Earlier this month, the City of Wyoming hosted its first live broadcast of the Wyoming Gives Back.
Traditionally, the event is hosted at the Rogers Plaza Mall, but due to COVID restrictions on large gatherings, the event was broadcast live from the WKTV Community Media.
The program features music from Wyoming’s San Juan Diego Academy along with holiday greetings from city staff and council members including newly elected Councilor John Fitzgerald. There is also appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The program was hosted by Mayor Jack Poll and WOOD-TV8’s Michele DeSelms.
Click on the video above to see the entire show, or click here to look at the playlist.
Carillonneur, Julianne Vanden Wyngaard, poses for a portrait after practicing songs on the Beckering Family Carillon Tower on Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids Dec. 14. Vanden Wyngaard will perform a Christmas Eve concert where guests can drive up and “crack their windows just a little” to hear the music. (Photo courtesy of GVSU)
For the past 19 years, retired GVSU carillonneur Julianne Vanden Wyngaard has climbed the 112 steps of the Beckering Family Carillon Tower for a special Christmas performance — a performance that cannot be stopped by the current COVID pandemic.
Since it has always been a drive-up concert, the program does not have to make any changes to meet the 2020 gathering guidelines. So the free Christmas Eve Carillon Concert will take place at 9:30 p.m. on the Grand Valley State University’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus, 401 W. Fulton St.
Vanden Wyngaard said it was important to her to continue the tradition, which is celebrating a 20th anniversary. She performs from the playing cabin of the carillon, with the windows of the bell tower’s belfry open on all sides, knowing an audience that she doesn’t see has gathered in vehicles parked nearby. “Silent Night” always closes the concert.
“Then they just toot their horns and drift off into the darkness,” Vanden Wyngaard said.
She said the 9:30 p.m. concert is timed so that people with either evening or midnight services can still stop by to enjoy the music.
The concert is free and open to the public. Find more information here.
Constructed in 2000, the Beckering Family Carillon Tower is 151-foot carillon-clock tower that features 48 bronze-casted carillon bells by famed French foundry Fonderie Paccard, which has casted more than 120,000 bells that are throughout the world.
Tulip Time Festival has announced that the 2021 Festival will take place May 1 – 9.
Events currently being planned include: – Tulip Time Artisan Market, May 1 & 2 at the outdoor grounds of Beechwood Church on Ottawa Beach Road (previously held at Centennial Park) – Tulip Time Run, May 1, in person or virtual – A new Tulip Immersion Garden, May 1 – 9, at Dunton Park on Holland’s north side – Dutch Marktplaats, including the NEW Dutch Dance Costume Exhibit, May 1 – 8, to be held at Holland Civic Center Place
Widening the festival footprint beyond Downtown Holland and introducing timed ticketing for all events will allow guests to spread out and maintain a safe, steady flow in accordance with recommended social distancing and capacity guidelines. Details on these events and additional ticket information, including on-sale date, will be forthcoming.
According to Tulip Time organizers, the health and safety of visitors, volunteers, and community are of utmost importance, and Tulip Time will continue to follow the recommendations and directives of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the State of Michigan and the local health department. Planning during this ever-changing landscape is challenging, but organizers are optimistic.
Many festival favorites are yet to be determined, including Dutch Dance performances, the carnival, and parades. If Tulip Time can safely host a parade, it would likely be on Saturday, May 8, with no grandstand seating available. Indoor, fixed-seated events are not planned at this time.
Tulip Time has been a tradition in Holland for over 90 years. Thousands of community members have been involved in organizing and running the annual event and hundreds of thousands of visitors plan to make it a part of their spring celebration. Millions of tulips have been planted in Holland in anticipation of the annual event.
Organizers will continue to monitor national and local directives and adapt plans accordingly. For more on Tulip Time, visit tuliptime.com, follow on Facebook, and/or the email list www.tuliptime.com/about/join-mailing-list.
Christmas Button from Wurzburg Department store (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Founded in 1872 by Frederick W. Wurzburg, Wurburg’s was a popular department store in the Grand Rapids area from about the 1920s to the 1960s. There was even one in Wyoming’s Southland Shopping Center, now the 28th West Place (formerly Wyoming Village Mall). In 1951, Wurzburg’s took over the Herpolsheimer’s location at 101 – 103 Monroe NW, where the Grand Rapids Art Museum is now. Christmas was a special time at the store with thousands lining the streets around Wurzburg’s just to see the store’s animated Christmas windows. And like Macy’s in New York, Wurzburg’s also hosted the annual Santa Claus parade in downtown Grand Rapids.
The image is part of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections. To see more of the collection, visit www.grpmcollections.org.
At 6 a.m. today, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health began to vaccinate its employees with the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19.
“This vaccine will provide much-needed protection for our employees , who serve on behalf of our community on the front lines of the pandemic,” said Metro Health – University of Michigan Health President and CEO Dr. Peter Hahn. “This is a breakthrough moment. This is how we start to turn the tide in our long battle with COVID-19.”
One of the first Metro Health staff to be vaccinated, Dr. Gabriel Pedraza, director of critical care at Metro Health, agreed with Hahn.
“I am going to fee a lot more comfortable treating my patients, my COVID patients,” Pedraza. Pedraza said he trusts the Center for Disease Control and knows that the Federal Drug and Food Administration would not have approved something that would put people at risk.
“Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation out there,” Pedraza said. “I have looked at some of the data. I trust the CDC. I trust the FDA. They are not going to release an unsafe vaccine.
A Metro Health – University of Michigan staff person shows her vaccine record. (Supplied)
“This is a big moment for our country and for us and I really highly recommend that we all get vaccinated. I did. I do what I preach and I think it is very important that we all do that. I recommend that everyone can, get vaccinated.”
The Pfizer vaccine was the first to be approved by the FDA on Dec. 11. Shipments of the vaccine, which is made in Kalamazoo, started leaving the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Airport on Monday. The vaccine arrived at Wyoming’s Metro Health – University of Michigan Health on Thursday.
“This generation’s greatest minds have been working tirelessly on vaccines from almost the moment the pandemic began,” he said. “Soon we will have to do our part, by being vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to each of us.”
Hahn praised the historic scientific effort and rigorous evaluation that made a vaccine available this year.
Metro Health’s initial shipment was 975 doses, with more anticipated on a regular cadence over the weeks to come. Metro Health’s Human Resources team collected input from its own Infection Prevention experts and clinical leaders, along with guidance from the CDC, to develop tiers of vaccine distribution based on risk of exposure and role in daily operations.
“As vaccine supplies grow, we look forward to extending the vaccine’s protection beyond our walls by following the guidance of public health experts,” Hahn said. Hahn and other leaders plan to receive the vaccine as soon as they meet the distribution criteria.
“As an ICU physician and healthcare leader, I will urge everyone to do the same,” he said.
This photo is circa 1930–31. In the distance you can see the lighted dome atop the Grand Rapids National Bank (now the McKay Tower) Building and the new George Leland Stone facade is on The Stand Theatre and Prange buildings just south of Wurzburg’s.
The image is part of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections. To see more of the collection, visit www.grpmcollections.org.
At an early age, singer/songwriter Netty Bruce Manga, stage name Ney-T, discovered he had a knack for music as he was able to distinguish the different parts of harmony.
From the West African nation of Senegal (bordered by Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Gambia, and Mauritania), Manga recently sat down with Feel Like You Belong host to talk about his home country and his “passion for the rhythms of life.”
Netty Bruce Manga (WKTV)
Manga said that his mother was directing him more to what people call “respected jobs” such as a lawyer or engineer.
“But when I discovered my passion for music, it was a very big discussion,” Manga said during the interview.
