Page 21 - Senior Times South Central Michigan April 2023 - 30-04

Senior Times - April 2023
Page 21
cacti that are native to Michigan you will enjoy the fruit of your labor and a bit of color to boot.
overseas for cultivation. However, it becomes poaching when the cactus is taken from public lands.
It surprises many people to learn that cacti are native to Michigan. We have two native cactus species. One is the endangered, fragile prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis). The second is the prickly-pear (Opuntia cespito- sa), which occurs in southwestern Michigan and Monroe County in the extreme south- east corner. Prickly-pear grows in sandy, well-drained soil. It requires a sunny site
to thrive. Although it is mostly spineless, Prickly-pear has fine sharp barbed hairs that are rather irritating to touch. Its showy yel- low flowers last only a day. Some will have the glorious magenta blooms that will be the color of choice this year.
4. Make the Most of Small Spaces – Houseplants Galore
What if you don’t have the outdoor space found in the country? Maybe your garden will need to grow from beautifully placed colored pots and hanging baskets in your entryway, on a patio, or strategically placed throughout the home. The good news is that when you bring the plants indoors the need to focus on native plants no longer applies. So now you can look for plants that will get the attention they need from sun to water that you want to invest in.
Michigan yard includes the Eastern redbud tree, which adds a pop of color to your out- door space; the white oak tree, which pro- vides a nice mix of sun and shade; and the crab apple tree, which have showy spring flowers and brightly colored fruit from late summer through fall. And yes, you can eat crab apples. Generally, they're too tart to eat raw, but their appliness is intense when cooked. Crab apples have a really high pec- tin content, great for jams and jellies.
A fun indoor plant is the monstera. It is an evergreen tropical vine or shrub that is native to Central America, famous for the natural leaf-holes.
It may seem counterintuitive, but cold-hardy cacti can easily survive in areas with plenty of snow. However, in climates that experience harsh winds and tempera- tures but little snow, cacti can become frost- bitten. To prevent damage, carefully cover the plants with burlap as late in the season as possible.
The number of shade trees and evergreen trees that flourish in Michigan are signifi- cant. Michigan's forests are diverse. More than 75 different native species of trees grow in the state, with many others that are plant- ed from other parts of the country – and the world!
Not to be forgotten is family friendly farming. After spending a successful sum- mer last year growing fruits, vegetables,
and herbs, we have decided to expand our growing area. Furthermore, this year we will be trying to start our vegetable garden from seeds. Stay tuned to read about our success- es over the summer and into the fall. We are looking forward to a harvest that will pro- vide fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables for our table this summer and fall with a little extra for decoration and feeding the abun- dant wildlife surrounding our yard.
Fun Fact: It's legal to harvest the cac- tus from private land and sell it commer- cially to collectors within the U.S. It is even legal to sell the seeds to people
Three of the best trees to plant in your
Some of my favorites are succulents, especially since watering is not on the top of my indoor list. The more colors the merrier.
5. Plant a Tree – Shade or Food Source While it may take some time to produce fruit there are many fruit trees that flourish in our climate. Michigan-grown tree fruits harvest begins in July with apricots and sweet cher- ries and ends in October with apples and pears. Locally grown tree fruits such as apri- cots, cherries, apples, peaches, and pears are available beginning in midsummer through the fall. Small fruit options are strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, or grapes.
Fun Fact: The most common tree is Michigan is sugar maple, followed by red maple, northern white cedar, red pine, and quaking aspen. Each year, for every thousand trees in the forest, 24 new trees grow, 12 trees are harvested, and nine die naturally.
SENIOR DINING CENTERS
CITY
Hastings Woodland
Battle Creek Battle Creek Battle Creek Marshall Tekonsha
Jackson Jackson Napoleon Spring Arbor
LOCATION
COA Building Eagles Club
FACILITATOR
Theresa Lancaster Leona Rairigh
PHONE
(269) 948-4856
(269) 367-4041
DAYS TIME *Not All Sites Open - Call First M-F 10am-2pm
BARRY COUNTY*
Delton
Faith United Methodist
Angela Soya
(269) 579-3918
M,W,T
11am-1pm
Nashville
Main St. Banqets
Jenny Burlison
(517) 213-9212
M-F
10:30am-1pm
M,W,F 10:30am-1pm
Meals provided by Barry County Commission on Aging. A program sponsored by Barry County United Way.
BRANCH COUNTY*
Coldwater
Coldwater Church of Christ
Alisha Carr
(517) 279-8249
M,T,Th,F
9am-1pm
Lunch Served at 12pm
Meals provided by Community Action Food and Nutritional Services. Funding sources AAA 3C, Branch County United Way, USDA, and private donations.
CALHOUN COUNTY*
Albion
Clarence Township Dining Center
Mark Rice
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W
11am-12pm
Lunch served at 11am
Bedford Manor Dining Center Lakeview 900 Territorial Dining Center Westbrook Place Dining Center Heritage Commons Senior Center
Tekonsha Fire Station
Billy Castle Karl Hoard Michelle Dove Jen Rice
Senior Health Partners
(866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (269) 558-6150
(269) 441-0948
M,T,W,Th,F M,W,F M,T,W,Th,F M,T, Th
T
10:30am-12:30pm 10:30am-12:30pm 10:30am-1pm 12-1pm
10am
Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 12pm
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Battle Creek
Cherryhill Manor Senior Center
Constance Siegel
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Battle Creek
Springview Towers Dining Center
Eileen Worthington
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-12:30pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Homer
Homer Presbyterian Church
Senior Health Partners
(269) 441-0948
T
10:30am
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Marshall
Marshall House Dining Center
Deb Trescott
(866) 200-8877
M,W,F
10:30am-12:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
All sites have hot and cold meals. Meals provided by Senior Services SW MI. Funding by Calhoun County Senior Services, CareWell Services - AAA 3B, USDA, and private donations.
JACKSON COUNTY*
Grass Lake
Grass Lake Food With Friends
Annie Lavergne
(517) 788-4364
T, Th
10am-3:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Crouch Senior Center
King Rec Center, Food with Friends Napoleon Township Hall
Spring Arbor Senior Center
Laurie Mead Laurie Mead Laurie Mead
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364 (517) 788-4364 (517) 788-4364
(517) 788-4364
M,T,W,Th,F M,T,W,Th,F T, Th M,T,W,Th,F
8am-4pm 10:30am-1:30pm 10:30am-1:30pm
9:45am-1:45pm
Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 12pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Jackson
Park Forest
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Michigan Center
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,W,F
10am-2pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Norvell
300 Mill Street
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,W,F
10:30am-1:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
To have your senior dining center added or changes to your listing, Call Sherii at (269) 979-1479 ext. 2 or Email: ssherban@scenepub.com.