Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce members meet in person for the first time at the May Third Friday Networking Luncheon. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
On May 21, the members of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce did something they have not done in more than a year — they met in person.
“It’s exciting to see people sitting next to folks and talking,” said Keith Morgan, owner of All Clean Again and the host of the chamber’s 3rd Friday Networking Luncheon, which took place on May 21 at Kentwood’s Amped Reality.
Morgan said business leaders meeting face-to-face helps demonstrate what the community should do and hopefully help encourage people to move forward.
A chamber member checked out Kentwood’s Amped Reality’s virtual offerings. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
The Chamber’s Friday Networking Luncheons are designed to give local businesses leaders the opportunity to connect with each other and build relationships. For more than a year, the luncheons have been taking place via Zoom.
“It is really great to be able to talk to someone face-to-face,” said Ashlynne Gibert, the office manager to her husband’s (Allen Gilbert) company Blue Frost It, a veteran-owned IT consulting and managed service provider.
Diane Druckenmiller, with Arrowaste, agreed.
“This is one of my first opportunities to be face-to-face with other business people,” Druckenmiller said.
For many of the business people attending the May 21 networking luncheon, they have all been out in the public, meeting with customers, so they have had some contact with people. But as Morgan said, it was nice to be able to meet and talk about the issues they are facing now.
At the five-member table I sat with, the discussion ranged from what people have been doing to the current employment crisis. There was also some discussion about the Whitecaps as Lake Michigan Credit Union Audrey Zapata was at the table handing out schedules. LMCU recently became the field sponsor with the Whitecaps now playing at the LMCU Ballpark.
A3-D printer owned by Amped Reality creates a miniature sculpture. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Every networking luncheon also focuses on a chamber business, this time Amped Reality, 2923 28th St. SE. Amped Reality offers virtual reality experiences as well as summer camps focused on STEM activities.
Wyoming Kentwood Chamber President and CEO Bob O’Callaghan said the chamber is planning for all of its events to be in-person. Next up is the Connected Chamber Women June 4 with the next Third Friday Networking Luncheon June 18.
Recently WKTV was on set for the shooting a mini-film that will air as part of the DreamWheels show. The star of the show was this 1938 Ford Cabriolet on loan from the GR Auto Gallery. DreamWheels will be at the 2021 Metro Cruise set for Aug. 27 and 28.
With restrictions lifting, more and more theater companies are turning on the stage lights and announcing upcoming seasons.
Among those were Grand Rapids Civic Theatre which announced that after 16 month of being dark — except for the 10 For All playwright competition — that it would produced the musical “Flat Stanley” this summer.
Based on Jeffery Brown’s beloved children’s book, this one-hour musical follows 10-year-old Stanley Lambchop, whose life becomes a grand adventure when he wakes up one morning completely flat. Stanley becomes the ultimate exchange student, scouring the globe for a solution to his problem by being stamped, posted, and shipped from Hollywood and France to Honolulu and beyond.
Specific show dates have not been announced but tickets will start selling on June 23. For more information, visit grct.org.
Circle Theatre will present “Always Patsy Cline” June 3 – 30. (Photo by Ashlee McGreevy)
On with the show
Circle Theatre already has had its first performance with its second “Always…Patsy Cline” set June 3 – 20. Starring Emily Diener and Mary Kate Murnen, the show is based on a true story about Cline’s friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961 and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death.
Considered a musical tribute to the late country star, the show has down-home country humor and features more than two dozen of Patty’s hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fell to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Walking After Midnight.”
The performance will take place on the lawn of the Aquinas College’s Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Rd. SE. Showtimes will be 7 p.m with matinees on Sunday at 3 p.m. For more information about the show and upcoming performances, call 616-456-6656 or visit circletheatre.org.
Barn Theatre School celebrates 75 years this season. (Supplied)
Something to get jubilant about
The Barn Theatre School will be celebrating its platinum jubilee — 75th anniversary — with some fan favorites such as “Mamma Mia!,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and “Rocky Horror Show,” along with “Doly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical” and “Spongebob Squarepants The Broadway Musical.”
The season also will include showings of films recorded last summer in the Barn and performances of “Double ‘0’ 69” written by the Barn Theatre’s own Brendan Ragotzy and “A Slippery Slope” by Patrick Hunter.
Tom Wopat, of “Dukes of Hazard” fame, along with other famous Barn Theatre alumni will be stopping in through the season. To get the full rundown, visit www.barntheatreschool.org.
After a year hiatus, the 14th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival has announced its 2021 dates as Nov. 18-20 at DeVos Place.
For more than a decade, downtown Grand Rapids and DeVos Place has come alive to kick off the holiday season with an unprecedented and diverse display of food, beverage and culinary entertainment presented by the area’s finest chefs, restaurants and purveyors of libations from around the globe. Since its inception in 2008, this Festival – named by Forbes.com in 2019 as of a dozen “Fall Wine Festivals In North America You Don’t Want to Miss” – has grown to be the largest and most popular of its kind in the Midwest.
“Our confidence in producing this Festival is buoyed by the announcement of many events that are scheduled in the coming months including The Detroit Home Show, The Chicago Auto Show and ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, to name a few,” says Henri Boucher, Show Producer. “Following the brunt of the pandemic, people will be looking to finally spread their wings and gather with their friends. We are excited to once again welcome our exhibitors, presenters and the public to join us as we celebrate the return of events in a safe and welcoming venue.”
ShowSpan and Festival Co-Producer, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority, look forward to presenting this annual culinary celebration to showcase the full palate of food and beverage education and entertainment that West Michigan has come to expect.
The 14th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival will open on Thursday, Nov. 18, and run through Saturday, Nov. 20. Hours are 6-9pm on Thursday, 4-10pm on Friday and 2-10pm on Saturday.
The City of Wyoming had its Fleets through the Streets earlier this week and the City of Kentwood will have its this Saturday. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. on the western border of the city near the intersection of Division Avenue and Maplelawn Street, and travel toward the eastern border of the city, ending around 11 a.m. near the intersection of Burton Street and Forest Meadows Court. For a complete map of the parade, visit the city website here.
Travel at Your Own Pace
Muskegon’s Lakeshore Museum recently opened “Turtle Travels,” a fun-filled, interactive exhibit that gives visitors a turtle’s-eye view of life in the “slow lane.” Once you step onto the giant board game, follow the instructions and you’ll be detoured to interactive games. Find out what it’s like for a turtle trying to cross a road or traverse changing habitats. Be a turtle tracker and see how real field biologists track animals in the wild. There are lots of photo opportunities and fun turtle facts. The exhibit is free to Muskegon County residents and $5 for non-Muskegon County residents. The museum is located at 430 W. Clay Ave in Muskegon.
Catch the Boys of Summer
The West Michigan Whitecaps now play at the newly named LMCU Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)
With limited number of tickets, now is a good time to snap up some for next week when the Whitecaps return home to play against the Lake County Captains. Themes for next week include a 70s night on May 25, Silver Slugger on May 26, Thrifty Thursday on May 27, and Princess Weekend May 28-29.
Grand Rapids could have been the capital
When Michigan was a young state, its 1835 constitution stated Detroit could be its capitol until 1847. When 1847 came around, communities outside of the Detroit area were not happy with the amount of power that Detroit had and wanted the capitol moved. There was much debate on where with Grand Rapids being a contender but eventually it was decided to make the “hole in the woods,” known as the Township of Lansing, the state capitol.
“Did you think we were going to do this this year?” asked Wyoming High School teacher John Doyle to the school’s juniors seated in the high school gym.
“No,” the students responded.
“Did you think we were going to do anything this year?” he asked.
“No.” the students responded back.
The names on the wall: The 2021 Alpha Wolf recipients
The thing was the school’s annual Alpha Wolf celebration, which usually takes place twice a year: once in the fall and again in the spring. Started in 2014, the Wyoming High School students and staff would honor six exemplary students each semester with the Alpha Wolf 11 champion of Character Award — two sophomores, two juniors, and two seniors.
However, COVID — like it did for many events — but a halt to the celebration as the nation fought to stop the spread through social distancing. This resulted in the school placing a hold on the Alpha Wolf celebration in the fall, Doyle said, admitting it was not an easy decision to make.
But this spring has been a different story with social distancing guidelines easing and allowing more people in a room, which meant that the Alpha Wolf celebration was on.
“As Superintendent Craig Hoekstra said, we needed this for our soul,” Doyle said. “It was tough to let a lot of things go last year and this was an opportunity to celebrate the students and all that they have gone through.”
The celebration was a little different this year as the number of local officials and dignitaries had to be limited and instead of the whole school coming together to celebrate, there was three different assemblies for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Serving as this year’s guest speaker was Grand Rapids Community College President Dr. Bill Pink, who talked about kindness, compassion and grace in the face of the Oklahoma City bombings that took place in 1995, something that Pink experienced firsthand as he was a middle school teacher in Oklahoma City at the time.
The changes certainly did not damper the moods of the students who guessed the students being honored as the clues were given for each Alpha Wolf recipient. There was four for each grade level which totaled the annual 12 awards given for the year.
From the left, sophomores Liza LaMar, Alyjah Chandler, Cristian Diaz, and Alexa Hudson (WKTV)
Sophomore Alyjah Chandler (second from right) with his family. (WKTV)
Sophomore Cristian Diaz (third from left) with his family (WKTV)
Sophomore Alex Hudson (center) with her family
Sophomore Liza LaMar (second from right) with her family (WKTV)
Sophomore Alpha Wolf Recipients
Alyjah Chandler: Alyjah was described by peers as a person who works to lift others up. He projects positivity and has focused on the importance of mental health. According to staff, he puts others first in order for them to be successful with one teacher writing that “He has been an eleven since the first day I met him.”