Manga continued to head down a different career path until he bought himself his first guitar while in college. It was with that guitar that he discovered just how much music meant to him and that he needed to follow the calling.
Hosting Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters Paranormal Podcast and Cryptic Frequencies Blog Talk Radio show has introduced me to the spooky, weird, and strange world that surrounds us here in our Great Lake State. Michigan measures very high on the mysterious meter with Bigfoot, Dogman, and lake monster sightings, significant UFO sightings, haunted ships and lighthouses, roads, cemeteries, libraries, and museums. We profile mysterious people and places, authors and investigating teams and it’s my pleasure to share some supernatural insights, starting with one of our all-time favorite guests, Shetan Noir.
Noir recently joined us for a special WKTV, The Whole Picture Podcast Halloween episode #34 where we discussed urban legends and superstitions. We opened with the poem “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by A.H. Schacknofsky and co-host Brandon Hoezee offered insights into the half-truths and his own family connections to the legend of the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
Guest Shetan Noir dresses as a green mermaid during the Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters Paranormal Podcast special Halloween edition. (WKTV)
Co-host Kim Kolean presented evidence of the Allegan County “Melon Heads” with a disturbing photo image of what they might have looked like. The show also featured two of Noir’s books, “Lake Monsters and Odd Creatures of the Great Lakes” and “Mothman and Other Flying Creatures of the Midwest.” She shared an incredibly fascinating story of the Lake Superior Mermaid while dressed in costume as a shimmering green dragon lady.
My first encounter with Noir was during the 2018 Michigan’s Ghost Coast Paranormal Convention in Grand Haven. Noir was one of the featured speakers and during the day she asked to interview our team for her podcast Into the Liminal Abyss. Noir is an author and a journalist who has spent 25 years researching the paranormal in the field of cryptozoology, the search for or study of animals whose existence is disputed or unsubstantiated.
Currently Noir is the lead investigator for the Michigan Chapter of the North American Dogman Project as well as research into Lake Monsters, Mothman, Bigfoot, Nain Rouge. While ghost hunting might have been enough to keep most people busy, Noir found time to author several books. Noir’s amazing research chronicles actual eye witness accounts, historical testimony, real world explanations, hoaxes, fossil evidence, and artistic renditions of what these monsters might have looked like with detailed descriptions. Noir’s extensive research documents evidence of hundreds of people experiencing strange creatures at the same time with very similar descriptions by reputable well respected citizens, police, sea captains and crews, and collectively challenges the true definition of cryptozoology.
For more about Noir and her work, listen to the Grand Rapids Ghost hunters Paranormal Podcast at the WKTV Journal or on Facebook at The Whole Picture Podcasts.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) will be offering new educational programs for first through sixth graders available in-person or virtually during the holiday break in 2020.
Educational offerings will be available on a limited capacity basis for in-person Snowflake Break Camps and online Digital Discovery Sessions from Dec. 21 – 30, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Snowflake Break Camps and Digital Discovery Sessions will offer a variety of topics from holiday traditions to space exploration and LEGO® brick fun to watershed science.
“The Museum is looking forward to offering fun, educational programs for kids during their winter school break, whether in-person or virtually,” said Rob Schuitema, the GRPM’s Director of Public Programs. “These programs create environments that encourage students to get excited about learning, resulting in better content retention and curious minds that are eager to further explore history, science and culture.”
To register, visit grpm.org/EduClasses. There is limited capacity for both Snowflake Break Camps and Digital Discovery Sessions; early registration is recommended, discounts available for Museum members.
Digital Discovery Sessions
Online Digital Discovery Sessions are designed for kids to explore science, history, culture and more online and from the comfort of their home. Museum educators will lead digital learners through themed projects using Zoom and the platform SeeSaw. Digital Discovery Sessions are available Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December 21-30, and run for two hours. Morning and afternoon camps are available, with various topics. These sessions are designed for kids to work independently.
Participation will require access to the internet and the use of a device to watch presentations and complete activities. A recommended materials list is provided with each session description.
Digital Discovery Sessions are $20 per child, with a reduced rate of $10 per child for GRPM members.
Snowflake Break Camps
Beginning Dec. 21, kids can partake in small-group, in person camps at the GRPM to use the Museum as a learning lab, while interacting with artifacts and specimens, and conducting experiments to explore science, history, culture and more. Museum educators will lead small-group, hands-on learning experiences tied to classroom curriculum objectives.
Classes are available Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during Snowflake Break from Dec. 21-30, and run for three hours. Morning and afternoon camps are available, with various topics. Capacity is limited to eight students per session, to ensure a low risk environment. Students will be required to complete a COVID-19 screening prior to attending the session.
Snowflake Break camps are $40 per child, with a reduced rate of $30 per child for GRPM members.
GG Reindeer Farm will be open this Saturday to visit the reindeer.
Visit the Reindeer
Bring the family out this weekend and meet the reindeer at the GG Reindeer Farm, 3754 76th St. SE, Caledonia. Guests can feed apples to the reindeer and take pictures on Santa’s sleigh. It is free to visit but donations are appreciated and all events will be held outside. The reindeer will be taking visitors Saturday, Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The reindeer visits will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again on Friday, Dec. 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for more information.
The Crowds: The New Age will be at The Getty Drive-In this weekend. (DreamWorks)
Go to the Drive-In
It will be Christmas movie overload this weekend at the Getty Drive-In, 920 E. Summit Ave., Muskegon. Saturday will be ‘The Croods: A New Age” / “The Christmas Chronicles 2” and “Die Hard” / “All My Life,” and Sunday will include “Die Hard” / “All My Life,” and “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” / “Elf.” Movie time is 5:30 p.m. with tickets starting at $6.50. Children 5 and under are free.
Area restaurants have come up with creative ways to provide outdoor seating. (Photo by Experience GR)
Eating in a bubble
Oh we are all so tired of eating at home so area restaurants are providing an alternative: creative outdoor dining experiences. These experiences range from enclosed patios to eating in mini-outdoor domes and bubbles. Many of the locations are heated and often require reservations. As one person put it, “when are you going to get a chance to eat out like this in the dead of winter?” So snap up the opportunity and support those local restaurants. For a complete list of outdoor venues, visit Experience GR.
Fun Fact: KFC for Christmas dinner
In America, traditional Christmas dinner can range from turkey to cold cuts, but rarely does it include Kentucky Fried Chicken. However, in Japan KFC is the meal of choice for the holiday. The story is: hoping to establish KFC in the Japanese market, the manager of the first KFC marketed the fried chicken “party barrels” as a substitute to the American Christmas dinner of turkey. In 1974, KFC picked up the campaign and as Christmas became more popular in Japan, KFC became the holiday dinner of choice. Today, it is estimated 3.6 million Japanese families treat themselves to KFC on Christmas and is about five percent of Japan’s KFC’s annual revenue. Japan is third in sales for KFC behind the United States and China.
Christmas is just around the corner and that means the Christmas Lite Show is back with more than a million lights, colorful tunnels, and 50 animated displays for which guests can view from the comfort of their own vehicles.
“It’s great entertainment for the family and lots of lights and displays to see,” said the creator of the show William “Bill” Schrader.
After he became inspired by a friend who had a light show, Schrader decided to put together the Christmas Lite Show. At the time, he had just retired from the military after 28 years of service and wanted to do something different and exciting. The show has been going for 23 years and last year, more than 70,000 guests visited the site at Fifth/Third Ballpark.
“The show started out with a few generators and a few extension cords,” Schrader said. When the show first started back in 1997, a box of lights was less than a dollar to purchase. Still, Schrader said the display was small with charge only being $5 per car.
