Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) has partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry to host a Mobile Pantry once a month.
*WHS August Mobile Food Pantry will be held Monday, Aug. 26 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
What to expect
Though the selection of food varies each month, there are always a variety of fresh and frozen items available at the Mobile Pantry.
The Mobile Pantry is drive-thru style, and families are asked to remain in their vehicles for safety.
WHS Mobile Food Pantry Map (Courtesy, WPS)
Cars enter at the main entrance to WHS (1350 Prairie Parkway). Volunteers will direct traffic in the parking lot to help with efficiency.
Once in line, a volunteer will approach each car to record the name, address, number of people in the household, and the reason the food is needed for each family. Once a car has reached the front of the line, volunteers will load a box of food into the trunk.
Resources
To learn more about Feeding America West Michigan and the services they offer, click here.
For the Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry schedule, click here.
Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome to meet at Lemery Park in Wyoming at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 to help remove trash from Buck Creek during the Annual Buck Creek Clean Up event.
“This year’s clean up is expanding to new areas and is shaping up to be one of our best!” said Martha Stout Vermeulen, Founder and former President of Friends of Buck Creek-Michigan (FOBC).
A family-friendly, active event, volunteers will remove trash and debris from various sites in the Buck Creek Watershed. Now under the leadership of FOBC board members Grant Simons and Lizzy Rozeboom, the clean up is expanding to include the area south of M-6.
Trash pulled from previous Buck Creek Clean Up event (Courtesy, FOBC)
An environment in danger
Buck Creek is a tributary of the Grand River found in Kent and Allegan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan.
Stretching 20.3 miles long, Buck Creek consists of 37.5 acres in nature preserve and 32,392 acres in watershed. The creek is a source of abundant wildlife and a habitat for many aquatic and semi-aquatic species. It is also integral for clean water.
However, Buck Creek is a cold water resource that continues to be threatened because of its urban location.
“A clean and healthy environment is critical to the overall health of our waterways and communities,” the FOBC website states. Removing trash within the community ensures a swimmable, drinkable, and fishable future for local waters.
Volunteers at the 2021 Buck Creek Cleanup (Courtesy, FOBC)
Several tons of trash have been removed from the rare urban trout stream’s waters.
Tires, shopping carts, microwaves and 55 gallon drums are only a few items removed from the creek. The most frequent and toxic trash recovered is plastic and styrofoam.
“Getting citizens up close and personal with Buck Creek reveals problems that a disposable society creates, and increases awareness to reduce and reuse,” said Vermeulen at a previous Buck Creek Clean Up event.
Clean up event details
Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at 8:30 a.m. clean up check-in at Lemery Park, along with gloves and bags. Insect repellant and poison ivy wipes will also be available.
Comfortable shoes or boots (that can get wet/dirty) and layered clothing are recommended. A long shirt and pants can help protect from bug bites and poison ivy.
Volunteers should bring a reusable water bottle. Work gloves, waders and grabber sticks are welcomed and encouraged.
Following clean up, lunch at Wedgwood Park in Grandville will be provided to volunteers, compliments of Grandville Mayor Steve Maas (tax money is not used for this meal).
It is not uncommon to find discarded tires during the clean up (Courtesy, FOBC 2021)
Registration and sponsorship
Register to attend the clean up here. FOBC will email additional instructions before the event.
Sponsors of the annual clean up are welcomed and can email mibuckcreek@gmail.com for more information.
Event details and updates can also be found on the FOBC Facebook page.
Join the FOBC board!
The purpose of FOBC is to inspire, initiate, promote and engage in activities that improve the environmental quality and beauty of Buck Creek.
Volunteers are invited to take a more active role in “Friends of Buck Creek” by joining the board. Those interested can click here.
The Kentwood Justice Center houses 62-B District Court and the Kentwood Police Department. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org
The preliminary examination for former Michigan State Police Det. Sgt. Brian Keely will take place Monday, Aug. 12, at 1:30 p.m. at the 62-B District Court. The parties are scheduled to appear in person.
Due to capacity restrictions, a limited number of observers will be allowed to attend the preliminary examination. Observers arriving after the capacity has been reached will be provided Zoom instructions and asked to watch virtually from another location. Cell phone use is not allowed in the 62-B District Court lobby.
To observe the preliminary examination, use the Meeting ID: 428 094 0961 on the Zoom mobile app or at Zoom.us. The direct link is available on the 62-B District Court’s website.
Keely faces charges of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. At the preliminary examination, Judge Amanda Sterkenburg will determine if there is probable cause to bind the matter over to the 17th Circuit Court for trial on the charges. The Court has been made aware of social media campaigns to draw attendance at the preliminary examination.
“Safety, fairness and efficiency are all of great concern at the upcoming proceeding,” Sterkenburg said. “We are taking precautions to ensure the preliminary examination is conducted with respect for all parties and in accordance with the law and court rules.”
Keely’s defense team is currently seeking to have the matter removed to federal court. In July, a federal judge ordered briefs on the issue of removal. Unless there is an order of removal to the federal court, the matter will proceed in state court. Briefs have been filed, but as of today, there has not yet been a decision.
Nearly 100,000 Michigan high school student-athletes are anticipated to begin Fall 2024 practices on Monday, Aug. 12, across nine sports for which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors postseason tournaments.
The fall season includes the most played sports for both boys and girls; 35,174 football players and 19,119 girls volleyball players competed during the Fall 2023 season. Teams in those sports will be joined by competitors in girls and boys cross country, Lower Peninsula girls golf, boys soccer, Lower Peninsula girls swimming & diving, Upper Peninsula girls tennis and Lower Peninsula boys tennis in beginning practice next week.
Competition begins Aug. 16 for cross country, golf, soccer and tennis, Aug. 21 for swimming & diving and volleyball, and Aug. 29 for varsity football. Football teams at all levels must have 12 days of preseason practice – over a period of 16 calendar days – before their first game.
In girls volleyball this season, for the first time, the top two teams in each District bracket will be seeded based on Michigan Power Ratings (MPR) that take into account a team’s regular-season success and strength of schedule. Those two seeded teams will be determined the Sunday prior to the final week of the regular season and placed on opposite sides of their District brackets.
Boys soccer also will see a slight change to its seeding this fall, as the entire bracket will be seeded based on MPR, not just the top two teams as in previous seasons.
The 11-Player Football Finals schedule at Ford Field also will have a slightly different lineup and earlier start times. On both Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30, the first games of the day will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the final games of both days slated to start at 7 p.m. On Nov. 29, Division 8 at 9:30 a.m. will be followed by Division 4 at 12:30 p.m., Division 6 at 4 p.m. and Division 2 at 7 p.m. to conclude the day. On Nov. 30, Division 7 kicks off at 9:30 a.m., followed by Division 3 at 12:30 p.m., Division 5 at 4 p.m. and Division 1 at 7 p.m. to finish the weekend.
A few more game-action rule changes will be quickly noticeable to participants and spectators.
In football, uniforms now must have clear contrast between the colors of the jersey body and numbers; for example, white numbers with blue outline on a white jersey are no longer allowed. The visiting teams must wear white uniforms, and home teams must wear dark jerseys that clearly contrast with white.
In soccer, the eight-goal differential rule remains but with the addition of a running clock during the first half if the differential reaches eight.
In volleyball, line judges beginning this fall will switch sides of the court between sets.
The 2024 Fall campaign culminates with postseason tournaments beginning with the Upper Peninsula Girls Tennis Finals during the week of Sept. 30 and wrapping up with the 11-Player Football Finals on Nov. 29 and 30.
This original exhibit honors the 50th anniversary of Gerald R. Ford’s ascent to the Oval Office, and focuses on the pivotal and often controversial decisions that shaped Ford’s administration. “Ford at 50” can be viewed at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids.
Never-seen artifacts and new insights
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Opening on August 9, “Ford at 50” features a blend of immersive set pieces, unique artifacts, and historic film footage, providing an unparalleled window into the critical moments and challenges that defined President Ford’s administration.
Highlights of the exhibit include his difficult decision to grant clemency to draft dodgers, his controversial pardon of Richard Nixon, his aid for Vietnamese refugees, his decisive action following the Mayaguez Incident, and more.
“‘Ford at 50: Decisions That Defined a Presidency’ offers a comprehensive exploration of Gerald R. Ford’s leadership during one of the most turbulent times in American history,” said Brooke Clement, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.
“We invite visitors to gain new insights into the complexities and nuances of Ford’s presidency through this richly detailed exhibit.”
The exhibit will showcase nearly a hundred artifacts, many which have never been seen by the public before, including items from children who came to the United States via Operation Babylift, military medals sent to the President by veterans in protest of Ford granting of partial clemency to draft dodgers, and Head of State gifts given to the President and First Lady as they traveled throughout eastern Europe prior to the Helsinki Accords.
“My goal in developing this exhibition was to create a multifaceted experience for visitors, allowing an in-depth exploration of some of the pivotal moments that shaped Gerald R. Ford’s presidency and legacy,” said Dr. Mirelle Luecke, Supervisory Curator of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.
Audio visual elements of President Ford’s speeches pertaining to each of the major events and new, engaging set pieces at each section of the exhibit will help visitors experience these historic moments.
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Stay tuned…
In conjunction with the exhibit, the museum will host a series of special events honoring the 50th anniversary. Events will include expert panel discussions, film screenings, and invited speakers such as journalists, historians and other scholars to provide deeper context and engagement with the themes of the exhibit.
Below are the unofficial Aug. 6 Primary results for the Kentwood and Wyoming area. For the Aug. 6 Primary and Nov. 5 General Election, WKTV’s We The People program extended an invitation to all local Kentwood and Wyoming candidates. Participating candidate results are listed here.
Kent County Sports and Entertainment Facilities Proposal
YES (65,909 votes, 53.63%) NO (56,976 votes, 46.37%)
Shall Kent County increase the rate at which the excise tax is levied on all persons engaged in the business of providing rooms for lodging purposes to guests staying less than 30 consecutive days under Public Act 263 of 1974 as amended from 5% to 8% of the total charge for accommodations to be used for allowable uses including financing of the acquisition, construction, improvement, enlargement, repair, or maintenance of stadiums, arenas, sports complexes, and aquariums starting January 1, 2025 and terminating on the same day as the county ordinance enacted under Public Act 263 of 1974 as amended.
