Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Michigan’s Farm Garden, a reproduction of Lena Meijer’s home early in life near Lakeview, Michigan. The windmill is actually from that farm. (Supplied/Dean VanDis)
The legacy of the late Lena Meijer — community advocate, philanthropist and so much more — lives on in her family, in many ways in the Grand Rapids community, and, of course, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
And while Lena played a large role in the success of her family’s Midwest grocery super-center business, her life began on a humble farm near Lakeview, Michigan. And that humble beginning is on full, if slightly miniature, display at Meijer Gardens’ Michigan’s Farm Garden.
“She always spoke so lovingly of her upbringing and cherished that experience in her life,” David Hooker, President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, said WKTV.
Fred and Lena Meijer. (Supplied/undated)
Both Lena and her husband, late grocery entrepreneur Fred Meijer, grew up on farms. A daughter of German immigrants George and Mary Rader, Lena was born and raised on the farm her parents acquired after settling near Lakeview, while Fred’s family farm was located in Greenville.
Lena and Fred never lost the desire to share their knowledge and love of the land with their community.
“They wanted people to really understand that food comes from a farm, it doesn’t come from their grocery stores,” said Hooker.
Through this desire, the Michigan’s Farm Garden was born.
“The idea for creating Michigan’s Farm Garden was so people could understand what the farming life was like, especially in the era of the 1930s when they both grew up,” said Hooker. “The fact that they wanted to recreate that experience for people is a testament to how Lena felt about it.”
Milking cows, fresh carrots … and that windmill
At the Michigan’s Farm Garden, visitors can find a three-quarter scale replica of the farmhouse where Lena was born and raised, a barn, vegetable and flower gardens, animal pens, and bronze sculptures of farm animals scattered throughout. Patrons are invited to sit in rocking chairs on the wraparound porch, and visit and relax.
Fred and Lena Meijer at the dedication of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Michigan’s Farm Garden. (Supplied)
Another piece of Lena’s heritage she chose to share with the community is the windmill visitors see while visiting the Farm Garden. “That actual windmill came from her family’s farm,” Hooker said.
“She (Lena) learned at a very young age how to milk a cow and work the fields, and do everything that farmers do,” said Hooker.
One of Lena’s favorite stories involved milking cows. Hooker said Lena liked to joke about being so skilled at milking a cow that she could feed their cat at the same time.
“She could squirt the milk into the cat’s mouth from six feet away,” said Hooker.
Lena’s antics as a young farm girl didn’t end there.
One of the farm scene sculptures from the Michigan’s Farm Garden. The girl riding the pig, reportedly, is taken from Lena’s childhood. (Supplied/William J. Hebert)
“As a young girl, she’d ride the pigs,” Hooker said. “In fact, we have a sculpture of Lena as a little girl riding a pig out in Michigan’s Farm Garden. It’s classic.”
When it was mentioned that it seemed like Lena had some “spunk” in her personality, Hooker agreed — “Oh, she had a ton. Absolutely.”
Lena died at the age of 102 on Jan. 15. She will be buried beside her husband at Michigan’s Farm Garden, laid to rest in a place they both loved to visit in their twilight years.
“If it was the right time of year, they would pull a carrot right of the ground, wash it off, and they’d eat it,” said Hooker.
Children, learning and lots of beautiful plants
Lena’s love of gardening and plants is also revealed in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and, especially, the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden.
“(Lena) loved kids and loved the idea of a garden dedicated to children learning about gardening and learning about how life itself would not be possible without plants,” Hooker said.
Lena Meijer at the 2017 groundbreaking of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s expansion projects. (Supplied/Anthony Norkus Photography)
The Children’s Garden promotes interactive learning and the use of all five senses with various hands-on activities for children and their families.
“Meijer Gardens is a gift to all of us as a community,” said Hooker. “This is what Fred and Lena were interested in and they gave this to us as a gift. For this gift to mean anything, come on out and visit! It’s here for everyone to enjoy.”
For more information about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park visit meijergardens.org.
The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball is not just a one-man — or one family — show, but the first two names on the roster are senior Joey Riebel and sophomore Luke Riebel, and the Aviators are led by first-year head coach (and father) Austin Riebel.
And as the Aviators have jumped out to a 6-3-1 (with the 1 being a cancelation/postponement), and 3-0 in Alliance League play, it is clear that the family and friends plan may well be working to perfection.
“Both of the boys” are starters and key players, Coach Riebel said to WKTV. “Luke is our leading scorer right now, averaging about 15 (points) a game right now. He’s got a gift and the gift is he can really shoot the ball.”
Joey, “my oldest, is our point guard. He plays a ton. He makes us go. … He is our third leading scores … averages six assists a game and only three turnovers a game, which is great for us.”
First-year head coach Austin Riebel and his Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
But the team is more than just the Riebel boys, and coach Riebel was quick to mention junior 6-foot-6 big man Ethan Dyksterhouse. He is the team’s second leading scorer, averaging about 14 per game with nine rebounds per game. “He has great size inside.”
Coach Riebel also pointed out another big man in the Aviators rotation, 6-7 senior Jonas Bont, as well as senior Zakaria Mohamed, two of the team’s senior captains.
“Zakaria is a great shooter,” he said. “And Jonas does a lot of the intangible things for us … he is a great offensive rebounder.”
The other varsity players on the squad are seniors Eliot McNutt, Gabe Wade and Karsten Kotchenruther; juniors Nolen Sperring Heath Tamlyn and Ian Brown; and sophomore Braeden Mowry.
Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team, with head coach Austin Riebel, at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“They get along really well, we have a great group of guys,” coach Riebel said. “And we actually have a fourth senior captain, Hayden Leenheer. He kind of leads our reserve squad.”
Coach Riebel is assisted by coach Joey Saladino.
But there is not doubt that the Riebels are the heart of this seasons’ Aviators.
And while it is a great experience to coach his sons, coach Riebel says, it might not always be that way for for his sons/players.
“It is pretty special to coach, not one but two of my boys,” coach Riebel said, but “we talked about it ad nauseam even before I decided to do this. … There are definitely hard times, being the dad and the coach, but we worked thorough it.”
Coaching background
While coach Riebel is new to the West Michigan Aviation head coaching job, he is not new to the program or to coaching in West Michigan.
Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team, with head coach Austin Riebel, at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
He has 23 years of experience coaching high school basketball in West Michigan, including serving as assistant coach on the Aviators varsity team for the previous three years under Tyler Whitcomb, who left the program for an athletic director position.
The Aviators were 12-6 in the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, which ended with a playoff lost at Grand Rapids Christian.
“I have three sons playing basketball and, with two of them here, that’s why I came here” as an assistant coach, Riebel said. And now, (taking the Aviation Academy head coaching job) “is what works for me. … it just made sense.”
Before coming to the Ford Airport school, Riebel coached at Godwin Heights high, where he taught for 17 years, and spent 10 years in various coaching positions at Forest Hills Central, where he played prep ball and graduated.
He attended Hope College, played a little basketball there, and earned a degree. Now, he is vice-president of TrueSuccess — which, according to its website, “provides research-based educational tools that simultaneously equip kids with behavior and literacy skills that are essential to unleash potential” — and is in his second year as director of the West Michigan Lakers, an AAU travel boys basketball team.
The West Michigan Aviation Academy girls basketball team’s Jan. 19 home game against Holland Black River might be seen as a microcosm of the current struggles of a very young team with talent yet to take flight.
The Aviators, now 0-8 overall on the season (0-2 in Alliance League), played scrappy defense and were right in the game well into the second half before a few tough shots were made by the visiting Rats, a few easy shots were missed by the Aviators, and some missed opportunities from the foul line led to a 39-32 loss.
West Michigan Aviation Academy action during a game Jan. 19. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The good news is that 1st-year head coach Jasmine Hall has a plan for her young team — a combined JV/varsity team this season with only one senior (who was out ill against Black River), five juniors and eight underclassmen in uniform.
“This year we have eight freshman and sophomores, we are pretty young, and my idea here is to keep them together, to let them get the experience,” Hall said. “This way, next year, I hope to put my more developed players onto a varsity team and then get a JV team with a few returning players, more kids coming into the program and the freshmen coming up.”
And coach Hall has a reputation and avocation of “developing” young basketball talent.
After starting out on the basketball sidelines at Grand Rapids Central High School as a statistician, she has been an assistant coach at many levels. She coached youth and school teams, spent two years coaching at Davenport College (now University), and mot recently coached both basketball and track in Grand Rapids Public Schools.
She holds degrees from Davenport, including an MBA, and is currently head coach and owner of the West Michigan Elite Stars, a women’s development basketball team which will be playing under the WABA league.
West Michigan Aviation Academy 1st-year head coach Jasmine Hall, with Aviators freshman standout Sofia Vandenhoek (11) and junior leader Caden Schifini (10) during a timeout of a game Jan. 19. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
A few of Hall’s current Aviator players are already making their mark on the Hall’s team, and setting themselves up as players to build a program around.
“Over the next couple, three years, one of them is definitely going to be Sofia (Vandenhoek, a freshman), she’s an all-around athlete — she’s six feet tall, she can shoot the ball, she can play inside and outside,” Hall said. “I have high expectations for her.”
Another freshman coach Hall is looking forward to developing is Lucy Lawrence — “She is a great ball handler.” And coach sees the ability of one or more of her juniors to step up and be team leaders in their senior years; they include Alondra Herrera, Ava Bazuin, Audrey Mileski, Caden Schifini and Addison Turk.
The only senior in the program is Kendal Springborn. The other sophomores and freshmen are Alayna Atkinson, Presley David, Amber Hilbrands, Meredith Jarchow, Abbie Ruis and Abigail Toonder. Coach Hall is assisted by Marco Vogel.
As the outgoing chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners looked back on a list of the county’s 2021 accomplishments — not the least of which was being a key partner in the West Michigan’s efforts to battle the pandemic — the board selected new leaders to begin 2022.
The Board of Commissioners unanimously selected Stan Stek (District 6) as chair and Emily Brieve (District 10) as vice-chair during a Monday, Jan. 3, organizational meeting. Stek, who had served as vice-chair, takes over as chair from Mandy Bolter.
As incoming vice-chair, Brieve will lead the Legislative and Human Services Committee. Commissioner Diane Jones (District 4) will continue to serve in her role as chair of the Finance and Physical Resources Committee.
Kent County Board of Commissioner Chair Stan Stek. (Supplied)
“It is truly an honor to be chosen to lead this Board,” Stek said in supply material. “I look forward to working together to maintain our strong fiscal position, improve residents’ quality of life, enhance the overall delivery of services, and ensure continued economic growth for the region.”
And, in a statement from the county detailing some of the board’s 2021 accomplishments, the wide-ranging duties and efforts of the county board were detailed.
Financially, the board late last year approved a balanced 2022 budget of $527 million, including $454.8 million for operating expenditures, of which $16.7 million will be capital improvements. It also maintained maintained its dual AAA bond rating from S&P Global and Moody’s Investors Service — for the 23rd consecutive year.
The county also was a key player in the local effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to distribute federal funds meant to do the same.
The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, created in response to the need to vaccinate as many people as possible, saw Kent County, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and Spectrum Health develop one of the largest vaccination clinics in the country at DeVos Place — with more than 231,000 COVID-19 vaccinations administered between January and May 2021.
In addition, the county Health Department added three new mobile health units in 2021. These self- contained mobile health facilities have been used extensively to target vulnerable populations in the administration of COVID-19 and other vaccinations, HIV testing, and community outreach. To date, more than 1,000 county residents have received COVID-19 vaccinations at clinics supported by these units, according to supplied material.
Kent County Commissioner Mandy Bolter. (Supplied)
“Despite the various pressures placed on public services this past year, our Board and staff were dedicated to continuing to provide excellent service to our community,” Bolter said in supplied material. “While we continued to meet the challenges of the pandemic, we also maintained a strong focus on meeting the needs of continued economic growth.”
Other stated accomplishments, according to the county statement, included expansion and bonding of The Gerald R. Ford International Airport; the hiring of the county’s first Chief Inclusion Officer “to underscore our commitment to fully embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our strategic priorities and service delivery”; and establishing three new “issue-focused” subcommittees (Broadband, Judicial Resources and Veterans Millage Review).
The county also funded county Sheriff’s Office cruiser and deputy body cameras, and secured an expansion of the Chief Hazy Cloud Park into a 395-acre natural preserve along the Grand River and allow for future trail expansion to connect multiple communities.
Incoming leadership has long local history
Stek, whose District 6 includes the city of Walker and part of the city of Grand Rapids, was first elected to the commission in 2014. He is an attorney at Miller Canfield and, according to supplied material, has a long history of serving his community on various boards and committees.
Among his current and past work is serving on the Crisis Center Task Force, Dedicated Millage Committee, Kent County Community Action Board, Kent County Workforce Development Board, Lakeshore Regional Entity, Millennium Park Advisory Board, Michigan Works!, Network 180, Senior Millage Allocation Board, Substance Use Disorder Oversight Board, and Walker Citizens Advisory Committee.
Kent County Board of Commissioners vice-chair Emily Brieve. (Supplied)
Brieve, whose District 10 includes Gaines Township and part of Caledonia Township, has served in the board since 2014. She works for her family’s small business, FastoolNow.com.
She currently chairs the Board of Public Works and Community Health Advisory committees and is a member of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, Grand Rapids Public Museum, and West Michigan Sports Commission.
The cities of Kentwood and Wyoming are represented on the county board by Stan Ponstein (District 7), Dan Burrill (District 8), Matt Kallman (District 9), Monica Sparks (District 12), and Michelle McCloud (District 13). For complete information on the members of the board, and the areas they represent, visit here.
“We have a strong Board and an incredible community, and we are committed to supporting the prosperity of our businesses and residents,” Stek said. “We look forward to tackling the challenges ahead with fiscal responsibility, innovation, and collaboration.”