Every year, Schrader said he tries to add more to the show. Last year it was Tala the elephant, who entertained the crowds by shooting candy canes out of her trunk. This year, Tala has returned to the show with her two babies Lumi and Auggie. This past summer, there was a designed contest for a display for the show. The winner was 7-year-old Lucas Cummings. Cummings drew a big tunnel covered in red lights with a Santa hat on top. His winning design is now part of this year’s light show.
The Christmas Lite Show features more than 50 displays. (courtesy Christmas Lite Show)
Another addition to look for at the 2020 show is the patriotic scene. Last year’s American flag has been joined by the Statue of Liberty, which stands 18 feet hight. The area filled out with lots of red, white, and blue trees and arches.
Guests have the option to take the Memory Lane Train or drive through the Christmas Lite Show. On the Memory Lane Train, every seat on the train allows for a 365-degree view of the show and the night sky. The ride will take about a half-hour to weave through about the two miles of lights and guests are advised to dress warmly.
Though Covid-19 had put a damper on most of the year, it has only made a few small changes to the show, according to Schrader. This year, the Christmas Lite Show team implemented new safety measures to be sure guests are safe when they take a ride on the Memory Lane Train. There also is a socially-distanced waiting areas, designated spacing on the train, and regular sanitation between trips. Guests also are asked to wear masks when aboard the Memory Lane Train. In addition tickets for the drive-thru show are scanned without contact.
Typically it takes about half an hour to travel through the light show. Guests are welcome to take as many photos as they would like as long as they are not operating the vehicle. Guests are also instructed to stay in their vehicles and on the train.
The show will continue every night until Jan 2, 2021. The show takes place at Fifth/Third Ballpark on Sundays to Thursdays from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets start at $25 a car (depending on vehicle) and $60 for a row on the Memory Train, which seats up to four people. To learn more details or to book a group train ride, call or text 616-745-9955 or visit christmasliteshow.com.
Santa costume (Grand Rapids Public Museum/Creative Commons)
This photo is of the Santa Claus costume which was used at the Museum during the holiday season in the early 2000s. It was designed by Kenneth “Reggie” Harwood, a prominent costume designer from Grand Rapids who, for decades, worked in the Michigan theatre industry and also for Broadway Costumes in Chicago. He designed and fitted costumes for productions all over the United States. Shortly after moving back to Grand Rapids, he was tragically struck by a vehicle and passed away in 2006. This costume documents Harwood’s work and his talent as a prominent regional costume designer.
The image is part of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections. To see more of the collection, visit www.grpmcollections.org.
Each winter, the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) offers a curated selection of intimate piano concerts presented in its lobby. More than just a concert, these world-class musicians perform classical, modern, and jazz works; along with sharing stories and engaging with the audience.
This year the SCA is bringing the Hempy Keyboard Series performances straight to your living room through an exclusive livestream experience filmed from the Bertha Krueger Reid Theater in Saugatuck. After the performance, patrons can participate in a virtual Q&A session with the performers. Unable to watch the live show? A recorded version of the show will remain active for (72) hours after the live performance.
Tickets can be purchased individually or bundled together as part of a special Full Series Pass.
Every VIP package includes e-ticket access to each Hempy Keyboard Series concert plus a unique musical gift created by Maestro Robert Nance. During his Thursday, March 11, 2021 performance, Maestro Nance will debut a composition dedicated to and orchestrated around the names of Full Series Pass holders.
That is what many of us are wondering as we head into the holiday season. This image was sent to us by Kara Boorsma who adopted Collin (the cat) from Crash’s Landing. Collin was just checking out the great outdoors that day from the comfort of the porch.
Do you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week? Then send it to Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
Santa and Mrs. Claus take a moment for pictures before talking to local children. (WKTV)
Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and WOOD TV8’s Michele DeSelms were host for the Wyoming Gives Back live broadcast. (WKTV)
Helping out back stage were City of Wyoming’s Jennifer Stowell and Amanda Moore. (WKTV)
City of Wyoming’s Jennifer Stowell checks over the prizes for the raffle. (WKTV)
For Wyoming Gives Back 2020, the grand prize was a television. Other prizes included gift certificates and items. (WKTV)
The City of Wyoming’s Department of Public Works wishes everyone happy holidays. (WKTV)
Santa gets ready to take some calls from local children. (WKTV)
WKTV worked some magic to bring Santa calls to area children this year. (WKTV)
Local students connect with Santa and give them their Christmas lists. (WKTV)
Local children talk to Santa through Zoom. (WKTV)
Wyoming Police Chief Kim Koster and offices offer their holiday greetings to area residents. (WKTV)
Wyoming Fire Chief Brian Bennett (far right) and his staff wishes everyone a happy holiday. (WKTV)
Newly elected council member John Fitzgerald wishes everyone a happy holiday. (WKTV)
A close up of some of the this year’s Wyoming Gives Back prizes. (WKTV)
San Juan Diego Academy performs during the Wyoming Gives Back live broadcast. (WKTV)
San Juan Diego Academy performs at the Wyoming Gives Back live broadcast. (WKTV)
Santa takes a call. (WKTV)
Some of the magic to bring Santa and Mrs. Claus to area children. (WKTV)
Mrs. Claus said she was so excited to talk to children during the live broadcast of Wyoming Gives Back. (WKTV)
WOOD TV8’s Michele DeSelms receives a special thank you gift from the City of Wyoming for helping out with this year’s Wyoming Gives Back event. (WKTV)
Some of the WKTV crew who helped to make the Wyoming Gives Back live broadcast happen. (WKTV)
On Dec. 3, WKTV presented the first live broadcast of Wyoming Gives Back. The program was hosted by Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll and WOOD TV8’s Michele DeSelms and features prize drawings, a performance by Wyoming’s San Juan Diego Academy and a visit from Santa. Check out the photos to take a peek at just some of the fun that took place during the event.
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
May West, American actress, 1893 – 1980
Write a letter to Santa
Take some time and write a letter to Santa. Kids have until Dec. 18 to get their requests into Santa. Deliver your letters to the “North Pole” mailbox at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, or the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE. Letters can also be mailed to Santa’s P.O. Box at 8448, Kentwood, MI 49518. All letters will receive a response from Santa, just be sure to include your return address. For more details visit kentwood.us/letterstosanta.
Visit the Big Guy
Grab your family and drive over to Little Pine Island Camp for a drive-thru Santa visit. Along the path, there will be various stations full of refreshments, games, and takeaways. Attendees have to remain in their vehicles as they drive along the trail from station to station. The event is free to attend however it is asked that guests pre-register to ensure that all children attending the event will receive a gift. Little Pine Island Camp is located at 6889 Pine Island Dr. NE in Comstock Park. The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Take in a Christmas Lite Show
Grab your friends and family and take a drive through the Christmas Lite Show located at the Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 W. River Dr. NE. One of West Michigan’s largest, animated, drive-thru light shows is now celebrating its 23rd year of entertaining people of all ages. To drive through the show tickets start at $25 (price varies on the type of vehicle). There is also an option to take a ride through the show on the Memory Lane Train. Tickets for the train are $60 per row. Each row includes 4 adult seats and small children can sit on adults laps for free. The show takes place on Sundays to Thursdays from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 10 p.m. The show is open through Jan. 2. To learn more details or to book a group train ride, call or text 616-745-9955 or visit christmasliteshow.com.
(Supplied by Woodland Mall)
Fun Fact: Santa didn’t always wear red
Did you know that the big jolly man in the red suit with a white beard didn’t always look that way? Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa. He had a variety of looks from a tall lanky man to a short elf. He even once wore a green suit. It was Coca-Cola that helped create the modern image of Santa. In 1931, the company placed advertisements that showed a realistic Santa Claus wearing a red robe with white trim and the image stuck.
