Historic Charlton Park, located at 2545 S. Charlton Park Rd., between Hastings and Nashville, spotlights rural life in the 19th century with is various buildings, docents, and special events. The re-created Village includes Main Street with store fronts along it, all original and moved here from throughout Barry County.

Among those stores and other nearby buldings are the Thornapple Print Shop, a General Store, a Hardware Store, the Hastings Mutal Building (Bank), the Hastings City Bank Clock, Sixberry House, an 1860 Carriage House, the Lee Country School, the former Hastings Township Hall (in use on the Village grounds until 1988), a Barber Shop, a Blacksmith Shop, a Carpenter/Cooper Shop, the Bristol Inn (a stagecoach stop until 1869), the Upjohn House and Barn, and the Charlton Center Church.

There are steam and gas-powered engines, historic farm machinery, an old-fashioned saw mill,  and the Irving D. Charlton Memorial Museum with exhibits on the second floor.

Charlton Park, which covers over 300 acres, is located next to the picturesque Thornapple River and Thornapple Lake. The park also has a Recreation Area that features a boat launch, a swiming beach, pinic shelters, playground equipment, nature trails, and more.

For more information, including the 2009 schedule for Special Events, check out the Park's web site: www.charltonpark.org  

The 2009 schedule for the Horse Shows at the Barry County Fairgrounds, located on M-37 between Hastings and Middleville, is as follows:

Barry County Benefit Shows-- EWHA (English & Western) Horse Shows... June 27 & August 22. Starts at 9 a.m., rain or shine. $4 per class, $3 daily high point, $6 stakes classes. No refunds.

Barry County Benefit Open Speed Shows...  June 28, August 2, August 23 & Sept. 6. Starts at 9:30 a.m., rain or shine.

Show Bills are available at www.msue.edu/barry

LANSING, April 17, 2009 - The non-partisan federal budget office has confirmed what many agricultural groups have been saying for months: factors other than ethanol contributed to 85 to 90 percent of last year's food price increases.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association and others involved in a massive anti-ethanol campaign have attempted to shift the majority of blame for run-ups in food prices on ethanol use, but a new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) debunks that notion.

According to the report released last week, the CBO estimates that from April 2007 to April 2008, food prices increased by about 5.1 percent. Higher corn prices resulting from expanded ethanol production only contributed between 0.5 and 0.8 of a percentage point of that amount. Looking at it another way, the increased use of ethanol only accounted for about 10 percent to 15 percent of the rise in food prices during the time period.

The yellow flowers of wild goldenrod brighten the late-summer roadsides throughout Michigan. Domesticated and improved varieties can be an easy-care addition to a perennials garden. 
             
The goldenrods available from retailers and plant catalogs range from a few inches tall to several feet. Like their wild cousins, they’re generally upright with branching stems and numerous spikes or panicles of tiny yellow flowers. 
             
Goldenrod will grow in poor soil, but they positively thrive in good garden soil. Once they get established, they are very drought-tolerant. Even the tall varieties tend not to need staking. 

Just in time for spring bedding plants, hanging flowering baskets, nursery stock, and fresh Michigan asparagus, the 2009 Michigan Farm Market and Agricultural Tourism directory is now available.

"This statewide listing of farm markets, U-pick operations, cider mills and much more is the perfect pocket guide for those looking for farm fresh Michigan produce and specialty food products like jams, jellies, baked goods, ice cream, maple syrup and honey," said Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). "The directory also helps locate family friendly activities down on the farm, such as hay rides, petting farms, fishing ponds, corn mazes, and riding stables."

The Latest  "New" Features

* Ryan Ranspach column-- "Remembering D-Day."

* Dick Bradley column -- "Backyard animal antics".

* Steve Horton columns-- "Dealings with grass"

* Sue Parcheta column-- "Strawberry Lollipops & Paper Products".

By Susan Parcheta 

The city of Williamston is celebrating the 2008-2009 (third) season of its professional live theatre at 122 S. Putman Street. Just around the corner off the main four and Grand River Avenue, Williamston Theatre is center stage, both downtown and in the hearts of its founders and league of supporters.

Business leaders view it as a draw for visitors to the community, as Williamston seeks to become a destination location for shopping, dining and entertainment.

Think Theatre, Think Williamston! That slogan is behind the optimistic outlook of theatre founder, executive director, and actor John Lepard … trusting that the third season will work its magic. Despite the current American economy, Lepard holds the vision of a dynamic future for the theatre and Williamston, much like that of the renowned Purple Rose Theatre and its host city, Chelsea.

It was a well-kept secret for over 64 years. After his wife, Marjorie, died in 2003, Michigan author and adventurer, Clayton Klein discovered a trove of startling information involving her friendship in the late 1930s and early 1940s with Hall of Fame baseball player Hank Greenberg. He shares this story in the new coffee table book, "A Well Kept Secret: From the Glory Years of the Detroit Tigers".