Tag Archives: Aquinas College

Halloween is the perfect time to uncover Grand Rapids’ ‘ghosts in the attics’

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By Anna Johns
WKTV Intern

From the ghostly soldiers guarding the veterans home to the spooky inhabitants of the Amway Hotel, Grand Rapids has its fair share of spooky history. With Halloween quickly approaching it is the perfect time to check out some of the creepiest places Grand Rapids has to offer.

The Mill Creek Cemetery (WKTV / Anna Johns)

Mill Creek Cemetery

Legends say “The Green Lady” is still wandering the grounds at the Mill Creek Cemetery, 4 Bertha St. NW. There is little origin of the story of the Green Lady and her identity is unknown. Locals have shared stories of a woman wearing a green Victorian-style dress weeping by the grave of her child. The cemetery has graves dating back to the 1800s and has become overgrown hiding it from those who pass by. To reach the cemetery, visitors must follow a stone stairway into the woods where gravestones are scattered about.

The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Cemetery (WKTV / Anna Johns)

The Grand Rapids Home For Veterans

Since the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans opened in 1885, there have been reports of paranormal activity. Guests have claimed to feel cold spots, seen apparitions of soldiers in full uniform, heard footsteps and other unexplained noises. Today more than 4,000 soldiers reside in the nearby cemetery and some visitors believe it is those soldiers whose spirits still linger. The home is still active today and reports of ghostly activity continue. The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans is located at 3000 Monroe Ave NE and the cemetery is right beside the home.

The Amway Plaza Hotel (WKTV / Anna Johns)

The Amway Plaza Hotel

The Amway Plaza Hotel is so glamorous some residents decided to never check out. The hotel, located at 187 Monroe Ave. NW, has its fair share of legends. Guests have said that they have seen shadowy figures walking about and furniture moving on its own. Others have claimed negative and frightening feelings in certain areas of the hotel. Though the identity of the spirits are unknown, visitors swear something unworldly is occupying the hotel. The book “Ghost of Grand Rapids” by Nichole Bray and Robert Du Shane details one of the experiences hotel staff member Jim, who said “ If a guest leaves behind a dirty ashtray, it disappears. If someone leaves cigarettes behind, they disappear. Even if the ashtray has yet to be used, it sometimes disappears.” Other experiences include the ghost of a young boy wandering the halls, blankets being tugged off guests beds, and the ghost of a servant who still cleans in her afterlife.


The Michigan Bell Telephone Tower (WKTV/ Anna Johns)

The Michigan Bell Telephone Tower

The Michigan Bell Telephone Tower is one of Grand Rapids most notorious hauntings. The tower was once a lavish property in downtown Grand Rapids that was home to Warren Randall and his wife Virginia. Warren Randall was involved in an accident at the railway where he lost his leg. This caused Randall to be home more and lowered his self-esteem ruining the couple’s happy relationship. He would accuse his wife of cheating on him and neighbors would often call the cops complaining of loud arguments coming from the home. The tragedy happened in late summer of 1910. In a jealous fit of rage, Warren beat his wife with his wooden leg killing her before taking his own life. Their bodies were discovered shortly after and the mansion remained unoccupied until it was torn down in 1920. The Michigan Bell Telephone Co. purchased the property and built its company. Today they claim that the Randalls haunt the tower.

People have said they have heard Virginia calling out pleading for her life. Some claim they have received calls from Randalls’ spirits hearing only static or silence. Oddly these calls have been traced back to the second floor of the Michigan Bell Telephone Building during off hours. The Michigan Bell Telephone Co. Building is located at the corner of Division and Lyon in downtown Grand Rapids.

Monument Park (WKTV/ Anna Johns)

Monument Park

The Civil War monument at Monument Park is said to be haunted by the spirit of Edward Blakely. Blakely was the son of a civil war veteran and also responsible for the statue’s reconstruction. Some believe that Blakely has been hanging out at the statue in his afterlife. People have claimed to see the apparition of an elderly man staring at the statue however when they notice him he vanishes. He has been known to give up his seat to women and children before vanishing. For those looking to visit Monument Park, it is located at 1 Fulton St E.