A guest selects some items from the Degage Christmas Store Express. The store will be open again this year with social distancing guidelines in place. (Supplied)
By Anna Johns WKTV Intern
The holiday season is expected to look different this year but Degage Ministries is not letting these hardships get in the way of Christmas. Degage Ministries annual Christmas Store Express has been going on for a number of years and this year will be no different, according to organizers.
The goal of the store is to help low-income and homeless residents of the Heartside neighborhood purchase holiday gifts for family and friends. They will be reselling household items, clothing, toys, and more to residents at reduced prices. The store will provide those in need an opportunity to feel dignity and value in not only choosing, but also paying for the gift items. Individuals who cannot afford the store have an opportunity to earn Degage dollars that they can use for shopping.
“This is a great way for people to bring the brightness of their lives to Christmas this year,” said Degage Ministries Event Coordinator Kristen Aidif.
Items sold at the store are donated by the community and Degage Ministries is currently looking for donations for the shop. This year, organizers have created an Amazon wishlist to make it easier for the community to help. Items can be purchased from the Amazon wishlist and will be sent directly to the ministry.
Another option is to purchase items listed on the wishlist and drop them off at any Center for Physical Rehabilitation location, which there is a location in the City of Wyoming at 1736 Gezon Pkwy., Suite 100, and near near the City of Kentwood at 7150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Suite B. These items should be dropped off unwrapped and donations must be received no later than Dec. 9.
The store will be open Dec. 16 and 17 at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. They are also looking for community volunteers and those who are interested can find more information here.
At this year’s Christmas Store Express event, participants and volunteers will need to wear masks and social distance the required six feet. (Supplied)
Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.
Oprah Winfrey
Scenes from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition and events. (Supplied)
Holiday Traditions Continue
This weekend get into the holiday spirit with a visit to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The Meijer Gardens currently has its Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibition on display. This exhibit features 46 trees and displays representing countries and cultures from across the globe and 300,000 lights throughout the grounds. In addition from 1-4 p.m. on the Saturdays leading until Christmas Day, visitors will have the opportunity to visit the “Rooftop Reindeer” and pose for photos with them. For more information visit the Meijer Gardens webpage here.
Penn & Tell Fool Us Magician Richard Preston presents a virtual show. (Photo by Stuart MacDonald)
A little old-fashioned magic
Head back to the 1960s for a little bit of magic and wonderment as magician Richard Preston presents his virtual Christmas Capers Magic Show on Saturday, Nov. 28. During the show, Preston will entertain viewers with a theatrical show full of life and mystery. Though the show is virtual, Preston said there will be audience participation, anecdotes, jokes, and more. The show is 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per household (and it doesn’t matter if you have 1 or 100 attending) and are available to purchase on Preston’s website.
Mathias J. Alten (American, b. Germany 1871–1938). The Striped Skirt, 1917. Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gift in Memory of Eleanore Alten Gilleo by her Family. (Supplied)
Stickley and Alten
Stroll through the Grand Rapids Art Museum to check out the work of one of the most influential painters from Grand Rapids, Matthias Alten. “Mathias J. Alten: An Enduring Legacy,” features works from the late impressionist painter who was active iduring the early to the mid-20th century. The museum also celebrates Grand Rapids furniture heritage with “Hand and Machine in Harmony: Regional Arts & Crafts,” featuring works from furniture manufacturers Charles P. Limbert and Albert Stickley and artist Forrest Mann. The museum is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 12 to 6 p.m. and Thursdays from 12 to 9 p.m. For tickets and other information, visit the Museum’s website.
Did you know that the first Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade had live animals? The first parade took place in 1924. More than 250,000 people attended the parade that year but it was barely covered by the media. The parade included animals from the Central Park Zoo, floats, and bands. Today the parade has become the longest parade in the world and is three hours long. While this year’s parade was prerecorded (less cheering crowds), it is estimated that more than 50 million people watched the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving parade from the comfort of their homes.
With all the holiday specials taking place this weekend, it is the perfect time to snatch up a couple of toys for the Wyoming Gives Back event.
Last year, there was one full truck at the Wyoming Gives Back. (WKTV)
For the past 10 years, the City of Wyoming has hosted the Wyoming Gives Back event. This year, due to COVID, the event will be broadcast live on WKTV Comcast Chanel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Mayor Jack Poll and Michele DeSelms from WOOD TV8 will emcee the program. The WKTV’s Facebook page and wktv.org will be live streaming the event as well.
Area residents have until Nov. 30 to drop off a toy to one of five collection sites in the city. When they drop off an unwrapped, new toy, residents will receive one raffle ticket per new toy just like in past events. On Dec. 3, the raffle drawing will take place with winning raffle numbers being announced. Winners will pick up their items form Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
Make sure to drop off a toy to one of the five collection sites by Nov. 30 to receive a raffle ticket. (WKTV Journal/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Wyoming Gives Back drop-off locations are:
Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, small toys, puzzle box-size or smaller, will be accepted at the drive-thru, all others will be by appointment only
“We decided to participate last year and did it again this year because we love to help and support our community,” said Katie DeBoer with Godwin Plumbing & Hardware, one of this year’s collection sites.
Last year, more than 800 toys were collected for donation, and it appears that this year’s event is on its way to meet last year’s goal with Marge’s Donut Den reporting it had already collected more than 200 toys.
Last year, the event raffled more than $4,000 in prizes and city staff have said they have some great prizes for this year’s event as well. But to be entered into the raffle, a resident must drop off a toy by Nov. 30.
Also as part of the fun, Wyoming Gives Back has added a Santa’s Kids Coloring Contest. Area students will be able to submit coloring pages or drawings for a chance to win a prize. Templates can be downloaded from the event webpage. Santa will be attending the live Dec. 3 broadcast, answering phone calls from area children and will be announcing the winners of the coloring contest.
For more about Wyoming Gives Back, visit the event page.
The Lakeshore Museum Center located in Muskegon (Supplied)
A new exhibit at the Lakeshore Museum Center aims to highlight quilts crafted by one dedicated woman. This exhibit will showcase a Muskegon woman who was well-known in the quilting world, but not recognized in her own community. The museum will be displaying the work of the late Rosie Lee Wilkins in Who is Rosie Lee Wilkins– Piecing Together Her History.
“I was inspired to research Rosie after realizing just how few people knew the story of this amazing woman,” said Collections Manager, Brenda Nemetz. “Parts of her history are still unrecorded and I think that’s what made the process so interesting. To many, pieces of her life were enigmatic.”
Lakeshore Museum Center will display just a fraction of the 100 quilts sewn by Wilkins herself. However, the quilts are only a small patch of Wilkins’ story, as visitors will find out. In addition to displaying some of Rosie’s work, the museum staff will share just how they managed to uncover so much of her history.
The exhibit is up through April 24, 2021, which visitors can enjoy at no additional cost. Museum admission is $5 for non-Muskegon County residents and free to those who live in the area as well as museum members. Guests may tour the exhibit during regular business hours, social distancing and masks are expected.
For more information about Lakeshore Museum Center events or exhibits, visit their website or call 231-722-0278.
From creative writing about apples to making music with ukuleles, area schools are offering innovative programming during the pandemic. Speaking of succeeding, if you were an essential worker from April 1 to June 30, you may qualify for the Future for Frontliners program. Scroll to the bottom for more information.
For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
There wasn’t much recognizable about Symone Gray’s apple, Martin Van Buren, after he got hit by a car in the Big Apple (School News Network)
Wyoming: Babysitting an apple
Ninth grade students at Wyoming High School get creative in their writing by telling the woes and tragedies of the apples they babysit. Want to get all the juicy sauce on this? Click here.