Cristian Diaz: From his love of pizza to the honors chemistry class, Cristian was an easy one for the sophomores to name. His enthusiasm is contagious with Cristian always greeting everyone. Through his actions, he demonstrates that contributions matter and has made that known whether at school or on the Wyoming soccer team.
Alexa Hudson: Alexa also was described as a positive person and one of the “kindest persons you’ll have every met.” As one peer wrote, Alexa is a “great student and great friend.” According to teachers, she is a fantastic leader, leading by example and has become a source of pride for the high school band, where she plays the alto saxophone.
Liza LaMar: Liza was described as best exemplifying the last lines of Amanda Gorman’s poem “The Hill We Climb”: “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” Liza is the light setting a great example, helping out when she can, and encouraging others to participate.
From the left, juniors Rocco Albanese, Isaiah Clark, Mateo Ledesma, Lejla Nakic
Junior Rocco Albanese (fifth from the right) with his family and friends (WKTV)
Junior Mateo Ledesma (fourth from the right) with his family and friends) (WKTV)
Junior Isaiah Clark (second from left) with his family (WKTV)
Junior Lejla Nakic (fourth from left) with her family (WKTV)
Junior Alpha Wolf Recipients
Rocco Albanese: Rocco was described by his teachers and peers as a” rock solid foundation” who always puts people first. He talks to everyone and is known to stand up for the people who are not able to defend themselves. He essentially serves as a “rock” to his friends and staff.
Isaiah Clark: There is all kinds of strength according to Coach Irv Sigler. Isaiah demonstrates strength both on and off the wrestling mats. He leads by example, demonstrates kindness, and spreads positivity.
Mateo Ledesma: While unable to see it, it is Mateo’s fantastic smile that draws people in. He befriends everyone and makes them feel at ease, according to students and staff, who added that he genuinely cares about his peers. He is a good listener, leaving his peers feeling that their ideas and beliefs have value.
Lejla Nakic: Lejla is someone who makes you feel good about yourself, according to her peers. She always acts in kindness and is very willing to help students who are struggling. She is hardworking, very friendly with staff and peers agreeing she is “the sweetest person you could ever meet.”
From the left, seniors Taejah Cross, Zabiullah Najafi, Brandy Kehl, Eduardo Francis Estrada (WKTV)
Senior Zabiullah Najafi (third from left) with his friends and family (WKTV)
Senior Eduardo Francis Estrada (second from left) with his family (WKTV)
Senior Kaejah Cross (left) with her parents (WKTV)
Senior Brandy Kehl (center) with her family (WKTV)
Senior Alpha Wolf Recipients
Taejah Cross: Taejah is a shining example of graciousness as he always puts others first. One teacher noted that last year, he offered to clean up a mess another upper class left. His willingness to help has lead him to be a captain on the basketball, volleyball and track teams.
Eduardo Francis Estrada: Eduardo simply brightens up the room, accord to staff and his peers. He has a welcoming spirit and through his acts of kindness, compassion, and graciousness, is always trying to make the school a better place.
Brandy Kehl: The cloak of courage is perhaps one of the most important virtues and one that Brandy shows everyday. She demonstrates courage by standing up for other people and fighting for equality and justice all in her effort to bring more joy in the world.
Zabiullah Najafi: Doyle admitted is a special student. He spent several years locked in a detention camp and came to Wyoming where he grew and worked to help translate so as to help others be heard. He has plans to change the world and the staff and his peers said they know he will.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is seeking information on two suspects who robbed the Verizon Wireless store at 5811 Byron Center Ave. SW on Tuesday evening.
According to police, two males entered the store at approximately 6:25 p.m. One of the males grabbed the employee and escorted them to the back of the store. The two males then stole an undisclosed amount of cell phones and cash before fleeing the scene in a silver four-door sedan. No injuries were reported during the the incident.
The police descriptions of suspects are a black male, about 5-foot, 8 inches to 5-foot, 11-inches, unknown age, wearing a dark gray hooded sweatshirt, black jeans, black tennis shoes, black baseball hat and a blue cloth mask. The second suspect is described a black male, about 5-foot, 9 inches to 5-foot, 11 inches, wearing a dark blue zip-up hood sweatshirt with white draw strings, red sweatpants, black and white shoes, black stocking cap and a blue cloth mask with a surgical mask. (Supplied photos below.)
Anyone with information about the robbery or the identify of these individuals is asked to contact the Wyoming Department of Public Safety at 616-530-7300 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
One of the oldest school districts in Kent County is Godwin Heights Public Schools, which was founded in 1867. In 1927, the school had several firsts: first commencement exercises, first graduating class of five girls, first eighth grade graduation and first time on the university list.
Two years later, the district would built a high school on 36th Street. The street running east of Division stopped at Jefferson due to the airport, which would eventually move and become Gerald R. Ford International Airport. This photo was believed to have been taken in the 1940s or 1950s. Eventually the district would build another high school on the westside of Division with this site now Godwin Middle School.
When COVID-19 kept families apart, it meant fewer opportunities for loved ones to notice the signs of stroke. And so, more people fell victim to one of the leading causes of death and disability.
The pandemic contributed in several ways to an increase in fatal strokes in the United States last year, said Dr. Jeffrey Fletcher, who specializes in neurocritical care, neurology and vascular neurology for Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.
Despite the complications of COVID-19, the most important aspect of stroke treatment has never changed, he said: Every second counts to limit the risk of brain damage and death.
“It is essential to recognize the signs of stroke and call 911 to get to the hospital as soon as possible,” he said, “because time is still brain.”
May is Stroke Awareness Month, an appropriate time to emphasize the importance of recognizing the signs, which can be memorized by the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T.:
B-Balance (Is the person having trouble with balance?)
E-Eyes (Does the person have blurred or double vision?)
F-Face (Does the face look uneven?)
A-Arm (Is one arm or leg suddenly weak?)
S-Speech (Does speech sound strange?)
T-Time (It’s time to call 911)With early data showing a significant increase in stroke deaths in 2020, stroke remains a leading cause of death in the United States, bumped down to No. 4 only because of COVID- 19. But Fletcher noted that, even among survivors, stroke takes a huge toll as the leading cause of disability.The devastating effects of stroke are another argument to be vaccinated for COVID-19, he said. There is moderate evidence that contracting COVID-19 increases the risk of stroke – and strong evidence it can contribute to more severe stroke outcomes.“In terms of stroke prevention, there’s a lot you can do by limiting risk factors and leading a healthy life,” Fletcher said. “That would include things that mitigate the chance of getting COVID, such as following public health measures, including immunization.”Acknowledging recent concerns about very rare blood clots among people who received vaccines, Fletcher said, “the risk of stroke with COVID is 1,000 times greater.”
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Fletcher remains optimistic about the future of stroke care. Technological advances mean doctors are able to treat more strokes than ever. But for that to be possible, patients must arrive as soon as possible at a comprehensive stroke center like the one at Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.
“It gets back to recognizing what B.E. F.A.S.T. means,” he said. “Calling 911 can be the difference between death, severe disability and recovery.”
To learn more about recognizing the signs of stroke, plus the resources for stroke survivors and their caregivers, visit the Metro Health – University of Michigan Health website.
SpartanNash hosts a campaign for Special Olympics. (Supplied)
By Adrienne Chance SpartanNash
The SpartanNash Foundation invites grocery store guests to join it in supporting more than 90,000 Special Olympics athletes and State Summer Games in eight states through a companywide fundraising effort taking place through May 16.
During the 12-day fundraiser, guests who visit any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin will have the opportunity to donate $1, $5, $10 or round up to the nearest dollar at any checkout lane, or online through Fast Lane. One hundred percent of donations will benefit local Special Olympics athletes and State Summer Games. SpartanNash underwrites the costs to run the scan campaign, contributes funding, encourages associates to volunteer with local Special Olympics affiliates, and helps employ Special Olympics athletes.
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
“SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation have proudly partnered with the Special Olympics for nearly four decades, but this year carries a whole new level of meaning,” said Adrienne Chance, vice president of communications for SpartanNash and executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “Despite setbacks associated with the pandemic, these athletes have persevered in their training. Their dedication and focus are inspiring, and it is our privilege to cheer them on and raise funds to offer more social inclusion opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.”
“While a lot has changed for our organization over the past year, the unwavering support of SpartanNash has not,” said Tim Hileman, Special Olympics Michigan president and CEO. “We’re thankful for the opportunity to partner once again on this annual fundraising campaign that not only helps raise crucial funds, but also shines the spotlight on our inspiring athletes.”
For a complete list of stores participating in the companywide scan campaign and the eight Special Olympics affiliates they will support, visit spartannash.com/foundation-scans.
Partnership with Special Olympics
SpartanNash has been the Presenting Sponsor of the Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games since 1985. The company has also supported Special Olympics Minnesota Summer Games since 2003.
In addition to nearly $9.4 million in financial support over the course of the 37-year partnership, SpartanNash associates and their families have also volunteered thousands of hours helping at the State Summer Games.
The Public Health Departments of Ottawa County, Muskegon County, Ionia County and Kent County (“Local Health Departments”) jointly announce that, as of May 5, 2021, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (“MDDHS”) has advised them that enforcement of MDHHS’ school quarantine guidelines must be now by local health department order. The requirements of employees, including school employees, to isolate or quarantine under Public Act 339 of 2020 are not impacted by this change and remain in full effect pursuant to state law. The requirements for the wearing of face masks is embedded in MDHHS epidemic orders and remains an enforceable mandate at the state and local level.
