Category Archives: Kids Activities

Gonzo’s Top 5: Tulips, Rent the Musical, and Stars on Ice

Citizen Journalism, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

It’s here!

The Amway River Bank Run returns to downtown Grand Rapids, and it looks like the rain will hold off just in time for everyone to stay dry.

Please check the latest weather forecast if you have something to do Saturday afternoon. We’re supposed to have some strong winds. Be careful.

What does that mean for other activities going on this weekend? Let’s get to my Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Gonzo’s Top 5

5. Tulip Time Festival

Speaking of the weather, let’s hope things go well for the finale of Tulip Time in Holland. The big Volksparade is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday (May 14) and fireworks are planned for later in the evening. Country artists Chase Bryant perform at 7 p.m. That show is indoors. Go to tuliptime.com for the latest updates.

4. Stars on Ice

Some of my favorite memories as a kid was seeing Stars on Ice and all of the Olympic stars who come out to entertain. You can experience the best of the U.S. Figure Skating team, starting with the 2022 Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, three-time World Champion, and six-time and reigning U.S. Champion Nathan Chen. Others include 2022 Olympic Silver and Bronze Medalists, three-time World Medalists and three-time U.S. Champions Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue, as well as Madison Chock & Evan Bates, Karen Chen, Alexa Knierim & Brandon Frazier; Vincent Zhou and many more. The show is at 7:30 tonight (May 13) at Van Andel Arena. Details at vanandelarena.com.

3. Middleville Spring Fest

If you want something to do tonight, the Middleville DDA and community partners will feature live music, free art-based activities, a downtown scavenger hunt, the Middleville Market season kick-off, and much more. Attendees also will be able to help create murals and paint pianos. The event is from 3-7 p.m. Check out the Facebook page for more info.

Circle Theatre presents “RENT” in May. (Supplied)

2. Rent

Circle Theatre is back with “Rent,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Jonathan Larson, which follows a year in the lives of a group of friends, artists, and musicians. It is set in the East Village of New York City during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and explores love, happiness, and the struggles to survive. Performances are set at the Aquinas College Performing Arts Center through May 21. More details at  https://circletheatre.org/.

The Grand Rapids Symphony will be in concert at Meijer Gardens later this year. (Supplied/Grand Rapids Symphony)

1.Revolution: Music of The Beatles – A Symphonic Experience

Relive all the classic Beatles songs in this Grand Rapids Symphony performance led by conductor Bob Bernhardt. This Beatles symphonic experience is transcribed and arranged from original multi-track Abby Road masters. It includes a “magical, musical tour with singers, projected images, and surprises from The Beatles archives,” according to press material. Performances are Friday and Saturday (May 13-14) at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. Ticket availability at https://www.grsymphony.org/revolution.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.

John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Wyoming resident Roger Munyon creates successful card game, fulfilling lifelong dream

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Local Business, Recreation

By D.A. Reed
WKTV Contributing Writer

Roger Munyon with his game “Trashed.” (Supplied)

After years of inventing his own board games and card games, Wyoming resident Roger Munyon’s lifelong dream became reality when his card game “Trashed” was accepted for distribution by Winning Moves Games while also claiming a Toy Insider Winner award for being one of the top holiday toys in 2021.

Inspired by the classic card game “Garbage,” Munyon’s game “Trashed” features custom cards and unique twists to gameplay that brings the old-time favorite to a new level for players while still being easy to play.

“It’s a basic, simple game,” Munyon said. “Considering our current economic situation here, people are going to be really looking for a value—a game that is fun to play and easy to play that doesn’t break the bank.”

Munyon attributes the success of “Trashed” to the game’s similarity to “Garbage.” “That’s one the things that made it potentially attractive to a company, because it has a touch of the familiar,” said Munyon. After playing Garbage with a friend, Munyon found himself driving home and wondering, “How can I make this game a little bit different and a little more exciting?” The ability to steal cards from other players, as well as bonus cards, are just a few of the ideas Munyon incorporated into Trashed.

The secret to game invention, Munyon said, is expansion. “When you think about it, there are really only four or five basic games in the world. The first person to reach a finish line, or you end the game when you have more of something than somebody else, or you’re the last man standing. Every game is a takeoff on one of those ideas.”

Roger Munyon tests a new game with his “game testers.” (Supplied)

How the inventor presents those changes is what creates something unique out of an original concept.

Munyon’s love for games began as a child. “When all the kids were glued around the (television) screen, I found that the shows I liked most were the game shows. Back then, you could turn the dial on from ten in the morning until four-thirty in the afternoon and find a game show.”

At five-years-old, Munyon’s grandmother asked if he would like a copy of the board game “Beat the Clock,” a popular television game show in the 1950s, for Christmas. “She bought me my first game,” said Munyon. “As time went on, I started collecting other board games.”

Munyon’s personal collection includes several copies of board games based on popular television shows such as “Perry Mason” and “Twilight Zone.” It was not unusual for classmates and teachers to see Munyon in school with a game in hand.

It wasn’t long before Munyon began dreaming of creating his own board game. “I’d go to second-hand stores and buy old games and tear them apart and use the parts for something else,” Munyon said. The game inventor learned how to cover over game boards with craft paper and do his own designs. Munyon does most of his designs by hand: “I do very little with computers, even now.”

But Munyon admits that it is not an easy process and takes dedication and hard work. “People who like to invent things…we’re dreamers. We have this desire to communicate and show our talents to the world—and entertain the world. (But) there’s a lot of competition out there…and only so much shelf space. There are 10 new games released a day—thousands of games are competing for a spot.”

It’s a wonderful feeling when that hard work and patience is recognized, says Munyon. “It’s exciting to have professionals look at an idea of yours and say, ‘Hey, I like this. This might work.’ Then you hope the public follows along.”

Munyon says that creating anything is a gift, but that part of talent is deciding what to do with that gift and how to make it work. “I could paper my walls with rejection letters,” Munyon admits. Looking back now, the inventor sees why he received so many of those rejection letters. “You’ve got to be able to take that talent…and put your best foot forward and make it as appealing as possible. It’s taking a gift and refining it.”

“Trashed” went through its own refining process, the original name and design changing before being released.

When asked what advice he would give other “dreamers,” Munyon said, “Learn as much as you can about the business. Take advice from people in the field. Play test an idea to death until you get the bugs out. Be willing to allow changes. Keep hope alive and keep swinging.”

A testament to his own advice, Munyon’s home sports several shelves lined with approximately 50 to 100 games of his own invention.

Munyon is currently hard at work fine-tuning a card game of his own invention in the hopes of submitting it for distribution.

Trashed can be purchased on Amazon and the Winning Moves website.

Kentwood Police Department invites high school students to youth academy

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Education, Kids Activities

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The Kentwood Police Department is inviting high school students to apply for its youth academy, set to take place July 25-28.

The academy is open to all graduating seniors and students who will be a sophomore, junior or senior in the 2022-23 school year. It is geared toward young people who are interested in a career in law enforcement and who want to experience what it’s like to be a police officer. Participants do not need to live or attend school in Kentwood.

The free program will run 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. It will provide students with hands-on experience in police training and operations. Participants will receive instruction in various aspects of policing and participate in training scenarios, including:

  • Building searches
  • Drunken driving enforcement
  • Handcuffing
  • Special Response Team
  • And more!

Eligible participants must possess good moral character and pass a background check. They will be interviewed before being accepted into the program and be required to attend a pre-academy informational meeting with a parent or guardian. Each participant will be provided a uniform and daily lunch.

Applications are due by May 13 and can be submitted online, by email to wierengat@kentwood.us, in person at the Police Department or by mail to Sgt. Tim Wierenga at 4742 Walma Ave. SE, Kentwood, MI 49512. For any questions, contact Sgt. Wierenga at wierengat@kentwood.us or 616-656-6561.

Shoreline shipwreck viewing predicted to be excellent this summer

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Environment, Great Lakes, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recreation, Travel, West Michigan, , , ,

By Jim DuFresne
Capital News Service

LANSING – Some trails break out of the woods at a lake. Some climb a dune to a sweeping view.

And many – more than you probably thought – lead to a shipwreck with a story on a beach.

This summer could be excellent for shoreline shipwreck viewing as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers predicts that the water level of lakes Michigan and Huron could be almost 2 feet below the record highs set in 2020.

Michigan’s fascinating maritime history is not limited to old lighthouses or restored life-saving stations.

 

Remains of the Francisco Morazan off South Manitou Island at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Jim DuFresne, MichiganTrailMaps.com.Remains of the Francisco Morazan off South Manitou Island at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The state is blessed with accessible shipwrecks that don’t require an air tank or a wetsuit to view – only a pair of hiking boots, a paddle or a snorkel and mask.

The heart of shipwreck territory is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, but there are others, including a wreck in Thompson’s Harbor State Park in Presque Isle County and more off the shore of the Upper Peninsula’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Michigan’s shoreline wrecks are constantly evolving, depending on wave action, shifting sand and Great Lake water levels.

High and dry for easy viewing this summer will be one of Michigan’s newest exposed wrecks, the Jennie and Annie.

The 137-foot schooner, built in 1863, was rounding Sleeping Bear Point in November 1872 when gale-force winds pushed it into the shallows and reefs of Lake Michigan’s notorious Manitou Passage. The ship, its 10-member crew and a cargo of corn were driven aground 9 miles south near Empire. Only three crew members survived.

Gone forever? Hardly. For the past two summers, a substantial piece of the hull has been visible on a Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore beach.

Here is a landlubber’s guide to other great Michigan shipwrecks:

City of Boston: Built in Cleveland in 1863, this 136-foot-long wooden steamer also featured a mast – and a history of bad luck.

In 1868, it collided with another steamer and sank in the Straits of Mackinac. When the steamship was raised 125 feet two years later, it was the deepest salvage ever attempted in the Great Lakes up to that time.

After being rebuilt in Cleveland, the ship returned to service as a stream barge, only to finally meet its end on Nov. 4, 1873, during a storm with blinding snow.

It was hauling flour and corn when it ran aground on a sand bar just off Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve in Benzie County. The raging surf quickly broke the hull, and the crew abandoned ship.
The ship’s remains are west of the preserve’s beach access stairway, 150 to 200 feet from shore, depending on water levels. It’s angled in 7 to 8 feet of water, with its stern buried in the sand bar and its bow occasionally less than 4 feet below the lake’s surface. It’s easy snorkeling, and visitors can see the outline of the bow in clear water from the preserve’s second observation deck.

James McBride: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a graveyard for shipwrecks, including this 121-foot brig built in 1848 and lost in October 1857. A November storm in 2014 washed up a 43-foot-long section of the James McBride, making it the largest shipwreck ever to appear on the park’s shoreline.

Francisco Morazan: On Nov. 27, 1960, this Liberian freighter left Chicago bound for Holland with 940 tons of cargo, a crew of 13, its captain and his pregnant wife.

Remains of a wreck at Lake Superior’s AuSable Reef as seen from a Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore trail.
Jim DuFresne, MichiganTrailMaps.com.Remains of a wreck at Lake Superior’s AuSable Reef as seen from a Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore trail.

The next day, the ship ran into 40-mile-per-hour winds, snow and fog that made for a virtual whiteout.

The captain thought he was rounding Beaver Island, more than 100 miles away, when he ran aground on the south side of South Manitou Island.

A Coast Guard cutter and helicopter rescued the 15 people, but left the wreck behind to be forever battered by Lake Michigan.

Today it’s the most popular destination for campers on the island. The wreck is also popular with kayakers who bring their boats over on the ferry.


American Union: This 186-foot, three-masted schooner was one of the largest sailing ships to work the Great Lakes when launched in 1862. Its size ultimately led to its demise when it encountered a fatal storm in 1894 that grounded it at Thompson’s Harbor State Park, northwest of Alpena. The crew was saved, and today the wreckage rests a quarter-mile from shore in 10 feet of crystal-clear Lake Huron water.

