Bryan Butcher is one of several new Wyoming firefighters.
From an early age Bryan Butcher knew what he wanted to do.His dream has become a reality as he was recently hired to be the newest firefighter with the Wyoming Fire Department.
“When I was a little boy I played with toy fire trucks.I would also visit the fire station and play on the real trucks, with the fire gear and hats,” he said enthusiastically.
His grandfather was the chief fireman in Kalamazoo and really played an important role in his life.
The urge to become a fireman grew stronger as he grew older.When Bryan became an adult, he tried to make his dream come true.Endeavored to keep his dream alive he landed a job in Denver, CO.He worked there for nine years before being hired at Wyoming.He also had jobs at a Nuclear Plant in Bridgeman, MI and was a State of Michigan Fire Safety Officer.
Bryan is an award winner.He has received numerous unit citations and merit awards for going beyond the call of duty.
“It’s really rewarding saving lives,” he said. “But you never know how many lives you would save until you start doing the job.Every firefighter has moments when people would die while we are in the line of duty.You could have rescued them out of the fire but the smoke from the fire would cause death.”
Bryan enjoys spending time with his family of two children and his wife Michelle.She has the same passion as he does for saving lives while being a nurse in West Michigan.
The Wyoming Fire Department is proud of their recent hire whose dedication, professionalism, and integrity are greatly appreciated.
“Everyone here at the station are family.We all have such a closeness,” he remarked.
He is grateful and thankful for his new position and hopes to remain there until he decides to retire.
The City of Wyoming also welcomed Kyle Visser–who was previously a fire fighter in Grattan Township and Plainfield Charter Township. Chris Velzen and Joe Jones were both promoted from the position of fire fighter to the position of fire lieutenant. Both Velzen and Jones have been with the City of Wyoming since 1995.
No matter who you are, a daughter always remembers those special times shared at her first Daddy/Daughter Dance. The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department was very successful in this year’s endeavor.
More than 154 participants came out to enjoy dinner provided by Frankie V’s and a great time was had by all at the Daddy/Daughter Dance. These pictures show beautiful daughters with their very special escorts.
Friday night at Wyoming High School was “a night that could not have been scripted any better” according to Wyoming Athletic Director Ted Hollern.
Wyoming High School honors alumni athletes.
He was referring to the evening’s events which started off with the Wyoming Wolves girls basketball team capping their perfect 10 win OK Blue season, to go along with 18 regular season victories against just 2 losses. They defeated Comstock Park (2-8, 4-16), by a final score of 63 to 18. That game sends the Lady Wolves into their district opener, Monday, February 24 against Zeeland East in a game that will be played at Zeeland East.
It was a chance for the big crowd Friday to show their appreciation to the senior girls basketball players as they were introduced at the conclusion of the game.
Immediately following is what many had come to see. The first Hall of Fame induction ceremonies since Wyoming High was formed last year, as it is a product of the merger between Wyoming Park and Wyoming Rogers. The inductees were each a star player from those schools.
Tonya Coates happy to be in the Wyoming High School Hall of Fame.
Tonya (Yonkers) Coates was named Michigan’s Miss Softball for 2001 when she helped lead Wyoming Rogers to the Class B State title. That win culminated Rogers three consecutive state championship game appearances, having also won the title in 1999. Coates has the 19th most wins as a pitcher in the state’s history with 106, against 11 losses. She was an All State selection in each of her last three seasons during which she had a combined record of 100 wins and just 6 losses. Her teams won their Conference title and the District titles in each of her 4 years. They were Regional champs in 3 of those seasons. Some of her personal career statistics were giving up only 2.26 hits per game, an earned run average of 0.87, striking out 247 hitters, and giving up a measly 0.37 earned runs a game in her Senior year. Tonya today is a surgical technician in the state of Michigan.
Drew Neitzel (center) accepts Hall of Fame award.
Drew Neitzel was named Michigan’s Mr. Basketball for 2004 when he helped lead the Wyoming Park team to the state semi finals and a 23-4 record. That season Neitzel, in 27 games, not only scored 893 points (33.1 avg.) which is the 7th highest mark in Michigan history, but also had 240 assists (8.9 avg.) which is the 3rd highest season total in the state’s history and the school record. Drew was an All State Honorable Mention selection in 2001, an All State selection in each of his last 3 years at Park, the 2004 Class B Player of the Year, and a Parade All American in 2004. His teams won two Conference, District, and Regional championships. Neitzel still holds the school records of 57 points in a game, 2,462 career points, 692 career assists, which is also the 2nd highest state total, and the single game record of 15 assists. The 227 three-point baskets made in his career place him 10th in the state and his 467 made free throws are the 9th most in state history. Neitzel went on to play at Michigan State where he was the starting point guard for the 2005 Final Four team, and had more than 1,500 points and 500 assists during his tenure as a Spartan. Today, Drew is a Financial Advisor for Wells Fargo.
The last portion of the evening came as the Wolves boys basketball team avenged an earlier season loss to Comstock Park with an exciting 71 to 61 win. This was the first OK Blue loss of the season for Comstock Park (9-1, 16-2). It sends the Wolves into their Tuesday game where they host OK Red leader Hudsonville (7-2, 11-7) with a 2nd place conference finish at 8-2 league and an overall mark of 12-6.
It is two o’clock in the morning. The weather outside is cold and wet. The alarm on the cell phone goes off signaling that a search is getting underway. What type of person would leave the warm comfort of their home to begin searching a remote and sometimes treacherous area in order to find a missing child? The type of person who is willing to make the sacrifice needed to save the life of a missing person– that’s the type of person that the Search and Rescue team of Kent County is looking for.
I have often wondered who the people were that I have seen on the local news conducting searches. I recently attended an open house for the Search and Rescue team to find out more about them. It was a certainly an eye opening experience. My contact person was Brian Toronyi. He has been a member for 4 years and is the deputy director and HR representative.
The group consists of about 70 volunteer members and they work in close coordination with the Kent County Sheriff Office. Last year they conducted 16 searches with an average team size of 50 people. The Kent County group is considered to be the best in the state and one of the Midwest’s leading organizations. They set a standard of excellence and provide training for other Search and Rescue organizations.
Their searches are treated as a law enforcement matter and are held to a high degree of confidentiality. The missing people are often young children, or an elderly person suffering from dementia. Sometimes the missing subject is autistic, despondent or suicidal. In some cases the person is missing but does not want to be found. Before a search begins, the team needs to analyze the profile of the search subject in order to refine the search requirements. In fact there is a book, “Lost Person Behavior” that helps develop the search method for different types of individuals. A successful search may have a happy ending, or it may not. The subject might not be found alive or may be the victim of a crime. If an elderly person wanders off, there is only a 50-50 chance that they will survive for 24 hours. Search and Rescue is a very serious business conducted by highly trained and dedicated individuals.
The open house I attended is used to recruit new members who can strengthen the team. Most of the folks in attendance wanted to find a way to help their community as an active participant. They were looking for a new challenge and new skills which could be put to use in helping others. However, you cannot just walk in and sign up. This is a very exclusive group looking for only the best people.
Here are some of the first steps you will take on your way to becoming a team member. Upon passing a background check and gaining acceptance into the program, you are a considered to be a probationary member. You will become a licensed amateur radio operator, will receive training in first aid, CPR, crime scene awareness, extraction and rescue and many other areas. You will learn to work with their dogs. (The bloodhound Emma was in attendance at this meeting). You will take part in field exercises and earn many certifications. Eventually you may receive national certification. The initial probation period takes 3 to 6 months and usually requires 40 hours of training. If you think all of this sounds fun, you will love the activity coming up next month, winter survival training. How about a camp out in February–especially in the type of weather we have been having as of late.
The training is not easy, and it is not meant to be. This team needs people they can rely on, people who are truly dedicated to their mission. It will take about 18 months to become fully trained. At that point you are a full team member with many opportunities to continue with your training and growth in this challenging endeavor.
I came away from the meeting with a great sense of pride in the work these people do. These are the people who are willing to do the gritty work that often goes unrecognized. They take pride in themselves, their team and the work they do. They willing to take on a mission regardless of the conditions and work their hardest to accomplish the task. Although the demands are great, being part of this team is immensely rewarding. These members experience a sense of camaraderie and develop lifelong friendships. But most importantly, their dedication provides us with a resource we can rely on should a loved one be missing.
Since 2005, Gina Marvin has saved over 900 lives – for free. She is the voice for those who have been abused in ways many of us can’t imagine. She is an invisible hero to what she calls an invisible population.
Gina Marvin is the founder of Focus on Ferals Trap-Neuter-Return and No-Kill Adoption Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan (www.focusonferals.org). She is on a crusade to improve the quality of life for feral cats in West Michigan and humanely reduce and control their population through the process of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). TNR consists of the humane trapping, sterilization, and return of feral cats to their familiar habitat.
“I love feral cats.” Gina says. “I respect their wild nature. But feral cats breed unwanted kittens, who just breed more unwanted kittens. The way the public has dealt with this issue in the past is to kill the unwanted cats. The methods used are sometimes horrific.” Gina contends that reducing their birth rate is actually more cost effective – and humane. As a community working together, the problem can be eliminated.