(Courtesy, Grand Action 2.0)
Kent County Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage
YES (70,313 votes, 59.04%) NO (48,787 votes, 40.96%)
Shall Kent County levy 0.25 of one mill, which equals 25 cents per $1,000 of the taxable value on all real and personal property subject to taxation, for the period January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2030, inclusive, for the purpose of planning, evaluating, and providing services to persons through age 5 and their parents for early childhood development, and services to improve quality of childcare and to increase public information regarding available childcare? The amount raised by the levy in the first calendar year is estimated at $8,794,547.
In Kent County there are 31 local authorities that capture and use, for authorized purposes, tax increment revenues from property taxes levied by the County. Such capture could include a portion of this millage levy. The 31 tax increment authorities in Kent County, capturing a portion of this tax levy, include but are not limited to the following:
Ada Township – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Bowne Township – Downtown Development Authority Byron Township – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Cascade Charter Township – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Cedar Springs, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Grand Rapids, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Monroe North-Tax Increment Finance Authority, Smart Zone Local Development Finance Authority, Corridor Improvement Finance Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Grand Rapids Township – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Grandville, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Kent City, Village of – Downtown Development Authority Kentwood, City of – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Lowell, City of – Downtown Development Authority Rockford, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Sparta, Village of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Walker, City of – Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Wyoming, City of – Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
(Courtesy, First Steps Kent)
State Representative, House District 83 Seat
The Michigan House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Michigan State Legislature. Alongside the Michigan State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Michigan state government and works alongside the governor of Michigan to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Michigan House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.
John Fitzgerald – Incumbent Candidate, State Representative, House District 83 (4,915 votes, no opposition)
Tommy Brann – Candidate, State Representative, House District 83 (4,835 votes, no opposition)
*Will face each other in the General Election Nov. 5.
Wyoming Council Member At-Large Seat
The Wyoming Mayor and City Council are an active, elected body of government responsible for legislation and policy-making for the City. The Mayor and three at-large Council Members are elected by all voters; three ward Council Members represent and are elected by voters in specific geographical districts. Together, they adopt City ordinances, appoint members to boards and commissions, and approve an annual City budget.
Sheldon DeKryger (3,455 votes, 46.92%), Robert Kilgo (2,665 votes, 36.19%), Rick Pilieci (1,159 votes, 15.74%).
*DeKryger advances to the General Election Nov. 5.
Kent County Board of Commissioners Seat
The Kent County Board of Commissioners is the chief legislative and policy-making body of Kent County Government. Commissioners are elected to 2-year terms from districts that are roughly equal in population. A chair and vice-chair are elected at the first meeting of each new year by the Commissioners. The chair appoints each Commissioner to one of two standing committees: the Finance and Physical Resources Committee or the Legislative and Human Resources Committee.
Sonia Riley (D) – Candidate, Kent County Commissioner District 7 (2,226 votes, no opposition, Advances to General Election Nov. 5)
Chris Herweyer (D) – Candidate, Kent County Commissioner District 8 (2,233 votes, no opposition, Advances to General Election Nov. 5)
Michelle McCloud (D) – Incumbent Candidate, Kent County Commissioner District 13 (2,710 votes, no opposition, Advances to General Election Nov. 5)
Nancy L. Morales (D) – Candidate, Kent County Commissioner District 20 (927 votes, no opposition, Advances to General Election Nov. 5)
Derek Anderson (R) – Candidate, Kent County Commissioner District 20 9 (404 votes, 69.90%), David Lee Boelkes (R) (168 votes, 29.07%). (Anderson advances to the General Election vs. Nancy L. Morales on Nov. 5)
Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds Seat
The Kent County Clerk’s Office has three major functions: to manage County elections; to manage vital County records; and to process and maintain all Circuit Court files. In Kent County, the Clerk is also the Register of Deeds. The Clerk is also the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners, and statutorily serves on numerous County boards and commissions.
Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R) – Incumbent Candidate, Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds (56,374 votes, no opposition, Advances to General Election Nov. 5)
Scott Urbanowski (D) – Candidate, Kent County Clerk/Register of Deeds (54,512 votes, no opposition, Advances to General Election Nov. 5 vs. Posthumus Lyons)
Participation in Michigan High School Athletic Association-sponsored sports rose for the third-straight school year in 2023-24 – this time by nearly one percent – and continued to do so despite another 2-percent decrease in school enrollment among the MHSAA’s 754 member high schools.
A total of 270,664 participants were counted across the 28 sports for which the MHSAA sponsors postseason tournaments – a 0.97-percent increase from 2022-23, despite a 1.8-percent decrease in MHSAA member school enrollment. Boys participation rose 1.1 percent to 158,260, despite a 1.8 percent decrease in boys enrollment. Girls participation rose 0.7 percent to 112,377, while girls enrollment dipped 1.9 percent from the previous school year.
Boys total highest since 2018-19 school year at 158,260 participants
MHSAA participation totals count students once for each sport in which they participate, meaning students who are multiple-sport athletes are counted more than once. The boys participation total for 2023-24 was its highest since 2018-19, predating the sharp decrease brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 school year.
Girls golf and lacrosse growing
Only 11 sports saw increases in participation during 2023-24 – compared to 18 sports that reported increases between 2021-22 and 2022-23. However, two sports set participation records this past school year. Girls golf reported 3,936 athletes, an increase of 6.2 percent from the previous year and that sport’s most since 2002-03. Girls lacrosse broke its record set in 2019-20 with 3,245 athletes, up nine-tenths of a percent from the previous year.
Large wrestling increase attributable to another jump in girls participation (39 percent)
Wrestling reported the largest increase in participation for the second-straight school year, this time by 12.8 percent with 11,814 athletes – and the rise again mostly attributable to the rapid growth in girls participation in the sport, which jumped another 39 percent with 1,216 wrestlers this past season. Girls tennis enjoyed the next largest participation jump, increasing 9.1 percent with 8,911 athletes, that sport’s most since 2018-19.
Both girls and boys track & field increased for the third-straight year, girls by 5.2 percent to 17,325 competitors and boys 2.9 percent to 23,888. Boys lacrosse (up 3.9 percent to 5,236 athletes) and boys golf (up 3.3 percent to 7,222) also joined their girls counterparts in those sports in trending upward.
Football remains most-played sport statewide at 35,174 participants
Boys soccer (up 5.1 percent to 13,953 athletes), girls competitive cheer (3.9 percent to 6,172) and football (11 and 8-player combined – 0.5 percent to 35,174) also showed increases. Football remains the most-played sport statewide with more than 11,000 more athletes than the next highest, boys track & field, and the 2023-24 football participation total was that sport’s highest since 2018-19. Boys basketball (20,199 participants), girls volleyball (19,119) and girls track & field ranked third through fifth, respectively, among the state’s most-played sports this past school year.
Although 17 sports saw lower participation in 2023-24 than the previous year, five experienced decreases smaller than the overall 1.8-percent loss in enrollment at member schools – boys ice hockey (-0.03 percent with just one fewer participant than in 2022-23), girls soccer (-0.3 percent), girls volleyball (-0.8 percent), boys tennis (-1.2 percent), boys cross country (-1.3 percent) and girls softball (-1.5 percent). Girls cross country just missed that line with only a 1.9-percent decrease from the previous year.
The participation figures are gathered annually from MHSAA member schools to submit to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for compiling of its national participation survey. Results of Michigan surveys from the 2000-01 school year to present may be viewed on the MHSAA Website – www.mhsaa.com – by clicking on Schools > Administrators > Sports Participation Listing.
Approximately 20 regional businesses will showcase their goods and services during the fifth annual Black-Owned Business Showcase at Woodland Mall Saturday, Aug. 10.
The annual event will feature booths with Black-owned businesses offering baked goods, health and wellness products, jewelry, apparel and more.
A previous Black-Owned Business Showcase. (Courtesy, Woodland Mall)
Participating vendors include:
Uniquely Made Kreations
TLC House Of Beauty
Dulce-T’s
Keys Scented Candles
Unique Hair by Shay
Dr. Diva Accessories
Misha’s Boutique
K’s Kloset LLC
The Shoe Boss
Dessy Delights
Nick Nak Treats
Bessette Designs
GloWorld
Kenyons Creations
Dejure Essentials
Pretty Girl Collection Boutique
Shoppers can browse, sample, buy and connect during the day-long showcase from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Von Maur wing. The event is again presented by Britney Sylvester, owner of Uniquely Made Kreations.
“We’re looking forward to hosting the showcase again and welcoming new vendors to the lineup,” said Marketing Manager Kennedy Vancalbergh. “The Black-Owned Business Showcase is always a popular event that introduces our community to incredible products and services available right here in West Michigan. We’re honored to continue to host this event, which brings great exposure for the vendors.”
PREIT properties across its footprint has hosted activities throughout the year, including art exhibits, documentary screenings and food festivals, as a way to highlight the importance of Black-owned businesses and brands year-round.
At approximately 6 a.m. on Aug. 4, the Wyoming Fire Department responded to reports of a commercial building fire located in the 2600 block of Prairie Street S.W.
The first arriving fire units observed significant fire coming through the roof. Several explosions were noted, likely from propane tanks on site. The fire had already spread rapidly throughout the building, causing significant structural damages and challenges in suppressing the fire. The fire was contained and extinguished preventing it from fully spreading to the remainder of the structure.
There were no injuries or fatalities, as the building was currently unoccupied.
Community help
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
The Wyoming Fire Department was notified of this fire due to the actions of observant neighbors and passers-by who saw smoke and flames emanating from the building. Their ability to notify 911 likely helped save the building and its contents from being a total loss.
The Wyoming Fire Department would like to thank the many local and municipal partners involved with this fire either directly or indirectly to include: Wyoming Police Department, Wyoming Public Works and Traffic Department, Grand Rapids Fire Department, Grandville FireDepartment and Grandville Public Works, Byron Township Fire Department, Kentwood Fire Department, Georgetown Township Fire Department, DTE and Consumers Energy.
Fire safety reminders
In light of this incident, the Wyoming Fire Department would like to remind all business owners and residents of the importance of fire safety. Please ensure properties are equipped with working smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and clear emergency exit paths. Regular maintenance and adherence to safety regulations can significantly reduce the risk of fire.
Fire investigator contact
This fire is currently under investigation for origin and cause. Anyone with additional information regarding this fire is asked to contact the Wyoming Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office Fire Investigator at 616-257-9764.
Erna Bajgoric gives a shot to Florine G. at the clinic inside the Care Resources day center in Grand Rapids. Participants like Florine can see primary care providers and receive treatment without having to schedule appointments or wait at the doctor’s office as part of the nonprofit’s approach to provide wrap-around care. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
Imagine having a medical need, and instead of enduring a long wait at urgent care or the emergency room, you visit a clinic where you’re seen within minutes. You’re diagnosed and then provided everything from an IV to wound care to lab work to meds and more.