The remains of the hull offer viewing opportunities for snorkelers and kayakers.

AuSable Reef Wrecks: From Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore’s Hurricane River Campground, visitors can head east on the Lakeshore Trail and pass several wrecks, then end up at the AuSable Light Station built to protect the ships.

The first wreck, the Mary Jarecki, lies just outside the campground. The wooden bulk freighter was carrying iron ore and grounded on the AuSable Reef in July 1883. When other boats couldn’t tow it off, the ship was left to be battered by Lake Superior.

Its remains are just offshore and are challenging to see if there is a chop on the lake surface. 

But a hike further down the trail leads to timbers and ironwork from two wrecks half-buried in the sand.

The first is the Sitka, a wooden freighter that grounded and broke in half in 1904.

The second is the Gale Staples, built in 1881. The wooden freighter was loaded with coal when it beached itself on the sandy reef in 1918.

America: On June 6, 1928, this tourist ship was loaded with crates of fresh fruit and 48 passengers when it left a resort on Isle Royale National Park’s Washington Island and, within a half-mile, struck a reef.

It sank within sight of horrified hotel employees and guests back at the dock.
No deaths occurred, but bushels of fresh fruit washed ashore for weeks after the mishap.

Even more unusual, the ship sank in a vertical position, with one end lying less than 3 feet below the surface of Lake Superior.

Curious visitors can rent a canoe in Windigo and paddle out of Washington Harbor into the North Gap, where a buoy marks the ship’s location. Lake Superior is so clear it’s amazing how much is visible from a canoe seat.

Jim DuFresne is the editorial director at MichiganTrailMaps.com and an MSU Journalism School alum.

Frederik Meijer Gardens

Rededication of Meijer Gardens Volunteer Tribute Garden features expansion of ‘The Tribute’

Education, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, Volunteers, WKTV Projects, , ,
Renovations to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Volunteer Tribute Garden will soon see plantings come out of their winter stillness, and it will soon have an updated “The Tribute”, by Oliviero Rainaldi, on display. (WKTV.K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park appreciates its volunteers enough to give them, and the general public, a Volunteer Tribute Garden with its own work of art — “The Tribute”, by famed Italian artist Oliviero Rainaldi and commissioned for the site.

So it is fitting that as the Gardens readies the competition of renovation, and pending rededication of the tribute garden, still located just outside the hallway leading to the  Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, part of the renovation will be an expanded version of  Rainaldi’s circular work.

Fifteen years after the dedication of the Volunteer Tribute Garden and Rainaldi’s original sculpture, both the space and the sculpture are getting a new look, according to an announcement from Meijer Gardens.

Renovations to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Volunteer Tribute Garden will include an updated “The Tribute”, by Italian artist Oliviero Rainaldi, on display. (Supplied)

The Tribute and the Volunteer Tribute Garden will be rededicated Wednesday, April 20, in a special ceremony at 4 p.m., proceeded on April 19 by “A Conversation with Oliviero Rainaldi” at 7 p.m., in the Huizenga Grand Room.

“In 2006, Rainaldi was first commissioned to create a work of art to honor the thousands of volunteers who give their time and talents to Meijer Gardens,” according to the announcement. “As the buildings, garden spaces and number of volunteers at Meijer Gardens grow, so too did this sculpture.”

The artwork was temporarily removed to accommodate the redesign of the Volunteer Tribute Garden.

(Meijer Gardens is always seeking new volunteers, who are “Wanted. Needed. Appreciated.” with various jobs and shifts. For more information contact Valerie Maciejewski at vmaciejewski@meijergardens.org or 616-974-5221.)

Garden, artwork expanded but remains unique

Designed by Progressive AE and the Meijer Gardens horticulture team, the tribute garden has been expanded and redesigned to be more accessible and improve views of the wetland, sculpture and horticulture.
 

The tribute garden area update includes a new boardwalk area and outdoor classroom that extends on top of a wetland, “providing a great opportunity to teach guests about the importance of the natural environment, water and the ecosystem.”

And, according to the announcement, newly designed aluminum panels are being inserted into the interior of “The Tribute”.

“The exterior bronze panels poetically tell the stories of a diverse group of Meijer Gardens guest experiences,” according to the announcement. “The two interior panels incorporate stories of place and the emotion of love.”

Rainaldi describes the central curve as “the heart of the sculpture, which should be dedicated exclusively to Fred and Lena Meijer, creating an idealized place where horticulture and sculpture dialog together.”

Rainaldi, well known for his artwork focused on the human figure in a post-war and contemporary setting, “takes a linear approach that emphasizes humanity’s most ideal and essential qualities,” according to the announcement.

The structure brings viewers into a water scene, where they look up at the sky through reeds and will notice an aerial view of the Great Lakes, “as if looking down upon the Earth. Water has historically been symbolic of life, power, purity and strength.”

These elements together represent and pay tribute to Fred and Lena Meijer, to the natural beauty of West Michigan, and to the thousands of dedicated volunteers who have donated their time and talents, according to the announcement.

While “A Conversation with Oliviero Rainaldi” — a conversation with Meijer Gardens President & CEO David Hooker and Amber Oudsema, Curator of Arts Education — is included with admission, registration is required at: MeijerGardens.org/calendar.

Reading program designed to get parents and children reading

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kids Activities, Recreation, , , ,
Video by WKTV volunteer Von Duff.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Recognizing that reading needs to be a focus year around, the Great Start Parent Coalition’s Nurturing Parent Power Workshop announced its One Book, One County initiative on the last day of the national March is Reading Month campaign.

“One County, One Book will distribute 9,000 books to families, particular families that are living in neighborhoods that are book desserts,” said Chana Edmond-Verley, the chief executive officer for Vibrant Futures and who also the co-chair of the Nurturing Parent Power Workshop.

“In addition, it is more than a book distribution,” Edmond-Verley said. “We have reading strategy kits so parents will know the strategies that they need to deliver this powerful book to their child.”

Started in 2016, the Nurturing Parent Power Workshop is part of the Great Start Collaborative of Kent County, which works to ensure that all children, from birth to age eight, especially those in highest need areas, have access to high-quality early learning and development programs and enter kindergarten prepared for success.

Members of the One Book, One County campaign hold up this year’s selection. (WKTV)

The Nurturing Parent Power Workshop is a group of parent leaders, systems influencers, and decision makers who work to cultivate the power of parents in helping their children succeed.

“Our goal is to provide early reading strategies in Kent County to get all families reading to their children and all children reading by the end of second grade,” Edmond-Verley said.

From the group came the Success Starts Early Basics which provides tips and information on how parents advocate for their children’s success. Edmond-Verley said it was the Nurturing Parent Power Workshop who came up with the idea for the One book, One County campaign.

The book selection for the campaign is Mary DiPalermo’s “The Caring Me I Want to Be!” because it offers engaging story illustrations, easy connections to real life, allows for problem solving, rhyming, and promotes brainstorming emotions, according to literature that was handed out.

Along with the book, the campaign will provide a calendar of activities parents can use to engage their child based on the book such as writing a letter to a friend telling them why you like them or going outside and counting all the different signs of spring.

A third component will be up to 7,000 licenses for a digital parent coach that will send daily activities straight to a parent’s phone.

“The digital parent coach has been a great tool,” said Nicole Notraio-Risk, who is a co-chair of the Nurturing Parent Power Workgroup. “You can customize the program based on your child’s age and mental ability and the program provides you with a daily routine of fun games and activities that you could do with your child.”

Research shows that children who are read to 20 minutes a day and are repeatedly exposed to books from birth exhibit strong reading abilities. Edmond-Verley said parents are key in helping students achieve.


“We are responding by equipping parents with the tools that they can use to assure that their children are successful,” she said.

More than 20 local organizations such as the Early Learning Neighborhood Collobatibes, Bright Beginnings, Head Start, Kent ISD, Vibrant Futures, and the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, are participating in the program. Those interested in learning more about the One Book, One County program can reach out to those organizations or visit www.successstartsearly.org. 

Inspirational stories run deep as City of Kentwood, Hanger Clinic host Limb Loss Awareness 5K April 30

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
The City of Kentwood is again partnering with Hanger Clinic to host the fourth Limb Loss Awareness 5K, all-ages and all-abilities event, on Saturday, April 30. (Supplied)

WKTV Staff


There will be plenty of inspirational people and inspirational stories running around the City of Kentwood later this month — including local woman and double leg amputee Beth Lowman — as the city will again host a special community event in recognition of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month.

Kentwood is again partnering with Hanger Clinic, to host the fourth Limb Loss Awareness 5K on Saturday, April 30. The all-ages and all-abilities event will begin with packet pickup at 9 a.m. at Bowen Station Park, 4499 Bowen Blvd. SE, followed by the race at 10 a.m.

The event seeks to increase awareness of limb loss, build community and raise funds for Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs. These programs “empower people with various disabilities to participate in athletic activities in an adapted way to allow for a safe and fun experience,” according to the announcement.

Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department program coordinator Katelyn Bush and one of her Adaptive Recreation participants at 2021 The Vibe event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“Our Limb Loss Awareness 5K is more than a typical race,” Katelyn Bush, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “In addition to health and wellness, this run is focused on inclusivity, awareness, relationships and making a difference in our local community. We are thrilled this educational event has continued to grow in popularity since it began in 2018.”

All profits from the event will go toward improving and expanding the city’s adaptive recreation programs to encourage health and wellness, socialization and excellent quality of life for all. The programs – offered in collaboration with community partners – enable participants to enjoy the benefits that come with any athletic or recreational activity, such as a sense of camaraderie, improved confidence and new skills. To learn more visit kentwood.us/adaptive.
 

The accessible race route includes sections of the East-West and Paul Henry-Thornapple trails as well as a boardwalk — a “scenic spring route filled with woodlands, wetlands and wildlife.”
 

Online registration is available at RunSignUp.com. Registration is $35 through April 29. Race day registration is $45. Participants will receive a long sleeve t-shirt and swag bag as part of their registration. Packet pickup will also be available in advance of the event at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, during business hours beginning at noon Wednesday, April 27.
 

The kid-friendly event will also include a 1-mile fun run for children ages 12 and younger at 11 a.m. along the same route. The kids race costs $10 per child and includes a T-shirt and finisher ribbon. There is also a playground at the park for children to enjoy.

Beth’s story of resilience, resolve

Beth Lowman, a 35-year-old local woman who has experienced bilateral limb loss, will share her story at the Limb Loss Awareness 5K.

Six years ago, Lowman was an active, athletic mom whose life was turned upside down when she developed dystonia, a disorder that causes muscles to involuntarily contract, in her left foot and ankle, according to supplied material.

Beth Lowman, a 35-year-old local woman who has experienced bilateral limb loss, will share her story at the Limb Loss Awareness 5K. (Supplied)

She was unable to walk and, after several unsuccessful treatments, chose amputation. In February 2020, her left leg was amputated below the knee and she was able to walk for the first time in four years using a uniquely custom-designed bent-knee prosthesis fit by her prosthetic team at Hanger Clinic in Byron Center.

But after a fall in January 2021, Lowman developed dystonia in her right foot and ankle, and underwent the amputation of her right leg below the knee in July 2021. Despite the new challenge, she continued to push forward, learning to walk again on two prosthetic feet this time.

And on those two prosthetic feet, combined with personal goal and a support system around her, she plans to walk across the finish line at the Kentwood 5K.

Beth Lowman, with her family. (Supplied)

“I continuously remind myself that although my life turned out differently than I planned, my life as an amputee is still vibrant and active,” Lowman said in supplied material. “It is important to celebrate the small and large victories, because those are what makes life flourishing.