A Typical Day
Kitties just want to be loved! Jake Owen (foreground), Belen (center), Brielle (right)
There is no typical day for Gina. “I can spend anywhere between one and five hours per day doing activities for Focus on Ferals (FOF). I like to say things get done in a ‘which fire is burning the hottest right now’ sort of way.”
Gina gets calls every day from people asking for help with anything from a stray cat to an abandoned litter of kittens. Some days she spends more time out in the field trapping feral cats (for TNR), giving them medical attention or food. Some days she is at the No-Kill Adoption Center on Knapp where stray adult cats and feral kittens are brought in, socialized and adopted out. And some days she is at home buried in the paperwork that comes with running a struggling non-profit organization.
Another Hero
Gina received a distress call on an unusually bitter November evening in 2010. The caller was a soft spoken man who lived in an area hotel known for housing people on parole or probation. However, the hotel did not allow pets. This man, Norm*, told Gina that the management was tired of the feral cat problem around the hotel, had already rounded up 20 of the cats and taken them to an animal shelter – where feral cats do not make it out alive.
This handsome guy is Neville who is known to fetch and play growl. Photo by Rebekah Dietrache
Norm spotted two kittens that were caught in a live trap. Worried that after several hours they would freeze to death, he snuck them into his room and called Gina. By the time she arrived, Norm had been forced to move the tiny kittens back outside to his rusted out pick-up truck because management was coming around for room checks. When Gina checked his truck, she saw a shoebox with litter, two tiny dishes with food and water, and even a few toys for the kittens to play with.
Charlize is hoping for a family.
Gina was immeasurably moved. Norm had his own problems and very little money. But he rescued the condemned kittens because it was the right thing to do. Gina still smiles when she thinks of his selflessness. “These two kittens were headed for their deaths. But an ordinary person stepped in and changed that course.” The kittens were brought to the shelter, named Tater and Tot, and were eventually adopted out together.
Rescues Despite Risk
Gina has executed her share of covert rescues to protect and save a cat. In this economy, foreclosures have become a reality for an increasing number of families. When they leave their homes, they abandon their memories, clothing and sometimes even their pets. Gina remembers one cat in particular named Ellie. When the family left, they locked Ellie in the house with broken furniture, trash, moldy food and no useable litter box. An animal cannot survive for long in those hazardous conditions. Gina felt that she had no other choice; she broke a window, climbed into the house and saved Ellie’s life.
Meet Porkchop. He has his own page on www.petfinder.com. Photo by Rebekah Dietsche
Getting a pet is a long-term commitment. Unfortunately, some people do not take the commitment seriously. “As a nation,” Gina says, “we still have the mentality that animals are disposable.” Gina works to change that mentality, but the animals’ safety and welfare always come first.
No end in sight
If Gina lost everything she owned, she would still continue her crusade. The shelter demands supplies, paperwork, volunteers, building maintenance, public relations – and money. Lots of it. But she will never lose sight of the big picture. Improving the lives of cats and kittens is the mission. She struggles with the knowledge that she can’t save them all. But that makes her more determined to do everything she can for the ones she does save.
There is a sign in the shelter that expresses exactly how Gina feels –
“Saving the life of one animal may not change the world, but the world will surely change for that one animal.”
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/FocusOnFerals where you can read success stories and see photos and videos of the kitties at the Adoption Center!
These are the kind of stories I love to share – humble, inspiring, and motivational. It’s a call, or rather a scream, to action to help others.
Warmth Warriors taking it to the streets of GR last Thursday.
The “others” in this story are the homeless of downtown Grand Rapids.
It’s hard for anyone to ignore the harsh conditions we’ve experienced this winter. The brutal weather over the last couple months has had little positive impact on most people’s lives in West Michigan. I’m sticking with the positive notion that all this bluster will eventually raise the lake levels. But between all the accidents and slide offs, the round-the-clock snow removal routine, and the cabin fever epidemic, there’s been little good to say about the season. Until now.
Kerri Banyas of Hudsonville and Rhiannon Bosse of Rockford are two Facebook friends who paid close attention to the weather like everyone else. But with every mind-numbing forecast they thought of something else – the survival of the homeless.
“Every time a storm would hit, I’d wonder and worry, how are they ever going to survive?” says Banyas, admitting it was God’s whispers to her heart that finally made her take action. “I got tired of wondering so I talked about it with my Facebook friends and the obvious came up – ‘Let’s go hand out blankets!”
That was three weeks ago. Coincidentally (or not as God does work in mysterious ways), one of the women, Amber Brooks, has a photography studio called 87 Orange Photography on Division near Degage Ministries – a perfect location for the troops to rally. For now, Thursday evenings seem to be a good meeting time for the Warriors to gather and distribute protection from the cold. So far, these volunteers are all women, most of them moms, who come from all parts of greater Grand Rapids, plus Holland and Cascade, to distribute cups of hot coffee while offering blankets, hats, gloves and socks to the homeless along Division.
“At first, we gave away things we weren’t using at home,” explains Banyas. “I, myself, only had two blankets to donate. We knew we had to get more items to give out every week in order to keep this effort going.”
That’s when Bosse, the social media expert of the bunch, dedicated a Facebook page to the effort of “Warmth Warriors.”
Now Banyas says it is taking off.
Donations to Warmth Warriors have to be sorted and organized before distribution. Photo by Kerri Banyas
“The word is getting out and people from all over Grand Rapids have been contacting us, asking how they can contribute. We’ve been able to collect coats, blankets, socks, hats and gloves to pass out to people in the area.
“Now all this effort is based on other people giving. It’s amazing how much other people want to help!”
She explains that because Warmth Warriors is based on social media, donations are being picked up by the volunteers. Every Thursday afternoon, the group meets to sort out the donated items, make coffee to hand out, and divides clothing into categories to distribute.
“They are so grateful for anything we give them,” Banyas says. “Often we meet a person wearing rags, certainly not appropriate for this weather, and offer them something warmer and they say, ‘Oh no thanks, I know someone who needs that more than I do – but I’ll take a coffee.’ My heart just goes out to these people – It is so humbling.”
New socks are welcomed by the homeless.
Warmth Warriors has been established for just three weeks and is growing in popularity every day. Banyas admits she doesn’t know where this will all lead, but for now, they are thrilled to be contacted to pick up donations. She recently added a link on their Facebook page to gofundme.com a fundraising web source for charitable organizations. Banyas says it helps them securely track donations from people wanting to help monetarily. “I’m fine if no one donates money though,” adds Banyas. “We’d rather have blankets, hats and gloves – and socks! They love warm socks! So many are wearing shoes that are worn out and filled with holes – a pair of warm socks really helps.”
Banyas points out that Warmth Warriors is not out to undermine the downtown ministries that are already there, nor do they want to enable homelessness. “There a a lot of great ministries here but they can’t do it all and they know that. We’ve actually been encouraged by Downtown Ministries for what we’re doing – basically walking down the street handing out coffee and blankets. We hope we can inspire others to do the same.”
For now, Warmth Warriors are focusing on assisting the homeless downtown, but that doesn’t mean that’s where they’ll stay. “As a matter of fact, we are trying to locate other areas where homeless people gather to reach out to them. This effort can really go any where there is a need,” Banyas says.
To find out more and how you can become involved in this effort, visit the Warmth Warriors Facebook page.
Have you ever considered the idea of writing an article, a short story, or the Great American novel?
Susie Finkbeiner
I believe that for many of us there is a writer inside just dying to come out. For many, however, the idea of putting pen to paper remains just that…an idea. Susie Finkbeiner is a local author who followed her dream, having had her first novel “Paint Chips” published in January 2013, who is eagerly awaiting the release of her second book”My Mother’s Camomile” on February 15 this year. I met with Susie to discuss her path to authorship and the secret of her success.
When I think of the word “author” it conjures up images of a wizened old Ernest Hemingway, a primly dressed Jane Austen, or an eerily smiling Stephen King. The image includes the person in a locked office, hunched over a desk with an overflowing ashtray, pounding out page after page on an old typewriter. As a modern writer, Susie Finkbeiner is able to write practically anywhere her laptop can travel; everything she “pens” can be edited and submitted quickly electronically. You will usually find her daily at a local coffee shop, at which she has earned Gold Card status, researching, blogging, or writing her next book. She is disarming with a heart-shaped face, striking blue eyes, and a welcoming smile.
Susie Finkbeiner has always had a love of reading and writing. She began writing children’s plays and adult drama skits in her spare time for her church while serving as the Children’s Minister. Finkbeiner had one of her plays “Merry Chrismukkah” published in 2006 by Eldridge Plays. The impetus for writing her first book evolved from life experience. Through her work with groups like Better Way Imports and the Michigan Abolitionist Project, Finkbeiner became passionate about the young women caught up in the world of human trafficking.
“I didn’t set out to write a social issue book, “ explains Finkbeiner. The story evolved from being educated about sex trafficking as well as meeting and working with women who had first-hand experience with this modern form of slavery.
“Paint Chips” deals with the issues of abuse, betrayal, abandonment, and ultimately redemption. Her extensive character development gave a face and a voice to the many anonymous victims of this crime; exposing this crime takes place not just in far off lands but many times in the community in which we live.When asked if she wrote her first book to evoke a response from her readers, Finkbeiner shakes her head. “I don’t want people to react; I want to encourage thoughtful response and start a dialogue.”
After being published by WhiteFire Publishing in January 2013, first as an electronic book, then as a paperback , it seemed that Finkbeiner’s love of writing as a hobby was becoming something more.