You’re referred, as needed, to a social worker, therapist or any number of other health professionals. And you don’t pay a dime.
It’s not make believe.
You’re inside the clinic at Care Resources, a community-based program for adults 55 and older that promotes healthy, independent living and helps people avoid nursing home placement. It’s available to those who meet the nursing facility level of care established by the state of Michigan.
The clinic, located in Grand Rapids at Care Resources headquarters at 4150 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, boasts a medical team of seven primary providers, as well as a host of nurses, therapists and clinicians who treat participants on site and are equipped to address everything from hangnails to heart issues.
“We have a lot of resources right here at our fingertips,” says Nancy Baker, a registered nurse, clinic and day center manager, “and we’re able to serve them quickly and help them avoid trips to the ER.”
Laura Hall, a nurse practitioner and associate clinic director, notes: “They walk in, fill out a form and they’re seen often immediately by a doctor, a physician’s assistant or a nurse practitioner. A lot of our participants are amazed at the level of care – and the continuity of care.”
The Care Resources medical team collaborates closely with social workers, pharmacists, dietitians, transportation workers and others – all on-site – to make sure the participant is getting critical follow-up care as well.
Indeed, the entire Care Resources staff at the Kalamazoo Avenue address is trained to safeguard all its participants, many of whom visit the facility’s day center and spend time there eating, socializing and taking part in organized programs and activities like bingo and group games.
“Our day staff is really good at letting us know if something is changing or something is wrong with one of our participants,” Hall says. “We’re good at recognizing needs.”
At Care Resources, the aim is to “centralize care,” says Hall, although it doesn’t stop there. It includes being purposeful about communicating with participants’ guardians and caregivers as well, spending time on the phone to fill them in or inviting them to attend appointments to serve as a second set of eyes and ears.
Health care is also extended to participants in the comfort of their homes, where they can qualify for physical and occupational therapy, visits from a social worker or nurse, and help with anything from light housework to meal and grocery delivery – anything that eases their burden and helps promote a healthy lifestyle.
The clinic is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A primary care provider is on call evenings, weekends and holidays.
“The responsibility is on us to deliver their care,” Hall says. “And our goal is to always spend quality time with every participant. “So we’re never in a rush. And there’s never a wait.”
For more information about Care Resources, call 616-913-2006 or visit HERE
Consumers Energy is holding its annual National Night Out Kickoff Event from 6:15 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, at the Consumers Energy Grand Rapids Service Center, 4000 Clay Ave. SW, Grand Rapids.
Everyone is welcome to arrive as early as 6:15 a.m. There will be coffee, donuts and Consumers Energy bucket trucks. Neighborhood associations and other community leaders are welcome to join.
Here’s the Agenda:
6:15 a.m. – Bucket Trucks and Police Cars Set Up On-Site
Chef O uses his talents in the kitchen to educate others on healthy meal options (Courtesy, Meals on Wheels)
Chef Oliver Hale, a Grand Rapids resident affectionately known as Chef O, has recently been awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his 4,028 hours of volunteer community service.
They celebrate those who have committed countless hours to the betterment of society and acknowledge volunteers who go above and beyond, giving their time to address critical needs and making significant impact through their efforts.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor given by the program, recognizing individuals who have dedicated over 4,000 hours of volunteer service.
During his lifetime, the beloved chef has worked with several organizations to serve those around him, including:
“When I first learned about this award, I knew that this was something that Chef O deserved,” said Lisa Wideman, CEO and President of Meals on Wheels Western Michigan. “Nominating him for this was an incredibly obvious thing that I needed to do.”
A life of service
Hale began working with Meals on Wheels in 1993 because he loved the idea of helping people through food.
Chef O has inspired countless people with his positive energy and giving heart (Courtesy, Meals on Wheels)
“I wanted to help people, and I was looking for an organization that I fit into,” said Hale. “Meals on Wheels was providing healthy and fresh food done right. I liked the nutritional value they put into it.”
“He really lights up the kitchen when he comes in and volunteers,” said Wideman. “He brings such an incredible, positive energy with him wherever he goes.
“I know the trials and tribulations he’s been through, and he never talks about himself. It’s always about giving to others. He is true-hearted.”
A beacon of resilience
An award-winning chef with a career that spans over 50 years, Hale is also a two-time kidney transplant recipient.
Because of his own experiences, Chef O is an active advocate for organ donation (Courtesy, Meals on Wheels)
“Chef O is not only a culinary expert, but also a beacon of resilience,” said Wideman. “His determination and tenacity have truly inspired me over the years.”
The receipt of that first kidney on Jan. 28, 1985 is what sparked Hale’s mission to give back. And he hit the ground running.
Hale went back to college and began volunteer work in Toledo. When he moved to West Michigan, he continued to pay it forward by helping those who could not help themselves.
In 1999, Hale was invited to host his own TV show, “Chef O’s Place,” on WKTV Community Media.
“We did 315 shows over 11 years,” Hale said of his time at WKTV. “They were like family to me. We came together once a week…and we had fun taping it. The show was all volunteer, and that’s what I loved about it.”
But that’s not all…
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Chef O retired in 2010, but continues to dedicate his time to cooking competitions – through which he has won several awards, judging, speaking engagements, recipe writing and healthy cooking demonstrations across the country.
“I love challenges,” said Hale, adding that he recently checked two items off his bucket list: cooking a nine-course dinner for 10 people, and accepting an invitation to be a guest chef at a five-star restaurant in England.
Since 1987, Hale has participated in the World Transplant Games, traveling to nine countries and winning 35 medals – 19 of them gold medals in track & field, tennis, fencing and pickleball. Hale recently added two more silver medals to his collection at the 2024 National Transplant Games in Alabama.
A profound impact
The Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony was held at Meals on Wheels Western Michigan in Grandville.
Several members of the community were present at the award ceremony to celebrate Chef O and his accomplishments (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Wideman began the celebration by reading a message from President Joe Biden:
“You are helping discover and deliver solutions to the challenges we face. We are living in a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another. Through your service, you’re providing all three.”
Carly Swanson, Community Engagement Specialist for the Office of Governor, presented a letter from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Edye Evans Hyde (left), popular West Michigan jazz singer, greets Chef O (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
In that letter, Whitmer commended Chef O on his commitment to serving his community:
“Your remarkable achievements and contributions have had a profound impact on the community of Grand Rapids and beyond. Your commitment to service…is nothing short of extraordinary.
“Michigan is great because of individuals like you who embody the spirit of hard work, diversity and perseverance.”
Family values
Hale credits his parents for his many accomplishments – especially his mother.
“My mom and dad were the backbone of my values of what I do and what I learned how to do – especially when it comes to cooking.
“She’s the one who had me in her kitchen at five years old…She planted a seed in me, and I didn’t turn back.”
Chef O enjoyed his time filming “Chef O’s Place” at WKTV Community Media (Courtesy, Meals on Wheels)
But Hale’s mother imparted more than just cooking advice – she also had words of wisdom about life.
“When I got ready to leave home to travel…she looked at me and said, ‘Oliver, who you are is God’s gift to you. What you do from this point on is your gift back to God.’ That has stayed with me for all these years when I go to do things.”
Hale was notified that his mother had passed away 24 hours before he received the phone call informing him of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Though moved by news of the award, Hale said it took two months for it to truly penetrate the grief surrounding him.
“I am moved beyond belief,” said Hale. “This has been an unbelievable journey that I’ve had for the last several months.”
Simply…living
Terri Lynn Land, former Michigan Secretary of State, chats with Chef O (Courtesy, Deborah Reed)
Hale encourages community members to consider being an organ donor.
“I’m standing here because of that day on January 29, 1985. If you are not an organ donor, if you don’t have a heart on your driver’s license, please consider it.”
When asked what he considers to be his biggest accomplishment, Hale’s answer is simple: “Living.”
And he has no plans to stop.
Carol Glanville, State Representative – 84th District, with Chef O (Courtesy, Deborah Reed)
“God has blessed me with two transplants, and I’m very happy that I can continue showing the world what organ donation can provide,” said Hale.
“I’m not stopping here. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing because God gave me an opportunity. I believe in everything I do.”
Wideman says Hale has inspired countless people to volunteer within the community, and she urges everyone to get involved somewhere: “It can fulfill your heart just by giving back.”
Kentwood Police Captain Tim Wierenga said National Night Out is one of his favorite days of the year.
“It’s a very positive day,” he said with a smile during an interview at WKTV. “You’re out having good conversations, taking selfies … stopping by a few grills, getting ice cream. It opens up that door for communication and that’s what everything starts from.”
Wierenga and Wyoming Police Sergeant Rory Allen stopped by WKTV Wednesday to talk about the upcoming National Night Out (NNO) on our WKTV Soundbites program. NNO will be held Tuesday, Aug. 6, throughout Kentwood and Wyoming.
According to the NNO website, it’s an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live … and provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
“It’s a positive interaction with meeting the officers, getting to just meet them in a conversational tone,” Allen explained. “They’re not there on official business, not there on a call. This is a great opportunity to just have people meet and talk to the officers on a personal level and talk about what’s going on in their neighborhoods.”
Wierenga agreed
“It all starts with a conversation,” Wierenga echoed. “This allows us to be out there and have those conversations. To get out there and talk and not just see you when you call for that bad day or thing that’s going wrong in your life.”
(Courtesy, Wyoming Police Department)
Allen said they make sure to have an officer stop by every party to build those relationships with the community, because some members may never have had an interaction with the local police department.
“It’s an awesome resource for us,” Allen said. “And our officers have a lot of fun with this. It gets those conversations flowing that really helps us build those relationships.”
Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin stated a similar message
“Members of the Kentwood Police and Fire departments look forward to gathering and connecting with community members of all ages over great food, yard games and other fun activities,” Chief Litwin said. “Through this event, police and fire personnel along with community leaders have meaningful conversations with our residents that ultimately help make our city stronger and safer.”
Kentwood Police Captain Tim Wierenga gives a tour of his car. (Courtesy, Kentwood Police Department)
Millions participate in NNO
In its 41st year, millions of neighbors take part in NNO across the United States via block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts, youth activities, games, visits from police and fire departments, community leaders and McGruff the Crime Dog, and much more.
(Image Courtesy, National Night Out)
Kentwood Public NNO Events:
Kentwood police officers, firefighters and leaders will join residents at multiple gatherings throughout the city offering residents opportunities to explore police cruisers, fire engines and other emergency response vehicles while learning about important safety topics.