“I will forever see my life as a victory if I keep setting goals for myself and celebrating each step forward. The world wasn’t made for amputees, but it doesn’t mean we can’t flourish, cheer each other on and set the world ablaze with our successes!”

More than just a 5K run

Phil Tower, a West Michigan radio personality, amputee and advocate for people with disabilities, will serve as the DJ at the Limb Loss Awareness 5K.

Race organizers are also seeking volunteers for the event. Those interested may sign up at RunSignUp.com. Four first-place awards will be given to the first adult men and women amputees and nonamputees who cross the finish line. More information is available at kentwood.us/LimbLoss5K.

The City of Kentwood is again partnering with Hanger Clinic to host the fourth Limb Loss Awareness 5K, all-ages and all-abilities event, on Saturday, April 30. (Supplied)

This year’s event will also include educational components and a peer support table. These resources will enable participants and attendees to learn more about amputation, prosthetics and orthotics. They also will connect individuals who have experienced limb loss or limb difference with one another, enabling them to provide support and build relationships.

The event will also feature several informational booths from various sponsors, including ACV Centers, Airway Mobility and Rehab, Buist Electric, Creative Mobility Group, Hunt 2 Heal, ITC Incorporated, Life Beyond Barriers Rehabilitation group, Mercury Labs, Inc., Muskegon Surgical Associates, New Wave Prosthetics, Proteor USA, Spectrum Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Center and Summit Labs LLC.

“We want people who are experiencing limb loss or limb difference to know they are not alone,” Nikki Stoner, Hanger Clinic care coordinator, said in supplied material. “There is a community here to welcome them and support them through their journey. This event gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and connect those experiencing limb loss and limb difference with resources and others in the community.”

Hanger Clinic, a local prosthetic and orthotic patient care provider, will also feature a memorial activity for Winter, the dolphin with a prosthetic tail who made her movie debut in “Dolphin Tale” on Sept. 23, 2011. Winter lost her tail after it became entangled in a crab trap in 2005.

In 2006, Kevin Carroll, an expert prosthetist and vice president of prosthetics at Hanger Clinic, fit Winter with a prosthetic tail that allowed her to swim again.

Winter died in November 2021 following an intestinal abnormality. This year’s event will feature a card-making station to celebrate the dolphin’s life. The cards will be sent to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida where an ongoing memorial is offered to honor her legacy.

Gonzo’s Top 5: Butterflies, baseball, classical music, and comic-con

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez

WKTV Contributing Writer

Butterflies are back in the Top 5, and so is baseball, classical music and those who like to dress up.

Enjoy the spring-like weather on the horizon. It’s time for my weekly list of things to do, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Here it is!

Chamber Orchestra of Grand Rapids performs at The Stray. (pxhere.com)

5. Classical Music at The Stray

Can’t wait for the next WKTV Voices Storyteller’s event at The Stray (7 p.m. April 15)? Well, it’s not quite a story, but another great opportunity to check out the local coffeehouse/event space. Come see members of the Chamber Orchestra of Grand Rapids perform 17th and 18th century works in smaller groups. The show is at 7 p.m. Saturday (April 9). Admission is free, but a $10 donation is suggested. More info on the event Facebook page.

Butterflies and flowers will be on display at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)

4. Morning With The Butterflies Family Party

Didn’t get a chance to do something fun for Spring Break? The Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition at Meijer Gardens remains open through April 30, with extended hours until 9 p.m. through Friday (April 8). Looking for a party with snacks and activities? One is planned for members on Sunday (April 10). This is a good time to consider a membership for special perks like this. (We love ours in the Gonzalez household).

More info at meijergardens.org/calendar/butterflies-are-blooming/.

An array of gems and minerals will be on display at this year’s Gem & Mineral Show at Rogers Plaza. (WKTV)

3. 45th Annual Gem & Mineral Show

Another fun activity for the family is checking out the popular Gem & Mineral Show this weekend at Rogers Plaza. It features treasures for everyone from beginners to seasoned collectors where you will find minerals, fossils, crystals, gems, jewelry, beads, stone carvings, equipment, books, and more. Nearly 30 vendors, club dealers and artisans will be on hand. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday (April 7-8), and from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday (April 9). More info on the event Facebook page. Admission is free.

The Grand Rapids Valley Railroad Train Shows offer fun for kids of any age.

2. Greater Grand Rapids Train Show

It’s back for another show from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (April 9) at the Home School Building in Wyoming. The show features more than 200 vendor tables, offering what organizers said is “everything imaginable for even the most discerning model railroader.” In addition, they will have model railroad layouts in different scales and sizes with accurately detailed engines and cars running down their tracks. There’s even a Lego play area for kids. Cost is $5 for adults and free for those 12 and younger. It is presented by the Grand River Valley Railroad Club. More info at grvrrc.org.

1. Grand Rapids Comic-Con

Another sure sign of spring is Comic-Con! Who wants to wear a coat over a Power Rangers costume? This weekend you can experience seminars, panels, vendors, comic books and more. The event runs Friday-Sunday (April 8-10) at the DeltaPlex Arena. Hours are noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 per day. Parking is $10 cash only. For more details on cosplay guidelines and more info, go to grcomiccon.com.

The West Michigan Whitecaps’ home opener is April 12. (WM Whitecaps)

Baseball

As for baseball, the Detroit Tigers are back in action for a new season beginning April 8 at Comerica Park against the White Sox. And our West Michigan Whitecaps open the season on April 8 in Midland, but return to LMCU Ballpark for the home opener on Tuesday, April 12. More info at whitecapsbaseball.com.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.


John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

March is Reading Month: Dinosaur Lady

Books, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s selection comes from Grand Rapids Public Museum educator Amanda Tabata.

Book: Dinosaur Lady
Author: Linda Skeers
Genre: Biography/Children

This beautifully illustrated book is perfect for inspiring curiosity in learners of all ages. The text is lively, perfect for reading aloud, while packing a scientific punch. Readers will come away with an appreciation for Mary Anning’s inquisitive spirit and rock solid perseverance. Pair up with the Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs exhibit at the GRPM to see one of Mary Anning’s exciting discoveries! 

Posing with Princesses, training with Superheroes coming to Gilmore Saturday, April 2

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,
“Cars & Characters: A Celebration of Princesses and Superheroes”, a family-focused event scheduled for this weekend at the Gilmore Car Museum. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

“Cars & Characters: A Celebration of Princesses and Superheroes”, a family-focused event scheduled for this weekend at the Gilmore Car Museum promises to “combine a magical interaction for kids with storybook princesses and comic book superheroes,” according to an announcement form the museum.

And for for the adults, there will be indoor collection of more than 400 classic vehicles.

The event will be Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For tickets and more information visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org.

Aurora and Frog Princess will be among the Princesses and Superheroes this weekend at the Gilmore Car Museum. (Supplied)

“Our princess and superhero events at the Gilmore have become a unique opportunity to engage and delight children, yet also educate and introduce them to automotive history,” Josh Russell, executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum, said in supplied material.

“Cars & Characters” will provide “aspiring young princesses and superheroes,” and their parents or grandparents, the opportunity for memorable photographs with more than 20 storybook princesses and comic book superheroes alongside carriages, royal coaches, limousines, and fairy tale backdrops.

Fairytale princesses will be cruising in cool cars at the Gilmore Car Museum next week. (Gilmore Car Museum)

Photos with the featured princesses and superheroes will be taken in front of special luxury vehicles from the Gilmore collections, including a 1936 Packard, the America’s Sweetheart Ford Model A, and the 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca De-Ville from the 1967 Walt Disney film “The Gnome-Mobile”.

Several new “experiences” for children have been added to this year’s event, according to the announcement, including Storytime with Belle (a reading of a magical tale), “Certified Superhero Training Sessions” with Spiderman, and Pixie Dust Wishing Ceremony with Tinker Bell. There will also be a special new VIP Coronation Ceremony with the Frozen Sisters, available by separate VIP tickets.

Each activity happens every thirty minutes, is first come, first served, and is available to fifty guests at one time.

Advance Cars & Characters admission tickets are available online.

“Cars & Characters – A Celebration of Princesses and Superheroes” at the Gilmore Car Museum is produced in collaboration with Michigan-based Olivia Grace & Company, and its highly-regarded cast of unforgettable character performers.

For more information visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org, call 269-671-5089 or email info@gilmorecarmuseum.org.

West Michigan native, Kentwood favorite, singer/songwriter to perform in Kentwood’s final Winter series concert March 31

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local Food, Recreation, Restaurants, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, WKTV Projects, ,
Nicholas James Thomasma will bring his VW van full of music to Kentwood’s Winter Concert Series this week. (He won’t actually bring the van into the library!) (Supplied)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

Singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma, no stronger to the stage of Kentwood city concerts, will bring his family-friendly mix of Americana, folk, country, and rock music to the final Winter Concert Series show this week.

The City of Kentwood’s free-to-the-public concert is set for Thursday, Mar. 31, at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

The songwriter, talking to WKTV, said he plans to combine stories and songs, creating an atmosphere that can be enjoyed by all ages.

“What we do, as musicians … everything centers around gathering people together for experiences,” Thomasma said. “My music is applicable to, and can appeal to, all ages.”

The concert will take place in the library’s Community Room, from 6:30-8 p.m., and guests are invited to bring their own beer, wine, or nonalcoholic beverages to enjoy during the show. Also available will be food from El Jalapeño, a local food truck featuring Mexican cuisine.

Though the singer frequently plays with a 6-piece band, The Bandwagon, Thomasma will be performing as a solo artist at the Kentwood show, incorporating acoustic guitar and harmonica into his performance, often playing both instruments at the same time.

Nicholas James Thomasma with his big band, Bandwagon. (Supplied)

A singer/songwriter’s journey

Thomasma’s journey into the music world began when the artist was in his twenties. Working as a radio DJ, Thomasma’s conversations with other musicians led him to the realization that he was on “the wrong side of the board.”

“What I really wanted to do was play music,” said Thomasma. “I started learning guitar. Almost as soon as I started learning how to play guitar, I started writing my own songs.”

When asked what inspires the songwriter and shapes his music, Thomasma said that he never forces his songs into a particular category.

“When I write songs, I try to treat them how they want to be treated,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a jazz song, sometimes it’s a folk song, sometimes it’s a country song, sometimes it’s a rock song. I just let that happen depending on what the song wants to be.”

Nicholas James Thomasma (Supplied)

Thomasma said he often jokes around at his shows that “This next song is a love song. Spoiler alert: they’re all love songs!”

Because of the emotions put into his work, Thomasma said there is a lot of love in all his songs.

“I’m writing songs from my heart, and whether they are love songs or not, they are often inspired by my real life.”

Keeping busy in unusual ways

Always looking for paying gig, Thomasma said he also creates custom songs upon request. And while he has written songs for various occasions, he said weddings are the most popular request.

“People will contact me shortly after they get engaged and say they want a song for their wedding,” Thomasma said, and that these songs create special moments that no one else has. “Other people can listen to it (the song), but the couple knows it is their song.”

Another unique service Thomasma offers music lovers and listeners are driveway concerts.

Nicholas James Thomasma, and his traveling VW van show. (Supplied)

“Driveway concerts are a pandemic pivot,” said Thomasma. “I’ve been playing house concerts as long as I’ve been performing, but during the pandemic we kind of switched to taking the house out of the equation.”

Thomasma said he doesn’t need a building to make music, traveling to outside venues and homes in his trademark orange 1973 Volkswagen Bus.

“I’ll pull up in your driveway, I’ll have the sound system, you invite your friends and your neighbors, and we’ll all sit in your front yard and have a good time,” said Thomasma, adding that the idea of driveway concerts has really taken off.