Finkbeiner’s second novel, “My Mother’s Camomile ,” was born out of the death of her husband’s grandmother. For Finkbeiner, the entire small-town experience of her husband’s grandmother being ill in the hospital, coming home to die, and the rituals of the whole funeral process were a “growing experience.” Unlike the trafficking issue, everyone has to deal with death. Her research into the life and commitment of funeral directors captured her mind.
“These men and women are so caring. They work very hard, in most cases 365 days a year, 24 hours a day on call, to ease the pain of each family’s experience.“ It is not a usual job. Even on a social level people shy away from morticians. They are reminders of the fact that death exists. They see people at their worst, both physically and mentally. Even they see themselves as “different” or “other.”
Finkbeiner is a self-described idealist and an eternal optimist. She explains that it comes from her upbringing and the experiences her own family lived through. Her Christian faith plays a strong role in dealing in subject matter that may be challenging or evoke a negative response.
“I write from a position of what is and what can be. I am training myself to see hope and beauty in what is,” she explains. Her philosophy is much like that of author Luis Alberto Urrea which is to “find God in the muck and mire.”
“You have to look for sweetness in the bitterness. In situations that leave you dry and parched, God will provide an oasis of water; just enough to get you through when you again face the dryness that surrounds you.” Mercy, Finkbeiner believes, is the comic relief that enters no matter what the situation or issue. As with her bright personality, Finkbeiner’s writing does include humor, emotional breaks, and human foibles woven through well-thought out characters.
Susie Finkbeiner is a large supporter of others who enjoy writing. She is a founding member of the Kava Writer’s Collective; a group of writers of various backgrounds, ages, and genres who meet to share works in progress and encourage each other. She also has a blog that she contributes to on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She is the first to admit that her path to getting published was unconventional . After sending manuscripts to many publishers and suffering the multiple rejections that many new authors face, it was her blog that actually attracted WhiteFire Publishing. “I was actually contacted by WhiteFire.” says Finkbeiner, “They have a wonderful staff that helped me immensely.” With two books under her belt Finkbeiner is now better equipped to help others approach a career in writing.
As a modern day writer, Susie Finkbeiner wrote her first novel as a stay-at-home mom with 3 children under the age of six. “I would just write while they were playing. When it was nice out I would take the laptop with me when we went outside to play.” While writing “My Mother’s Camomile” Finkbeiner took on the task of home schooling her children. An admitted coffee snob, she would grind her own beans, make a pot of coffee, feed the kids, and start their school lessons. With the little ones set up with their assignments and projects, Finkbeiner would go to her office to write. With the full support of her husband, Finkbeiner laughs as she describes her writing as a family effort. “My kids are my biggest cheerleaders!” Today’s authors come from many walks of life, some with busy careers, some who can devote large chunks of time to their craft.
When asked if she has advice for others who would like to write, Susie smiles like the Cheshire Cat.
2. Write. Get it out! Write something every day, even if it is just the word “something.”
3. Join a writing community. There are many on-line or in-person.
4. Go to conferences. Network with publishers and other writers.
5. Research the market. Find out who publishes your genre.
Susie Finkbeiner acknowledges that she has grown as a writer exponentially in the past several years. She has also gained valuable insight into the publishing industry. Her confidence is evident in her frank discussion style and her passion to do her best. When asked if the she has another book in the works, Finkbeiner is purposely coy. “I do have a book that was partially written before I started to work on My Mother’s Camomile, but I am not mature enough as a writer to do it justice quite yet.” It is this sense of professionalism and patience that impresses me the most. For Susie Finkbeiner her writing is a continuing journey. From the success of Paint Chips to the anticipated release of My Mother’s Camomile it is clear that writing is no longer a hobby for Susie Finkbeiner, it has become a vocation.
It might have been bitterly cold outside last evening, but inside the Wyoming Branch of the Kent District Library it was warm, friendly and entertaining thanks to Tom Rademacher. The award winning columnist and author chased the winter chill away with the first strum of his guitar, leading into a short and silly song, followed by a room full of chuckles. It was a master storyteller’s unexpected ice breaker with his audience. And like his writing, he hooked everyone within those first few moments into his presentation promoting storytelling, writing, and WKTV’s citizen journalism project – this website.
The event, Spend an Evening with Tom Rademacher, is the second presentation sponsored by WKTV to encourage residents in Wyoming, Kentwood and surrounding areas to start “telling their stories about their community” by sharing them online at now.wktv.org. It’s called being a citizen journalist and it is a current global initiative of modern media communication. Across the nation and around the world, communities like ours, are turning to citizen journalism websites to capture the essence of daily living that is being lost in the corporate newspapers of today. Fortunately for us, Tom Rademacher, known for his storytelling genius and memorable writing style, supports our initiative.
“The best stories I’ve ever found, are right around the corner,” Rademacher confessed to an audience of over 20.
“You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t interested in sharing and telling good stories. This project through WKTV is your opportunity to do just that,” he said.
“Whether you realize it or not, you are all artists in training. Your palette is the entire alphabet. Have fun with it!”
Participants were of all ages and backgrounds. A few were long-time writers. Others were not. Some were simply curious. But the one commonality everyone shared, according to Rademacher, was we are all observers. “Every day, everywhere you go, there’s a story happening around you. The question is, are you aware enough of what’s going on in your surroundings to take notice?”
For over an hour and a half, Rademacher conversed with the audience discussing everything from his memorable experiences to writing tips to reporting do’s and don’ts. But it was his genuine passion for people and their stories that seemed to make the greatest impression on those attending.
“You write a story about something for two reasons. It’s either interesting or important,” he said. “And if you keep your eyes and ears open, you’ll find there’s a lot of good deeds and memorable people living in your community. Share their stories…it’s worth it.”
The Chamber of Commerce’s mission has always focused on promoting the community and helping local businesses to profitably grow sales; we have always relied heavily on our dedicated network of volunteers who work tirelessly to support the Chamber and the local community.
Professional Development
Providing professional development opportunities through seminars, roundtables, and classes.
Networking
Provides a variety of networking opportunities throughout the year. If you are looking to build new business contacts, we encourage you to attend our monthly networking event.
Government
The Chamber is the voice for your business with Local, State, and the Federal governments. The Government Matters Committee is a collaboration of our members working to identify important issues that affect our member’s businesses and community.
Community
The Chamber’s mission is building better communities by building better businesses. Our members are commited to the Wyoming and Kentwood communities.
The Chamber’s mission is building better communities by building better businesses. The Santa Parade committee works all year to bring a wonderful celebration of the holidays and joy to the children of Wyoming and Kentwood with the parade on Division Avenue.
The Metro Cruise committee brings nearly 300,000 people to the 28th Street Corridor each August. Join us on Friday and Saturday, August 22 & 23, 2014 for the 28th Street Metro Cruise! There are sponsorship packages for every business budget.
MAPLECREEK REACHES OUT AS AN EXPRESSION OF THE LOVE OF CHRIST
By Dollie Grant
Grand Rapids, Mich., (January 17, 2014)— A division of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, MapleCreek is a senior living community providing housing for seniors at every stage of the aging process. We provide living options which range from complete independence to total care, said Deedre Vriesman, Executive Director of the 40 acre campus.
The Cottages at MapleCreek houses our most independent residents. Individuals can choose from one or two-bedroom stand-alone condo-style homes.
The Terraces at MapleCreek offer outstanding independent living. Seniors can pick from a variety of apartment layouts that feature private balconies, a wide array of amenities and convenient services.
The Woods at MapleCreek is a vibrant and active community for those with memory loss. Over sixty-four residents currently benefit from a specialized living environment and personal attention.
A licensed environment, The Woods is staffed 24 hours a day in a secured home designed with comfortable and functional spaces throughout. The Lodge at MapleCreek offers short and long term, inpatient nursing care.
The Lodge is divided into three main areas of service – rehabilitation, skilled memory care and general long term care. Each program has different requirements that would be evaluated before admission to assess appropriate placement within the Lodge.
The Rehabilitation Center at the Lodge provides inpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation and therapy services based on individual needs and conditions. Our goal is to help short-term residents successfully transition back to their home or into a more appropriate setting based on their person-centered care plan. Serving people as an expression of the love of Christ is our mission. It is our strong faith in the mission that support and drive all we do. “Over 300 of our trained staff meet the needs of almost 350 individuals and their families who live and visit our campus daily. We uphold human dignity and advocate equality for all people.
We have collaborated and reached out to many organizations including, but not limited to: The Alzheimer’s Association, the Kids Food Basket, the Veterans Support Group, Rotarian groups, Goodwill Industries Work program and churches to name a few”, said Vriesman. “Our outreach is diverse, strategic and thoughtful” said, Dollie Grant, Outreach Coordinator for MapleCreek. “Reaching out to a variety of audiences and organizations through activities, events and social media helps the organization understand trends and provide a link to the larger community. This important outreach also helps the larger community understand who we are and what we do. Our “Celebrating diversity through the arts” program is another way to show our commitment to advocacy and equality in a gentle and sensitive way, Vriesman reported.
“Many have not heard or don’t know the African American National Anthem, is why I wanted to sing that song for Dr. King’s birthday celebration” said Rainell Sterling, health clinic employee at Maple Creek. “We embrace and showcase the rich culture, talent and history or our residents, staff and community partners to help people keep Dr. King’s dream and legacy alive”, said Vriesman.