Bretwood Centre, 4470 Breton Road SE (5 to 8 p.m.): Community members can enjoy activities, music and a visit from the Aero Med team, Department of Public Works and Kentwood Commissioners Clarkston Morgan, Jessica Ann Tyson and Betsy Artz. There also will be a DJ.
Pentecostals Church, 2627 44th St. SE (6 to 8 p.m.): Appearances by members of the Kentwood Police and Fire Departments and McGruff the Crime Dog.
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Anyone interested in hosting a block party for NNO, please contact Officer Brooke Lowe at 616-656-6564 or by email at loweb@kentwood.us. More information on this event can be found at kentwood.us/NNO.
Wyoming Public NNO Events:
Wyoming police officers and firefighters will join residents at multiple gatherings across the city. Residents will have the opportunity to explore police and fire equipment, including police cruisers, fire trucks, and other emergency response vehicles, as well as learn about a variety of safety topics. Community members can also visit with the Wyoming Police Department K9 team.
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Consumers Energy Kickoff, 4000 Clay Ave. SW, Grand Rapids (7 a.m.):
6:15 a.m. – Bucket Trucks and Police Cars Setup On-Site
6:30 a.m. – Live TV/Radio Promos
7 a.m. – Police Chiefs and Mayors Arrive
7:15 a.m. – Reading of the Joint Proclamation
Celebration Cinema at Rivertown Crossings (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.): Appearances by members of the Wyoming Police Department, plus popcorn and handouts for the kids as well as Wyoming PD motorcycles on display in the mall.
“It’s really fun for me because I get to ride one of the police motorcycles into the mall, which is not something you normally get to do,” Allen said.
Lifeline Community Church, 2929 Rogers Lane Ave. SW, Wyoming (6 to 8 p.m.)
Grace Christian University, 1011 Aldon St. SW, Grand Rapids (5 to 7 p.m.)
Buck Creek Community Church, 3746 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming (5:30 to 8 p.m.)
For more information on Wyoming NNO events, call 616-530-7300 and ask for Sgt. Rory Allen.
The Sounds of Summer Concert Series continues in Byron Center with three August shows starting on Thursday, Aug. 1, with country band Prior Noon at Bicentennial Park at 7 p.m.
(Courtesy, Sounds of Summer)
The FREE community concert also will have food available from Tony’s Tacos.
“Tony has helped us out for a couple of years now,” said Patty Williams of P. Williams Productions. “He’s part of the family now.”
P. Williams Productions, which also includes William’s son Lare, prides themselves on providing an entertaining night of not only music, but rounds of Name That Tune and trivia emceed by Lare.
“I’ve had this group of ladies come to me and say that the music is great, but they really come to see Lare,” Patty said. “He’s very entertaining and also takes care of all the sound engineering.”
Sounds of Summer garners fans from far and wide throughout the state of Michigan and even from other states.
“We had a couple drive seven hours from Paducah, Kentucky, to watch our show at Cutler Park,” Williams said. “We have people come from Mackinac, Charlevoix, South Haven, even Detroit. We have many people that have been coming to shows for many years; they own it and make it feel like it’s theirs.”
90’s cover band Project 90 will perform Aug. 8, and Brena will be the grand finale on Aug. 15 to close out the series.
Brena, West Michigan’s premiere party band, is led by duo Craig Avery and Steffan Copenhaver and closed out the Sounds of Summer series at Cutler Park last month.
(Courtesy, Sounds of Summer)
“Cutler Park had a great-sized crowd, if I had to guess, it was more than 500 people,” Avery said. “We have a completely different setlist planned for Byron Center, so we hope to see many familiar faces there.”
Bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket, sit back, relax, and get ready to be entertained by the Sounds of Summer.
“People enjoy going out on a summer evening bringing their lawn chairs and listening to good music,” Patty Williams said. “There’s excitement from the moment you park your car to the time you get to your seat.”
The stadium will be designed as a multi-purpose, professional, high-performing venue driving economic growth and development in a vital urban district. It will become the home of professional soccer in West Michigan and also serve a broader community asset supporting youth, colleges and amateur clubs, according to the Grand Action 2.0 website. (Image Courtesy, Grand Action 2.0)
Kent County voters will have the opportunity to give the proposed new soccer stadium in downtown Grand Rapids an assist when they head to the polls on August 6.
Among the items on the ballot is a proposal to increase the tax rate for hotel rooms in Kent County. The current hotel tax rate for hotels and motels in Kent County is 5%. The proposal calls for a 3% raise in the hotel tax bringing it up to 8%. Combined with other state and local taxes, this would bring the total tax for a hotel room in Kent County to 18%.
The money raised from the increased hotel tax would be used for part of the construction costs of the proposed new downtown Grand Rapids soccer arena. The increased hotel tax revenue also will be used for improvements, enlargements, repairs and maintenance of existing stadiums, arenas and sports complexes downtown along with construction costs for any new projects including a possible new aquarium.
Stadium hinges on upcoming Aug. 6 vote
Passing the proposal to increase the hotel tax will be crucial in keeping the process of building a new soccer stadium in downtown Grand Rapids going.
“I’m not so sure we will have a soccer stadium and a soccer team coming in if this proposal fails,” said Josh Lunger, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. “Increasing the hotel tax is a big, big component of the funding for the new soccer stadium. This is a key part of it.”
Increasing the hotel tax will have ramifications that not only include the new soccer stadium.
“The new soccer stadium will have a huge impact on the community,” Lunger said. “It will create 100s of new jobs. The soccer stadium will keep the downtown area vibrant and growing. Passing the proposal will give the current generation an opportunity to leave their mark on the community like previous generations had the opportunity with the DeVos Convention Center and the VanAndel Arena.”
Proposed stadium planned near downtown YMCA and former Big Boy
The ball has already starting rolling on the proposed new soccer stadium. In March, the Grand Rapids City Planning Commission approved rezoning land for the stadium. The proposed stadium is planned to be built near Lake Michigan Drive and Winter Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids. This land is near the downtown YMCA and the former Big Boy restaurant.
A special land use request was submitted by Grand Action 2.0. Grand Action 2.0 is creating plans and securing funding for the stadium while the Grand Rapids Kent County Convention/Arena Authority will own and operate the new soccer stadium. Grand Action 2.0 is a not-for-profit economic development organization. Its primary mission is to identify downtown and adjacent neighborhood building and transformational capital-intensive projects, galvanize public opinion and support, leverage public/private investments and formulate and implement funding strategies including securing private sector funding in support of request for primary public sector funding.
$175 million estimated cost
The soccer stadium project is estimated to cost as much as $175 million, with $115 million in public money and a plan to raise $60 million from the private sector.
The stadium will be designed as a multi-purpose, professional, high-performing venue driving economic growth and development in a vital urban district. It will become the home of professional soccer in West Michigan and also serve a broader community asset supporting youth, colleges and amateur clubs.
The stadium will be flanked by an open plaza and space for pre-game gathering and easy entrance flow. It will include multi-levels of tiered seating, including suites, loge boxes, and options at various price points. It will have an open and active concourse that connects guests to the game.
The stadium site is intentionally embedded within a thriving urban network creating multi-season activation and use.
All this progress hinges on Kent County voters giving the okay to increase the hotel tax to provide funding for the project.
A major element that proponents of the hotel tax increase want the public to understand is that this proposal is not a millage.
“Not a millage … Not an increase in property taxes”
“This proposal just increases the hotel tax by 3%,” Lunger said. “It is not a millage. It is not an increase in property taxes. It is a small increase in the current motel/hotel tax paid in Kent County. This will not impact property taxes.”
The West Michigan Sports Commission (WMSC) is also looking forward to the proposed 8,500-seat soccer stadium coming to fruition. The WMSC is already working with ASM Global to help formulate a booking policy for the new stadium.
The WMSC already puts on several regional tournaments in sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, softball, lacrosse, ice hockey, field hockey and rugby in the West Michigan area and is looking forward to the opportunity to host events at a new soccer stadium.
“It would be great to add a new facility to the downtown area to hold events at,” said Katy Tigchelaar, Vice President of Operations for the WMSC. “When people come to Grand Rapids who have never been here before they are blown away by what we have to offer. A new soccer stadium would be a great potential venue for us to bid on events to bring to Kent County.”
Don’t miss our WKTV Journal Chili & Cheers fundraiser from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille, 4157 Division Ave. S, Wyoming.
If you enjoy reading the WKTV Journal, help us keep local journalism alive by attending our Chili & Cheers fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille, 4157 Division Ave. S, Wyoming.
Enjoy delicious chili and local microbrews while supporting local journalism, the WKTV Journal, from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 21. Tickets are $20 apiece and will be available Aug. 8. They include unlimited chili from the different vendors plus one beverage ticket. To purchase tickets click HERE.
Our Chili & Cheers fundraiser is a chili cook-off between competing restaurants and individuals – with the best in microbrews from the area as well.
Project 90 to perform from 1-3 p.m.
“Project 90 is West Michigan’s 90’s Rock band – playing all of your favorite hits from the 90’s. Not just your average 90’s cover band, but a tribute to the 90’s. This all-star lineup band brings together combined decades of experience and a dynamic sound and light show to give audiences an unforgettable live event.” Click here for more info on Project 90.
Support the WKTV Journal while having fun
The Chili & Cheers benefit helps support the WKTV Journal, a non-profit community digital newspaper in Wyoming and Kentwood that averages nearly 11,000 views per month. As many people know, countless metro regions are now in a “news desert” where local newspapers with trained journalists have closed their doors or severely cut back. This leaves many people less informed about where they live and what actually affects their daily lives.
From local sports and city events to human-interest stories and diverse cultures
The Journal began publishing daily in 2014 just as the Advance Newspapers were closing their doors. We cover everything from local high school sports in Kentwood and Wyoming to mental health issues, entertainment, human-interest stories and education to police reports, cultural events, the successes and struggles of our communities, and much, much more. We believe this is all vitally important information for one reason: It’s about where we live and who we are.
Have fun and donate to a good cause
Please join us, and support the WKTV Journal at this crucial time. Plus, we’re not just asking for a cash donation, we’re making it fun! Chili & Cheers is a great opportunity to enjoy amazing chili and craft brews, meet neighbors and watch the community come together.
Be a part of the solution to local journalism surviving in an age when trained journalists are simply not there to report on a community and cover local events. Your support makes a real impact in the day-to-day operation and will help keep the lights on at the WKTV Journal. For more info, check out our Chili and Cheers Facebook page.