Finding various ways for community members to enjoy music isn’t the only way Thomasma honors his love of music. Future goals include helping other musicians find their footing in the music world as well.

Thomasma is currently enrolled in Grand Rapids Community College, working toward a degree in marketing.

“My goal is to help other artists survive similar to the way that I do,” he said. “I want to understand business and how the music business works so well that I can teach other artists how I do what I do in the hopes that they then can be successful on their own.”

To find out more about Thomasma and his music, visit nicholasjamesthomasma.com.

The public at Kentwood concerts are urged to follow current public health guidelines if attending the concert.

March is Reading Month: Little Bear

Books, Citizen Journalism, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s book selection comes from WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma. With a journalism career spanning almost 30 years, Joanne has read a lot, from news stories to books.

Book: Little Bear
Author: Else Holmelund Minarik, Illustrated by Maurice Sendak
Genre: Children’s Fiction

While I grew up reading the stories of that other famous (yellow) bear, my daughters and I often read “Little Bear.” The stories are simple and sweet, showing the love between a mother and child. The best part is that my girls could read along with me, which made reading fun. It also features the work of illustrator Maurice Sendak before his “Where the Wild Beasts” book, which came out in 1963. (The first “Little Bear” was released in 1957.)

Spring arrives at Woodland Mall with photos with a fun bunny, special Tea Party

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, Woodland Mall, ,
A spring bunny will be available for photos and visits at Woodland Mall starting this weekend. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

Photos with Santa are always a winter holiday family treat at Woodland Mall, and now a spring fling in the same vein is returning as starting March 26 photos with a big, fun “Springtime” bunny will be available through April 16.

And that is not all of the local family springtime events as the Mad Hatter Tea Party is set to return on Saturday, April 9.

“Seasonal family portraits are a beautiful way to capture memories of your loved ones,” Alyson Presser, marketing manager for Woodland Mall, said in supplied material. “You can either pose with the bunny or choose a spring-themed portrait area for a seasonal photo with your family, friends and pets.”

Pets can have their photo taken with a springtime bunny at Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

Bunny and family photos will be available in the Macy’s Court from noon to 7 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 6 p.m., Sundays. (For the last weekend before Easter Sunday, there will be extended hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16.

Pets can join in for photos noon-7 p.m. every Monday. Feathered and whiskered pets of all kinds are welcome as long as they are kept on a leash or in a carrier at all times. (Owners must also sign a release.)

Reservations are encouraged and can be made online. Walk-up visits are permitted when space is available.

And that Mad Hatter Tea Party

On April 9 guests are invited to attend the Mad Hatter Tea Party from 10 a.m. to noon. The Alice in Wonderland-themed event will include special appearances by the Mad Hatter himself, as well as Alice and the Red Queen. There will also be spring-themed crafts, snacks and games.

The event is free and open to the public. Those who attend the tea party are encouraged to reserve their bunny photos the day of to win a $10 gift card to The Children’s Place, a children’s specialty apparel retailer.

“Our Mad Hatter Tea Party makes celebrating the arrival of spring and taking photos with the bunny all the more magical,” Presser said. “We welcome everyone to enjoy this fun and interactive take on a Lewis Carroll classic story with activities that bring out the child in all of us.”

Mall hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information visit shopwoodlandmall.com.

March is Reading Month: The Hummingbird King

3-bottom, Books, City of Wyoming, Environment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s reading selection comes from Girl Scout Troop 8282. The troop, which is based in City of Wyoming, has seven active girls ranging in ages of 5 to 7. The girls in this troop have done cookie booths and are hoping to go on a troop trip. To learn more about Girl Scouts, visit www.gsmists.org.

Book: The Hummingbird King: A Guatemalan Legend
Author: Argentina Palacios
Genre: Fiction/folklore

The book tells the Guatemalan legend of a young Mayan chief who is protected from his enemies by a hummingbird and the chief eventually becomes a symbol for peace. According to troop member Valentina, “I liked how the nice king got rewarded for his good deeds at the end,” while troop member Adelina said “I like how others get to learn about my culture even if it is supposed to be the Quetzal bird.”

March is Reading Month: Frenchman’s Creek and The Dot

3-bottom, Books, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, , , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s reading selections comes from Katie Favale, who along with being a forensic science technician for the Michigan State Police also has been serving as the mayor of the City of East Grand Rapids for the past two years.

Book: Frenchman’s Creek
Author Daphne du Maurier
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book: The Dot
Author: Peter H. Reynolds
Genre: Picture Book

I recommend the “Frenchman’s Creek” because it is a wonderful escape back in time. It has romance, intrigue, pirates and a love story – a great and fun read. “The Dot” is one of my favorite children’s books as it encourages expression and creativity in everyone – truly a family favorite.

March is Reading Month: Waggit Again

Books, City of Wyoming, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Pets/Animals, Recreation, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s books selection comes from Monica who is part of Girl Scout Troop 8312. This troop, based in the City of Wyoming, has six active girls, ages 10 – 12. The troop has done archery, canoeing, camping, Dutch oven cooking and are working towards the Silver Leadership Torch, which is given to a Girl Scout Cadette who acts as a leader in her community, and the Silver Award, the second highest award in Girl Scouting, this is given to a Girl Scout Cadette who makes the world a better place. To learn more about Girl Scouts, visit www.gsmists.org.

Book: Waggit Again
Author: Peter Howe
Genre: Fiction

I am from Girl Scout Troop 8312 and I would consider reading the book “Waggit Again” By Peter Howe. It is a bout this white dog who is trying to find his family and does not give up. It’s really cute and on the way he makes some new friends.

Citizens committee forms to launch ‘Yes’ campaign for Kentwood’s dedicated parks, recreation and trails millage

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Environment, Kids Activities, Recreation, We The People, WKTV Projects, ,
Kentwood’s Veterans Park would be one of the many parks and recreation areas to see improvement from a proposed millage. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org


A Kentwood citizens committee — Yes For Kentwood — has formed and recently launched a campaign for public support of the City of Kentwood’s dedicated parks, recreation and trails millage, set to be voted on as part of the Aug. 2 ballot.

Yes For Kentwood, according to an announcement from the group, is “a committee of involved residents, families, and business owners working together to make the city a better place to live.”

The proposed millage would provide “sustainable funding to improve, operate and maintain Kentwood’s parks, trails and recreational programming today and for future generations,” according to the group.

The millage would also fund construction of a new multigenerational recreation center and community City Campus. If approved, property homeowners would pay 1 mill annually. For example, a residential home with a taxable value of $100,000, the cost of 1 mill would be $100 per year, according to supplied material.

“Investing in better public spaces builds a higher quality of life for Kentwood residents,” Dustin Moseley, Yes For Kentwood co-chair, said in supplied material.

For an earlier WKTV story on the millage, including specific work to be done, visit here.

The millage will, according to the city, allow for every city park and trail to receive improvements within the first 5 years, with the remaining improvements to be completed within 10 years and construction of the city campus and community recreation center beginning in the second year.

“This millage will guarantee a fulfilling future for our residents and their families,” Robert Coughlin, Kentwood City Commissioner, and Parks and commissioner on the city’s Parks & Recreation Commission — which recommends and oversees programs for parks, playgrounds and recreational areas within Kentwood.

During the coming months, the Yes for Kentwood committee will communicate the benefits of voting “Yes” For Kentwood Parks, Trails and Recreation in August, according to the announcement.

“Good parks, trails and recreational programing provide kid’s places to play, promote good health, increase property values, strengthen community, and make the city and its neighborhoods more attractive places to live and work,” Ed Kape, Yes For Kentwood co-chair, said in supplied material.

For more information about the campaign, and to learn about ways to get involved, visit YesForKentwood.com.

 

March is Reading Month: The Polar Express

3-bottom, Books, Food, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local History, Restaurants, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s book selection comes from Katie Nugent owner of Jersey Junction, an ice cream parlor in East Grand Rapids. Started in 1963, Jersey Junction has become not only a popular spot but a famous one as well. We’ll let Katie explain why.

Book: The Polar Express
Author: Chris VanAllsburg
Genre: Picture book/Christmas story

Jersey Junction was established in 1963 by Doris “Chris” VanAllsburg, the author’s mother. When the movie premiered in Grand Rapids, Chris donated an autographed model of the Polar Express to Jersey Junction that is displayed in its dining room. Another model of the Polar Express can be seen running along the ceiling of the shop. The book is about a young boy who on Christmas Eve is whisked away on the Polar Express to meet Santa Claus.

Jersey Junction, located at 652 Croswell Ave. SE, officially opens for the season today, Friday, March 11. So take a few minutes to celebrate summer with an ice cream and to check out those trains. Hours are 3-9 Monday through Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday up to Memorial Day and from Labor Day to Oct. 31. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-10 p.m. Sunday.

Tea time anyone? GR Ballet School’s Junior Company will stage ‘Aladdin’ after a two-year postponement

Area Education, Education, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
  • A scene from Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company production of the ballet “Aladdin”. (Supplied/Scott Rasmussen)
  • A scene from Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company production of the ballet “Aladdin”. (Supplied/Scott Rasmussen)
  • A scene from Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company production of the ballet “Aladdin”. (Supplied/Scott Rasmussen)
  • A scene from Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company production of the ballet “Aladdin”. (Supplied/Scott Rasmussen)
  • A scene from Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company production of the ballet “Aladdin”. (Supplied/Scott Rasmussen)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

The talented young dancers of the Grand Rapids Ballet School’s junior company were all set to “recreate” the ballet “Aladdin” back in 2020, and then like many stages, their’s went dark as the pandemic dropped its curtain.

And while that moment was bitter for cast and crew, young and old, “Aladdin” will finally fly in, starting this weekend — with a special tea party available.

The ballet school’s junior company will take the stage March 11-13 and March 19-20 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre to “share the familiar story of ‘Aladdin’, an impoverished boy living in Agrabah who falls in love with the beautiful Princess Jasmine.”

A crop of promotional material from Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company production of the ballet “Aladdin”. (Supplied/Scott Rasmussen)

Choreographed by Grand Rapids Ballet School (GRBS) Director and Junior Company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo, the ballet “Aladdin” was inspired from the folktale in the book, “One Thousand and One Nights.” The adventure features a thrilling quest with mysterious characters along the way including a fierce dragon, a magic genie, and a powerful sorcerer.

“It will be an amazing production of dancing and performance,” Mosolygo told WKTV.

This production, actually, has been two years in the making after GRBS had to cancel their planned performance on opening night in March 2020 due to the pandemic.

“The students have been working extremely hard the past three months helping me recreate this ballet and they are thrilled to be given this second chance to perform it,” Mosolygo said in supplied material.

Keeping ‘Aladdin’ ready to fly

The path to this opening night, however, was not an easy one.

The planned opening night of “Aladdin” in 2020 was one that GRBS dancer Serafina Wagneveld remembers well.

“There we were, at the height of excitement, ready to go,” said Wagenveld, who will perform the role of Jasmine in the 2022 production. “At the beginning of the day we still didn’t know if we would go on.”

Then came the announcement that “Aladdin” would be postponed.

“Even then, we didn’t fully grasp what was happening,” Wagenveld said. “We were sad but hadn’t lost hope.”

As the pandemic continued, however, it became obvious that the performance GRBS Junior Company had worked so hard for would not be taking the stage anytime soon.

Attila Mosolygo. (GR Ballet)

Mosolygo told WKTV that, due to pandemic restrictions, it was more than five weeks before he was allowed back into the building after the cancellation. Walking on stage with every curtain ready to be pulled, every prop in place, Mosolygo said — “I could almost hear the music — but nothing happened.”

 

Online classes began but were difficult for the dancers, many of them improvising in their homes by performing ballet on stairwells and on kitchen counters. “It was all new and we were doing our best,” said Wagenveld.