TEAM 21 Coordinator Ellen Veenkant tackled the change of coordinating the West Godwin Elementary’s drop-off and pick-up schedule (School News Network)
Godwin Heights: A real team player
With no parents allowed in its buildings due to COVID, West Godwin needed help coming up with a plan for pick up and drop off. TEAM 21 member Ellen Veenkant stepped up to the challenge, showing how much of a team player she is. For more, click here.
Kelloggsville music teacher Susan Iacovoni had to figure out a way to get her ukuleles to her students when COVID-19 restrictions meant they couldn’t come to the music room (Dianne Carroll Burdick)
Kelloggsville: Have cart, will travel
Some 140 years after the ukulele was introduced to Hawaii, in Kelloggsville schools, music teacher Susan Iacovoni is introducing her students to the “jumping flea” and watching with glee as their fingers make music, albeit haltingly at first. To learn more about the musical fun, click here.
Brookwood Elementary School Principal Lorenzo Bradshaw is the recipient of the 2020 NAACP Role Model Education Award
Kentwood: Prinicpal earns role model award from NAACP
This past October Kentwood’s Brookwood Elementary School Principal Lorenzo Bradshaw was virtually honored as the 2020 NAACP Role Model Education Award from the local Grand Rapids chapter of the association. Learn why Bradshaw tried to decline the honor and what he finds most rewarding about being in education by clicking here.
Adults attend a Kent ISD GED class (courtesy)
All Districts: Essential workers get high school diplomas thanks to state program
If you served as an essential employee between April 1 to June 30, you may qualify for Futures for Frontliners program. Through the program, eligible participants can earn a GED and/or job training or study at a community college such as Grand Rapids Community College. To be eligible, you must have worked at least 11 of the 13 weeks from April 1 to June 30. For more about the program, click here.
The year of 2020 has been less than stellar which maybe why many residents have turned to the holiday season for a little cheer with Christmas music and decorations.
Even the holiday shopping seems to have started a little earlier this year.
“I think people just needed something that was a little brighter right now,” said Woodland Mall Marketing Director Cecily McCabe. “With so many things that had to be cancelled or be put on hold, it was great that we were able to offer some of the holiday traditions people look forward to.”
One of those has been visits with Santa. The visits are a little different this year with families required to make a reservation. Children are not able to sit on Santa’s lap and a clear plexiglass window separates Santa from guests but he is still accepting Christmas wishes and there are opportunities for photos.
McCabe said the mall also expects to be able to accommodate all of those Black Friday shoppers.
“We are expecting brisk traffic throughout the event,” she said. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season. The shopping season is shorter this year, three weeks instead of around four, but shoppers have been out scooping up early deals. In fact, many of the stores have extended their Black Friday deals to start either before Thanksgiving or run through Saturday or Sunday. In years past, Black Friday deals end in the afternoon on Friday.
Also some of the stores are allowing shoppers to purchase doorbuster items online as well, McCabe said. By allowing holiday shoppers to do this, it is hoped it will help with the capacity limitations that were put on the stores from the recent Michigan Department of Health and Human Services partial shutdown order. In that order, it states that retail businesses may have up to 30 percent capacity and must provide line control for those wishing to enter a store.
“The stores all have different capacities because those are determine by a different formula,” McCabe said. “In our common areas we will be able to accommodate our Black Friday customers.”
For those looking to avoid crowds, several of the stores are offering personal styling seasons, where a person can book a time either before or after the store closes and sometimes during regular store hours, to come in and meet with a personal shopper.
While children will not be able to sit on Santa’s lap this year, he is still collecting Christmas wishes at Woodland Mall. (Supplied/Woodland Mall)
Woodland Mall also recently announced an online and hybrid shopping opportunities through its website.
The mall’s online sMall surprises Holiday Collection features three different gift packages. Through the Mall2Go program, guests can order from several of the mall stores and either pick up at the store or at designed curbside locations. There are both stores and restaurants participating in the Mall2Go program.
McCabe noted that the recent order does not allow dine-in at any restaurant but that restaurants at Woodland Mall, like many others, are offering take out.
For those wishing or planning to visit the mall in-person, McCabe had a few suggestions: if possible, shop early; if you are looking to avoid the crowds, come either Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday, because “while the traffic will be brisk the mall won’t be as jammed”; and to take advantage of the curbside delivery.
The mall will have extended holiday hours over the weekend, Friday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 6 p.m. Hours through the holidays will be 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday with Dec. 20 hours being 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A popular pastime for many during the holidays it to tour through the holiday displays at the Grand Rapids Public Museum or the trees at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, but with the new Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recent partial shutdown has left many asking, are these places still open?
The answer is yes, according to Kate Kocienski, vice president of marketing and public relations for the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
“For us, we will continue with our limited capacity,” Kocienski said, adding that the the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium will be close for the three weeks and the museum’s organ concerts have been switched to virtual.
The same holds true for the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park which will open its “Metro Health Christmas and Holiday Traditions” Tuesday, Nov. 24. According to a release from the Gardens, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some exhibition elements and activities will be altered to allow for physical distancing. Also because capacities have been limited — indoor facilities are only allowed to be at 30 percent capacity — there may be times when admission will be slightly delayed during peak times.
Remember masks are required at any indoor facility. Also before visiting call or check the organization’s website.
Here is a rundown of what is currently at the exhibition sites in Grand Rapids:
The Grand Rapids Public Museum recently opened the exhibit “Wild Connections, featuring more than 20 Lego sculptures. (WKTV/Anna Johns)
Grand Rapids Public Museum
“Wild Connections,” more than 20 Lego sculptures done by artist Sean Kenney, opened in November and runs through May 2. Dec. 8 -1 9 is “Incoming!,” interactive experiences exploring space from current NASA missions. The program is narrated by George Takei, best known as Hikaru Sulu from Star Trek. On Dec. 18 will be a virtual organ concert by organist Lance Luce. The 7 p.m. performance will feature a selection of holiday music. Tickets for the concert are $5/ museum members and $10/general admission.
For tickets and other information about the Grand Rapids Public Museum, visit www.grpm.org.
Mathias J. Alten (American, b. Germany 1871–1938). The Striped Skirt, 1917. Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gift in Memory of Eleanore Alten Gilleo by her Family. (Supplied by GRAM)
Grand Rapids Art Museum
The Grand Rapids Art Museum has three exhibits: “Mathias J. Alten: An Enduring Legacy,” which features a collection of paintings by the local artist; “Hand and Machine in Harmony: Regional Arts & Crafts,” featuring the craftsmanship of furniture manufacturers Charles P. Limbert and Albert Stickley and artist Forrest Mann; and opening Dec. 5, “Interwoven Legacy,” featuring the black ash basketry of Kelly Church and Cherish Parrish. Black ash basketry is a traditional Anishinaade art form of basket weaving.
For tickets and other information about the Grand Rapids Art Museum, visit artmuseumgr.org.
Scenes from Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition and events. (Supplied/Dean VanDis)
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Lots of holiday favorites are opening at the Gardens this week such as the “Metro Health Christmas and Holiday Traditions this Tuesday, Nov. 24. In conjunction with the Holiday Traditions display, there will be Virtual Santa Visits from 5 – 8 p.m every Tuesday from Nov. 24 up until Christmas. and the reindeer will be visiting starting Saturday, Nov. 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. and every Saturday leading up to Christmas. The Gardens also will be hosting a “Wee” are Thankful, a Facebook Live event at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 27 for littles ones to learn and celebrate the meaning of thankfulness. The Gardens also will be hosting winter walks and other activities.