The Grand Rapids-based group celebrates Black female artists and their impact on music history.
The show began as a one-time event during Women’s Month to empower women in the local arts. It has since become a staple for promoting diversity, belonging, equity, and inclusion in the arts, according to the group’s website.
Paying tribute
What began as a one-time performance became a community staple (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Sarena Rae is the artistic director and writer of the performance, as well as a vocalist with the group.
In 2022, Rae began formulating an idea for a show that would pay tribute to Black female artists, both local talents and well-known pioneers of the music industry.
“Music is as effortless as breathing – it’s a part of me,” said Rae. “I’ve been songwriting since I’ve been a little girl. My mom was in the church choir, and that’s what inspired me.”
Music That Raised Us is a genuine tribute to the Black female pioneers of music history. Trailblazers highlighted in the show include rock and roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, singer/songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone, as well as legends such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Tina Turner.
“It’s all about celebrating the music we know and love, but also learning the story behind that music, and the stories behind the voices that we admire and love,” said Rae.
Unique, fun…and educational
On stage with Rae will be R&B singer and opera vocalist Avalon Cutts-Jones, WYCE Album of the Year Jammie winner Karisa Wilson, “musical mama” and international performing star Dr. Charsie Sawyer, vocal powerhouse Serita Black Rose, Kathy Lamar, and Grammy Award-nominated songwriter Debra Perry.
“This is truly made possible by the incredible talent in this show…this is our show,” Rae said. “We are all connected through music, and we have all been raised by the lyrics and melodies of our favorite songs.”
To Music That Raised Us, music is more than just notes and lyrics (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
To Rae and the rest of the group, their performance is more than just a concert; it’s a time where they can educate and bring to life those who came before them.
“The show is really unique and fun,” said Rae. “It not only features music that people know and love, but it’s also educational. We start with Spirituals, then move on to Blues and Jazz.
“As we pay tribute to each artist, we also discuss the time period and the adversity that black female artists had to go through during that time, and how they paved the way for us today.”
Each concert will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.
All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.
Well-known among young readers throughout the state for his Michigan Chillers and American Chillers book series, Rand believes in the power of storytelling.
(Courtesy photo)
“Reading is great for everyone, and the earlier we begin, the better,” says Rand. “I think reading/storytelling is what really fires our imaginations, at least early in life.
“Fun events like Garfield Park keep kids engaged and reading throughout the summer months.”
Reading is a must – growing up is debatable
(Courtesy photo)
Keeping kids engaged is vital in preventing “summer slide.” Summer slide refers to a decline in reading, writing, math and science skills during the summer months when youth are not in school.
Storytime in the Park was founded by Dr. Barbara Lubic, GVSU Associate Professor, and Barbara Bush of Sundaes in the Heights in an effort to keep kids active in learning throughout the summer months.
Now in its 15th year, Storytime in the Park takes place at Garfield Park every Tuesday, June through August, from 6:30-8 p.m. A special event is featured each week, along with read-alouds throughout the night.
Each attending child receives a free book, and every family member gets free ice cream.
Rand traces his own love of reading back to when his parents read to him as a child.
“I loved stories, and was fascinated by the other worlds I was transported to. Additionally, both of my parents read for pleasure, and I saw them reading quite often. We had books readily available all over the house, and I thought that books were cool.”
Rand admits that he began reading at an early age because he thought that was what all grown-ups did.
“I wanted to be a grown-up as quickly as possible. Whether or not I actually grew up is debatable, but my love of reading and stories continues to grow even to this day.”
Creativity = Freedom
A love for reading, Rand says, is far more than just enjoying a story.
“When children read a book that excites them, often they desire to write their own stories,” says Rand. “They begin learning how to create, how to plan and form stories in their head even before they put them down on paper.
Reading can ignite many forms of creativity (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“Years ago, Frederick Douglass said that reading is ‘the path from slavery to freedom.’ Over 100 years later, the late Carl Sagan quoted that phrase and added that ‘there are many types of slavery and many types of freedom, but reading is still the path.’”
Rand’s experiences as a writer and instructor have shown him that the word successful carries a different meaning for him than it does for others.
“One of the most exciting things I’ve seen in kids who attended Author Quest (our summer writing camp for kids), is how so many of these children have grown up to be happy, successful adults,” says Rand.
“And when I say ‘successful,’ I’m not talking about good jobs with a stable income. I’m talking about true happiness, living life creatively, with a fulfilling, worthwhile purpose.”
Rand continued to say that while many of those children did not embark upon a path of writing, the reading and writing skills they cultivated in their youth had a direct and positive effect on their future.
Funny, offbeat and irreverent
Sparking creativity can lead to lifelong success (Courtesy, Ken Wright Author Quest)
The Michigan author is looking forward to the Storytime event and says he hopes to meet many parents because he believes the love of reading begins in the home.
However, the author also simply enjoys talking with youth of all ages. This has led Rand to speak at thousands of schools and teach writing skills through Author Quest.
“I make it no secret that I take a very guilty pleasure in my presentation to kids of all ages,” says Rand. “It’s important for me to get my message across, and that message really has nothing to do with the books I write.”
Though Rand loves hearing that children enjoy his books and appreciates the ability to earn his living through storytelling, he is aware not all children will enjoy the books he writes. And that is fine with him.
“I designed my program to be funny, a little offbeat and irreverent, and engaging. The message that I want to drive home is very clear: if you can read well and you can write well, you’re on your way to doing anything.”
When Rand speaks at schools, he takes it very seriously and gives it his all.
“I know it sounds strange, but the more I give, the more I seem to get,” says Rand. “It really is give and take, and my programs for kids have become a big part of what I do.”
Sharing creativity and a…Bigfoot Beast?
Rand plans to share some of his own background as well as read from his new Michigan Chillers novel, #21: Boyne City Bigfoot Beast, set to be released this summer.
Rand’s new Michigan Chillers novel is set to release in summer of 2024 (Courtesy photo)
“I’d like to combine a little bit of background information about myself in order to give kids a jump start with their own creativity, to let them know that they can do the same thing,” says Rand. “They can write a book, right here, right now.”
Registration and more information about Storytime in the Park can be found on their website and Facebook page.
Youth homelessness is rising, and AYA Youth Collective is rising to the challenge by providing support for at-risk youth in the Grand Rapids area.
The local non-profit organization has been building their resources to help youth ages 14-24. Working with youth and community partners to break cycles of homelessness, AYA centers their mission around the voices of local youth.
(Courtesy, AYA)
AYA stands for As You Are, and is a commitment that every youth will find resources and authentic relationships. The organization believes that building relationships, identifying valuable resources, and finding safety come from being accepted and celebrated as you are.
Rising to the challenge
In 2012, AYA founders Jonathan and Lauren VanKeulen met two young men experiencing homelessness and asked how they could help. The answer?
Housing.
At the time, there were only two apartments (four beds) devoted to ages 18-24 in the Grand Rapids area.
“We have over 200 youth sleeping outside every month in Grand Rapids, or in emergency shelters,” said Andy Allen, Vice President of Advancement at AYA Youth Collective.
(Courtesy, AYA)
The VanKeulens quit their jobs and bought a duplex from the Kent County Land Bank – now the State Land Bank Authority – for $10,000. The VanKeulens lived on one side of the duplex while the young men lived on the other.
The couple asked the men how they could help them achieve stability. The answer was immediate: a mentor, affordable rent, and housing that is not time-limited.
With that feedback, the VanKeulen’s formed 3:11 Youth Housing available to ages 18-24.
The housing program rent is set at $300 a month. Twelve mentors live with the youth in those homes. Weekly house dinners and one-on-one talks to create life goals and assist with financial literacy, therapy, etc. are required.
“93% of our youth exit our housing program into stability because of that diligent relationship-focused, agency-compelling work that says, You’re the author of your story – where do you want to go next? Let’s figure out how to get there.”
In 2014, Mars Hill Church created Grand Rapids HQ, a drop-in center where youth can get away from the noise of life.
AYA drop-in center (Courtesy, AYA)
AYA drop-in center (Courtesy, AYA)
AYA drop-in center(Courtesy, AYA)
AYA drop-in center (Courtesy, AYA)
AYA drop-in center (Courtesy, AYA)
AYA drop-in center (Courtesy, AYA)
“Every place they went to would be designed for adults or little children,” said Allen. “It’s vitally important to create this space where youth can go.”
3:11 and HQ merged in January 2020. Since then, the organization has grown to 12 homes and 35+ community partners that help with financial literacy, counseling, therapy, drivers training, medical, psychological and mental health care, access to education and employment services – and more.
The drop-in center welcomes ages 14-24, and offers free services such as food, laundry, showers, hygiene products and clothes. AYA recently expanded drop-in center hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays for ages 14-18.
Equal parts head and heart
The drop-in center and mentor housing is a unique model for helping at-risk youth.
“In terms of long-term, low-barrier housing for youth ages 18-24, there’s not really another place in Grand Rapids like it,” Allen said.
Though Allen would like to have more beds available for youth, he also knows the importance of sustainable growth.
“The people who work here are industry experts and understand what it takes to get a young person from instability to stability,” said Allen. “AYA is a special place that does good work that is equal parts head and heart. That’s really important.”
(Courtesy, AYA)
Finding paths to stability
AYA is on track to see 700 youth this year. Approximately 2000 youth in Grand Rapids are experiencing a level of instability.
Aging out of foster care, being born into poverty, inflation and being kicked out due to identifying as LGBTQ+ are only some of the reasons there are so many at-risk youth.
“80% of our youth are people of color, 40% identify as LGBTQ+. We talk about that openly, and that belonging is vital, and also that systemic injustice and discrimination are still present.”
AYA strives to ensure that youth immediately know they belong when they walk into the drop-in center.
“That’s the work – to figure out how we can support every single young person that walks in the door and make sure they get resources, accountability, grace, and circles of support in their lives,” said Allen.
Ultimately, the youth need to choose those resources and relationships. AYA is there to remind them that they are the author of their story – and what they want is possible.
And Grand Rapids needs them, Allen says.
“Grand Rapids needs their voice, their intellect, their contributions. Reminding them of that is vitally important.”
Patience and consistency
(Courtesy, AYA)
Allen said AYA is slow, diligent work. Relationships and trust are formed by asking about the needs of each individual – and listening to the answer.
“We want to be relationship-focused, but also innovative, thoughtful and equitable in how we support people. It’s going to be different for every young person,” said Allen.
