GRAND HAVEN, Mich.-- Tom Goodwin, PhD, professor of paleobiology and Chair of the Biology Department at Andrews University, will present a lecture on May 16 titled “Tracking Ice-Age Giants: Mammoths and Mastodons in Southwest Michigan” at the Loutit District Library.

Have you ever been kayaking? If not, here is an opportunity to take a lesson and enjoy the great outdoors.

Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Department invites paddlers of all skill levels to join naturalists from the department on the Pigeon River. Even though they started on May 8th, the 3.5 mile guided tour is still on the schedule for May 18th, 21st and June 4th.  The trip begins at 12:30pm and takes about 4 hours with each trip a basic kayaking lesson, and kayak, paddle and life jacket are all included for $35.00. Anyone having their own kayak can join in for a fee of $15.00.

Registration is required by calling 616-786-4847. All trips begin at Hemlock Crossing at 8115 West Olive Rd in West Olive and ends at Sheldon Landing.

SPRING LAKE, Mich.--Don’t have a green thumb?

Join self-proclaimed plant geek Barbara Balgoyen at Spring Lake District Library May 7 for a free presentation on gardening with perennials. Learn how to incorporate perennials into your landscape for beauty that will return year after year. During the 7 p.m. event, Balgoyen will share information about plants that are low maintenance, easy to grow, and drought tolerant.

Balgoyen is an avid gardener who has worked in the green industry for over 30 years.  She has experience with every aspect of the gardening business including retail and garden design and maintenance. She is currently a customer service representative and a technical consultant for Walters Gardens, Inc., the leading wholesale perennial grower in the U.S.

For more information about this program, call the library at 616.846.5770 or visit the library's website.