As of this release, the Local Health Departments have advised the school districts within their jurisdictions that in consideration of current epidemiological trends, increasing vaccination coverage rates, and the availability of safe and effective vaccines, the Local Health Departments are not issuing county-wide orders requiring all school districts to comply with the MDHHS’ quarantine guidelines. Instead, the Local Health Departments will 1) maintain their continual assessment of vaccination and new case data; 2) consult with hospitals, infectious disease experts and educators; and 3) respond as warranted to particular school situations with individually developed guidance and, if necessary, orders. This is consistent with their long-standing standard enforcement approach to communicable diseases and also will be applicable to COVID-19.
The Local Health Departments continue to recommend that the local school districts use the MDHHS’ quarantine guidelines as best practices for the protection of area children, teachers and staff and the prevention of outbreaks in the school setting.
Ottawa Country’s Nunica Cemetery is one of the most haunted cemeteries in the state and where Gathering Research And Stories of Paranormal Phenomena got its start. (Public Domain)
Nunica Cemetery is on top of the list of most haunted cemeteries in the state. The cemetery is located in Ottawa County’s Crockery Township. Ghost hunters report extreme cold spots, otherworldly voices, orbs and floating lights, the spirit of a little girl, a Civil War hero, and the apparition of a “mysterious lady in white.”
Ideally cemeteries serve as locations for the dead to rest in peace but unfortunately mistakes and disrespectful practices can lead to spiritual unrest.
The rumored ghost activity of Nunica Cemetery has also resulted in the birth of one of the most respected paranormal investigative teams of South West Michigan. Bill and Connie Jones of GRASPP Paranormal say they started their adventure on a “whim” one Halloween night with an “impromptu” ghost hunt at Nunica Cemetery. Gathering Research And Stories of Paranormal Phenomena, G.R.A.S.P.P. has evolved from this spooky inception as ghost hunters to include research and investigations into Bigfoot and other cryptids, as well as ufology. With 15-plus years of experience and accumulated knowledge, this unique husband/wife team of paranormal investigators has learned the importance of being dedicated, honest, and objective. Their promise of confidentiality, their emphasis on debunking such things as orbs, and the decision to become a LLC or limited liability company, elevates GRASPP from other teams.
GRASPP will have its upcoming Paranormal Summit for Paranormal professionals, which is May 14 – 16, at the SS City of Milwaukee located in Manistee. (Public Domain)
GRASPP is based out of Grand Haven with about 10 current full-time members, including sensitives. The team utilizes modern equipment and techniques as well as old school dowsing rods, but it’s the discipline of their methods that separates them from most teams.
GRASPP has always been generous helping and educating, but their passion for paraunity has reached a higher level. In 2018, GRASPP focused on Michigan’s mysterious encounters and brought an impressive list of speakers to Grand Haven for an event that they single-handedly orchestrated. The event, Michigan Ghost Coast Paranormal Convention explored such topics as: Demonology, Cryptozoology, Haunts of Mackinac, and UFO sightings; featuring authors, Amberrose Hammond, Todd Clements, Shetan Noir, and William Konkolesky. The significance and synchronicity of this single event cannot be overstated as it started the ball rolling in all different directions. Last year GRASPP organized and hosted an event on the USS LST 393 in Muskegon and followed that with the first Paranormal Summit on board the SSCity of Milwaukee docked in Manistee along with being able to investigate the Coast Guard ship USCGC-Acacia.
GRASPP has scheduled the second Paranormal Summit for Paranormal professionals only, May 14 – 16 again on board the SS City of Milwaukee in Manistee. See the Jones’s on GRGHP episode 29. Find additional info at graspp.org.
The Michigan Oak Wilt Coalition wants people to take action to prevent the spread of oak wilt, a deadly insect-borne disease that is destroying oak trees in Michigan.
“Oak wilt is different from other tree diseases where there is little people can do stop them from spreading,” said Julie Stachecki, ISA Certified Arborist and Co-Chair of the Michigan Oak Wilt Coalition’s awareness campaign. “like when Dutch Elm disease and Emerald Ash Borer took its toll on Michigan’s trees. Homeowners could not stop these pests from spreading. Oak Wilt is just as deadly, but with awareness and a few precautions, people can stop this deadly disease of oak trees from spreading through Michigan and beyond.”
To preventing the spread of oak wilt:
Avoid pruning April 15 through July 15
Paint immediately if wounds occur.
Prune oaks in winter when possible.
Do not move firewood.
Oaks are a valuable component to Michigan’s natural resources. May is the highest risk period for oak wilt infections. Preventing oak wilt is the best strategy for protecting Michigan’s oaks, and that means preventing cuts or wounds during the high-risk infection period of April 15 – July 15.
“Oak wilt has been reported in the Wyoming/Kentwood area,” said Estelle Slootmaker, chair of the City of Wyoming Tree Commission, “The Tree Amigos.” “Oaks are a legacy tree here in Wyoming. We have already lost too many to gypsy moths, development, and neighbors who don’t recognize the tremendous value of these trees to our health and environment. Yes, leaves can be a pain to rake, but the benefits far outweigh the hassle.”
When oaks are pruned or wounded, they attract native sap beetles, which carry disease spores from infected trees to open wounds on healthy oaks, starting new disease infections. Once infected, red oaks die rapidly, often within six weeks. The safest time to prune oaks is during the winter months. If wounds do occur, paint them immediately with a pruning sealer or latex paint. Don’t move oak firewood, which can carry the disease to new locations.
“Utility trims are also currently impacting our tree canopy, including oaks,” Slootmaker said. “If Trees LLC trims oaks in your yard, make sure that they immediately paint the wounds.”
One oak wilt-killed tree leads to many killed trees because they are linked together by their roots. When an oak gets infected, the disease moves into its roots and to other oaks within the root system, infecting and killing the trees as it progresses. Pockets of dead oaks from oak wilt can span huge areas if left unchecked. Michigan needs oaks for wildlife habitat, soil stabilization, water filtration, and clean air. Oaks are also often highly valuable and beloved landscape trees that deserve to be protected.
Fungal mats may develop beneath the bark. (Public Domain)
Since 2018, the Oak Wilt Awareness campaign has gained a lot of momentum. In 2021, the campaign received a boost through a grant from Michigan DNR to broaden oak wilt awareness. The coalition will publish informational brochures and posters for distribution through fourteen Michigan Welcome Centers and sponsor a May billboard along U.S. 23.
“Trees take care of us; we depend on them for clean air and so much more. Now we need more people to help us save the trees. With Oak Wilt Awareness, we can make a real difference.” said Ruth Dorando Marcy, “May is Oak Wilt Awareness” campaign co-chair.
For more information about oak wilt, to report infections, and find trained specialists go to MichiganOakWilt.org. Watch for a Governor’s proclamation that supports “May is Oak Wilt Awareness Month” and additional oak wilt information as the campaign kicks off in May!
The Michigan Oak Wilt Coalition is a partnership between private, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. Led by ISA Michigan, the partnership includes representatives from Michigan State University, Michigan Departments of Transportation, Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development, ReLeaf Michigan, Michigan Forest Association, Michigan Green Industry Association, electric utilities, private companies, and others.
The Rapid will host two public hearings to present the recently approved service plan for the Mobility for All (Comprehensive Operational Analysis) project. The service enhancements and changes are planned to go into effect on August 30.
The hearings will be held virtually via Facebook Live on The Rapid’s Facebook page on Tuesday, May 18. In addition to Facebook Live, the meetings will also be accessible via Zoom:
5/18/21 – 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82811022785
5/18/21 – 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81782359697The Mobility for All project kicked off in the summer of 2019 with the goal of analyzing The Rapid’s entire fixed-route system to identify budget-neutral opportunities for improvements in service reliability, efficiency and access. In addition to exhaustive technical and operational analyses, extensive public outreach was conducted to inform the final service plan, including:
57 stakeholder meetings with partners and community organizations
10 virtual public meetings with nearly 300 viewers/participants
3 online surveys with 1,089 responses
Multiple interviews with members of The Rapid’s Board of Directors and staff
2000 informational flyers soliciting feedback distributed on Rapid buses (1,500 in English, 500 inSpanish)
The full public outreach summary is available in the final “Preferred Alternative” document, beginning on page 320The resulting service plan approved by The Rapid’s Board of Directors to be implemented in August will provide:
Access to 15-minute frequent service all day on weekdays to over 136,000 area residents (approximately 6 a.m to 6 p.m.)
Access to 15-minute frequent service all day on weekdays to over 67,000 area jobs (approximately 6 a.m to 6 p.m.)
New transit access to over 8,000 jobs in Walker and 9,000 jobs in Kentwood via new on-demand service (planned to launch in January 2022)In addition to increased transit access and new services, the plan will improve on-time performance, provide better transfer opportunities for riders and more efficiently meet current transit demand.
“We are very excited to have reached the final stage of this project and to begin preparing for implementation,” said Max Dillivan, senior planner and Mobility for All project manager at The Rapid. “This has been an extremely thorough process from both a technical and public outreach perspective, and despite having to adapt the project to the difficulties presented by the pandemic, we are confident that the final plan represents more reliable, efficient and effective service for our customers.”
In addition to the virtual public meetings, Rapid riders and stakeholders can provide comment and feedback via the following methods:
Voicemail – 616-774-1235 • Mail:Communications Department 300 Ellsworth Ave. SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503Additional information is available on the project website: https://therapidmobilityforall.com/
Since 1949, when May was first designated as Mental Health Month, we have not collectively experienced the degree of trauma, grief, and stress that this past years COVID-19 pandemic has generated among us. Loss of family members, jobs, social connections, and our daily routines has rocked the foundations of our emotional and mental wellbeing. An April 2020 survey of 24,155 Michigan residents found 79% of respondents reported concern about stress, loneliness, anxiety, and/or depression, with 29% indicating that they were “very” or “extremely” concerned about these mental health symptoms. No doubt, when numbers are compiled for April 2021, we will see even more mental health impacts among Michiganders.