St. Cecilia Music Center (WKTV/ Anna Johns)

St. Cecilia Music Center

The St. Cecilia Music Center is a music venue built in 1894 and is said to be home to several friendly ghosts. Performers claim that they have witnessed flickering lights, unusual voices, and shadowy apparitions. According to the book “Ghost of Grand Rapids” by Nichole Bray and Robert Du Shane claim the venue is haunted saying “If you ask if the historical St. Cecilia Music Center is truly haunted, it is likely that you would get a “yes.” In the book, the authors detail experiences from the venue including stories about missing tickets, apparitions of a woman from the Victorian era, and a ghostly janitor. St. Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom Ave NE and next time you visit the venue be sure to listen for more than just music.

Holmdene Manor at Aquinas College (WKTV/ Anna Johns)

Holmdene Manor at Aquinas College

The Holmdene Manor located on Aquinas College at 1700 E. Fulton St. has been the subject of ghost stories for centuries. The home was built in 1906 by Edward Love and his wife Susan. The legend says that the manor is haunted by one of the Love’s children who drowned on the property. Though the details of this legend have been proven untrue students insist the manor is haunted. Throughout the years guests have claimed they have seen lights flickers and reported phantom elevator rides and slamming doors. Some students have sworn they saw the face of a boy in the attic window when passing by. In 2005, a paranormal investigator, John Zaffis, visited the manor and claimed to feel the presence of several spirits. Some third-shift campus safety officers claim the ghosts are pranksters and love to flicker the lights. They also have reported strange feelings of being watched or heard children laughing.

School News Network: An asset, not a burden

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Two years of work and a National Professional Development grant helped Andrea Donovan complete an English as a Second Language endorsement at no cost. (School News Network)

By Bridie Bereza
School News Network

Step into Andrea Donovan’s freshman English classroom at Lee High School for a minute, and listen. You’re going to hear a lot of Spanish. This is not surprising in a district where roughly half of all students are English-language learners.

“I receive all the newcomers when they come into the high school — they all take English 9, regardless of their grade or where they finished in their home country,” said Donovan.

She has a new set of skills to serve those students, thanks to a National Professional Development grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Donovan is part of a 15-teacher cohort that completed English Language Certification in May through the grant, administered by Aquinas College’s School of Education. The grant covered tuition for eight courses required for a K-12 English as a Second Language endorsement onto an already existing teaching certificate.

Andrea Donovan, an English teacher at Lee High School, leads her students, many of whom are English-language learners. (School News Network)

“It’s one of the best things I’ve done educationally and professionally,” said Donovan. “There is such a need in our district.”

Her cohort included four other teachers from Godfrey-Lee, as well as teachers from neighboring districts who have been meeting regularly since fall of 2017 to take classes toward certification. Donovan said that in her experience and from what she’s heard from others in her cohort, the work is paying off.

“Teachers now feel more comfortable working with English-language learners,” she said. “At the end of the day, these are really good strategies.”

Strategies that help students like Vidaura Pavlo.

Vidaura came to the district two years ago from Guatemala by way of California. She took a break from Donovan’s class, where she was studying “Romeo and Juliet,” to share that it wasn’t uncommon when she first arrived in America to have people get impatient with her due to her difficulty understanding English.

But her English has improved greatly in the last few years, due in large part to the help of Donovan and her teaching partner, Brenda Caballero.

Vidaura Pavlo, originally from Guatemala, said she enjoys being able to translate for her family as her English improves. (School News Network)

“When I’m with my parents, at the store or when we’re traveling, I translate for them,” said Vidaura, who is quickly gaining confidence with her English.

Donovan said a huge strength of the certification program is that it helps teachers see English-language learners as an asset, not a burden.

“They’re walking the path to bilingualism, and it will make them more successful,” said Donovan. “I think oftentimes maybe in populations where they don’t have a lot of experience working with ELLs, they do view that as a deficit because they might struggle in their second language, which is English. However, we have to realize that they’re bringing so many skills from their culture and of course their native language to the classroom.

