This is Ginger, a Kalamazoo Animal Rescue dog of dubious pedigree and loving nature. In the winter one of her favorite places is Kalamazoo College's Lillian Anderson Arboretum. The Arboretum includes woodland, marsh and meadow but our favorite spot is a path through lofty pines. It reminds us of the incredible wealth that was generated by Michigan's pine forests and of the fact that those forests are forever lost.

Michigan truly is a winter-water wonderland and Ginger's other favorite spot is the Lake Michigan beach near Glenn. We have a great shot of her running toward us, tennis ball in her mouth. But since it's more difficult to get her to stand still, the winter scene won out. Each season brings its own delights, we should revel in them like Ginger does!

Michigan inspires wonder with its mixture of woodland and prairie, lakes and streams, cities and villages. Our hope is that we can join together in common pursuit of prosperity while preserving our natural resources. Those resources should be considered an integral part of economic planning, not only for the tourist industry, but also as part of what attracts employers and workers to our State. If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you!

Bill and Nancy Woods