Residents who live in our skilled nursing area also recently partnered with Lutheran Social Services of Michigan’s Foster Care program in Grand Rapids. They collected items for school supplies to give to school-aged kids within the foster care system. “The residents wanted to do something to benefit foster children in the area. We collected enough items to fill backpacks for 60 foster children”, said Christa Schwartz, activity director for the Lodge at MapleCreek.
The mission of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan does not stop with senior living. Their advocacy and values are evident throughout LSSM’s programs and services including: Foster care, adoption services, supervised independent living for teens aging out of foster care, women leaving the correction system, subsidized housing for low-income seniors, shelter for homeless families, refugee resettlement and services for person with disabilities. If your organization wants to collaborate with Maple Creek’s outreach programs contact: Dollie Grant, Outreach Coordinator at (616) 284-5704. As a ministry of Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, Maple Creek welcomes seniors of every religion, race, nationality and ethnic heritage. Visit MapleCreek.org for more information.
Tom Rademacher Award winning author and columnist Supplied
Tired of being cooped up? Have a bad case of the winter doldrums? Now is the opportunity to beat the winter time blues:
WKTV presents the opportunity to Spend an Evening with Tom Rademacher. He is a nationally award-winning author and a Grand Rapids columnist. Tom will be offering a free writer’s workshop to the public. He was just recognized for the third time as being the best feature reporter in the country. Imagine getting writing advice from the best! That is reason enough to attend. He will also help you share life stories, and learn the best ways to become an effective writer.
Learn from the best and become a citizen journalist in your community:
When: 6:30-8:00p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Where: Wyoming Public Library at 3350 Michael Ave., in Wyoming Michigan
R.S.V.P. with your name and phone number to janice@wktv.org
New book reading and author signing set for Monday
From the looks of her, you’d never guess that local author and Kentwood resident Kristina Riggle is in her late 30s. On the contrary, she appears to be twenty-something. It’s hard to believe she’s a mother of two children, ages 11 and 6, in addition to being an author of five novels. Her latest novel, The Whole Golden World, hit the shelves of Schuler’s, Barnes and Noble, and Target in November.
Kristina Riggle of Kentwood is currently working on her sixth novel.
“I have to credit my mother for the youthful genes,” she says, laughing, “I used to hate it that I didn’t look my age, but the older I get, the more I appreciate it!”
Don’t let her fresh face fool you. Riggle, who’ll be discussing The Whole Golden World Monday evening at Kent District Library, is clear, confident and conscientious about being a novelist.
“Human behavior fascinates me,” Riggle says of her motivation. Her keen observations translate into intriguing and authentic characters living life on the pages of her novels.
“In all of my stories, I like to create characters with different and valid perspectives. I think about telling the same story from each perspective. Each is valid and tells a different story,” explains Riggle.
For example, for writing The Whole Golden World, Riggle says she was inspired by a newspaper article she read several years ago about a male high school teacher with criminal sexual conduct for his affair with a 17 year old female student.
“What got me was the reporter describing the court scene and noting, in the article, that the victim chose to sit behind the defendant and not with her parents. I thought, ‘clearly that’s telling a different story from the victim’s perspective. She supports the defendant.”
Riggles novel unfolds from there with three main characters presenting their perspectives of a controversial relationship that shocks family members and the community. Individually, they take the reader through the delicate phases between childhood and adulthood, challenging love and manipulation, marriage and motherhood, and consent and responsibility.
“I’d like to think it’s my best work yet,” she says modestly, adding that bloggers are saying it is her best work ever. “I’m very grateful for that. It’s my intention to be a better writer with each book I write.”
Recognized as a respected local novelist, Riggle has been invited to speak at the Write Michigan awards ceremony on March 22 and write the Foreword for the 2014 Write Michigan Anthology, a request she says she is “quite honored to do.”
Riggle credits her fifth grade teacher, Janet Dykema, (now retired), for encouraging her in the craft. “She recognized that writing was important to me. She didn’t dismiss that I was serious about it in fifth grade. She gave me writing advice that you’d give an adult. I’ll never forget it.”
A 1992 graduate of East Kentwood High School, Riggle went through the journalism program at Michigan State University. Her first job was as a reporter for the Grand Haven Tribune covering education and school board meetings.
“Yes, those can be time consuming meetings with a lot of material to digest, “she answers, responding only to the expression on my face. “But what I was able to learn was to look at all that information from my reader’s viewpoint and pull out the nuggets of news that would impact them.”
Now years later and after subsequent positions at The Bay City Times and The Grand Rapids Press, Riggle considers herself a “recovering journalist.” Her newspaper career decisively changed directions with the birth of her first child coupled with job burnout.
“You know it’s true how kids change everything,” she says. “I wanted to be home with my baby but I knew I wasn’t good at being domestic or with isolation. So I started freelancing and doing more creative writing.”
As Riggle became more serious about writing a novel, she read books about writing and the publishing process. The result was the publication of her first book, Real Life & Liars, that holds a special place in Riggle’s heart. Now, she manages to raise her young family and produce a new novel every 12 to 15 months, careful not to discuss her work in progress because “it’s just too fragile.”
Kristina Riggle will do a reading from The Whole Golden World at the Kentwood branch of the Kent District Library at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 13. A book-signing will follow.
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Doubles as Goodwill Central
Photos by Pat Moll
Thanks to Santa, Catholic Charities of West Michigan and the Patriot Guard Riders, West Michigan , soldiers returning home for the holidays were greeted with warmth and generosity. While the event was free to the public, airport officials requested the public to bring two non-perishable items for the Loaves and Fishes food bank operated by Catholic Charities of West Michigan. It was a win/win situation all around!
Largest campaign to date will encourage West Michigan residents to shop local via special advertisements and interactive events.
By Samantha Vanderberg
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – For the first time ever, Local First is putting up billboards and placing web advertisements – ALL over West Michigan. The message is simple: support the people that live in your community by shopping local. West Michigan is full of locally owned businesses that make this place unique. The Discover Your Local Treasure campaign will give business owners the chance to tell their stories and community members the platform to share their local treasures.
A Local Treasure is a locally-owned business or organization that has brought something special into your life. It could be your favorite ice cream shop, bookstore, or coffee joint. The museum you go to with your kids or the place you take your car for repair. It is the place you tell your friends about and the place you take your out of town guests to visit. A Local Treasure is unique. It is one of a kind. And it contributes to your quality of life and to our community in a meaningful way.
This campaign will run from now through April 2014. In November alone, the campaign will receive 36 million impressions from West Michigan residents, and over the duration, the campaign will make over 200 million impressions.
For years, the Local First board and members have been asking Local First to do a large-scale general awareness campaign. We are especially interested in reaching those who have never thought about the importance of buying local, which is why we are using advertising mediums we’ve never used before.
“At Local First, we get to work with our community’s local treasures on a daily basis. Through this campaign, we get to share the behind-the-scenes stories about the local businesses and owners that positively impact our community. In addition, we’ll be asking community members to tell their stories about how our local businesses have positively impacted their lives,” said Elissa Hillary, Executive Director of Local First. “We want people to discover and share their local treasures, which will deepen connections between businesses and consumers and remind our community of how special West Michigan is.”
Community members will have many opportunities to engage with the campaign, whether it is through posting on social media outlets or participating in some of the campaign’s events.
The third annual Online Holiday Auction will be open for bids through midnight on Wednesday, November 27.
Local First will be hosting screenings of It’s a Wonderful Life in Grand Rapids, Holland, and Grand Haven in December.
Local First will also debut a HUGE shopping bag sculpture at the Holland Holiday Open House next Saturday (the 23rd) that you won’t want to miss! This interactive sculpture will be making appearances throughout West Michigan in the next several months.
Share your local treasure on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram with hashtags #mylocaltreasure and #ourlocaltreasure
As with any sudden passing, conveying the news to family, friends and associates is as difficult as it is shocking. Such is the case with former Wyoming Mayor Carol Sheets who died on Sunday from a massive heart attack at age 69. Carol was living in Florida for the winter with Alan, her husband of over 50 years.
Yet as quickly as the sadness settles, remarks are made – endearing, inspiring, and sure – that Carol Sheets lived as a remarkable woman. Without a doubt, her friends and community colleagues agree that Carol was special. She shared a beautiful singing voice in church. People gravitated to her smiling face and positive disposition. She understood what it meant to be a trustworthy friend. Carol was not only a devoted wife, a mother of six, and a grandmother of 21, but also a positive force in this community as a public school volunteer, an elected city council member for 12 years and as the first female Mayor for four years.
“Carol was passionate about our community and was a strong advocate for the City of Wyoming,” says Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. “She worked to build consensus and to address some of the pressing issues facing us. She will be missed.”
“Carol cared so much for this city. She definitely was passionate about wanting positive things to happen here,” says Eric Tomkins, Wyoming Parks and Recreation supervisor and Carol’s colleague since the 1990s. “This is a big loss for this community.”
Carol Sheets at the Metro Health Village dedication 2007.
It was an impulse and her passion for improving Wyoming that prompted Carol to pick up the phone one day in the early 2000s and make a phone call to Metro Hospital officials. According to Wyoming City Councilman Rich Pastoor, Carol immediately placed the call when it was announced that officials were looking to relocate the hospital from the city of Grand Rapids.
