Taylor “Tay” Terry performs her play rehearsal in front of a webcam and green screen for the upcoming production of The Revolutionists. Terry is playing the role of Marie Antoinette. (Supplied)
Performances are next week for the virtual production of a play presented by the Grand Valley State University theater program.
The presentation of “The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 9, 11 and 13.
Auditions and rehearsals were conducted over screens and traditional staging is reimagined for the virtual world. Each actor will occupy a small room individually while interacting virtually with cast members during the performance. The technical crew will take images obtained through webcams in each room and feed them into a streaming system for the audience to see.
Madison Williams performs her play rehearsal in front of a webcam and green screen for the upcoming production of The Revolutionists. Williams is playing the role of Marianne Angelle. (Supplied)
The cast for “The Revolutionists” is four characters. The play is described as an “irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.”
Karen Libman, professor of theater and production director, said the goal is to carry on while facing the same challenges that all theaters are facing worldwide due to the pandemic. She also wants to ensure that the production stays true to the performing art by having the element of liveness that is inherent in theater.
“How can we do theater differently to continue to be able to practice our art and bring these performances to audiences?” Libman said. “How can we bring some kind of interactivity, some kind of liveness, so that it will not be like watching a film but will continue what is special to the discipline of theater?”
Binder Park Zoo recently announced that a baby black and white colobus monkey was born in the early hours of Oct. 31 at the zoo.
Parents Usi and Nairobi produced the offspring, whose gender has not been determined yet, upon a breeding recommendation of an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan. The event marks the first birth of a primate in almost five years at the zoo when a black mangabey monkey was born in October of 2015.
The “baby monkeys are born with their eyes open and a strong grip which they need to cling to mom,” said Kelsey Miller, lead keeper at Binder Park Zoo. “We’re really happy that this little one is alert, appears healthy and is demonstrating a good strong grip.” Other than observing and providing basic care, keepers maintain a “hands-off” approach with the new family to encourage their natural parenting instincts. “Nairobi is showing that she is a calm and attentive mom to her baby and we see Usi being protective of them both”– the behaviors we hope for, especially for first-timers,” Miller said.
Colobus monkeys have lived at Binder Park Zoo since 1998. The Monkey Valley exhibit opened in 1999 and remains an engaging “in-the-round” exhibit where two primate species coexist – the black and white colobus and black mangabeys. The current colobus troop consists of three monkeys; male Usi, his mate Nairobi and a female named Puddin’. Rejected by his mother as an infant, Usi was hand-raised by his keepers, which included round the clock feedings and specialized care. An important goal was to rear him to identify as a monkey and not a human – a particular challenge of hand-raising primates. Zoo staff were successful and Usi was ultimately introduced, and accepted by the troop. Usi’s name means “eyebrow” in Swahili – in response to the pronounced eyebrows he was born with. Nairobi was born at Lincoln Park Zoo in 2015 and came to Binder Park Zoo in 2018 together with her female companion/aunt named Puddin’. Puddin’s experience as a senior troop member places her in a guardian role, helping to protect Nairobi and care for the youngster – duties that troop members typically share.
“Usi didn’t necessarily have an ideal start in life,” said Kathryn Sippel, the zoo’s curator of collections . “When you hand-raise an animal you develop a special affection for them, rooting for the underdog.
“So, it’s been very rewarding for our Animal Care staff to watch him grow into the primate he was meant to be, and now become a father. Usi was born on April 16, the first day of the 2015 zoo season, and it’s interesting that five years later, his baby is born on the last day of the 2020 season! It shows how much time, patience and tenacity is often invested in these important programs.”
The eastern black and white colobus or Colobus guereza are native to equatorial Africa. The name “colobus” is from the Greek word for “mutilated,” because unlike other monkeys, colobus monkeys do not have thumbs. One of only two colobus species, the other being the Angolan colobus, black and white colobus have shiny black fur and a white-framed bearded face. They are the most arboreal of African monkeys and spend most of their time in the treetops. Their long mantle hair and tails appear to act like parachutes during long leaps between branches in the tree canopy.
“It is an honor to be part of the extraordinary conservation work at Binder Park Zoo” said Binder Park Zoo President and CEO Diane Thompson. “Our zookeepers and veterinary staff, along with the other staff members, make a difference daily, and their work matters. Knowing that our conservation efforts have resulted in expanding the efforts of protecting this vital species is thrilling. We are genuinely excited to welcome the baby colobus to the zoo family.”
Gestation for colobus is approximately six months. They are born with a pink face and white fur. They begin to change color at around four weeks of age and acquire the characteristic black and white adult coloration at approximately three months of age. Guests can expect to see the youngster on exhibit in the spring.
Binder Park Zoo is closed to the public now for the winter months and will open again on April 15, 2021. Visit binderparkzoo.org for more zoo news and follow us on Facebook.
At times, the Great Lakes reveals its lost treasures. (Photo supplied by author)
By Shetan Noir WKTV Community Contributor
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
The brass sound of a bell ringing 29 times can be heard outside of the Mariner’s church of Detroit.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
It happens every Nov. 10 in honor of the lives lost when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. But that day has since become a Memorial Day for all lives lost to maritime disasters.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
Places like the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, near Whitefish Point in Michigan’s upper peninsula, give tribute to the wrath of the Great Lakes storms, the ships that have been wrecked and all the lives that were lost.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
The Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle also provides a memorial called the Annual Lost Mariners remembrance. This is the 21st year of the event.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
The Great Lakes are well known for violent storms with some gales being so destructive that the loss of lives and ships is unimaginable.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
The Alpena Gale storm that was also called the White Hurricane of 1913 or the “Big Blow” swept through all the Great Lakes from Nov. 7 to 10 in 1913. More than 250 lives were lost to the watery depths, 19 ships were destroyed and another 19 were left stranded.
The side paddle steamer Alpena was one of those ships caught in the storm. Her name is now associated with the storm that wrecked her.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
On Nov. 10, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald was claimed by the Gales of Lake Superior , her companion ship the the SS Arthur M. Anderson was only a short distance behind her when the 35-foot high waves swallowed the Edmund Fitzgerald down.
A song once claimed that the Lakes never give up their dead when the skies of November turn gloomy. Whether its the North wind or the witch of November that comes calling the Great Lakes Gichi-gami, michi-gami, karegnondi , erielhonan and ontarí’io all respond the same with white capped waves raising up like gravestones and winds that break mast and sails.
So in honor of those lost to maritime disasters, the bells ring 29 times in November.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.
Shetan Noir is a Michigan based author and weird travels journalist. She teaches classes on the paranormal history of the Great Lakes at local community colleges. Noir is available for podcast, radio and television appearances and can be contacted at shetannoir@yahoo.com.
Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.
Will Nelson
Watch a movie
This weekend Gun Lake Casino will be hosting “Wheels and Reels”, an outdoor movie fundraiser. At 6 p.m., the casino will be showing “The Grinch” (2018) and at 9 p.m. will be “Elf.” Tickets can be purchased at https://gunlakecasino.com/promotions/toysfortots/. Tickets must be purchased online prior to the start of the movie and each vehicle has a minimum donation of $15. Each ticket includes a package of concession-style snacks and all proceeds raised at the event will be used to purchase toys for this holiday season.
Journey through IllumiZoo – a Glenlore Tale
Take a journey through “IllumiZoo – a Glenlore Tale” at John Ball Zoo. Guest will follow the path as they pass through a display of colors and sounds as they are told a magical tale. The lightshow is one mile long and takes 45-60 minutes to walk, depending on your pace. This event takes place on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 p.m. – 11p.m. and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 6 p.m. – midnight until Nov. 15. Tickets are $25 – $10 with children 2 and under free. Also, this weekend is the final weekend for the “BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise,” an exhibition of more than 40 life-sized animal sculptures created with more than 1.8 million individually colored toy building bricks. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://www.jbzoo.org/IllumiZoo.
Get spooked at The Haunt
Halloween festivities are wrapping up and this is the last weekend to visit The Haunt. For the past 20 years visitors have been screaming to leave the premises of The Haunt with the local attraction not letting COVID-19 stop the ghosts from making their appearances. Under new ownership, the attraction has been completely redone with more than 144 rooms, more than 100 actors and 62 animatronics that are guaranteed to give you a scare. The Haunt is located at 1256 28th St. SW right in Wyoming. Tickets are $30 or $25 for groups of 6-10. For more information, visit https://the-haunt.com/.
The tallest dog to ever live was actually the Great Dane named Zeus who lived with a veterinarian and his family in Ostego. Zeus was three feet, eight inches tall, but when standing on his hind legs, he was seven feet, four inches tall. The late James Lebron was only six feet, nine inches and Michael Jordan is six feet, six inches. Zeus became a therapy dog and would visit local hospitals. He even had his own Facebook page, which was taken down after the gentle giant passed.
The election is over, so now what do you do with all those Trump and Biden signs?
Well, you could keep them as a memento or use them in an art project or you could just recycle them.
If you are planning to recycle, there is only one place to recycle corrugated plastic and the metal stands, which is what most election signs are made of, and that is at the Kent County Recycling and Education Center, 977 Wealthy St. SW.
Because the signs and metal stands need to be separated, the county has set up the the election sign recycling site, according to county staff. If the signs are placed in the recycling bins and go into the sorting machines, they may jam up the machines, staff said.
The bins are located in the back parking lot in the big blue barn. There is a bin designed for the corrugated plastic sign part and another bin for the metal stand. The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The site will be open through the end of November.
Even though election results are still being counted in Kent County, there are not much in the way of surprises in the county’s unofficial results.
Dan Burrill was elected to fill the 8th District Kent County Commission seat left vacant by Harold Voorhees, who early this year announced he was retiring. (WKTV)
About 60.5 percent of the county’s total registered voters voted in this year’s 2020 election. About 85 percent of the 303,039 total votes have been counted as of late this morning.
Even with 15 percent left to count, in many of the county races, the leaders have maintained large point leads.
This was the case for Republican Incumbent Michelle LaJoye-Young for Kent County Sheriff. Throughout the night, LaJoye-Young maintained a lead over Democratic challenger Marc Burns and Liberation candidate John Glen Stedman. Today, she was still 60,000 votes ahead of Burns, her closet challenger. Republican incumbent Lisa Posthumus Lyons for Kent County Clerk also maintained a lead over challengers Devin Ortega (D) and Jamie Lewis (L) and so did Republican incumbent Ken Yonkers for Kent County Drain Commissioner who stayed ahead of challengers Elaine Isely (D) and Alex Avery (L). With 85 percent of the votes counted, these candidate seem to continue to keep that lead. Republican incumbent Chris Becker was the only person seeking the Kent County Prosecuting Attorney position.
With the announcement that current Kent County Treasurer Keith Parrish would not seek re-election, two newcomers, Peter MacGregor (R) and Beth White (D) put their hats in the ring for the position. For most of the night, MacGregor held a solid lead with morning numbers showing he was about 42,000 votes ahead.