Mosolygo said he noticed a definite shift in the mindset of students over the last two years.

“Virtual classes work in some ways, and they don’t in others. When you come to an art form that is so hands-on, to try to learn anything off your iPhone, off your tablet, off your computer — over time it’s not fun. Their attention and willpower went away.”

Wagenveld personally felt the hardship of the ongoing pandemic — “There was nothing you could be sure of anymore.”

Because of the mental and emotional toll, the dancer decided last year to take a break from dancing. But she couldn’t stay away for long.

“It wasn’t long before I came back,” said Wagenveld. “It (dancing) brings out my creativity. It is a unique way of expressing myself that not all people get to experience.”

And the junior company’s leader understands his dancer perfectly.

“Ballet is an art form, a self-expression of who you are,” Mosolygo said. “Dancing goes beyond words.”

Through the hardships the pandemic brought, Wagenveld and her classmates were able to find a silver lining. And the ability to have in-person classes again this school year and the chance to perform “Aladdin” has created excitement among the dancers and staff, healing some of the heartbreak that came with having to set aside the performance two years ago.
 

“We are more appreciative of what we have, not taking them for granted,” Wagenveld said.

Tea with Aladdin & Jasmine

For an added experience, GRBS Junior Company is hosting Aladdin & Jasmine’s Royal Tea, a “unique and memorable event, fit for both princes and princesses alike,” on Sunday, March 13, at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market in the Greenhouse space. 

The event features a photo booth, a meet and greet with “Aladdin” characters,” a kid-friendly craft, all topped off with a brunch built for kids and adults. After the Royal Tea, attendees will travel to the land of Agrabah at Peter Martin Wege Theatre to experience the thrills of “Aladdin” beginning at 2 p.m.


Tickets for “Aladdin” are available now for $18 online, via phone at (616) 454-4771 ext. 10, or in-person at GRB’s Box Office. Tickets to Aladdin & Jasmine’s Royal Tea are available for $49 per person.

Gonzo’s Top 5: Comedy, bourbon, flying dinosaurs, and the home and garden show

Entertainment, Gonzo's Top 5, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Restaurants, Sports, , , , , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez

WKTV Contributing Writer

Spring is around the corner, and we’re excited for all the cool things happening now.

Whether it’s the Home & Garden Show, a new exhibit at the Public Museum or a festival devoted to Bourbon. All of this, and more, are in my Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal.

Here we go.

Gonzo’s Top 5

Comedian Whitney Cummings performs Saturday, March 5 at GLC Live. (Supplied)

5. Comedy Shows

The local comedy scene is really exploding with local, regional and national acts performing throughout West Michigan. That’s great news as we get closer to Laughfest GR, which is March 16-20, and a great opportunity to see a variety of acts. This weekend check out:

Whitney Cummings – comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director – performs at 7 p.m. Saturday (March 5) at GLC Live at 20 Monroe. She is on her “Touch Me Tour.” Opening is Ricky Velez. Tickets start at $35 and on sale now at livenation.com. Learn more about Whitney Cummings in this recent Fox 17 interview.

Golden Age Comedy – Located in the upper room at Creston Brewery, and presented by Full House Comedy, the venue features Maddy Smith at 7 tonight (March 4) and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday (March 5), and Hal Sparks at 9 tonight (March 4). Sparks also performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at Billy’s Lounge in Grand Rapids. More details at fullhousecomedy.com/.

May the force be with the Griffins: Star Wars night is Saturday, March 5. (Supplied)

4. Grand Rapids Griffins

What? You haven’t been to a Griffins game this season? What are you waiting for? The professional hockey team is in action four times over the next week with games March 4, 5, 9 and 11 at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids. You can get $2 beers and $2 hot dogs at select stands on Friday and March 11. And it’s Star Wars Night on Saturday (March 5). All games are at 7 p.m. Get tickets and more details at griffinshockey.com.

The 2nd Annual GR Bourbon Fest returns to D2D Event Center. (Supplied)

3. 2nd Annual GR Bourbon Fest

Where are my bourbon lovers? Good news, the second annual Grand Rapids Bourbon Fest is back Saturday (March 5) at the Studio D2D Event Center, located at 401 Hall St SW. You will discover 200-plus whiskeys, with the majority of them being bourbon. There will also be a few non-bourbon options such as beer from New Holland Brewing Co. and wine from 45 North Winery. Designated Drivers get complimentary nitro coffee, kombucha and tea from Reputation Beverage Company. In addition to the beverages, attendees can experience food trucks, live music and more. There are two sessions with Session One from 4-7 p.m. and Session Two from 8-11p.m. Proceeds will benefit Friends of The River. More details at the Facebook Event page.

The dinosaurs take flight at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

2. Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs

Are there any dinosaur lovers in your life? This weekend the Grand Rapids Public Museum opens “Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs.” These flying animals ranged from the size of a sparrow to that of a two-seater plane. They are believed to be the first back-boned animals to evolve into powered flight, and the only vertebrates to develop this ability besides birds and bats. The exhibition includes life-size models, videos and interactive exhibits. The exhibit opens Saturday, March 5, with a special members only preview from 9 a.m.-noon.

Learn more at www.grpm.org.

A sign of spring: the West Michigan Home and Garden Show. (Supplied)

1. West Michigan Home and Garden Show

The recent warm up makes it feel like spring, and that means it’s a perfect time for the 41st annual West Michigan Home and Garden Show at DeVos Place. You can expect 13 feature gardens, five free seminar stages and more than 350 exhibitors featuring a wide variety of products and services. Let’s go! Hours are noon-9:30 p.m. today (March 4), 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-14. Check out more information on seminars and services at GRHomeShow.com.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.


John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Phoenix Theatres at Woodland Mall to open April 14 — and Hollywood style marquee will show the way

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, Woodland Mall, ,
Early renovation work at Phoenix Theatres, the soon-to-(re)open movie house at Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

By Philip Janowski, WKTV Contributing Writer

Old and new marquee sign at Phoenix Theatres, the soon-to-(re)open movie house at Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

High-quality moviegoing experiences — in sight, sound and all-reclining seats — will soon be coming to Woodland Mall as Phoenix Theatres has announced it will be opening its planned 14-screen complex on the mall’s south side in April.

The recently installed vertical marquee, spelling out PHOENIX, is sure to show moviegoers the way.

Phoenix Theatres owner Cory Jacobson, right, and local executive Jordan Hohman, in front of the new marque at the soon-to-(re)open movie house at Woodland Mall. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The marquee, composed of more than 200 light bulbs, was designed with a classical 1920s and ’30s style in homage to the Chicago Theatre, Jordan Hohman, local executive, recently told WKTV during a backstage tour. The building overall carries a refined art deco style that makes “going to the movies” special again, honoring “tradition” while still providing a “new, modern experience.”

“The theatre can’t just be a ‘box’. You really have to have some character, a face to this business,” Cory Jacobson, owner of Phoenix Theatres, said.

The location is expected to open to the general public Thursday, April 14, after special opening events early that week.

Nearly complete renovation work at Phoenix Theatres, the soon-to-(re)open movie house at Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

Construction is progressing rapidly, with carpeting almost completely fitted and reclining seats added on the daily. At the location there will be four large, three mid-sized, and seven small auditoriums. And, management says,  those 14 screens at this location will be the most screens of any Phoenix Theatres location, and will be the 50th screen of the Michigan-based company.

“Like celebrating a fiftieth wedding anniversary,” Jacobson said.

 

Phoenix Theatres will screen films utilizing the powerful Dolby Atmos sound system, making for some of the highest cinema sound quality in the country, Hohman said.

Phoenix Theatres local executive Jordan Hohman checks out a newly installed camera at the soon-to-(re)open movie house at Woodland Mall. (WKTV/Philip Janowski)

From above, numerous speakers shape sound moving throughout the room. Below, subwoofer speakers in every seat bring the frequency of film audio directly to your chair. This extensive, detailed sound system makes Dolby Atmos the doorway to “improved immersion in films,” Hohman said.

Jacobson actually told a story that Douglas Trumbull, the famous photographic effects supervisor for the classic “2001: A Space Odyssey”, said Phoenix provided the best presentation of the film he had ever seen — and heard — in 50 years.

To promote its new place in the community the theatre is planning to have a ticket giveaway, which can be entered on the company website. First prize is a VIP ticket giving admission to 52 films in the first year, followed by second and third place prizes as well.

Phoenix management is also reaching out to news media and holding press conferences, to make a big initial spash.

When it comes to a grand opening, “You only get one bite at the apple,” Hohman said.

 

Phoenix Theatres owner Cory Jacobson, left, and local executive Jordan Hohman, check out newly installed seats at the soon-to-(re)open movie house at Woodland Mall. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

Phoenix Theatres also plan to offer unique experiences through Fathom Events, including Turner Classic Movie showings, anniversary films like celebration of the classic “Casablanca” on its 80th anniversary, and live showings from the Metropolitan Opera.

Fathom is a good chance for many to “explore an interest in operatic shows that would otherwise be difficult to access,” Hohman said. Large sports games and other “live events” may also be shown.

The lobby will include self-serve drinks for faster service, as well as a new lounge with a grand piano. Additionally, the halls are to be lined with photographs of historic local theatres.
 

Despite advanced sound and video systems, and a retro aesthetic, Phoenix Theatres will carry “friendly” film prices.

“You shouldn’t have to pick between a trip to the movies or a trip out of town,” Hohman said.
 

For more information visit Phoenix Theatres’ website at phoenixmovies.net.

Kentwood’s MLK Unity Walk rescheduled for March 5, inside at Woodland Mall

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Food, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local History, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, Woodland Mall, , ,
One of the entrances to Woodland Mall (on a nice weather day). (Supplied)

WKTV Staff

After frigid temperatures in January resulted in the postponement of the City of Kentwood’s Unity Walk to Honor Martin Luther King Jr., the city announced this week that the event has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 5, and moved indoors at Woodland Mall.

Residents of all ages are invited to gather at the food court inside Woodland Mall, 3195 28th St. SE, at 9:30 a.m., for a walk that will end at 10 a.m., in front of the inside entrance to Von Maur.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. (Wyoming High School)

A ceremony will immediately follow and feature a proclamation, live music, coffee and cake. The event is free and open to the public.

Donations of canned goods and other nonperishable items will be accepted to stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which began as an MLK Day community service project to fill an immediate and local need. Since then, the city has continued to host food drives to keep the pantry well-stocked.

“While MLK Day serves as a timely, annual reminder of the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr., every day is a great day to celebrate his legacy and take part in activities that honor his values,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to host our Unity Walk to Honor MLK at Woodland Mall. It is the perfect local venue for us to be able to gather together, no matter the weather.”

Woodland Mall marketing manager Alyson Presser stated that the event is “in line with the spirit of the mall’s ongoing initiatives and events that encourage guests to support the Black community throughout the year,” according to the announcement.

“We are committed to celebrating and supporting the Black community beyond Black History Month and other annual observances,” Presser said. “We’re honored to work with the City of Kentwood to bring another meaningful opportunity for the local community to celebrate the historic achievements and continued advancement of Black Americans.”

Kentwood’s first Little Free Pantry opened in 2017 at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, where it remains available year-round during business hours. The second Little Free Pantry was opened last year at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch for the community to visit during library hours. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry.

For more information, including a list of suggested donations, visit kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.

Woodland Mall asks all guests to follow CDC recommendations by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall and practicing physical distancing.

For more information about the March 5 event, visit kentwood.us/MLKUnityWalk.

