 Megan Again: The Tale of Zippy, the Jungle Cat
By Megan Wirts Four years ago, a legend was born. He roams my neighborhood and keeps it safe from rodents and vermin, while occasionally being carried around in a basket and has been spotted wearing a funny little bonnet. His name is Zippy and he is one of the coolest cats I know. He is so awesome that when you get my friend Rob and I going on the topic of Zippy, it’s hard for us to stop. We love that cat so much, it’s stupid. Zippy belongs to my best friends and neighbors, Faune and Rob, but I really feel like he belongs to all of us in the neighborhood. He is a beautiful tabby cat with unique markings, that lead you to believe he may be part jungle cat. His coat is sleek, shiny and I’m pretty sure he knows how beautiful he is. You can see it in his eyes, he knows he’s a big deal. His life didn’t start out easy. He was born to a single mother, named Midnight...  Decoration Day
By Ken DeLaat It was called Decoration Day when I was a kid. It was called Decoration Day and it was always on May 30th. For 45 years now, or since the Uniform Holiday Act was put into place, it has fallen on the last Monday of the month. It was part of the deal that created more 3 day weekends as Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Veteran’s Day were moved from their original dates. The veteran groups raised a bit of fuss over Armistice/Veteran’s Day being so offhandedly relocated from the traditional date (Apparently Congress had failed to recognize the will of the people on this one. Go figure) and so after what must have been extensive deliberation since it took three years, it was switched back to the original date. The other two, as well as Columbus Day, adhered to the Act and have been rather mobile ever since. Of course, unlike the Vet’s, George and Chris weren’t around to raise any objections so nothing else has changed since. Oh yeah, that was also when our ever-on-the-lookout-for-vital-legislation politicians of the day decided to make Columbus Day an official National Holiday. I’m sure you remember old Chris from history, right? You know, the Italian guy backed by Spanish money who stumbled into the...  The View From Here: A Somewhat Surly Glance At Air, Water, and Changing Times
By Ken DeLaat I recently had need for a little air in one of my tires so stopped at a C-store/gas seller to see about topping off. Last time I checked it was either free or a quarter at most places. Pulling up to the side of the store I saw the sign. ‘Air $1.50’ Huh? Led by principle and a tendency toward being thrifty, not ‘cheap’ as my friend Tim (who says he’s not my friend but really is) says, I left and went to another. And another and another and another before...  Stopped in Oxford for a quick chat with Mr. Faulkner Road Trip III: Natchez
By Ken DeLaat “The Mississippi River towns are comely, clean, well built, and pleasing to the eye, and cheering to the spirit. The Mississippi Valley is as reposeful as a dreamland, nothing worldly about it . . . nothing to hang a fret or a worry upon.”- Mark Twain The B&B in Natchez was nothing short of a fabulous experience. For one the room itself located in what was called Aunt Clara’s Cottage down the street from the main house was made up of three spacious and luxuriant rooms (each, mind you, with their own loo) and a communal dining area constantly stocked with water, ice, coffee, tea and even a carafe of biscotti, coincidentally a personal snacking favorite. The bed was huge and high there were windows looking out onto a street lined with flowers and trees in full force, the furnishings were southern stylish with ample accoutrements accompanying each piece and even...  Mom, the first in a series of patient women in m my life. Our much older brothers (John left, Dave, right) flank my sister Sue and I, circa 1955. Mother’s Day Musings
By Ken DeLaat Mother’s Day A Day to honor Moms everywhere. Moms who came to their kids by way of birthing them, Moms who chose kids to bring into their homes and Moms who were thrust into the role through any number of circumstances and stepped up without a second thought.to fill that role. Those who truly deserve the title of Mom because they recognized that the word is a verb not a noun. An action not a mere title. Because as Michael Levine once said, ““Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist.” It’s a thing. A skill. A commitment that comes with...  Guest Article: Climate March
By Sally C. Kane In a time when our nation stands to lose agencies that provide environmental protections, denial of proven science realities loom over us, public servants fail to monitor safe water sources and corporations continue exploiting natural resources in the name of economic growth, and the effects of climate change are experienced world-wide, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and angry, raising the questions, where do we begin and what can I do? A group of local folks, spearheaded by Dawn Bushhouse, responded by creating a local climate awareness event. Over 100 concerned citizens from a 60-mile radius, gathered on April 29 at Newaygo's Brooks Park for...  Changes Come To White Cloud: A Chat With Their New Acting Mayor
By N3 Editorial Team The City of White Cloud has undergone some recent changes within the administration and City Council. With the retirement of Gary Zatalokin, Mayor Don Barnhard has applied for and been selected as the Department of Public Works Supervisor for the City and will be stepping down as mayor to assume his new position. Mayor Pro Tem Charles Chandler will be assuming the reins as acting mayor until the regular election in November. With changes often come rumors so N3 caught up with the soon to be acting mayor to pose a few questions:  Guest Article: Bellwether Celebrates 15 Years
By Melanie Baden, Bellwether Harbor Development Coordinator Bellwether Harbor is proud to be celebrating their 15th Anniversary this spring. The Bellwether Foundation began in 1994 with a vision of helping the abused, abandoned and neglected animals in Newaygo County. It was soon realized that there were more animals in need in the county and plans were made to build an animal shelter and training center. Bellwether Harbor opened its doors in 2002 and cats and dogs have been filling it ever since. Over the years Bellwether has become a true community resource. We are here to help reunite lost pets with their families, counsel pet owners who may be having difficulties at home and be a safe place for homeless animals. Bellwether also conducts a dog safety and bite prevention program, Pet Pals, to area elementary and pre-schools students. Hundreds of dogs and cats in need have passed through our doors on their way to their forever homes. One of the more memorable ones is Charley Pride. He is a 9 year old Plott Hound that was badly injured, malnourished, heartworm positive and running loose in the woods around Whitehall. He was taken...  To The Editor:
I was involved in theatre at Fremont High School from 2006-2010. It had a huge impact on me and some of my fondest high school memories were spent at the Dogwood. After graduation, I returned to FHS theatre as the assistant director for two seasons. It was so fulfilling to go back and see how theatre is still impacting FHS students and providing fun shows to our Fremont community. I'm no longer the assistant director, but I still value and support the program as an alumni and community member. Which is why, when I heard about the recent sale of FHS theatre property by representatives from the Fremont Rec Center Board, I was frustrated, angry and upset. For years, FHS theatre has stored all furniture, props, decor supplies, costumes, etc in a pit located at the old high school. It's not in an area open to the general public and you had to have a key to get into the pit. The collection...  Memphis And Beyond
By Ken DeLaat No we didn’t go to Graceland. Why? I don’t know for sure. We never really talked much about it and it was Easter Sunday and all and truthfully neither of us have ever been big fans of Elvis. For one, he plunged onto the scene about the time my brothers (significantly older brothers I might add) were entering their teenage years so while ‘The King’ was known to the household I was raised in Lil and I had been more a part of the Beatles generation. The other factor was that his music never really touched me much. I mean his songs were ok and his larger than life personae was intriguing but there was no Elvis mystique for me. His movies were those generic kind of vehicles where Elvis would always play...well… Elvis, I guess, and they always had plenty of girls with one special girl and he was the hero who generally thwarted some bad guys and ended up with, you bet,, the girl. At any rate neither of us being Elvis aficionados we blew off Graceland and made a landing on... |
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December 2024
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