There are two ways you can help stem this tide. One, speak up to reduce the stigma that keeps many from seeking help for mental health concerns. If your children, spouse, family members or friends need help, let them know that you support them in getting that help. If you can’t find the words for the conversation, share the resources listed below.
Second, take care of your own mental health. Last month’s column shared way to relieve stress. If you are grieving the loss of loved ones, you can find support at one of the area’s grief support groups. If you need help, get help! For help dealing with stress, anger, thinking traps, and other issues, check out Mental Health America’sTools2Thrive.
Third, take care of your physical health. Eat healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean chemical-free meats, 100% whole grain breads and cereals, and healthy fats. (Caffeine, alcohol, and sugar can make us feel better for a minute, but overall, can interfere with optimal mental as well as physical health.) Try to get 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Get plenty of sleep. Drink plenty of water. And seek care from your healthcare providers as needed—including chiropractic adjustments.
Loss of spinal health can lead to degeneration and chronic pain. There are numerous studies that investigate the connection between depression and pain (particularly back pain). The unfortunate reality is many people who suffer from depression also suffer from chronic pain, and depression can heighten their perception of pain, creating a downward spiral. Chiropractic adjustments help to keep your spine and nervous system healthy and feeling good, which helps keep you healthy and feeling good!
1 in 6 U.S. youth experience a mental health condition each year, but only half get treatment.
70.4% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosed mental illness.
1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, but less than half get treatment.
1 in 20 U.S. adults experiences a serious mental illness each year, but less than two-thirds get treatment.
Mental illness and substance use disorders are involved in 1 out of every 8 emergency department visits
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–34 and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
Are you experiencing anxiety, depression, or other symptoms of mental illness? You are not alone. Check out these personal stories shared by folks like you who have experienced mental illness, survived, and thrived via the NAMI Strength Over Silence campaign. The State of Michigan also offers many online mental health resources.
All sorts of exciting things are happening out at Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA right now. As the pandemic begins to wane, and folks start to head outdoors again, the 400-acre centennial farm offers the hottest attractions available right now: fresh air and plenty of room to spread out.
As families begin to return, Cornwell’s is re-opening their well-known dinner theatre in May with a fresh vision and a brand-new producer, Dexter Brigham. Dexter comes to Cornwell’s from Midland Center for the Arts, where he served as their Director of Theatre Programs for the past eight years.
“When Patti and I first started talking about re-opening the theatre, we considered what we might want to look and feel different. We decided to use the downtime wisely. We upgraded our lighting and sound systems, so our audiences could enjoy the best experience possible, and we’ve worked really hard to assemble a cast of talented comic actors from all across the country for our first show,” remarks Brigham.
That first show is the bedroom farce, Right Bed, Wrong Husband, by the married playwriting duo, Neil and Caroline Schaffner. In the play, Ted is a young, penniless bachelor whose uncle holds the strings to his trust fund. In order to increase his meager allowance, Ted hatches a plan to convince his uncle he has gotten married, but when his uncle drops in unexpectedly, he has to work double time to convince his uncle that his best friend’s wife is, in fact, his own. The play is filled with slamming doors, misunderstandings, mistaken identities and the nearly naughty antics that is the hallmark of great farce.
The cast of the play will feature Micah Weese from Tulsa, OK as the beleaguered Ted; Dreaa Kay Baudy from Sarasota, FL as his fiancée, Ruth; Ptah Garvin, also from Sarasota, as his drunken neighbor, Hubert; Austin James Roach, from Chicago, as his writer friend Claude; Victoria Sasso, from New York City, as Claude’s resourceful wife, Evelyn; and Hana Park, from Pittsburgh, as Ted’s sarcastic housekeeper, Myra Tackleberry.
Right Bed, Wrong Husband will run from May 13 through June 26 at Cornwell’s Dinner Theatre, with matinees every Wednesday through Saturday at 2pm, and evening shows on Saturday nights at 8pm. Seating for the meal begins two hours prior to curtain. Tickets are $50 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, and include dinner, dessert, and the performance. For tickets, visit turkeyville.com, or call 269-781-4293.
Beginning Monday, May 10, The Rapid will implement an enhanced summer service schedule, providing increased access to public transit options across the entire service area.
The Rapid constantly monitors the public transit service it provides, working to adjust operations to offer the most reliable, efficient and effective service possible. Adjustments will be made to bus schedules to provide more service to the six-city area and to improve overall system performance.
Routes in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas that will be impacted are 1 – Division Route, Route 8 – Grandville/Rivertown, and Route 10 – Clyde Park. These routes will have both earlier and later times added to the schedules. Also, Route 2 – Kalamazoo and Route 16 – Wyoming/Metro will see an early start time added to the weekdays.
The main changes are as follows:
Seventeen routes will begin service earlier on weekdays
The following routes will begin service at 5:15 a.m. on weekdays:
The last departure for these routes from Rapid Central Station was previously 9:45 p.m.
Service on Route 4 – Eastern south of 28th St. will improve from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
DASH service will now operate on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
DASH service will no longer operate on Saturdays
These service enhancements will expand transit options for Rapid riders as the region continues pandemic recovery efforts.
“We’re excited to be able to expand current service and increase options for our customers,” said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. “Transit has such a critical role to play in pandemic recovery, and we will continue to provide our community with an accessible, reliable network of mobility options.”
Resilience has been a theme for the past year as the world dealt with COVID-19, especially for local school districts which have had to move from virtual to in-person swiftly to meet with changing social distance guidelines.
So it seems only fitting that for this Arbor Day, the City of Wyoming’s Tree Commission would plant a tree considered a symbol of resilience – a Dawn Redwood – at Wyoming’s Regional Center, located at 36th Street and Byron Center Avenue.
“Here at our school, Wyoming Regional Center, this is the perfect tree for us because we talk a lot about resilience here and a lot about comeback stories and our mission is to work work with students with some very unique challenges to teach resilience and the power of new beginnings,” said Wyoming Regional Center Principal Allen Vigh. “This tree symoolizes all of those things.”
The tree was actually planted on Earth Day with a city proclamation presented by Mayor Pro Ten Sam Bolt. Along with the Tree Commission, H.O.P.E. Gardens Executive Director Julie Brunson was at the event. H.O.P.E Gardens partnered with the Tree Commission on the Dawn Redwood project.
“Thanks to the Tree Amigos (the Wyoming Tree Commission), our generous donors of this gift that will bring many future seasons of beauty, comfort and peace to the children who attend this school,” Vigh said.
Also called a Metasequoia, the Dawn Redwood existed when dinosaurs were living but were thought to be extinct. That was until about 1945, when botanists in China discovered the trees growing in the rice paddies of China’s Szechwan Province. It was soon discovered that about 1,000 Dawn Redwoods were living in very isolated groves in Southeastern China.
In 1947, Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum sent another expedition to China to collect seeds, bring back about four pounds. The following year, the seeds were being distributed to botanic gardens and universities across the world.
Wyoming city officials, Tree Commission members, and representatives from H.O.P.E. Gardens were part of the Arbor Day celebration. (WKTV)
The Dawn Redwood is a fast growing deciduous tree reaching a height of more than 110 feet with a 25-foot spread. Its leaves are bright green, turning copper in the fall before losing them until the following spring. Now protected in China — the Wold Conservation Union has classified it as critically endangered due to human encroachment — the tree was once used for cabinet making.
The Dawn Redwoods are one of only three redwoods found in the word. The Coast Redwoods grow along the Pacific cost from Southern Oregon to Central California. Giant Sequoias are usually found in California’s sierra Nevada mountains. There is a Giant Sequoia, about 95 feet tall, at Manistee’s Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary.
Arbor Day
In the proclamation he read, Bolt talked about what Arbor Day, a day set aside to encourage people to plant trees.
In 1854, J. Sterling Morton moved from Detroit to the area that is now Nebraska. He and other pioneers noticed a lack of trees, which were needed to act as windbreaks to stabilize the soil and to give shade from the sun. Morton planted many trees around his own home and encouraged others to do the same.
On January 4, 1872, he proposed a holiday to plant trees on April 10 that year. This was known as “Arbor Day” and prizes were awarded to the counties and individuals who planted the most trees on the day. About one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. In 1885, Arbor Day became a legal holiday and was moved to April 22, which was Morton’s birthday. In 1989 the official holiday was moved to the last Friday in April.
Seattle’s Little Free Art Gallery have become increasingly popular with Frankfort, Michigan, establishing a similar concept for the summer.
Oliver Art Center is excited to announce its newest community program, Little Free Galleries.
“The idea came from an article in the Seattle Times about an artist who established a gallery much like the well-known Little Free Libraries. We put out a call for a volunteer to make us one to put out in front of the art center and we received three offers! We then adjusted our thinking and decided it would be fun and could reach more of the community to have three located in Frankfort,” said Mercedes Michalowski, Executive Director of Oliver Art Center. Both Benzie Shores District Library and Century 21 Northland have agreed to host their own gallery in partnership with Oliver Art Center.
The Galleries have been made by Brad Sprouse, Lou Cenname, and Bob Crissman, all of Frankfort. The volunteers have vast carpentry experience and even experience in building Little Free Libraries and Pantries. The artwork will be provided by volunteers as well. Anyone is welcome to participate!
“The program will function much like the Little Free Libraries with the idea of: need art, take art; have art, leave art. We hope folks will enjoy the free exchange of art objects that will include paintings, fiber work, ceramic sculptures, and much more. While there is no requirement to leave art if you take it, we hope that people will just enjoy the art and idea itself. And if folks don’t have art to give, but want to give back, OAC is accepting donations in order to maintain the galleries,” said Michalowski.