“She said, ‘We’ve got a piece of land here for you that you might want to take a look at,'” Pastoor recalls. “It was a big coup at the time too because all the major hospitals and medical facilities were relocating downtown. But she convinced them to relocate here instead.
“She had many more accomplishments while serving the city but that was by far her greatest one. People are going to benefit from that decision of hers for years to come,” he said.
Mike Faas, president and CEO of Metro Health shares similar sentiments.
“The Metro Health family was saddened to hear of Carol’s passing. She played a valuable role in our move to Wyoming in 2007. She was an advocate for and supporter of Metro. As Mayor of Wyoming, Carol worked to ensure a bright and successful future for the City of Wyoming and its residents. We are forever indebted to her for supporting the vision of Metro Health Village and for encouraging us throughout our building and moving efforts. We will keep her family and friends in our hearts and minds at this difficult time.”
Mayor Sheets at the Splash Pad dedication in Lamaar Park.
Throughout her career in community service, Carol worked closely with the Parks and Recreation department on a variety of initial projects including the Wyoming Festival, Celebrate Wyoming, and the Splash Pad at Lamaar Park. According to Tomkins, she was a a big advocate to getting that amenity in place.
“Carol was passionate about the city, but her extreme passion were children – not just her own, but the children of the community,” he says. “She saw the need for the youth of the community to have resources of hope, especially during the economic downturn Wyoming experienced when the GM plant closed.”
Tomkin adds that the Splash Pad is the most popular amenity in Wyoming Parks and Recreation department today. “She was mayor at that time and saw the importance of making that happen,” he says.
For Lillian VanderVeen, knowing Carol Sheets changed her life.
“I met Carol shortly before her city council campaign,” she recalls. “She was such a force of good, I decided to work for her on it.”
It didn’t take long for a real friendship to grow between the two and last all these years. “She was so trustworthy as a friend, I could talk to her about anything and know it was in safekeeping. She was a true friend of mine.”
Because Carol “loved Wyoming with a passion,” she always wanted the city to have a historical museum, says Dorothy Simon-Tibbe, local historian. “She worked hard to save a Methodist Church circa 1880 from demolition.
“It used to stand where CVS is now on Byron Center and 56th. She wanted to move it to the Metro Village complex but it didn’t work out. Since then, she’s been very supportive in establishing the historical society of Wyoming.”
Carol Susan Sheets January 11. 1944 – December 15, 2013
Simon-Tibbe says the two were friends for over 40 years, living in the same neighborhood and being fellow cheerleaders for the city of Wyoming. “We ran in the same circles supporting our community, but Carol accomplished much more for the city than I did.”
Simon-Tibbe credits Carol’s accomplishments on her loving, outgoing personality and always having good things to say to others. Without a doubt and much conviction, she adds, “We are all born to die, some sooner than others. Carol is reaping her reward right now.”
“You’d never forget her if you had met her,” says City Councilman Rich Pastoor. “She encouraged me to run for city council back in 2001 and I’m glad I listened to her because it’s been a very rewarding decision for me.
“I considered her one of my closest friends in city government.”
Her genuine smile warmed friends and strangers alike. Now former Mayor Carol Sheets will always be remembered and embraced for her dedication and passion to the people in her community.
As the crisp lake effect cascades throughout Kent county, the toasty sanctuary of a home numbs the mind into a place of reflection. A time to reflect on the good and bad times of the past year. A time to remember the sorrow of death and the gift of new life. A time to reconcile all that weight heavy on the heart.
Last year the Grand Rapids community lost many members, but two in particular will forever be embedded in the cracked concrete of the city through the builds of Habitat For Humanity Kent County.
Habitat For Humanity sets to announce two new homes to the community, said member Philip Zoutendam. The homes are “tribute builds from families who lost loved ones and wanted to sponsor houses.”
Although the charity is working on many projects this holiday season, these two homes are the only ones to reach completion for the month of December.
Almost a year since the tragic loss of James D. Kirkwood family, friends and community members unite to unveil the Jim Kirkwood Tribute Build. The celebration for this home, located at 953 Kensington SW in Grand Rapids, commences on Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
Andy Angelo lost his life this past summer, but his 25 years of printed word at The Grand Rapids Press will not be his only legacy. A home in Angelo’s Grandville neighborhood now sits as a reminder of all his work and charity. The family, loved ones and members of Habitat for Humanity turn the key to this holiday gift on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity and the family of the deceased invite everyone to the events not just to remember those who have passed, but also to welcome two new families into their forever homes. Those unable to attend are encouraged to donate or volunteer, for tis the season good tidings.
The charity is just looking for individuals “always happy to help and looking to give back.”
Rebecca Puzan of Byron Center graduates Dec. 13th from Sanford Brown University and will go on to pursue her dream of working with sea turtles in North Carolina. Supplied
By Char Chamfield
When I heard about young Rebecca Puzan’s move from Byron Center, Michigan to Wilmington, North Carolina, I thought, “There’s got to be a story there!” After all, we know this family well in our Holy Trinity Episcopal parish.
Rebecca is the daughter of Melissa and Mike Puzan and the sister of Sarah. Her legacy from attending Byron Center High School includes being on the swim and track team, participating in leadership training, and being a member of the National Honor Society. Rebecca (as she prefers to be called) will graduate from Sanford Brown University this month in Applied Sciences. In the meantime, she is waiting to be deemed a Licensed Veterinary Technician after a successful internship at Rogue Valley Veterinary Hospital in Rockford. Her decision to move to Wilmington is just a part of her master plan.
Since middle school, Rebecca has had an intense desire to work with sea turtles. Conveniently, she also has an intense dislike of cold weather. Wilmington, NC is home to two well-known sea turtle conservatories and hospitals. One is at Wrightsville Beach and the other is at Topsail (pronounced Top’ sill) Island. Each location depends on a large group of volunteers to stay operational. There are few paid positions.
Knowing Rebecca is passionate about working with sea turtles, her mom, Melissa said, ““I’ll miss her terribly but I want her to be able to follow her dreams.”
Sea turtles are an endangered species; there are seven types of sea turtles in the US. The beach areas of Wilmington are patrolled by the volunteers during nesting and hatching times to protect the babies. Sick and/or injured sea turtles are rescued and taken to the hospital(s) for treatment, rehabilitation and release. Often tracking devices are attached to the ‘patients’ to enable monitoring of movement and habitat. Some sea turtles eat jelly fish; others are more vegan and help to control the sea grasses.
“Sea turtles usually return to their place of hatching to create their nests and hatch their eggs for the next generation of the species,” says Puzan. “The younger turtles usually stay between the beach and the reefs, while the older turtles go farther out into the deeper waters of the ocean.”
Puzan has found research that plastic bags in the ocean pose a threat to sea turtles. According to her, the creatures can mistake the floating bags for jelly fish and ingest them, creating health problems and even death.
At Sea Turtle Camp, people of all ages can experience looking into the eyes of a live 200 pound turtle and learn more about marine biology. It is possible for the participants at Sea Turtle Camp to gain a life changing appreciation for coastal conservation. Their brochures offer the opportunity to “Sea Life” differently. For Rebecca Puzan, she’ll have the chance to experience these opportunities and more as a new employee at the Myrtle Grove Animal Hospital. We look forward to hearing more about her discoveries there, and extend our best wishes to her on her journey with sea turtles.
Marge’s Donut Den: notice how it’s not Marge’s Donut Shop or Marge’s Donut Store it’s Marge’s Donut Den. That’s because it’s not about sales for Marge, it’s about the customers and about giving people a home away from home – a den.
Opened in 1975, Marge’s Donut Den makes you feel as if you have never left the comfort of your own home kitchen. Whether you are young or you are old, brown or white, everyone is greeted with a heartwarming smile that reaches from ear to ear across owner Marge’s face. The 73 year-old Grand Rapids woman has a heart larger than any donut she could ever make.
A typical Saturday morning for Marge begins with her arriving at the Donut Den around 4 a.m. where she opens up the den and prepares for the long 12-hour workday that lies ahead. In those 12 or more hours that Marge spends at the Donut Den, there isn’t a single moment that you will find her without a smile. Not only does Marge never stop smiling, rarely will there be a time you see a customer leave without a smile. There are plenty of regulars, from all over West Michigan, that come into Marge’s on a weekly basis. It was a framed picture of a baby, actually laying inside one of the glass donut displays, that drew me to the Algera family.
Sarah Algera has been coming to Marge’s ever since she was in Kindergarten. Her mother would bring her almost everyday after school. Today, with a family of her own, Sarah remains a loyal customer at Marge’s. Two or three times a week Sarah, her husband James and their two beautiful little girls Emily and Amy stop in for donuts. A coffee cake donut with chocolate milk to drink has been Sarah’s order ever since she can remember. James’ favorite is a glazed old-fashioned donut with a cup of coffee and Emily’s favorite would be a white frosting donut with sprinkles. As for the youngest daughter Amy, who was in the picture that caught my attention, she will eat just about any donut she can get her little hands on. Neither Sarah nor James enjoys eating a store bought donut anymore because they love the fresh taste a donut from Marge’s so much.
