the NCEC Facebook Events page. Guests should also bring several envelopes such as large manila or long letter size for the seed colleting, plus a sharpie for marking them. “Collecting native plant seeds is a fantastic, and free, way to enhance your yard and garden's biodiversity while supporting the local ecosystem,” stated Katie Clark. “By planting native species, you can create habitats for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment. Native plants are well-adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them resilient and low-maintenance additions to any landscape.” During the seed-collecting foray, participants will learn about the ethical ways to collect native plant seeds, how to differentiate between native and non-native plants and seeds, and how to ensure the viability of collected seeds until they are ready for planting. This hands-on experience will provide valuable insights into the importance of preserving native plant species and their role in supporting local ecosystems. “Those who collect seeds on October 4th with us can then come to our free ‘Winter Seed Sowing Workshop’ in January. Here we show the many ways to prepare and plant native seeds in the winter so they will sprout in spring and be ready to put in your garden in early summer,” added Katie. “One way is to plant them in used milk jugs, which make great mini greenhouses. So start saving your milk jugs now for winter seed sowing!”
 Article and photo by Donna Iverson Blanket flower, with its colorful orange and yellow disk-shaped flowers, is one of the longest lasting summer blooms. A native of North America, this wildflower blooms from July through September and even into October. Also called Indian blanket flower, it often produces a single flower on each two-foot hairy gray-green stalk. It is named Indian blanket as it resembles the vibrant coloring of Native American woven blankets, of yellow, orange and red. Blanket flower is both heat and drought resistant and tolerates sandy poor soil. It is often found in disturbed areas. It would make a great addition to a wildflower, native plant, meadow, pollinator, or xeriscape garden. A member of the aster family, it produces hundreds of seeds which can be collected in late fall when they turn brown. The plant also readily self-sows. Gardeners do not need to deadhead this plant to keep it flowering. It should be cut back to about 6 inches high in winter. Blanket flower likes full sun and attracts numerous pollinators such as butterflies, bee, and hummingbirds. An annual, it is the state flower of Oklahoma. In flower symbolism, it represents joy, happiness, resilience and protection. Medicinally, it has been used in the past to treat stomach problems and inflammation of the skin. Today, it is being studied for its antibacterial and anticancer properties.  Photo courtesy of  The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition is hosting a free training on Prescribed Burns for habitat restoration that will be held on Saturday, September 20th from 10am until 4pm. The program will be held at the Newaygo United Christian Church, 432 Quarterline St, Newaygo 49337. Lunch, examples of prescribed fire equipment, and a field trip to the nearby Prairie Sanctuary are included. Stuart Goldman of the Michigan Nature Association will lead the seminar. Stuart is MNA’s Conservation Coordinator for lower Western Michigan, and manages the habitats and volunteers for the MNA’s Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary, Newaygo Prairie Sanctuary, and Brooks Township’s Coolbough Natural Areas in Newaygo County. “This training is for private landowners who need controlled fire for habitats and wildfire prevention, and for native habitat stewards and volunteers,” stated Stuart. “It will cover why controlled burns are needed to improve the health of native ecosystems and their species. We will stress the safety aspects of controlled burns, as well as when and how they should be used.” Fire is becoming more common as a tool for land management. MNA hopes to burn several sections of their prairie preserves this year, and at least one permit has been issued. The Forest Service and DNR regularly burn large areas of the Manistee. In addition to creating favorable conditions for certain plants like Jack Pine, regular prescribed burning reduces the risk of serious forest fires by using the fuel in a controlled way. “Newaygo really needs a team of knowledgeable prescribed burn volunteers,” explained Katie Clark of NCEC. “This will be a great start in helping to inform landowners and community members on the importance of controlled fire on public and private lands, and in creating a volunteer Prescribed Burn Team for our area.” The Newaygo Region is home to a unique variety of plant communities: heritage ecosystems such as oak savannahs and dry sand prairies once formed a patchwork of biodiversity, and are now critically imperiled. These are “fire-dependent ecosystems”, which means, according to the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council, that without the presence of fire they will disappear. “We are thrilled to co-host our second Prescribed Burn training,” stated Sally Wagoner, Board Vice Chair of the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition. “We invite anyone who has a need for prescribed burns on their property, who would like to volunteer for future controlled fires, or who are just interested in our local native plants and habitats to join us.” Registration is required and can be accessed by (scanning the QR code) or by (checking NCEC’s Facebook page under “Events” and clicking on the Ticket link). Registration can also be requested by emailing: [email protected]. More information can be found on our website, www.nc-ec.org, and questions can be directed to NCEC at 231-519-3419. The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to supporting the beauty and sustainability of the environment of Newaygo County. Volunteer opportunities are available surrounding the focus areas of Youth Environmental Allies, 3R-Reduce-Reuse-Recycling, LOBO: Love Our Beautiful Outdoors, and Healthy Habitats. If interested, contact [email protected].   Puzzles, Painting, and Plants at Fremont Library