Benzie Shores District Library is hoping to also expand their gallery’s offerings to books and art supplies. “We are so excited to share this project with the Art Center. Who knows, I may even create my own little piece of art for the gallery!” said Stacy Pasche, Library Director.“Art can stir memories or evoke strong feelings… just as selling or purchasing a home can do the same. The agents and brokers at CENTURY 21 Northland are humbled and honored to be able to give back to our communities by hosting a Little Free Art Gallery. Being located in one of the busiest two blocks on Main Street is key to showcasing Oliver Art Center’s presence and will bring smiles and good conversations to those walking by,” said Judi Tousley, Century 21 Northland.
Frankfort’s Little Free Art Galleries will be installed and ready for art and visitors May 1. Oliver Art Center is currently accepting art for the galleries. They are looking for smaller size works of art (less than 12 inches) and even have 4×4 blank canvases kits available to purchase for $10 – all proceeds go to maintenance and upkeep of the galleries. If you have any questions, please contact Mercedes or Brian at the Oliver Art Center, info@oliverart.org or 231-352-4151.
Despite almost snow-like conditions, that lasted for only a few minutes, more than 80 people turned out for the city’s first park clean up in celebration of Earth Day.
Held on April 22 — the day set aside to celebrate Earth Day — area residents and community groups were encouraged to help clean up the city’s parks with this year’s focus being on Pinery Park, the Wyoming Senior Center, and Lamar Park.
Wyoming residents the Dean family, from left Mana, Marguita and Airrow,
Wyoming Recreation Supervisor Krashawn Martin said the city was pleased with the turnout and plans to make the park clean-up an annual event.
“We want to keep these places beautified and wonderful for all of us to enjoy,” Martin said.
Wyoming resident Marguita Dean and her family, Mana and Airrow, came out because they wanted to give back to their community, she said.
“We came because this is our park,” Marguita Dean said. “We use Pinery Park quite a bit and wanted to do something to help keep our park clean.”
The event also served as a kick off to the city’s Adopt-a-Park program. Throughout the summer, residents and community groups have the opportunity to help beautify and maintain the city parks. To get involved in the Adopt-a-Parks program, contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164.
In the Division United plan, it is proposed to dedicate the current bus lanes 24/7 to only bus traffic and to paint the lanes to bring more awareness to them. The drawing also shows what three-story buildings would look like at the intersection of Clyde Park and Division Avenue.
From taking a bike ride or walk to creating a cohort of small developers, there are a number of opportunities for residents and local organizations to help spur growth along Division Avenue.
These were some recommendations, along with some specific items for The Rapid and the cities of Wyoming, Kentwood, and Grand Rapids, that were released in the Division United town hall meetings on April 22.
“A lot of the recommendations that we are going to be talking about might seem substantial and quite frankly they are,” said Steven Duong, who is with Los Angeles-based consulting firm AECOM, which oversaw the Division United plan. “In many cases, they have to be lead by the entity of the cities such as City of Wyoming or the City of Kentwood, and some have to be lead by private business partners, land owners or business owners in the corridor, but we also want to make sure that we acknowledge that there are things that community groups or citizens can do to make some of the strategies a reality.”
The recommendations are broken down into five categories, referred as “toolkits”: Connectivity and Mobility, Economic Development, Incremental Development, Equity, and Placemaking. Many of the recommendations are for the cities to consider when looking at zoning or infrastructure.
In October, Division United hosted the Better Blocks event to show how Division could look with an outdoor market and crosswalks. (WKTV)
For example, Connectivity and Mobility addresses how to make the area friendly for people and cars by painting the bus lane and dedicating the lane for the entire day to help increase public transit speeds to creating better crossings and making the bus stations hub stations with other transit options such as bikes and electric scooters.
While those are most of those recommendations have to be done at the city level through zoning, residents can take a walk or bike through the corridor to see the disconnect between the current transit and offer ideas on where to place crosswalks and other needs to increase mobility, said AECOM Transportation Planner Jeromie Winsor.
Residents can also start to form a cohort of small developers who can network, making connections with bank officials and others in development to start discussions on redeveloping small properties such as suggested in the Incremental Development toolkit.
A Community Connector and local business owner Synia Jordan said another project is creating art murals at the stations which would involve community members and local artists, which falls under the Placemaking toolkit.
The entire Division United proposal is available online with Duong recommending that people start with the executive summary, which is an introduction to the overall plan, and then proceed into the five toolkits.
By following that direction, the different concepts become a roadmap to how the Division Avenue corridor can become a more transit supportive environment, which Duong noted is the reason why the study was initiated.
A transit supportive environment is the utilization of effective and predictable transit that encourages surrounding development, which, in turn, supports transit. It was the goal of The Rapid that by launching the Silver Line in 2014 it would spur economic development along the Division corridor, according to The Rapid Planning Manager Nick Monoyios.
While The Rapid has seen a 40 percent growth in ridership from Division Avenue during the past six years, the economic growth has not come, Monoyios said.
So after six years of operations, The Rapid officials decided it needed to be more intentional on how to instigate the benefits for the corridor, he said, adding that a decision was made to seek a Federal Transportation Administration grant designed to help corridors like Division Avenue. The three cities, Wyoming, Kentwood and Grand Rapids, all of which have portions of Division within their boundaries, each dedicated $25,000 to the study. The student focused on Division from Wealthy Street to 60th Street.
After more than a year of gathering public input, meeting with business leaders and residents, and hosting special events to demonstrate the possibilities, The Rapid released the Division United recommendations during two town hall meetings on April 22.
To view the entire Division United project and other items, such as the recorded April 22 town hall meetings, visit divisionunited.org.
Emily Holmes, who is graduating from Grand Valley State University and is an intern at WKTV, said as an introvert, she was surprised how much she craved interaction with other people during the COVID pandemic. (WKTV)
“I would give anything to wear concert black to anything,” said East Kentwood graduate Hailey Cone, who is studying music at Grand Rapids Community College.
Hailey Cone, an East Kentwood graduate attending Grand Rapids Community College, would give anything to wear concert black and perform. (Supplied)
Still, for GRCC, most of the concerts have been online with students recording parts individually and professors pulling the elements together for the online performance.
“I miss it so much,” Cone said during a phone interview. “I really miss the community, being in-person and that immediate feedback.”
Changing the “College Experience”
Ask any college student what has been the biggest challenge over the past year and it isn’t technology issues or online classes — most deal with that during a normal college year — but rather the loss of the “college experience.”
“When you think about it, you pay to have that college experience,” said Emily Holmes, a senior at Grand Valley State University studying film and broadcasting. “It is a big part about going away to college.”
Anyone who has attended a college campus tour will attest that a big part of the tour is the social life, campus cafes, student organizations, and school traditions. The sell is students being able to experience independence by living on campus, attending college events and yes, even parties.
But what COVID has taught many is that the experience you have at college is what you make it. So instead of big parties, there are small online groups with students redesigning what the college experience is.
“I always considered myself an introvert, but through this I have discovered that I like to be around people more than I thought,” she said.
Emily Smith, an adjunct professor in music at Grand Rapids Community College, said she feels students have had to become more self-reliant due to the COVID pandemic. (Supplied)
Because classes have been mostly virtual, the key for many college students has been connecting with each other online, said Emily Smith, an adjunct professor of music at Grand Rapids Community College. This also has lead to other habits that may better prepare students for life, Smith said.
“Students have had to take ownership of their learning,” she said. “In pre-pandemic, students would follow what was presented in class but since the pandemic, students have taken more ownership by utilizing their resources better and being independent in their studies.”
Through that process, students are utilizing their resources more, connecting with each other through new ways, and focusing their independent study to make improvements as they prepare for voice lessons and practices, she said.
“I have become more experimental with my camera work,” Holmes said, crediting the lockdown for the opportunity to try new things. “I have been working on my editing skills, becoming more focused and putting time into projects.”
Smith said she does not believe that the lack of in-person activities such as performances have had an impact in students deciding to change their career paths.
“I have seen situations such as financial instability caused from the pandemic resulting in hard economic challenges that have caused some students to change or leave,” Smith said.
The silver lining
For most, the desire to get the degree in their selected profession has been the biggest motivating factor.
“Through these trying times, music has been by saving grace,” Cone said. “I feel like I want this degree and that I want it more than anything.”
Cone added that she found the greatest inspiration from the pandemic was that that as a whole, humanity is pretty resilient.
“The pandemic has taken so much away, making you feel so alone, but at the same time, we have found ways to connect online, to have virtual choirs and that has been inspiring,” she said.
Lee High School after completion of the west wing addition in 1930. Notice the dirt road that was called Hawthorne Ave back then (now known as Havana).
It was 1923, just five years after World War I, and the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools was moving into its new high school bordered by the electric railroad to the south, Hawthorne Street (Havana today) to the west, Englewood (Engle today) to the north, and Martindale to the east. In an article written by former Godfrey-Lee Public Schools superintendent Dave Britten, the school was the “largest suburban development in the Grand Rapids area at the time.
Mona Clark, who had been a 9th grader at the time, described the day they moved to the Lee Street School:
Almost every one distinctly remembers the day marked for the dedication of our new high school. It was during the rainy season of the year, and the day which had been set for leaving our old building proved to be quite a disagreeable one. It rained all morning and until about two o’clock in the afternoon. Then when it stopped, which we had feared it wouldn’t do, Mr. Marsh had us get our books ready for leaving. We were all lined up in two columns with Mr. Marsh at the head. He made it possible for us to cross Godfrey Avenue, which is a very busy street. We came down Burton Street to Senica (sic), and from there to Lee Street. The roads were in bad condition and there was water everywhere. We arrived in the new building somewhat spattered with mud. The following weeks were marked by confusion, as classes were trying to assemble and to make themselves heard above the hammers and drills as the final touches were added to our splendid building. It was a period that showed great co-operation and the first promise of a loyal school spirit loomed up encouraged by occasional talks from our principal and superintendent.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery, 6 p.m. Friday, May 5th, with a unique five-course wine pairing dinner that will feature an amazing 2020 vintage from Crane’s Winery.
