Christmas is over, the presents unwrapped, leftovers are eaten, friends and family have gone home, and now there’s that pesky tree to deal with. So many real Christmas trees end up on the curb headed for the landfill, but we have a better solution! Recycle your Christmas tree at Lewis Farms & Petting Zoo as a delicious treat for our herd of goats.
“We’ve
been asking for tree donations after Christmas for a number of years
now,” says owner Cindy Lewis, “The goats can devour a tree in a matter
of minutes, they get very excited!”
Pine needles are a natural worm control for goats and are full of vitamin C so they make a nice healthy snack in addition to their regular diet of hay and grain. The goats are accustomed to seeing people every day from May to October when we are open. After the farm closes for the season they can get a little bored and lonely. Having an abundance of trees on hand helps to break up the boredom and gives the goats something to look forward to!
If your family would like to spread a little extra Christmas cheer and donate your tree to the goats, we know they would certainly appreciate it. We will be accepting trees through the end of January here at the farm, 4180 W M-20 New Era, MI 49446. The drop off location is in the main parking lot marked with the sign “Thank you for the tree-mendous treat!” Please, no flocked trees, and make sure that all decorations are removed. Tinsel loses its luster when half-digested in a pile of goat droppings!
The holidays are always a time of year full of fun and a flurry of activities. Some people may be afraid that living in a senior community means missing out on some of the good times, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Assisted living communities have a lot of great ways to celebrate the holidays, from religious and spiritual services to festive activities and holiday outings.
We have put together a list of our favorite ways to celebrate the holidays, many of which are already happening in our Vista Springs communities. We’re wishing all of our community members joy this holiday season!
Trips to local churches or chapel
Many churches and other places of worship have special holiday
services that you may want to attend. Assisted living communities will
often organize trips to visit places, or if there is a service you want
to attend that doesn’t have a specially planned trip, speaking to your
event organizer can help you plan a visit.
Visits from local dance and music groups
Local dance companies, choirs, and bands have winter or Christmas
programs that they love to share. Many senior living communities like
Vista Springs will invite these groups to come and perform, so make sure
have get an event schedule so you don’t miss out on anything.
Pop-up vendors and shops
Pop-up shops and holiday vendors will often come visit communities
and bring the best of holiday shopping right to you! Not only does this
provide a great way to socialize with the rest of your community, but
you can get great deals on gifts for your family and friends all from
the comfort of your own front door. Usually these are one day events, so
if you plan on attending make sure to keep room on your schedule.
Craft projects
Ever wanted to make a pinecone wreath? A special ornament? A tiny
Christmas tree? Assisted living communities like Vista Springs have
these and any number of other fun craft projects
that you can take part in. Have a good time and feel like a kid again
while getting a little messy with glue and ribbons. Crafts are a great
way to get into the holiday spirit.
Community decorating
Most senior living communities will ask residents to help them put up
decorations around the common spaces. Decorate trees with ornaments,
hang garland, and put out table centerpieces to give the entire space
that homey holiday feel. Some communities also have decorating contests
to see who can make their doorway the most festive, so you can go all
out and show your decorating skills to everyone.
Cookie decorating
Everyone likes cookies, and during the holidays that’s especially
true. Assisted living communities can have cookie decorating activities
so you can have fun and eat your work. If there aren’t cookies, see if
there are any gingerbread house constructing or decorating activities
planned in your community.
Trips to music performances
When local groups can’t come and perform at your community, you can
get a chance to go and see them someplace else. Many assisted living
communities, Vista Springs included, will plan trips to go see concerts
and other live music performances wherever their normal venue is. Enjoy a
nice trip out and listen to good music to help you keep in the holiday
spirit.
Outings to local events
Similar to trips to listen to music, assisted living
communities can have planned outings to event spaces that are holding
holiday displays or special gatherings to celebrate the holidays.
Parades, light displays, or house and garden tours are all examples of
events that your community can have plans to see. One of our favorites
is the Christmas light show at Fifth-Third Ballpark in Grand Rapids.
Visits to tree farms
Another fun place to visit over for the holidays are Christmas tree
farms. While you might not be planning on taking a tree home with you,
there are plenty of other ways to enjoy yourself and get some fresh air.
Look at local crafts and handmade decorations, and relax with the smell
of pine trees with other community members.
Community group performances
Many assisted living communities have their own choirs and other
groups that put on holiday performances. Maybe you are even part of one!
These ensembles have put a lot of work into their programs, so make
sure to show up and support your community members as they entertain.
Movie viewings and game nights
Watch your favorite holiday movies or play fun board games with other
community members. While you might have movie or game nights other
times of the year, during the holidays there are often special treats
like cocoa and snacks to help you get in the holiday mood and get the
most out of community gatherings.
Dinner parties
Almost all communities will have a dinner party planned where you can
invite family and friends to come and visit you at your home and
celebrate together. Most of these parties happen early on in December,
so if you have family members that you won’t be able to see later on in
the year this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some special time
together.
The festivities of the holidays can be found anywhere, especially in your assisted living community. With all these activities, you can have holiday fun every day of the month.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Dr. Jen absolutely fell head over heels in love with this engaging and extremely charming FIV+ fella the minute she laid eyes on him, but once she picked him up and nuzzled him close, she was even more smitten! And when it came time to name this fantastic fella (born in October of 2016), she really didn’t have to do much research, as the white heart on his chest and the way he stole hers instantaneously led her to Eros, the Greek god of love.
Even though Eros was quite banged up upon arrival, bearing scars and scabs left over from his days of fighting and fending for himself, Dr. Jen found him to be a breathtaking beauty, with that adorable white locket and ivory tufts of fur between each and every toe! How could one cat be so darned handsome?!
Once at our sanctuary Eros proved to be a boisterous, busy boy who only stopped moving when a bowl of canned food came into sight. Although he was a bit timid around his caretakers at first (we think he was a bit overwhelmed by being indoors and not having to do anything to earn his keep), he took to chumming around with some of the more outgoing guys at Big Sid’s which ultimately helped him gain confidence. In fact, at the writing of this bio two months after his arrival, we can tell you that Eros has become a bit big for his britches and has needed a time out on more than one occasion.
Now that he knows he can play with the others and sometimes get them riled up with his rambunctious behavior, we have to monitor his activity— he can be quite the little instigator. Eros reminds us of that pesky little brother who delights in ruffling the feathers of his siblings simply to watch the reaction it causes; he is a little stinker sometimes but we sure do enjoy him!
We would like to find Eros a home with another FIV+ cat if possible, one that will rough-and-tumble with him when he gets things going. As far as the type of human companionship we feel he is best suited for, we can see him becoming best buds with youngsters in a household as his energy level will certainly rival theirs! Considering that this gorgeous guy is typically in perpetual motion a busy, bustling household beckons him! Come meet our enthusiastic Eros for yourself and fall in love with this social butterfly!
More about Eros:
Medium
Black
Adult
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
FIV+
Neutered
Not declawed
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Eros? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
“This is a way for the families to take a break from their worries and just enjoy the holiday season,” Santa said.
Santa knew just how to hold the tiny little ones he visited. Behind the beard is Al Jones, MD, a retired neonatal medicine specialist.
He has donned his fur-trimmed red jacket, hat and pants with a broad-buckled belt for the past six years to help create these moments.
Santa’s helper is Amy Nyberg. She is the March of Dimes family support program coordinator at the children’s hospital who makes this visit happen each year.
“Families love it,” Nyberg said. “Santa comes and they are able to hit that milestone and have that memory of baby’s first photo taken with Santa.”
Amy, also dressed in fur-trimmed red, gives candy canes and small toys to young siblings of the NICU babies. She arranges for a professional Santa portrait to be sent to the families.
Raelynn Rhodes wore a special outfit for her photo with Santa. Her mom, Morgan, found the perfect fit, an American Girl doll ensemble complete with ice skates.
Parker Davis’ mom, Megan Alexander, said they woke up bright and early to make sure they didn’t miss Santa’s visit.
“We didn’t expect him until after Christmas,” Alexander said of her little preemie. “He’s our little Christmas baby.”
Metta Anongdeth knew something was wrong when her grandmother came to bathe and dress her and her young siblings with tears in her eyes. It turned out to be the day her parents would smuggle their family out of Communist Laos, leaving extended family behind–perhaps forever. Don’t miss this inspiring story of danger, courage, and embracing a new life in a distant land.
Emma Warner lay on the couch, sleepily watching a TV show on a tablet as her mom mixed water into a small vial of powder.
A tray appeared beside the couch, spread with syringes and a pair of gloves. Nine-year-old Emma didn’t even look up.
Her mom, Becky Warner, applied an orange antiseptic solution to the spot on Emma’s chest where a port lay beneath the skin. Into the port, she poked a needle connected to an intravenous line.
With a syringe, she injected saline into the line. Then came the medicine for hemophilia.
“This is the good stuff,” Becky said, as she slowly pressed the plunger on the syringe.
That good stuff—clotting factor—prevents uncontrolled bleeding that could damage Emma’s joints and cause other injuries.
Another shot of saline, followed by heparin to prevent clots, and the treatment was done.
Emma set down the tablet, yawned, and headed to the kitchen to eat breakfast with her 7-year-old brother, Gage.
She has a quick smile and charm. She is so easy to treasure.
Dr. Deanna MitchellPediatric hematologist
The school-day routine, performed with a calm, antiseptic precision born of years of practice, gave no hint of the extraordinary nature of these treatments, of Emma herself.
To be born with severe hemophilia A puts her in a select group. And to be a girl with hemophilia is rarer still, said Deanna Mitchell, MD, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital who sees children with hemophilia at the coagulation disorders clinic.
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
“We follow about 100 boys and young men with hemophilia, and she is my only female (patient),” she said.