The cities of Kentwood and Wyoming and surrounding communities of the City of Grandville, and the townships of Byron Center and Gaines have 100 percent fully reported which means commissioner races for those communities have unofficial results.
For county commission seats, the following incumbents retained their seats: Stan Ponstein for the 7th District, Matt Kallman for the 9th District, Emily Post Brieve for the 10th District and Monic Sparks for the 12th District. Both the 7th and 9th districts have portions of the City of Wyoming and the 10th District has a portion of the City of Kentwood. The 12th District is divided between the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.
Kent County 7th District Commissioner Stan Ponstein won his re-election bid. (WKTV)
“Words can not express my gratitude to the voters of District 7,” said Commissioner Stan Ponstein in a Facebook post. “Whether you voted for me when I was first elected to the Grandville Board of Education at the age of 19, supported me over the years, or this is your first time voting for me. I want you to know I take public service seriously, I will never forget who I serve and have always believed that where you live should not dictate the level of service you recieve from government.”
In the 8th District, which covers the eastern portion of the city of Wyoming, including the pan handle, Republican candidate Dan Burrill, who is currently on the Wyoming City Council, maintained a steady lead against Democratic candidate Sarah Chatterley. When counting was done, Burrill had 9,165 votes to Chatterley’s 7,765.
“It feels like I have been running for forever since I have been campaigning from about March through the primaries to November,” Burrill said, adding that he was appreciative for the help of the Kent County GOP, Kent Vanderwood and Rusty Richter.
While sad about leaving the Wyoming City Council, Burrill said he is looking forward to being apart of the Kent County Commission.
“I am ready for another chapter to lean about how the county operates and to represent the citizens of Wyoming at the county level,” he said.
In the 13th District, which covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood, Democratic candidate Michelle McCloud was able to push past Republican candidate Levi Cipcic by more than 4,000 votes.
The Kent County Board of Canvassers will review the general election on Nov. 17 with the state board of canvassers reviewing the statewide election on Nov. 23.
It’s that time of year again. The time when, for some of us, the thought of family get-togethers and holiday parties causes stress and anxiety well before the dates and times are confirmed.
Adding pressure to your busy schedule might be jet-lagged in-laws, moody teens or a coworker that rubs you the wrong way.
And, let’s face it, the country is divided. There’s anger, finger-pointing and blaming that can spill over into your relationships under normal circumstances, relegating November and December to a time of endurance rather than enjoyment.
How are you to cope with such a cocktail of human quirks amid the heightened tensions of holiday expectations? And, no, the answer is not more cocktails.
The following tips from Spectrum Health psychotherapist Anya Nyson, LMSW, won’t give you unique gift ideas or ways to carve out more time.
Instead, her list will make you more aware of yourself and others so you can see things from a different perspective.
“Practicing the following mental tools can help you more fully enjoy what you are wired for—connection and belonging,” she said.
1. Cultivate flexibility
You made elaborate New Year’s Eve plans and paid an inflated price to get into a well-advertised party.
You imagine for weeks how amazing the night is going to be. As the night comes to a close, you’re disappointed it didn’t live up to your expectations.
Conversely, remember that party you forgot about until the day of? You dreaded going and complained silently, but went anyway only to be pleasantly surprised by how nice it was.
“Think of expectations as disappointments waiting to happen,” Nyson said. “Rather than having expectations, cultivate flexibility instead.”
Work on catching yourself dreading a holiday dinner at your in-laws. Then, say to yourself, “I have no idea how this is going to go, but whatever happens, I’ll roll with it.”
2. Be realistic and kind to yourself
You don’t want to make pies from scratch, but you tell yourself you should. You want two helpings of mashed potatoes, but think you shouldn’t go for seconds.
“Your worth as a person is not contingent on your flaky homemade crust and fluffy whipped cream nor for only having one helping of potatoes,” Nyson said. “Try this trick the next time you say should or shouldn’t to yourself: Replace the word should with ‘don’t want to.’ Replace the word shouldn’t with ‘want to.’”
Example:
‘I should make pies from scratch’ becomes ‘I don’t want to make pies from scratch.’
‘I shouldn’t have seconds’ becomes ‘I want seconds.’
“The reworded statement is your truth,” she said. “When you don’t mind doing something, you don’t have to tell yourself you should do it, you just do it. Shoulding is an attempt to guilt yourself into doing or not doing what you think you should or should not do. By being honest with yourself, you’re eliminating the guilt. This truth allows you to choose to do something or not rather than pressuring or shaming yourself.”
Also, if there are any negative comments about your store-bought dessert, you can tell them they will find you being well-rested and in a good mood more palatable than your homemade pie.
3. Don’t poke the bear
You have an overt, or covert, rivalry with your sister-in-law, and you can’t wait to brag about the promotion you received or your children’s many accomplishments.
“When you want to humble-brag, inquire instead how they’ve been since you saw them last,” Nyson said.
Reciprocity is more likely to keep a conversation going and allow you to share. Sincere tellings of achievements are better received than trying to one-up others and help build the relationship rather than drive a wedge in it.
Or, perhaps you find teasing your goth nephew, with his stringy black bangs covering his face, a fun way to get the room laughing and to pass the time before dinner. Rather than belittling your nephew in front of everyone, ask him what his favorite video game is and keep the conversation going. Get to know him as a person rather than judging him.
4. Don’t take the bait
Does Grandpa George feel compelled to share his political views because it’s his house? And, how many times has he reminded everyone he worked hard and paid his taxes, not like those youngsters?
As much as you want to point out to Grandpa George how things have changed since his day, you won’t change his mind, so don’t even go there.
Instead, prepare pat responses ahead of time that you can use repeatedly. Use a sincere tone and say something like, “You are a good man, Grandpa,” or “We appreciate all you’ve done, Grandpa,” and move on. It helps to think of your responses ahead of time, so you have them at the ready.
“Bonus: This is a great parenting tool,” Nyson said. “Rather than arguing with my teens when they didn’t like a no response, I would say, ‘I love you too much to argue,’ in a loving voice, then say nothing else. They quickly learned that this meant I was not going to argue with them, thus eliminating badgering.”
5. Accept that others don’t have to share your values
Do you think Grandpa George should keep his opinions to himself? Do you think your family shouldn’t eat turkey because you’re a vegetarian?
‘Shoulding’ on others will only result in anger and frustration for you. You get angry at others when they don’t do what you think they should, or do what you think they shouldn’t.
Try this trick next time you catch yourself saying should or shouldn’t about someone: Replace the word should with ‘doesn’t have to.’ Replace the word shouldn’t with ‘can.’
Example:
“Grandpa George should keep his opinions to himself” becomes “Grandpa George doesn’t have to keep his opinions to himself.”
“My family shouldn’t eat turkey” becomes “My family can eat turkey.”
“Practicing this helps to remind you every person is unique, and they are not wrong or less than because they have different values from yours,” Nyson said.
6. Don’t personalize
Did your mother make a passive-aggressive remark about how she thinks
women with long grey hair look like witches? Do you think she said it
because you stopped coloring your hair six months ago?
Or, do you believe your father-in-law talks on and on about his financial portfolio, golf handicap, boat and vacation home as a way to make you feel inadequate?
“It is one of the most liberating things you can do for yourself once you no longer personalize what others say,” Nyson said. “What others say is 100% about them because it is based on their values and beliefs. Consider their history and perspective and how that plays into what they say.”
Think of your mother’s generation and what was considered attractive in her era. In her day, women with long, grey hair were grannies in muumuus with no bra. In her day, coloring your hair when it turned grey meant you wouldn’t be that kind of old lady. Things have changed for your generation, but she still has her long-set beliefs.
Maybe your father-in-law grew up believing a person’s value came from what they had, and he’s showing his value to you. Consider his generation and beliefs. They are not about you.
7. Instead of ‘I have to’—say ‘I get to’
A coworker asks you what your plans are for the holidays. You say, “Ugh. We’re exchanging gifts at my partner’s family’s house.”
“Negative thoughts create negative emotions,” Nyson said. “In this case, perhaps dread, annoyance or resentment. A quick reframe is to replace ‘have to’ with ‘get to.’”
“I have to go to my partner’s family’s house,” becomes “I get to go to my partner’s family’s house.” A positive thought will create positive emotions. Using this trick can reduce your level of negativity.
8. Practice self-care before, during and after
Slowing your breathing will slow down your heart rate, helping to reduce your anxiety. The go-to breathing technique Nyson teaches people for anxiety goes like this:
Inhale for a count of 4
Hold your breath for a count of 4
Exhale for a count of 6
Hold for a count of 4
Do several rounds, then return to your normal breathing.
Repeat as needed.
Practice mindfulness meditation.
“Your mind’s job is to think, so you’re not going to stop it from doing its job,” Nyson said. “The goal of mindfulness meditation is to keep your mind in the present moment, noticing your thoughts, emotions, body and external stimuli without judgment. You can significantly improve your mood and outlook on life by making this a consistent practice.”
Using mindfulness apps is a great tool to help. Nyson recommends the app Headspace as a great way to start and maintain the practice.
Maintain a gratitude list. “Identify three unique things you’re grateful for each day,” Nyson said. “I recommend keeping a running list in the notes on your phone or in a journal. By doing this, you can look back and reinforce all the reasons you have to be grateful.”
Don’t overindulge. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions, but it also increases impulsivity by slowing down the activity in the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for rational thought and decision-making.
You know you need sleep, and you know the reasons why. Value your needs over cultural expectations.
“You will feel better when you listen to the wisdom of your body,” Nyson said.
Use a mantra. Repeat a word or phrase to increase your input of positive thoughts. One method is to link it to your breath. Inhale what you want to take in and exhale what you want to send out. Here are a few examples:
Inhale: I am loved. Exhale: I express love.
Inhale: I can do this. Exhale: This, too, shall pass.
Inhale: Joy to me. Exhale: Joy to the world.
“‘Be the light. See the light’ is my mantra,” Nyson said. “Inhaling while thinking, ‘Be the light’ reminds us to be kind to others and to be a force for good in the world. Exhaling, ‘See the light’ prompts us to see what is right in others and the world.”
Choose to be the light at your holiday events. Choose to see the light in those to whom you connect.
“Imagine the holidays if we all worked on this,” she said.
If you are looking to strengthen your reading skills you now have more options at your fingertips with the Kent District Library’s addition of its new SPARKS Collection.
Now available at all 19 KDL branches, the SPARK collection contains books for adult beginning readers. SPARK is a collaboration between the KDL and the Literacy Center of West Michigan. This collection has been in the works since last winter and is now available to the public.
“Literacy is a foundation for a full adult life, providing not only a connection to the world around us but also the independence to make our own choices,” said Samantha Hodge, Collection Development Librarian at KDL. “With the SPARK collection, KDL will be a proud partner for adults working to improve their literacy skills and reach incredible goals.”