Lexi Adams and her Nashville sounds opens City of Kentwood’s Winter Concert Series

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
Lexi Adams. (Supplied by the artist)

By WKTV Staff

Lexi Adams, who will open the City of Kentwood’s free-to-the-public Winter Concert Series this week, is a singer/songwriter who offers up a mix of covers and original music that are “stories of life experience carefully crafted through each melody and lyric.”

The concert, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17, will take place at the Community Room of Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, from 6:30-8 p.m. Guests are welcomed to bring their own beer, wine or nonalcoholic beverages to enjoy at the show.

Each concert will also have a food truck outside offering a range of cuisines and available for purchase, with Patty Matters Food Truck available on Feb. 17.

Michigan home but Nashville bound

Originally from southwest Michigan Lexi moved to Nashville Tennessee in 2008 to “pursue her love and passion for music,” according to her website. She moved back to Michigan with the intent of taking three months to immerse herself in her newly recorded EP but “she received many opportunities to play her music in the west Michigan area and that hasn’t stopped since.”

Lexi Adams. (Supplied by the artist)

Three months turned into 12, and she continues to pursue her love and passion for music in the local Michigan music scene. And while she hopes to eventually return back to the Nashville — “the city that stole her heart” — for the meantime, “Michigan is where it’s at!”

Lexi Adams’ sound, according to her website, “is Ryan Adams on a cool summer night, smoking cigarettes while leaning in for a kiss with Taylor Swift. It will leave you hurting and longing for more; wishing you had said what you really wanted to say to the love of your life before they walked away.”

For more information on Lexi Adams, visit her website here.

Can’t be there? WKTV will be 

WKTV will record all concerts and will replay them, as scheduled, on our cable channels as well as on WKTV.org by hitting the “Watch Live” button, and also later on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

Tentative run time for Lexi Adams’s concert will be The concerts will air on WKTV 25 Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 9 p.m.; and  Saturday, Feb. 26, at 10 p.m. Visit wktvjournal.org/wktv-on-air-schedule/ for a schedule of replays.

More information is available at kentwood.us/WinterConcerts. Also, according to a city announcement, “residents are encouraged to follow current public health guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

Kentwood’s annual Freeze Fest Disc Golf Tournament, benefitting Little Free Pantry, set for Feb. 19

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
A competitor in past City of Kentwood’s Freeze Fest Disc Golf tournament. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

The City of Kentwood has announced that, partnering with Great Lakes Disc, the city will again host its annual Freeze Fest doubles disc golf tournament and food drive on Saturday, Feb. 19.

Disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to join the best-shot doubles competition at Jaycee Park, 1088 Gentian Drive SE. All proceeds will go to support Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.

On-site registration begins at 9 a.m., and the first round of the tournament starts at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged online at kentwood.us/FreezeFest. The cost is $40 and one canned food donation per team.

“It’s been amazing to see the popularity of our disc golf tournaments grow over the years and, along with it, the support of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry,” Lori Gresnick, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “We are grateful the disc golfer community continues to take part in our annual tournaments for some friendly competition and for a good cause.”

The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The small food pantry is open to all community members year-round and is designed to fill an immediate and local need. It offers nonperishable food and personal care items. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. No application is required and no questions are asked.

“Great Lakes Disc is proud to again partner with the City of Kentwood to host the annual Freeze Fest,” Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc, said in supplied material. “It feels great to have our favorite sport play a part in helping the local community.”

The demand for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, has steadily increased since its opening, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help meet the growing need, the city opened a second pantry location in 2021 at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

More information is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.

City of Kentwood announces return of Winter Concert Series’ eclectic musical/food truck lineup 

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Food, Going Local, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects,
  • Lexi Adams will be performing at the Kentwood Winter Concert Series on Thursday, Feb. 17. (Supplied)
  • Cellist and vocalist Jordan Hamilton will be performing at the Kentwood Winter Concert Series Thursday, March 17. (Supplied)
  • Nicholas James Thomasma will be performing at the Kentwood Winter Concert Series Thursday, March 31. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

After a brief scheduling delay, the City of Kentwood’s free-to-the-public Winter Concert Series will return Thursday, Feb. 17, with singer/songwriter Lexi Adams leading off three concerts on select Thursdays through the end of March at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

WKTV will record all concerts and will replay them, as scheduled, on our cable channels as well as on WKTV.org by hitting the “Watch Live” button, and also later on-demand at WKTVlive.org. Visit wktvjournal.org/wktv-on-air-schedule/ for a schedule of replays.

The series will feature three West Michigan performers who will play a mix of genres and, in keeping with the mix of musical tastes, each concert will also have a food truck outside offering a range of cuisines and available for purchase.

“With a variety of talented local musicians and food truck favorites, winter concerts offer residents an enjoyable night out during the colder months,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “We welcome all to enjoy the good food and live music in the warm comfort of the library this winter.”

The concerts will take place in the library’s Community Room from 6:30-8 p.m. Guests are welcomed to bring their own beer, wine or nonalcoholic beverages to enjoy at the show.

Also, according to the city announcement, “residents are encouraged to follow current public health guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

The lineup of performers and food trucks is as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 17 — Singer and songwriter Lexi Adams with food from Patty Matters Food Truck. Adams, according to supplied material, will present a mix of original music and covers. “Her songs are stories of life experience carefully crafted through each melody and lyric.”

Thursday, March 17 — Cellist and vocalist Jordan Hamilton with food from Around Baking Company. Hamilton “will merge musical styles to tell stories of the human experience through a variety of genres.” A member of Last Gasp Collective and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, he can be found performing primarily in the Midwest, where he has opened for national acts.

Thursday, March 31 — Singer and multi-instrumentalist Nicholas James Thomasma with food from El Jalapeño. Thomasma will perform a mix of Americana, folk, country and rock music. “He combines stories and songs with humor and wit for a show that can be enjoyed by all ages.”

More information is available at kentwood.us/WinterConcerts.

Kentwood’s Valentine’s Dash 5K, to benefit Little Free Pantry, set for Feb. 12

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
The City of Kentwood’s Valentine’s Dash 5K will return Saturday, Feb. 12. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org



Valentine’s Day 2022 falls on a Monday (Feb. 14) but the City of Kentwood has a “Sweetheart Deal” to get your “Valentine’s Weekend” started with a little outdoor fun run, a possible partnership opportunity, and support for a great community service program.

The city will host its fifth annual Valentine’s Dash 5K Saturday, Feb. 12, starting at 11 a.m., and benefitting Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which provides food and personal care items to community members in need.

The 5K route will include a combination of trails and paved pathways starting and ending at Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

Valentine’s Day-themed costumes are encouraged. While intended to be a fun run, the race will be chip timed and awards will be given for the fastest runner overall and in each age group.

An awards ceremony will follow in the library’s community room at about noon, including refreshments, candy, music and a photo booth.

“Our Valentine’s Dash 5K is a great way to kick off the holiday weekend and help foster or fuel a love for running, even in the winter months,” Spencer McKellar, race organizer, said in supplied material. “This course is great for first-time runners or walkers but will also provide a challenge to more experienced racers. All are invited to come out and join us. Bring a friend or a loved one — or meet someone new.”

Online registration is $30 until Feb. 11 and includes a long-sleeved shirt and other participant-packet goodies (while supplies last). Day-of registration is $35. Runners who sign up as a couple save $5 each. Participants who bring a nonperishable item or monetary donation for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry will be entered to win a special door prize.

Kentwood’s first Little Free Pantry opened to the community in 2017 at the Kentwood Activities Center, where it remains available year-round during business hours. The city, last year, launched a second pantry at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.

For more event information visit kentwood.us/ValentinesDash.

Meijer Gardens’ Michigan’s Farm Garden carries on the humble legacy of Lena Meijer as replica of early home

3-bottom, Area Education, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local History, Our Cities, Recreation, West Michigan, WKTV Projects, ,
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Michigan’s Farm Garden, a reproduction of Lena Meijer’s home early in life near Lakeview, Michigan. The windmill is actually from that farm. (Supplied/Dean VanDis)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

ken@wktv.org



The legacy of the late Lena Meijer — community advocate, philanthropist and so  much more — lives on in her family, in many ways in the Grand Rapids community, and, of course, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

And while Lena played a large role in the success of her family’s Midwest grocery super-center business, her life began on a humble farm near Lakeview, Michigan. And that humble beginning is on full, if slightly miniature, display at Meijer Gardens’ Michigan’s Farm Garden.

“She always spoke so lovingly of her upbringing and cherished that experience in her life,” David Hooker, President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, said WKTV.

Fred and Lena Meijer. (Supplied/undated)

Both Lena and her husband, late grocery entrepreneur Fred Meijer, grew up on farms. A daughter of German immigrants George and Mary Rader, Lena was born and raised on the farm her parents acquired after settling near Lakeview, while Fred’s family farm was located in Greenville.

Lena and Fred never lost the desire to share their knowledge and love of the land with their community.

“They wanted people to really understand that food comes from a farm, it doesn’t come from their grocery stores,” said Hooker.

Through this desire, the Michigan’s Farm Garden was born.

“The idea for creating Michigan’s Farm Garden was so people could understand what the farming life was like, especially in the era of the 1930s when they both grew up,” said Hooker. “The fact that they wanted to recreate that experience for people is a testament to how Lena felt about it.”

Milking cows, fresh carrots … and that windmill

At the Michigan’s Farm Garden, visitors can find a three-quarter scale replica of the farmhouse where Lena was born and raised, a barn, vegetable and flower gardens, animal pens, and bronze sculptures of farm animals scattered throughout. Patrons are invited to sit in rocking chairs on the wraparound porch, and visit and relax.

Fred and Lena Meijer at the dedication of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Michigan’s Farm Garden. (Supplied)

Another piece of Lena’s heritage she chose to share with the community is the windmill visitors see while visiting the Farm Garden. “That actual windmill came from her family’s farm,” Hooker said.

“She (Lena) learned at a very young age how to milk a cow and work the fields, and do everything that farmers do,” said Hooker.

One of Lena’s favorite stories involved milking cows. Hooker said Lena liked to joke about being so skilled at milking a cow that she could feed their cat at the same time.

“She could squirt the milk into the cat’s mouth from six feet away,” said Hooker.

Lena’s antics as a young farm girl didn’t end there.

One of the farm scene sculptures from the Michigan’s Farm Garden. The girl riding the pig, reportedly, is taken from Lena’s childhood. (Supplied/William J. Hebert)

“As a young girl, she’d ride the pigs,” Hooker said. “In fact, we have a sculpture of Lena as a little girl riding a pig out in Michigan’s Farm Garden. It’s classic.”

When it was mentioned that it seemed like Lena had some “spunk” in her personality, Hooker agreed — “Oh, she had a ton. Absolutely.”

Lena died at the age of 102 on Jan. 15. She will be buried beside her husband at Michigan’s Farm Garden, laid to rest in a place they both loved to visit in their twilight years.

“If it was the right time of year, they would pull a carrot right of the ground, wash it off, and they’d eat it,” said Hooker.

Children, learning and lots of beautiful plants

Lena’s love of gardening and plants is also revealed in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and, especially, the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden.

“(Lena) loved kids and loved the idea of a garden dedicated to children learning about gardening and learning about how life itself would not be possible without plants,” Hooker said.

Lena Meijer at the 2017 groundbreaking of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s expansion projects. (Supplied/Anthony Norkus Photography)

The Children’s Garden promotes interactive learning and the use of all five senses with various hands-on activities for children and their families.

“Meijer Gardens is a gift to all of us as a community,” said Hooker. “This is what Fred and Lena were interested in and they gave this to us as a gift. For this gift to mean anything, come on out and visit! It’s here for everyone to enjoy.”

For more information about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park visit meijergardens.org.