The program has also equipped Donovan with a model known as Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol or SIOP — a way to make material more understandable to ELL students. Donovan has been following the model for her lesson plans.

“My intention is not to water down the lessons, but to make them more comprehensible,” said Donovan, who has already seen improvements in grades when comparing unit assessments from this year to last.

Rodolfo Castillo, who came to Lee High School from Mexico last fall, hopes his bilingualism will help him succeed. (School News Network)

Successful Students, Community Assets

Briana Asmus is an associate professor of education and ESL/Bilingual program director at Aquinas College’s School of Education. Asmus said every local school district has been affected, although to varying degrees,  by an influx of immigrants and migrants to the area. In Kentwood, she said, 87 languages are spoken in the district.

“Teachers aren’t necessarily equipped with the skills to help those students. That’s why this work is so important,” said Asmus.

Aquinas has partnered with Godfrey-Lee, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Kentwood, Grand Rapids, and Wyoming schools as well as with the Diocese of Grand Rapids to train in-service and pre-service teachers through the five-year grant, awarded in 2015. When all is said and done, about 140 teachers will have completed the program.

Without the training, Asmus said, “We run the risk of teachers seeing the students as a burden. They actually have incredible assets, and if teachers know how to utilize them, they can benefit their district in a lot of ways. But if they don’t, (students) are going to fall behind, and struggle to catch up and unfortunately, in some circumstances, drop out. That works its way out in to the community as well.”

Asmus said that, as part of the grant, she is collecting data to better understand the impact of teachers who have the endorsement on students.

“What we’re hoping to see is that the students will be achieving higher and better under the direction of a teacher who has ESL certification,” said Asmus.


For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network’s website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.

Ninth-grader Rodolfo Castillo, who came to Lee High School from Mexico with no English last August, said he has felt supported by Donovan in his path to bilingualism since arriving at Lee.

“Maybe as an adult I can find work easier than if I didn’t have two languages,” he said.

GVSU joins initiative to increase students of color in health care fields

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Shannon Wilson, executive director of GRAAHI, speaks during a news conference about the Pathways to Careers in Health Care initiative June 28 at the Kent ISD Conference Center.

By Michele Coffill

Grand Valley State University

 

Grand Valley State University and six other area higher education institutions will work to increase the number of students of color who choose health care fields while in college, then succeed in the workforce.

 

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) announced a “Pathways to Careers in Health Care” initiative to engage with area colleges and universities through a $400,000 planning grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek. Shannon Wilson, executive director of GRAAHI, said the grant allows for college-specific plans of action to engage students of color and help reduce barriers to choosing to study in health care professions.

 

“This is by far the most influential grant we have received,” Wilson said during a news conference held June 28 at the Kent ISD Conference Center. “It has the potential to change how medical care is delivered in Grand Rapids, and by whom. We can reduce disparities in health care when our health care workforce mirrors the diversity of our community.”

 

President Thomas J. Haas said the Pathways initiative supports Grand Valley’s strategic plan to increase the diversity of its campus community to reflect that of West Michigan’s population. Hear more in this video.

 

“This work fits with the university’s other initiatives to prepare students of color for success in college and the workforce; and this project is aligned with Grand Valley’s commitment to the state of Michigan to fill the health care talent pipeline with qualified and diverse health care employees,” Haas said.

 

Pictured are leaders from area colleges and universities, plus staff members from Grand Rapids African American Health Institute.

Other institutions participating in the Pathways initiative are Aquinas College, Calvin College, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Hope College. GRAAHI will engage with each institution in addition to connecting with parents and high school counselors.

 

Wilson said white health care workers represent more than 50 percent of employees in almost every occupation category. She cited a 2004 report from the Institute of Medicine and the Sullivan Commission that identified the lack of people of color in health care fields as a contributing factor in overall quality of care.

 

The Pathways project has overall goals of mirroring diversity in the community by 2040, establishing early exposure to advance health care practice careers throughout the K-12 experience, and developing a cohort of African American and Latino/a health care leaders.