Emma, a sandy-haired girl with a spray of freckles across her face, has made an impression, and not just because she’s the only girl in a group of boys. Her calm, easygoing nature wins over her medical team.
“She has a quick smile and charm,” Dr. Mitchell said. “She is so easy to treasure.”
The chronic condition requires vigilance and monitoring by specialists, parents and the children themselves. But research has led to improved treatments, and there is hope on the horizon, as researchers test a gene therapy for hemophilia.
Shock and fear
For Emma’s parents, Becky and Luke Warner, the diagnosis of hemophilia came without warning. They have no family history of the disorder.
Their first hint of a problem arose when Emma, at 13 months old, started to crawl. Large, dark bruises covered both knees, extending down into her lower leg.
“We knew something was not right,” Becky said.
Their family doctor ran blood work and Becky learned the diagnosis in a phone call: hemophilia A, or classic hemophilia.
Their reactions?
“Shock,” Luke said.
“Fear,” said Becky. “We didn’t know a lot about hemophilia.”
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
Meeting with Dr. Mitchell, they learned the disease puts a child at risk of prolonged bleeding after a cut or injury. A blow to the head could cause bleeding.
And often, children with hemophilia experience spontaneous bleeding in their joints, even when there is no noticeable injury. If not treated, it could cause irreversible damage to the joints over time.
“At 1, Emma couldn’t tell us what was happening,” Becky said. “So that part was scary.”
In years past, children with hemophilia often suffered such damage to their joints that, by adulthood, they needed a wheelchair or a pair of crutches for mobility. But improvements in treatments have made it possible to minimize the impact on the joints.
“Emma was born at a time when she has safe factor available that is completely synthetically made,” Dr. Mitchell said.
For Emma, a fourth-grader at Northeastern Elementary School in Hastings, Michigan, hemophilia means avoiding contact sports and activities that might lead to injury.
“I cannot go on trampolines,” she said. “I cannot go on snowmobiles.”
“She can’t do gymnastics or cheerleading,” Becky said. “At a young age certain sports are fine, like soccer. But if they become competitive when she gets older, that’s when the danger kicks in.”
Even with those activities off the table, Emma does plenty.
She golfs, swims and shoots hoops on the driveway with her brother and parents. She plays piano and recently started guitar lessons.
At school, she likes music class best.
“This year in fourth grade, we get to play recorders,” she said.
The genetic mystery
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
Through genetic testing, the Warners learned how Emma became one of the few girls with the disease.
About 1 in 5,000 newborn boys have hemophilia A, which is caused by a defect in a gene that codes for a protein needed for blood clotting, called factor 8.
The gene is carried on the X chromosome. Because girls have two X chromosomes, a girl with the genetic mutation on one chromosome usually does not have the disease. A functioning backup gene on the other X chromosome allows her to create factor 8.
A girl with the genetic defect is a carrier, and may pass the disease on to her sons. That’s how most cases occur.
But with Emma—and 30 percent of people with hemophilia—a spontaneous mutation caused the disease.
And in her case, the backup gene on her other X chromosome is inactive. Although rare, this issue occurs occasionally in X-linked genetic conditions, Dr. Mitchell said.
Kids with mild or moderate hemophilia A have low levels of factor 8. But Emma’s blood test showed no detectable amount of the protein, which means she has a severe form of the disease.
Getting used to pokes
For the first few years, Emma received infusions of clotting factor only when needed. Her parents watched for signs of bleeding in her joints.
Her mom recalled an incident when Emma was a toddler. She slept on a mattress on the floor, with a railing, to minimize risk of falls.
One morning, she woke up excited about going to day care. She jumped up eagerly, and then suddenly dropped back to the floor.
Worried she had a bleed in her ankle, the Warners took her to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Emma got an infusion.
Once, when she was 3, Emma got a bump on her cheek. It swelled to the size of a tennis ball.
How did she handle the pokes as a small child? A shy smile spread across Emma’s face.
“The first couple of times, I was scared. Once I tried to bite someone,” she said. “But I got used to it.”
The bleeds happened more frequently as Emma grew and became more mobile. At 5, when she started kindergarten, she began to get infusions regularly, as a preventive treatment.
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
“I feel better sending her to school knowing she has protection,” Becky said.
She and Luke give the infusions to Emma every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.
“Parents are just heroes in the world of hemophilia,” Dr. Mitchell said. “They have made it so children don’t have joint disability. They can grow up to be strong and healthy.”
The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital clinic treats kids who have a variety of bleeding disorders. In addition to hemophilia A, they see children with hemophilia B, which affects 1 in 30,000 boys, and von Willebrand disease, which occurs in both genders and affects 1 percent of the population.
To help combat complications of the disease, the team hosts comprehensive coagulation clinics every month that allow children to see a number of providers in one visit.
The kids come in once a year and meet with a hematologist and review their medication doses and adjust if needed. They also see nurses, research coordinators, a psychologist, a physical therapist who measures joint mobility, and a dental hygienist who addresses ways to prevent bleeding gums.
Eventually, kids like Emma learn to give intravenous infusions to themselves.
Treatment options may change dramatically in Emma’s future, Dr. Mitchell added. Researchers are developing new medications and holding clinical trials to test a gene therapy treatment.
Because hemophilia often affects multiple family members, the clinical team forms ties with multiple generations of extended families.
“That’s very gratifying to follow families for many years and to see the progress being made,” Dr. Mitchell said.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
Former volunteer and ‘Queen of the Stray Cats’, Rochelle M. live-trapped this striking stud-muffin who had been hanging around her Cutlerville home in mid-September, 2018. Her intention was to take #130 to CSNIP for neutering and then release him back outdoors as he kept company with members of her feral colony, but when he proved to her just how affectionate and friendly he was and was sporting some pretty nasty cat fight wounds, she contacted Dr. Jen for help.
It wasn’t a surprise that this stunning black and gray smoky fella (born around March of 2016) turned up positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) given the fact he was intact and a scrapper, but it was quite shocking as to the sheer number of fleas he had infesting his battered and bedraggled body; how he avoided becoming anemic was beyond comprehension, but thankfully his issues were only skin deep and healed up wonderfully well.
Our shelter and cat care managers have some pretty good insight as to what makes our silver fox Viggo tick: “This drop-dead gorgeous guy has come a long way since we took him in. He was a bit of a spitfire and would pick on any cat that walked past him but is doing much better now — and was even snuggling with Sia recently. He’s really started to show his cute personality by following volunteers around looking for the attention he deserves”
“Once in awhile he lets out a meow and I’ll pick him up and he just sits there in my arms looking up at me. He loves to nap A LOT! I think he is so fond of snoozing because he has relaxed so much since he has been with us, finally safe and able to sleep soundly.”
And of course we can’t overlook the obvious: he has the coolest markings and fur that you can’t help but run your fingers through, with those silver undertones that rival that of his namesake. He’d do best in a home with a companion, as we feel he would be utterly amazing with kids and probably a dog too; Viggo probably could cohabitate harmoniously with the right type of cat as well (non-confrontational, mellow and a snuggler so that no biting occurs that could transmit the virus), and most certainly would thrive in a home overflowing with humans.
So as you can clearly see, this debonair and dashing feline specimen really is the complete picture: affectionate, outgoing, people-oriented and overall just a gregarious guy looking for a place to call his very own. And after all that he went through to land with us, Viggo most definitely deserves it.
More about Viggo:
Large
Black, Gray/Blue/Silver, Smoke
Adult
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Not declawed
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Viggo? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
Seeking asylum from the Ethiopian civil war, Nardos Osterhart settled in the U.S. with her parents and siblings. If this child of a diplomat learned one thing, it was adaptation. That hard-earned determination got her through college, landed her a job in healthcare, and propelled her onto — of all places — a comedy stage! Stay tuned. After our conversation, Nardos shares some of her home-grown humor with Feel Like You Belong viewers.
North America holds about 5% of the world’s population and 25% of its incarcerated population. Its prison population has increased 800% in the past 40 years. And Michigan prisoners will typically serve 120% of their minimum sentence.
Those stats call for action. And a population of students in the Calvin Prison Initiative (CPI) program are helping facilitate some important conversations related to these statistics from behind bars.
“Inner transformation is key to radical reconciliation, and ultimately restorative justice. We hope that as more people come to see the humanity and values of these forgotten men and women, the willingness to discard people will end.”
Jamie Sturdevant, a student at Calvin’s Handlon Prison campus, spoke this collective hope on behalf of the CPI students who organized and led the second annual West Michigan Restorative Justice Conference. The theme of the October 13 conference was “Hope, Healing, and Radical Reconciliation.”
Leading from inside the fences
Throughout the conference, CPI students introduced speakers, explained restorative justice, and sang original pieces via pre-recorded videos. The Handlon Tabernacle Choir began the conference in song and then proceeded to define restorative justice.
CPI student Shawn England described how restorative justice is focused on relationship-building, not punishment. “Reconciliation requires more than leaving places of power for periodic visits to communities of oppressed people,” he said. “It means building ongoing relationships with many persons from marginalized communities and engaging in those relationships for the duration of our lives.”
“The road to healing and reconciliation is never easy; it requires humility and courage,” CPI student Aaron Wadsworth added. “We are all called to walk this road, but we do not walk the road alone.”
Restorative justice speakers
The student organizers introduced conference speakers from various backgrounds and experiences with restorative justice. Calvin alumnus and former professor Nicholas Wolterstorff argued that restorative justice must focus on healing the breach between personal relationships rather than providing a consequence for a harm. “Aren’t persons more important than laws? Aren’t laws for the sake of persons?” Wolterstorff challenged.