Following national policy, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum has been closed since March 14. Check its website, fordlibrarymuseum.gov for updates.
Persevering through a pandemic, school systems and nonprofit organizations in Wyoming sought financial support. The Wyoming Community Foundation stepped in to help provide relief aid to some of these organizations in addition to their annual grant recipients.
This past summer, the foundation provided $5,000 evenly split among two nonprofits for hunger relief/food bank support: Family Network of Wyoming and United Church Outreach Ministries. Karrie Brown, executive director of development for Family Network of Wyoming, said her organization would be using the funds to create a mini-shopping during their pantry experience. UCOM will use its $2,500 to provide affordable access to nutritious locally grown produce.
“In terms of our funding, we saw a definite increase in the amount of organizations who are looking for funding,” said Wyoming Community Foundation Chair Greg King. “We had a lot of nonprofit organizations reaching out asking for input, and for funding especially with COVID-19.”
This year the foundation received 14 grant applications in comparison to the 10 applications received in 2019, 11 in 2018, and seven in 2017.
The 2020 grant recipients:
Affinity Mentoring – $2,000 to transition to virtual mentoring in order to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and provide equitable access to academic, relational support to students.
Feeding America West Michigan – $2,000 to support three Mobile Food Pantries, which provide food assistance for the Wyoming community.
HOPE Gardens – $600 to expand Team 21 in-class garden curricula and after school programming to Godfrey Elementary and Lee Middle Schools.
SLD Read – $500 to provide tutoring services, including assessments and individual tutoring, to address educational difficulties as a result of school closures.
United Church Outreach Ministry – $2,500 to provide affordable access to nutritious locally grown produce.
Godwin Heights Public Schools – $1,500 to support the Lower Elementary Sensory Walk at West Godwin Elementary.
Another need is volunteers to join the The Wyoming Community Foundation’s board and its Youth Advisory Committee which oversees grant-making for organizations that benefit Wyomig youth.
If you are interested in joining the Wyoming Community Foundation board or looking for more information you can visit grfoundation.org/wyoming
The Wyoming Community Foundation is a regional affiliate of Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Annually the organization selects grant recipients. Applicants for these grants must be nonprofit organizations that are based in the Wyoming area or are doing work to make necessary improvements in the Wyoming community.
The Kent County Board of Canvassers announced it has certified the Kent County results of the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election.
“The work that the canvassers do is critically important as it’s the final checks-and-balances in our process,” said Kent County Clerk Lisa Poshumus-Lyons. “I want to commend our Board of Canvassers for their diligent work and dedication to reaffirming that Kent County’s election was secure, accurate, and transparent.”
Lisa Posthumus-Lyons
The Board of Canvassers convened on Thursday, Nov.5, meeting each weekday, open to the public, until completing the canvass Tuesday, Nov. 17. The law requires the canvass to be completed no later than two weeks after each Election Day. The official county canvass documents will be delivered Wednesday to the state Bureau of Elections for inclusion in the statewide canvass. With the canvass concluded, candidates have until Monday, Nov. 23, to request a county-level recount.
Now that the canvass is completed, and after statewide certification, the County Clerk’s office will conduct the legally required post-election audits in randomly-selected precincts to perform a number of additional measures to verify that the election was administered correctly and that results were accurate. Among those additional steps is the conduct of manual hand-recounts of the ballots in two contested races
“Michigan’s process of conducting elections is deliberative and extensive. Counting every legal vote accurately is our number one priority, and we spend a month after every election to ensure that Kent County elections are secure, transparent, and fair,” Lyons said.
Only three days left for guests to enjoy John Ball Zoo for the 2020 season. Guests can get their last visits for the year to see the red pandas, along with the chimpanzees, meerkats, lions, bears, tigers and the other amazing animals from Friday, Nov. 20 – Sunday, Nov. 22.
Along with many new babies, including red pandas, armadillos, Canada lynx and others, the Zoo had had other exciting additions for the 2020 season. Guests are now welcomed by a new front entry valley, which includes a winding ADA compliant entry pathway, along with new restrooms, concession stand and groundwork to bring new animals into the Zoo family.
With the increased cases of COVID, the Zoo will require all guests ages 5 and older to wear a mask at all times and everywhere in the Zoo, including outdoor spaces. They also have again reduced guest capacity within the Zoo to allow space for social distancing.
With limited admission tickets available, guests are highly encouraged to reserve their timed tickets ahead of time to guarantee their preferred date and time. Tickets are available at www.jbzoo.org. John Ball Zoo will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For more information about the John Ball Zoo, visit jbzoo.com.
Mr. Kjillstrom (grandfather), Oscar Kjillstrom (son), and Clifford Kjillstrom (grandson), all cabinetmakers at Union Furniture Company. The Union Furniture Company was destroyed by fire in 1886. (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that it recently published all of its Collections records and the vast majority of its 150,000+ digital images under a Creative Commons Zero License. This license denotes that the GRPM has dedicated the images – photographs of artifacts, specimens, scans of photographs, catalogs, etc. – to the Public Domain so that they can be downloaded directly and used freely by anyone, anywhere, at any time.
“This is part of GRPM’s vision of broad accessibility, including accessible Collections and sharing knowledge for all,” said the Museum’s President and CEO Dale Robertson. “Through this Creative Commons licensing, anyone who finds one of our resources can download and use it for no charge, without having to get special permission. This is especially nice for our educational K-12 partners, students, teachers, researchers, authors, media creators and anyone with interest.”
The GRPM’s Collections can be explored at grpmcollections.org. Images can be downloaded for educational and personal use by using the “Download Media” button associated with that image on the GRPM’s Collections Database.
Rectangular iron, tin and wood case has stepped sides. Four rubber-covered wheels. Friction rotation. Two hinged dustpans; one lever. Single brush. Plain brackets; nickel and enamel trim. Handpainted floral motif in orange, green, yellow and gold. Stencil: ‘Bissell’s Grand Rapids.’ Previous # X120.;Collected by Bissell in or before February 1894..;Collected by Bissell in or before February 1894.. Collected by Bissell in or before February 1894. (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
“It is our belief that as a public institution, dedicated to the stewardship of these Collections, we have a duty to make them as accessible as possible,” said the Museum’s Chief Curator Alex Forist. “Publishing our Collections data and images under a Creative Commons Zero license removes so many barriers like fees, permissions, and citation requirements. We have been working hard for years to create this content, and we want to make it as simple as possible for anyone to find and use.”
There are a few exceptions to the new policy and a small number of images are classified as either “Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommericial-NoDerivitaves” or “Restricted” when the GRPM does not have the rights to place the image in the Public Domain. Full rights information can be found at: https://www.grpmcollections.org/About/Terms
Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that helps overcome legal obstacles to the sharing of knowledge and creativity. In order to fulfill their mission, Creative Commons provides Creative Commons licenses and public domain tools that give every person and organization in the world a free, simple, and standardized way to grant copyright permissions for creative and academic works; ensure proper attribution; and allow others to copy, distribute, and make use of those works. Creative Commons works closely with major institutions and governments to create, adopt and implement open licensing and ensure the correct use of CC licenses and CC-licensed content. Additional information can be found at
The Hackley and Hume homes in Muskegon will be open for holiday tours. (Supplied)
By Adrienne Brown-Reasner West Michigan Tourist Association
The Hackley & Hume Historic Sites at Lakeshore Museum Center are proud to return with a beloved family tradition. From Saturday, November 28th, to December 30, guests have the chance to view the Historic Houses dressed for the holidays during the 2020 Holiday Tours.
“We’re so excited to continue the tradition this year,” said Program Manager Erin Schmitz. “Despite how different 2020 has been, we are thrilled to bring back holiday tours that families have come to know and love.”