Fremont Area District Library has announced a full calendar of programs this September, offering a wide range of activities for children, teens, and adults. The month begins with Saturday Storytime on September 6 at 11:00 a.m. Children ages 0–5 and their caregivers are invited to enjoy stories, songs, and activities that encourage early literacy and a love of reading. On Monday, September 8 at 2:00 p.m., the library will show the feature film Ordinary Angels (PG; 1 hr. 58 min.) as part of its Movie Monday series. Screenings are free, and snacks are provided. Middle schoolers are welcome at the Tween Book Club on Tuesday, September 9 from 3:30–5:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy free pizza and snacks, and book discussions with peers. September’s book is Warriors Into the Wild by Erin Hunter, and books can be checked out at the library’s front desk. On the same day, the Truth Be Told Book Club will meet at 4:00 p.m. for adult readers who enjoy thought-provoking discussions. September’s book is The Wager by David Grann, and copies are available to check out at the library’s front desk. Families can drop in for Lego Saturday on September 13 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Children of all ages are encouraged to build and create with the library’s large collection of Lego bricks, and creations will be put on display in the Children’s Department. The Children’s Afternoon Movie will feature Bad Guys 2 (PG; 1 hr 44 min) on Thursday, September 18 at 4:00 p.m. This free event is perfect for after-school fun, and includes a free screening and free snacks. The library’s book discussion groups continue with the Books & Bites Book Group on Wednesday, September 24 at 10:00 a.m. Readers can enjoy lively conversation along with breakfast pastries and coffee. September’s book will be Love & Saffron by Kim Fay, and copies are available for check out at the library’s front desk. On the same morning, the library will host Toddler Storytime at 10:00 a.m. for ages 0–3, while Family Storytime for ages 0–5 will follow on Thursday, September 25 at 10:00 a.m. On the evening of Thursday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m., all ages are invited to join the library’s Puzzle Competition. Teams of 3–4 will race to complete a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, with prizes awarded to the fastest finishers. Registration is required by calling 231-928-0256. For adults interested in art, Canvas & Cookies with Nikki’s Creations will be held on Saturday, September 27 at 1:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy cookies while following step-by-step painting instruction from local artist Nikki Hansen to create a fall painting. Space is limited, and registration is required by calling 231-928-0256. The month concludes with Fall Native Plant Magic: Creating a Lush, Pollinator-Friendly Landscape for Next to Nothing on Tuesday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m. Delve into the vibrant world of fall native plant gardening and unlock the secrets to a thriving, biodiverse ecosystem right in your backyard (or even on your apartment balcony)! Discover why late fall is the golden window for planting native species. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a curious newcomer, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to create a haven for native pollinators and wildlife in your garden. For more information about these programs, please call the library at 231-928-3480 or visit www.fremontlibrary.net  Photo and article by Donna Iverson A favorite natural area to explore is wetlands. You will find lots of interesting plants, bushes, birds and animals there. Take for example the buttonbush. A deciduous shrub that looks like a small tree. In late summer, its distinguishing features are its large white pincushion flowers. They grow to the size of a small human fist. Buttonbush is a native plant indigenous to North America, growing from Canada to Florida. It is common in the wetlands of Michigan where it attracts numerous pollinators. These pollinators include butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Waterfowl also feed on its flowers and seeds. The buttonbush grows to around 12 feet with a spread of 8 feet. It looks more like a small tree than a bush. Folk names are many, such as button willow, river bush, buck bush, and honey bells. In the fall, its large pincushion flowers turn into button-like nuts. Some people say they look like old timey buttons. ..hence its name. To grow buttonbush, you will need moist soil, ideally near a wetland. The plant is not invasive but it does spread. It would be ideal for a rain garden, a wild garden or a butterfly garden. In short, the buttonbush enhances the beauty of natural areas, controls erosion and prevents water runoff. It smells good too. |
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