Hodge said she has always wanted to create a collection of books for beginning adult readers. In the past, the library had a small collection however it never received much attention. She came up with the idea for SPARK after discovering the High/Lo collection at other libraries across the nation. The High/Lo collection of books with a high-interest level and low vocabulary and readability levels. This way the materials do not intimidate new readers and provide them with interesting subjects.
The SPARKS Collection has a selection of adult beginner readers. (WKTV Journal/Anna Johns)
The Literacy Center of West Michigan guided Hodge in the process of picking books for the collection. This is not the Center’s first time working with the KDL, they have been working with them for the past four years.
The Literacy Center of West Michigan runs an adult tutoring program designed to help non-native speakers learn to speak English. It is the organization’s goal to make West Michigan the region with the highest literacy levels in the nation. Previously, learners would pick up books from the library at the Center but staff at the Center also wanted to have materials available for learners at the public libraries.
“The partnership between KDL and the Literacy Center is supporting adults and children in West Michigan,” said Community Literacy Initiative Director Mike Nassar, . This is a great step to help adult learners in the community.”
According to information provided by the Literacy Center of West Michigan, one in eight West Michigan adults struggle with low literacy. It is the organization’s goal to make West Michigan the region with the highest literacy levels in the nation. The Literacy Center offers one-on-one tutoring, work-related classes, and family literacy programming to students.
“The library wants to partner with you if you want to increase your learning skills or start from the beginning,” Hodge said. “We want to be your partner.”
The collection has had a slow take-off because of the COVID-19 pandemic but the KDL staff is working hard to make the public aware that it is available at all 19 KDL branches and the Bookmobile. For more information visit www.kdl.org
If you have a non-election matter next week in the City of Wyoming, you might want to avoid the Wyoming City Hall on Tuesday.
City officials announced that the city offices would be closed to non-election related visitors on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
“This is the same process that we did for the May and the August elections,” said Amanda Moore, communications specialist for the city. “This is so we will be able to process new voters and get them set up to vote either here at city hall or at their precinct.”
The city hall’s parking lot will be set up in as drive-thru for those wishing to register as new voters and to cast their ballot. This is the same set up as what was offered during the primary in August.
The city’s dropbox is located behind city hall. (Supplied)
Voters with absentee ballots will be able to drop off their ballots. There will be some limited services available such as the treasurer’s drive up window will be open as well as the city’s payment/absentee drop-off box. Those with city business can contact the specific city office to make arrangements as well, Moore said.
Due to the capacity limits currently in place because of COVID-19, the city hall can only have 20 people in its lobby. For the past couple of weeks, this has resulted in lines to get into the building as the election draws near.
“I don’t have the exact numbers right now, but I can tell you that we have received more absentee ballots for this election than we have received in the past three presidential elections,” Moore said, adding that the facility has had about 1,500 visitors weekly when it normally averages about 350. “We are assuming this is related to the elections,” she said.
The last day a registered voter can request an absentee ballot is Monday, Nov. 2, at the city clerk’s office. On election day, registered voters must vote at their designated precinct, Moore said. Those with an absentee ballot have until 8 p.m. on election day to return the ballot to the clerk’s office.
Only those registering to vote on election day may request to vote absentee ballot or they can vote at his/her precinct. If a person chooses to vote at his/her precinct, he/she will be given a slip by the clerk’s office so they can vote, Moore said.
For more information about the voting process in the City of Wyoming, click here.
“It’s Halloween, everyone’s entitled to one good scare.”
– Brackett, Halloween (1978)
The night sky at about 8 p.m. Halloween with Jupiter and Saturn in the southern sky (right) and the Blue Moon and Mars in the eastern sky (left). (Supplied)
Look to the Skies
Halloween is going to be clear night, which means a good night to look at the stars. And befitting of an evening of strange and spooky things, there will be a lot going in the stars. First three is the Blue Moon, which is when there is a full moon twice in one month, a rare occurrence. But even rare is the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, which will have the planets only a .1 degree away from each other. The last time that happened was Galileo’s time of about 1623. Talk about a treat!
The Eastern Kille cider kit. (Eastern Kille)
Celebrate Halloween in Beer City
Holidays are the perfect time to relax, sit back, and have a drink. Recently five Michigan breweries brought home a collective six medals from the Great American Beer Festival Competition honoring it’s title as “The Great Beer State.” Stay in and make yourself a drink or go out and support a local distillery in West Michigan-style. In other words, give your taste buds a real treat this Halloween.
Madea at Studio Park
Not a fan of scary movies? Studio Park is showing “Boo! A Madea Halloween” Saturday Oct 31 at 4 p.m. The 2016 film features director, writer, and star Tyler Perry in his classic role as Madea. Madea crashes a Halloween party that her great-niece lies about going to and finds herself in a hilarious attempt to save herself and her family from some spooky characters.
The famous story of Frankenstein came to writer Mary Shelley in a dream in 1817. Mary Shelley is also the youngest author to be on The Observers 100 Greatest Novels of All Time list. Who knew one great novel could just a dream away?
The above image shows where Jupiter and Saturn will be around 8 p.m. Halloween night in the southern sky (right side). In the eastern sky (left) is Mars and the Blue Moon. (Supplied)
While many people are discussing the Blue Moon happening this Halloween, there is even a rarer astronomical occurrence taking place right now: the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.
“The last time that Jupiter and Saturn were this close was in 1623,” said Chaffee Planetarium Manager Jack Daleske. “That was when Galileo was alive and he was the first person every to point a telescope to the moon.”
According to earthsky.org, astronomers use “conjunction” to describe the meeting of planets and other objects in the sky. The term “great conjunction” is used to describe the meeting of Jupiter and Saturn, the two biggest worlds in our solar system.
Because Saturn and Jupiter are the slowest-moving visible planets in the solar system — it takes Saturn 29.5 years to move around the sun and Jupiter about 11.89 years —their conjunctions are the rarest. Jupiter and Saturn meet up on average about 19.6 years and the last time that happened was in 2000.
A closer look at Saturn and Jupiter on Halloween night. (Supplied)
However, what makes the 2020 meet up special is that the two planets will be about six minutes or .1 degrees apart. That distance is about a fifth of the diameter of a full moon.
“So if people look to the southern sky, just after the sun sets, they will see Saturn and Jupiter,” Daleske said. The two planets will continue to move closer and closer until Dec. 21. On that date, astronomers will be able to point a telescope at Jupiter and see Saturn behind it.
“Unfortunately for us, the planets will be right on the horizon in our area, so it will be difficult to see,” Daleske said. “This means we will have to relay on others who have a better view.”
This makes for a good reason for people to head out now to see the two big planets together.
“Even in the city with the light pollution making it difficult to see the stars, the planets are brighter and should be visible,” he said.
Also, local weather focusers and the National Weather Channel are showing Halloween to be a clear night, making it a great night —and also a COVID safe activity — to look at the stars.
Blue Moon and Red Mars
While outside, Daleske said people should be able to see that famous red planet, Mars, in the eastern sky.
And of course, there will be that Blue Moon.
“First, the moon won’t be blue,” Daleske said. “Because it is harvest season which means there is a lot of debris in the air which tints our atmosphere, the moon will be more orange.”
Mars and the blue moon will be visible in the eastern sky. (Supplied)
The cycle of the moon is how the current year-calendar was created with there being one full moon a month. A Blue Moon simply refers to two full moons in one month, which Daleske noted shows how the human calendar is not completely accurate (which is the reason some months have 30 days and others have 31 and one month can’t decide between 28 or 29 days). The Blue Moon, which has a host of names depending on when it appears, happens on average about 2.7 years.
What makes the October 2020 Blue Moon unique? Well, it happens on Halloween, the first time in about 76 years according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
“I’m sure it will make it more spooky this Halloween,” Daleske said with a laugh. The real truth? “To be honest, it is just chance. Pure chance,” he added.
Downtown businesses and restaurants in St. Joseph will host Pumpkins on Parade, a pumpkin decorating contest, Oct. 23 through Nov. 1.
Visit participating locations and vote for your favorite pumpkin online! Voting will be available at stjoetoday.com/vote from 10:00am October 23 to 11:59pm November 1. The top three winners will be announced on Monday, November 2 on the St. Joseph Today Facebook page.
Stop by these participating locations to check out their pumpkin display: 221 Main, Baroda Founders, Bistro on the Boulevard, Chartreuse, City of St. Joseph Public Works Department (located at City Hall), Edgewater Bank, G&M Variety, Grins of St. Joseph, Krasl Art Center, Lazy Ballerina Winery, Perennial Accents, Plank’s Tavern on the Water, ReVive Spa, Schu’s Bar & Grill, Silver Beach Pizza, St. Joseph Today, Statements Style Lounge, Sturgis Bank & Trust Co., The Buck Burgers & Brew, The Toy Company, Third Coast Surf Shop, Tim’s Too, Waterfront Framing & Design, and White Pine Winery.
Special thanks to Silver Beach Pizza and Prillwitz Fruit Farms for the coordination and donation of pumpkins for this event.
Catch these upcoming fall and winter events:
Luminary: Friday, Nov. 20 (5:00pm-8:00pm)
Small Business Saturday: Saturday, Nov. 28 (all day)
Window Wonderland: Friday, Dec. 4 (7-8:30 pm)
Reindog Holiday Parade: Saturday, Dec. 5 (3 p.m.)
St. Joseph Today is a 501(c)(3) membership-based organization dedicated to developing and promoting events and businesses in St. Joseph, Mich. and its surrounding communities. For more information about upcoming fall and winter events and details call St. Joseph Today at (269) 985 1111 or visit stjoetoday.com.
Gun Lake Casino will host an outdoor family-friendly movie event that is designed to help collect toys for the annual Marine Corps Reserve’s holiday campaign, Toys for Tots.
“Gun Lake Casino has been an ongoing and loyal sponsor of Toys for Tots for many years,” said Jeff LaFrance, director of marketing for Gun Lake Casino. “In 2019, more than $35,000 in new toys were collected for children of Michigan at Gun Lake Casino.
“This year, the number of parents in need of support has grown tremendously. We are hopeful that through our ongoing efforts, Gun Lake Casino will be able to alleviate some of the stress local families feel this holiday season.”
To kick off the annual initiative, Gun Lake Casino will host “Wheels and Reels,” an outdoor fundraiser for all ages. From the comfort of their car, families may watch showings of holiday-themed movies, the first at 6 p.m. and the second at 9 p.m. The large, double-sided screen will be located at the west entrance of the casino where guests will be welcomed by the Marine Corps Reserve ready to collect new, unwrapped toy donations.
Starting this week, those wishing to support Toys for Tots may purchase tickets at gunlakecasino.com/toysfortots. Event tickets must be purchased online, prior to the start of the movie. For a minimum donation of $15 per vehicle, every ticket will include a package of concession-style snacks. All proceeds raised at the event will be used to purchase toys for this holiday season.
