 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.
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 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 |
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