Father David Kelly, the director of Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, followed Wolterstorff by encouraging others to become more proximate to those affected by injustice. “We have to be willing to go in and touch the woundedness of one another,” Kelly said. “As a church, we ought to be living in the Holy Saturday moment—to embrace the hurt and pain of the crucifixion, and yet give witness to the resurrection.”
After offering statistics on the history of American incarceration, writer and speaker Dominique Gilliard spoke on America’s historic, concealed imprisonment system: convict leasing. “We are addicted to punitiveness and we have understood it as justice. As Christians, we cannot accept that definition of justice because it is morally bankrupt,” Gilliard said.
State representative and Calvin alumnus David LaGrand then provided an inside look at Michigan’s criminal justice landscape and specific legislative areas for reform. He argued that the church has a crucial role to play in this pursuit. “We need to focus on who is hurt and how we can heal who is hurt,” LaGrand said.
Jerline Riley then spoke about losing her son in February 1994 at the hands of a CPI student. She described the long reconciliation process between herself and the student, and how she now views him as a son. “I see him moving forward and doing great things with his life, because that’s what God raises us up for,” Riley said. “Seventy times seven—that’s how I feel about life. I hope I play a role in him coming home someday. I am a wounded healer, and I want God to use my story to plant seeds.”
Hope College professor and Calvin alumnus Charlotte Van-Oyen Witvliet concluded the conference by speaking on the dehumanization of the incarcerated and the power of forgiveness. “We cannot confuse an image bearer of God with the wrongdoing of which they are responsible,” Van-Oyen Witvliet said. “This person needs to undergo positive transformation; that transformation helps us pivot away from desiring that person’s destruction.”
Restorative Justice Club
The conference was made possible by Handlon’s Restorative Justice Club, which meets biweekly to learn about how to become part of the movement toward a more personable and just society. Professors Thomas R. Thompson and Matthew Walhout have been the club’s faculty mentors since the club’s inception in Fall 2017. “The club’s members and leadership are highly self-motivated and self-facilitating. We receive much more than we give, but we do provide some administrative legs on the outside of the facility,” Thompson said.
According to Thompson, the Restorative Justice Club members would like the conference venue to vary institutionally and ecumenically throughout the coming years to achieve greater awareness and participation in the restorative justice movement. In March 2017, the first West Michigan Restorative Justice Conference took place at Hope College.
Currently, efforts are being made to launch a chapter of the Restorative Justice Club on Calvin’s main campus, which would interact and coordinate with the CPI chapter’s interests and efforts.
The 3D imaging software, True 3D Viewer by EchoPixel Inc., is the latest high-tech tool used by the congenital heart team to understand the complex anatomy of a beating heart.
The physicians used scans of Luke’s heart to create the virtual image, which they consulted as they decided whether to do surgery, and how to prepare for the operation.
‘Tired pretty quick’
Luke, the son of Pam and Jason Carpenter, was born with several rare congenital heart defects, including dextrocardia, a condition in which the heart is situated on the right side of the chest, instead of the left. And he had transposition of the great arteries—which means the two major blood vessels that carry blood from the heart were switched.
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
By the time he entered Thornapple Kellogg High School last fall, Luke had undergone four open-heart surgeries. Surgeons patched holes in his heart, replaced the mitral valve and rerouted major blood vessels.
The fixes helped him grow and thrive in school and activities. He couldn’t play contact sports because of the blood thinners he took, but he loved to watch football and basketball. And he played golf and joined the high school team.
One day, he would like to become an athletic trainer for sports teams.
In the fall of his freshman year, however, he noticed difficulty in keeping up the same level of activity.
“I’d get tired pretty quick,” he said. “I would feel like (my heart) was beating really fast.”
“He was fine (when he was) resting,” his mom said. “But when he was running around the yard or doing something even mildly active, his heart would be pounding really hard.”
The congenital heart team focused on the tube that had been placed in Luke’s heart to connect the right side of the heart to the lung arteries. A surgeon first created the conduit when he was 14 months old because he was born without a pulmonary artery. A surgeon replaced it when Luke turned 9.
Dr. Vettukattil examined the structure in a heart catheterization procedure. He hoped to use a balloon catheter to expand the tube and improve blood flow.
But he discovered the conduit lay between the heart and the breast bone, a tight spot that compressed the tube. The congenital heart team determined he needed open-heart surgery to replace the tube—and to place it in a different spot.
Getting a clear picture of Luke’s unique heart became crucial to planning the surgery.
“In a complex heart like this, when the heart is on the right side of the chest, it is important for the surgeon to orient themselves,” Dr. Vettukattil said.
A pioneer in 3D imaging techniques, Dr. Vettukattil used scans of Luke’s heart to create a 3D printed model, printed in a clear plastic resin.
That model also was used to create the image of the heart viewed on the Echo Pixel monitor. Wearing 3D glasses, the physicians examined the heart and its position within Luke’s chest.
“When you do the Echo Pixel model, you are visualizing the whole chest,” Dr. Vettukattil said. “You have a much better spatial understanding—the whole organ system of the patient is represented intact. And you are visualizing it in three dimensions.”
Marcus Haw, MD, pediatric heart surgeon and co-director of the congenital heart center, used the 3D images to plan the operation.
“As soon as I reviewed the printed model, I was able to show Luke and his parents the compressed conduit,” he said.
“More importantly, it showed that there was an extension of his heart cavity that would give room for a larger conduit—and that the coronary artery was not in the way of the potential route for the conduit.”
On April 16, 2018, he placed a new tube between the right side of the heart and lung arteries, this time routing it across the top of Luke’s heart. He also replaced the mitral valve with a larger one.
‘Means everything to us’
Two and a half weeks later, Luke arrived at the congenital heart center for his follow-up visit.
“You’re healing nicely,” said physician assistant Sarah Yarger, PA, as she examined the incision.
As he recovered from surgery, Luke said he was slowly regaining energy and appetite. He received approval to return to school the next week.
He hoped the new connector in his heart would make a difference. He looked forward to getting back on the golf course.
“I hope it will make me have more energy and able to do more things,” he said.
He had a chance to look at the colorful 3D model of his heart pre-surgery.
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
“It’s crazy,” he said, turning the heart over in his hands.
He pointed out the tube that lay compressed under the sternum—the one that had just been replaced.
For the specialists at the congenital heart center, the use of 3D imagery—including the printed model and the virtual image seen with 3D glasses—helps further the diagnosis and treatment of complex congenital heart defects.
“The capability to see the structures of the heart in this way is opening up new possibilities for patients who’ve previously been told there is no more we can do or that surgery is too dangerous,” Dr. Haw said.
The physicians continue to work on ways to better see the interrelated parts of a beating heart so they can fine-tune each patient’s treatment.
“That means everything to us,” Dr. Vettukattil said. “If we can use the best technology for the best treatment for our patients, that means a lot.”
Moving to her third country nets Juane Odendaal a national collegiate championship. Tune in as Alan invites this South African-born soccer defender to talk of sisterhood, cross-border etiquette, and what it takes to balance a passion for sport and people.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
It’s goes without saying that scruffy little Stavros had seen his fair share of tough times before he was picked up on south campus of Davenport College in mid-August 2018. His rescuer took him in and housed him, making sure he had his basic needs met (food, water, shelter) but he still had a long way to go in filling out his bony frame (he was starving when found); he also needed to be neutered and was in dire need of a spa day.
When he was taken in to a local vet a week prior to coming to us, it was discovered that he was FIV+, which made long-term housing even more challenging. So the dynamic duo of Lynnette and Sue asked for our assistance, and on October 8th Dr. Jen was able to bring this stinky, skunky (yet adorable), filthy, matted and formerly flea-ridden fellow into our program, but first he had to make a long overdue pit stop at the clinic. While there Dr. Jen not only (nicely) took away his manhood but combed an entire cat’s worth of hair off of him, treated a nasty ear infection and extracted some problematic teeth.
Once he was bathed and beautified, stunning Stavros (born around October of 2013) was ready to head on down to Sid’s to receive lots of hands on attention, something he had clearly been missing for quite some time.
Since Dr. Jen only got to spend a bit of time with him at the clinic upon intake, and then again for his follow-up a month later, she asked my cat care people for some insight on our ever evolving Stavros:
“He is becoming a really sweet boy. He was so scared for the first couple weeks he was with us, but now he purrs and happy drools. He still spends all of his time up on the cat walk, but he will let you know when he wants attention. He seems to get confidence from being around the other cats, so he should go to a home that has at least one other cat. He does get a little nervous at times, so it is probably best he live without obnoxious dogs or young kids.”
“Stavros—I love this cat!! He has a secret… he LOVES one-on-one attention as long as you have the brush or comb in hand; he drools, coos, and shakes when he’s being brushed which cracks me right up. He’s always got that concerned/ puzzled look on his face which I think some perceive as “not friendly”, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s a quieter, keep to himself kind of cat until you set him down either on your lap or next to you and start brushing his super fuzzy soft hair. Everything about him is just adorable to me. He’s not real crazy about a lot of the other cats near him, but has not once shown any aggression towards them. He’d do well in a quieter home with lots and lots of attention. No dogs, but possibly another non-dominant cat.”
We also have it on good authority that someone has a finger fetish—to the point where he will slobber and nibble on your fingertips, so you have to watch out as when he gets a bit over-enthusiastic he can’t help but give a love chomp! There exists a video of him enjoying grooming himself so exuberantly that the slurping sounds he elicited almost made the videographer gag a bit.
We figure that he spent so much time dirty and dread-locked that now he can finally keep him self shiny and clean he is going to make the most of it—and make sure everyone knows what he is doing! In the short time we have had him, Stavros has come such a long way, and we can’t wait to see what he has in store for us.
More about Stavros:
Medium
Domestic Medium Hair & Domestic Short Hair Mix
Gray/Blue/Silver, White
Adult
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Not declawed
Prefers a home without dogs, children
Want to adopt Stavros? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
In an instant, Julie and John VanderMolen became parents of three beautiful infants.