Following the family event, until the end of November, guests with new unwrapped gifts, accompanied by a receipt, may receive up to $50 in free slot play for their donation. Gun Lake Casino will participate in the collection of toys for local children until Dec.15. For more information, visit gunlakecasino.com/toysfortots.
This week, School News Network provides a number of stories focused on the decisions to close a school to the creative lessons staff are doing to help students get through the COVID-19 criss. Here is just a sample of stories from the Kentwood/Wyoming area.
Superintendents from three West Michigan counties warn of rising infection rates (School News Network)
All Districts: Area Superintendents warn of need for vigilance in combating virus
Last week, 46 West Michigan superintendents –including the superintendents of Wyoming, Kentwood, Kelloggsville, Godwin Heights, and Godfrey-Lee — signed a letter urging residents to be more vigilant in combating COVID-19. As Kent County sees a surge in COVID-19 cases, and rising rates of positive tests, West Michigan school superintendents joined together to remind families of the importance of following safety protocols. For more, click here.
All Districts: Major factor in school closings: evidence of virus spread
For school officials, deciding when to close a school is not an easy decision to make. When there are positive cases in a school, the Kent County Health Department and superintendents review whether prevention measures are being enforced strongly enough, including social distancing, mask wearing, screening students so they don’t enter the building if they are COVID-19 positive, hand washing and sanitizing surfaces. To learn more about how a decision is made to close a school, click here.
Ninth-grader Ataiana Davis said through the project she discovered she likes the same video games as a friend of hers (School News Network)
Godwin Heights: Bringing individual value to shared space
Rainbows, blankets, and even a Rubik Cube become symbols to represent the homes of Godwin Height students. Based on the Heidelberg Project, named for a four-block street-turned neighborhood art project in Detroit where the mission is to include and embrace the strengths of those in the community, teacher Lindsay Miceli uses the Godwin Heights housing project as the class’s first assignment to help students hone writing and sensory language skills and get to know one another. To learn more, click here.
Junior Aliyah Taylor says her mosaic project helped her find peace in the midst of the pandemic (School News Network)
Kelloggsville: Students learn resilience by piecing together art
Kelloggsville students have fun breaking glass all in the name of creating art. The students are learning about mosaics and in the process discovering how something shatter can not only become something beautiful but a symbol of resilience. To learn more, click here.
East Kentwood junior Ethan Vandervoord holds a piece of 3D-printed PPE (School News Network)
Kentwood: Operation Face Shield: complete
When East Kentwood’s First Robotics team’s annual robotics competition at the high school got cancelled, one team member and his parents, advisors for the team, discovered a way to re-channel their disappointment by creating face shields. In nine weeks, the group made more than 10,000 pieces of personal protective equipment which was distributed to more than 100 area organizations. For more, click here.
For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Kate Kocienski, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the Grand Rapids Public Museum (Supplied)
As the landscape of our country changes to becoming more diverse, our language — or specifically the way we describe communities — also must be reframed to celebrate diversity and encourage community growth.
This is the lesson that more than 60 Grand Rapids leaders learned through a virtual conference with Trabian Shorters, the CEO and Founder of BMe. BMe is the international leader in the concept of asset-framing, where a community is not defined by their challenges but rather by the goals they wish to achieve.
“So instead of saying a student or community is ‘at-risk,’ we instead say the student is ‘motivated to overcome challenges to achieve’,” said Grand Rapids Public Museum Vice President of Marketing/Public Relations Kate Kocienski.
It was through Grand Rapids Public Museum President and CEO Dale Robertson’s connection with the non-partisan, non-profit think tank Michigan Future, Inc., that led to the October workshop, Kocienski said. Shorters originally was scheduled to come to the east side of the state in the spring and through a partnership with Grand Valley State University, Michigan Future, Inc., and the Skillman Foundation, the Public Museum was able to plan for him to stop in West Michigan. COVID changed those plans to the program being rescheduled in October as a virtual workshop, Kocienski said.
Trabian Shorters
In his program, Shorters discussed the science behind negative cognitive thinking and how that impacts language. Learning about a community makes it less likely that a person will discuss that community in a negative aspect, according to previous recorded presentations by Shorters.
“The story you tell creates the life you live,” Shorters said during an Aspen Institute Talk in 2016. “The psychological research shows that people actually respond to preprogram scripts that are already running in their mind before it even happens.
“How you translate your missing purse into theft when there is no evidence in between that there was theft.”
The same could be said of a spider, Kocienski said.
“If you did your research and learned about what spiders do, you perhaps would become less afraid of them,” she said.
Or reframing how you see a museum as not only a place that hosts exhibits but also as a leader in engaging in community topics of diversity or equality.
“This fits our cultural programming and something that we feel is needed right now,” Kocienski said. “We felt that we needed to bring together the talent of West Michigan during a time when tensions are tense over race relations to talk about inclusion and equality in concrete ways.”
The ultimate goal, according to Kocienski, was to help start the conversation that goes beyond the traditional ideas of diversity and equity. For example, an organization that offers grants takes a look at the requirements of its grant process and the wording, she said, adding that instead of using “at-risk” using “motivated to succeed” or “help to overcome challenges.”
“Basically to remove the stigma and make it feel less negative,” she said.
Leaders from the area who attended the Oct. 8 event represented a variety of organizations including government, nonprofit, corporate and economic development entities.
I know for sure that what we dwell on is what we become.
Oprah Winfrey
Attend Woodland Mall’s Black-Owned Business Showcase
This weekend Woodland Mall will be hosting its first Black-Owned Business Showcase. At this event, shoppers will have the opportunity to visit booths run by local black-owned businesses. There will be more than forty vendors selling everything from cosmetics to home goods. The event will be held Friday, Oct. 23, and again on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The showcase will be held at Woodland Mall, 3195 28th St. SE. For more information and a list of vendors, visit www.shopwoodlandmall.com/calendar.
Chaffee Planetarium (Supplied by Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Visit the Chaffee Planetarium
The Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Chaffee Planetarium is now open. The planetarium is featuring a new show designed by a West Michigan native. Incoming! was made in partnership with NASA scientist Brent Bos, who is currently studying asteroids and grew up in West Michigan. The program focuses on asteroids, comets, and meteors. The planetarium also is showing One World, One Sky, which stars Elmo, Big Bird, and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu. Together the group learns about the moon, stars, sun, and the Big dipper. The planetarium has a limited capacity and it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets cost $2 for members and $4 for the general public and are available for purchase at grpm.org/planetarium.
Explore the Hackley House through a Flashlight Tour this fall season. (Supplied)
Explore Muskegon’s oldest buildings by flashlight
This weekend the Hackley & Hume Historic site at Musekgon’s Lakeshore Museum Center will host the daring and spooktacular Flashlight Tours. During the tours, guests will be guided through the Hackley House as they learn the spooky history and odd stories surrounding the home while using their flashlights to illuminate objects. The event will be held on Oct. 23 – 24 with two seasons 7 – 8 p.m. and 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. The Hackley & Hume Historic Site is located at 484 W Webster Ave, Muskegon. Tickets are selling quickly and it is recommended to reserve early. Tickets are $15 and guests can reserve a space by calling Assistant Program Manager Aaron Mace at 231-724-5534 or by emailing aaron@lakeshoremuseum.org.
Fun Fact: The creepy origin of jack-o’-lanterns
Have you ever wondered why it is a tradition to carve pumpkins for Halloween? The tradition started in Ireland during the 8th Century and was based off the myth of Stingy Jack. The story goes that Jack tricked the devil and when he died he wasn’t allowed into heaven or hell. He was forced to roam earth for eternity. The Irish would carve faces in turnips in hopes of warning off Jack’s evil spirit. When the Irish immigrated to America, they began to carve pumpkins instead.
Ben Robinson with his family started Robinson Popcorn in 2018. They sold t-shirts to help get the business started. With the money, Robinson renovated a space in Wyoming’s Rogers Plaza and also has a kiosk in Woodland Mall. (Supplied)
By Anna Johns WKTV Intern
As a Black business owner, Ben Robinson knows first-hand how challenging 2020 has been on local businesses.The pandemic, civil unrest, and the unstable economy have had huge effects on these small businesses and many are barely hanging on.
So when Woodland Mall officials asked how Robinson would like to celebrate the second anniversary of Robinson Popcorn, he suggested the mall host a Black-owned community showcase.
“This time is not about me, it’s about the whole Black community,” said Robinson “Our vision is to provide a venue where Black-owned businesses can come together under one roof to showcase who they are and what they offer to our entire community.”
This weekend, Woodland Mall will be hosting its first Black-Owned Business Showcase featuring forty regional businesses. Due to pre-show interested, the showcase was expanded to run 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24. At this event shoppers will have the opportunity to visit booths run by local Black-owned businesses. These booths offer everything from fashion to home goods to services.
“This is not a day just to celebrate us, but to celebrate all Black-owned businesses in our community,” Robinson said. “Many in our community came out to march and affirm Black Lives Matter. It’s also important to be there to rebuild, unify and achieve the vision of equality on Main Street as well as Wall Street.”
For Alisha State, owner of Bodacious Beauty, the Woodland Mall Black-Owned Business Showcase is her first such event. (Supplied)
For many of the vendors, such as Alisha Staten, CEO of Bodacious Beauty Cosmetics, this is their first showcase. Staten said she is very excited to be given this opportunity and hopes this will give her new business more exposure.
Staten launched her business in February selling beauty, cosmetics, and personal care items. When the lockdown hit she lost numerous networking opportunities and vending events.
“I haven’t let these hardships get in my way and have been continuing to build my business all while working a full time job during the pandemic,” Staton said, adding it is her passion for “others to live boldly, brilliantly, and beautifully.”
Love Hartfield, owner of Love Collections LLC, is excited to be able to show what her company has to offer in a safe environment. (Supplied)
This is also Love Collections LLC owner Love Hartfield’s first showcase as well. Hartfield actually took advantage of the March shut down and started her business by using the extra time to build her inventory, making necklaces, earrings, and coasters from resin. She promoted her products on social media and relied on online sales.
“I’m excited to participate in the Black-Owned Businesses Showcase because I get to show Grand Rapids what Love Connections LLC has to offer and sell them in a safe space with other black-owned businesses,” Hartfield said.
According to Hartfield, there is still a financial racial gap here in America. Supporting black-owned businesses will help shrink that gap and create opportunities for black communities. “Showing support to a black owned business elements the concerns of racial insensitivity that many other non-black owned businesses portray,” Hartfield said.
The showcase will be held at Woodland Mall located at 3195 28th St SE. For more information and a list of vendors, visit www.shopwoodlandmall.com/calendar.
The Muskegon Museum of Art’s annual holiday event, the Festival of Trees is making some adjustments. This year, in consideration of community health, the MMA staff and FOT volunteer committee decided to spread the holiday spirit into downtown. The MMA, collaborating with downtown businesses and organizations, is organizing a new version of the annual holiday event – Festival of Wreaths – a wreath walk event that people can enjoy from the sidewalk or street from Nov. 24 through Dec. 6.