It is unclear if letter jackets are still in style at high schools but, if they are, East Kentwood High School’s top esports players earned their letters recently as the Falcons won the Esports State Championship in League of Legends at Eastern Michigan University, beating Northville High School.
The title is the latest success story for the school’s new esports teams and players, who compete in the emerging competitions of electronic sports, also called competitive video gaming. Some of the games they compete in include Super Smash Bros, League of Legends, Valorant, Fortnite, and Rocket League.
State esports title team from East Kentwood High School League of Legends team, from left, are Kha Di Le, Andrew Hua, Tony Truong, Jacob Le, Anna Ngo and Brandon Le . (Supplied)
The early December League of Legends matches were streamed on Twitch by PlayVS, with professional “shoutcasters” calling out the games.
East Kentwood’s League of Legends team members include Kha Di Le, Andrew Hua, Tony Truong, Jacob Le, Anna Ngo and Brandon Le.
The League of Legends team are the top players in the school, but coach Bill Dixon told WKTV that he and his fellow coaches expect as many as 100 students to compete at some level this school year.
“Only one of these kids is in athletics, so for the rest, Esports gives them an opportunity to connect with their school with something other than academics,” Dixon said.
A history of support and success
“Esports started for East Kentwood High School about 4 years ago,” Dixon said. “A group of four teachers and administrators (Dixon, Justin Michalowski, Chad Songer and Geoff Westman) decided to offer this opportunity to our students. The rationale was there is an underserved student population that needed an outlet to compete for their school outside of the traditional athletic model.
“We wanted to keep the important elements of athletics: eligibility standards, practices, team building and try outs. What separates Esports from traditional sports is that 90 percent of our student population are playing these games and have a chance to participate.”
The East Kentwood High School esports team, at right, in action. (Supplied)
The school’s esports program has produced back-to-back championships in both Valorant and League of Legends levels, and compete in state leagues such as PlayVS, Michigan High School Esports Federation (MIHSEF) and Michigan High School Esports League (MHSEL).
“We have several Kentwood graduates that are competing at the collegiate level at schools like Michigan State (University), University of Michigan, and Grand Valley (State University),” Dixon said.
And, Dixon said in a previous announcement, at the recent League of Legends event, “I was also approached by three different college Esports coaches (Grand Valley, Oakland University and Davenport) that are trying to recruit our kids, offering scholarships.”
Dixon added that the East Kentwood program was “fortunate early on to get support, funding and vision from our principal, Omar Bakri.”
Since it’s beginning, the team has competed in more than 10 different competitions, “sometimes on a national/online format and sometimes with in person competitions,” he said. And East Kentwood has also hosted five events bringing in over a dozen different local high schools.
Bringing home the hardware — State esports title team from East Kentwood High School League of Legends team show off their medals. (Supplied)
“We’ve been fortunate to have excellent teams of great, committed students who have produced back to back championships in both Valorant and League of Legends,” Dixon said.
The East Kentwood program, in cooperation with the West Michigan Sports Commission, also helped run the “Rift Clash”, a League of Legends tournament, which was held live locally in 2019 and online in 2020. That tournament had 15 colleges and 1 high school — the host Falcons — competing. East Kentwood was able to beat several colleges and advanced to the semi-finals in 2020, before falling to MSU, the eventual winner of the tournament.
That team roster included Anna Ngo, Terry Pham, Ben Pham, Daniel Nguyen, Tony Truong and Scott Luu.
The is no denying Wyoming Lee High School boys basketball team’s first-year head coach Dominic Shannon and his coaching staff have work in front of them to lead the Legends program out of some tough days.
But he has youth and talent on his side, both on and off the court. And he has his thin varsity team and still-building program buying into what he is teaching on and off the court.
“This program has been under construction for the past so many years, and just looking at the banners (on the gym wall) there has not been much activity. … we do have a lot of work to do,” Shannon said to WKTV at a recent practice. “But, at the same time, that is motivating us.”
What is also motivating the team is the communication, the trust, that is developing between a young team and a young coaching staff — Shannon is 35 years old and top assistant Landon Mitchner is 38.
“With us being younger, the relatability is there. The conversation is there. There is trust there,” Shannon said. “That is a buy-in strategy for coaches … they will understand the importance of what we say. I think our ages are a huge factor here.”
Another factor working in the favor of the Legends (or “Leyendas” in Spanish, a dominate second language in the district) is that while the varsity team is thin, with seven or eight players depending on injuries, there is talent on varsity and on the larger JV team.
And there, too, much of it is young.
Wyoming Lee High School boys basketball head coach Dominic Shannon at a team practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“We have a very low count this year, but instead of discouraging us it has been pushing us,” Shannon said “We have some young talent”, specifically senior captain Dominic Burrell, junior Keontae Taylor and freshman Troy Fox — who was also named captain of the team.
Taylor is “the most athletic kid I have coached so far. … He is our fuel to the engine. … He is offensively gifted … When he goes, the team goes. … Honestly, I think he is an all state caliber talent.”
Burrell is a big man, with a rebounder’s body and a way with words — “His presence on the defensive end has been felt in all three games. He’s been an anchor for us. Communicating, making sure guys are in the right place. And he is a rebounding machine.”
And Fox is “a very young floor general. He’s a freshman but he is also very physical, we love his presence on the defense.”
“When those three guys are firing on all cylinders, we will be competitive.”
And the leadership the three bring is in practice as well as in games.
“We are raw on the edges but at the same time we have been growing with this leadership that has been flowing through the team,” Shannon said. “These young men set the table every single day in practice. They embody everything we are asking of the student athlete in regards to the classroom, being a leader, and they are also carrying it over, using their voice on the court.”
The team is only three games into Shannon’s leadership, but after a 0-4 record last year in a pandemic-ravaged season and a 4-17 record the year before, the Legends (1-2 overall) gained their first win of the young season just before the holiday break — 55-48 at Wellspring Prep.
The Legends will return to action Jan. 4, at home against Holton, and are playing a partial independent and partial Alliance League schedule (the league the school is moving to). Lee will also be the WKTV Featured game Friday, Feb. 18, as part of a girls and boys doubleheader against Byron Center Zion Christian (also Hall of Fame night).
“The win before break, I think it is good for the program,” Shannon said. “That win, the energy it generated, has carried over to practice.”
Coach Shannon: player, coach, mentor
Coach Shannon’s journey to Lee is really a return to Grand Rapids.
He graduated from East Kentwood High School in the early 2000s, and in 2010 he graduated from Saginaw Valley State University, where he played one year of college basketball.
He was a graduate assistant at Salem University and has coaching experience at the high school level, two years at Saranac and one as a varsity assistant at Forest Hills Central.
In addition to his coaching gig at Lee, Shannon is program director of All-In Sports, a sports training program with travel basketball teams.
And his background, Shannon said, made him understand that leading the Legends program is more than simply what happens on the court.
“The main thing, outside of the Xs and Os, outside the game, we want to make sure we are feeding the young man, preparing them for real life,” Shannon said of his and his assistant’s work. “The basketball, the Xs and Os, competing, that is what we are here for. (But) the main component of this basketball team, for me and my coaches, is making sure that we are challenging these young men to be better young men every single day.”
While launching a new restaurant in the middle of a worldwide pandemic may seem daunting, in West Michigan and really anywhere, Condado Tacos location on Bridge Street in Grand Rapids proved it could be done, and done in an artful way.
Like its menu, which they say is “adaptable to every diet,” Condado Tacos just had to be adaptable to Grand Rapids ever-shifting pandemic landscape — and health regulations. But Condado Tacos opening in February of 2021, during one of the pandemic’s surges, did present unique challenges for staff as they worked to get boots on the ground in West Michigan.
Tina Femeyer, general manager of the Condado Tacos Grand Rapids location, looked back on the restaurant’s first year and told WKTV that she was originally supposed to begin work the week of the Michigan statewide shut down in early 2020.
Tina Femeyer, local general manager of Condado Tacos. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
“Everything got pushed back 6 to 8 weeks,” Femeyer said. “I ended up training in the Royal Oak location for four months, but they were only doing carry-out. I had to completely re-train for dine-in once things opened back up.”
Founded in 2014, Condado Tacos currently has 20 locations in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan. But they were committed to Grand Rapids.
“We were not certain if we were going to open at that time,” Karen Reed, Director of Off Premise Sales, said to WKTV. “There were some slight delays on parts (supply chain issues) and acquiring and confirming our liquor license were the two most challenging issues. Also, making certain we were in the position to combat and prevent COVID from spreading in the restaurant on a regular basis…It was a matter of doing whatever it would take, with a great commitment from our staff.”
And getting that staff together was high on the priority list.
Femeyer eventually moved to Grand Rapids in November of 2020 and began conducting in-person interviews.
One of the initial hires at Candado Tacos, Kentwood bartender Dan Voetberg, behind the bar. (Supplied)
“We knew we were opening at only fifty percent capacity but planned to hire full staff,” said Femeyer.
Conducting interviews while masked and socially distanced was a new experience for the general manager, but Femeyer said the process went smoothly.
Advance marketing and the use of the Indeed employment website for recruiting helped potential employees be aware of Condado Tacos and their entrance into the market.
“It appeared we had a bit of a following even prior to opening,” said Reed.
Condado Tacos art. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
Condado Tacos art. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
Condado Tacos art. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
Condado Tacos art. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
Condado Tacos art. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
The art of tacos, and a taco restaurant
As Condado Tacos planned its opening, also in the plans was showcasing local artists.
When asked what prompted the decision to make art a main feature of Condado, Femeyer said that it was always a vision of original founder Joe Kahn, and other executives of the corporation, to ensure art was a key component of each Condado store.
“The art ties back to the local community, creating a unique space that speaks to what the city is about while being consistent with menu and service,” said Femeyer. “Art is the backbone of what they (corporate) wanted to make each space.”
Femeyer also revealed that the art is the most time-sensitive part of the construction process, often beginning before heat, air conditioning, or plumbing are completed.
“They (the artists) truly are a part of the construction team,” Femeyer said. “They work all hours of the day and night after drywall is in place.”
While each store features artwork distinctive to the city’s artists, diners can also look for a variation of a gnome and ghost chilies at each location, creating a link of unity between each store.
Condado Tacos on Bridge Street in Grand Rapids. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
Condado Tacos is now at full capacity, though they do offer a patio with heaters for comfort, and also heaters stationed near the entrance to the restaurant in case people would like to enjoy a cocktail or wait for a table in a less populated space.
Condado’s success in Grand Rapids comes down to two things, Femeyer said.
“Great staff. They have all been unbelievably gracious and understanding that many things were out of our (management’s) control during opening. They were very adaptable.” Femeyer said. “I think the space really speaks to how people want to dine. They want a more light-hearted, ‘come as you are’ feel, which Condado Taco speaks to. It speaks to people of all walks of life.”
But Reed added that it doesn’t end there. “Our goal each shift and every day at our Grand Rapids Condado Tacos and all of our locations, is to be very consistent in our execution along with a focus on continual improvement daily.”
Grand Rapids will not be the last Michigan location for Condado Tacos. With three locations already open in the Detroit area at the time of the Bridge Street launch, Femeyer says Condado intends to continue expanding in Michigan, with plans already in place to open a store in Ann Arbor in early 2022.
The Rev. Khary Bridgewater and Kent County Chief Inclusion Officer Teresa Branson, at left, led the Monday, Dec. 20, “Prayer Service for Health Care Workers” and pandemic awareness gathering. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic seriously impacts the lives of all Kent County residents regardless of race, ethnicity and faith — although current statistics make clear it impacts the unvaccinated to a more serious degree.
It is not surprising, therefore, that speakers at a Monday, Dec. 20, “Prayer Service for Health Care Workers”, attended by county clergy, the leaders of local hospital networks, and Kent County officials, stressed three things: appreciation to frontline healthcare, the non-discriminatory nature of the virus, and the need to get vaccinated as an individual’s part in keeping themselves and their neighbors safe.
The prayer service was led by several local clergy. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“One of the realities that we are seeing — and I just came off the hospital floor — is the fact that there is not sector or section of this community that is not being affected by COVID,” Rev. Khary Bridgewater said to WKTV at the gathering at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s downtown Grand Rapids. “Young. Old. Regardless of ethnicity. Regardless of creed … We are all in the same boat. We are all dealing with the same impact.
“Everyone is having the same sort of regrets as they struggle with this virus, particularly those at the end of life and they realize this was an avoidable situation. It doesn’t matter who you were when you get to a hospital bed. We are working very hard with every member of our community to stress the simple truth that COVID is dangerous.”
The gathering and prayer service was led by the Kent County Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team, formerly known as the Kent County COVID-19 Task Force). The gathering’s stated goal was to “stand with our front-line medical workers, hospital staff and public health officials, as well as their families, who are sacrificing daily to provide the care that our community needs.”
Leading the gathering was Rev. Bridgewater, facilitator of the Kent County Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team, and by his side was Teresa Branson, Kent County Chief Inclusion Officer, who as been a leader of the group since its inception. The pandemic-aware gathering was limited to local media, a few other people, and several persons remaining in their cars in the parking lot location.
The gathering also highlighted numerous churches and faith-based organizations “coming together to raise community awareness of the current situation in our hospitals; issue a public statement of commitment; and pray and bless our health care personnel and their families.”
Among the local medical leaders present were Dr. Matt Biersack, president of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s; Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, president of Spectrum Health; Kent Riddle, CEO of Mary Free Bed; and Dr. Ronald Grifka, chief medical officer of University of Michigan Health-West.
“In this season of hope, when so many workers turn to their home, their families, their traditions, remember many healthcare workers will be working around the clock taking care of their patients,” Grifka said to the gathering. “That selfless spirt embodies what we celebrate this time of the year. I ask that no matter what your beliefs, please keep our healthcare workers in your hearts.”
At a Monday, Dec. 20, “Prayer Service for Health Care Workers”, Kent County clergy, leaders of local hospital networks, and county officials gathered. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Kent County Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team, according to supplied information, is a group of faith-based and non-profit community leaders that have partnered with the Kent County Health Department and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office.