“Not every day is going to be a good day, and not every day is going to be a win, but consistency and accountability are vital to this work. Most of our youth have been abandoned in some way. To know the people at AYA aren’t going to evict them or abandon them is a really good first step.”
“It’s really hard…and it’s beautiful…and it’s a lot”
While AYA cannot eliminate youth homelessness, Allen said, “We can end youth homelessness for an individual that walks through our door, slowly but surely. And that’s going to make a big impact on the city, and more importantly, on those individuals and their families’ lives.
“We need Grand Rapids to know that we exist. We need Grand Rapids to know that youth homelessness is an issue.”
Gain a better understanding of AYA’s mission and book a tour of the facilities by clicking here.
For more ways to get involved in helping AYA’s mission, click here.
WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed talks with AYA Youth Collective CEO Lauren VanKeulen about the rising number of youth at risk of homelessness – and how AYA provides support through relationships and resources.
Dean Transportation is hosting hiring events at two locations in Grand Rapids this Thursday, July 25, for interested applicants to learn about the company’s openings for school bus driver, school bus attendant and service technician positions for routes supporting Grand Rapids Public Schools and the Kent Intermediate School District.
Attendees will learn about Dean’s family-driven culture as well as its comprehensive benefits, paid training and flexible scheduling. For Grand Rapids-area positions, Dean is offering starting wages up to $24 per hour for school bus drivers, $17.50 per hour for school bus attendants and competitive wages for service technicians based on certifications. Dean will hold on-the-spot interviews and make job offers to qualified candidates.
Who should attend: The events are free and open to all interested individuals with or without prior experience.
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25
Where:
4155 Trade Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
900 Union Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Important note: Job seekers are encouraged to bring a valid driver’s license.
More information: Call Grand Rapids 44th Street at 616-885-1678, ext. 1688 or Union Ave. at 616-819-3000, for directions or answers to any questions, or visit deanjobs.com.
University of Michigan Health-West invites you for an evening of running, walking, and philanthropy at the Metro Way 5K & YMCA Youth Races on Wednesday, July 31. This family-friendly event will be held at 1980 Metro Court, Wyoming, starting at 6 p.m.
Funds raised through the Metro Way 5K support UM Health-West’s community health and wellness programs, which provide vital services to the community, including free and low-cost health screenings, fitness classes and educational sessions.
“This event exemplifies our commitment to West Michigan,” said Greg Meyer, UM Health-West executive vice president and chief community officer. “The Metro Way 5K reflects our legacy of making a lasting difference in the health of our communities. It’s a celebration of our past and a commitment to our future.”
Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome. The event includes a 5K run/walk and YMCA Youth Races, making it an excellent opportunity for families to engage in a healthy and fun activity together. Your participation will directly contribute to community health and wellness programs, helping patients and their families cope with chronic illness, teaching healthy habits, and promoting safety.
For more event details and registration, visit Metro Way 5K
Metro Way 5K
Fee: $35
Start time: 6:30 p.m.
Check-in & late registration: 5 to 6:25 p.m. (Cost: $40)
YMCA Youth Races
Fee: Free
Start time: 6 to 6:25 p.m.
Registration deadline: 6:05 p.m. July 30
Open to ages 17 and younger
YMCA Youth Races
Fee: $35
Race Day Overview
5 to 6:25 p.m. – Race check-in & late registration at race headquarters
6 p.m. – YMCA Youth Races (warm-up at 5:45 p.m.)
5 to 8 p.m. – Photo opportunity, sponsors and food tent
6:30 p.m. – Metro Way 5K race start
7:15 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers in both open and masters categories. Age group prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each group. All registered 5K finishers receive a finisher’s medal.
In an effort to provide local women with the resources necessary to be confident in their everyday lives, Reggie Macon of Battle Ground is offering a free EmpowerHer self-defense class (Courtesy, Reggie Macon)
Globally, an estimated 736 million women aged 15 and older—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical violence at least once in their life, according to UN Women. This figure does not include sexual harassment.
Reggie Macon, owner and instructor of Battle Ground JKD LLC, is dedicated to ensuring women and children are able to protect themselves from these senseless acts of violence.
In an effort to provide local women with the resources necessary to be confident in their everyday lives, Macon is offering a free EmpowerHer self-defense class. The class will take place at Boston Square Christian Reformed Church on Friday, July 26, from 6-8 p.m.
Why self-defense is important
At Battle Ground, Reggie Macon (center) is focused on helping women and children defend themselves (Courtesy, Reggie Macon)
“As an instructor, I think it’s important to learn some type of self-defense skill,” said Macon. “I’d rather have the women know it and not need it, than need it and not know.
“With everything that goes in the world, it will also give them a sense of awareness and confidence in their everyday life.”
At the EmpowerHer event, women will learn basic strikes, situational awareness, how to read body language, and tips on maximizing verbal and nonverbal communication.
“Self-defense is important as a woman because it gives you the confidence to defend yourself against an attacker,” said Macon’s wife and co-owner of Battle Ground, Chandra Macon.
“As a mother, it’s important to make sure our daughters have the knowledge of how to get away from an attacker as we cannot be with our children all day, everyday – especially as they get older and want to hang out with friends at the mall.”
A local youth learns self-defense techniques with Macon (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Chandra went on to say that class participants will gain a better understanding of the tools they can use when in uncomfortable situations, generating confidence.
“This can also help you in everyday life where you may have been struggling to speak up before, but now have the confidence to speak up for your piece,” said Chandra.
“I’ve seen firsthand at sporting events where other kids navigate toward the larger crowds to fit in. Not my child; she decided not to. Proud moment for sure, because that tells me she’s okay to stand on her own – as that’s what leaders do! Anything can happen in larger crowds, and you don’t want to be guilty by association.”
Macon encourages local women to attend this free event and gain tools and resources to help protect themselves and their loved ones.
Battle Ground offers a variety of classes and programs for all ages, and personalized experience to fit the needs of each individual.
Whether looking to get in shape, build self-discipline, defend against an attacker, or become the next boxer or MMA fighter, individuals can reach their goals through Battle Ground JKD.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is proud to announce the groundbreaking exhibition David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture, showcasing the prolific and inventive work of David Smith (1906–1965). This landmark exhibition, the first to explore Smith’s deep engagement with nature, will open on Sept. 23, 2024, and will be on view through March 2, 2025.
The art of David Smith is profuse and inventive. Working in multiple media, formats, and scales, he blurred boundaries between painting and sculpture and between traditional genres such as landscape and figuration.
Smith’s bountiful oeuvre has secured him a firm place within art history, and his adventurous approach to three-dimensional form has permanently expanded the vocabulary and range of sculptural practice.
Forging new ground
Smith is widely hailed as the first American artist to make welded metal sculpture and to absorb industrial methods and materials into his creative repertoire. His inventiveness and contributions to sculptural practice extend far beyond machine vernacular and technique, however. Many have traced the origins of modern sculpture parks to Smith’s unprecedented outdoor installations on his Bolton Landing property in upstate New York.
David Smith’s Raven IV, 1957 (Courtesy, FMG)
For Smith, nature was not only a source of inspiration but also served as studio, accomplice and staging ground for his complex sculptural works.
“While David Smith is recognized as the most important sculptor of the 20th century, there is still much to be learned about his expansive art, especially as it relates to the natural world,” says Suzanne Ramljak, Vice President of Collections & Curatorial Affairs at Meijer Gardens.
“We are excited to reveal this crucial and lesser-known aspect of Smith’s career at Meijer Gardens, where sculpture and nature are so intimately bound.”
What to expect:
David Smith’s Cubi XII, 1963 (Courtesy, FMG)
David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture will feature a selection of some 40 sculptures, alongside related paintings, reliefs, and works on paper, providing an in-depth exploration of Smith’s sustaining connection with nature.
Uniting key loans from major lenders—including The Whitney Museum of American Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and Storm King Art Center—the exhibition will be arranged in loose chronological order, beginning with Smith’s earliest sculptures from 1932 to the year before his accidental death in 1965.
Viewers will encounter nature-based work from every decade of Smith’s career, including:
1930s constructions with stones, shells, coral, and wood, along with biomorphic cast metal sculptures.
1940s and 1950s pictorial sculpture landscapes, a genre of Smith’s own invention, which he enlisted to address an array of themes—from autobiography, House in a Landscape and his epic Hudson River Landscape; to color theory, Helmholtzian Landscape; to social norms, Cloistral Landscape.
Mid-1950s bronze reliefs depicting botanic motifs such as Rose Garden, Wild Plums, and Skull and Tree.
Late 1950s and early 1960s avian sculptures, including a series focused on ravens.
A selection of outdoor works that find their completion in the company of sky, wind and earth, as Smith intended.
This exhibition will have a particularly strong resonance at Meijer Gardens, where Smith’s work will be in direct dialogue with the natural environment, including larger pieces situated out of doors. Witness David Smith’s thrilling sculptural translations of the natural world he knew and loved in this exclusive Grand Rapids exhibition.
David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture will be accompanied by an exhibition catalogue co-published by Meijer Gardens and Hirmer/University of Chicago Press.
The publication will feature contributions by the artist’s daughters, reflecting on Smith’s lived domestic experience of nature; an essay by curator Suzanne Ramljak, surveying Smith’s engagement with nature as material source, subject matter, and preferred site for his sculpture; appreciations by contemporary artists Beatriz Cortez and Mark di Suvero, addressing Smith’s contributions and connections to current art practice; and an illustrated artist’s chronology highlighting key nature-based events in David Smith’s life and art.
David Smith’s Steel Drawing, 1945 (Courtesy, FMG)
Exhibition Programming:
Unless otherwise noted, programs are included in the cost of admission and registration is not required.
Moving Out: David Smith & Outdoor Sculpture
Join Suzanne Ramljak, exhibition curator and Vice President of Collections & Curatorial Affairs, and Amber Oudsema, Curator of Arts Education, on a walk to explore David Smith’s lasting legacy. Discover his influence on sculpture parks as we know them and the many successful artists who followed in Smith’s creative footsteps.
This event will take place Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 2-3 p.m.
A full list of exhibition-related activities can be found here.
Extending gratitude
David Smith: The Nature of Sculpture is made possible by the Louis and Helen Padnos Foundation, Meijer Foundation, Bill Padnos and Margy Kaye, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation and Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
From the moment of birth, temperature regulation is critical for all newborns—especially those born prematurely or have health conditions and are admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Babies in the NICU are placed in an incubator or warmer right after birth to help control their temperature and support their growth and healing.