West Michigan universities, colleges come out on top in recent ‘U.S. News & World Report’

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Calvin College President Michael Le Roy with students. (Calvin College)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Just before high school students select colleges and start sending applications into the Federal Student Aid, “U.S. News & World Report” comes out with its annual college rankings and this year, several Grand Rapids colleges and universities did quite well in those rankings.

 

Calvin College was ranked tops in Regional Colleges Midwest. Colleges in this category focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. The rankings are split into four regions, north, south, midwest, and west. The midwest ranking includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

 

Calvin College President Michael Le Roy in a statement said it was encouraging when an independent source such as “U.S. News and World Report” recognizes the work of the faculty, staff and students. The college also ranked second in Best Undergraduate Teaching in the Midwest.

 

Other colleges that ranked in the Regional Colleges Midwest are University of Detroit Mercy, which was ranked No. 19, and Adrian College, ranked No. 20. The University of Detroit Mercy program is offered at Aquinas College and the college has an affiliation with Cornerstone University.

 

The Cook Carillon Tower at Grand Valley State University, Allendale campus.

In the Regional Universities Midwest category, Grand Valley Stated University ranked No. 29, Aquinas College, No. 47 and Kuyper College, No. 59. This category is for universities that offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs. The Regional Universities also are split info four regions, north, south, midwest, and west. The midwest region includes the same states as the Regional Colleges. Other local and Michigan universities listed in the Regional Universities Midwest are University of Michigan – Dearborn, No. 38; Ferris State University, No. 83; Cornerstone University, No. 115, and Davenport University, No. 122.

 

For the National Universities category, universities that offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs and are committed to producing groundbreaking research, the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor ranked the highest at No. 28. Michigan State University was at No. 81; Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University tied at No. 207.

 

West Michigan also captured a couple of spots in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category, colleges that emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the library arts fields of study, which Kalamazoo College ranking at No. 76 and Hope College was No. 106.

 

The rankings are based on several key measures of quality including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. Data was collected from each institution that included several indicators of academic excellence.

 

The data also includes other ranking information such as Grand Valley State University was ranked No. 3 in Top Pubic Schools and No. 4 in Best Value Schools. For more information or to see the rankings, click here, and for just the Michigan rankings, click here. For more information on the schools in this story, click on the name of the school.

School News Network: College Access Network help makes higher ed a reality for Godwin students

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Godwin Heights students celebrate being accepted into colleges.

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

Senior D’Nyszha Brand was accepted into six colleges: Baker College, Ferris State University, Wayne State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas College and Western Michigan University.

 

She’s decided to attend GRCC for her associate degree before transferring to a university, maybe Ferris, to major in business and minor in psychology. “It’s the cheapest way to go and I will save more money,” she said.

 

D’Nyszha said she probably wouldn’t have applied to so many colleges, or realized how to meet her postsecondary goals, if it weren’t for the Michigan College Access Network representative who helped her. Jeremy Bissett had an office at Godwin Heights for 20 hours a week until mid-spring, helping students apply, submit and complete all the other paperwork to get into college.

 

“It was very helpful because I would go to my mom and ask her what to do and she would say, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know,'” said D’Nyszha, who will be the first person in her family to go to college.

 

Bissett reminded her often about deadlines and what was required. “He helped me in so many ways. Not only did he help me with my (college) stuff, he taught me different life skills,” she said. Without him, she added, “I probably would have only applied to GRCC, honestly.”

 

From left, seniors Josiah Lozada and Maurie Vinson, MCAN adviser Jeremy Bissett, and seniors Mya Jordan and Mamie Hai celebrate college acceptance.

Accepted, Again and Again

 

At Godwin Heights, students recently gathered in the hallway wearing #accepted T-shirts to celebrate their “yes” notifications. A total of 111 of the 137 seniors, or 81 percent, were accepted at 27 colleges.

 

That’s a great start for students at Godwin Heights, where more than 80 percent come from financially disadvantaged families and 59 percent of seniors this year could be first-generation college-goers.