“Together, they have reduced the spread of COVID-19, provided space for church vaccination clinics and informed the community about the vaccine,” according to the supplied information. But in doing so, thy have also heard “the concerns of our hospitals who are beyond capacity and our health care professionals who are weary and overburdened.”
In response to the current pandemic situation, faith leaders from across the city and the county also pledged to eliminate all non-essential, indoor gatherings; restrict essential gatherings to less than 50 people per 2,000 square feet; require all attendees at indoor gatherings to wear a mask and abide by social distancing and COVID-19 hygiene; and — maybe most importantly — to encourage all members of our community to get COVID-19 vaccination and any appropriate booster shots.
John Irwin helps a student at the Y’s Safety Around Water program. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Upon retiring as the West Michigan region president for Huntington Bank, John Irwin traded in his business suit for a different kind of suit, swimming trunks. His boardroom is now a swimming pool and instead of talking about financial security, he is now discussing water safety.
“I knew with retirement that I wanted to give back to my community,” said Irwin, who is a triathlete having completed more than 80 events in the past 20-plus years. “I knew I wanted to do something more on a one-to-one basis versus being on a board.”
Being a member at the David D. Hunting YMCA in downtown Grand Rapids, Irwin was aware of the many programs being offered at the Y, such as the water safety program.
“I basically sent an email and said ‘I don’t want to run the program. I don’t want to get paid.’ I just wanted to volunteer,” Irwin said. “I think Becky was like ‘You’re my type of person.’ That is how easy it was.”
Becky Haveman, the YMCA association aquatics and safety director, gives out a little laugh.
“John sent me an email with his story and I said we should talk,” Haveman said, adding that the Y has had volunteers in the past help with the water safety instruction. “It is not unusual for us to have 14- and 15-year-olds looking to eventually teach.”
Irwin went through training with the Y staff, watched classes and in September was set up with his own class of about a dozen six-year-olds who have never been near the water.
John Irwin. a retiring Huntington Bank executive, with his first Safety Around Water class. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Jumping in
“You see them now and you think I am their best friend,” Irwin said after just completing a short class demonstration. “It didn’t start off that way. Many of them would not even get in the water, much less near it.”
In Michigan, on average, a person is only about six miles away from natural water, Haveman said. Because of that, the YMCA offers a number of water safety and swimming classes. In fact, these classes are one of the most popular programs at the Y, with the organization teaching more than a million such classes nationwide.
“The water safety class is designed to teach the students that if they fall in the water or see someone fall in, they know what to do,” Haveman said.
There is the “jump, turn, grab” technique where students are guided on learning how to turn and grab onto the side or something if they fall into the water, Haveman said. There is also the “swim, float, swim” technique that if a student is swimming and gets tired, they roll over on their back and float for a while to rest and then resume swimming, she said.
After demonstrating a technique, Irwin asked “OK, who’s going into the water?” A few hands shot up right away and Irwin takes each child, one at a time, until he gets to a little red-headed boy who with a pouty face, shakes his head no.
“You don’t want to do it today?” Irwin asks with a smile. The boy again shakes his head no. “That’s OK. I know. You don’t like to jump in the water.”
Volunteering for the swimming program seemed like a natural fit for Irwin because of his triathlon experience. Irwin also got his level one swim coach certification.
John Irwin with the Y’s aquatics and safety director, Becky Haveman (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
“I am hoping that now I am retired, they plan on using me a little more,” Irwin said. Havman gives a quick head shake yes.
Irwin also is sharing his story in hopes of encouraging others to follow in his path.
“When people look at the Y, they see the buildings but they don’t think about all the great programs that they offer that are inside the buildings,” Irwin said. “I would encourage people to reach out to the Y, or any organization they want, and take what they love and see how they can use that talent to give back.”
Who knows, you might end up trading your suit for a pair of gloves and a garden or maybe some shorts and a gym, or, perhaps like Irwin, a pair of swim trunks and a pool.
Like to join the fun? The Y will be hosting training classes for would-be lifeguards. The four-day trainings are Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30. Lifeguards must be at least 16, and while most are high school and college students, theranks are made up of professionals, retirees, and stay-at-home moms. For more information, visit grymca.org/events/lifeguard-training-class. For the Safety Around Water program, visit grymca.org/news/water-safety-y.
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), with a little bit of holiday lights lit, is the home of West Michigan’s Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew King, serving active duty in the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Navy)
In peacetime and in wartime, American serviceman and women often spend their Christmas Holidays far away from home but allowing those from their hometowns to enjoy the season safe and secure.
The U.S. Navy recently sent WKTV information on two such U.S. Navy personal from West Michigan, including their well wishes for family, friends and everybody they serve yet do not know.
Sailors help maintain America’s strategic advantage at sea, everyday, including the holidays. This means they do not always get to celebrate holidays with their loved ones.
U.S. Navy Seaman Breana Leonard. (U.S. Navy)
Seaman Breana Leonard, a Hastings native serving overseas will celebrate the holidays with shipmates in Guam.
“The holidays are a time to take a break and enjoy time with friends and family,” Seaman Leonard said in supplied material. And she wants to make sure her family back home know that they are loved and missed.
“Thank you for standing by me,” Leonard said. “I love you and I miss you all.”
Leonard serves as a gunner’s mate aboard USS Emory S. Land. As a member of the U.S. Navy, Leonard, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of “a tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance,” according to the U.S. Navy announcement.
“Serving in the Navy means that I’m setting myself up for success in the future,” added Leonard.
Leonard’s brother in arms, Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew King, a Grand Rapids native, will celebrate the holidays volunteering for Catholic services at the base chapel in Yokosuka, Japan.
But he remembers a special memory from a holiday past.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew King. (U.S. Navy)
“For me, the holidays represent birth and new beginnings,” Petty Officer King said in supplied material. “When I was 13, my house burnt down in the fall and when the holidays came a secret benefactor donated a home to my family. If you’re reading this, thank you!”
King, too, wants family back home to know they are missed this holiday season.
“I hope everyone back home has a merry Christmas,” King said. “Despite being in Japan, the Christmas spirit spans worldwide. I would also like to thank the students and staff of Meadowbrook Elementary School for sending us care packages.”
King serves as an intelligence specialist aboard USS Ronald Reagan.
“The Navy is about maintaining peace — especially for the holiday season,” King said. “That is all I could ask for.”
Stephanie Fox, of the Navy Office of Community Outreach, contributed to this story.
Kentwood Police Captain Stephanie Morningstar was with family as she was promoted from sergeant to the department’s first female captain in 2018. Now she is the department’s first deputy chief. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The leadership change at the City of Kentwood Police Department continues as, following last week’s appointment of Chief Bryan Litwin to replace retired Chief Richard Roberts, the City of Kentwood announced Dec. 15 that Captain Stephanie Morningstar has been promoted to deputy police chief.
Deputy Chief Morningstar previously was a captain in the Kentwood Police Department’s Services Division. Chief Litwin had previously been deputy chief.
As deputy chief, Morningstar is responsible for assisting with the planning, coordination and management of the city’s police, code enforcement and traffic engineering functions and staff, according to the announcement.
“Deputy Chief Morningstar brings exceptional leadership, communication and strategic planning skills as well as more than 20 years of experience with the Kentwood Police Department to her new role,” Chief Litwin said in supplied material. “Her expertise in the department’s investigative, patrol and training efforts will be invaluable as we continue to focus on reducing serious crime, increasing traffic safety and serving the community with excellence.”
Kentwood Police Department Deputy Chief Stephanie Morningstar. (Supplied)
Morningstar started her career in Canton Township before coming to Kentwood in 2000. She served as a patrol officer, general case detective, patrol sergeant and detective sergeant before becoming the department’s first female captain in 2018.
As the former captain of the Services Division, Morningstar oversaw the Detective Bureau, Special Investigations Unit and Records Bureau, as well as the city Justice Center’spolice and court building maintenance, operations and security. Additionally, she has provided guidance and instruction at major crime scenes and conducted complaint investigations to ensure quality customer service.
“I am honored to be deputy chief of the Kentwood Police Department and serve our community in this role,” Morningstar said in supplied material. “I look forward to continuing our efforts to deliver professional police services and partnering with residents and other community members to make sure Kentwood is a wonderful place for everyone.”
During her tenure with the City of Kentwood, Morningstar has taught precision emergency vehicle response driving to police academy recruits at Grand Rapids Community College since 2007. She also developed and presented lectures on death investigations at the Grand Valley State University Police Academy from 2014-18.
Morningstar serves on several specialized units, including the Kent County Child Death Review Board, Sexual Assault Response Team, Adult Mobile Crisis Unit and Human Trafficking Coalition Coordinated Response Team. She is also a Kentwood District Court Sobriety Court advisor.
Morningstar has completed numerous trainings in different types of interviewing, interrogations and investigations, according to the city’s announcement, as well as critical incident stress management and peer support. She has also completed leadership programs through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and Grand Rapids Police Department Leadership Institute.
Morningstar graduated from Grand Valley State University and GVSU Police Academy in 1996 with a degree in criminal justice.
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, after selecting Dr. Mike Burde, currently Assistant Superintendent at Kenowa Hills Public Schools, to be the next GLPS superintendent last month, the school board approved his contract at its meeting Monday, Dec. 13.
Superintendent Burde’s first day on the job will be Jan. 3. And a long list of “exciting “ work awaits him.
Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Burde. (Supplied)
“It’s an honor to be selected as the next superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools,” Burde said to WKTV. “I am eager to get started in listening, learning, and building relationships in the schools and in the community. With bond construction projects scaling up, new curriculum programs, and forward-thinking continuous improvement efforts, it’s an exciting time to be a Legend!”
Burde will work with Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer as he transitions out of this role.
The Board, in a previous statement, said it was “especially thankful for Mr. Weeldreyer’s leadership” since the beginning of the school year.
“We have been fortunate to have the time to conduct a thorough search, and it has been time well spent,” GLPS board President Eric Mockerman said in the statement.
Mockerman also told WKTV he and the district is excited to have Burde take over in the new year.
“I am excited to get to work with Dr. Burde. He comes to us with a wealth of experience that I believe will lead Godfrey-Lee well into the future,” Mockerman said. “While we were going through the interview process the board was impressed by Dr. Burde’s experience as well as the thoroughness that he had planned for his first 90 days.
“I spoke personally with several of Mike’s references through the hiring process and I also had the opportunity to speak to several of his current board members who backed up 100 percent what was told to me by his references. Mike … is more than ready to hit the ground running with all of the work that needs to be done. I think he is an excellent fit for Godfrey-Lee.”
Superintendent Burde, according to a biography on the Kenowa Hills Public Schools website, become the district’s assistant superintendent in 2012. Since then, “he has supported the district’s implementation of building and district improvement plans that support student-centered education; which the district calls Personal Mastery. Dr. Burde has also been an active advocate for the K-12 instructional technology; assisting in the planning and implementation of district’s ongoing 1:1 technology initiative. In addition, he’s worked to develop strong partnerships with organizations such as KnowledgeWorks, the Michigan Department of Education, and the Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists (MASFPS).”
He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Spring Arbor University, Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University, as well as a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.
For 15 years, Dr. Burde has been involved in public school administration at the elementary, secondary, and central office levels. He began his professional career at Ionia Public Schools, where he served as a middle school social studies teacher before taking on various leadership responsibilities at Belding Areas Schools.
Burde and his wife, Jacqlyn, have two children: Katherine and Marilyn.
The City of Kentwood announced this week that after action by the City Commission on Tuesday, Dec. 7, Deputy Chief Bryan Litwin will be the next Chief of the Kentwood Police Department.
As chief, Litwin will lead a team of nearly 95 personnel, including 71 sworn police officers. And, according to the city announcement, “he will continue the department’s efforts to recruit and hire individuals who are representative of Kentwood’s diverse community, collaborate with other City departments to support community safety and engagement efforts and work to enhance quality of life.”
Additionally, he will continue to provide “the best training and equipment possible for members of the police department,” and will also oversee the department’s goal of obtaining state accreditation in 2023 through a “continued commitment to following state and national best policing practices and procedures.”
“Throughout Deputy Chief Litwin’s 22-plus years of service to the City of Kentwood, he has played an integral role in the department’s service, recruitment and training efforts,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “I have no doubt the department will continue to provide excellent service to our community as has been provided by our department under the leadership of the chiefs before him.
“I look forward to the future accomplishments the department will achieve under Chief Litwin’s leadership and direction.”
Litwin joined the Kentwood Police Department in 1999 as a patrol officer. He has also served as a field training officer, community services officer, Staff Services Bureau officer, special response team member and team commander.
The Kentwood Justice Center which houses 62-B District Court and the Kentwood Police Department. (WKTV)
He was promoted to sergeant in 2012, captain in 2016 and then to deputy police chief in 2019. As captain, he managed the Professional Standards Division, served as the public information officer and oversaw the police cadet program, which recruits and develops future police officers.
“It will be an honor to serve as police chief and continue to work alongside the dedicated professionals of this outstanding department,” Litwin said in supplied material. “We will continue to commit ourselves to serving the community with excellence with a high emphasis on community engagement, transparency and accountability.”
During his tenure with the City of Kentwood, Litwin has taught ethics in law enforcement to police academy recruits at Grand Valley State University and led GVSU’s Police Academy Subject Control program. He served as chair of the department’s training committee from 2016-19. Litwin has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from GVSU.
Litwin also helped implement the City’s first Youth Police Academy, which gives high school students and recent high school graduates hands-on experience in a variety of police-related tasks.
Litwin has completed numerous trainings, including leadership programs through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and Grand Rapids Police Department Leadership Institute.
Litwin serves as chairman of the GVSU Police Academy Advisory Board and Kent Career Technical Center Law Enforcement Advisory Board. He also has served as president of the West Michigan Tactical Officers Association.
