Mental Culture ClubPEMBERVILLE — Ann Bruning entertained 17 club members in her home Oct. 8. They
answered roll with a favorite recipe using honey.Inga Offerman reviewed Rowan Jacobson’s book “Fruitless
Fall, the Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis.”Since 2006 there has been an
alarming disappearance of managed honey bee colonies. For unknown reasons, the hives just empty. Experts
refer to this world wide phenomenon as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).As a result bee keepers have less
honey to sell. More importantly 3/4 of all plants depend on honey bee to pollinate them. Approximately 1/3
of all food and beverages are made possible by insect pollination. If the plants are not pollinated, they
will not produce any fruit. Jacobson: “Bee keeping is the first part of industrial agriculture to fall
apart. Mankind is losing its ability to take care of living things.”What is killing honey bees? A probable
list: loss of habitat, poor bee nutrition, predator insects, pesticides, disease (like Mad Bee Disease),
fungi, and viruses. The USDA, universities and scientists are searching for answers. Research has ruled out
some possible culprits; current research is focusing on pesticides. Offerman encouraged gardeners to plant
native wildflowers, and choose and apply pesticides selectively.Alva N. Sidle Legion Unit 232GRAND RAPIDS —
The auxiliary held an Oct. 10 meeting with seven members in attendance. It was led by President Tracy
Bostelman.A membership application for Jane Bressler was approved.The unit is making “Cookies or Soup in a
Jar” for the Otsego Food Bank. These should be brought to the November meeting.The post will be having a
Veterans Night on Nov. 12 starting at 4 p.m. The unit will be furnishing dessert.There will be a dance put
on by the SAL on Nov. 16, with proceeds going to Honor Flight. Doors will open at 7 p.m., with the band 5
o’clock Rush playing from 8 until 11.The next unit meeting is Nov. 7, with the Buckeye Girls State delegates
slated to give their reports. The unit will furnish snacks.