This year, LMC had the help of Linda Potter & Cathy Norkus, the Women’s Division Chamber of Commerce, Janet Arndt & Barb Lloyd, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Shoreline Victorian Ladies Society, Minerva Dill Questers, the Greater Muskegon Women’s Club and Merilee & Friends who volunteered to decorate the site.
Experience the houses this holiday season on this 45-minute guided tour as you explore through the Hackley and Hume Houses all decorated for Christmas while learning the history of our many holiday traditions! In addition to touring the homes, Perry’s Pines will be selling trees in the courtyard throughout the season.
Additional holiday tour dates are as follows: ● Saturday, November 28 from 2-7 pm ● Sunday, November 29 from 2-7 pm ● Saturday, December 5 from 2-7 pm ● Saturday, December 12 from 2-7 pm ● Saturday, December 19 from 2-7 pm ● Tuesday, December 29 from 2-7 pm ● Wednesday, December 30 from 2-7 pm
Hackley and Hume members receive free admission during all of the holiday tour days/hours. For non-members, tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and older, and $5 for kids ages 2-12. Space is limited, and tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information about the Hackley and Hume Historic Homes or their upcoming events, call (231) 722-7578 or visit their website.
Six members from the Grand Rapids Public Museum were recently recognized for their efforts to help clean two museums in Midland, Michigan, after a flood in the community. (Supplied)
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that six members of the Museum’s staff have received the “Clean Up Warriors Award” from the Michigan Museums Association (MMA). The individuals are being recognized for their efforts in assisting with the cleanup at the Midland Area Historical Societyand the Sandford Centennial Museum this spring after two dams failed the Midland area, causing the museums to flood.
Those being recognized include:
Stevie Hornyak, GRPM Exhibits Specialist
Sarah Humes, GRPM Associate Registrar
Kelsey Laymon, GRPM Curatorial Assistant
Monica Taylor, GRPM Curatorial Assistant and Photographer
Jake Van Wyk, GRPM Collections Technician
Holly Waldenmeyer, GRPM Registrar and Collections Manager
“Congratulations to the team members of the GRPM staff for receiving this recognition for their efforts,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the GRPM. “This work, all voluntary, was done under very difficult circumstances, in the midst of a pandemic. Their dedication to our community, state and museums does not go unnoticed.”
“It was an incredible opportunity to use our knowledge and skills to help the Midland Area Historical Society and the Sanford Centennial Museum, when the flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic were causing mass devastation. Our team joined forces with their staff to care for and save as many artifacts and records as possible.” said Sarah Humes, Associate Registrar at the GRPM. “On behalf of all of us from the GRPM that are receiving the Clean Up Warriors Award, we want to thank MMA for this recognition.”
Grand Rapids Museum staff lent their experience and expertise to museums in Midland that experienced a flood earlier this year. (Supplied)
Every year, the Michigan Museums Association presents awards members for exceptional programs, exhibits and individuals that made an impact during the year. 2020 has been challenging on many fronts, and this year the MMA will celebrate its members, individuals and institutions that supported, adapted, and innovated throughout the year.
A celebration led by the MMA of all 2020 award winners will take place via Zoom on Thursday, November 19 at 3 p.m. The celebration is open to the public; registration required. A full list of awards can be found here: http://michiganmuseums.org/2020-Awards/.
Wit is the key, I think to anybody’s heart, because who doesn’t like to laugh?
Julia Roberts
Last Weekend for IllumiZoo
Don’t miss out on the last chance to see IllumiZoo at the John Ball Zoo! IllumiZoo is a Glenlore Tale about our connection to the earth and its wildlife around us. The the colorful trail goes dark after Sunday, Nov. 15. It is open from 6 p.m. to midnight. The final night will feature an array of symphonic music from Gershwin to Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and Beethoven to lead you through the display of colors and lights.
The Comedy Project is located at 540 Leonard Ave. NW (The Comedy Project)
See a Comedy Show
After a long week we all just need a good laugh sometimes. The Comedy Project is hosting a reduced capacity show Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, from 8 to 9 p.m. The show will include a mix of improv and “best of” comedy skits. The seats may be limited but the bar is not, so grab a friend and treat yourself to some well needed laughter.
Photo courtesy of the Grand Rapids Ballet
Watch a Virtual Ballet Performance
The Grand Rapids Ballet is kicking off its virtual season this weekend with it’s program Business as (un)Usual. The program includes a piece by Beyoncé choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie as well as a selection by Grand Rapids Ballet’s Artistic Director James Sofranko with features a collaboration with violinist Gene Hahn. Also featured in the performance is company dancer Yuka Oba-Muschiana and more. “Tickets” to watch the virtual program can be purchased online for $15.
Fun fact: Getting all the marbles
You think counting absentee ballots is tough, how about marbles? Since the 1960s, the Africa country Gambia has been voting with marbles. Color-coded drums with the candidates picture affixed on them are placed at each voting place. Voters put their marble in the drum of the candidate they want. A bell rings to let the official know a ballot has been cast. If the bell rings more than once, the official knows the person has cheated. At the end of the voting period, the drum is emptied and the marbles are counted to determine who won or rather, who got all the marbles.
The Fornosan Clouded Leopard looks mournfully at the passerby while in the distance a large yellow construction truck sits on top of the remanence of a forest; the forest that was once his home.
Today animals are going extinct at rapid rates. The Fornosan Clouded Leopard is an example of this as it was driven to extinction by habitat destruction and illegal hunting. According to the World Wild Life organization, over the past 40 years there has been a 60% decline in the size of animal populations. In Michigan, there are currently 25 species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is working to being attention to this important topic in its latest exhibit “Wild Connections,” which features more than 20 Lego sculptures that explore mankind’s relationship with nature.
“In this exhibit you will be able to explore larger than life Lego creations such as wildlife, plants and insects, as well as how humans interact with nature, ” said GRPM Marketing Manager Alee’a Cherry. “This exhibit appeals to everyone of all ages and it also bridges art, creativity, and science,”
The artist behind the exhibit Sean Kenney, who uses the toy blocks to explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems, and mankind’s relationship with nature. The exhibit highlights animals big and small and explores the balance of ecosystems, predator/prey relationships, as well as the relationships between humankind and the natural world.
Kenney lives in New York City and understands the importance of preserving nature. He believes that everything in nature is interconnected and this exhibition allows visitors to appreciate both nature and the sculptures as something beautiful. His goal is to celebrate the inherent beauty in nature and to protect animal habitats.
“Growing Ideas” (WKTV Journal/Anna Johns)
Of the 20 sculptures, Cherry said she could see a couple become fan favorites.
“The bike because it is so large and you feel like you can get right on and ride it,” she said with a laugh.
Near the large red tricycle, is “Growing Ideas,” another piece that Cherry said she believes will also be a fan favorite.
“Being able to see all the intricate parts of the city created in Lego bricks is just truly amazing,” she said.
This piece, which is a large-scale city scape with a cloud of ideas hanging over, was built with more than half a million Legos and was one of the biggest projects Kenney and his team ever took on. The Legos represent ideas that fall from the tree raining down onto the city showing that inspiration and creativity have no limits.
“Deforestation” (WKTV Journal/Anna Johns)
In addition to the exhibit, visitors have the opportunity to participate in interactive activities. Guests can pose for a Lego-themed photo or follow the animal tracks for a scavenger hunt. They can also test their skills with challenges such as “How far can you jump?,” and “How tall are you in Legos?”
“We hope that people walk away with the inspiration to create something,” Cherry said. “We want to make sure people go home with the information they need to research more, make informed decisions, and also create.”