About Festival of Wreaths
According to MMA Assistant Director Catherine Mott, “The Festival of Wreaths will work two-fold, inspiring the holiday spirit and encouraging people to walk and explore downtown Muskegon.” Each participating downtown business or organization will host a designer wreath provided by the MMA in a window facing the street or sidewalk from November 24-December 6. The MMA will also have a small gallery display of decor during the run of the Festival. The MMA will provide a walking map with the location of all the wreaths in both a printed and digital version, accessible via a QR code. The QR code will be printed on signage and available at www.muskegonartmuseum.org. Printed maps will be available at the MMA store and at participating businesses starting November 24.
Hot Cocoa Hop Special Event
On Saturday, Nov. 28. (Small Business Saturday), the MMA will host a Hot Cocoa Hop, serving free hot cocoa in the MMA parking lot from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will encourage participants to check out all the wreaths and to shop at and visit local downtown Muskegon businesses and attractions. Wreath Walk maps will be available at the event. The MMA galleries and store will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 28. The MMA is located at 296 W. Webster Ave., in downtown Muskegon. Visit muskegonartmuseum.org for more information.
Raheef Alturkmani grew up in war ravage Syria before coming to the U.S. in 2011 to pursue his education. He currently works in human resources at the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Mich., and teaches part time at Northwood University.
“He joins us to share his personal story and to help us understand why we should understand worldwide migration and why we should aspire to be that safe harbor amid global storms,” Headbloom said.
At present, the country of Syria is experiencing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. The military hostilities have caused more than 500,000 deaths including thousands of deaths due to lack of medical care. To date, eleven million Syrians have been displaced by this conflict.
To help bridge the cultural gap, Alturkmani is part of Dow’s Middle East/North African (MENA) Employee Resource Group, one of ten employee resource groups at the company. Through MENA, Alturkmani helps break stereotypes, bring awareness and inclusion of Middle Eastern culture, and provides insight into conducting business in the region. The group, according to Alturkmani, is made up of people with MENA descent and those who have visited or are just interested in the region and want to be connected to the culture. The group also provides support to those of MENA descent along with resources and networking for employees and the company.
Students are happy to be back and local schools are offering some new, exciting programs such as robotics and other hands-on activities. All of this and more from our partners at School News Network.
East Kentwood art teacher Le Tran talks to junior Jonathan Bwaso about the effect of color in art. (School News Network)
Kentwood: Longtime art teacher receives two major education awards
Kelloggsville High School Introduction to Robotics students include, from left, Aubrey Wood, Matthew Zaiger, Pablo Vicario and Nathan Daniels. (School News Network)
Kelloggsville: Rocketing through Robotics
This year, Kelloggsville High School is offering its first robotics class which has a mix of eight students, sophomores through seniors. The students have done a variety of projects using a 3D printer including making the Kelloggsville mascot, rockets. Learn what else is in the future for these pioneering students.
West Godwin Elementary Principal Mary Lang talks to second-graders Alanah Reid and Jacoby Sucaldito. (School News Network
Godwin Heights: ‘Ner-cited’ to be back in person
Godwin Height students were virtual for the first few weeks of school with the district having a phased in return in September. Most the students said they were happy to be back after having been out-of-school since March and, more importantly, excited to see their friends and teachers.
Third-grader Mason Pickerd jumps far (School News Network)
Wyoming: Jump like a squirrel
Students at Wyoming Oriole Park Elementary School compare how far they can jump to those of squirrels in a hands-on activity developed by Lucas Education Research, which offers project-based learning lessons aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and state standards in literacy and math. For more about this lesson, click here.
The Red Glasses Movement at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (WKTV)
Have you noticed the large pair of red glasses in the window of the Grand Rapids Public Museum? They are part of the Red Glasses Movement which is in honor of 5-year-old Audrey Janderno, who passed away in January of 2018. Audrey was born with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect however, she never let these define her. She was known for her contagious smile and her bright red glasses. This fall the Grand Rapids Public Museum has teamed up with The Red Glasses Movement in celebration with Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections made with LEGO® Bricks which opens Nov. 7. In partnership with The Red Glasses Movement, the museum has designed a scavenger hunt to find red glasses through out the museum. The scavenger hunt begins on Nov. 7. Photo is by Anna Johns.
If you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week, please send it to WKTV Journal Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, located at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, has officially reopened and is offering a new show designed by a West Michigan native.
“We have been working on a new show experience for our visitors, and look forward to sharing it with our audiences. Incoming! at the Chaffee Planetarium was developed in partnership with a NASA scientist, and created for learners at all levels across the learning spectrum,” said Dr. Stephanie Ogren, the Museum’s vice president of science and education.
One of the new shows is Incoming!, which was made in partnership with NASA scientist Brent Bos, who is currently studying asteroids and grew up in West Michigan. The show will explore asteroids, comets, and meteors. California Academy of Sciences developed the visuals for the show using real time date from current NASA missions. Outside of the planetarium there is a set of interactive experiences. These include a lunar crater station, meteors under a microscope and a meteor pinball machine.
“Creating interactive experiences that tie directly into planetarium show content allows visitors to dive deeper into what interests them about space,” said Jack Daleske, the Museum’s planetarium manager. “Being able to see real meteorites from the GRPM Collections after watching Incoming! allows visitors to better understand what they learned in that show.
The planetarium also will be showing One World, One Sky which follows Big Bird and Elmo from Sesame Street and their friend from China Hu Hu Zhu. Together they blast off on an imaginary trip to outer space where they learn about the moon, stars, sun, and the Big dipper.
The shows have a limited compacity and it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets cost $2 for members and $4 for the general public. Purchase tickets in advance at grpm.org/planetarium. School groups may reserve their visit at grpm.org/schools. The Chaffee Planetarium will host multiple shows per week with enough time in between for a thorough cleaning.
Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand final.
Lauren DeStefano
Take the Family to a Fall Festival
A bounce house, corn maze, spinning strawberry, train rides and and lots of fall treats will be part Woodland Mall’s Pop-up Festival in the Von Maur Parking this Saturday. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with guests invited to stroll or drive through to snatch up an elephant ear or other fall treats. Or come from noon to 4 p.m. to partake in some of the activites. Tickets are required for the activities can be purchased online or at the event.
Fulton Street Cemetery (Faith Morgan/WKTV)
Finding those Neighborhood Ghosts
It is the season of ghosts and Grand Rapids certain has its share, so why not do a little ghost hunting? Wander the streets of Grand Rapids visiting some of the area’s historic places such as St. Cecilia Music Center with its musical apparitions or the Amway Grand, where some guests have liked the hotel so much that they haven’t checked out. There is lots more in the WKTV Journal’s ghost walk.
It’s Adventure Time
Archery, donuts and more will be part of the Adventure Point‘s two days of fun fall activities taking place this Saturday and Sunday. The adventure center located at 3213 Walker Ave stretches over 35-acres of land waiting to be explored with goodies along its trails, or expect a little haunting fun if you opt for the evening adventure.
Fun Fact: The World’s Best Mouser
What is the best mousetrap? Cats. Which cat has caught the most mice that she is in the Guinness Book of World Records? That would be Towser, who in her 24 years of life managed to catch 28,899 mice. In fact, she was so good that the Glenturret Distillery, located in Scotland, where she lived, decided not only to raise a glass but erect a statute in her honor. By the way, the need for cats at the Scottish distilleries has greatly diminished over the years, but tradition being tradition, about every distillery still has a cat mascot.
News programs and other media often toss out words to describe the current COVID-19 situation such as pandemic and epidemic.
It is easy to confuse epidemic and pandemic as the words are used to define outbreaks and both have “demic” in them.
What is the difference?
An epidemic is a disease that effects many people in a specific population, community, and/or region at the same time. The disease spreads from person to person and is new to the area such as the Polio epidemic of 1916 and 1952.
Pandemic is an epidemic that spreads over a larger area such as a country or a continent.
The key difference between the two is scale.
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. On March 13, 2020, a national emergency was declared concerning the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.
For more information about epidemic or pandemic, visit the Centers for Disease Control’s website, cdc.org.
It will be opera at the baseball field on Oct. 23. (Supplied)
Opera GR will be showing a live performance of Mozart’s comedy Così fan tutte on the jumbotron at Fifth Third Ballpark Friday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m. The event will allow people to enjoy the performance while safely distancing from one another.
Così fan tutte is a comedic piece about a bachelor and a maid working together to unite two couples at a school for lovers. The cast includes Grand Rapids natives Christine Amon playing the role of Dorabella and Corie Auger playing the maid Despina.
“Whether you’ve never been to the opera, you’re looking for something different to do on a Friday evening or you just need some laughter in your life, you don’t want to miss this,” said Executive Director of Opera Grand Rapids Emilee Syrewicze.
General Admission for the event is $25 and for Metro Health frontline workers tickets are only $5.
Attendees at the event will be required to wear face coverings and will have their temperature checked at the door .
“The arts and a sense of community are so important to our health and well-being, particularly when so much has changed in our daily lives,” said Metro Health President and CEO Peter Hahn.
This event is apart of Opera GR’s second annual Opera week from Oct. 19-25.
Mathias J. Alten (American, 1871–1938). The Sources of Wealth, 1910. Oil on canvas. GVSU Art Gallery, Gift of Old Kent Bank; transfer from the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) is pleased to announce its upcoming exhibition showcasing Mathias J. Alten, Grand Rapids’ most esteemed painter. Mathias J. Alten: An Enduring Legacy is a survey exhibition that coincides with the 150th anniversary of Alten’s birth in 1871 and will be on view at GRAM through April 24.
Mathias J. Alten (American, 1871–1938). Self Portrait, 1913. Oil on canvas, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gift of the Artist.
In the early to mid-twentieth century, Alten was nationally recognized for his landscapes, still lifes, and portraits that drew on traditional European painting as well as more modern styles, like impressionism. The exhibition shows how over his lifetime, Alten’s painting evolved from a controlled, academic technique into a more fluid and expressive approach.
“Mathias Alten emigrated from Germany to Michigan at age 17 in 1889, where he spent the majority of his career painting and teaching in downtown Grand Rapids. Nearing the 150th anniversary of Alten’s birth, An Enduring Legacy celebrates his contribution to the arts in our city,” said GRAM Director and CEO Dana Friis-Hansen. “The exhibition includes paintings from throughout Alten’s career—including rarely seen artworks in other media and of monumental scale—offering our guests the chance to discover his work in a new way.”
Largely a self-taught artist, Alten received his first formal training in Paris at the age of 27. Like other ambitious American artists of his generation, Alten frequently traveled to paint in scenic settings and artist colonies in the U.S. and Europe. Even so, his primary residence and support base always remained Grand Rapids, where he spent the majority of his life painting and teaching.