“Deputy Chief Litwin has long been an integral part of our leadership team, demonstrating steadfast dedication to the department, profession and service to our residents,” retiring Chief Roberts said in supplied material. “With the leadership, communication and strategic planning skills he has illustrated during his career, I have complete confidence he will continue to provide exemplary leadership and fulfill the department’s mission.”
Robert Roelofs may be new the boys varsity head coaching position at East Kentwood High School, but he is no stranger to the boys program, having served as the junior varsity coach since 2015, and no stranger to Falcons basketball fans having led the girls varsity team in the early 2000s.
So he knows the school, he knows the fan base and, maybe most importantly, he knows the players on the varsity squad having coached many of them earlier. All of those things, plus a more normal off-season for the program, should help the Falcons rebound from a rough 2020-21 season.
“Obviously you have a pretty good idea of their skill sets, their strengths and weaknesses,” Roelofs said to WKTV as his varsity (and junior varsity) teams practiced recently. “It’s pretty advantageous for me to know the kids … I know them and they know me.”
Roelofs takes over the men’s program from Jeff Anama. The Falcons were 3-12 in last year’s pandemic impacted 2020-21 season.
The team opens its season Saturday, Dec. 11 vs. Lansing Sexton at Battle of I-96 at Ottawa Hills High School.
East Kentwood High School varsity boys basketball head coach Robert Roelofs at a varsity and junior varsity practice Dec. 3. (WKTV)
“We lost four starters from last year’s team, the one starter back is Marshaun Flakes,” Roelofs said. “He started for us as a sophomore, he played for me as a freshman on the JV team … very good basketball savvy. Competitor. Long, athletic kid.”
“We have a couple returning kids. Timmy (Leutrim) Sahitolli. Jack Scrimshaw, who played limited minutes last year. Timmy never played for me, but Jack played for me as a sophomore and had a good year. (Scrimshaw is a) good shooter, long kid. Timmy is kind of a workhorse, strong kid.”
“We have some kids from last year’s JV team,” Roelofs added. “Razah Townsend, 6-(foot)-3, about 225 (pounds) and strong, a linebacker type kid. We will look to him for some production in the post. Some guards who are coming through. Feng Logan, he played a little bit on the varsity, athletic, a quick guard.”
New coach has history of success
Roelofs is a graduate of Creston High School, and later Aquinas College. (He also has higher degrees from Central Michigan and Grand Valley State universities.)
He coached at West Catholic and Ravenna high schools in the 1980s, then was at Northview in the 1990s, where he had success with first the varsity girls and then the varsity boys teams.
He has been a social studies teacher and coach at East Kentwood since 1997, where he led the girls varsity team from 1999-2004, when his Falcons went 80-33 and made a trip to the final four one season. He got back onto the Falcons sideline again when he took over the junior varsity team in 2015.
Having run the East Kentwood girls varsity team for five years, and the varsity boys and girls programs at Northview, Roelofs experience in running a “program” and not just running a team will also help his transition to varsity this year.
“There is a lot of administrative things that you are responsible for when you are the head coach. It’s one of the things that has come back into my mind here, the last two weeks,” he said. “Young coaches ask that questions all the time — they are pretty good at the ‘Xs’ and ‘Os’ stuff but they do not understand the administrative stuff. Transportation, schedules, parent communication. All that stuff that goes on in the periphery that you are not really tuned into as a JV coach. It is a huge advantage.”
And is there any difference in coaching girls and boys basketball? Maybe just a little.
“The game is the same — it is organically the same game, right?” he said. “But from a standpoint of motivational techniques, there is definitely some changes (to the boys game). Some of them you have pat on the back and some of them you need a little kick in the butt. (But) I don’t really see the need to change anything in terms of the game.”
Bouncing back from an pandemic-altered season
The varsity program struggled a bit last year, a very unusual year due to the pandemic. But Roelofs thinks a more normal off-season will greatly benefit the Falcons.
“The bad thing about the team last year really goes back into the offseason,” he said. “Most of the kids could not participate in AAU. We were very limited in what we could do relative to offseason workouts. Their individual prep, individual skill level, wasn’t there. There was a very limited preseason, they didn’t scrimmage anybody. It was almost like an AAU season — you jump right into the season and start playing.”
“In terms of the carryover to this year, we had a different preparation process. We had a summer program. We had a fall league we played in. There really wasn’t much of a carryover. … It maybe is impacting our younger players, they missed about a year in their development.”
And with only three games on the schedule before the end of the year, and the beginning of OK Conference Red play on Jan. 7, early on Roelofs is looking as much for improvement as wins.
“We don’t say we want to win X amount of games, that comes as a byproduct of maturation, of good luck sometimes,” he said. “We are just going to try to put a good group of kids together. Make sure they play hard, to play together. … That’s what we are looking for. If you do all those things, you win your fair share of games.”
Compiling a series of photographs of the career of City of Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts two things stand out — there is a ton of him standing proud among his “Brothers in Blue” and a close second is him getting personal with community members, especially kids.
As Chief Roberts prepared to retire from his position this week, and end a career of four decades in police work and 30 years with the City of Kentwood, he sat down with WKTV and reflected on what has changed and what has not over his career.
“What doesn’t change, over the years as I think back, is what I thought about (when he started), what drove me to get into police work,” Chief Roberts said. “A sense of community. To help the community, be an advocate for those victims of crimes, to try to solve them, to hold people accountable. Just basically make a community a safe place for people to live, to have businesses, raise a family. … Those are the same reasons that young people, now, are seeking to get into this profession.”
Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts with wife Maria in an undated photo. (Supplied)
Along the way, however, Chief Roberts said, there has been good days and bad days; there has been mentors and young officers to be mentored; there has been the constant support of a policeman’s family — including his wife, Maria — who he said are “in it as much as we are.”
“It has to be that way,” he said. “We are one of those handful of careers where we work nights, holidays and weekends. This career, the family of someone who has chose this career, has to understand that. … There has to be that support from the family.”
If he did not know that the first day on the job, he knows it now.
And about that first day …
From first day, to an unexpected career path
On his first day as a patrol officer, before he even joined the Kentwood Police Department, he learned lessons about knowing your beat and dealing with the community.
“It was 38 years ago and I can remember my very first call,” Chief Roberts said. “It was a small department, one square mile, City of Roosevelt Park, over near Muskegon … It was a call for me to respond to a traffic crash.”
Problem was, as he tells the story, he did not know the city very well, wasn’t from that area, and ended up — shall we say — taking the long way to go a short distance.
“Seemed like it took me forever to get there. … (But when he did) they asked me ‘What took you so long?’,” he said. “It’s a 1-square-mile city and they could hear my siren going all around them.”
And while on that first day in a patrol car Chief Roberts really had no thoughts of one day being a department chief, he did have the mindset of taking advantage of the opportunities presented.
“I didn’t have any long-term plans to become a chief,” Chief Roberts said. “I had some shorter-term goals that I wanted to, first, take advantage of the opportunities as they came along. And my first opportunity was as a field-training officer.
“The reason that interested me is that my field-training officers here at Kentwood turned out to be some of the people that I looked up to the most throughout my career. … That is one of the most important positions here, training our new officers.”
He added that he had some “aspirations” to be a supervisor, “but there was no race to get there.” Yet he certainly got there.
Prior to joining the Kentwood Police Department, he served as deputy corrections officer at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and as a police officer with the City of Roosevelt Park.
Roberts joined the Kentwood Police Department in 1987 as a police paramedic and has served in many different roles, including 24 years in supervisory and management positions — the last few leading a team of nearly 95 personnel, including 70 sworn police officers.
Uniquely, Chief Roberts was the first in the Kentwood Police Department history to move through the ranks from patrol officer to police chief. In addition to his paramedic experience, he also served as a detective, field training officer, field training supervisor, road patrol supervisor, Staff Services Bureau supervisor and Detective Bureau supervisor. He also served on the crisis negotiating team.
Roberts was promoted to captain of the Patrol Division in December 2012, deputy police chief in August 2017 and then to chief in November 2019.
Along the way, there were mentors and people to be mentored, he said.
“I had two very good sergeants,” Chief Roberts said. “Sgt. (Michael) Hollinrake and Sgt. (Ted) Herrington. Both were my primary sergeants early on in my career. … Just the way they carried themselves. They were good officers themselves before they became supervisors, and both of them encouraged me to take advantages of opportunities as they came along.”
Later on, he said, Capt. Scott Yerrick and Capt. Randy Williamson mentored him after he became a supervisor.
Technology, policy changes but job remains the same
While a lot has changed over the years, in Chief Roberts career and in police work in general, he said. But most of it was for the good of law-enforcement officers and most of it is good for the community they “protect and serve.”
When he first started there were no computers in the car — “Everything was done over the radio. We hand wrote everything. Now there is so much technology in these vehicles that the officers can use.”
And that use of technology extends to all aspects of police work.
“I kid with my detectives now, with all the technology that is available for investigations, I could never go back in there,” he said. “It has changed a great deal.”
When he worked as a detective, “we were door-knockers. Talking to people. Talking to people on the phone,” he said. “But now much of modern investigations are done though social media platforms and many other computerized resources.”
And as far as changes to the “way” police do their business, he simply said “policies evolve over time” and those policies are driven by case law, changes to equipment, and more and more of a focus on being part of the community not just the protector of the community.
“I think what has changed in policy goes along with what has changed in policing over the last 30, 40 years,” he said. “It has moved to more of a profession than just a job. More and more of our staff are college educated.
(Photo supplied by Kent County Sheriffs’ Office)
“Along with new technology came police changes. Probably the most prevalent one is body cameras. The use of that and the policies on the use of force. Use of force has been standard and defined based on case law, for many, many years. … What has evolved is what tools we may have to deal with the use of force” including tasers and pepper spray … “The soft techniques.”
What hasn’t changed, he said, is community involvement, community interaction.
“We are the guardians for the community,” Chief Roberts said. “So, they count on us to protect them from crime, to try to keep crime at a reduced level. We do the best we can. … Part of serving is answering their calls when they call us. But what else can we do to enhance our community?
“We can work with the community, be transparent with them, because they have to trust us. So we spend a lot of time having positive interactions with our community, not just enforcement actions.”
Chief Roberts’ retirement is effective Friday, Dec. 10. Upon the recommendation of Mayor Stephen Kepley, the City Commission confirmed Deputy Chief Bryan Litwin to become the city’s next police chief during its Dec. 7 meeting.
Kent County 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Kathleen A. Feeney, on the court’s 2021 Adoption Day. (Kent County)
Kent County 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Patricia Gardner, right, with adopted youth Marissa Holmes, center, on the court’s 2021 Adoption Day. (Kent County)
Kent County 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Terence J. “T.J.” Ackert, on the court’s 2021 Adoption Day. (Kent County)
The Overway family, with newly adopted son Pierce, who was adopted on Kent County 17th Circuit Court Family Division’s 2021 Adoption Day. (Kent County)
The Kent County 17th Circuit Court, Family Division, marked its 25th Annual Adoption Day Dec. 2 with 27 adoptions finalized, a new record for the annual event, according to an announcement from the county. This year’s theme, “You are Deer to Us,” had many of the virtual courtrooms decorated and judges dressed in festive reindeer attire.
“We celebrate every single adoption that is finalized in our courtrooms throughout the year,” 17th Circuit Family Division Judge Kathleen Feeney, said in supplied material. “But our annual adoption day is a way to collectively honor these momentous occasions and to celebrate with the children and families whose lives are forever changed through adoption.”
The 17th Circuit Court’s Family Division finalizes an average of 300 adoptions each year, with the largest number in a single day typically slated for the Annual Adoption Days. Statewide, 2,161 adoptions are finalized in 2019. Of this number, 8 percent of the adoptions were youth between the ages of 13 to 17, according to the announcement.
This year, the Family Division judges had added reason to celebrate as nine teenagers officially joined their adoptive families. Among those adopted were 15-year-old Pierce Overway, who has spent the last seven years in foster care, with 10 different foster home placements and 15-year-old girl Marissa Holmes, who has spent more than seven years in foster care, with 13 different placements.
“The tragic truth is, teen adoptions are rare,” 17th Circuit Family Division Judge Patricia Gardner said in supplied material. “Like Pierce and Marissa, far too many kids spend years moving from one foster home to another with no sense of permanency. Many age out of the foster care system before they’re adopted.
“We are so happy for Pierce and Marissa and for their families. Theirs is a story of deep love, commitment and renewal — as are the stories of every single adoptive family.”
Davary Anthony, the first-year varsity head coach of the Wyoming High School girls basketball team, knew the time and place was right for him to leave behind his longtime ties to Comstock Park basketball and take over the Wolves program.
First, it just seemed like the time for the challenge. Then there was the fact that he knew several players on the Wolves team from coaching them at the local AAU level.
But the biggest thing, maybe, was that from the moment he took the job he felt he and his family were welcomed into the Wyoming girls basketball “family.”
Wyoming High School girls basketball head coach Davary Anthony. (WKTV).
“Once I started here, I started to go to a lot of the youth games during the summertime. It is amazing how big Wyoming travels for basketball for their youth, especially for their girls,” Anthony said to WKTV at a recent practice. “The parents are loud. It is a family atmosphere. Everybody is hanging out, everybody is doing things together. They have even brought in my family as if it were their own.”
And it certainly seemed like a family affair at practice as Anthony’s Wolves prepared for their season opener — Nov. 30, at home versus Benton Harbor — as Coach’s daughters stood with their father and Wyoming assistant coach Taylor Johnson during drills.
Coach’s history includes AAU ties
While the “family feel” was one of many reasons, coach Anthony said, Wyoming high was the right place and early this year to be the right time for a career change.
Anthony graduated from Comstock Park high in 2009, and started coaching Comstock Park middle school boys the next year as part of varsity boys basketball head coach Scott Berry’s program.