Winter fun — Gilmore’s Winter Motoring Meet, vintage snowmobile show set for Feb. 5

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, WKTV Projects,
(Gilmore Car Museum)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org


The second annual Winter Motoring Meet will return to the Gilmore Car Museum Saturday, Feb. 5, with a day of outdoor family fun in Michigan’s winter weather, plus full access to the museum’s indoor collection of more than 400 classic vehicles.

Access to the Winter Motoring Meet and related activities will be included in standard daily admission to the museum, according to an announcement from the museum.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include winter machines of all kinds. (Supplied/by Lew Verburg)

“The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet is for folks who appreciate Michigan’s Winter Motoring season, whether in their cars, 4×4 trucks, Jeeps, or snowmobiles,” Josh Russell,  executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum, said in supplied material. “It’s a fun way for us to get outside and enjoy the winter season, in an outdoor environment with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy our 90-acre campus.”

The Winter Motoring Meet will include scenic rides around the snow-covered Gilmore campus in several of the museum’s antique cars and trucks, a special exhibit of vintage snowmobiles, a professional ice carving exhibition, and outdoor games.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include classic snowmobiles. (Supplied/by Lew Verburg)

A special 1-day-only exhibit of antique, vintage, and racing snowmobiles (from 1992 and older) will be on featured display at the Winter Motoring Meet. The indoor and outdoor snowmobile exhibit has been coordinated with help and support from Vintage Snowmobile Michigan — snowmobile enthusiasts from across Michigan and the Great Lakes region (facebook.com/VintageSnowmobileMichigan).

Guests will also be able to warm up by an outdoor fire, with available food and beverage options to include homemade soup, gourmet hot chocolate, winter beer, a glass of wine, or a favorite cocktail.

“If we’re lucky enough to have fresh snow on the day of our meet, guests are welcome to bring their own snowshoes or cross-country skis for a trek across our beautiful 90-acre campus,” the announcement states.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include tours in antique vehicles. (Supplied/by Josh Russell)

Free “glorified sleigh rides” through the snow-covered Gilmore campus will also be offered to museum guests, riding on bench seats in the bed of a classic Ford Model AA pickup truck, and in other classic “open air” cars and trucks from the museum’s collection.

“Guests should consider bringing their warm coats, hats, gloves, and perhaps even blankets,” the announcement states.

For general questions or more information, visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org, call 269- 671-5089 or email info@gilmorecarmuseum.org.

Kentwood will ask for permanent dedicated parks, trails and recreation millage on Aug. 2 ballot

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Election, Environment, Kids Activities, Recreation, Sports, We The People, WKTV Projects,
  • Kentwood City Hall sign. (WKTV)
  • The City of Kentwood’s Glow in the Park event. (City of Kentwood)
  • Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department program coordinator Katelyn Bush and one of her Adaptive Recreation participants at 2021 The Vibe event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • Everybody bonds over food — at the Kentwood Farmers Market. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • The finish line at the City of Kentwood’s Valentine’s Day Dash 5K in 2020. (City of Kentwood)
  • Dress up is encouraged at 2019’s Trunk or Treat in Kentwood. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood celebrates July 4. (Supplied/2019)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced Jan. 25 that it will ask residents in August to consider a permanent dedicated 1 mil millage that, if approved, would support the city’s parks, trails and recreational facilities and programming.

The millage would fund improvements to all trails and parks, as well as expand and enhance programming through increased capacity in space and staffing, according to the announcement. It also would fund the construction of a new multigenerational community recreation center and park amenities on the city campus, “transforming the area around City Hall into a community gathering space.

“Since celebrating Kentwood’s 50th anniversary in 2017, we’ve dedicated significant time and effort planning for the next 50 years of community growth through collaboration with our residents and other partners,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “Available parks and recreation funding has not kept pace with increased residential demand, delaying repairs for the community today and significantly limiting future improvements.

“If approved, this millage would provide a permanent sustainable funding source to improve, operate and maintain parks, trails, and other amenities and services for generations to come.”

The proposed millage of 1 mill was recommended by parks advisory committees that included residents and other stakeholders, as well as extensive community engagement and an in-depth review of the city’s current parks, trails and programming, its projected growth and community needs.

The advisory committees also recommended the city contribute additional funds up to $22 million from other public and private sources to make the needed improvements.

The committees’ comprehensive plan was presented Dec. 7 to the City Commission, which unanimously approved the millage ballot proposal for the Aug. 2 voting day.

Kentwood has 15 parks that cover more than 400 acres and more than 13 miles of non-motorized trails that are used year-round by residents and visitors.

Numerous community events and more than 700 recreational programs are offered annually for people of all ages and abilities through the Parks and Recreation Department in the Kentwood Activities Center at 355 48th St. SE, on the City Campus, and at other locations.  

Specific parks and recreation projects

According to the announcement, the proposed millage would support Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades and a variety of other improvements and developments, including (listed by location and projects planned):

Bowen Station Park — Restroom, playground equipment, signage, landscaping and other amenities.

Burgis Park — Trail and sidewalk improvements and a new drinking fountain.

City Campus — Splash pad, playground, plaza, shelters, stage, event lawn, parking, restrooms and other amenities.

Community recreation center — Approximately 50,000 square feet of year-round indoor and multigenerational programming and recreation space on the City Campus.

Covenant Park Phase 1 — Trails, sports fields, event lawn, lighting and infrastructure to support future phases.

East Paris Nature Park — Trail improvements, signage and other amenities.

Home Acres Park —Skate park improvements, shade shelters, lighting, signage, landscaping and other amenities.

Jaycee Park — New restroom/program building, additional parking, disc golf improvements and other amenities.

Kellogg Woods Park — Restrooms, softball/baseball field improvements, new sports fields, lighting and landscaping.

Northeast Park — Restrooms, playground, splash pad, landscaping and other amenities.

Old Farm Park — Parking improvements, playground, shelter and other amenities.

Paris Park — Trail improvements and signage.

Pinewood Park — Splash pad improvements, pickleball courts, a new restroom, shade shelters, landscaping and other amenities.

Rondo Street Station Park — Playground, bicycle rack and repair center, signage, landscaping and other amenities.

Stanaback Park —Playground, parking improvements, signage, pickleball courts, landscaping and other amenities.

Stauffer Station Park — Kiosk, bicycle rack and repair center, signage, lighting, landscaping and other amenities.

Summerwood Park — Playground and landscaping.

Trails — Repairs, replacement and new connections.

Veterans Memorial Park — Shelter, additional parking and other amenities.

“Our extensive community engagement and planning process has shown our community needs have grown beyond available funding,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “This has been reaffirmed by increased use of our parks, trails and recreational offerings throughout the past two years.

“The Parks and Recreation Department has exhausted current general funds, including a parks millage that expired in 2013. We have been able to make improvements only through grant opportunities, which are becoming more and more difficult to acquire. New funding is critical to support our growing community needs.”

Details of timeline, millage

If approved, the millage would be levied starting July 1, 2023, with all parks set to receive improvements to address the most immediate needs within the first five years, with all remaining improvements completed within 10 years, according to the announcement.

Trail improvements and construction planning would be prioritized in the first year, followed by ongoing trail repairs and expansion to enhance the trails for all users.

Construction of the City Campus park amenities and community recreation center would begin in the second year.

As detailed in the city’s announcement, a mill is 1/1000 of a dollar, or .001 cents. If a tax rate or millage rate is 1 mill, a resident is taxed .001 cents for every dollar, or $1 per $1,000 of the taxable value of the property. For example, for a residential home with a taxable value of $100,000, the cost of 1 mill would be $100 per year.

For more information on the proposed millage, visit kentwood.us/millage.

 

‘Winslow Homer: Illustrating a Nation’ brings Civil War era illustrations to Muskegon Museum of Art

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, WKTV Projects, ,
Winslow Homer Civil War sketch, part Muskegon Museum of Art exhibition, “Winslow Homer: Illustrating a Nation”. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Highlighting lesser known works of Winslow Homer — one of the most significant American artists of the 19th Century — the Muskegon Museum of Art opened a new exhibition, “Winslow Homer: Illustrating a Nation”, last week and it will be on display through March 20.

Homer was famed for his dramatic depictions of people and nature, as well as his illustrations of day-to-day life, including the battles of the Civil War which were published in Harper’s Weekly, a New York City based illustrated magazine that extensively covered the American Civil War.

The exhibition features several of Homer’s best known images from the era, including “The Noon Recess”, “Snap the Whip”, “A Sharpshooter on Picket Duty”, and “The Dinner Horn” — a companion image to the MMA’s oil painting “Answering the Horn”. Other works in the exhibition depict illustrations of leisure, work, and the everyday lives of people, as well as dramatic scenes and circumstances.

In 1861, Harper’s Weekly assigned Homer to illustrate the events of the Civil War, which brought his work to the forefront of the nation. Homer captured the day-to-day events of the war, illustrating battles, soldiers in conflict and at rest, and the effects of the war on the families at home. Today, the Harper’s Weekly illustrations serve as a direct record of the events of the Civil War.

The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. For more information visit muskegonartmuseum.org.

City of Kentwood’s MLK Day events, set for Jan. 15, has been postponed

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local History, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, , ,

Jan. 12 Update: The City of Kentwood has announced that due to the frigid temperatures forecasted for this weekend, the City “has just made the difficult decision to postpone the Unity Walk planned for this Saturday.” Details of the rescheduled event will be announced once finalized.

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

In celebration and remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday Jan. 17, the City of Kentwood will host several events in honor of MLK on Saturday, Jan. 15, including a unity walk, a proclamation, live music, coffee and cake, and a community service effort to stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry — which began in 2017 as a Martin Luther King Jr. Day community service project.

A painting at the Kent County Administration Office unveiled in 2018. (WKTV)

Residents of all ages are invited to gather in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, at 9 a.m. for a 1-mile walk. The walk will end at Fire Station 1, 4775 Walma Ave. SE, according to a statement from the City of Kentwood.

An indoor ceremony will follow, including a proclamation that will be presented by various community members, live music, coffee and cake. The event is free and open to the public.

Canned goods and other non-perishable items will be accepted at the event to stock Little Free Pantry, for which the City of Kentwood continues to host food drives to keep the pantry well-stocked.

“We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “We will walk in remembrance of his historic contributions leading the civil rights movement bringing needed changes to our nation and in reflection of what we all can do to honor his values today and every day.

The City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

“The event also continues our MLK Day community service tradition of stocking Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry to support our neighbors in need. All are invited to join us.”

Kentwood’s first Little Free Pantry opened in 2017 at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, where it remains available year-round during business hours. The second Little Free Pantry was opened last year at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch for the community to visit during library hours.

Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.

For more information about the Jan. 15 event visit kentwood.us/MLKUnityWalk.

Female space pioneer featured guest speaker at this year’s ‘Roger That!’ event

3-bottom, Education, Environment, Kids Activities, Recreation, Tech Trends, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Col. Eileen Collins is the featured speaker at this year’s “Roger That!” two-day program. (Supplied)

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) have announced the return of “Roger That!,” a multi-day event celebrating space exploration and the life of Grand Rapids native, Roger B. Chaffee.

In its sixth year, “Roger That!” will take place on Feb. 18 and Feb. 19 with various components to the celebration, all themed around women in space — including remarks from pioneering pilot and astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to both pilot a spacecraft and command a space shuttle mission.

“After four in-person events and one virtual iteration of ‘Roger That!’ we’re excited to combine the best of both with a hybrid conference in 2022,” said Deana Weibel, event co-organizer and GVSU professor of anthropology.

The two-part event will feature speeches on both days by Eileen Collins, who made history in 1995 as the first woman to pilot a U.S. spacecraft with the Discovery shuttle flight. In 1999, she was the commander for Columbia, making her the first woman to command a space shuttle mission. She ultimately logged 872 hours in space.