The Crane’s staff is highlighting family recipes, Fennville culture, and guest talent to create a mouthwatering experience of food and drink in a new, exciting way. Crane’s has the challenge of pairing 5 of soon-to-be released wines with authentic Mexican fare. Starting with the wine characteristics and figuring out what compliments them with the dominating flavors of the foods…is it spicy, zesty, cheesy, herbal, smokey…they have found some beautiful combinations.
The menu is still getting some finishing touches and will be released shortly, but the featured wines will be:
2020 Cab Rosé
2020 Sauvignon Blanc
2020 Riesling Reserve
2020 Seyval Blanc
2019 Chardonnay Reserve
Enjoy a food and wine fiesta! Tickets are $40 and are available online.
Crane’s is a family owned business celebrating the farms 102nd year! Crane’s restaurant and winery features homemade foods, specifically farm to table fruit pies and artisan, small-batch hard cider and wine. Crane’s has built a great reputation based on one-of-a-kind customer experiences combined with delicious food and drinks.
In spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside 24 hours.
Author and humorist Mark Twain
Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival will open this weekend at Lamar Park. (Supplied)
Carnival Days
Wyoming’s Spring Carnival is taking place through May 2 at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW. The carnival, which is operated by TJ Schmidt & Company, features a host of games and rides. Health and safety measures are in place for guests, employees, and vendors. Masks must be worn at the carnival. Hours of operation are 4 – 8:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 2 – 8:30 p.m. Friday; and noon – 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
“Bee” in “Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGOs” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum through May 2. (Supplied)
Last Call
Visitors have a limited time left to explore the popularUnder the Arctic and Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks exhibitions at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM). Under the Arctic’s last date to visit will be Sunday, April 25 and the last date to visit Wild Connections is Sunday, May 2. Explore larger-than-life sculptures made with more than 2 million LEGO® bricks in Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks! The sculptures teach about animal endangerment, ecosystems, and mankind’s relationship with nature. Included with GRPM admission tickets, Under the Arctic addresses climate change through the lens of a thawing Arctic environment to educate visitors about permafrost’s fascinating characteristics and its greater implications. For more information, visit grpm.org.
Head for the Trees
The popular high ropes course TreeRunner Grand Rapids is now open. Located behind Celebration! Cinema north, the adventure park features six trails of various skill, ranging from easy to hardest. If you go, remember to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Safety precautions are being taken at the course with limited tickets available. For more information, visit www,treerunnerspark.com/grandraids/.
Tulips are actually from China
We often associate the tulip with the Netherlands. however the unique flower’s origins come from Central Asia. The Turks cultivated the flowers as early as 10,000 A.D. and they named the flowers “tulip” which comes from the Turkish word turban. The tulip was introduced to the Netherlands in the late 16th century. According to the legend, a famous biologist Carolus Clusius, was working in the oldest botanical garden, Hortus Botanicus in Leiden. A friend from Turkey, sent Clusius tulip flowers for his garden in Leiden and thus started the Tulipmania craze. Check out the tulips at this year’s Holland Tulip Time festival taking place May 1 – 9.
The West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA) has released the 2021 Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour. This is a free poster-sized publication which details all of the lighthouses located on the shores of Lake Michigan, as well as the Circle Tour driving route to guide motorists around the lake.
The full circle tour driving route around Lake Michigan is available online, and website visitors may also download a PDF of this year’s Lighthouse Map, or request that a free copy be mailed to them here: www.wmta.org/lake-michigan-lighthouse-map-circle-tour/
Vacationers have been looping the lake for generations, but the official “Lake Michigan Circle Tour” route was not established until the 1980s when the Michigan Department of Transportation teamed up with West Michigan Tourist Association to create the route and its official guidebook. Along the way, travelers will find more than 100 lighthouses, countless islands, unique attractions, parks and natural areas, miles of glorious beaches, quaint harbor towns, and one “modern marvel” – the Mackinac Bridge.
While a loosely-organized “circle route” around Lake Superior was promoted by local tourist organizations as early as the 1960s, the first official (and signed) Great Lakes Circle Tour was the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. The only single-nation Circle Tour (Lake Michigan being the only Great Lake completely within the US), the Lake Michigan Circle Tour also has the most mileage of any Circle Tour in the state.
Featured on the Lighthouse Guide is the Point Betsie Lighthouse in Frankfort, Michigan (Public Domain)
Working in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation, the West Michigan Tourist Association helped to make the first of the official Great Lakes Circle Tours a reality and the first publication was released in 1988 as a 52-page guide book. The guide book was transformed into a map in 2007, and the Circle Tour driving route can now be found online.
The cover of this year’s map features Point Betsie Lighthouse as photographed by Michael Mullin, which is located in Frankfort.
Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map & Circle Tour publications are also available in bulk quantities; please contact Travel@WMTA.org for more information.
Thirteen Michigan residents will be coming together to draw the lines — the lines for the state’s U.S. Congressional district and Michigan’s House or Representative and Senate seats.
The 13 members are part of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, a group that was formed when Michigan voters passed Proposal 2 in 2018. The proposal stated voters and not legislators would be responsible for nonpartisan redistricting. The result was the 13-member commission, most of whom hail from the east side of the state with the closest West Michigan person from Battle Creek.
“Wow. We lost that lottery,” said Wyoming City Council Member Kent Vanderwood during the city’s April 19 Wyoming City Council meeting. “Kent County is a big place. This is the second largest part of the whole state and to have nobody west of Battle Creek is unfortunate.”
Edward Woods III
The council received the presentation about the Commission or MICRC from the MICRC Communications and Outreach Director Edward Woods III. Woods noted that the selecting of the 13-member commission was done by lottery performed by a third party. There was 9,367 applications received for the commission with 627 applicants from Kent County. The largest applicant pool came from Oakland County with 1,777. Wayne County had 1,450 applicants.
Woods said the selection process was completely random and that there was no consideration made for geographical and ethnicity representation. He said there has been comments made about the fact that there are no Hispanics or African-American males on the commission as well as geographical representation.
The commission is made up for four Democrats, four Republicans and five Independents, all of who went through that random selection process.
Redistricting is done every 10 years after the U.S. Census has been completed. The commission started its work in September, scheduling its required meetings to receive public input before any redistricting plans can be drawn, according to Woods. The commission is required to have 10 public meetings and is planning to host 16 in total which includes a July 1 meeting at DeVos Hall with a second meeting planned for Grand Rapids in the fall. The group also will host meetings May 13 in Kalamazoo and June 29 in Muskegon.
The MICRC is responsible for redistricting the U.S. Congressional districts, In 2010, the U.S. Congressional districts had about 711,000 people in each district. Currently, Michigan has 14 U.S. Congressional districts.
“It is being reported that Michigan may lose a seat for the fifth time in a row,” Woods said.
The commission also is responsible for redistricting of the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives. There are currently 38 state senate districts which have about 212,400 to 263,000 people in each district. There are 110 state House of Representative districts, with each having between 77,000 to 99,000 people.
“The concern is how do you want your lines drawn,” Woods said. “Obviously with the congressional district, those are a little bit bigger, but when it comes to the state house and the state senate, that is a little bit different. Are we keeping municipalities together? Are we keeping counties together? Do we split along a business district or an art district or on waterfront communities?”
This is the type of information that the commission will be seeking from residents, Woods said, adding the commission also will be sharing information about the redistricting process which includes the criteria for redistricting such as equal population, the Voting Rights Act, geographically contiguous, no disproportionate advantage to any political party, no favor or disfavor to an incumbent, elected officials or candidates, reflect consideration of county, city and township boundaries, and reasonable compact.
Woods said the commission encourages residents to present ideas, send questions and engage in the process by email redistricting@michigan.gov or mail to MICRC, P.O. Box 30318, Lansing, MI 48909.
Learn more about Michigan’s new redistricting process or to obtain more information about the upcoming public hearings, visit www.michigan.gov/MICRC.
The Commission must adopted the new election district maps by Nov. 1, 2021 with the maps becoming law Dec. 31, 2021. The new districts would be for the 2022 election.
It has been months of work but this Thursday, the proposed transportation and development improvements for the Division Avenue corridor will be released to the public.
The Rapid, in partnership with the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming, will host two Virtual Town Hall meetings Thursday, one at 11 a.m. and the second at 6 p.m., to provide residents with an update on the final phase of the Division United project.
“This has been a very unique and an incredible example of the great work our communities can do together with the right partnerships and approach,” said Nick Monoyious, planning manager at The Rapids. “These virtual town hall meetings will provide an informative summary of plans for Division Avenue and will give anyone interested a chance to ask questions and provide feedback.”
In 2014, The Rapid launched the Silver Line, which was looked at as a catalyst for potential economic ground development leading into the downtown area. The Silver Line runs along Division Avenue from 60th Street in Cutlerville to the Medical Mile/Grand Rapids Community college loop.
However, the economic investment did not come, noted Bill Kirk, a business affairs specialist for The Rapid. The Rapid sought and received a Federal Transportation Administration grant that was about $900,000. The cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, and Wyoming, all of which have parts of Division Avenue within their boundaries, contributed about $25,000 each with the grant monies and contributions used to fund a study to find ways to improve affordable housing options, business opportunities, and neighborhood conditions in the corridor without losing much of the diversity that is part of the Division Avenue, Kirk said.
For more than a year, the project has focused on gathering input from community members, business owners, and city officials along with reviewing current building ordinances for the area, and hosting events that showcased possible public improvements.
There are lot of different elements to the final project, said City of Kentwood Economic Development Coordinator Lisa Golder. There are several key elements to the proposal such as incremental improvements, stabilizing the area so those who live and work there benefit from the redevelopment, maintaining the diversity of Division Avenue and providing public improvements to create a more walkable community.