Anthony was also head varsity coach of the boys team for one season at West Michigan Academy of Environment Science, before returning to Comstock Park. But maybe more importantly, he also coached girls basketball at the AAU level (16-under) with the West Michigan Drive.
It was at the AAU level that he got to know several players from Wyoming high — and that relationship worked well for him when then Wolves girls head coach Troy Mast stepped away after six seasons at the helm ending with a pandemic-impacted 2020-21 season when Wyoming finished 10-7 overall.
“I just felt like it was fate, that everything happens for reason,” Anthony said about the opening. “I as coaching a young girl on the (Wyoming) varsity team, Aaliyah Ratliff, she’s on my AAU team. I saw a post and was thinking ‘I should apply’ and she said the same thing. … I ended up getting the job and I felt like it is a prefect fit for me.”
And that familiarity with some of the players through AAU — junior Ratliff, sophomore Isabelle Castro, and especially seniors Michelle McGee, Mikayla Marzean and Avery Jirous — will also pay off on the court, Anthony said.
“Anytime you can have instant chemistry, everything kind of works out better,” Anthony said. “I’ve watched these girls. They’ve watched me. … Everything just connected. It made the move over here pretty much easy.”
Coaching style comes from mentors
When it comes to the kind of team he wants to put on the court, the way his team and program will be thought of, coach Anthony said “We are very aggressive … I like to push the tempo … I like to challenge my players to learn more than just the simple things of the game.”
He learned coaching basketball, and running a basketball program, from several mentors he has played for, coached with, or worked with.
“First off, Coach Scott Berry (when was at Comstock Park but is now at Sparta) … he got me into this thing,” Anthony said. “At the end of high school, I didn’t think this was something I was going to do … but he did.”
He also worked with coach Colleen Lamoreaux-Tate, who was successful at Catholic Central before moving to the college ranks — “She was an awesome person. She taught me a lot of Xs and Os. She showed me that practice is where you get better and not just the games.”
Anthony also credits Larry Copeland, the director of West Michigan Drive, for giving him “a lot of the insights into the administrative part of the business and the industry of basketball … making me a better coach that way.”
FIRST Tech Challenge Kentwood qualifier middle school robotics competition was hosted by Kentwood Public Schools’ Red Storm Robotics program on Nov. 6. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Red Storm Robotics middle school program’s Green team, getting some coaching. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Red Storm Robotics middle school program included the Green team, awaiting the beginning of competition. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Red Storm Robotics middle school program’s Green team, awaiting the start of competition. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Red Storm Robotics middle school program’s Green team’s robot, in action. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Kentwood Public Schools Red Storm Robotics program has long been known as having a model high school program at East Kentwood High School, both its students and the robots they build.
The Gunter family are Red Storm Robotics from head to toe: Timothy Gunter III with parents Tim and Cui. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
And after a 2020 of virtual events due the pandemic, the East Kentwood team will be back before crowds this school year as it hosts the Kentwood FIRST Robotics competition, scheduled for April 1-2, 2022, with a many as 40 teams expected to compete in a “Rapid React” game challenge that will be announced in January.
But the success of the high school program begins with the steady stream of talent moving up from the its middle school ranks, talent already on display before a large crowd as Kentwood Public School’s middle school robotics program sent five teams against others schools at the FIRST Tech Challenge Kentwood qualifier, hosted by Red Storm Robotics, on Nov. 6.
Getting back to live competition “means everything to these kids, we haven’t been able to do this for two years … we are just so excited for this event today,” Trista VanderVoord, who works with the Kentwood Public Schools Red Storm Robotics program, said to WKTV at the event.
And for the students, the event was not only a chance to see and be seen by their family and friends, it was a chance to match up their robotic creations up against others schools and other robots inventions.
Kentwood middle schooler Giselle Triggs is part of the Red Storm Robotics middle school program’s Green team. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“It is really exciting to be able to see a bunch of these other robots,” said Giselle Triggs, a member of Kentwood’s Green Team and who is in her first year of being part of the Red Storm Robotics program.
“Everybody is really cool, and everybody is giving complements,” Christian Posthumus, a member if the Grey team, said. “The only problem is that there are so many people watching you … It’s just scary. If you mess up, everybody will see you mess up.”
The Kentwood teams did not “mess up” much at the FIRST Tech Challenge, however, as two of the five teams qualified for a state competition in December.
Two teams move on to state competition
In results of the competition, as detailed on the Red Storm Robotics Facebook page after the challenge, Red Storm Red team qualified for the state competition and earned the 2nd place Control Award, the 3rd place Think Award, and the 3rd place Inspire Award (Inspire is the highest award in FIRST Tech Challenge). Red Storm White team will be joining the Red Team, as the “Bot Tart” crew won the 2nd place Motivate Award and the Connect Award.
Kentwood student Christian Posthumus is part of the Red Storm Robotics middle school program. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Additionally, the Red Storm Green team “had a fun first competition” as the all-rookie 6th and 7th grade team were decked out in magician capes, top hats and magic wands.
Red Storm Gray was another all-rookie 6th and 7th grade team, members of which shared their team spirit by distributing a dozen handmade shark awards to other teams throughout our competition.
The Red Storm Blue placed 12th in the qualifier and also received the Promote Award for their video submission on “If I could tell my younger self one thing about FIRST Robotics, it would be…” as well as winning the Motivate Award.
Goals of FIRST Tech Challenge
The FIRST Tech Challenge is a national program of FIRST Inspires where “students learn to think like engineers,” according to program material. Teams design, build, and code robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming.
This year’s tech challenge, Freight Frenzy, is presented by Raytheon Technologies and had students race against time to transport “essential goods and explore the future of transportation,” according to supplied material.
From left to right, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. Chamber member Kathy Bates and Chamber President Bob O’Callaghan at one of the candidate forums hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce . (Supplied)
By Sheila McGrath WKTV Community Writer
Nine years after taking the helm of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, Bob O’Callaghan is ready to let someone else steer the ship. He plans to retire at the end of this year.
As president and CEO of the chamber, it’s O’Callaghan’s job to help businesses in Kentwood and Wyoming grow stronger.
“I get asked once a week, ‘What do you do? What is your job?’” he said. “I’m a connector. I connect businesses to other businesses to help them grow, and give them a chance to do more business.”
Bob O’Callaghan helping to promote the 28th Street Metro Cruise which expanded to Woodland Mall in 2021. (WKTV)
More than 400 businesses are members of the chamber, and most of them – around 70 percent in recent years – are actively involved. Those businesses have representatives serving on committees and offering volunteers to staff the chamber’s many events.
As he looks back on his years of service, O’Callaghan says the group’s community involvement is his proudest achievement.
“We look at ourselves as a community chamber,” he said. “Some of our events, like the 28th Street Metro Cruise, the Santa parade, and the Government Matters meetings … are really huge because it gives exposure to the chamber and gets information out that’s sometimes not out to the general public.”
O’Callaghan has been involved with the chamber in some capacity for three decades. Prior to leading the group, he served on various committees and on the board of directors. In nearly 30 years with the chamber, he has seen both Kentwood and Wyoming become much more diverse cities. And he witnessed those cities go through bad times and good.
Chef Joseff VanHorn with Bob O’Callaghan who has been a champion to local businesses for 30 years, 9 as the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s president/CEO. (WKTV)
During the Great Recession of 2007-2009, Wyoming saw the General Motors plant on 36th Street, the Studio 28 movie theater and Classic Chevrolet, one of the biggest Chevrolet dealers in Michigan, close within three weeks of each other.
“Everyone was down in the mouth and asking ‘Are we ever going to come back,’” he said. “To see that devastation and to see how we’ve come back – COVID has been a kick in the rear again, but before that, everything was going well. There weren’t a lot of empty buildings available, people had staff, the economy was good. So it was nice to see that come back, and I think it will again. COVID is just a temporary setback on the business community.”
He acknowledges that businesses everywhere are struggling now with lack of staff due to COVID. He hopes some of the biggest businesses in the area, like Metro Health, Lacks and Steelcase, might be on the leading edge of finding new ways to attract and retain employees.
“They are going to have to change the way they operate in regards to employment, and the bigger companies will be leading the way to take us forward,” he said. “Once we get over this shortage of people – however we do that – I think you’ll see some changes in how things are done.”
O’Callaghan said more than 70 people, who are hoping to serve as his replacement, have already been interviewed, and the final candidates will be narrowed down after Thanksgiving.
His last official event will be the chamber’s annual meeting on Jan. 28.
At the Santa Parade, which this year will be Saturday, Dec. 11, Bob O’Callaghan would often ride in the vehicle that pulls Santa. (WKTV)
“It’s kind of a great way to go out,” he said.
But before that, he’ll have one last Santa parade – one of his favorite chamber events – to participate in. The parade is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, and runs down South Division Avenue from 33rd Street to 44th Street.
“I have been fortunate enough to ride in the vehicle that pulls Santa. Nobody sees me, of course, but I would see the kids waving, and mom and dad smiling and taking pictures. That’s a really good feeling when you see that happening. We’re doing something in our community that’s needed,” he said. “There are years I come back and I don’t feel my feet are touching the ground.”
The Grand Rapids Chapter of the Sweet Adelines performed at the WKTV studio. (WKTV)
By Colleen Pierson WKTV Community Contributor
This December, the Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines will be singing to honor those who lost their lives 80 years ago during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The West Michigan based group, under the direction of Master Director Denise VanDyken, was the only musical singing group from Michigan to be chosen to perform at the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Commemoration Concerts Series in Hawaii set for Dec. 7, 2021.
“We are thrilled to be part of this historic event,” VanDyken said. “A once in a lifetime experience, it will be very emotional and such an honor to perform.”
The performance also helps mark a special anniversary for the 60-member chorus.
Master Director Denise VanDyken gets the chorus ready for its performance. (WKTV)
“Our chorus is one of the longest running barbershop singing groups in the world,” she said. “We just celebrated our 70th anniversary. To be named as the official representatives of the state of Michigan to sing at the Pearl Harbor 80th Anniversary Commemoration is indeed a true hour.”
The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines is one of 10 nationwide chorus groups to be featured in this historic commemoration to honor America’s heroes who fought on the “date which will live in infamy.,” as so coined by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the base on Dec. 7, 1941 was what pulled America into World War II. Eight American battleships sank at Pearl Harbor with 188 American aircraft destroyed. Around 2,403 Americans died in the attack and another 1,178 were injured.
Of the eight battleships, only two were never repaired or returned to duty: the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma. The USS Arizona still lies in the Pearl Harbor waters. As part of its commemorative activities, the Sweet Adelines will take part in an Official Military Wreath-laying Ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial and an Official Flag-Folding Ceremony at the USS Missouri Memorial. The USS Missouri was the last battleship commissioned by the United States and is best remember as the site of the surrender of the Empire of Japan, which ended World War II. The USS Missouri was retired to Pearl Harbor in the late 1990s.
The opportunity to perform at the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Commemoration Concerts Series is just one of many accolades the award-winning group has received in the past few years. In 2019, the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids was named fifth in the world at the Sweet Adelines International’s Harmony Class Competition.
For more about the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids or to join the group, visit their website, www.grsa.net. To see a sneak peek of the group’s performance check out WKTV Channel 25 at 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. and WKTV Channel 26 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., all of which air on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, or head over WKTV’s on-demand.
After a swearing-in ceremony this week, the City of Kentwood has two new commissioners on the City Commission, and welcomed back re-elected Mayor Stephen Kepley, Commissioner At-Large Betsy Artz, City Clerk Dan Kasunic and City Treasurer Laurie Sheldon.
Clarkston Morgan and Jessica Ann Tyson were sworn in as first-time city commissioners at the City Commission meeting Monday, Nov. 8, following their election Nov. 2. They were joined by the reelected officials, who also took the oath of office for their respective positions.
Morgan is now Ward 1 commissioner representing the western half of Kentwood and Tyson is Ward 2 commissioner representing the eastern half of the city. Each seat is a four-year term.
“We are pleased to welcome Clarkston and Jessica Ann to the City Commission,” Mayor Kepley said in supplied material. “Both are highly engaged, longtime residents who bring excellent leadership skills, business experience and community connections that will be invaluable as the City of Kentwood continues its mission of providing high-quality services to foster a thriving community for all.”
Mayor Kepley and Commissioner Artz each were re-elected for a third four-year term. They were first elected in 2013. Kasunic and Sheldon each were re-elected for a four-year term. Kasunic has served as clerk since 2000 and Sheldon has served as treasurer since 2013.
Meet the new commissioners
Morgan, a city resident since 2007, previously served the City of Kentwood as a planning commissioner, member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and member of the Arts Commission.
Commissioner Clarkston Morgan (City of Kentwood)
As the founder and CEO of Ambassador Consultants LLC, he has established strategic relationships between organizations and corporations that have resulted in mutually beneficial increases in market share and funds to benefit the quality of life for families in the community, according to a city announcement. He has also launched the nonprofit Career Proactiv to empower K-12 and college students to start their own entrepreneurial platform.
In addition, Morgan serves as vice president of the Michigan Chapter of the US Minority Contractors Association and chief operating officer of W4 Construction Group. He also is chairman of the African American Leadership Council for the Christian Alliance For Orphans, working alongside national adoption and foster agencies to empower African American families to adopt children.
Commissioner Jessica Ann Tyson (City of Kentwood)
A two-time governor appointee, Tyson actively serves the community as a member of several boards, including the City of Kentwood Economic Development Corporation, Kentwood Community Foundation and Better Business Bureau of West Michigan, according to the city announcement. She is a past board member of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tyson brings operational business and management experience to her city commissioner role. A multi-business owner, she serves as president and CEO of JA PR Group, Pink Lounge: Dry Salt Therapy, The Beastro (a company offering fresh cuisine for canines) and The Candied Yam, an area restaurant featuring Southern cuisine.
Over the years, Tyson has received many prestigious awards, including being recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women of West Michigan.