When asked about Marge, Sarah said, “She hasn’t changed since I remember coming here.” Marge has always lived with the put others first mentality and it shows through her customers’ satisfaction. A family with now a third generation going to Marge’s Donut Den on the regular. Sure, the Algera family loves the donuts but Marge and her extremely large heart are the real reason they continue to come back.
Friendly regulars, an outstanding staff, the grandmother of all grandmothers in Marge and not to mention some of the best donuts in West Michigan can all be found out on 28th Street at Marge’s Donut Den.
For Bart Sumner, October 9th turned out to be a double-edged sword. Not only was it the inaugural meeting of his recent labor of love called Healing Improv, a potential non-profit for grieving individuals, it was also the fourth anniversary of the death of his 10 year old son, David. Sumner created Healing Improv to help himself and others learn how to channel grieving energy into healing fun by doing improvisational comedy. Perhaps the aligning of the dates were not a coincidence after all. .
“Our goal is not to forget those we lost; our goal is to learn to move on and still find joy in life,” explains Sumner. “It’s been a long journey up to this point.”
Healing Improv offers an alternative way of moving through grief. Photo courtesy of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
In addition to Sumner, 14 other people came to the session; more than he expected. The workshop started out quietly. Attendees were apprehensive, yet open-minded, and treated their fellow patrons warmly. Sumner began the evening by simply asking the group: “So, why are we all here tonight?”
For the next 45 minutes, individuals bared their souls talking about their spouses, children, parents, and dearest friends who they had lost. As the group of strangers poured out their pent-up grief,a heaviness settled in the room. But just when the timing was right, Sumner smartly redirected the morose ice with the perky suggestion of, “Let’s have some fun, now!”
What pursued was the group’s engagement in five improvisational games, starting with Superhero Circle. It went like this: First, players presented the name of their unlikely super-powered alter-ego, such as, The Lone Ranger, Barbra Streisand, Burger-Eating Guy, and The Jelly! Next, attendees were encouraged to memorize everyone else’s super-names and modify it into a game of Hot Potato, tossing names and gestures back and forth to one another at a ridiculous pace. Soon, much needed laughter and smiles filled the room and the atmosphere began to lighten up.
The second game played was called “One Word FairyTale,” with participants retelling the story of the “Three Little Pigs,” one word per person at a time. As the rest of the games were explained and played out, so did the laughter and the smiles. Sumner couldn’t have been more pleased with how the first session turned out. Joy was experienced and shared out loud. It was one mission accomplished for Sumner.
In the meantime, he awaits his second mission to be accomplished: getting Healing Improv qualified by the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit charity. If approved, all donations to this cause would be considered tax-deductible. So far Sumner has raised over $6600 to get the program started. The next session of Healing Improv will be Tuesday, December, 17 at 7 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater.
KENTWOOD, MI ¬– Rebecca Wood can jump into her boots as quickly as any firefighter responding to a call, but what sets her apart from her colleagues, or “brothers,” is the simple fact that she is a female–the only female firefighter in Kentwood.
It’s not uncommon to have female firefighters; Wood’s aunt serves in Grand Rapids along with several other women. But for some reason, it’s a common misconception that firefighters are stereotypically men.
“It’s sad and unfortunate that people don’t think women can do this,” says Kentwood Deputy Chief Gregory Ginebaugh as he sends Wood a grin across his high tech office. “There’s no sort of discrimination at all, she’s one of us.”
Her locker is with the others, her bed is in the same bunkroom, her appetite even seems to be the same–she fits in perfectly, what else does she need?
A sense of Humor?
She’s got it.
Wood recalls a prank on one of the guys at the station.
“He’s a deep sleeper and his biggest fear is not waking up to an alarm.”
What do you think Wood did? Well, she ran into the dark bunkroom with the other guys one night, dressed in gear, engines started and ready to go fight a ‘fire.’
“He got ready really fast and we drove around the block, then pulled back in. ‘Guys, what’s going on?,” he remarked in a confused state.
I wouldn’t trade her for anyone else.” Ginebaugh stated. He knows she’s one of a kind. “The way she deals with families in the community…” His face-breaking smile describes his gratitude towards Wood.
She also serves at a burn camp near Portage for fire survivors, ages five through nineteen.
“The kids are so great!” Her face lights up with excitement as she sits straight in her chair. “It’s a place where they can be themselves and not worry about what they look like. It’s just really cool.”
She’s quite the outdoorsy type, too. Outside of work, Wood enjoys biking through trails, kayaking and fishing. But her true passion is back at the station, serving the community and hanging out with the guys.
“It makes me more grateful for this job,” she says. “It feels like family. Not everyone will get along, but we call each other brothers and sisters.”
Tomboyish? Absolutely, but her eyeliner is a reminder that she’s just like every woman, beautiful and captivating, only with a very bright burning flame.
I wouldn’t trade her for anyone else.” Ginebaugh said realizing she is one of a kind. “The way she deals with families in the community…” His face-breaking smile describes his gratitude towards Wood.
A fire erupts downtown, the bell rings through the entire station, and men and woman jump into action. The life of the firefighter is about fighting fires, and so much more. Rebecca Wood started as an on-call firefighter for two years, and has now been full time for three years. She says she remembers the first fire she ever fought. “I remember how hot it was, and not being able to see anything. The initial feeling was I wanna get out of here, then a few seconds later your training starts to kick in and it’s fine,” Wood said.
While staying at the Kentwood Fire Station for their 24 hour shifts they become like a close knit family. It is very rare to find a job where everyone loves what they are doing, and that’s what Woods has found. When waiting for a call, she hangs out at the station. They have time for working out which is strongly recommended, getting food, sleeping, joking around with their station family. To keep their living area clean they have these exhaust hoses that connect to the engines till they leave the station so the exhaust doesn’t end up in their living space.
They have these new dispatch laptops that go in the engines and offices. They are very helpful to them because it shows where units are so they can pick the closest unit for the job. These laptops also give them the ability to see what the call is, and any information that would cause harm to them at the scene such as chemicals, or behavior problems. When they get the call they go to their engine and put on all their equipment. This makes it easier and faster for them by putting the oxygen packs in their seats almost as if they are putting on a seat belt.
When they get to the fire and go in to find people stuck in the building, they use a creative tool that they call the tick. It’s a scanner that views thermal energy, so you can find people in a smoke filled room. To keep them safe they have a mask hooked up to an oxygen tank. In the mask they see three lights which tell you how much oxygen you have, and it will vibrate when you are very low and need to get out immediately. Not only does it warn you if your oxygen is getting low, it sets off an alarm for your partners to help you. Wood’s partner Steve Cashion said, “the alarm goes off on your tank if you are inactive for about 40 seconds.” This is so your team can find you if you have fallen and can’t get up, or if you are injured and need help.
They don’t just go on calls for fires, a lot of their calls are for medical reasons. Deputy Chief Greg Ginebaugh says, “Rebecca just has a way of dealing with patients, and their families.” After getting information and making sure the families are okay, they have reports to fill out. They used to have to write out their reports after every call, now it is all electronic. That makes it easier for them, and helps the going green aspect as well.
Other ways they get involved with the community are by going to local elementary schools, making appearances at block parties, parades, and they even have a camp for burn victims. It’s a camp for children ages 5-19 who have been burned from fires. It takes place near the Portage area, and is one week during the summer. “It’s initially shocking, but we call them survivors at camp,” Woods said. They have a chance to be themselves and not worry what other kids think about them, while having fun and meeting new friends.
As you can see Firefighter’s don’t just fight fires. They have new technology that helps them to do their job, save families, and brighten up the kid’s days.
“Respect your elders, they graduated without Google!”
Grandma Kate Photo by Jennifer Zandstra
The sign made me laugh out loud as I drove along Eastern Avenue. But my smile soon faded while I stood in line with others daring to attempt self-checkout at the local Meijer. “You suck!” was the comment hurled by a young girl at her mother as the teen angrily crossed her arms over her chest and stomped toward the exit. There was dead silence in the checkout area. The mother sighed as she continued in vain to get the scanner to read the crumpled bar code on a bag of chips.
No one said a word. Respect your elders indeed.
Have we become so desensitized to violence and ugly words that we no longer react? In fictitious TV families, in schools, and in our own government the concept of respect is fading fast.
I recall reading a Pew Research Center study that stated, “Roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers will turn 65 and about 10,000 more will cross that threshold every day for the next 25 years.” These are the days when our elders will be numerous in our communities. These people, these walking “treasure chests,” have been through it all. They are filled with information, history, knowledge, and wisdom. Pope Francis spoke to the youth of Rio de Janeiro on August, 1, 2013. He stressed, “This relationship and this dialogue between generations is treasure to be preserved and strengthened.”
My favorite treasure chest is Katherine Myers, or “Grandma Kate” as she is affectionately known. Kate is not a blood relative, but since I never had the privilege of interacting with my own grandparents, she has graciously allowed me to adopt her. We met at least 20 years ago at Kentwood Christian Church. Kate is a beautiful young-at-heart woman who is just a few years shy of having Willard Scott flash her smiling picture on a Smucker’s jar. Kate is like royalty in my eyes. She “holds court” on Sunday mornings in our church mall, sitting at a small glass-top table with a dollar-store sign that announces, “This table is reserved for our coffee hostess, Kate Myers, and her party.” And a party it is!