“This is not something that is going to happen over night,” said City of Kentwood Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer.
Golder added that there will be a lot for the cities to review in regards to recommendations to code changes. The cities of Wyoming and Kentwood worked together to create a form-based code for the portion of Division Avenue in the two cities. The code is designed to allow a variety of development from large projects such as the CityLine Apartments project near 52nd Street and Division Avenue to the redevelopment of the property at 4253 S. Division, which will be the home of the new coffeehouse, The Stray Cafe.
“We are excited to welcome The Stray Café to Wyoming and are looking forward to their grand opening this summer,” said Wyoming Director of Planning and Economic Development Nicole Hofert. “Their investment in the corridor exemplifies the type of development we are striving to attract. Business owners and investors will have an easy-to-use set of tools and strategies provided in the Division United Plan as they invest in our community.”
In fact, The Stray Cafe is an example of incremental developments, where one or two lots are redeveloped versus several lots, Schweitzer said. He added that the City of Kentwood has had success with several developers who specialize in redevelopment of small lots and interest is growing for projects along Division Avenue.
“During the process, we have definitely seen more interest on what could be done along the corridor,” Schweitzer said.
It is the hope that Thursday’s virtual meetings will help to spur on that interest by presenting highlights of the improvement plan, which focuses on the section of Division from Wealthy Street to 60th Street. Each session will be live translated into Spanish and Vietnamese.
In addition to the town hall meetings, draft plans, how-to-videos and a comment form are available on the project at divisionunited.org.
The Virtual Town Hall session will be available via Zoom and The Rapid’s Facebook page.
Bands, Brews and BBQ Festival will return July 10 at Big Rapids. (pxhere.com)
By Sandra Braden Mecosta County Visitors Bureau
The Bands, Brews and BBQ Festival committee are excited to announce that they will be back this summer at the Big Rapids Bandshell on July 10 from 2 p.m.- 10 p.m., for an amazing day of Bands, Brews and BBQ.
In an effort of looking for new and exciting ways to generate greater awareness of the Big Rapids Region, the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau (MCVB) partnered with the Big Rapids Lions Club in 2019 to bring back the highly anticipated Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival. “This has been a great partnership between the two organizations,” stated Connie Koepke – Executive Director of the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau. “The MCVB’s mission is to market the area’s tourism highlights in hopes of capturing overnight stays at area hotels, as well as return visits to the hotels,” which is where the Visitors Bureau receives its funding from. The Lions Club mission is to raise funds that can be used in support of a large variety of activities that improve their communities and help people in need. Dave Hamelund with the Big Rapids Lions Club states, “Some of the Lions Club projects include assisting the hearing impaired, providing diabetes awareness and education materials, working on environmental projects and developing youth programs.”
With the two organizations working together on this amazing event, they are able to not only accomplish both of the groups’ missions and goals, but also create an extraordinary event that can be enjoyed by all. “You may have noticed a change in the name of this year’s event, altering Blues to Bands.” This allows the ability to offer more variety of musical styles and bands as this annual event continues throughout the years to come,” noted Koepke.
The day of the event is set for Saturday, July 10, from 2 – 10 p.m., which is a great kickoff to fair week that begins on Monday the 12. The festival will not only include amazing music throughout the day but also local restaurants, offering at least one BBQ themed item, a beer tent as well as a vendor area for community businesses and/or crafters to sell their wares. Cost for a vendor table is just $25 for the day.
The Mecosta County Visitors Bureau, whom is once again sponsoring the event, noted that there is one other change in this year’s festival. There will not be a charge or ticket cost to attend. The festival will be FREE and open to public. “We are asking that those attending do offer a donation that will go towards the Lions Club and the organizations that they support along with a small portion going to help toward next year’s event expenses,” stated Dave Hamelund of the Big Rapids Lions Club.
Current schedule for the day includes: Kickoff with the Veterans Warrior Motorcycle Club and a Salute to our Veterans, National Anthem (performed by Alison LeVeque) and then a fun-filled day of nonstop Bands, Brews and BBQ.
This year’s musical lineup includes: Key West Permafrost Blues Band, Rochelle & the Spoilers, Brenda Loomis Band and Benzing-Graves Collective. The festival’s MC will be by local musical talent Kelly Quinn. Quinn will also performing during the bands’ transitioning between their sets/acts.
If you are interested in more details and/or to purchase a vendor table at the event, please reach out to the Mecosta County Visitors Bureau at director@bigrapids.org or by calling 231.796.7640.
Opening day for Mackinac State Historic Parks’ sites is less than three weeks away, and MSHP staff are busy readying new tours, exhibits, publications, and more.
The most exciting opening for the season is the Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum. It had been slated to open for the 2020 season. However, construction progress was derailed during at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing MSHP to only open the site for a weekend at the very end of the 2020 season. It will open on May 1 with the rest of the MSHP island sites.
“We believe everyone will enjoy the reinvented Biddle House,” said Steve Brisson, MSHP director. “Working with the various tribal partners to tell the continuing story of the Anishnaabek people has been very rewarding, and we’re excited to have it open for the season.”
Up at Fort Mackinac, the beloved Kids’ Quarters will receive an update, the third to the exhibit in its history, helping to fulfill MSHP’s mission in presenting the history of the Straits of Mackinac. Housed in the oldest public building in Michigan, the Kids’ Quarters will allow guests to experience how soldiers and civilians lived at Fort Mackinac in the 19th century. Here you’ll be able to play various musical instruments used by the military, try on clothes, or design your very own fort, among many other activities.
“The Kids’ Quarters has consistently been one of our most popular exhibits,” Brisson said. “We’re happy to unveil this expanded and reimagined version to our guests.”
New programs at Fort Mackinac for the 2021 season include “The Changing Face of Fort Mackinac,” “The Army of the 1880s,” a deeper look into Mackinac National Park, a tour showcasing the women who called Fort Mackinac home, a Signal Drill Activity, and a program dedicated to what happened at Fort Mackinac after the army left in 1895. The Tea Room at Fort Mackinac, operated by Grand Hotel, will feature new menu items for the 2021 season, and, as always, will feature one of the most stunning views in Michigan. The venerable fort also saw some physical updates, with buildings painted, boardwalks replaced, and chimneys repaired. As always, the classic cannon and rifle firings will take place throughout the day, and guests can purchase the opportunity to fire the very first cannon salute of the day.
At The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, located in front of Fort Mackinac in Marquette Park, a new juried art exhibition will debut on the second floor – “The Seasons of Mackinac.” While Mackinac has always been known as a “summer gathering place,” its beauty is unparalleled in all seasons. Mackinac Island resident and award-winning artist Bill Murcko will serve as juror for the show. It will be on display at the art museum from May 1 through October 10. Additionally, seven artists-in-residence will stay on Mackinac Island throughout the summer. Each artist will host a special, free workshop on the second Wednesday of their residency.
Special events at Fort Mackinac and Mackinac Island include the annual Vintage Base Ball game, on July 24, special activities for July 4, and Movies in the Fort throughout the summer.
The firing of the canons at Fort Michilimackinac. (Public Domain)
As guests enter Colonial Michilimackinac, in Mackinaw City, they will be stepping back in time to 1778, when rumors of war and peace swirled around Michilimackinac. Guests will see and hear how soldiers, civilians, and Native people responded to threats real and imagined as they attempted to maintain their livelihood, the fur trade.Two new programs at the fort will provide guests an opportunity to get more hands-on with history, where you’ll unpack a trade bale and another where you’ll explore an artilleryman’s arsenal. Other programs at the site will talk about women’s roles at the fort, the enslaved community, the 5,500 square feet of gardens, as well as musket and artillery demonstrations.
An exciting new program at Colonial Michilimackinac allows guests the opportunity to fire all four black-powder weapons at Michilimackinac: the Short Land Musket, Wall Gun (a BIG musket), Coehorn Mortar, and, as the finale, the cannon. This program is available every evening after the fort closes for regular business June 5-October 8.
The Mackinac State Historic Parks’ archaeology program will enter its 63rd season in 2021. Work will continue in House E of the Southeast Rowhouse at Colonial Michilimackinac. Archaeologists will be out daily (weather permitting) during the summer months.
Special events at Colonial Michilimackinac include an exhilarating “Fire at Night” program, informative history talks on topics such as gardening, archaeology, laundry and more, a celebration of the King’s Birth-day on June 4, Movies by the Bridge, the ever-popular Fort Fright, and A Colonial Christmas, among others.
The last few years have seen several gallery openings at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse – the Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum, the Science and Technology Exhibit, and the Marshall Gallery on the extensively renovated second floor. All galleries will be fully open for the 2021 season. Throughout the day guides will sound the Fog Signal Whistle.
Over at Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, the Adventure Tour will return to operation for the 2021 season. A more robust daily events schedule will showcase the sawpit and sawmill, an extensive tour looking at what else happened historically at Historic Mill Creek, and guided nature hikes through the three miles of groomed hiking trails.
Two new publications will hit bookshelves in 2021. The first, Preservation at Mackinac – The History of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, 1895-2020, is an update to 100 Years at Mackinac, originally published in 1995 as part of the centennial celebration of Mackinac Island State Park. This updated version fills in the past 25 years and adds additional details to other events. The other publication, Pipes and Bottles or Bacchanalian Revels? The Truth About Robinson’s Folly, is a new vignette by Todd E. Harburn and Brian Leigh Dunnigan.
Finally, the last major new development will be the completion of road work along M-185. The road, which has been heavily damaged by high water levels the last few years, will be fully paved throughout the summer. While this may cause annoyances for the 2021 season, the completed road will allow visitors to explore the beautiful shoreline in peace for many years in the future.