Beltline Drive-In (Photo from the Wyoming Historical Commission)
For almost forty years, the Beltline Drive-In Theater was a beacon along 28th Street, welcoming movie lovers from allover West Michigan. In 1948, Jack looks jumped into the booming post-war drive-in theater business when he bought land on 28th Street in Wyoming to build the theater, which would eventually include a miniature golf course and “Bounce Land” trampoline court. The theater, which was known for its waving Bugs Bunny and Goofy, had a capacity of 850 cars.
The drive-in theater would eventually be replaced by Studio 28, the area’s first in-door multiplex movie theater that featured 20 theaters in one. Studio 28 would close in 2019. The site is now the home of HOM Flats, which faces Prairie Parkway, and Frankie V’s restaurant, facing 28th Street. Jack Looks theater company, which is still locally owned, evolved into Celebration! Cinema with theaters at RiverTown Mall, on the East Beltline and Knapp, and on Kalmazoo Avenue near the M-6 interchange.
The image is supplied by the Wyoming Historical Commission. The commission operates the Wyoming Mich. Historical Room at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW. The history room is open every Tuesday from 9:30 – noon. For more about the Wyoming Historical Commission, visit the organization’s Facebook page.
Kentwood resident Pattee Bender received the Sweet Adeline of the Year Award. (Supplied)
It was an award well deserved. This year’s Sweet Adeline of the Year Award went to Pattee Bender, who has been a contributing member for 24 years. Her strong work ethic, and superior knowledge of the barbershop art form, and the many roles she plays within the group led to the honor.
So, what exactly went through her mind when her name was announced as the winner?
“Whaattttt? They called my name?,” she said. “I didn’t think it would be me. I truly am so surprised, grateful and humbled.”
Bender serves as choreographer, is the showmanship leader and oversees costume and makeup teams for the Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines. In addition, she serves as the coordinator of the singing group’s upcoming travels.
“Almost a year ago, with optimism and excitement, our chorus accepted the invitation to sing at Pearl Harbor for the 80th commemorative anniversary,” Bender said. “I have been the point person with our music tour company, and am responsible for coordinating registrations, hotel information, forms, payment schedules and communicating information to our performers and travelers.”
It may seem a bit overwhelming, but that is one of the reasons why Bender received her award. She goes about every task with unbridled enthusiasm, attention to details and immense talent.
Pattee Bender’s reaction when her name was announced.
Bender receives her award.
Master Director Denise VanDyken agrees.
“I was surprised at the number of candidates that were nominated for this award. They are all so talented,” VanDyken said. “Pattee is very deserving of this prestigious award and we are all very proud of her.”
The Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines is an a cappella group that sings in four-part harmony. The group just marked its 70th anniversary, making it one of the longest running barbershop singing groups in the world.
For more about the Sweet Adelines Grand Rapids or to join the group, visit their website, www.grsa.net.
James Smither of the GVSU Veterans History Project interviews David “Goldie” Goldsboro and Sid Lenger. (WKTV)
By Anna Johns WKTV Contributing Writer
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 19 million U.S veterans as of this year. In Michigan alone, there are 634,000 veterans, making up 8.8 percent of the state’s population.
In 2006, Professor James Smither founded the Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project. Since the project began, Smither estimates that he has completed more than a thousand interviews. Smither works alongside a team of student interns, research assistants, and community volunteers and partners. Together they have conducted numerous interviews with military veterans of all eras. In addition, they also have interviewed civilians of foreign nations who had experiences with Americans during the wartime.
The program is in partnership with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The team creates videos and archives oral interviews focusing on the experiences of military veterans. Over the years, the team has collected a wide range of interviews with veterans from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. The project has worked to create documentary films, book projects, and live presentations.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m., Smither will be presenting his findings to the public. During the presentation, Smither will describe the project and include excerpts of interviews that have been conducted over the years. Participating in his presentation are veterans Ron Oakes and Bob Huizenga and Rick Jakubczak.
Huizenga served as a marine in Vietnam. He joined the marines shortly after he graduated high school and was deployed to Vietnam. During his time in the Marines, he served as a machine gunner, assistant driver, and helped transport men and supplies during the Tet Offensive in 1986.
Oakes served as a marine in Vietnam as well and with the Army National Guard in Iraq. During his time in the Guard he helped provide security for the 1996 Summer Olympic games in Atlanta and spent eleven months in Iraq in 2005. He served with his unit until March of 2009 when he retired at the age of sixty.
Jakubczak, a retired Navy corpsman, has spoken at a number of veteran events, sharing his stories and perspective of the Vietnam War.
The public is invited to join Dr. Smithers for his presentation on the Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project. The presentation will be held in the Paul Collins Room at Marge’s Donut Den at 1751 28th St. SW. The program is part of the Mr. Sid’s Video Series event that is held at Marge’s Donut Den.
South Christian High School senior leader Jace DeMann talks to WKTV about how he and his team deal with the Sailors playing all their games on the road. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team has, in some ways, an offense built for a November playoff game, and they are certainly of the mindset that playing on the road is just another bus trip to their next game.
The Sailors followed up a 6-3 regular season with an impressive 52-7 road win at Plainfield (also 6-3 in the regular season) in Week 1Division 4 District semifinal state playoff game.
Such a scenario often means a home game in the second round, but South Christian will be on the road again this week, at Interstate 8 Athletic Conference champion Hastings (9-1 after a 56-18 opening round win over Charlotte) — a game which will be the WKTV Featured Game of the week with both cable television and on-demand replays available.
Of course, going on the road is nothing new for head coach Danny Brown or Sailors senior leader Jace DeMann, as the team currently plays their home games at East Kentwood High School as South Christian fully builds out their new campus in Byron Center.
Grand Rapids South Christian High School’s home football field does not have the Sailors’ logo on it and still requires a bus to get there — for the time being, it is at East Kentwood High School. (WKTV)
“Obviously, we’d love to have our own field and home field advantage,” Brown said to WKTV this week as he team practiced — at Kelloggsville High School’s field. “We get home crowds, when we play at East Kentwood, but it is not like having all our true fans. … But what it (playing on the road) really helps us to do is just focus on the moment at hand.
“It really doesn’t matter if we are traveling or not, because as you say, we are getting on the bus to play our home games. I think, for us, I am big on preaching that week, that game. Let’s only worry about the task at hand. I think that little bus ride, no matter where we are going, helps dial that in. It’s never about the travel, or who we are playing. It’s about us, and I think that kind of bus ride, going wherever, kind of sums that whole philosophy up.”
DeMann, also talking to WKTV this week, said in some ways the bus trip is valuable as a moment of personal reflection in anticipation of playing a game he loves to play.
“Leaving the campus it’s pretty normal … it’s a normal bus ride, but when we get there, we do a quiet time. Just think about what your roll is for the game. What you have got do in the game to prepare yourself,” DeMann said.
“We are definitely not intimated by it (playing on the road), once we get between the white lines it’s just playing the game we love, football. Every week we put our passion into it … It is just the next game up. … It’s just another week of football.”
Resilient defense and balanced offense
South Christian High School head coach Danny Brown talks to WKTV about his team’s ability to both run and pass the ball on offense — and why that is even more important in a early November playoff game. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Two things have been clear this season for the South Christian football team: the have a bend-but-don’t-break defense and, for a team that has averaged almost 36 points a game this season, the Sailors are not a high-powered passing attack — unless they need to be.
First that defense, which allowed an average of 17.7 points per game so far but which Coach Brown says has improved as the year has gone on.
“Even though we are giving up 17 (points per game), we feel we weren’t as good as we needed to be,” Brown said. “The biggest thing for us is we have a couple of really good playmakers up front. We’ve struggled at times just a little bit, but we’ve been good enough that we kind of have the ‘bend but don’t break.’ Teams are getting yards on us, but we are just not letting them score. … It’s impressive that we are not letting teams in” the end zone.
And, Brown says, he likes to see his team having a balanced attack — which they do, rushing for 2,192 yards, averaging 219 per game, with 37 touchdowns, while passing for 1,727 yards, averaging 172.7 per game, with 12 touchdowns.
Part of that affinity for a balanced attack is borrowed from Urban Meyer (one-time Ohio State University and current NFL head coach) and part is Coach Brown knowing that his team can adapt to changing defenses and changing weather.
“I think the beauty of this team is that depending on the team, the scheme we are playing against, we have the ability to either run or throw … it is huge that we are not heavy one way or another, especially being in the spread (offense),” Brown said. “Urban Meyer used to say, when he was coaching a game, … he wanted 200 and 200 hundred. 200 passing and 200 rushing yards, and we are pretty close to that.”
And “for us, as the playoffs roll, we continue to win, with the cold weather, being able to run is a huge asset. Just because you never know what the weather is going to dictate.”
Where and when to see WKTV coverage
WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
The City of Kentwood, in a city-wide vote, returned incumbent Mayor Stephen Kepley to the city’s “strong mayor” leadership position in voting Nov. 2 as he defeated challenger and current Ward 1 city commissioner Emily Bridson.
With 100 percent of City of Kentwood precincts counted, Kepley defeated Bridson, 4,321 to 2,992, according to final unofficial results supplied by the Kent County Elections Office. The vote total of 7,366 was 18.7 percent of the 39,460 registered voters in the city.
“Thank you to all the Kentwood residents and friends who came together to vote for unity in our community with experienced servant leadership. I am honored and humbled by your support,” Mayor Kepley said in a statement to WKTV. “Our work continues as we unify our incredibly diverse community so that all residents know they belong. I look forward to serving with the new city commission to continue to ensure a high quality of service is provided for all of our residents and business community.”
City of Kentwood mayoral candidate Emily Bridson, left, talks to a supporter at an election night event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Bridson, said she wishes the mayor the best and “hope he continues to move our city in a positive direction,” she said in a statement to WKTV.
“It has been an honor to serve as one of Kentwood City Commissioners and run for Mayor,” Bridson said. “Thank you to the residents that took the time to open their doors and share their vision for our city with me. Although my team and I hoped for a different outcome, we are proud of the work we have done and the goals for Kentwood that we have put forward.”
All City of Kentwood seats are for 4-year terms. The mayor, along with returning and new commissioners, will be sworn in on Monday, Nov. 8, at the regular City Commission meeting.
The City of Kentwood will have two new faces on the City Commission after voting Nov. 2, as Clarkston Morgan won the Ward 1 seat and Jessica Ann Tyson won the Ward 2 seat. But incumbent At-Large commissioner Betsy Artz was returned to the commission in city-wide voting — gaining the most voter support of any candidate running opposed for city positions.
All City of Kentwood seats are for 4-year terms. The returning and new commissioners will be sworn in on Monday, Nov. 8, at the regular City Commission meeting.
With 100 percent of City of Kentwood precincts counted, Artz defeated Leonica Riley Erwin, 4,505 to 2,511, according to final unofficial results supplied by the Kent County Elections Office. Artz was the top voter-getter in the entire city in contested elections, as Mayor Stephen Kepley gained 4,321 votes as he was re-elected to the position.
The city-wide vote total of 7,366 was 18.7 percent of the 39,460 registered voters in the city.
Newly elected City of Kentwood City Commissioner Clarkston Morgan, center, who won the Ward 1 election Nov. 2, talks to supporters at an election-night event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
With 100 percent of their respective ward precincts counted, Morgan defeated Meochia Nochi Thompson in Ward 1, 1,989 to 1,365, in a seat currently held by commissioner Emily Bridson. And Tyson defeated Dan VanderMolen in Ward 2, 2,120 to 1,360, in a seat currently held by commissioner Tom McKelvey.
Running uncontested in City of Kentwood elections were incumbent Treasurer Laurie Sheldon, and incumbent City Clerk Dan Kasunic. Sheldon gained 6,148 votes and Kasunic gained 6,177 in citywide voting.
At-Large Commissioner
Commissioner Artz thanked the Kentwood voters in a statement to WKTV, “I appreciate your support throughout this campaign, and at the polls.
“Our City now has a Commission that will work together to get things done,” she said. “It’s time to continue our work on improving and maintaining our Parks and Trails, providing the best in Public Safety to our community, and budgeting for the future. I am thrilled to be able to serve the City of Kentwood for another four years.”
Riley Erwin, in a statement to WKTV, said “The Kentwood voters have spoken. Congratulations to Betsy Artz and all of those elected last night.
“My campaign had two goals,” she continued. “The first was to increase voter turnout. The second was to increase awareness about issues important to residents that don’t feel empowered. Those goals were accomplished. I look forward to working with our city commissioners and other Kentwood leaders to ensure every resident can reach their full potential. I encourage my supporters to stay involved and continue to communicate their desires for affordable housing, supports for small businesses, and creating a more inclusive community. I would love to see more of you run for office or volunteer on a campaign committee. Participate in community forums and surveys. Make your voice heard.
“Last, I would like to thank my family for all of the love and support they have given me. I couldn’t have made it to the ballot without their encouragement and willingness to make sacrifices with me.”
Ward 1 Commissioner
Morgan addressed all “Kentwood families, business and community leaders,” in a statement to WKTV. “Thank you! I am more than honored to receive your vote of confidence as your City Servant Leader.
“I stand here on the shoulders of great past and present city leaders, but even more, YOU, our Kentwood community,” he said. “It’s our families, businesses, households of faith and community organizations that make our city great. I look forward to seeing Kentwood reach it’s greatest potential by serving WITH our community to provide all residents a better quality of life. God bless.”
Thompson, in a statement to WKTV, said “I am so blessed to have an opportunity to run this race for Commissioner. I thank God for the journey; all the wonderful neighbors I connected with.
“This became more than Community business, it became Kingdom business for me. I was able to teach, preach and encourage along the way. I even had the opportunity to lead someone to salvation. For me, it gets no better than that. I experienced people actually rejoicing because for the first time in a long time, they felt they mattered and were being seen and heard.
“I hope we continue striving toward a more connected Kentwood, where our neighborhood feels more like family and everyone is thriving, healthy and safe! Thank you Kentwood residents for even considering me to represent you. The journey was well worth it.”