One by one they come, young and seasoned, bikers and businessman, to pay their respects to Grandma Kate. Children run from the front door to her table where she beams, “Give Grandma a hug!” with arms outstretched. She lifts her hands in a silent clapping motion as each new face approaches, with the simple joy of visiting with what she calls “her people.”
The bounty found in Kate’s treasure chest includes giving birth to eight children and raising six, losing her 19 year old daughter to asthma, living through the Great Depression and two World Wars, the second of which accounted for the scars left on her husband, Jerry, a returning veteran. Kate was once invited to travel with the Gaither Gospel group, worked daily as a hairdresser, and volunteered her time playing piano for the generations of children at Kentwood Child Development Center.
Still sharing her talents at 90, Grandma Kate plays piano for fellow seniors. Photo by Jennifer Zandstra
The treasure is all there waiting to be passed down to the more than 70 grandchildren and great-grandchildren that are her legacy. Kate is still giving of herself on Wednesdays when she travels to Rehoboth Assisted Living Facilities to play the piano and engage other seasoned citizens in song.
Less than a year ago Grandma Kate lived and functioned quite independently; but Father Time, as he will, sped up the hands of the clock and has whittled her world down a little piece at a time. She moved in with her daughter, Patricia, and her husband Ken, who grant her dignity and lovingly take care of her every need. Next came the surrender of her trusted Toyota and car keys. A few health concerns and gentle deterioration of her mind have slowed the pace of her life, except for Sunday mornings. When I ask Kate what her favorite Bible verse is she claps her hands together and smiles, “God is love!” She winks as she adds, “Love covers a multitude of sins.” Kate’s treasure is smaller now, but she still shares gems and shiny nuggets of wisdom that illuminate what is truly important in life: Faith and Family.
Treasure chests can be found throughout our community, in our churches, and in our own families. The number of elders will be increasing in the coming years. It has been said, “Respect must be earned, not given.” These members of the Greatest Generation should be revered, respected, and given the dignity they have earned. Our current culture is fast-paced, driven by immediate gratification, immersed in instant media, and surrounded by technology like never before. Maybe I should have tracked down the young girl in the store and explained the concept of “respect your elders” to her; maybe she could Google it.
“I wake up and I start solving problems, that’s what I do,” said Marge Wilson the owner of Marge’s Donut Den of Wyoming, MI.
Marge arrives to her donut shop at 4 a.m., 365 days a year since she established her business in 1975. Marge had worked 20 years in banking before she decided to buy the old Dixie Cream Donuts that she once went to as a kid and had fond memories made with her family.
“You’re a product of your home environment,” said Marge as she explained how her parents were always giving and creating good examples with a family environment. Never knowing any different from those times in her childhood, Marge has continued many of those traits and has created not only a strong business, but a large community family.
On a daily basis hundreds customers, new ones and many familiar faces enter through the doors where the slogan “Be kind, be good” is placed. Walking into a warm comfort feeling and mouthwatering bakery smell building it feels more like home kitchen rather than a business. The donut den has a very friendly atmosphere and customers are always welcomed in and treated as if they are family of Marge’s.
“Quality comes first,” is one of many mentalities at the donut shop where on average 5,000 donuts are made daily throughout the week. The same building where the regular donut and coffee group meet daily at their own table and with a personally made table cloth with nicknames and slogans embroidered.
The only exception is on Packi Day when a whopping 18,000 donuts are prepared for Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent. There’s nothing like a 20 hour work day and thousands of customers later.
For a small family owned local shop to create such a reputation and consistency in making that many donuts on a daily basis it proves itself on the type of business that Marge’s is, as well as the workers.
Apple fritters and long johns are the customer favorites and most sold donuts at Marge’s. There are options and favorites for everyone who visits Marge’s. A huge variety of delicious home-made donuts and other baked goods fill the display cases, which makes it very hard to decide and settle on just one treat.
“Look at me, name it and I like it,” said Marge with a big smile and laugh when asked what her favorite donut choice was.
While the phone continously rings and customers line up in front of the donut case Marge is always on alert to assist with business. Marge always seems to take the initative to answer the phone or just greet and socialize with cutomers, her friends. This shows how much of a friendly kind hearted and hard working woman she really is.
It is obvious that Marge’s is more than just a business, but a place that can be like a home where great friendships happen and memories are made. Having her donut den function like this is one of the main highlights for Marge. She loves being able to help others in any way possible and to give, as she does often.
“The people,” said Marge after a long deep thought about what is most rewarding of owning the donut shop. “To be able to help people celebrate their occasions and work with their budgets is what’s best.”
Marge doesn’t work for herself, but for her customers and to create magical moments. Since her kids and now grandchildren are all grown up, Marge loves the children that she is able to see and watch grow up over the years as they visit her donut shop.
Stop by Marge’s anytime and you will be sure to be satisfied with donuts, but more importantly with friends, family, and memories in the making.
Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder. This phrase, however, seems to exclude those individuals whom lack visual perception – an issue which The Diatribe, a contestant in this year’s ArtPrize, sought to resolve.
“The past few ArtPrizes have seen those who are blind and deaf in attendance,” said Azizi Jasper, one of seven members of The Diatribe. “But none of the ArtPrize entries have catered to them, so our entry engages these senses.”
The literal definition of the term diatribe is “a forceful and bitter attack against someone or something”- a definition that seems fit for a group of skilled wordsmiths who classify their entry, “Word,” as the anti-ArtPrize ArtPrize exhibit. The group features a talented line-up of rappers, hip hop artists, poets, and story tellers, consisting of members Mitch “’PoetlikePoe” Burns, Venson Dix, G Foster “Autopilot” II, Duke Greene, Stephen “NoMic” Gren, Azizi Jasper and Marcel “Fable” Price.
The artwork was located in Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club on the third-floor of The B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids, “Word” features seven separate wooden panels, each displaying a combination of images, quotes, and biographies from the seven members of The Diatribe, with the quotes and biographies also available in braille form. The exhibit also features a video recording of the artists’ spoken word performances, along with a deaf-friendly signing of each performance within the video. The substance matter of the exhibit’s content caters to a number of audiences, ranging from impassioned expressions of emotional distress, to proactive ideas meant to spark nation-wide revolution.
The turnout was very good,” said Jasper. “This is the first year for me, and also the first time for all of us to come together, and I’ve formed lifelong relationships with some extremely talented and insightful writers.”
According to The Diatribe’s ArtPrize entry profile, their exhibit aims to transcend “from the venue, to the street, from our screens, to your screens, from our paper, to your fingers, from our fingers, to your eyes, life changing showcase, that will hopefully change the lives of many, and the outlook of Art Prize, for ALL.” One instance that stands out in Jasper’s mind has done just that.
From the moment you walk through the door at Marge’s Donut Den the love is felt. Smiling workers, happy customers and not to mention the delicious smell of fresh donuts makes you not want to leave.
Starting out at a young age Marge has always been one to help and care about other people. At 12 years she was volunteering to make bandages for soldiers and going to stores to help feed poor people. “You’re a bi-product of your parents, “said Marge “That’s all I’ve ever known.”
Marge continues to carry the values she learned from her parents every day. “A community is taking care of your neighbors,” said Marge. Monthly, she meets with west end business leaders to discuss ways to help the community. Along with that, Marge has a large jar at the counter to help raise money for wells in Nigeria and hands out a book to customers called “Anthony’s Prayers” that reminds people to be thankful.“I can’t take credit for anything,” said Marge “I think it falls into your lap.” The Nigeria project is something that proves to be something extraordinary. “I’ve had numerous jars for years and no one puts money in it” said Marge “But the wells just keep going and going.”
“God gives you things and expects you to turn it around and give it to someone else” said Marge “Because why would I ever put a well in Nigeria!”
The warm atmosphere that is in the Donut Den is there because of Marge and the lives she’s touched. “The customers that come into the shop are family,” said a worker.
“One person can set an example for others,” said Marge “but it takes a group of people to make things happen and it will all fall into place.” It all goes back to the saying above the door at the Den. “Be kind, be good”
That’s the way the people at Marge’s Donut Den live their lives everyday.
He’s been a City Engineer, Inspector, and Building Official. Now he’s the newly-elected Mayor of Kentwood.
Stephen Kepley is Kentwood’s newest mayor. WKTV’s Citizen Journalism program had the opportunity to sit down and get to know the newly elected official, who won the closely contested race over City Commissioner Sharon Brinks by 96 votes.
When asked about his effective campaign strategy of going door-to-door to meet the citizens of Kentwood, he replied:
“I loved it. I looked forward to going door to door. It became like Christmas morning. Every time you knocked on the door you didn’t know what present was behind it. It was wonderful to realize the depth of character that we have in the city.”
Kepley had to take a five month leave of absence– with no salary– to campaign and realize his political aspirations. “It is a calling to run for an office. If I didn’t do this I would have missed my calling,” he exclaimed.
He shared that the extremely close 96 vote difference left him feeling honored and humbled.
Former Mayor Richard Clanton received high praise from Kepley.
“He had the courage to stand in the gap—to do what he did, I really appreciate his courage.”
The happily married father of three girls– ranging in ages from 4-16 — says his family was excited and relieved when they learned the good news.
And, what will his first project be:
“My first project is to listen to people and departments. I will do ride alongs with various departments to see what they see. I am a problem solver.”
Stephen has many visions, goals, and action steps to put into place. He is proud to be the Mayor of Kentwood.