The Trinity Health highly skilled team in Level III NICU in Grand Rapids provides round the clock expert care for an average of 250 of the most fragile preemies and newborns each year. And now, the babies have 16 new state-of-the-art incubators waiting for them.
“Starting with transport from the delivery room to the NICU, these new incubators allow for more precise thermal control for our smallest infants,” said Steven Gelfand, MD, FAAP, Regional Medical Director, Newborn Medicine and Section Chief, Neonatology, Trinity Health West Michigan. “Once in the NICU, we continue to regulate the thermal environment until a baby can regulate their own temperature.”
The new incubators also allow parents comfortable, close access to their babies and provide family-friendly information about their babiesʼ progress.
A complex matter
Dr. Gelfand shared that his team is also implementing cycled lighting for the babies in the NICU.
When it comes to premature babies, light is a very complex matter. Too much exposure and brightness can be extremely damaging to a newborn’s development. It is important to closely control and manage the amount and types of light in the NICU environment.
Dr. Gelfand explained that cyclical light exposure has a nighttime phase and a daytime phase of 12 hours each, imitating naturally occurring circadian rhythms (our biological clock).
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Studies show that cycled lighting provides benefits to the babies, including better growth and hormone regulation. These babies are less anxious, cry less, sleep better and are more active during the day. They go home sooner, establish feedings earlier, and have better language and motor skills scores at two years of age and beyond.
The challenge? Nurses in an NICU need light 24/7 to work and care for the babies.
A special coverlet for each incubator, however, can protect the babies from light and allow the caregivers to adjust when and how much light each baby is exposed to.
At the end of July, a group of expert sewers from Abagail’s Attic are creating 16 custom coverlets for the new incubators.
A mission of comfort
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Abigail’s Attic is a local volunteer organization that turns donated wedding dresses into burial or grievance gowns for stillborn babies. They also use flannels, fleece, and other donated items to create kimonos, wraps, cocoons, blankets, baby bracelets, angels, and precious tiny teddy bears, placing them all in keepsake bags for grieving parents to cherish.
This group of ladies has been supplying Trinity Health Grand Rapids and other area hospitals with these items since 2016.
Judy Fields founded the group. Her niece, Abigail, was stillborn in June of 2000. More than a decade later, Judy launched a special effort in her honor, aimed at helping other parents who lose a baby.
“I was working at Joann Fabrics and a lady brought in a wedding dress,” said Judy. “We had a conversation about making burial gowns and such out of donated gowns. I did some homework, and Abigail’s Attic was created in October 2015.”
“For sewing the incubator coverlets, I put out an SOS to my group to see if they were interested and I had instant YES responses,” said Judy. “Byron Center United Methodist Church sponsors us and gave us a huge room to work in.”
Donations welcome
Abigail’s Attic takes donated wedding dresses, along with flower girl, bridesmaid, and some prom dresses. The group also accepts donations of gift cards to JoAnn Fabrics and Meijer.
For more information, contact Judy Fields at 616-516-5984 or judyfields8487@gmail.com.
Concerts in the Park continues with debut Lamar Park appearance of indie rock band LVRS (Courtesy, Wyoming Parks & Rec)
By Ty Marzean
WKTV Contributing Writer
Indie rock band LVRS will take the stage at Lamar Park on July 23 at 6 p.m. as the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series continues.
LVRS consists of lead vocalist and guitar player Liv DeJonghe, Nuri Tett on bass, and Nick Chard establishing the beat on drums.
It’s all in the name…
LVRS is a band driven by love and self-expression – and the band’s name reflects that.
“My name is Liv/Livers,” said DehJonghe. “So I removed the vowels of ‘Livers’ to make ‘LVRS.’ I thought it was cool that it can be open to interpretation. I like how it can be read as ‘LOVERS’.”
Creation = Connection
The Lansing-based outfit connects with their fans through their musical stylings.
“I love how through this act of creation it allows us to connect with others,” said DehJonghe. “I value the stage and see it as a privilege to use my voice. I hope it can find someone who doesn’t feel as seen or my words can help them understand a part of themselves.”
Nick Chard added, “There are many people I would have never met that I am grateful to know because playing music brought us together. I also feel that’s one of the results that comes from the way Liv writes, and it’s a beautiful thing.”
Bassist Nuri Tett credits the group with expanding his musical horizons.
“I believe this is a venture into a genre of music that I have only very lightly touched on,” said Tett. “I had carved pathways in my head of how I can express music over time, and being in this group gives me the opportunity to lay those ideas out and make them reality.”
Gigs and Albums
LVRS can be found touring across the Mitten State, from bar gigs out in Detroit to events like the Jammies in Grand Rapids.
The band released their latest album Joy Compass in November and debuted their single “Control” on May 10, 2024.
The July 23 show will the first for LVRS at Lamar Park in Wyoming.
“Strap in and have a good time,” exclaimed DehJonghe. “We hope you enjoy a wide culmination of our songs from over the years. We’ll be sharing covers we love, songs old and new, and unreleased projects we are nurturing.”
Each concert will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.
“Concerts in the Park are a highlight of summertime in Wyoming,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director, in supplied material. “We hope you will grab your blankets, chairs and friends and join us for some fun in the parks!”
All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.
Allegiant Travel Company today announced eight new nonstop routes to 13 cities around the country. To celebrate, the company is offering one-way fares on the new routes as low as $39.*
The new route to Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Michigan includes:
West Palm Beach, Florida via Palm Beach International Airport – beginning Nov. 14, 2024, with one-way fares as low as $69.*
“We’re grateful to our partners at Allegiant Air for their partnership in connecting West Michigan with the world,” said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “Palm Beach will become Allegiant’s 16th nonstop route from our airport. We hope travelers visiting this vibrant destination will enjoy new cultural attractions, diverse entertainment experiences, and fun for the whole family.”
Allegiant’s full network expansion announced today includes 11 additional cities. For more information on the expansion, click on Allegiant.com.
*About the introductory one-way fares:
Seats and dates are limited and fares are not available on all flights. Flights must be purchased by July 17, 2024, for travel by Feb. 9, 2025. Price displayed includes taxes, carrier charges & government fees. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Optional baggage charges and additional restrictions may apply. For more details, optional services and baggage fees, please visit Allegiant.com.
The July 20 fundraiser is organized by lung cancer survivor Savannah DeGraaf and will benefit the American Lung Association (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The event will feature a free 60-minute yoga flow on the Blue Bridge, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Yoga will be led by Malina Adler from Inner Alchemy and all levels are welcome.
Other activities include breath work, shopping local vendors, raffle prizes, music, refreshments and more. There is still time for community sponsors and vendors to get involved as well.
An unexpected tragedy
The event is organized by local lung cancer survivor Savannah DeGraaf, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 22.
“Anyone with lungs can suffer from lung cancer or lung disease, and I think the Lung Association does a great job with providing resources,” said DeGraaf. “After graduating college, a doctor found I had a tumor on my left lung that had likely been there for quite some time. Initially, the plan was to remove the lower left lobe, but due to the cancer cells in my lymph nodes, the tumor’s size and location, they removed the entire lung.
“It’s been a journey, and I’m grateful for my health and activity, which aided my recovery.”
A sense of community
Regarding her life post-diagnosis, DeGraaf is grateful she had the Lung Association’s resources to help her through her journey by providing her with a sense of community throughout the process.
“Getting involved with the events and the community made me feel less alone,” DeGraaf said. “That’s why this fundraising event is all to support the Lung Association and their mission to save lives and help people live a more healthy lifestyle.
“At the event, we’ll have lots of local vendors that support that healthy lifestyle, along with a yoga flow.”
Learn more!
To learn more about the event or to make a donation, click here.
Meijer BeBop and Pixie Drone (Courtesy, GVSU/Meijer)
By Brian Vernellis
GVSU Communications
Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) will showcase an innovative, remote-controlled beach-cleaning device designed and deployed to collect refuse and plastic litter from Michigan beaches along the Great Lakes shorelines.
A Few Friends for the Environment of the World (AFFEW), a Ludington-based environmental nonprofit group, has invited the AWRI to publicly demonstrate the litter capture and cleanup device, called the BeBot, for an upcoming beach cleanup scheduled for July 17, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Ludington’s Stearns Park.
Models estimate as much as 22 million pounds of plastic every year could be entering the Great Lakes, the source of drinking water for 40 million Americans and Canadians. Plastic in the lakes and surrounding watersheds will cost hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars annually to combat.
Cleanup technology
Since 2022, Meijer has donated close to $2 million to the Council of the Great Lakes Region Foundation to expand the deployment of two plastic litter cleanup technologies, the BeBot and Pixie Drone. This is part of the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup Program, a joint initiative of the Council of the Great Lakes Region and Pollution Probe in Canada.
Jamie Cross, outreach and science education instructor at AWRI, will be at Stearns Park to talk about BeBot and AWRI’s participation in the project.
The public is invited
AFFEW invites the public to watch BeBot in action as well as volunteer in the cleaning of Stearns Park’s beach.
Participants should meet at the south concession stand in Stearns Park. Bags and gloves will be provided.
For more information about this event or AFFEW, visit affew.org.
Wyoming Public Schools (WPS) has partnered with Feeding America Mobile Pantry to host a Mobile Pantry once a month.
*WHS July Mobile Food Pantry will be held Monday, July 22 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
What to expect
Though the selection of food varies each month, there are always a variety of fresh and frozen items available at the Mobile Pantry.
The Mobile Pantry is drive-thru style, and families are asked to remain in their vehicles for safety.
WHS Mobile Food Pantry Map (Courtesy, WPS)
Cars enter at the main entrance to WHS (1350 Prairie Parkway). Volunteers will direct traffic in the parking lot to help with efficiency.
Once in line, a volunteer will approach each car to record the name, address, number of people in the household, and the reason the food is needed for each family. Once a car has reached the front of the line, volunteers will load a box of food into the trunk.
Resources
To learn more about Feeding America West Michigan and the services they offer, click here.
For the Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry schedule, click here.
Sophia McIntosh and The Sages will perform as part of Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park series on July 16 (Courtesy, City of Wyoming)
By Ty Marzean
WKTV Contributing Writer
Nashville recording artist Sophia McIntosh will perform at Lamar Park on July 16 at 6 p.m. as part of the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series.
Strong vocals and intense melodies
(Courtesy photo)
The Jenison-based, 18-year-old indie pop singer has worked with Tony Award winner Alice Ripley and co-penned songs with two-time Grammy Awards-winning Rebecca Lynn Howard, industry legend Rick Beresferd, Linde LaChance, and Brian Maher. McIntosh was also co-writer on Justin Moore’s #1 song, “Small Town USA.”