All boys.
All identical.
Statistically, that’s a rare event―identical triplets occur once in every 100,000 births.
And for the VanderMolens, it’s a triply blessed event.
The babies arrived by cesarean section Nov. 26 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, and the couple eagerly embraced the moment they became a family of five.
“I just was a mess of tears,” Julie says. “The pregnancy was a pretty long journey for me.
“Just having that bond with them in utero, and being able to feel each one of them move separately. And then to see them outside of me, it just felt so surreal. I felt like I already knew them.”
Ivan John arrived first, at 11:28 a.m., weighing 4 pounds, 7 ounces. Then came William Lloyd, at 11:29 a.m., tipping the scale at 5 pounds. Third was Harrison Kenneth, born at 11:31 a.m., weighing 3 pounds, 15 ounces.
Each has a full head of hair, and each gave a hearty cry at birth.
“To hear that scream―that moment is indescribable,” John says. “I am just so happy and thankful they are healthy. They are doing great now. We are just very blessed.”
One, two, three heartbeats
The couple found out they were expecting triplets early in the pregnancy. Julie had experienced a miscarriage a year earlier, so she had an ultrasound exam at six weeks.
“You guys are having twins,” the technician said, as she detected two heartbeats.
Photos by Chris Clark
A moment later, she added, “There are three heartbeats.”
Julie began to shake. “Like a leaf,” she says. John became dizzy.
“Things got real very quickly,” he says. “I just was not prepared. I felt like I had been hit by a car.”
It didn’t take long for shock to give way to feelings of excitement.
“We desperately wanted children,” Julie says.
Although John had lobbied for a big family, they hadn’t decided how many kids they wanted. They thought they would start with one and see how that went.
Doctors told the parents early in the pregnancy the infants would be identical because, although they had three separate sacs, they shared a single placenta.
Identical triplets can occur when a single fertilized egg divides in two, and then one of those eggs divides, said Vivian Romero, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group.
Julie, a social worker, and John, a former Marine who works for the federal government, are Grand Rapids-area natives who moved to North Carolina for John’s job. After they found out they were expecting triplets, they moved back to West Michigan to be closer to family.
To be able to see him and hold him is an indescribable feeling.
The boys receive nourishment through feeding tubes. They will learn to eat on their own before they are ready to go home.
Perfection
On Monday afternoon, John wheels Julie to the NICU so they can hold the babies, providing skin-to-skin contact. They make sure each boy receives equal cuddle time. This visit, Ivan waits in his crib while his brothers get their turn.
Nurse Bos lifts Harrison from his crib and gently helps Julie settle him on her chest.
“Hi, buddy. Come to mama,” Julie murmurs. Harrison opens his eyes and looks up at her.
John sits in a nearby chair and holds William. The newborn squawks and squirms, then settles in and closes his eyes.
“To be able to see him and hold him is an indescribable feeling,” John says.
“It’s unlike anything you can ever describe,” Julie agrees. “It’s perfection.”
The VanderMolens received a moment of fame with a playful video they created to announce their triple pregnancy. It shows their frantic preparations for parenthood―with John catching three baseballs and Julie filling three baby bottles. It was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America.
Now, they can’t wait to bring their babies to their home in Kentwood, Michigan. Three cribs await the boys upstairs. A triple stroller stands ready. They have piles of outfits, diapers and bottles.
Photo by Chris Clark
Julie looks forward to taking her sons to church. John dreams of playing sports with the boys.
With Julie still recovering from surgery, the couple says they don’t think they have quite come to grips with the challenges ahead.
“The full responsibility has not sunk in yet,” John says.
“But I wouldn’t say we are fearful about it at all,” Julie says. “The connection we have with them is just so instant. And I am so looking forward to being home, on our own schedule, and figuring it out together as a family.”
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, countywide issues that impact public school students educational success rates and also the quality of the environment they will inherit.
We talk with two education experts on the Strive for Less than 5 effort to combat high rates of student absenteeism, and then we talk with the director of the county’s public works department about Kent County’s Sustainable Business Park Master Plan for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center.
Explaining the importance of the “Strive for Less than 5” countywide campaign is Mel Atkins II, Executive Director of Community & Student Affairs for Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Kent ISD data researcher Sunil Joy, who has studied the importance of the reducing absenteeism.
Also on the show is Darwin J. Baas, Director of the Kent County Department of Public Works. Baas will discuss the details of the Sustainable Business Park Master Plan, which is intended to provide opportunity for partnerships and innovative approaches to managing waste in the county, with the goal of diverting 90 percent of trash from the South Kent Land ll by 2030.
“WKTV Journal In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
“How do I buck the expectations of my parents and a billion people back home?” Chinese students in the U.S. ask this question this every day. “Do I listen to the counsel of my family, as tradition dictates? Or do I follow the passions of my heart?” Creative business strategist Ning Liu talks about her life journey in the context of this cultural conundrum.
By Krystle Wagner, Spectrum Health Beat; photos by Chris Clark
As her graduating classmates celebrated accomplishments and looked forward to the future, Angela Maurer focused on one thing.
Regaining the ability to walk.
In high school, Maurer stayed active in cross country, basketball and track. She served on student council, in the National Honor Society, in the Business Professionals of America, and, an avid horseback rider, as president of her 4-H club.
She was an achiever, in every sense of the word.
And since running had been part of her life since middle school, Maurer planned to join the cross country team at Aquinas College in the fall of 2014.
Everything changed in her final week of high school.
The crash
On May 22, 2014, Maurer, then 18, was behind the wheel of her Chevy Tahoe, with her younger brother, Nathan, in the passenger seat.
Photo courtesy of Angela Maurer
They had just left the house. When Maurer made a left turn out of the driveway of her family’s home in Williamston, Michigan, she forgot to check her blind spot.
An oncoming SUV broadsided her Tahoe at about 60 mph. Although Maurer’s brother managed to walk away with minor injuries, Maurer sustained serious injuries that would change her life.
Initially, she didn’t even understand the severity of her trauma. She remembers telling her mom she could move her toes, and asking her mom if that was a good thing.
“The entire dash was on my lap,” Maurer recalled.
An ambulance rushed her to the hospital, where an initial evaluation provided more uncertainty. The left side of her pelvis shattered upon impact and her neck had fractured.
Given the extent of the trauma, doctors couldn’t say if she would ever walk again.
Hearing that, Maurer became motivated to make a full recovery.
“It drove me to prove them wrong, push myself harder,” she said.
The work to recover began immediately. Each day for three weeks, she would undergo four therapy sessions—one hour of physical therapy and one hour of occupational therapy followed by half-hour sessions of each.
She first entered therapy on a Tuesday, making a goal of attending her high school graduation ceremony that Sunday.
Maurer remembers the pain when she first arrived at therapy. She needed two people to help her get up. But she was clearly motivated, Rusiecki recalled.
The young woman progressed from learning how to sit up in bed to getting into a wheelchair. When she sat up in bed, her head spun and she couldn’t focus on anything.
Maurer said it was hard to visualize how she would ever reach her goal and someday run again, but her family encouraged her to keep going.
Progress came incrementally.
After days of persevering through pain, she joined her classmates in celebrating high school graduation. As Maurer’s brother pushed her wheelchair across the stage, the crowd gave her a standing ovation.
Hitting that milestone was emotional, Maurer said. In that moment, she saw the volume of love and support behind her, even as she continued her recovery about an hour-and-a-half away from her hometown.
Her accomplishments didn’t stop there. In two more weeks of therapy, she progressed from a walker to crutches.
Although some days proved to be more challenging than others—she remembers being plagued by soreness—the hurdles became easier to clear once she could walk with crutches.
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
Through occupational therapy, she learned how to get out of bed, shower and use the restroom without assistance. In physical therapy, she learned how to get in and out of cars, walk down stairs and walk across different terrains with her crutches.
When therapists released Maurer from inpatient therapy on June 9, less than a month after the crash, she could walk more than 1,000 feet with crutches over various terrain. She could also maneuver a flight of steps as long as she kept the weight off her left foot, Rusiecki said.
Returning home, Maurer became single-mindedly focused on one goal: Running again.
The finish line
Her medical team cleared Maurer to stop using crutches two days before freshman orientation at Aquinas College. She then worked toward her goal, one step at a time.
“Everything was worth it in the long run,” she said.
Before she got the OK to run, she spent time cross-training, biking and exercising on the elliptical to build up her strength. Six months after the crash, doctors approved her to begin running again.
In November 2014, she become an active member of the cross country team, where her teammates heard her story and greeted her with enthusiastic support.
“They remind me how I’m a walking miracle, and it’s like a blessing to be able to run again,” she said.
In May 2015, a year after the crash, Maurer visited staff at the Center for Acute Rehabilitation to show them her progress.
“It was very exciting to see her again,” Rusiecki said.
Maurer said she’s now in the best shape she’s ever been in. And her experience is shaping the trajectory of her life not just in physical recovery, but in academic prowess.
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
Prior to the crash, she had planned to study either occupational or physical therapy. Given her experience, she has decided to study physical therapy, in hopes of one day working with athletes who may find themselves in similar situations.
She can relate to athletes whose injuries might temporarily keep them from doing what they love. She can help them persevere to reach their goals, and help them return to their passions.
Despite the challenges, Maurer said the journey has made her thankful for every day. Thankful for everything she has. Thankful for still being alive.
