“I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” -Helen Keller
One hundred and twenty-six lucky people took a FREE trip around the world Saturday, April 27. They did this by way of a concert performed by the Kalamazoo Ringers of Kalamazoo. “TO THE WORLD: PEACE was the theme of the concert, which featured music from Israel, Thailand, Jamaica, Ireland, Africa, Italy and the United States. Martha Matthews directed the seventeen talented bell ringers for over an hour and every one of those in attendance couldn’t help but tap their feet to the rhythm of the music.
The Kalamazoo Ringers was founded by Janet L. Van Valey in 1981, and is one of the oldest continuously operating bronze-level handbell choirs in the USA. The ensemble is hosted by First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. The group has performed extensively throughout Southwest Michigan, and has toured the Midwest, Ontario, China, Japan, and England. Members are selected by an extensive audition process, and they play a seven-octave set of Malmark handbells, along with a six-octave set of Malmark Choirchimes.
If you have been fortunate enough to attend one of their concerts, you’ll be interested in attending their next concert in Kalamazoo on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 18. You can find all the details on their website www.kalamazooringers.org.
Here is an open letter from me to anyone who has come to America and doesn’t like the way our country is being handled:
“You came here from there because you didn’t like it there, and now you want to change here to be like there. You are welcome here, only don’t try to make here like there. If you want to make here like there, you shouldn’t have left there in the first place.”
Next Sunday, May 12, is Mother’s Day. If your mother is still living, do something to make “Her” day special. If your mother has passed, do something for your children’s mother. Love her and remember that you were the one who made her a mother. To all you mothers, I applaud you. You have one of the hardest jobs in existence.
I enjoy snacking. I might be full from eating a healthy meal, but after a few hours, my taste buds are hungry. I usually try to have an apple in late afternoon near suppertime. My mother used to advise me to not have anything to eat, because it might spoil my supper. My taste buds have difficulty agreeing with Mom’s advice, so an apple will sustain me until the dinner bell rings. If you also enjoy a snack, here are a few suggestions on what to have as a healthy snack:
Banana topped with peanut butter. This sweet snack is the ideal combo of protein, carbs, and healthy fat, plus it’s packed with potassium.
Plain Greek yogurt, whole-grain fortified cereal, and berries. This parfait layers up flavors as well as fiber, protein, calcium, and potassium.
Fresh roasted-turkey and avocado on a slice of whole-wheat bread. Mini-sandwiches can be a perfect portable snack.
Whole-grain crackers with hummus. Hummus has energy-sustaining protein and healthy fats, making it an ideal match for whole-grain crackers or tortilla chips.
S H A L O M!
Norm Stutesman lives in Three Rivers. He receives mail at P.O. Box 103 in Three Rivers.