Right now, between 114 and 200 million women are “demographically missing” due to infanticide, sexual slavery, dowry deaths, domestic violence and all manner of risk (UN Secretary General). The Economist calls it a hidden “gendercide,” with a victim scale reaching that of Hitler’s Holocaust every 2-4 years.
This is why Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) works in nearly 40 countries, creating circles of protection and hope around at-risk women and children. Headquartered in Wyoming, MI, WAR, Int’l exists to give voice to the silenced cries of the oppressed, wrap arms of love around them, and speak messages of purpose and dignity into their brokenness.
Through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects and programs, WAR, Int’l offers these women and children an opportunity to live life with dignity. Although specifically known for our fight against human trafficking and rehabilitating work with trafficking victims, WAR, Int’l addresses 14 different risk issues facing women and children today.
This holiday season our WAR Chest Boutique on 44th St. brings opportunities to get involved right to your own neighborhood. This is the perfect time of year to “shop for a purpose,” and our boutique carries beautiful products handmade by at-risk or rescued women in America and abroad. Know that your purchase for yourself or a loved one empowers a woman to live in safety and work with dignity.
Rhonda’s crocheted flowers inspire awareness.
Stories, Healing and Ministries
Rhoda’s Roses
Stories of rescue are powerful, yet simply raiding brothels or removing women from risk is never enough. Like a trampled rose, rescued women require tender, loving care in order to heal and blossom. When WAR, Int’l first met Rhoda, she had experienced “rescue,” but no safe place or people to help her recover from her past trauma and abuse. As WAR, Int’l wrapped arms of love around her and created a safe haven of healing, Rhoda and her ministry began to thrive. Now, Rhoda sings of healing and wholeness and crochets these beautiful roses to support other women at risk. Each handmade rose tells her story—how beauty can be knit from brokenness, how hope exists for those rescued yet longing for restoration.
Rhoda’s Story
Rhonda Kershaw turned her tragedy into a ministry. Photo courtesy of WAR
Ever since she was a little girl, Rhoda Kershaw wanted to sing. After much local success, Rhoda thought she caught her big break when a talent agent promised a vocal tour in Japan. Though her first visit proved successful, on her second trip, traffickers took her papers and forced her to serve drinks at a bar. One night a co-worker lured Rhoda to a “dance club” filled with the Japanese mafia. After drugging and abducting her, mafia members repeatedly brutalized and raped Rhoda for three days. She eventually escaped, but the Japanese police blamed her, and a counselor even advised suicide as the only way to preserve her dignity. Even after returning home to America, help was nowhere to be found. Finally, Rhoda discovered a community of healing and support at WAR, Int’l. Now she no longer numbs her pain with substance abuse and self-mutilation. Instead, she has transformed her suffering into a story of survival and hope. Rhoda uses her passionate voice to share this story, singing at benefit concerts, speaking out against human trafficking, and whispering words of hope and encouragement to vulnerable teens and wounded women.
Ladies Night Out
2790 44th Street, Wyoming, Mi, from 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. Event RSVP is appreciated but not required. RSVP via Facebook, Email or Phone with party size and email address. *The first 50 purchasers will enjoy a beautiful flower to take home courtesy of Posh Petals. Shopping Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This! kmcneil@warinternational.org/(616)530-1234
KENTWOOD, MICH. — Richard Clanton made a promise. A promise to follow through predecessor Richard Root’s term in the hopes of making Kentwood a better place through his eyes, and the eyes of the late Richard Root. A promise made and a promise kept.
Mayor Clanton took office Tuesday June 5, 2012, just four days before Root‘s passing after a long and exhausting battle with cancer.
“I decided I would offer myself up so as not to run against the other commissioners in the next election,” said Clanton with a look of remembrance in his eyes. His notion to not run for the 2013 mayoral term played a significant role in Root’s and his commissioner’s choosing of who to finish the term.
He recalled on the day of the request during his visit at Root’s home in Kentwood. Root hoped for a commissioner to take his place, a friend who he and the commissioners believed would finish his term in his absence. Clanton graciously accepted, setting aside his aspirations to run for the next term.
“I gave him my word,” said Clanton. “I’ve lived up to it, the city is in decent shape, and I think I’ve done my job well.”
According to the city’s official website, Kentwood is rated the fastest growing city in Michigan and 5th best city in the state.
Clanton worked on several projects in his 18-month term, including signing off on the Silver Line bus transit, but none as memorable as those involving hands-on work with the city’s residents.
With a smile on his face and a look of nostalgia, Clanton told the story of rebuilding Pinewood Park which was burnt down in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day in 2012. Dozens of residents volunteered to help rebuild, showing the city’s charitable colors in a time of need.
Of all his contributions, however, Clanton reminisces on the naming of the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch Public Library as one of his greatest projects.
“Getting the library named after Rick Root was a big thing,” said Clanton.
A promise made and a promise kept indeed.
Clanton spent nine years at Kentwood City Hall as mayor pro tempore before taking his term, assisting the mayor in any and all legislative and, sometimes, administrative duties for the commission. He spent four years as a member and CEO of the United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids and will be returning to the organization with anxious excitement.
Will you miss it? “A little bit,” said Clanton, “but I’m excited to return to UMCH.”
An election will be held in November with candidates Stephen Kepley and Sharon Brinks running for office. This is the first time an incumbent will not be taking over as mayor.
Clanton is considering running for a position in the state house or city council in 2016, but his time in city hall will not be forgotten.
He just announced his intentions to lead United Community Methodist House (UMCH) as its Chief Executive Officer full-time immediately following November 11th. “The opportunity to serve was a special and bittersweet one,” Clanton concluded.
by Susan Lamos When you hear the word soldier does it bring a vision to your mind? Do you have someone you call, “my soldier?” It might be your grandfather Chet, whose wrinkled voice on rare occasion will offer the story of crawling on his belly with General McArthur’s Army during WWII. He might tell of the blaring momenthe realized those buddies who flanked his body there in the dirt were gone forever.
Your soldier might be Dick, your father perhaps, who left his unopened college books to battle on hill 812 in Korea. He moves tall through his life, telling many he meets, “Dog Company, 2nd battalion, 5th regiment…1st Marine Division sir,” as he rubs at the phantom pain in an empty shirt sleeve.
Perhaps your eyes see his brother Bob who 10 years post Korea was driven to continue his brother’s service. This war is Viet Nam. As a Navy Corpsman he aided many wounded. Knowing after he came home that there were more bodies in the fields awaiting rescue, he returned for a valiant second tour…this time going closer from the pilot’s seat of an Army helicopter.
Is your soldier Steve, a 44 yr. old Marine, who served his country in the Middle East? His intelligence work took him through many heart wrenching years both in his conscious psyche and meditating soul. Steve walked out the front door of his California home one February night. All contact ceased.
You might find your soldier in the face of someone at a Veterans Day parade. He could be the one standing next to you, who has quietly slipped away from his family to pay tribute with fellow comrades. Many who line the streets come alone with their story marinating in their hearts. A wiped tear from a lone serviceman, a tight but treasured uniform worn in the cavalcade or an American Legion hat carefully donned by an amputee in a chair, they are all there.
On November 11th our country remembers, honors and pays homage to our men and women in uniform. Search for your personal reason to support our troops and leaders today. Find it in those around you, knowing their sacrifices continue to give us our freedoms. Try and understand their passion and love of “Old Glory,” as she passes by. To some who have traveled further from the agonies in their mind than to where the original battle was fought…that beautiful flag stands more than their own life…it represents yours.
West Michigan, please give a round of applause to Thomas Hillen. It isn’t every day that you meet someone as committed to their community as Kentwood’s Chief of Police. This November our community marks the first anniversary of Hillen stepping into the role of police chief. Only having held his position for a year, he has already made bounds toward the betterment of his city.
Grinning widely and speaking as earnestly and passionately as any public servant ever has, Hillen described to me his vision for the Kentwood area. “I believe in the broken window theory. Essentially, if there is one broken window in the neighborhood and you don’t fix it, then it becomes the norm.”
Under Hillen’s direction, the Kentwood Police Department has taken a proactive approach to code enforcement. The community has rallied around the attention being paid to the aesthetics of their neighborhoods. Hillen noted that when the public gets a chance to talk to a code enforcement officer, they often come prepared with questions and concerns. His interest goes beyond just community aesthetics, though. Hillen is personally invested in the health of Kentwood. In regards to diligently monitoring Kentwood, he said, “I don’t want to see my community slip.”
The thing is, this really is his community. Hillen and his four siblings grew up in Caledonia. He attended and graduated from Caledonia Public Schools. He, among multiple other colleges, attended Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University. He has taken ownership of his stomping grounds, and dedicated his life to protecting and serving the people who live there. But, although Hillen has devoted well many years to public service duties, including being the Deputy Sheriff of Kent, an accident reconstructionist, and being an emergency manager during a devastating windstorm in 2009. He’s quick to pass any accolade off onto his staff and the support given to him by the police departments in surrounding areas.
West Michigan, here is your hero. Many times fame and recognition are recognized as reliable measures of performance, but Police Chief Thomas Hillen has quietly been working for the public for over 30 years now, and his work has been nothing short of exceptional. Mr. Hillen, on behalf of Kentwood and West Michigan, Thank you so much. We look foward to seeing what the next year brings.