For others going through their own struggles and journeys, Maurer, now 20, recommends keeping a positive mindset, because negativity will only make things more challenging.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
On October 13, 2018, Dr. Jen received this very heartfelt request: “I’ve been trying to avoid writing this email for a long time. I adopted Otter in 2009 and he’s been my best friend from Day 1. My partner and I have been living separately for the past 5 years due to his severe allergic reaction to my cat, but we’ve reached the point where we’d like to start our lives together. I have tried everything to place Otter into a home I trust but nearly everyone in my life has multiple pets and the inability to take on another. I am hoping that, even after all of this time, Otter still can have a place at Crash’s. He means the world to me and I can’t consider him going somewhere his life might be at risk. Please let me know if this is still an option. I’m heartbroken and just need to know he will be safe and loved.
“He’s lived the past 3 years with two rescue pit bulls, as part of the gang we affectionately call ‘Two Pitties & a Kitty’. He’s a little instigator who loved to get the pups to chase and play with him, especially taking on the laser pointer together. Otter has been through probably half a dozen moves with me and has handled change like a champ, always making himself instantly comfortable. His favorite pastimes are sleeping on the windowsill in the sun, chirping at the birds or any other wildlife he can see, and snuggling on your chest while purring in your face (his purr motor never shuts off). He loves catnip probably too much (we have had talks about it). Otter has been my one constant through so much change over the last near decade—he is part of my heart and soul.”
Every time we read this, we get choked up; to love someone so much and have to let them go is one of the most difficult decisions to have to make. We strive for our motto to be ‘once a Crash cat, always a Crash cat’, so there was no question about it—Otter was of course welcomed back into our furry fold. Since he is a senior citizen (born in August of 2008) and had been away from us for such a long time, Dr. Jen was a bit concerned that his world would be turned upside-down, but literally within minutes he was trucking around the place, finding himself a great vantage point on a perch and surveying his surroundings (this was of course after our grand reunion at the clinic where Dr. Jen got to personally greet him and get some long overdue lovin’ ).
He is such a sweet, gentle cat who more often than not can be seen being carried around in the arms of a volunteer, obviously enjoying every second of hands-on time with his new BFF’s. He is going to thrive in a home where he can be showered with attention, both human and canine-kind; you can even throw a cat or two in the mix and all will be right with Otter’s world once again.
He really is the perfect cat, and if you haven’t heard, 10 is the new 5, so age certainly isn’t a factor in considering Otter as your lifelong kitty companion; a full work-up at the clinic deemed him healthy after several teeth were extracted, with sensational lab work to boast about as well. As you can see from how his mom gushed about him and by how smitten our volunteers are with him already, this great guy here really is exactly the type of cat that will seamlessly transition into any happy household and add so much joy to it as well, so don’t let a cat as magnificent as Otter pass you by!
More about Otter:
Large
Domestic Short Hair
Tabby (brown/chocolate, tiger-striped, white)
Senior
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Declawed
Good in a home with other cats, dogs, children
Want to adopt Otter? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
Seven area service workers received a 2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Award for integrity, commitment and passion in their jobs. The Essential Service Awards honor non-managerial employees who provide critical services that often go unnoticed and unrewarded.
“The business community often overlooks the significant contributions that service workers make in our region and economy,” said Dave Smith, chair of the West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board. “The Essential Service Awards recognize exceptionally hardworking individuals who perform these crucial jobs.”
2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Services Award Winners
Kelle Bergers, housekeeper, Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan (28 years)
Nicholas Borgman, customer service representative, Quality Car Wash (4 years)
Riley Frens, nurse technician, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (3 years)
Andrea Gafford, customer service/scheduling, Anderson Technologies, Inc. (20 years)
Sam Sandee, employment training program specialists, Wedgwood Christian Services (22 years)
Laurie Trestrail, dietary aide, SKLD (39 years)
Employers, co-workers and the community can submit Essential Service Award nominations in a variety of industries including housekeeping, hospitality, retail, healthcare, transportation, administrative, food service, general labor, childcare, nonprofit and custodial, or government.
2018 honoree Kelle Bergers is known for going above and beyond. Each day, Bergers ensures that the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan is sanitary for families of children traveling to Grand Rapid for their child’s medical or mental health treatment.
“I’m honored to receive this award, but I don’t need the recognition. I am just doing my part to make sure our guests’ experience is the best it can be,” Bergers said.
Kelle was nominated by her manager Megan Priester, services director at Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.
“To explain every way that Kelle has impacted our organization would take hours; she is a shining light,” said Priester. “Our families love seeing her so much that they often come back years later to visit her. There is not another human being like Kelle.”
Priester recalled a time when a guest room was left in an extremely less than desirable state.
“Other staff looked at the room and turned around, but not Kelle. She methodically cleaned the room section by section until it was finished,” said Priester. “After Kelle was finished, she simply let the front office know it was ready, never looking for praise.”
You can see photos and learn more about this year’s winners at westmiworks.org/esa.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In early October of 2018, we received a special plea from a wonderful woman on the east side of the state regarding a very special kitty she had rescued and then sadly surrendered to her local humane society; immediately she regretted her decision and was applying to adopt him back when she discovered he was harboring the feline leukemia virus. Because she has a negative cat at home, she didn’t feel comfortable risking exposure (the virus is transmitted through bodily fluids like saliva), but she just couldn’t fathom the potential outcome of her super friendly, fluffy fella. So, she contacted us in the hopes that Dr. Jen could lend her a hand, and once the good doc agreed to help when we had a spot open, she made work of insuring his safety there until she could spring him and bring him on over.
Thankfully because of her valiant efforts and a very accommodating staff at the Michigan Humane Society, Big Sid’s was able to welcome this fabulous four-year-old (born in the fall of 2014) into our free-roaming facility.
From the instant we met, we were fast friends, as he won us over with his silly antics, voice bigger than he is and his affinity for people pleasing. He had to hang out with Dr. Jen at the clinic for a few days as she needed to treat an abscess that went undetected (he had received treatment for one at the HS), extract all of his incisors and address an inflammatory condition know as stomatitis which causes oral pain secondary to significant inflammation (this is quite common in FELV+ kitties). Dr. Jen had such fun while he was there, even though he spent most of his time hootin’ and hollerin’ at her and her coworkers so they would stop what they were doing, take him out of his cage and cuddle him—he is too darn adorable to resist.
Mr. Fluffytail, aptly named by his rescuer, needed only about a half of a second to acclimate to his new, cushy surroundings, as he was raring to go meet and greet everyone that he laid his eyes on. At the writing of his story about a month after his arrival, he is still very chatty, extremely playful and sports a kitten attitude with the appetite to rival a 20 pounder! He is constantly on the move and LOVES any and all attention sent his way, so he has to keep filling his belly as he burns calories faster than he can take them in.
He is by far one of THE HAPPIEST CATS we have ever had—and we have had our fair share of extremely enthusiastic residents over the past 16 years. He is constantly the center of attention and is always getting into things—he is just thriving in our busy shelter. He would do fabulously well with a house full of kids so we are going to make that our target goal: Fluffytail + rambunctious children = best idea ever!
The only thing squirrelly about him is his tail, which sometimes we swear is about the same diameter of his lithe and lanky body. If you aren’t immediately taken by his cute personality, his awesome amber eyes and striking, silky fur will draw you in and never let you go; he is so darn handsome. I know I speak for everyone at Big Sid’s when I say that we are so very blessed to have such an energetic and goofy guy as part of our furry crew; his lust for life and the pure unadulterated bliss he exudes from every single pore is absolutely contagious.
More about Mr. Fluffytail:
Medium
Tabby (brown/chocolate, tiger-striped, white)
Adult
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Not declawed
FELV+
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Mr. Fluffytail? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
When the Mexican peso devalued, Juan Daniel Castro found he owed more money than he earned. So, he did what any optimist would do: summoned his courage, applied for a visa, and moved to the U.S. Twenty years later, he is an American citizen, the leader of a salsa band, and an advocate for healthcare in the Latino community.
Lynn Hopkins’s bond with her rescue cat, Jack B. Nimble, is rewarding on myriad levels. Besides the close companionship the two enjoy, Hopkins and Jack share their time with seniors in assisted living environments, as well as students who are in dire need of de-stressing before exams.
And then, there is the little matter of a certain, er, jackpot that recently paid off big-time, thanks to Petco Foundation and Hopkins’s unwavering faith in Jack. Each year, Petco invites people across the U.S. to share the story of how their adopted pet changed their lives during Petco’s annual Holiday Wishes campaign, giving the organization that they adopted from a chance to receive a grant award.
Hopkins knows a sure bet when she sees it. First, she spotted Jack at Crash’s Landing a few years ago and couldn’t resist adopting him. Second, she identified in Jack certain personality traits that catapulted him into the pet therapy field. Third, this past fall, she came across Petco Foundation’s application for the Holiday Wishes campaign and knew Jack had a winning story.
“Petco’s application said they would only guarantee full review of the ‘first 10,000’ entries so it was pretty long odds,” said Hopkins. “The application materials said the winners would be announced in November, so the first week of November, I checked the website and found out the winners were being announced on the 16th. I didn’t tell anybody when the announcement was scheduled in case we didn’t win anything.”
But when it came time for the live video feed on Petco’s website, you can bet Hopkins was glued to the screen.
Photo courtesy Lynn Hopkins
“Other than the first prize, they did not announce the winners in any particular order,” she said. “Out of more than 10,000 entries, there were 51 winners. They were like 3/4 of the way through before our prize was announced and I was losing hope, then the picture of me with Jack in his stroller popped up and then the grant amount—$25,000. I was totally thrilled—I had fantasies about winning a big grant but didn’t really expect it.”
Next, it was time to share the great news with Dr. Jen Denyes, veterinarian and founder of Crash’s Landing. The timing couldn’t have been better—the organization’s annual fundraiser, Whiskers and Wine Gala, took place Nov. 17th, and this was an exceptionally welcome announcement.
“When I learned of the award, I was rendered temporarily speechless, and that never happens to me,” said Denyes.