The exhibition is comprised of highlights from GRAM’s permanent collection, the Grand Valley State University Art Gallery, and Grand Rapids Public Library, as well as works from private collections. In addition to paintings on canvas, the exhibition features murals, stained glass windows, and a selection of the artist’s private sketchbooks.
Opening concurrently with An Enduring Legacy is an exhibition in two parts: Hand and Machine in Harmony: Regional Arts & Crafts, highlighting the Arts and Crafts movement and its influence in the Midwest regions and West Michigan. Drawn primarily from a local private collection and enhanced with works from GRAM’s holdings, the first segment of the exhibition will be on view from Oct. 24 – Jan. 23 and explores three important Grand Rapids designers: Charles P. Limbert, Albert Stickley, and Forrest Emmerson Mann. These designers saw an opportunity to merge the fine craftsmanship and style of the English Arts and Crafts movement with factory production. By creating a harmony between machine production and handwork, Limbert, Stickley, and Mann produced furniture and décor that was well-made, beautifully designed, and affordable.
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.
“An Enduring Legacy provides an ideal opportunity to consider other creatives in Grand Rapids during the same period,” stated GRAM Chief Curator Ron Platt. “In the early twentieth century, Grand Rapids’ reputation as the Furniture City was due in large part to the cultural popularity of Arts and Crafts furniture and décor. Mann, Limbert and Stickley were responsible for some of the most beautiful and inventive Arts and Crafts design being produced at the time.”
GRAM members and the public are invited to take part in upcoming related programming, including the Member Opening Morning, Gallery Chats, art-making workshops in GRAM Studio, and Family Day. For those in our community who prefer to stay home, the Museum will continue to share free digital resources including artist interviews and talks, virtual tours, artmaking activities, and more at artmuseumgr.org/MuseumFromHome.
From the ghostly soldiers guarding the veterans home to the spooky inhabitants of the Amway Hotel, Grand Rapids has its fair share of spooky history. With Halloween quickly approaching it is the perfect time to check out some of the creepiest places Grand Rapids has to offer.
The Mill Creek Cemetery (WKTV / Anna Johns)
Mill Creek Cemetery
Legends say “The Green Lady” is still wandering the grounds at the Mill Creek Cemetery, 4 Bertha St. NW. There is little origin of the story of the Green Lady and her identity is unknown. Locals have shared stories of a woman wearing a green Victorian-style dress weeping by the grave of her child. The cemetery has graves dating back to the 1800s and has become overgrown hiding it from those who pass by. To reach the cemetery, visitors must follow a stone stairway into the woods where gravestones are scattered about.
The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Cemetery (WKTV / Anna Johns)
The Grand Rapids Home For Veterans
Since the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans opened in 1885, there have been reports of paranormal activity. Guests have claimed to feel cold spots, seen apparitions of soldiers in full uniform, heard footsteps and other unexplained noises. Today more than 4,000 soldiers reside in the nearby cemetery and some visitors believe it is those soldiers whose spirits still linger. The home is still active today and reports of ghostly activity continue. The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans is located at 3000 Monroe Ave NE and the cemetery is right beside the home.
The Amway Plaza Hotel (WKTV / Anna Johns)
The Amway Plaza Hotel
The Amway Plaza Hotel is so glamorous some residents decided to never check out. The hotel, located at 187 Monroe Ave. NW, has its fair share of legends. Guests have said that they have seen shadowy figures walking about and furniture moving on its own. Others have claimed negative and frightening feelings in certain areas of the hotel. Though the identity of the spirits are unknown, visitors swear something unworldly is occupying the hotel. The book “Ghost of Grand Rapids” by Nichole Bray and Robert Du Shane details one of the experiences hotel staff member Jim, who said “ If a guest leaves behind a dirty ashtray, it disappears. If someone leaves cigarettes behind, they disappear. Even if the ashtray has yet to be used, it sometimes disappears.” Other experiences include the ghost of a young boy wandering the halls, blankets being tugged off guests beds, and the ghost of a servant who still cleans in her afterlife.
The Michigan Bell Telephone Tower (WKTV/ Anna Johns)
The Michigan Bell Telephone Tower
The Michigan Bell Telephone Tower is one of Grand Rapids most notorious hauntings. The tower was once a lavish property in downtown Grand Rapids that was home to Warren Randall and his wife Virginia. Warren Randall was involved in an accident at the railway where he lost his leg. This caused Randall to be home more and lowered his self-esteem ruining the couple’s happy relationship. He would accuse his wife of cheating on him and neighbors would often call the cops complaining of loud arguments coming from the home. The tragedy happened in late summer of 1910. In a jealous fit of rage, Warren beat his wife with his wooden leg killing her before taking his own life. Their bodies were discovered shortly after and the mansion remained unoccupied until it was torn down in 1920. The Michigan Bell Telephone Co. purchased the property and built its company. Today they claim that the Randalls haunt the tower.
People have said they have heard Virginia calling out pleading for her life. Some claim they have received calls from Randalls’ spirits hearing only static or silence. Oddly these calls have been traced back to the second floor of the Michigan Bell Telephone Building during off hours. The Michigan Bell Telephone Co. Building is located at the corner of Division and Lyon in downtown Grand Rapids.
Monument Park (WKTV/ Anna Johns)
Monument Park
The Civil War monument at Monument Park is said to be haunted by the spirit of Edward Blakely. Blakely was the son of a civil war veteran and also responsible for the statue’s reconstruction. Some believe that Blakely has been hanging out at the statue in his afterlife. People have claimed to see the apparition of an elderly man staring at the statue however when they notice him he vanishes. He has been known to give up his seat to women and children before vanishing. For those looking to visit Monument Park, it is located at 1 Fulton St E.
St. Cecilia Music Center (WKTV/ Anna Johns)
St. Cecilia Music Center
The St. Cecilia Music Center is a music venue built in 1894 and is said to be home to several friendly ghosts. Performers claim that they have witnessed flickering lights, unusual voices, and shadowy apparitions. According to the book “Ghost of Grand Rapids” by Nichole Bray and Robert Du Shane claim the venue is haunted saying “If you ask if the historical St. Cecilia Music Center is truly haunted, it is likely that you would get a “yes.” In the book, the authors detail experiences from the venue including stories about missing tickets, apparitions of a woman from the Victorian era, and a ghostly janitor. St. Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom Ave NE and next time you visit the venue be sure to listen for more than just music.
Holmdene Manor at Aquinas College (WKTV/ Anna Johns)
Holmdene Manor at Aquinas College
The Holmdene Manor located on Aquinas College at 1700 E. Fulton St. has been the subject of ghost stories for centuries. The home was built in 1906 by Edward Love and his wife Susan. The legend says that the manor is haunted by one of the Love’s children who drowned on the property. Though the details of this legend have been proven untrue students insist the manor is haunted. Throughout the years guests have claimed they have seen lights flickers and reported phantom elevator rides and slamming doors. Some students have sworn they saw the face of a boy in the attic window when passing by. In 2005, a paranormal investigator, John Zaffis, visited the manor and claimed to feel the presence of several spirits. Some third-shift campus safety officers claim the ghosts are pranksters and love to flicker the lights. They also have reported strange feelings of being watched or heard children laughing.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, who uncovered the impact lead in Flint’s water system was having on children, will discuss public health and environmental inequality during a virtual event presented in partnership by GVSU’s Kutsche Office of Local History and Grand Rapids Public Library.
“Public Health & Public Trust with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha” will be Monday, October 19, beginning at 7 p.m.; state Rep. Rachel Hood will join the discussion. The event is free and open to the public; participants must register online to receive information about how to access the program.
Hanna-Attisha was scheduled to visit Grand Valley’s campus in March as part of the Great Michigan Read. She is the author of the nationally recognized book, “What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City.”
Kimberly McKee, director of the Kutsche Office of Local History, said the virtual event aligns with the office’s mission of presenting an intersectional approach to history, while connecting with its Grand River project.
“Hosting Dr. Hanna-Attisha for a conversation supports the Kutsche Office’s interest in considering how local history intersects with environmental history, picking up on some of the themes that emerged from our Connections Along the Grand River project,” McKee said. The Grand River project was also funded by Michigan Humanities, a sponsor of the Great Michigan Read.
Julie Tabberer, manager of the Grand Rapids History and Special Collections department at GRPL, said a conversation about environmental inequality, and the relationship between democratic representation and healthy communities is important to everyone.
The 2019-2020 Great Michigan Read is presented by Michigan Humanities and supported by national, statewide and local partners, including the National Endowment for the Humanities and The Meijer Foundation. This program is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment of the Humanities.
New administrators and staff along with creative ways of teaching during a pandemic. For more stories on local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Angelia Coleman is dean of students at Endeavor Elementary School (School News Network)
Kentwood: District welcomes new administrators, ready to ‘lead through uncharted waters’
Kentwood Public Schools added several new faces to its staff this year. So which new administrator enjoys vintage shopping? Who worked as a summer camp activities coordinator? And who is returning to the East Kentwood Freshman Campus? Click here to get all the answers.
Kelloggsville head coach Brandon Branch has many tasks prior to football practice, including equipment adjustments (School News Network)
Kelloggsville: Teacher and coach applies lessons in classroom and on field
While Brandon Branch may be Kelloggsville’s new head football coach, he is no stranger to the district or the football program. Branch has taught science and math at the high school since 2008 and has been part of the football program that entire time, ncluding as a junior varsity defensive coordinator for four years and varsity defensive coordinator for eight. He also is the varsity wrestling coach. Learn more about Branch and his football philosophy by clicking here.
Kindergarten teacher Julie Merrill thanks donors for books, foam mats and other items. (School News Network)
Wyoming: ‘I want it to look happy”
Social distancing guidelines didn’t deter teachers at Wyoming’s West Elementary from making sure their classrooms were welcoming. With a little creativity and some donations — some of which came from former students — these teachers added comfy furniture, colorful decor, shelves filled with books and bins of materials for writing, drawing and counting. Click here to learn more.
Just a month before the pandemic closed schools, Crestwood students spent three days collecting 150 pounds of cafeteria trash (all photos courtesy of school)
Kentwood: Leaving a greener footprint
Three years ago, Amelia Haywood, CharlotteVanWingen, Sammi Geurink and fellow Crestwood Middle School students approached their teacher Bobbie Fletcher with a Michigan Green School application and a vision for a more eco-friendly school. Michigan Green Schools challenges K-12 students in Michigan to achieve environmental goals to protect the state’s air, water, land and animals. To be considered for Michigan Green School status, a school must complete at least 10 out of 20 points of educational environmental activities. How did Crestwood achieve this? Click here to learn more.
Wyoming Junior High English teacher Shantel VanderGalien was named Regional Teacher of the Year for 2020. (School News Network)
Wyoming: ‘Who we are as teachers and students is essential the same’
West Michigan’s Teacher of the Year (Region 3) Shantel VanderGalien, an Wyoming Junior High English teacher, talks about virtual teaching, in-person instruction, and still having those “bombshell endings.” Click here for more.