GVSU will host a free academy conference on Feb. 18 that is open to educators and the general public. Speeches will be available in person and virtually, over Zoom.

2022 speakers include: Computational Chemist Michelle Franci; Space Historian Catherine Newell; Planetary Scientist Louise Prockter; Space Educator Crzarina Salido; Bioastronautics Researcher and Spacesuit Technician Yvette Gonzalez; Space Media Archivist Megal Prelinger; Electrical Engineer Heidi Jiao and Space Historian and Eileen Collins’ Biographer Jonathan Ward. 

The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium is named after the Grand Rapids native who perished in 1967 on test of the Apollo 1 mission to the moon. (Supplied)

To attend the “Roger That!” Academic Conference, register at gvsu.edu/RogerThat. The events being held at GVSU this year will be free, as will the virtual talks, but guests must register. A reception with light refreshments will be held ahead of Collins’ talk at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Loosemore Auditorium on GVSU’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The lecture is free through registration at gvsu.edu/RogerThat; it will also be livestreamed.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will have activities both days centered around local astronaut Roger B. Chaffee, who died in 1967 during a NASA test flight, and space exploration. Hands-on activites include build stations where attendees can design their own rockets and paper airplanes, astronaut challenges, artifact interactions including meteorite samples, and tektite and more.

Collins will speak at 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the GRPM. Tickets for this lecture will be available free of charge at grpm.org beginning Jan. 14.

Retiring Huntington president jumps into volunteering, hopes others will follow

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Our Cities, Recreation, Senior Living, Volunteers, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

John Irwin helps a student at the Y’s Safety Around Water program. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Upon retiring as the West Michigan region president for Huntington Bank, John Irwin traded in his business suit for a different kind of suit, swimming trunks. His boardroom is now a swimming pool and instead of talking about financial security, he is now discussing water safety.

“I knew with retirement that I wanted to give back to my community,” said Irwin, who is a triathlete having completed more than 80 events in the past 20-plus years. “I knew I wanted to do something more on a one-to-one basis versus being on a board.”

Being a member at the David D. Hunting YMCA in downtown Grand Rapids, Irwin was aware of the many programs being offered at the Y, such as the water safety program.

“I basically sent an email and said ‘I don’t want to run the program. I don’t want to get paid.’ I just wanted to volunteer,” Irwin said. “I think Becky was like ‘You’re my type of person.’ That is how easy it was.”

Becky Haveman, the YMCA association aquatics and safety director, gives out a little laugh.

“John sent me an email with his story and I said we should talk,” Haveman said, adding that the Y has had volunteers in the past help with the water safety instruction. “It is not unusual for us to have 14- and 15-year-olds looking to eventually teach.”

Irwin went through training with the Y staff, watched classes and in September was set up with his own class of about a dozen six-year-olds who have never been near the water.

John Irwin. a retiring Huntington Bank executive, with his first Safety Around Water class. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Jumping in

“You see them now and you think I am their best friend,” Irwin said after just completing a short class demonstration. “It didn’t start off that way. Many of them would not even get in the water, much less near it.”

In Michigan, on average, a person is only about six miles away from natural water, Haveman said. Because of that, the YMCA offers a number of water safety and swimming classes. In fact, these classes are one of the most popular programs at the Y, with the organization teaching more than a million such classes nationwide.

“The water safety class is designed to teach the students that if they fall in the water or see someone fall in, they know what to do,” Haveman said.

There is the “jump, turn, grab” technique where students are guided on learning how to turn and grab onto the side or something if they fall into the water, Haveman said. There is also the “swim, float, swim” technique that if a student is swimming and gets tired, they roll over on their back and float for a while to rest and then resume swimming, she said.

After demonstrating a technique, Irwin asked “OK, who’s going into the water?” A few hands shot up right away and Irwin takes each child, one at a time, until he gets to a little red-headed boy who with a pouty face, shakes his head no.

“You don’t want to do it today?” Irwin asks with a smile. The boy again shakes his head no. “That’s OK. I know. You don’t like to jump in the water.”

Volunteering for the swimming program seemed like a natural fit for Irwin because of his triathlon experience. Irwin also got his level one swim coach certification.

John Irwin with the Y’s aquatics and safety director, Becky Haveman (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

“I am hoping that now I am retired, they plan on using me a little more,” Irwin said. Havman gives a quick head shake yes.

Irwin also is sharing his story in hopes of encouraging others to follow in his path.

“When people look at the Y, they see the buildings but they don’t think about all the great programs that they offer that are inside the buildings,” Irwin said. “I would encourage people to reach out to the Y, or any organization they want, and take what they love and see how they can use that talent to give back.”

Who knows, you might end up trading your suit for a pair of gloves and a garden or maybe some shorts and a gym, or, perhaps like Irwin,  a pair of swim trunks and a pool.

Like to join the fun? The Y will be hosting training classes for would-be lifeguards. The four-day trainings are Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30. Lifeguards must be at least 16, and while most are high school and college students, the ranks are made up of professionals, retirees, and stay-at-home moms. For more information, visit grymca.org/events/lifeguard-training-class. For the Safety Around Water program, visit grymca.org/news/water-safety-y.

Last-minute shopping — local, small bookstores offer selection from well-known as well as debut writers

3-bottom, Books, Going Local, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Pets/Animals, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, WKTV Projects, , , ,
Shoppers at epilogue bookstore in Rockford. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

ken@wktv.org

Booklovers, and those with lovers of books on their last-minute shopping list, are in for a treat as several new releases from well-known authors, as well as debut writers, are available just in time for the holidays.

And how better to get that last gift than by buying local, or making a holiday roadtrip out of it?

“There are a ton of really solid, interesting books by well-known authors, as well as those who haven’t written before,” said Tim Smith, Operations Manager for Schuler Books.

Schuler Books on 28th Avenue is a big bookstore with a small bookstore feel. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

Founded in 1982 by Bill and Cecile Fehsenfeld, Schuler Books includes locations in both Grand Rapids and Okemos. The Grand Rapids location on 28th Street “offers a wide array of new and used books for adults and children, an extensive selection of book-themed gifts, and a café where shoppers can enjoy coffee and a bite to eat,” they say. And a “friendly, helpful staff contribute to the welcoming feel shoppers experience.”

And if you’re really into last minute Christmas shopping, Schuler Books invites all ages to come and enjoy the live reindeer that will be outside the store Christmas Eve.

Adding to the inviting atmosphere is the knowledge that the staff at Schuler Books have personally hand-picked each book lining the shelves.

“We have a team of buyers that meet with publishing reps (representatives),” Smith said, “and over time have curated our stock. There are core items, of course, but also items specific to each store and its location.”

Changes in readers’ tastes

Schuler’s Smith also mentioned a shift in what buyers are looking for in reading material.

“Over the past couple of years, but especially this year, it has been different because people are looking for books connected to particular current events that people are trying to understand,” said Smith. “People see the world is changing, that there are large changes happening, and people are looking to books to understand these things.”

Popular titles at Schuler Books this holiday season substantiate Smith’s observation, with several books addressing current topics prevalent in society today:

“Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem” by Amanda Gorman. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

“How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America” by Clint Smith speaks to racial understanding.

“Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Michigan author Angeline Boulley concentrates on the indigenous community.

“Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem” by Amanda Gorman incorporates a call to action for people of all ages to use their abilities to make a difference.

Other popular titles offer inspiration, humor, and a connection with nature:

“Taste: My Life Through Food” by Stanley Tucci; “The Impossible Mile: The Power in Living Life One Step at a Time” by Johnny Agar; “All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings” by Gayle Boss; “Where the Deer and the Antelope Play” by Nick Offerman; “A Carnival of Snackery” by David Sedaris; “Get Untamed” by Glennon Doyle, a companion journal to Doyle’s 2020 release, “Untamed”; “The Sentence” by Louise Erdrich.

Maybe make a day-trip shopping

If you like to do a little strolling around a small-town downtown with plenty of shopping,  epilogue books, founded in July 2018 by Pat and Valerie Burkholder, is celebrating their fourth holiday season in Rockford.

Some of the staff picks at epilogue books in Rockford. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

Tucked into a strip of stores just off East Bridge Street, epilogue books features a comprehensive selection of new books for readers of all ages, including several by Michigan authors.

“We try to support local Michigan authors and artists,” said Cindy Coats, bookseller at epilogue books.

Coats also said that the staff at epilogue books hand-picks each book that is placed on the shelves.

“We look at what books are projected to be top-sellers,” said Coats said, “as well as what people are asking for.”

 

And the staff also looks at trends: “People come in asking for books that are being made into movies, like ‘Dune’ (Frank Herbert) and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ (Liane Moriarty),” said Coats.

Biographies and autobiographies have also proven to be a rising trend.

“People have been out of work, or not in their normal realm of work, for a year and a half and used that time to write their stories,” Coats said. “(Readers) like hearing where people came from, and especially about overcoming adversity.”

Several new releases on epilogue’s shelves cater to this topic, including “Will” by Will Smith, and “The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music” by Dave Grohl.

Pick one; all are worth reading. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

“Atlas of the Heart” by Brené Brown, a self-help book that focuses on how to develop meaningful connections with the people in our lives, is another popular title this holiday season.

Cookbooks are also a top seller this year. “Lots of celebrities are now writing cookbooks,” said Coats. “Pop culture is really interjecting into food.”

The bookseller pointed to “An Unapologetic Cookbook,” written by TikTok sensation Joshua Weissman. “We can’t keep these on the shelf,” Coats said with a laugh.

Other popular titles offered by epilogue books include: “Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone” (Outlander Series, Book 9) by Diana Gabaldon; “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides; “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid; “Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives” by Dav Pilkey.

A new reproduction of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J.K. Rowling is also dazzling shoppers with its full color illustrations and eight interactive paper craft elements.

“They are stunning,” said Coats, touching the cover as she passed by.

And say ‘“Hi” to Tommy

epilogue books’ Tommy the Bookstore Dog. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

Visitors to epilogue books will most likely be welcomed by the store’s most popular member, Tommy the Bookstore Dog, a mild-mannered golden retriever who loves to interact with customers.

“People come in just to see Tommy,” said Coats. “One woman drove all the way from Lansing after seeing him on a TikTok video, just to meet him.”

And after the holidays, an upcoming event that booklovers will want to mark on their calendars is a book signing with ABC’s chief meteorologist, Ginger Zee, featuring her upcoming release, “A Little Closer to Home.” A Rockford native, Zee will be at epilogue books Jan. 15 to meet fans and sign books.

East Kentwood to host Kent County Wrestling Championships Dec. 18

Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects, ,
The East Kentwood Falcon Wrestling logo. (EKwrestling.com)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The best of Kent County’s wrestlers, many of them state-ranked in their weight classes, will be on the mats at East Kentwood High School as the Falcons wrestling program hosts the Kent County Wrestling Championships Saturday, Dec. 18, with matches starting at 9:30 a.m.

In addition to the East Kentwood wrestlers, other local schools expected to attend are  Wyoming, Godfrey Lee, Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights. In all, as many as 20 schools will have wrestlers on the mats.

The format, according to information supplied by East Kentwood wrestling coaching staff will have the top 16 in each weight class placed in “Championship Division” with double elimination format. The remaining Wrestlers will be placed in a “Beltline Division”. There will also be a bracket for female wrestlers.

The Championship Division will be pre-seeded based on Trackwrestling criteria including state tournament placement/qualification, regional qualification, and records.

The Beltline Division competitors are 1st or 2nd year wrestlers or the wrestlers who had a sub-.500 winning percentage the previous season.

Awards will go to teams, individual wrestlers and Most Outstanding Wrestler.
 

Championship finals, and third and fifth place matches will be wrestled starting at same time, 4:30 p.m.

Award ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m.