Ward 2 Commissioner
Tyson, in a statement t o WKTV, said “The residents of Kentwood have spoken. I am honored and humbled that they took the time to vote for me.
“I look forward to representing Kentwood residents in Ward 2 for the next four years. To others who supported our campaign, I am thankful that you understand how passionate I am about my community. Your contributions proved to be invaluable. I am excited to spend more time listening to and helping our residents and city remain united and strong.”
VanderMolen, in a statement to WKTV, said “I want to express a heartfelt thanks to my family, friends, and supporters for helping make this campaign a reality. It’s truly amazing what people can accomplish when they come together. I also want to congratulate Jessica Ann Tyson on her impressive victory tonight.
“Like I’ve said before, we need to stop looking at politics as a zero sum game and instead realize that while we might have different ideas or priorities, we can all still work towards the same common good. I look forward to partnering with Jessica, and the rest of the city commission, to support the residents of Kentwood in any way I can going forward.”
Mineman 1st Class Jacob Klok, from Kentwood, is shown onboard the USS Tulsa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Devin M. Langer)
In this photo supplied by the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach, Mineman 1st Class Jacob Klok, a Kelloggsville High School graduate from Kentwood, works aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16). Minemen (MN) serve abroad ships which detect and neutralize mines, according the U.S. Navy website. Minemen also assemble and test underwater explosive devices.
The Tulsa, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to “enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” according to supplied material.
(Do you have a photo of a Kentwood or Wyoming area native serving in the military? WKTV journal would love to get the photo and a brief description. Send it to ken@WKTV.org.)
Ashley Greenway — with husband Kyle, daughter Bailey and son Brody — is a wife and mother from Holland who has tested positive for Huntington’s Disease and is an advocate for the cause though her work with the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. (HDSA)
When it comes to Huntington’s disease, a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, some people simply do not want to know if they have the defective gene.
According to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), there are currently approximately 41,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease. The symptoms of HD are sometimes described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s — simultaneously. And it has no cure.
For Ashley Greenway, a wife and mother from Holland, Mich., who has tested positive for Huntington’s disease (HD) — leading to the knowledge that it may well impact her physical and mental abilities during her prime years and that her two children are at risk — testing was the right thing to do.
In her case, knowledge was and is power: the power to speak out; the power to advocate; the power to help others now and — maybe — her children in the future.
“Someday, my kids may need to take advantage of the resources HDSA has to offer and I wanted to make sure that I did my part,” Greenway said recently to WKTV. “It’s the same feeling when I participate in medical studies for HDSA. Last week I was in Wisconsin and had a lumbar puncture done so HDSA could have spinal fluid to assist in their efforts to better understand the disease and find a cure.
“A cure may not be available in my lifetime, but perhaps my kids could receive it. It’s very rewarding just thinking that I play a small part in helping understand and cure this disease.”
Finding out, finding ways to help
After first finding out she was at risk in 2006, then researching and agreeing to be tested, she tested positive in 2012. She then also faced inward soul-searching and outward reflection of her own family.
Ashley Greenway, with husband Kyle, daughter Bailey and son Brody. (HDSA)
“At the time of diagnosis I was working outside the home and a mother already,” Greenway said. “I do believe that if I had known my prognosis prior to having kids, it would have impacted my decision on starting a family. The first thing my parent with HD said to me when I told them I was positive was ‘I’m sorry’. … I can’t imagine the guilt I’ll feel if I find out I passed this on to my kids.”
But, she points out, now there are methods available for couples at risk of HD to have kids with no HD risk.
While she declined to talk much about her HD-positive parent — who is nearing 60 year old but with no symptoms — Greenway did say was the only one in her family, out of 20 at risk members (first cousins, their children, siblings, and nephews), that has been tested voluntarily.
“No one else is open about it or wants to know,” she said.
“I used to think of that day (when she learned the test results) as the day I was given my expiration date, but now I see it as the day I became a better person,” Greenway said in supplied material. “Surprisingly, I didn’t cry. I was too in shock to process. I was trying to figure out what this meant and how I felt. I have three siblings, two nephews, and my own two children that are at risk of inheriting this horrific disease and I’m the only one who’s been tested.”
And how did she respond to knowing?
In 2013, Greenway started to get more involved in the HD community, including involvement with the Predict HD medical study out of Rochester, New York. In 2014, Ashley was involved with the documentary film Alive and Well, the film follows seven people coming to terms with the reality of living with HD.
She went back to school, graduating in 2015 from Baker College of Muskegon with an associates degree in business. In 2019, she trained for the Chicago Marathon with Team Run for HD, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. Recently she took part in the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) #LetsTalkAboutHD Stories.
Ashley Greenway’s daughter Bailey, shown with a quilt inspired by Ashley’s work with the West Michigan Team Hope run/walk, a fundraising event for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. (HDSA)
She has also have become heavily involved with the annual HDSA’s West Michigan Team Hope Walk/5K Run — the West Michigan portion of HDSA’s largest national grassroots fundraising event, which takes place in over 100 cities across the U.S. and has raised more than $20 million for Huntington’s disease since its inception in 2007.
She has gained support from her family in her work as well — husband Kyle, daughter Bailey and son Brody — both with her fundraising and with her advocacy for the cause. To honor all that support, she even has made a quilt out of all her family’s and friend’s Team Hope shirts from previous years and donated it to HDSA as a silent auction raffle item.
She is now lead coordinator for the local event, and has seen the event though a rough time in this time of COVID.
“During 2020, HDSA had to cancel all of their in-person events,” Greenway said. “These events generate a lot of funds for social worker’s salaries, grants to scientists for trials, or money to families affected by HD for medical bills. Whatever the use of the funds, they were understandably lacking during the pandemic. … It was important to me that our group still meet our fundraising goal for the year.”
And, Greenway says, she leans on her HD-positive parent as she moves into the future.
“My HD positive parent is still here inspiring me to stay strong and encouraging me to get more involved in HDSA, without symptoms,” she said in supplied material. “My involvement in HDSA provides me with a sense of purpose I’ve never felt before. When HD takes me out of this world, I’ll be leaving it a better place because of how I’ve helped this HD Community.”
Huntington’s Disease Society of America
HDSA was founded in 1967 by Marjorie Guthrie, the wife of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie. Woody died from HD complications when he was only 55 years old, but the Guthrie family legacy lives on at HDSA.
A sign at a West Michigan Team Hope run/walk, a fundraising event for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. (HDSA)
The DNA error that causes HD is found in a gene called “huntingtin”. This gene was discovered in 1993. Everyone has the “huntingtin” gene, but only those that inherit the mistake, known as the HD mutation, will develop HD and risk passing it on to their children.
HDSA, according to supplied material, is the “premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by Huntington’s disease. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today, hope for tomorrow for people with Huntington’s disease and their families.”
One of its current efforts involved changes to federal rules which it comes to Medicare policy through advocacy for the HD Parity Act (HR 2050/S 868) in 2021.
“Without passage of the HD Parity Act, patients with Huntington’s disease will continue to suffer the mandated 2-year waiting period for Medicare benefits after qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance,” according to an HDSA statement. “Individuals with HD have a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disorder. During those two years, patients continue to decline, and are falling through our social safety net by being denied access to Medicare when they need it most.”
The City of Kentwood’s Trunk or Treat community event invited trick-or-treaters to don their costumes and come to the city’s Department of Public Works building Saturday, Oct. 23, where there were long lines of families and lots of kids in search of candy.
The free event went on for hours with hundreds of families waiting to take a stroll by city police, fire and public works vehicles, as well the of community groups — all with their vehicle’s trunks decorated and stationed inside the building handing out candy and other items.
WKTV was there, to capture some of the spooky happenings and cute costumes, and we asked a few of the trick-or-treaters “What’s their favorite candy?”
In addition to collecting candy, participants had the opportunity to vote for their favorite trunk. Children were encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and face coverings — and the kids did not disappoint, nor did many of their parents.
The City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department offered plenty of fun — and a few scares — for the community kids at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The City of Kentwood offered dress-up opportunity for all ages at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The City of Kentwood offered opportunity for dress-up for adults too at the city’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Kentwood Public Schools’ robotics program had a display at the City of Kentwood’s Trunk or Treat event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Police and other Michigan government employees could be sued and held liable if they hurt or kill someone while on the job, under proposed legislation working through the state legislature.
Current, qualified immunity shields government workers from lawsuits for gross misconduct or negligence while on duty.
A police reform package pushed by the state House of Representatives’ Democrats would reduce the blanket protections. They say it would allow police departments and other government agencies to more easily weed out bad apples.
“If you go over, above and beyond, outside the scope of your duties that are spelled out, there has to be some accountability,” said co-sponsor Rep. Tyrone Carter, D-Detroit, a 24-year veteran of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. “And the general public is tired of paying for lawsuits for officers for their outrageous, egregious conduct.”
Locally, Kent County’s top law enforcement official is quick to define that qualified immunity is much more than simply a policing issue, and says changes are unnecessary.
Qualified immunity “is a very complex term, but simplistically put, it is something that protects an individual from the government, an individual who is a representative of the government — it may be a police officer but it may be the sewer guy or it may be someone from the health department,” Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said in a recent interview with WKTV. “It protects them from being held liable for a decision they make if that decision is in compliance with local laws, policies and procedures of the department, and doesn’t act in a way that is irresponsible, outside of their direction.
“The consequences for taking qualified immunity away really has to do with the civil liability of the government unit. … None of that is to say the a person should not be personally responsible for a decision that is outside of their training and direction and procedures. … There is already a way to sue a government (or government individual) that is not compliant.”
Support and opposition to change is a national issue
A national survey by the Cato Institute found that 63 percent of Americans support eliminating governmental immunity.
Nationwide criticism of qualified immunity catapulted into the public eye after the murder of George Floyd who was killed by a Minneapolis policeman on May 25, 2020. Since Floyd’s death, Colorado, Connecticut, New York and New Mexico either ended or limited the protective scope of qualified immunity.
“Although qualified immunity has prevented victims of police misconduct from holding officers accountable for decades, until recently it had been a relatively obscure doctrine that was not on the radar of many non-lawyers,” said Michael Steinberg in a faculty Q&A. Steinberg, who advocates for ending qualified immunity, is a professor and director of the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at the University of Michigan Law School.
But strong resistance to any change in the law remains.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld such protection by overturning lower court decisions to remove qualified immunity in cases in California and Oklahoma.
Bipartisan police reform negotiations in the U.S. Congress ended without resolution in September, even after Democrats removed controversial changes suggested for qualified immunity.
The Michigan bills are co-sponsored by Detroit representatives and House Democrats across the state. If they are signed into law, when police officers or government officials are sued and found liable, they will have to personally write the check.
Law enforcement officials say that’s a deal breaker.
“When a municipality gets faced with a lawsuit, more times than not they look at it as a business decision on whether or not to settle,” Livingston County Sheriff Michael Murphy said.
And the insurance company or municipality writes the check, he said. “I’m a cop. I’m just essentially a blue collar worker. I don’t have a million dollar check to write.”
Qualified immunity does not mean that law officers have complete immunity for their actions, Murphy said. It has to be granted by a judge.
“This is not something that the cop or the municipality can just hold up and say, ‘Oh, hey, I work for the government or I’m a cop, I get qualified immunity.’”
Removing qualified immunity protection is currently a case-by-case decision, Steinberg said.
Under the qualified immunity defense, people injured by police or family members of those killed must prove the violation of their rights with examples from “nearly-identical” court cases, the American Civil Liberties of Michigan said in a prepared statement.
Still, police say removing any part of the qualified immunity statute is a bad idea.
“Ending qualified immunity puts police officers always at risk of having their actions judged, not by what they knew, and not judged on what the rules were today but judged upon hindsight being 20-20,” said Bob Stevenson of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police.
Murphy and Kenneth Grabowski, the legislative director of the Police Officers Association of Michigan, say they believe the current law is working fine.
“Most of this stuff is just to placate people complaining,” said Grabowski. “But it works.”
Murphy said that if people understood how difficult it is to get qualified immunity, this discussion wouldn’t even be taking place.
“I really, truly believe in my heart, that most men and women put on that uniform every day to do the right thing,” he said.
Karla Black, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at Kent County Health Department, was invited to Hands on Health to discuss COVID-19 and the vaccines with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services’ Nancy Piersma, Community Education Coordinator, and Rowan O’Dougherty, Board President. (WKTV)
Kentwood non-profit Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is always looking for new ways to serve the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. And WKTV Community Media is always looking for ways to work with groups in service of its Wyoming, Kentwood and West Michigan audience.
So the two this fall have partnered to begin a new multi-media project, Hands on Health, to provide health education in a format that is accessible to the Deaf, Deaf/Blind, Hard of Hearing — as well as other community members.
The first two episodes are now available on WKTV cable channels in Wyoming and Kentwood (check out the initial schedule below and WKTV cable schedule), on the WKTV Video Podcast page, and on the social media platforms of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (D&HHS) — YouTube and Facebook.
D&HHS, according to supplied material, has served the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (D/DB/HH) communities across West Michigan for more than 25 years. The agency began after a deaf man’s medical emergency turned nearly fatal due to the emergency services’ lack of accessibility.
“The situation shone a light on the lack of access and services for the D/DB/HH communities,” Deb Atwood, D&HHS executive director, said in printed material. “Today, our agency serves 27 counties across West Michigan, providing a wide range of services specifically for the D/DB/HH communities.
“Each day, we work toward our mission of providing equal communication access, education, and advocacy to the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing in pursuit of all life’s opportunities.
The genesis of Hands On Health
A study published in 2016 by a group of University Medical Departments found that health literacy among the deaf is alarmingly low. When compared to their hearing counterparts, deaf participants were 6.9 times more likely to have inadequate health literacy.
These disparities are caused by several factors including communication barriers, fewer opportunities for incidental learning, and especially lack of accessible information. Many within the D/DB/HH communities are not given appropriate access to information that allows them to understand or practice autonomy over their own health.