“Wild Connections” is open until May 2, 2021. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children with discounts for museum members and Kent County residents. Advanced ticketing is required and tickets can be purchased at https://www.grpm.org/legos/.
Welcome to the Traffic Tuesday question. Each week, the question will be posted on Tuesday, and the answer posted Thursday.
Question: An officer is called to an odd/even parking violation in the middle of January. When the officer arrives, there are two vehicles parked in violation of the odd/even ordinance. What enforcement action can occur, according to the ordinance?
The vehicles can be given a ticket or warning
The vehicles can be given a ticket or warning, and towed to the correct side of the roadway to make room for the plows
The vehicles can be given a ticket or warning, immediately towed, and impounded at the owners expense
I’m not sure, I’ll check back Thursday!
The answer is 1) The vehicles can be given a ticket or warning. Vehicles are not towed for a first time violation of the odd/even ordinance.
The City of Wyoming’s odd/even parking takes affect Dec. 1. It is enforceable from midnight to 7 p.m. Cars are to be parked on the even numbered addresses on even numbered calendar days. On odd number days, residents may park in front of the odd number addresses. Those in cul-de-sacs may only park on the street on even numbered calendar days. Streets with “No Parking,” signs will continue to have no parking restrictions.
The odd/even parking is designed to allow the city’s snow plow trucks to be able to clear the streets after a snowfall.
Going back to school is not the easiest path. There is, of course, the financial considerations, but if you have a full-time job and family, there are those obligations as well.
Aquinas College tries to offer a number of options for class times to make it convenient for working adults. (Supplied)
“It was tough, not gonna lie,” said Christine Lentine, senior director of Finance and Administration for Kids’ Food Basket, who recently attended and completed Aquinas College’s undergraduate CPA prep program. “I have a great husband who knows that this would require some extra work for him and balancing home life was good. Professionally, your regular job doesn’t stop when you have an exam. It was definitely a labor of love balance throughout the semester. And I did it.”
Another thing that made returning to the hallow halls easier was the 20% tuition discount offered by Aquinas College to members of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Now is the day and age to take action” said Brenda Hennink, Aquinas’s director of Adult Student Recruitment. “There’s a sense of urgency to fill some of the talent gaps which have been heightened due to circumstances. The need to stand out has been increased.”
There’s always the hesitation of not having enough time to commit to schooling for full-time workers with personal lives outside of school, according to Hennink, adding that Aquinas tries to work within those personal schedules offering both daytime and evening courses to benefit busy day-time schedules with limited programs of study for evening courses.
The only requirements to participate in the tuition discount is that person must be at least 23 years of age and the company they work for is a member of the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
The only requirements for the Aquinas tuition program for WKACC members are the person must be at least 23 years of age and that work full-time or pastime for a business they work for is a member of the WKACC. There is no limit to how many members can use the discount and it can be used for a degree or non-degree.
Classes at Aquinas start every eight weeks so enrollment is when it is most convenient to the student, Hennink said, adding that the discount lasts for seven consecutive years or until a degree is received, whichever comes first.
Continued eduction provides an avenue for personal growth, according to Lentine, which is perhaps why several WKACC members, like Lentine, have taken advantage of this discount.
“It’s really important to not just fall into the status quo and not improve, to make sure we’re improving each day better than the day before,” Lentine said. “Especially at a nonprofit organization, our community is entrusting us with their donor dollars and staff time. And the work that we put into the community depends on the quality of our staff’s education. And so while it can be tough for short-term the long-term payoffs are going to be worthwhile for you as a professional as well as for the team you work with and your company.”
But is the discount worth it?
“Definitely,” Lentine said. “Any type of discount is really helpful. So it not only influenced my decision to go back to school but also to be at Aquinas as opposed to a larger online university for those classes.”
People have danced on its staged. They have ice skated in its circle. They have sat on its steps to admire the Grand Rapids Art Museum and other surrounding landmarks in Michigan’s second largest city.
There is no doubt that Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle has become the epicenter of the City of Grand Rapids with an array of festivals, performances, and civic event taking place there. In fact, the amount of use Ecliptic has received has surpassed original expectations by nearly two-thirds more foot traffic than planned. As a result, the original materials are coming to the end of their useful lives.
“Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle has hosted numerous important moments in Grand Rapids history since its installation in 2000,” said Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI) president Tim Kelly. “Over 700,000 visitors each year use the park for recreation, entertainment, civic gatherings and much needed breathing space in a growing city. It’s imperative that we all contribute to the well-being of this asset.”
It is why a group of volunteers have come together through Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle Conservancy with the mission to restore, elevate and preserve the cherished landmark that was created as a work of art by the internationally renowned artist Maya Lin. Formed in 2018, Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle Conservancy is a partnership between the City of Grand Rapids and the DGRI.
Tripp Frey, leads the nonprofit Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle Conservancy. (Supplied)
“Public spaces have been and will continue to be a vital part of our society and the proposed restoration project intends to restore, elevate and preserve Ecliptic for the next century,” said Frey Foundation’s Tripp Frey, who is leads the nonprofit Conservancy. “In its first 20 years, it has become a beating heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Our goal with this effort is to preserve its integrity and beauty for future generations to experience and enjoy.”
The Conservancy is close to engaging construction firms to provide upgrades to the nearly 20-year-old Maya Lin-designed artwork at downtown Grand Rapids’ Rosa Parks Circle. The Conservancy has received significant support from various sources and is now finalizing plans that will ensure the Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle continues to serve visitors and residents of Grand Rapids for the next one hundred years.
Construction is planned to begin in spring 2021 with an expected completion date of Sept. 6, 2021, exactly 20 years to the day after the original dedication of the park.
This collaboration has resulted in the planning of a restoration project that will renovate the current artwork and park structures, upgrade each feature with new and more durable materials, and provide way showing and interpretive moments to make the artwork and park more accessible to visitors and community stakeholders.
Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle was named one of the American Planning Association’s Top-Ten Great Public Spaces in America in 2017, for excellence in urban planning and usage including stakeholder engagement at the local, state and federal level.
The amount of use Ecliptic has received has surpassed original expectations by nearly two-thirds more foot traffic than planned. (Supplied)
“Ecliptic is such a treasure to Grand Rapids, and now we are seeing the impacts of incredible use over the years, “ said David Marquardt, director, Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation. “This effort will ensure the longevity of the park as a work of art and as a place of meaning for the residents of Grand Rapids.”
To learn more about the renovation and fundraising efforts, individuals can go to the Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle Patronicity site at www.patronicity.com/ecliptic.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced a new family-fun experience with the Grand Rapids Santa virtually for 2020. Santa can visit families virtually through a LIVE Zoom chat or downloadable video message to the kids or entire family.
Santa will be making Zoom calls to families at a pre-scheduled time, or families have the option to receive a downloadable customized video message directly from Santa. Purchases of a Virtual Santa message or Zoom chat support the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be staying at the North Pole until Christmas Day but will be calling to visit with local children. (Supplied)
“Knowing that many holiday traditions will likely look different this year, the GRPM is offering a safe way for families to visit with Santa,” said Gina Schulz, vice president of development for the GRPM. “The entire family will have fun with either a call from Santa directly or a customized message to play anytime you’d like. Each purchase also supports the Museum’s ongoing exhibits and programs.”
Direct calls from Santa will cost $35. Calls will take place over Zoom. Downloadable videos will cost $30 and videos will be emailed directly from Santa to the purchaser. Videos will be available for purchase through Dec. 13, and for those looking for a last-minute gift from Santa, live Zoom calls will be available from Dec. 14 – 21 for $45. Virtual Santa messages and Zoom calls can be reserved or purchased at grpm.org/Santa or by calling 616-929-1700.