 

Godwin Heights received an Innovative Program Grant from MCAN to fund a dedicated college adviser, Bissett. It’s just one way the network supports Michigan schools in helping students access college.

 

“We are super proud of Godwin’s results,” said Sarah Anthony, MCAN deputy director for partnerships and advocacy. “We knew being in that community would be serving low-income, first-generation college students and students of color.”

 

The goal of Lansing-based MCAN is to increase the percentage of Michigan residents with degrees or postsecondary certificates to 60 percent by the year 2025. According to 2014 Census figures, 39.3 percent of Michigan’s 5.2 million working-age adults (ages 25-64) hold a two- or four-year college degree, an increase from the previous year’s rate of 38.4 percent. This is the sixth year in a row that Michigan’s degree attainment rate has increased.

 

College acceptance letters hang in the hallway of Godwin Heights High School.

But there’s work to be done. According to data from MCAN, out of every 100 ninth-graders in Michigan, 73 graduate from high school on time; 45 enroll into postsecondary education within 12 months of graduation; 32 persist from their first to their second year; and 18 graduate with a degree within six years.

 

According to Mischooldata.org, within six months of graduation, 55.8 percent of 2016 Godwin Heights grads were enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university.

 

Building a College-Prep Culture

 

Bissett spent much of his time meeting with students, ensuring they were on track with the application process and walking them through applications for financial aid.

 

“The biggest benefit I see with the MCAN partnership has been the one-on-one time,” said counselor Tish Stevenson. “An adult sitting down one-on-one is immensely important.”

 

Bissett said he was just a piece of the puzzle. At Godwin Heights, there’s a multi-pronged effort to prepare students. It includes college visits; work to improve literacy across all content areas; and preparing students for the workforce or college by developing communication and collaboration skills. Staff provides many opportunities to meet college representatives right at school.

 

“It’s putting that option in their purview,” said counselor Kristi Bonilla. “We get them in tangible contact with people and places.”

 

“I think they are establishing a culture there that is college prep, and are getting more students wanting to be engaged in that,” Bissett said. “They are doing great work.”

 

After being added to the state’s Priority Schools list in 2012, Godwin Heights also put many measures in place to boost achievement. In 2016, the high school received a five-year School Improvement Grant, approved by the Michigan Department of Education, that will include allocations of $750,000 a year for the first three years and $500,000 a year for the final two.

 

The work is paying off. The school was removed this year from the state’s Priority Schools list, and has climbed from a 0 percentile rank in 2012-2013 to a 27th percentile rank in 2015-2016.

 

Said high school data coach Kristin Haga, “We are moving in the right direction.”

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

Diocese of Grand Rapids selects former Rogers Department Store official to position

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A former Rogers Department Store official was recently named the new chief financial officer  for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

 

Bishop David J. Walkowiak, bishop of Grand Rapids, has announced that Michael Lown will be taking over the role on Jan. 9.

 

Lown will be responsible for the broad range management of the diocese’s financial activities, human resources, information technology, investments, insurance, property, and legal matters. He will also work closely with parishes, schools, and related foundations.

 

“I am pleased to bring Michael on board,” said Bishop Walkowiak. “His previous experiences and commitment to the Catholic Church and community service make him an ideal candidate for this position.”

 

Before joining the diocese, Lown served as the corporate controller for The Motorcycle Company LLC in Grand Rapids. His previous experiences include accounting and finance positions with DP Fox LLC / FMG Holdings LLC and Rogers Department Store in the Greater Grand Rapids area.

 

In addition, Lown continues to volunteer many hours to Catholic organizations in the diocese, currently serving as treasurer on the Aquinas College Board of Trustees and as chair of the school board at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School. He is a parishioner at Saint Thomas the Apostle in Grand Rapids.

 

Lown earned a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College and is a certified public accountant (CPA) in the State of Michigan.

Circle Theatre hosts the Jellicle Ball as “CATS” opens its season

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Those famous "CATS" are getting ready for the Jellicle Ball set to come to Circle Theatre this month.
Those famous “CATS” are getting ready for the Jellicle Ball set to come to Circle Theatre this month.