“We were very pleased and fortunate to safely open last year,” Brisson said. “We’re optimistic for the 2021 season and excited to provide our guests with these new experiences to go along with the programming they’ve come to expect from us.”
Golfers looking to hit the greens, the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf outing is set for June 11.
The event, which is co-sponsored by the Grandville-Jenison chamber of Commerce and the Hudsonville Area Chamber of Commerce, will feature dining stations on the course. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy sliced prime rib, beet and chicken kabobs, and Coney Island as they play. Each station also features side dishes, chips, and desserts.
The golf outing, which is $110 per golfer or $400 for a foursome, will include 18 holes of golf with card, driving range, and putting green games such as closet to the pin contest, longest drive contest, and longest putt contest. Tee times begin at 8 a.m. with the event taking place at Gleneagle Golf Clbu, 6150 14th Ave., Hudsonville.
The annual even helps to raise for high school student scholarships in the three chamber areas. Those scholarships are the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber Foundation for Scholarships, Hudsonvlle Are Business Scholarship, Grandville Community Leader Scholarship, and Ted TerHaar Memorial Community Leader Scholarship.
To maintain social distancing, each group will be assigned a tee time. For more information or to register, visit the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, www.southkent.org.
Pandemics, politics and persistent social problems make our communities seem more fractured and polarized than ever. Yet, we must all live together and create communities where people are safe, prosperous and healthy. Kent District Library has partnered with World Affairs Council to present a three-part series focused on Community Resilience. This series tackles the ways we can all work together to create stronger communities, starting right here in Western Michigan.
The Community Resilience series is taking place online. People can attend the series virtually via the World Affairs Council’s YouTube page. Guests will have the ability to send in a question of the speaker-experts during the live presentations. They will also be able to watch them afterwards as archived videos.
Community Resilience: Towards a Newly Vital Midwest
Thursday, April 15, 6:30 p.m. Featuring John Austin, Director of Michigan Economic Center and Nonresident Senior Fellow with Brookings Institution and Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Wyoming City Planner Nicole Hofert
Community Resilience: Empowered People = Community Resilience
Monday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. Featuring Tarah Carnahan, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Treetops Collective, Willie Patterson III, Director of Community Engagement at LINC Up and Carlos Sanchez, Director of Latino Business and Economic Development Center at Ferris State University.
Community Resilience: Responsive Government = Community Resilience Monday, April 26, 6:30 p.m.
Featuring Nicole Hofert, City Planner for City of Wyoming, Stephen Kepley, Mayor of Kentwood, and Milinda Ysasi, Grand Rapids (2nd Ward) City Commissioner.
The World Affairs Council of Western Michigan empowers the people and organizations of West Michigan to engage thoughtfully with the world. For more information, visit www.worldmichigan.org.
One resident questioned the need for spraying for gypsy moths, while a few others stated they felt there needed to be more done to control the population during a public hearing at the Wyoming City Council’s April 5 meeting.
The City of Wyoming has annually sprayed parts of the city for the gypsy moth caterpillars which have a voracious appetite and can cause quite a bite of damage to trees, especially Oak trees.
At the April 5 night meeting, the City Council had its first public hearing about the overall gypsy moth spraying project for 2021. A second public meeting has been set for April 19 which will be specifically for the special assessment to property owners to cover the cost of the sprayings.
Gypsy moth caterpillar (Public Domain)
During the public hearing, one resident who lived near Lions Park said he questioned the need for the spraying as he has not seen any gypsy moths and felt that the spraying impacted other wildlife such as butterflies and birds. The spray used is a naturally occurring bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which, according to information provided, is not harmful to humans or animals.
However, a couple of residents, who live near Pinery Park, expressed concern that the gypsy moth caterpillar population seemed to be growing in the city and the need for the city to do more to help control it.
Mayor Jack Poll said they appreciate residents coming forward and letting them know what they see as they do relay that information back to the company that does the spraying, which is Hamilton Helicopters, Inc., to help target the gypsy moths.
The council did approve the project. The total cost of the project is about $65,700. It covers 868 acres at about $64.10 per acre.
The cost of the spraying is passed on to the homeowners in a special assessment. At its April 19 council meeting, the council will review the special assessment to property owners for the spraying. The special assessment will be $26 per standard residential lot that is less than one-half acre. The cost is $75 per treated acre for parcels that are larger than a half an acre. The amount would be added on the 2021 summer property tax bill.
Mayor Jack Poll
2021-2022 Budget
The Wyoming City Council will host a public hearing for its 2021-2022 budget on May 3 at 7:01 p.m. The proposed budget has more than $110 million in expenditures with the largest being for the general fund, $38.6 million, which includes all police and fire expenditures; water, $29.75 million; and sewer, $19.9 million.
The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. It is currently estimated to be 11.8947 mills.
Emergency Order
The City Council has extended its citywide emergency order until July 31. Poll noted that this was so the city continue to host its virtual meetings. He did state that the council would be hitting the road this summer, hosting meetings at several locations in the city.
Poll added that he hoped by July 31, the city would be done with virtual meetings.
Other City items
The City Council did award a $1.192 million bid to Wyoming Excavators, Inc. to replace the watermain along Wadsworth Street from Division Avenue to Buchanan Avneue, Michael Avenue from 44th Street to 42nd Street and DeHoop Avenue from Burton Street to Belfield Street. According to a staff report, the watermains along those streets were built in the 1940s and 1950s and “have reached the end of their useful life.” With engineering costs, the total project costs will be $1.3 million.
Beverly Avenue will be getting a new traffic signal to alert motorists and road users of approaching trains. The cost of the project is around $30,000 which will be reimbursed by the CSX Raildroad.
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre opens its doors for the first time in a year. (Supplied)
Live Theater Anyone?
For the first time in a year, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has opened its doors. This weekend, April 9-11, and next, April 16-18, the company is hosting the finals for Ten for All Festival. Earlier this year, playwrights were invited to submit a 10-minute original play or musical. The six finalists, which have received a $100 cash prize for winning their category, will be performed for two weeks with the opportunity to earn the Audience Choice Award and winning an additional $100. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.grct.org.
https://vimeo.com/532988366
A Free Program
This spring, the Grand Rapids Ballet is offering its “Spring Break for Kids 2021: Peter and the Wolf” performance for free. The performance is available through April 11. Spring Break for Kids is tailored specifically for youngsters, and this year features the story of “Peter and the Wolf,” with music by Sergei Prokofiev. Hear (and see) the musicians of the Battle Creek Symphony led by music director Anne Harrigan and watch the music come alive in a brand-new staging, co-choreographed by Artistic Director James Sofranko and Ballet Master Dawnell Dryja. To get the Vinmo link to the performance, register your email at grballet.com.
Snag a Book
Recently a group of local writers released the anthology “Lost and Found,” featuring nine original stories including one by WKTV Managing Editor K.D. Norris. While it is listed as romance, author and contributor Diana Lloyd said the book has something for everyone. So get a head start on collecting up those summer reads by snagging a copy. The book is available on Amazon.
O Canada, O McFlurry
That is correct. That wonderful sweet treat that has become associated with the Golden Arches originated from a franchise in Bathhurst, New Brunswick in Canada. Not much is said as to why the location started offering the treat but by 1997, it was available at all McDonald locations and since then each country that has McDonald’s has created its own special McFlurry. In the United Kingdom, they enjoy the Cadbury Cream Egg McFlurry, while in Japan, it is all about the Matcha McFlurry which we understand can rival the green of the United State’s Shamrock shake.
While dinning at a restaurant called The Whitney in Detroit, Beverlee Rydel took a photo that remains unexplained. The paranormal possibilities of this photo fueled a passion that lead to a 12-year crusade, often traveling tens of thousands of miles per year across Michigan to research paranormal activity. Rydel and her sister Kathleen Tedsen shared the adventure as they bravely ventured into a world of the unknown.
This paranormal pilgrimage and their tedious historical research culminated in Rydel and Tedsen becoming the award winning authors of “Haunted Travels of Michigan.” This three book series is a unique book and website interactive experience. Each story has its own “Secret Room” offering audio, video, and behind the scene colored photos online, where evidence can be reviewed. Rydel and Tedsen included several of Michigan’s top paranormal investigating teams at many of the haunted locations. Their common goal was to separate fact from fiction when it comes to ghost stories, urban legends, folklore, and myth.
Beverlee Rydel
Honorably, if the authors were investigating a location and “no ghostly activity was identified,” they made it clear, “didn’t turn up any paranormal evidence,” and were not afraid to say “no ghosts” here at this time. Hunting ghosts can be a hazardous hobby with inherent risks and real dangers and is not recommended for amateurs. The serious side of the supernatural is explored as Rydell and Tedsen detail accounts of demons and deliverance. Deliverance is needed when obsession nears possession and can be defined as an exorcism.
Rydel and Tedsen followed their highly successful “Haunted Travels of Michigan” book series with their final book, a collaboration titled “Stepping Into Darkness.” Gone but never to be forgotten, Rydel passed away before the book was completed. Tedsen completed the project with chapter one covering Eloise Psychiatric Hospital, considered to be one of Michigan’s top ten most haunted sites. The author’s special connection introduces the reader to “Mark” a patient at the hospital. The personal insights are astonishingly detailed and descriptive.
Kathleen Tedsen
Another chapter is titled, “Lost Boy of Mackinac Island.” In this story the sisters put together clues from the previous year and are able to encourage the spirit of a young boy to cross over to the other side. Channeling peace to the living and the dead is the ultimate goal of ghost hunters. According to Rydel and Tedsen, “Something does exist out there…Something that can’t be explained…Something paranormal.”
Disclaimer: Since my last article on Mackinac Island, I interviewed Todd Clements and he no longer supports the details of “The Drowning Pool” story.