“My parents were musicians, so they knew a lot of talented musicians, reached out and we got connected to some people in Nashville. We just got lucky,” said McIntosh.
Under the guidance of her parents, McIntosh has been playing music since she was a young child. The elder McIntoshes played in cover band Drop 35 that toured West Michigan for over 20 years. Sophia also plays shows with her father Michael.
“All my music is personal. I’ve taken stories from my life and have put it in my music, so it means a lot to me,” said McIntosh.
The singer’s strong vocals and intense melodies are a reflection of several pop genre influencers. McIntosh cited heavy hitters like Adel and Lady Gaga as having a considerable impact on McIntosh’s music.
Making music
Sophia McIntosh will be making her first trip to Lamar Park with The Sages trio. The Sages feature guitar player Will Gavan, bass player Gino Bartone and drummer Will Murphy.
Music continues at Lamar Park with the next concert set for Tuesday, July 16 (WKTV)
McIntosh met Gavan and Murphy at Kalamazoo Academy of Rock, and Bartone on the recommendation of a former music teacher.
“I just think they are so talented, and I hope we get to play together for a long time,” said McIntosh.
The West Michigan native’s latest single, “Summer Nights”, has already racked up over 26,000 listens since being released on June 20.
McIntosh’s music can be found on all music streaming services.
Event details to know
Each concert will feature a food truck with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own food, however alcohol is not permitted in the park.
All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.
Multi-award winning Nashville band Williamson Branch takes the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Cutler Park in Cutlerville as part of the Sounds of Summer Concert Series and a stop on their 10-Year Anniversary Tour.
“When it comes to music, there’s a closeness among family members that cannot be overstated,” according to Melody Williamson Keyes, eldest daughter and PR/Social Media manager. “Harmonies are sweeter, rhythms are tighter, and emotions are heightened. For Williamson Branch, music and family have been melding for three generations.”
Based in Nashville, their polished approach to music helped propel their single, Blue Moon Over Texas, to the No. 1 spot on the RMR Bluegrass Chart for seven weeks. They garnered the award for Valley Star Family Vocal Group of the Year and front ‘man,’ Melody Williamson Keyes, was recognized as the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Vocalist of the Year in 2020.
Nashville band Williamson Branch. (Courtesy, Williamson Branch)
Since their formation 10 years ago, Williamson Branch has appeared on hundreds of stages, including The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Coffee, Country, and Cody Morning Show on WSM, Heartland TV, The Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards, Song of the Mountains TV Show, Bill Gaither’s Fall Homecoming, and Guy Penrod’s Gospel Music Showcase.
Sounds of Summer Cutlerville
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Sounds of Summer Cutlerville … a FREE community concert series held at Cutler Park Thursday evenings in July.
Here are the remaining July concerts:
July 18 (7 p.m.): Williamson Branch, outstanding family harmonies from the award-winning Nashville band on bluegrass night.
July 25 (7 p.m.):Brena, West Michigan’s premier party band will be the Grand Finale.
Leslie Irwin has been located by police and is safe.
Wyoming Police would like to thank the public for their assistance in locating Leslie. A community member recognized Leslie and alerted police to his location.
Original Post
The Wyoming Police Department is asking for assistance in locating 87-year-old Leslie Irwin.
He was last seen at approximately 2 p.m. July 10 at his residence near 56th St. Southwest and South Division in Wyoming.
Irwin suffers from dementia and left his home on foot in an unknown direction. He has not been heard from or seen since. He is a white male with gray hair and a beard, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and 160 pounds, and was last seen wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans, glasses and white/brown shoes.
Wyoming Police continue to search for Irwin. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or 911.
Don Walsh said the support he received from his care team at Emmanuel Hospice to attend ArtPrize and see the exhibit of his daughter, Sara Walsh, has been the highlight of his hospice journey so far. (Courtesy, Emmanuel Hospice)
By Emmanuel Hospice
greer@wktv.org
For the better part of 30 years, Don Walsh worked as a friendly sleuth.
That’s what good librarians do, after all. They discover things on behalf of others.
Now, at the age of 84, the tables have turned and it’s Emmanuel Hospice serving him.
And for that, Don is especially grateful and embraces any opportunity to share details about his relationship with the Grand Rapids-based health care provider.
“This particular hospice and its people go out of their way to make it special,” he says. “They believe in what they’re doing, and it’s a privilege for me to tell their story through me.”
Don was born and raised until the age of 14 in Traverse City, and in moving to Grand Rapids, grew to love what he now considers “a great place to be.”
As a youngster, he pedaled newspapers for the Grand Rapids Herald and Press – and before that, the Record-Eagle in TC – and later worked for his father, who owned a dime store in Wyoming called Wyoming Variety.
As a teen, he became interested in collecting things – baseball cards, stamps, coins – and at age 19 actually tried his hand at owning a hobby store, a venture that lasted but four months.
Eventually, he graduated from Aquinas College, and it’s there he met the love of his life, wife Kathie, with whom he raised five children. Don and Kathie live together with a 30-year-old grandson.
Don’s first jobs after college included teaching school in the Detroit area, but he remembers thinking “It was silly to stay there because we both loved Grand Rapids so much,” and they returned to settle in Eastown. He became involved in neighborhood issues to such a degree that he became the first chairperson of the Eastown Community Association. He and Kathie are long-time parishioners at St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
Professionally, he made his biggest mark with the Grand Rapids Public Library, splitting a 30-year career between the main site downtown and the Ottawa Hills branch.
In 2010, Don had heart bypass surgery, and four years later endured a stomach tumor and then prostate cancer. Around 2018, he began experiencing shortness of breath. Nearly two years ago, he was admitted to Emmanuel Hospice after being informed that he likely had less than a year to live.
Don says his time with the Emmanuel team has been “a remarkable season of working together, and there has never been a question of how much they care.”
He’s grateful for the ways in which Emmanuel lifts up Kathie as well as their children and grandchildren, “reassuring them all and helping them through the hard parts.” He particularly appreciated the support that allowed him to attend ArtPrize and see his daughter, Sara’s exhibit, with both comfort and peace of mind.
Emmanuel Hospice relies on an interdisciplinary team, with patients like Don and his family at its center, as it works to enhance the lives of those facing serious, life-limiting illnesses.
The interdisciplinary team brings together the appropriate medical providers, along with a social worker, home health aides, spiritual care counselors, complementary therapy specialists, volunteers, bereavement counselors and others to ensure all needs are met.
Don enjoys regular visits from his Emmanuel care team. His first encounter was with an intake specialist, who helped him understand his options going forward. Then he saw a social worker, who helped him sort through some red tape involving a hospital bill.
He occasionally requests time with a spiritual adviser, who helps him “talk things through about my life, my life after, and anything I want to have a dialogue about.”
Twice a week, an aide visits and, depending on the need, will bathe him, shave him and tend to other affairs of daily living. Once every two weeks, he receives massage therapy, which helps comfort the after-effects of a recent fall he incurred. Weekly, a nurse visits and helps him manage his medications and troubleshoots any new developments.
Receiving care in his home “is so much more than simply receiving services,” he says. “They’re there not only sharing their lives with you, but helping you along a tough journey. I know it’s a business, but that’s not what they ever project. It’s more of a mission.
“People,” says Don, “get the crazy idea that hospice is about dying. But it’s about living. And it’s about taking the time to relax and have someone care for you in such generous ways. This particular hospice goes out of its way to make that special.”
For more about Emmanuel Hospice, call 616-719-0919 or visit emmanuelhospice.org
Diane Gaston knows what it’s like to be part of the so-called “sandwich generation” because she juggled a full-time job along with serving as caregiver to both her own children and her aging mother at the same time.
In her case, she embraced it all as acts of love and wouldn’t have changed a thing.
But for some of the estimated 40 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to their parents – and sometimes their kids simultaneously – it can exact a toll on their physical and mental health.
There are ways to enlist help, including tapping into the resources of Care Resources, a Grand Rapids-based program for qualifying people 55 and older who want healthy, independent living options without being placed into a nursing home.
It’s open to residents of Kent and parts of Allegan, Barry, Ionia and Ottawa counties who meet state of Michigan nursing facility-level of care and are able to live safely in the community with assistance.
Participants can take advantage of a wide array of services provided at the Care Resources day center, which houses a full-service clinic and pharmacy. Participants can also access services in their homes and through a network of community providers – ultimately easing the burden experienced by adult children serving in that caregiver role.
“Our goal is to keep people out of nursing homes and in their own homes for as long as possible,” says CEO Tracey McKnight, noting 11 interdisciplinary services are made available to all participants – “everything from primary care to rehab services to help with transportation, nutrition, meds and much more.”
Gaston knows this firsthand, as she’s employed by Care Resources as a personal care attendant, specializing in providing showers to participants at the day center at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
She and her husband, Tim, have three children, two of whom still live with them in their Grand Rapids home. Their responsibilities increased a few years ago when Diane’s mother, Leola, grew more dependent, with Diane insisting that she not ever enter a nursing facility.
Eventually, Leola moved in with Diane and family. Diane maintains “I got frustrated with her medical condition (diabetes, dementia and kidney failure) but never my mother.”
When Leola, who worked many years in valet laundry at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, would fantasize she was still there and start sorting through her clothing, Diane knew enough to play along: “It was easier to be in her world than trying to take her out of it.”
Even with the challenges, Diane says she now has “treasured memories” of caring for her mother until the very end, taking solace in how she was beside her mother “when she took her last breath.”
Diane’s advice for others who find themselves part of the sandwich generation? “It doesn’t hurt to step away. Separate yourself from time to time and laugh or cry your way through it. If you’re dealing with dementia, realize that person is no longer who they used to be, and you may now have to treat them like a child, but always remember the love.”
If your loved one qualifies for a program like Care Resources, she says, consider the option, because it can reduce the toll exacted on those providing care, which is vital for one’s mental health.
Leola Gaston passed in May 2022. Even now, Diane can still see her, still hear her singing hymns like those she lifted up while a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. And she can still sense her mother’s presence, just like all those years Leola spent raising Diane and three other children by herself, the result of Leola losing her husband in an automobile accident when she was yet a young wife and mother.
Diane’s mother’s journey was “a lot,” says Diane. But she was never overwhelmed into regretting her decision to care for her. In the end, Leola didn’t call Diane by her given name, but instead “that lady.”
Which was OK with Diane. As long as they were able to be together.
For more about Care Resources, call 616-913-2006, or visit careresources.org