Depending on the grant’s restrictions and requirements, the funds could go toward renovating the organization’s kitchen, a long-overdue project. The kitchen is central to the organization; it’s a hub of activity, where food is prepped, dishes washed, sundries stored, and litter boxes cleaned.
Keeping Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary humming along good and strong—and the cats healthy, safe, and well-fed—requires a budget of $14,500 per month. And that just covers the basics, such as rent, utilities, medical expenses, food (wet and dry), litter, and cleaning supplies (including paper towels, cleansers, and detergent). The organization relies on donations; monthly cat sponsorships; grants; and its largest fundraiser, Whiskers & Wine, to remain open.
Once the Petco funds are disbursed to Crash’s Landing on Dec. 18th, Denyes will know better how the money will be spent.
You may remember Jack’s story published here on wktvjournal.org this past September (Jack, the therapy cat puts a spark in the spirit). As we accompanied Hopkins and Jack on their rounds, it was clear that the bond between feline and human was strong.
So, the short version of the backstory: Jack B. Nimble is a shelter rescue who grew up to be a therapy cat.
“Jack’s visits bring joy to seniors and hospice patients who have had to give up pets they can no longer care for,” Hopkins wrote on the Petco application.
“Patients who barely respond to the people around them will respond to Jack, drawing comfort from his snuggles and purrs. Faces light up when they see him, and agitated patients become calmer while petting him. Many of the nursing home residents look forward to Jack’s visits all week. And he has given me a new purpose and mission now that I’m retired. I never would have volunteered with the Hospice program or visited the nursing homes on my own, but I cherish the opportunities I have now to share Jack with people who take so much comfort from his presence.”
Hopkins and Jack also participate in end-of-semester student de-stress days at a local college. The college provides activities to give students some relief from the stress of upcoming final exams, including bringing in several therapy dogs for the students to interact with—and as of last year, one very special therapy cat for students to pet and hold.
Crash’s Landing welcomes donations in the form of sponsorships, food, and cash. Go here to learn how to donate.
To learn more about Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary, go here.
In a recent interview with Kentwood City Police Department Deputy Chief Richard Roberts, and local resident Pam Schichtel, WKTV Journal found out more about the department’s volunteer program as part of our November WKTV Journal newscast.
As a way to give back to the community they love so much, Kentwood residents volunteer thousands of hours annually to the program in order to keep the city safe. Schichtel tells us why she volunteers.
Deputy Chief Roberts and the rest of his department are grateful for the assistance given to them by these citizens and hope to see more involvement in the program in order to better serve the community with excellence. He tells us what the volunteers do and how people can join the team.
WKTV Journal airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos. For more information regarding the police volunteer program please click here.
The Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train is instantly recognizable to any baby-boomer resident of Grand Rapids. They remember riding in the train high above the toy department at the Herpolsheimer’s Department Store, which sat at the corner of Fulton and Division streets in downtown Grand Rapids. The monorail train debuted as “Santa’s Rocket Express” when the new Herpolsheimer’s Department Store opened in in 1949.
After passing through the hands of several department stores that succeeded Herpolsheimer’s, the train entered the Museum’s Collection in 2000 with a jungle-themed paint job. The Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train was gifted to the Museum’s Collection by The Peter F. Secchia Family.
In 2010, the GRPM contracted with David Winick to begin restoration of the train to its original theme. Using a December 1955 Life magazine photo as his guide, Winick removed the rocket nose added in the 1960s and replaced it with a replica of the original 1949 nose. As multiple layers of paint were removed, the original colors were exposed. The GRPM and Winick were able to complete the restoration of all three cars thanks to funds raised by community members at the Museum’s Collections & Cocktails event in the spring of 2018.
“We’re pleased to have this old favorite on display this holiday season,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “As the keeper of the community’s treasures and history, it is our job to preserve them and make them available to the public. We hope families will visit the Museum this holiday season to take a walk down memory lane.”
The Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train will be on display on the first floor of the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Van Andel Museum Center, and will be included with general admission to the Museum.
Holiday Displays and Snowflake Break
In addition to the Herpolsheimer’s Child Passenger Train, the GRPM has its Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibition fully decorated for the holidays, including a display of Santa Clauses from around the world.
Visitors are also invited to go on a Santa and Elf Hunt, to find 15 historic Santas from around the World in Streets of Old Grand Rapids, and 12 elves hidden throughout the three floors of the Museum. The Santa & Elf Hunt is included with general admission.
This holiday season, see historic Grand Rapids all built from LEGOs. The 1925-era display, complete with operating trams showcases what Grand Rapids looked like during the early 20th century, including a section of the Grand River, the Morton Hotel, and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation building – the former ice house for Anheuser Busch. Visitors to the Museum will be able to view this special holiday LEGO recreation from Nov. 18 through Jan. 18. It is on display in the Streets of Old Grand Rapids and included with general admission. Built by the West Michigan Lego Train Club.
Let it Snow Planetarium Show – Nov. 23, 2018 through Jan. 6, 2019
Let it Snow features a new variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, and includes a stunnifng multi-media finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation, laser imagery and special effects. Now playing at the Chaffee Planetarium at the GRPM through January 6, and tickets are $4 each with general admission to the Museum, free to Museum members and $5 each for planetarium only tickets. For more information and show times, visit grpm.org/planetarium.
During “Snowflake Break” from Dec. 22 through Jan. 6, the GRPM will host free with admission activities. Visit grpm.org for details.
Our Westside Service Center is one of three places job seekers can visit in Kent County. We’d like to introduce you to the service center manager, Juan Rosario.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is our intentionality with being part of the community. We are more than just workshops; we are a helping hand and a friendly face. We try to be the neighborhood know-it-all so we can always connect job seekers to resources.
Insider tip: when’s the best time for job seekers to come to the service center?
The best time for job seekers to come to the service center may sometimes be their worst time. We will help guide and alleviate frustrations that come with struggling to navigate through systems on their own.
But if you think the “best time” means when we are the least busy, I would say early morning and late in the day.
What is something we offer that you wish more job seekers knew about?
I wish more job seekers attended our Career Exploration and Employability Skills workshops. These two workshops set the framework for identifying interests and skills and how to align them with a high demand career. These workshops are helpful for everyone, regardless of industry or position.
What energizes you?
My family, and hope for humanity. Among the chaos and conflict all over the world there are acts of kindness being performed but not by people of different races, not by people of different religions, and not by people of different countries, but by one being the Human Being.
What skill would you like to master?
I would like to master carpentry; the ability to build your own home or “tiny” home would be extremely gratifying. That, or speaking every language in the world.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on without any preparation?
How my 9 year old son’s obsession with FORTNITE (video game) affects his ability to do chores, or I could present on TACOS but who can’t talk about tacos for 40 minutes.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
What are the chances that this saucy, spicy kitty that is unable to hear would be discovered and ultimately rescued by an interpreter for the deaf? We couldn’t believe it either, but when former volunteer Kathy relayed the story of how this two-year-old (born around October of 2016) came to be, we were convinced more than ever that fate plays a huge part in our everyday lives.
This wispy little waif was literally starving out in Sandy Pines, taking up residence outside of a pizza joint and running after golf carts in hopes of scoring dinner; after spending far too many days chasing after humans for handouts that never came, and countless cold nights huddled in the rain in hopes of someone taking her in, she was literally begging for a second chance. So kindhearted Kathy took it upon herself to insure kitty had a safe place to go (Crash’s) and armed with cat food and a carrier, headed out to find, feed and cart this hungry kitty off to warmth and safety—and all before an early morning work meeting on Oct. 1, 2018.
Thankfully, adorable, outgoing Aoili had already been spayed before she was carelessly tossed out like the trash, but she was still quite defenseless given the fact she wouldn’t be able to hear danger presenting itself until it could have been far too late. She was filthy, flea-ridden and later developed an ear infection and nasty respiratory virus that caused oral ulceration and a high fever—as if the poor girl hadn’t been through enough already.
However, true to her spunky nature, she rebounded with ease and put much-needed weight back on her undernourished frame. Those first few days at Crash’s were spent filling her belly, sleeping and getting acclimated to her new surroundings, all the while letting her roomies and caretakers get to know what an independent and incredibly intriguing girl she is; suffice it to say she certainly made her presence known!
While she’s not one to physically pick a fight, she sure is one to let out a heck of a growl to let the other kitties know her personal space is important to her. It is safe to assume that because she’s deaf, she easily gets overwhelmed with all the other cats, and tends to be a bit hissy. She’s getting better about being picked up, gets excited when she smells treats or sees the food tray coming, and could spend all day on the window ledge watching the birds and squirrels. She really is an adorable, gorgeous girl with her baby blues and snow-white fur, but she would definitely need a home that understands she is special needs and will need some time adjusting to everything in her new environment that she can only see and smell.
Aioli can run very hot and cold: she can be incredibly sweet when it pleases her, but when she’s done with snuggles and loving she isn’t afraid to slap you. She also gets irritated if she is woken up suddenly as she can’t hear you coming, so it simply scares her. She prefers the other cats to keep their distance but is fine with them if they respect the spatial boundaries she has set up for herself. She would do best in a home without young kids since she does spook easily.
We would love to see her in a place where she could spend the afternoons dozing in the sun, then have her humans come home to spoil her with tasty little tidbits, a few pets here and there and some comfy couch time.
Aioli is going to be a bit more challenging to adopt out given her attitude, but it is her tenacity and take-charge demeanor that got her noticed in the first place, so we don’t fault her for being a bit demanding. Considering everything she has been through and how hard she fought to get to where she is today, everyone who meets her is instantly in awe of her survival instincts and enamored by her charm and beauty. We sure do love our saucy, sassy spitfire—and you will, too!