This past summer Kentwood’s Yo Chef’s announced it would be serving up wood fired pizzas. This is an image of a fresh tomato, mozzarella, and pesto pizza. Fair warning, the pizzas are only available through Yo Chef’s catering.
Do you have a photo you would like considered for Photo of the Week? Then send it to WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, as part of the Cancer Network of West Michigan, is pioneering the use of an advanced robotic system to diagnose lung cancer. (Supplied/Metro Health)
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, as part of the Cancer Network of West Michigan, is pioneering the use of an advanced robotic system to diagnose lung cancer at the earliest, hardest-to-reach stages, improving hope for survival from this No. 1 cause of cancer death.
“Historically, most lung cancer diagnoses were late. When we are able to detect, diagnose and treat sooner, we can help a patient outlive the cancer,” said Dr. Mounir Ghali, Director of Interventional Pulmonology at Metro Health.
Ghali and Metro Health are addressing the challenge of early detection with the region’s first Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy tool, allowing faster, more precise and minimally invasive biopsies. Ghali started using the system Sept. 21.
Early stage cancers typically are very small and located in hard-to-reach parts of the lung. The Ion robot’s shape-sensing technology allows Ghali to precisely guide a thin catheter through the patient’s mouth into the airway tree, and safely perform a biopsy – even in the smallest and most remote regions of the lung.
The procedure takes an hour or less. Patients go home after recovering from anesthesia and can return to work the next day.
“As part of the Cancer Network of West Michigan, a progressive regional collaboration with Mercy Health and Michigan Medicine, Metro Health is committed to innovation that provides hope for people in our community who are facing cancer,” said Dr. Peter Hahn, President and CEO, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.
“The Ion system offers significant advantages to previous bronchoscopy technology,” said Hahn, who also is a pulmonologist. “This exemplifies our constant efforts to improve options for patients facing the possibility of lung cancer. Not only is Dr. Ghali a board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional pulmonologist, he is now equipped with the most advanced tool available int eh world for fast, safe, and accurate diagnosis.”
The Ion robotic bronchoscopy is used with cone beam CT technology to generate a three-dimensional road map to the target area. (Supplied/Metro Health)
The Ion robotic bronchoscopy is used with cone beam CT technology to generate a three-dimensional road map to the target area. The computer acts as a sort of GPS while a vision probe allows a real-time view inside the airway as the physician gives a 3.5-millimeter catheter along the path.
The catheter’s narrow diameter and maneuverability allow it to safely twist through tight corners, reaching al segments of the lung. The Ion also is compatible with existing equipment, including scanning devices that support real-time navigating. Once the target is reached, a needle inside the catheter collects the biopsy.
The Ion robotics bronchoscopy complements the work of Metro’s Health’s Lung Cancer Screening Clinic, which scans on high-risk patients to discover potential problems. If a scan reveals nodules, a biopsy is required for diagnosis.
“The life-saving potential of the Ion robot illustrates the importance of lung screenings as a first step,” said Dr. Terrance Barnes, who conducts the screenings for Metro Health.
“Lung screenings are essential to our overall strategy for improving cancer outcomes,” Barnes said. “Studies show lung screenings help reduce cancer deaths, especially when combined with smoking-cessation programs.”
Doctors and researchers agree quitting smoking is the most important step to preventing lung cancer. Patients wondering about their risk factors should talk to their physician or explore the lung-screening information on Metro Health’s website.
“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”
Artist Andy Warhol (1928-1987)
Windmill Island Gardens (WKTV)
Visit the Windmill Island Gardens
Originally set to close earlier this month, the Windmill Island Gardens has extended its season, weekends only, to Oct. 25. The Windmill Island Gardens, located at 1 Lincoln Ave., Holland, is a season park where guests can visit a 250-year old windmill, enjoy tulip gardens, and learn about Dutch culture. Admission has been reduced to $5 for guests 9 and up and younger children are admitted free. Note, some attractions at the gardens may not be open to the public.
A Witchy Weekend
It will be a little “hocus pocus” this weekend at Aquinas College as The Circle Theater and Wealthy Street Theater have teamed up to show the 1993 Disney cult classic “Hocus Pocus”. The screening will be held outside at Aquinas College Performing Arts Center, 1703 Robinson Rd. Se, from Oct. 8 to 10. Doors open at 7 p.m. and a costume contest will be held at 7:45 p.m. before the film starts at 8 p.m. Patrons will have access to a cash bar with both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Popcorn and candy will be available but guests are allowed to bring their own picnic-style food. “Hocus Pocus” is bout the Sanderson sisters who were resurrected by a teenage boy in Salem, Mass, on Halloween night. The film features Bette Milder and Sarah Jessica Parker. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 616-456-6656 or visit Circletheatre.org
(Blandford Nature Center)
Grab a drink at The Blandford Nature Center
The Blandford Nature Center’s owl ambassadors will be hosting an adult-only night of “Whoos and Boos” Oct. 10. From 1 to 3 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to crack open a cold one as they meet the center’s owl ambassadors. Guests can bring their own blankets or chairs or they can sit at the center’s picnic tables. Tickets are $12/members and $15/non-members. Each ticket will come with one beer and an additional beer will be available for purchase. This is a 21+ event and there will be two time slots for this event so guests can choose either 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The center is located at 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, and tickets can be purchased by contacting registrar@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Fun Fact: The Unicorn is Scotland’s national animal
Did you know the national animal of Scotland is the unicorn? The unicorn was adopted as the nation animal during the late 1300s by King Robert. Since the 15th Century monarchs of Scotland used the unicorn in their coat of arms because they believed it was a symbol of purity and power. The Scottish believed that only virgin maidens and kings could keep unicorns captative because of the creatures power.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners has 19 districts of which five represent portions of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. Here are those seeking to represent Wyoming and Kentwood residents at the county level.
7th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 7th District Kent County Commissioner race, Republican incumbent Stan Ponstein, of Grandville, will be facing off against Democrat challenger Jane Newton, of Grandville. The 7th District covers most of the City of Grandville and the northern portion of the City of Wyoming, most of which is in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district. For specific borders, visit accesskent.com.
Jane Newton – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Operations Manager at LaFleur Marketing
Why did you decided to run for the 7th District Kent County Commission seat?
I am running for Kent County Commission because people in our community are ready for real change and new leadership. I am passionate about how local government affects our daily lives and care deeply about equity, air and water protection, public health, accessibility, and supporting the community and small businesses. I’m a creative problem solver who brings a lens of sustainability, equity, and access to decision making.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
1) Water is our most valuable and irreplaceable natural resource. We must do all we can to protect it. For example, the county’s department of public works can help protect groundwater and our environment by building the sustainable business park to stop burying trash and drastically reduce what we send to the landfill. Protecting water and being on the cutting edge of sustainability creates jobs and makes Kent County a leader.
2) Make sure our health department has all the tools and resources it needs to respond to public health crises like COVID with a test, trace, and isolate strategy to protect the health of all individuals as well as our local economy and small businesses.
3) Build and create truly accessible county parks for kids and adults of all abilities. This year has shown us how valuable and essential the county’s outdoor spaces are for the physical and mental well-being of residents and how important it is to keep parks and trails maintained and updated.
Stan Ponstein – Incumbent (R)
Occupation: Works for Costco
Why did you decide to seek election to the 8th District Kent County Commission seat?
2020 has been an interesting year as we faced the challenge of COVID-19. I believe it is important to for the Board of Commissioners to have the experience and expertise on the board as we continue to maneuver through the next challenges to keep our county moving forward.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
COVID-19 showed some areas that we need to improve upon, mental health being one of them. As a board member of the Network 180 Mental Health Board and the Regional Substance Use Advisory Board, the shutdown affected the most vulnerable in our communities. We need to refocus and prioritize programs for mental health, substance abuse, and the mental and physical health so that those who are most vulnerable do not get left behind. Another area that stood out due to COVID, was our park system. Having the park system provided a place where people could get out of the house and socialize. I have always made our park system a priority so we can ensure that future generations will be ale to enjoy the beauty of nature in Kent County. The county has strong fiscal policies and has been able to maintain a AAA bond rating along with a fully funded pension program. Lastly, I fully support law enforcement in Kent County. We have partnered with communities and governmental agencies to deliver effective services at reduce costs and better outcomes. Our Sheriff Department is always looking at and challenging itself to deliver services with better outcomes for all people. Whether it’s partnering with Court officials, jail diversion programs or local community engagement, we have something we can be proud of in Kent County.
8th District Kent County Commissioner
There are two candidates seeking the 8th District Kent County Commission seat, which had been held by Harold Voorhees. Voorhees announced earlier this year that after more than 18 years as the 8th District Kent County commissioner, he would not seek re-election.
The candidates are Republican Dan Burrill and Sarah Chatterley, both of Wyoming. The 8th District Kent County Commission seat covers the eastern portion of the City of Wyoming, including the pan handle. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Dan Burrill – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Residential real estate and builder
Why did you decide to seek election to the 8th District Kent County Commission seat?
My desire to serve started back on the student council for middle school. When I was older, I served on the Grandville Public Schools Board of Education and continued that obligation to serve our community by first being on the Wyoming Zoning Board of Appeals and currently on the Wyoming City Council. I believe if you have the ability and willingness to serve that you owe it to the local community to offer your tools, talents and time to help make it a better place. With Harold Voorhees stepping down after 18 years of serving Wyoming at the county level, I was encouraged by others to run for the 8th District Commission seat and continue the great job that Harold Voorhees has done and the success at the county level.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
I want to continue to assure that we have clean water throughout the county. I would want to make sure that there is adequate funding for mental health services, especially since COVID-19 has heighten awareness of such issues as violence and mental health. COVID-19 has brought forth a number of issues for businesses and health which the county will need to continue to focus on.
Sarah Chatterley – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Candidate for Kent County Commission; Planning Commissioner for the City of Wyoming
Why did you decide to seek election to the 8th District Kent County Commission seat?
I am running for this seat because I am passionate about issues that are facing Kent County. I want to make sure that county government is adequately and equitably serving each of our residents – all 650,000 of them. I am excited to meet constituents, hear their ideas and concerns, and advocate for our community on a variety of issues, including health and economic inequities that existed before and were exacerbated by the pandemic. I look forward to engaging in a countywide effort to address disparities and making sure that our community has all that it needs to recover. This includes help for members of our community who are already struggling to make ends meet: vulnerable populations, including ALICE households (households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, & Employed), households experiencing poverty, and marginalized communities. Nearly one third of households across Kent County are ALICE households, struggling to afford the basic necessities. About 11 percent of Kent County households are living in poverty, and approximately one in every seven children in Kent County live in poverty (Source: https://poverty.umich.edu/data-tools-poverty-and-well-being-map-2020/). It will be important to pay attention to how these numbers change due to the pandemic and respond appropriately.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
I would like to focus on prioritizing people in various ways. Here are a couple of issues I would like to focus on: expand investment in early childhood learning and improve access to fair and affordable housing. Early childhood learning is important to creating the foundation of education and helps all of our community’s children get the best start in life. Fair and affordable housing is greatly needed throughout the county. I would also like to improve the transparency of the Commission by making meetings more accessible to the public. I believe that attendance could be improved by moving County meetings to the evenings, outside of most residents’ working hours.