“Our agency has recognized the of issue inadequate health literacy among the D/DB/HH in the Greater Grand Rapids area and throughout West Michigan,” Erica Chapin, D&HHS community and partnership manager, said in printed material. “These issues were made alarmingly clear throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. With limited accessible information about COVID-19 and vaccines, D/DB/HH individuals have been susceptible to misinformation and unable to make informed decisions about their health and safety.
“This situation has brought to light the lack of information on general health and wellness topics. To combat this issue, our agency is starting the ‘Hands On Health’ video series that provides health education in a format that is accessible to the D/DB/HH and other communities.”
These first two episodes feature two deaf hosts — Nancy Piersma, Community Education Coordinator, and Rowan O’Dougherty, Board President — with guest Karla Black, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at Kent County Health Department, who was invited to discuss COVID-19 and the vaccines.
Hands on Health has premiered on WKTV Cable Channel 25 with Episode 1 continuing today, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. Episode 2 will premiere Oct. 25 at 9 p.m., and continue Oct. 26 at 9:30 a.m., and Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. They may also run at different days and times; see the weekly schedule.
For more information and to donate to Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services, visit www.deafhhs.org/donate.
Hands on Health continues a discussion on COVID-19 and the vaccines, hosted by Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services’ Nancy Piersma, Community Education Coordinator, and Rowan O’Dougherty, Board President. (WKTV)
George Doornbos created this piece of a soldier kneeling in front of a grave. (Supplied)
By Sheila McGrath WKTV Contributing Writer
George Doornbos and Dewey Heetderks, two veterans residing at Holland Home’s Breton Woods campus, both took up woodworking in their retirement years and found the art form greatly enriched their lives.
So when an opportunity arose to take part in a veterans-only exhibit designed to bring healing through art, they both signed on.
Doornbos and Heetderks each showed woodworking pieces in Has Heart, an ArtPrize venue at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Grand Rapids. ArtPrize 2021 ran Sept. 16 to Oct. 3.
The 21 works in the Has Heart collection were all created by military veterans, many of whom struggle with homelessness, PTSD, military sexual trauma, and thoughts of suicide.
Doornbos said working with wood helps keep his mind off aging and other unpleasant things. He was eager to participate in the exhibit hoping other veterans might also find peace through making art.
Artist George Doornbos (Supplied)
“I am very glad I went through it,” Doornbos said. “We were hoping to inspire some veterans or older people like myself to see if we could interest them in art or some other hobby to keep their mind off their troubles.”
Doornbos was in the Army from 1953 to 1955, serving as a radio operator. He took up woodworking seven years ago, at the age of 80, in the Holland Home wood shop. He works in a process called intarsia, which involves coloring and combining pieces of wood to form an art piece.
Dewey Heetderks creates hand carved wooden bowls using the grains and natural defects found in the wood to create unique and expressive works. (Supplied)
He typically creates animals, scenery or lighthouses, he said, but for the ArtPrize exhibit he entered a piece depicting a soldier kneeling over the grave of a fallen comrade. It was an idea that came to him about a year and a half ago, after he took part in an Honor Flight.
Honor Flights, funded by a nonprofit organization, transport American veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials honoring those who have served and died for the country.
“We went to the cemetery and the various war monuments, and this impressed me – the number of people who have given their lives so we can live with the freedoms we have. I was moved by that whole experience that whole day,” Doornbos said.
Heetderks worked in the Army medical corps as a urologist from 1963 to 1965, after graduating from the University of Michigan. He began turning wood about 15 years ago, at the age of 75, while spending winters in Florida.
Heetderks hand carves wooden bowls, using the grains and natural defects found in wood to create unique and expressive works.
Artist Dewey Heetderks
“Wood is a beautiful product of our lord,” he said. “If it’s sanded and polished and given the opportunity with a beautiful finish, it’s lovely. I embellished every bowl I made. I made a special effort to create something unique, and that was a lot of fun.”
Neither of them had any plans to enter ArtPrize until a representative from the organization visited Holland Home to tell the residents about the veterans-only exhibit being created this year.
Both artists said the most important thing about the exhibit was giving veterans a creative outlet.
“For those that were involved, art for them was particularly important, particularly those that were suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome,” Heetderks said. “It was obviously a release for them. It’s wonderful.”
Even people in the know about the state of the State of Michigan high school girls golf might have overlooked East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell last year — until she finished her freshman season a solid fourth in the Division 1 individual finals.
And following her consistent, quality play this season, and with her dominating the field at a very tough Division 1 Regional 1 last week — shooting a 73 at Thompsonville’s Betsie Valley course, six stokes ahead of the second place individual finisher — she may well be the golfer to beat this week at the 2-day state Division 1 finals at Grand Valley State University.
East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell will be seeking a state title Oct. 15-16. (Supplied)
While the 15-year old speaks softly and humbly when asked about her approach to the state finals, to be held Oct. 15-16 at The Meadows, she sounds quietly confident in her game. And her Falcon coach, Mike Ketelaar, says the same thing, a little more loudly.
“Just trying to get ready, mentally, more than anything,” Fennell said to WKTV this week, as she prepared for a practice round at Stonewater Country Club in Caledonia. “Physically is not as important as your mental game. I’m just trying to prepare for what I am going to do. Course management decisions. Everything like that.”
Ketelaar, too, says his prize young player is “hungry” to prove herself to be among the best in the state while she is already establishing herself on the national stage in youth golf by playing in “a lot of serious tournaments in the summertime with some of the best players in the country.”
“Playing in the state finals last year … I got to watch every shot and she was very composed. She enjoyed herself,” Ketelaar said to WKTV. “At the state tournament last year, there was a little bit of nerves but there was nothing she wasn’t used to. I think this year she is very excited for this state tournament coming up, because it is 36 holes, its at Grand Valley, where we’ve had a lot of events.
“I think she is hungry. Fourth place (last year) was really good for her but I think she has higher aspirations this year.”
Growing into her game, individual and team
Fennell has been playing since age six, and competing since she was about 10. And like a lot of young players, when she started there as a parent and a Tiger involved.
East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell is all smiles … until there is a club in her hands. (Supplied)
“I was like six, and my dad and I would watch Tiger (Woods) on TV, all those guys on TV, and he introduced me to the game,” Fennell said. Her first lesson, however, was later — “I was nine and it was here, (at Stonewater) from Jimmy (Wisinski).”
It was right about that time that she knew she could — and should — compete with the best in her age group, and higher.
“When I was 10, I was winning a lot of stuff in my age group, just because it was small, there was not a lot of girls in my age group,” Fennell said. “My scores were similar to the older girls, so I started moving up. And every time I moved up, all my scores were right there with them. … When I was like 12, I ended up playing with high schoolers and I said ‘Okay, this is where I am meant to be.’”
And that is about the time Falcon coach Ketelaar started hearing about the talent that would he would have the “privilege” and “responsibility” to be working with.
“I’ve had the privilege to work with Elise for the last two years, as her coach at East Kentwood High School,” he said. “But, prior to that, I knew about her pedigree and her ability. … Hearing about her name around the country club here and seeing her scores in different newspapers and stuff, I knew I had a huge responsibility as a coach to make sure I took care of that talent and help develop it to the best of my abilities.”
And despite her growth, physically, it is her mental game where she and her coach continue working to improve.
Her game changed, physically, she said as she grew from 10 to her current 15 years old “because I kept growing, so I needed new clubs, and my yardages changed, and but the same mentality stayed where I just wanted to focus on each shot, stay in the moment and not get too far ahead of myself. Otherwise it would be downhill from there.”
She has also grown both in her individual game and her team game, her coach said.
“I’ve noticed a huge growth in (her), she wants to do well individually still, she’s very hungry and competitive. But I think she is seeing the larger picture of the importance of helping team members,” Ketelaar said. “She obviously has more golf experience than a lot of girls on the team. She has really taken it upon herself to pass on that knowledge and teach them about course management. How to remain calm. Just to enjoy the moment.
“I know she knows high school golf is four years. I think the first year she was really concerned about learning about it and having success herself. It is very apparent now that it is not so much about her as it is about the whole team.”
Falcon team making improvements
While the East Kentwood girls golf team did not advance past the regionals, Fennell’s coach said her impact on the team this year and in the future is certain. Not only on the courses but at practice.
East Kentwood High School head girls golf coach Mike Ketelaar. (WKTV)
“I text and call Elise a lot to get a vibe on what’s the team thinking,” Ketelaar said. “Obviously I’m not a high school girl and I try my best to figure out the climate of the team is. But a lot of time I bank on her relationships, her friendships, with them all to say ‘Hey, are they enjoying themselves? Is there a practice we are doing, is it worthwhile?’ She comes back with really good advice of how she thinks we can improve our program.”
Looking at this year’s team, outride of Fennell, coach starts with his senior leader, Chandler Baillie — “She was a really a consistent player for us,” and then goes from there.
“Morgan Lee is a sophomore, she played our Number 2 this year — I know she is really excited to work in the off season, to improve. So, I’m looking forward to seeing what Morgan can bring to the table next year.
“And Aish (Aishwarya Kasaju) is a junior this year, she had huge improvements, she’ll be a senior leader. And Cam (Camryn) Kolzow came out as a freshman and never played school golf before and now has a real itch. So I think we have a great squad coming in for next year.”
East Kentwood High School sophomore Elise Fennell at practice. (Supplied)
The football stadium at Wyoming High School, which will be filled with fans Friday as the school and the community honors Jack VerDuin, who coached football at Wyoming Park High School. (WKTV)
If you ask someone in the Wyoming-area high school football community to name a few people whom long-time Wyoming Park coach Jack VerDuin impacted as a coach, teacher, friend and mentor be prepared for a long list.
And, as Wyoming High School is set to honor the late VerDuin by naming its new field in his honor this week, it is probably no coincidence that the first two people who talked to WKTV were more than happy to do so and are also now respected educators.
A photo of Jack VerDuin when he coached football at Wyoming Park High School. (Supplied/Wyoming High School)
“For me, it was a lot of things outside of football … as a teacher and an athletic director,” said Oogie LaMar, who was on VerDuin’s state title football team and is currently Director of Adult Education and Community Relations at the Kent ISD. “Many of my memories of him were the times off the field. Back in the day, in study hall. He was my study hall teacher, and so a lot of the discussions we had were just about life and team-ship — being a good person, being a good teammate. Being committed to principals … about the team, but (also) families and how to treat other people.”
VerDuin, who rolled up a 243-118-6 record with the Wyoming Park Vikings before the school merged with Wyoming Rogers into Wyoming high in 2012, was given many honors in his lifetime and after he died in 2007.
He coached the Vikings for 38 seasons beginning in 1962. During the years, Wyoming Park won 19 conference championships and the Class B state championship in 1984, a 33-20 victory over Monroe Catholic Central. The Vikings were then the state runner-up in 1985.
VerDuin is a member of the Wyoming Hall of Fame, Grand Rapids Hall of Fame, Michigan High School Hall of Fame and the Michigan Football Hall of Fame.
But maybe the honor he would appreciate the most would be the special place he occupies in so many of the young people he influenced, on and off the football field.
“Jack influenced me as a person by helping me grow up. He had high expectations and a belief that if we all follow the process, we will all be champions,” said Thom Vander Klay, who played for VerDuin as well and is now a coach and teacher at Wyoming high. “He rarely let his kids believe they were anything but unbeatable … and he was right.”
Teaching how to coach, how to succeed off the field
Vander Klay, to a large extend, also learned how to coach and how to lead an athletic program, from VerDuin.
“He was way ahead of his time regarding finding the right fit for positions for the football team seven years down the road,” Vander Klay said. “For example, he would watch the 7th grade sporting events (not just football) and find who he wanted for each position on his football teams. We generally all played the same position in the same system on both sides of the ball for 6 years. After that long people get pretty good at what they are trying to do.
“He was not concerned with younger teams’ records as it was all about getting better within the system,” he said. “I have worked as a coach to use Jack’s work ethic, attention to detail, and ways to work with each student athlete from where they come from in order to create synergy and teach them they can achieve when they believe in the process. Not just in athletics but when they are adults and are carrying out their plans.”
That idea, often-used these days, of “planning your work and working your plan” was just part of VerDuin caring more about his students as people than simply as athletes.
“Jack was a consistent professional and had great passion for kids and working hard,” Vander Klay said. “He was a big picture guy that would not accept excuses for falling short of his best.”
LaMar told much the same story — “He really just wanted us to do our best … he always expected that.”
Intentional or not, VerDuin was unique
Of course, Coach VerDuin was not without his (occasional) mistakes, with his teams and with his style of dress, as both LaMar and Vander Klay reluctantly talked about.
“I do remember when I was coaching with Jack and he came back from Florida (he coached in Naples, Fla., for two seasons) and he thought he could have the same type of pregame speech to a team we had that was just outmatched that year,” Vander Klay said. “He told them how bad our opponent wanted to beat us and how hard they had prepared and how they were so ready for us. The problem was our kids, who were not that experienced and (were) young that year, believed him and we got drilled.
“We said ‘Maybe you can’t use that same speech for a bit coach’ and he smiled and said ‘I get it.’ Two years later he led Park to another championship.”
And that style of 1980s’ coaching attire?
“He did have those white shoes that he wore, the turf shoes,” LaMar said. “As I look back, and see he and all our coaches in their tight shorts, back in the day, but I guess that was just maybe the style.”
WKTV’s Feature Game crew will be at Wyoming high this week as the Wolves host Grand Rapids Union and also a special celebration for the school’s new stadium being named in honor of Jack VerDuin. The celebration — which will also be 1971-72 Team Reunion Night, Community Night and Senior Night — includes free admission. There will be a Wyoming High School open House at 6 p.m., then the Jack VerDuin Stadium Dedication at 6:45 p.m., followed by game kickoff at 7 p.m.