More about Aoili :
Medium
Domestic short hair
Adult
Female
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Special needs: deaf, spooks easily
Spayed
Not declawed
Prefers a home without children
Want to adopt Aoili? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
On a cold blustery winter Friday, Feel Like You Belong made a road trip to the Sikh gurdwara (temple) in Ada, Michigan. The members of the Sikh Society of West Michigan greeted us warmly and staged a special worship service with instrumental music and singing–even though their normal worship falls on Sunday. Afterwards, we were treated to a delicious lunch and gracious conversation in their dining hall. Join us for a special edition when we talk with temple priest Bhai Baljeet Singh and temple member Veenu Suri. In a later installment, we will share an absolutely charming interview with octogenarian temple member Kashmir Singh.
By Eve Clayton, Spectrum Health Beat; photos by Chris Clark
Kathy Earle had her right hip replaced the first Monday in June. Two days later, she found herself recovering at home and ready to climb the 14 stairs to her second-floor bedroom.
With her daughter, Emily Adamczyk, behind her for support, Earle, 62, recited the rule she learned from the staff at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital, where she had her surgery: “Up with your good leg first, down with your bad leg first.”
The mother and daughter had picked up that tip and many others when, a few weeks before her surgery, they attended a joint replacement class for patients and their caregivers.
Adamczyk heard this tip again just before discharge, at a new class offered for caregivers of hip and knee replacement patients.
Ready to go
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
The pre-discharge class packs a lot of information into a half hour, including cautions and reminders. The class made Adamczyk more comfortable with the idea of being her mom’s at-home caregiver.
“Seeing what she was capable of in the hospital was great, but then it was like, ‘Oh boy, now I have to support her by myself,’” she said. “To have a chance to sit down and hear it all again in class was really helpful.”
In addition to providing information about helping patients move around safely, the class—co-taught by a registered nurse and a physical or occupational therapist—covers several other topics, including:
Wound care
Pain medications and pain management
Preventing blood clots, infections, constipation and falls
The orthopedics team rolled the class out in March to give caregivers more confidence as they take their loved ones home, according to Liz Schulte, MSN, RN, nurse manager.
“Our patients are seeing shorter and shorter times in the hospital, and when they go home they still have a long road of recovery ahead,” Schulte said. “So to prepare that caregiver, who will be the one helping them with their medications, helping them ambulate—all of these hands-on things—it better sets them up for success.”
Consulting her class notes at home helped, too, Adamczyk said. When her mom’s leg began to swell, she checked a class handout to confirm that swelling is a normal part of the healing process.
“I think that if I didn’t know that, I would have been nervous,” she said.
Spectrum Health’s joint replacement program is one of the largest in the country and one of the first that The Joint Commission certified for total hip and total knee replacements.
“Part of the certification process is looking at your whole program and looking at what you can improve,” Schulte said, noting the program’s recent re-certification. The joint replacement discharge class is a step toward improved patient outcomes.
Freedom from pain
From Earle’s perspective, her outcome has been “amazing.” Just nine days after surgery—about a week ahead of schedule—she abandoned her walker and began using a cane to get around the house.
“Each day there’s something that gets a little easier. Each day it gets stronger,” said Earle, a retired elementary school teacher who lives outside Rockford, Michigan. “It’s amazing what the human body can do.”
Photo by Chris Clark, Spectrum Health Beat
Her right hip replacement has gone so well that she even plans to ask her surgeon, Thomas Malvitz, MD, about moving up the date of her eventual left hip replacement, she said. After dealing with arthritis pain for more than two years, she’s excited about the prospect of being free of pain.
“She loves to travel and has gone a lot of places with this sore hip, but it has slowed her down a lot,” Adamczyk said. “It was affecting her quality of life.”
Once Earle’s post-surgery driving restriction is lifted, one of her first trips this summer may well be to Lake Michigan.
“I definitely am looking forward to walking on a beach,” she said. “I think that would be an awesome thing.”
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In early September 2018, Caledonia resident Amanda T. came across this lovely young lady (born in early October of 2017) roaming around her property. She and her husband considered giving her a permanent home as she was exceptionally friendly and affectionate but weren’t quite sure what their resident cat would think. So they took Asha into their vet to get her checked out a few weeks later and discovered, much to their dismay, that she tested positive for Feline Leukemia. Since the virus is transmitted through the sharing of bodily fluids like saliva, they didn’t want to risk their kitty contracting it.
After contacting Dr. Jen and explaining the situation, the good doctor offered to take the darling girl they named Asha into our program at Big Sid’s, our sanctuary for kitties with FELV and FIV. Her name means ‘hope’, which we thought was very appropriate.
After spaying her (Amanda had gotten her set with deworming and vaccines prior to her arrival), Dr. Jen sent adorable little Asha on down to meet the rest of her roommates, and after a few days of rest and recovery, she dove right into the thick of things. She adores being smack dab in the middle of the action as she is young, vibrant and oh-so curious.
Asha finds bird watching a fantastic way to pass the time, and she is absolutely thrilled to let you rub her belly for hours on end. Initially, this little kitty was too busy to be held for very long, but over time she has discovered just how warm and tingly snuggling makes her feel. She gets along famously well with all of the other residents and is extremely playful, so a household with a few kids would really tickle her fancy!
Since Asha is so very fond of attention, she would be the perfect companion for someone who is home a lot and would be more than happy to offer up a lap for her to lounge on. She really is one of our sweetest girls—and considering she IS a calico that says a LOT! It’s a shame that she tested positive for the virus, though on her retest one month after her arrival she was only a faint positive, and since some cats with strong immune systems can clear the virus and not harbor the infection, Dr. Jen will be checking her again in mid-November. Fingers crossed!
Asha is truly an amazing cat and we are so thankful we were in a position to help out when it was most needed. There are vaccines that can be given to non-infected cats to help decrease the risk of transmission, so adoption is a very viable option in this case. It would be a shame to not let our cutie pie know the wonders or comfort of a cozy, loving home of her own. Don’t get me wrong, our place is AWESOME, but it is meant to be a stepping stone for bigger and better things. And what could be better than waking up to this fabulous feline face every single morning, or drifting off peacefully each night with her dainty paw touching your hand as you gently stroke her tummy fur, eliciting the purest purrs of contentment than you have ever heard? NOTHING is going to beat that.
More about Asha:
Medium
Calico
Adult
Female
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Spayed
Not declawed
FELV+
Good in a home with other cats, children
Want to adopt Asha? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming, no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be found.
As a youth in West Africa, Benjamin Kofi Amponsah always knew he wanted to study in the United States. What he couldn’t have envisioned was falling in love with and marrying an American, then settling into her hometown, the father of two Ghanaian-American children. Along the way, he earned two college degrees and became an international liaison between his adopted city and the Ga District of his native Ghana. Benjamin talks with Alan of his love for two cultures and the patience needed to straddle both.
Stan Jesky was at home this time last year recovering from heart surgery.
It wasn’t like Jesky, who turned 75 this Halloween, to sit still. His career spans 52 years of coaching high school sports, directing athletics for Zeeland High School, and coaching men’s varsity basketball at Kuyper College.
So when Tom DeGennaro, Lee High School’s varsity football coach, asked him to help out as an assistant at Lee, he got the OK from his cardiologist and came aboard.
It’s clear Jesky’s career has been a life influenced by playbooks. But sit down with him for a few hours, and you’ll find that his story is one for the history books.
“If you look at Stan,” said DeGennaro, a high school history teacher, “Stan is not supposed to be alive. He’s not supposed to be here. His life should’ve been stopped at 2 or 3 years old. He’s been on his own since 14. He has overcome so much.”
Overcoming the Odds
Jesky’s story starts in rural Poland.
The country fell to the Nazis in 1939. While Polish Jews make up the largest group of holocaust victims, non-Jewish Polish civilians were also targeted. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, “Nazi ideology viewed ‘Poles’ – the predominantly Roman Catholic ethnic majority – as ‘subhumans’ occupying lands vital to Germany.”
After the fall, a young Catholic couple, Stanislaw and Maria Gajewski, were split up. Maria was selected for a death camp but, knowing German, she talked her way out of it pretending to be the mistress of a German general. Each went to separate work camps.
One day, Stanislaw caught a glimpse of his wife on the adjacent camp.
“Opportunist that he was, he found a way to start seeing her,” Jesky said. “That’s how I got born.”
Soon after birth, he was placed in an infant hospital.
“The Germans wanted productive people,” said Jesky. Maria could not keep him. “So I was taken and tagged, almost like a side of beef. At least they were kind enough to let the parents know where the babies were and gave them the (tag) number.”
As the Western Allies invaded Germany and bombs were falling, Jesky’s parents hopped on a bicycle and made a run for the hospital, which also had been bombed.
“There were five babies left of about 1,000 in there. I was one of the five,” Jesky said. “Dad started pedaling for Allied lines.”
They were thrown by a blast, but Stanislaw caught baby Stan in mid-air, his dad would later tell him.
At age 2, Jesky was severely malnourished and still couldn’t walk. With the family farm wiped out and no records remaining, they spent the next six years at the Allied barracks.
The Army was happy to have Jesky’s dad, a skilled carpenter. While in the camp, Jesky’s brother was born. The family hoped to move to America.
“There were more vaccinations than I could count. Like all refugees, you’re waiting, waiting, waiting.”
A Fresh Start
In 1951, news came that the family had been sponsored by the town of Madelia, Minnesota. Jesky remembers the passage over on the Army ship, the sea sickness, the first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty, and arriving at Ellis Island. The family took a train to St. Paul, where a man named John Clark picked them up and took them to his farm.
Stanislaw worked there for a time before getting a job at Armour and moving his family to the Twin Cities, when his oldest son was 9.