9th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 9th District Kent County Commissioner, Republican incumbent Matt Kallman is being challenged by Democrat candidate Keith Courtade. Both are from Byron Center. The 9th District is all of Byron Center and a southern portion of the City of Wyoming east of Burlingame Avenue and west of Clyde Park Avenue to 36th Street and a portion that goes from north of 40th Street to Division Avenue. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Keith Courtade – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Worked for GM
Why did you decide to run for the 9th District County Commissioner seat?
I have a real passion for this and I miss not being able to represent and serve the people of Kent County. When I served as a Kent County Commissioner, I was a voice for the working families, the middles class, the poor and senior citizens – all the residents. I brought a commitment to fiscal responsibility, tax fairness and open government.
If elected, what issue (s) would you want to focus on and why?
I will put jobs first, working to find jobs and retaining laid-off workers; ease family burdens by helping them cope with the demands of caring for family members who are disabled; keep parks affordable by opposing park and recreation fees so no Kent County families would be priced out of county activities; push for local first purchasing to keep our tax dollars with local businesses; and defend the senior millage.
Matt Kallman – Incumbent (R)
Occupation: Software
12th District Kent County Commissioner
In the 9th District Kent County Commissioner, Democrat incumbent Moncia Sparks, of Kentwood, is being challenged by Republican candidate Ryan Malinoski, of Kentwood. The District 12 Kent County Commissioner seat covers the western portion of the City of Kentwood and the eastern portion of the city of Wyoming. For specific boarders, visit accesskent.com.
Ryan Malinowski – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Security guard
Why did you decide to run for the 12th District County Commissioner seat?
I’ve always been interested in running for office from a young age and feel it’s my time to serve the people by keeping Kent County going in the right direction.
If elected, what issue(s) would you want to focus on and why?
I think voters want to feel like the government is working with the health department to give the knock out punch to COVID and end the lockdown orders, and I believe most feel the defund the police movement is sending the wrong message.
Monica Sparks – Incumbent (D)
Occupation: Small business owner, State of Michigan licensed real estate broker and instructor
Why did you decide to run for the 12th District County Commissioner seat?
To become a policy maker that seeks to protect the services of our residents and ensure a quality of life for those living in Kent County.
If elected, what issue(s) would you want to focus on and why?
Too many uncertainties of the future with COVID for everyone, especially education.
Local Small businesses are suffering and closing affecting our local economy.
Access and barriers exist to mental health care services and stigma reduction.
Violence and crime rates rising.
13th District Kent County Commissioner
With the announcement that current 13th District Kent County Commission Betsy Melton would not seek re-election, two candidates are vying for the seat: Republican Levi Cipcic, of Kentwood, and Democrat Michelle McCloud, of Kentwood. The Kent County Commission District 13 covers the eastern portion of the City of Kentwood. For specific boarders, visit.accesskent.com.
Levi Cipcic – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Producer
Why did you decide to run for the 13th District County Commissioner seat?
I want to represent Kentwood in a way that brings the city to the forefront of thought when decisions are being made. In order to be effective, one needs to show up and communicate efficiently. I will do just that. Kentwood has a lot to be proud of and it’s time we position the city in a way that inspires the other districts around the county to be as equally exceptional.
If elected, what issue(s) would you want to focus on and why?
Health and wellbeing. Community safety and emergency preparedness. Fiscal responsibility.
Michelle McCloud – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Assistant Dean, Grand Valley State University
Why did you decide to run for the 13th District County Commissioner seat?
I’m running to serve as your Kent County Commissioner because I want to bring positive results to our community.
If elected, what issue(s) would you want to focus on and why?
Defending Public Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In collaboration with the county health department, ensure that the department is equipped with the resources necessary to test, trace and isolate COVID-19 cases. Our community’s essential workers deserve leaders that are willing to address the impact of COVID-19 today and in the future.
Invest in Early Childhood Education. Ensure children are kindergarten-ready through initiatives geared towards infants and toddlers, while ensuring that all children receive equal opportunities.
Support Our Neighborhood Businesses. Ensure that commercial property tax dollars are invested locally, so that we can prioritize smart economic growth for our local business. The City of Kentwood is an extremely vibrant community and local businesses are the heart of this great city.
All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.
The City of Wyoming Tree Commission, “The Tree Amigos,” planted 20 trees with funds from a DTE Foundation grant administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The original spring planting dates were moved to fall due to COVID-19.
On Sept. 26, seven trees were planted in the Godfrey-Lee neighborhood in parkways in front of residents’ homes. On Oct. 10, another seven trees will be planted in the neighborhood and eight trees in Oriole Park, where many trees have had to be removed. Each tree represents a $500 investment. Excavation and permitting are being provided by the City of Wyoming. In addition to the Tree Amigos volunteers, five youth volunteers from Lee High School National Honor Society are helping with the plantings this fall.
Community members and students from Wyoming Lee High School have worked to add more trees to the Godfrey Lee neighborhood. (Courtesy photo by Tree Amigos)
The Tree Amigos have focused on the Godfrey Lee neighborhood the past two years because it has lost many trees to storms and development. On Arbor Day 2019, Wyoming Lee High School Ecology Club joined the Tree Amigos for the City’s 2019 Arbor Day Ceremony. To open the event, members of the Club planted two tulip trees on school property bordering Lee Street. The trees were provided by The Tree Amigos.
“We absolutely have some areas that need this resource,” said Vlad Borza, a Lee High School teacher who leads the Ecology Club. “I actually worked on a project just last year with high school ecology students to identify this very need.
“Due to disease and windfall, several of the trees along the (school’s) front parking area and along the side had to be removed in recent years. We would love to re-populate this area with some preferably native trees that can begin to complete the void left behind by these removals.”
The Friends of Grand Rapids Parks has also noted the need for increasing tree canopy in this area where Wyoming and Grand Rapids share a boundary. This City of Grand Rapids organization has been a helpful resource for The Tree Amigos. Its Urban Forest Project also offer resources and tree education classes, which are open to Wyoming residents.
“There is no arguing the significant environmental and economic benefits that trees bring to our communities,” said Lauren Davis, urban forest coordinator for the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and who serves as The Tree Amigos volunteer consulting certified arborist. “As we continue to lose mature trees from natural causes and development, the need to plant new trees has never been greater.”
The Tree Amigos also added six fruit trees to the City of Wyoming Tree Commission’s Beverly Bryant Community Orchard at West Elementary this fall.
For more information about The Tree Amigos, visit the organization’s Facebook page.
The Tree Amigos and area residents will be out again on Oct. 10 to plant more trees. (Courtesy Photo by Tree Amigos)
There are three seats that the City of Wyoming residents will be voting on at the Nov. 3 general election with only one race have more than one candidate.
With Wyoming Council member at-large Dan Burrill’s decision not to seek re-election, there are two newcomers running for the council member at-large seat: Rob Arnoys and John Fitzgerald.
Council member at-large
Rob Arnoys – Candidate
Occupation: Banker – SVP Retail Banking
Why did you decide to run for the at-large council seat for the City of Wyoming?
I have always been active in the community with a passion to make a contribution and serve. I have been involved in the City on committees and as a Planning Commissioner for Wyoming for the past 10-plus years and feel called to run for this seat on Council. I am a life long resident of the City of Wyoming and am both passionate about this city and have good knowledge of our history. I feel my experience with the City, my financial background, leadership skills and ability to collaborate will serve well as a council member. The city is going through rapid change and my experience as an executive leader can help us strategically navigate so that we continue to be a great place to live, raise a family and work!
What are a couple of issues you would like to focus on if elected and why?
I feel the city is very well run and is one of the best places to live. My objective is that we continue to make Wyoming the best city in Michigan. If elected, here are my key focuses:
1. Public safety – Our residents and constituents deserve to live in a safe and secure environment. In order to accomplish this we need to support our public safety team and show them our appreciation.
2. Fiscal responsibility – Our city does a great job of administering our budget. My background in finance will assist in the process to insure that we are stewards of the dollars our residents have entrusted the city. We are to maximize our benefits while wisely prioritizing our limited and valuable budget.
3. Represent our residents – As an at-large council candidate, I have knocked on well over a thousand doors and have had great conversations to make sure I hear what the citizens are seeing and needing. I vow to be available and visible in our community so that I can appropriately represent the interests of our residents.
John Fitzgerald – Candidate
Occupation: Commercial Insurance Broker
Why did you decide to run for the at-large council seat for the City of Wyoming?
I chose to run for this seat because I firmly believe and expect that local government should be the most accessible and truly representative level of government. So many critical areas of day-to-day life for Wyoming residents are impacted by the Council’s duties including infrastructure, tax rates, public safety, parks and wellness services, and community development. In order for each of these areas to be most effectively, efficiently, and equitably delivered, we need Council Members willing to listen to and learn from the experiences of residents to better respond to the needs, challenges, and expectations of community members. I pledge to be an objective, honest, and accountable public servant for all residents of Wyoming.
What are a couple of issues you would like to focus on if elected and why?
Wyoming has a number of areas of concern for residents which I will address during my term. First, I will examine strategic land use for both residential and commercial development. Housing development must be prioritized in order to attract new residents, as well as considering varying housing options for those wishing to downsize, who have varying financial resources, or those with accessibility needs wishing to remain in Wyoming. Second, public safety and the well-being of our community shall remain a priority. I support our public safety departments, and I will strive to have the city invest in services which proactively manage crime, allowing police and fire to more directly dedicate resources to critical areas of emergency response and community policing. Finally, I will work to strategically develop a plan to revitalize our business community and commercial districts. We must attract a robust and diverse business community with quality pay structures to effectively operate in our city, capitalizing on the economic growth in the region.
2nd and 3rd Ward Council Seats
Two of the council seats have candidates running unopposed. Marissa Postler is seeking a second term to represent the city’s 2nd Ward. The City of Wyoming’s 2nd Ward Council area covers the northern portion of the City of Wyoming from Chicago Drive in the north to Prairie Parkway down Burlingame Avenue over 36th Street and up along 32nd Street on the south. The 2nd Ward western border is Wentworth and the eastern border is the city limits.
Also seeking his second term is Rob Postema, who is currently serving as the 3rd Ward Council member. The City of Wyoming’s 3rd Ward Council area encompasses the city’s panhandle area that includes most of the western area of the city from Prairie Parkway on the north to 60th Street in the south. The 3rd Ward eastern border wraps around the city limits to Kenowa Avenue and its western border is Burlingame Avenue.