Circle Theatre will open its Main Stage season with a production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “CATS” starting on Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m.at the Aquinas College’s Performing Arts Center, 1607 Robinson Rd. SE.

Under the direction of Todd Avery, the 2016 Audience Choice Musical will take audience members on a visually breathtaking journey filled with heartfelt song, dance and impressive acrobatics paired with stunning makeup and elaborate costuming. “CATS” tells the story of the annual gathering of Jellicle cats at which one time, one special cat is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer.  A true musical theatre phenomenon, “CATS” is one of the longest-running musicals in both West End and Broadway history.

“This season is particularly exciting because we are truly offering something for everyone and we’re also the first community theater in Grand Rapids to put on a production of ‘CATS’,” says Lynne Brown-Tepper, Managing Director of Circle Theatre. “The talent of both the performers and the production staff this season is one of the best I’ve seen in all of my 16 years at Circle.”

Audience members looking to delve even further into the “CATS” experience can “Meet the Cats” at a special meet-and-greet session with members of the cast following performances on May 7, 15 and 20. “Meet the Cats” tickets are $5 and include a mix and mingle for “paw-tographs” and a special photo op with select felines on the stage. Tickets are limited and can be purchase at the box office or online.

“Circle Theatre feels like home to so many people and we want to extend that to our audiences through our performances,” said Director Todd Avery. “You’ll see powerful acrobatics, plenty of awe-inspiring makeup and costuming choices and some incredibly talented vocalists fully embodying their feline character.  Audiences won’t want to miss any of it.”

2016 celebrates Circle’s 64th year of producing plays and musicals for West Michigan audiences. Other Main Stage productions this season include comedic farce “Perfect Wedding,” musical comedy “First Date” heartfelt comedic play “Over the River and Through the Woods,” jukebox spoof comedy musical “Rock of Ages.” Circle Theatre attendees can also look forward to the Magic Circle family production of classic tale “Charlotte’s Web.” Circle’s unique and diverse Summer Concert Series performances include “Any Way You Want It: Arena Rock Anthems,” “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough: The Music of Michael Jackson,” “Made in the Mitten: Michigan Music Greats” and “Classic to Cosmopolitan: Nashville Past & Present.” All performances will be held at Aquinas College Performing Arts Center.

“CATS” shows are May 6 and 7, 11-14, 18-21 at 7:30 p.m. and May 15 at 5 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 616-456-6656 or visit Circle’s website www.circletheatre.org.

Calling All Colors Looking for Volunteers

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Caling All ColorsAre you passionate about promoting racial equity? This is your chance to make a difference in the life of a student!

Calling All Colors has an urgent need for volunteers to facilitate a small group dialogue at our upcoming middle and high school conferences. It’s fun! It’s easy! It’s rewarding!

Volunteers are provided with all dialogue materials and may be paired with a co-facilitator if preferred. Just 2.5 hours of your time will have a lifetime impact on a middle or high school student.

Invite your friends, family and co-workers to get involved!

Calling All Colors fosters inclusive school communities through a year-long program that features two conferences, creates a safe place to talk about race, and provide tools for increasing positive racial impacts for middle and high school students.

Calling All ColorsVolunteers are needed at the following fall conferences from 9 – 11:30 a.m.:

  • Lakeshore middle school conference – Monday, October 5, Hope College, Holland
  • Lakeshore high school conference – Tuesday, October 6, Hope College, Holland
  • Kent County high school conference – Tuesday, October 20, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids

Volunteers are welcome to assist at one or more conferences.

To better prepare for the small group dialogue, volunteers are encouraged to attend a training session. Alternative training is available if you are unable to attend a training session.

  • Monday, September 28, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Hope College, Holland
  • Wednesday, October 14, 5;30 – 6:30 p.m., Aquinas College, Grand Rapids

Click here to sign up to volunteer or email program director Sarah Salguera at program@ethnicdiversity.org, or call 616.846.9074.