At school, Jesky made a bilingual friend, Juzef, or “Joe.” Joe taught Stan, whose English was broken, how to order a slice of apple pie at the Coney Island, how to panhandle and hitchhike, and how to go to the movies.
Learning to hitchhike once landed Jesky in the backseat of a vehicle with two women who had a job for him. They took the thin, bedraggled-looking immigrant to a hotel, put him in front of national TV cameras, and had him say three words: “I like Ike.” The story they gave was that this young Polish boy had hitchhiked downtown because he believed in Eisenhower.
“I had no idea who Eisenhower was! But for five dollars, I liked Ike,” recalled Jesky.
His friend Joe also introduced him to sports. Jesky said he played on the neighborhood ballfields as often as he could. He got his name, “Stan Jesky,” when a Little League coach couldn’t pronounce his real name, Stashek Gajewski. It wasn’t until he became a citizen in 1969 (he got tired of having to go to the immigration office every January, he said) that he changed his name legally.
In athletics, Jesky found his place. He didn’t have the money for his own glove and at first had to use a right-handed one, though he was left-handed. “As a birthday present,” he said, “Coach bought me a left-handed glove.”
That was his first coach, Wally Wescott, who runs an antique store in St. Paul and whom Jesky still sees from time to time. Jesky’s father, who had played soccer for the Polish national team and thought it was a scam that his son was playing for free, tried to forbid it.
“He said, ‘You no play no more.’”
A plan was hatched. Wescott would come to the house looking for Stan and chat with his dad at the front door while Jesky snuck out the back door and into Wescott’s car. Jesky’s father would say he didn’t know where his son was, so Wescott would drive away. “You back there?” he’d ask the backseat. And off they’d go.
Growing up fast
When Jesky was just 13 years old, his mother died of heart failure. Maria was 42, and left behind four sons and her husband. After that, Jesky left home to stay with friends, telling his father he would be “one less mouth to feed.”
The ensuing years were tumultuous for his father, who married and divorced a woman who was taking advantage of his earnings. The three younger boys ended up in foster care.
“My dad, bless his heart, had a tough time adjusting to America,” Jesky said. “He did everything with his wife. She was his world, and I knew that.”
Jesky tears up when he talks about his mother, who taught him to make Polish minestrone, which he still makes often to share with friends.
After she died, Jesky stayed with a friend named Gary Dryling, whose dad owned a Pure Oil station and car garage. Jesky worked there on Saturdays for eight hours a day and saved enough money to buy a ‘36 Chrysler.
“I wanted a car, but I wanted a convertible. Thirty-six Chryslers weren’t convertibles,” said Jesky. “So when I bought it, Gary and I took it to the garage one Sunday, took a blowtorch and cut the top off. We made it a convertible!”
From Playing to Coaching
Jesky worked various jobs in his youth including delivering newspapers and a gig sweeping hair at Lee’s Barbershop for 50 cents an hour. He always played sports, too: football, basketball and baseball. He was going to play hockey but his knees couldn’t take the cold, the result of a bout with polio meningitis that landed him in the hospital for 11 months.
In 1958, Jesky signed a baseball contract and was put in the Atlanta Braves’ minor league system. He quickly discovered that the South was not for him, as he hates heat. He was there during the race riots.
“You have a lot of black ball players on your team, and (restaurants) wouldn’t serve them; we brought them their food on the bus,” Jesky recalled. “I could take a whole day to tell you about those experiences.”
Jesky’s teaching and coaching career took him from the Twin Cities to Florence, Wisconsin, and eventually to Zeeland in 1988, where he landed the athletic director position from which he retired. During that time, he married, started a family, earned a master’s degree in educational leadership, divorced, and married his wife Yvonne, who teaches piano.
Four years ago, the couple took a trip to St. Paul, where Jesky was representing Kuyper College at a college athletics conference. He made plans to meet up with some friends at a restaurant while he was there. When they arrived, he was flabbergasted to find that the meet-up was actually an induction into the St. Paul Sports Hall of Fame.
Helping Today’s Immigrants
DeGennaro says one of many reasons Jesky works so well with the Lee players is that he’s been in their shoes, and he understands some of the culture shock they face.
“Many of our kids here come from immigrant parents or are immigrants themselves. It touches home. It doesn’t matter where you immigrated from. He beat the odds in so many ways, just like Lee kids do every day.”
Jesky said he keeps in touch with many of the players who’ve played for him through the years. If you figure in all the hours coaches devote, they probably aren’t making minimum wage, Jesky said. He insists he’s not in it for the money or the glory; he’s in it for the kids.
“I grew up having mentors like that,” he said.
DeGennaro said Stan Jesky’s mentorship doesn’t stop with the players: he’s a friend and mentor to the other coaches, as well. They’ve loved drawing from his wisdom and appreciate his ability to stay positive.
“He brings 52 years of experience of coaching football — the football knowledge is there. But what Stan brings along with that is people knowledge,” DeGennaro said. “The fact that he’s lived the life that he’s lived is fascinating to me. He’s beat the odds in so many different ways.”
Growing up in Mexico, Mónica Robles pestered her father to give her things he said were “only for boys.” Persistence paid off, and she did learn to ride motorcycles and pilot private planes. Today, Mónica takes that same feisty mindset to every endeavor she takes on, from community leadership to international marketing. Don’t miss this personal story of pluck and charm: from Mexico with love!
This holiday season, the Holland Area Arts Council is reprising their partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet in two special performances for children ages 4 to 10 and their adult guests on Sunday, Nov. 18th. The gallery will be filled with the enchanting giggles of children as they experience the magic of music, dance, and storytelling. Performances will be held at 1pm and 3:30pm.
The Nutcracker Ballet Tea is a story time brunch in a winter fairy-tale land of ballerinas, nutcrackers and toy soldiers. Members of Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company will dance vignettes from The Nutcracker as Attila Mosolygo, Junior Company Artistic Director reads The Nutcracker story. The performance includes high tea, delicious snacks and a box of treats for each child to enjoy.
Children live in a world of imagination and play. The line between reality and pretend has not yet been drawn. They involve themselves in performance physically, mentally and emotionally, and so the Arts Council is excited to expose the very young to live performance featuring other young performers.
Photo supplied
Partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet, who provides the dancers in costume, make this event truly special.
Tickets for the Nutcracker Ballet Tea are on sale now. Admission is $35 per ticket. Children 10 and under get in for $15 each.
Tickets to Grand Rapids Ballet’s The Nutcracker Dec. 14-16 and 21-23 at DeVos Performance Hall may be purchased online at grballet.com or by calling 616.454.4771 x10.
Call the Holland Area Arts Council at (616) 396-3278, email helpdesk@hollandarts.org, visit hollandarts.org/nutcracker-ballet-tea.html or stop by 150 East 8th Street to learn more about this and other events and reserve your family’s spots! Advance reservations are required.
There was a whole bunch of kids and candy, and a fair amount of spooky things, as the City of Kentwood invited families and trick-or-treaters to the city’s annual Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat event Saturday, Oct. 20.
The free event was held at the Kentwood Department of Public Works facility, and WKTV was there to record the family friendly activities including hayrides, face painting, a bounce house and games. The festival also featured the community fall-favorite, Trunk or Treat, where various City and community vehicles decorate and fill their trunks with candy. Oh, and Honest Abe (Mayor Stephen Kepley) also made an appearance.
For more information on other City of Kentwood events visit kentwood.us .
Each year a work of art is selected for the official Tulip Time Festival Artwork Competition. Area artists create and submit their images which are then judged by a local art expert. This year’s submissions were reviewed by Kristin Jass Armstrong, Executive Director of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. This year, a total of 75 submissions were received from 44 area artists. The artists and artwork listed below were selected as this year’s Top 20:
Cindy Bender: Orange Outburst
Betsy Buurma Morton: Folk Dance
Betsy Buurma Morton: Sun Kissed
Katie Church: Shades of Legacy
Lucy Collins: A Perfect Reflection
Beth De Jong: Balloon Bouquet
Jean Flower: Creation’s Song: Composition
Lorma Freestone and Thea Grigsby: Gellukig 90 Jaar
Michelle Fuller: Dancing Beneath De Zwaan
Karen Johnson: Celebrate
Marsha Marier: Holland Sunrise
Susan Day Martell: Garden Dance
Mary McCarthy: Shoe Cobbler Dance
Sri Soekarmoen McCarthy: Maxima Dances the Skotse Trije
Randall Nyhof: Impressionistic Dutch Tulips
Delaney Ann Prins: Orange is Best in Holland
Ken Rogers: Orange Tulip Dance
Kathleen Sligh: After the Rain
Andrew Snyder: Red and Yellow Dance into Orange
Carolyn Stich: Enduring Delft
The winner of the 2019 Tulip Time Festival Artwork Competition will be selected by representatives from both Tulip Time and the Holland Area Arts Council. The Top 20 artists and their works will be featured at First Bloom, a special unveiling reception held in February where the winner will be announced. The remaining 19 finalists’ original works will be placed on display at the Holland Area Arts Council from May 4 through May 12, inviting the public to participate in the Viewers’ Choice Awards by voting for their favorite image. Cash prizes will be awarded on May 11 to the top three works of art with the most public votes.
The Tulip Time Festival will be held May 4–12, 2019. A Festival Preview offering highlights of the 2019 program will be available in November. Full festival details will be available in the Spring Festival Guide published in March 2019.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Kentwood Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 16th opportunity in 8 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.
WKTV asked Kentwood Police Department Deputy Chief Richard Roberts why the take back effort is so important.
Pills for disposal can be brought to the Kentwood Police Department at 4742 Walma Ave SE Kentwood. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The event cannot accept liquids or needles, only pills or patches.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the Oct. 27 Take Back Day event, please contact Vicki Highland at highlandv@kentwood.us or 616-656-6571.
More information about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is available at takebackday.dea.gov.
