Tag Archives: book

Hip Grandma with a Camera gives insight on living life after 50 and a “100 Things” bucket list

3-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, Going Local, Local Faces, Our Cities, Travel, West Michigan, , , , , ,
Veronica Bareman is a Hip Grandma with a Camera – and she is living life to the fullest (Courtesy, Veronica Bareman)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Bareman fell in love with Holland right away (Courtesy, Veronica Bareman)

West Michigan’s “Hip Grandma with a Camera,” Veronica Bareman, urges communities to explore their own backyards with her book, 100 Things to do in Holland, Michigan Before You Die.

Released in September 2023, 100 Things is an ode to the town Bareman fell in love with 20 years ago when she moved to Holland, Michigan.

A native of the Wyoming-Kentwood area, Bareman had only been to Holland once during her childhood – while on a school field trip to see the De Klomp Wooden Shoe & Delftware Factory.

“That was my sole experience with Holland,” says Bareman. Many years later, Bareman met her husband, got married and moved to Holland. “In the short time after moving to Holland, I just fell in love.”

The artsy, close-knit community calls to Bareman. Being a college town, Holland also offers a variety of events throughout the year.

“We have a lot of really cool events and tons of parks,” says Bareman. “It’s just a beautiful town, and right on the lakeshore.”

How Hip Grandma with a Camera was born

Bareman loves to travel and make friends at every stop (Courtesy, Veronica Bareman)

Bareman’s love of photography founded Veronicajune Photography. Over the years, she became known as “the girl with the camera.”

“Whenever I would show up I would have the camera, so people would laugh about that,” says Bareman.

Five years ago, Bareman began blogging about photography – and welcomed her first grandchild into the world.

“People started laughing and saying, ‘Oh, you’re the grandma with a camera,’” says Bareman. “Then I had a friend who took one look at me and said, ‘You can’t be the grandma with the camera. You’ve got pink hair, you’ve got to be hipper than that. You’re a Hip Grandma with a Camera.’”

Between the pink hair and Bareman’s energy level, Hip Grandma with a Camera stuck.

A life shift: becoming a travel blogger

The photography blog led to traveling as Bareman’s five children grew up and moved out of the house.

“Life has a way of just kind of morphing here and there,” Bareman says. “All of a sudden, I find myself in this travel space where I’m traveling.”

And wherever Bareman travels, her camera goes as well.

People often miss what is right in front of them in their own communities, says Bareman (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Invited into communities across the country, Bareman visits destinations and then posts on social media about what the communities have to offer.

At every travel destination, Bareman chats with hotel employees and waitstaff at local establishments. They always ask why she is in their town, and Bareman replies that she travels to see what that town has to offer.

The travel blogger says the responses are overwhelmingly similar: We don’t have anything to see or do around here.

“No matter where I go, this is what people say,” says Bareman. “We’re all so busy thinking about where we should go next, and what plane we should get on.

“If you just look around, most communities have a ton of things to see and do.”

Bareman believes she was given a unique perspective on her own community because she moved to Holland as an adult. Instead of taking the town’s offerings for granted, she embraced each new opportunity to explore what was right in front of her.

“We just kind of take it for granted that ‘Someday we’ll go see that, but we’re planning something else right now,’” says Bareman. “It’s definitely a phenomenon. It happens everywhere, not just here in West Michigan. It happens all over the country.”

An ironic revelation

Then, almost two years ago, Bareman realized the irony attached to her travel blog.

“I’m writing about everything and I come home to the best town…why haven’t I written extensively about Holland?” Bareman asked herself.

Bareman realized she had never written about the place she loves most (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Bareman found the response from her previous travel destinations was the same response she found in Holland.

“People don’t know what’s within twenty minutes of their own back door,” Bareman says.

That revelation led the travel blogger to contact publishing company Reedy Press.

“They have a series of 100 Things books,” says Bareman. “I pitched the Holland, Michigan idea to them, and they were on board.”

100 Things to do in Holland, Michigan Before You Die has been well-received by people, Bareman says. Many local readers have told Bareman they had no idea certain attractions existed in their own backyard.

What came before and what’s next

(Courtesy Photo)

Bareman’s 100 Things is actually her second publication.

Twelve authors throughout the Midwest came together and compiled an informative book on Midwest state parks.

Titled Midwest State Park Adventures, the book covers all state parks in the Midwest states, with Bareman penning the Michigan chapter.

“Michigan has 108 state parks,” says Bareman. “I did a deep dive into those to figure out who has camping, trails and kayaking, then specifically wrote from firsthand experience.”

Bareman is looking at participating in another author compilation that will cover Midwest museums. She is also in conversation with Reedy Press about writing a bigger, more Michigan-centric book.

Never stop exploring

“Life goes on past 50, and it can be the most exciting time of your life,” says Bareman. “I’m in my 50s now, and life has taken off in my 50s in a bigger way than through all of the years prior.”

Bareman is loving her Hip Grandma Life and continues to carry her camera everywhere she goes. Her days consist of traveling, writing, photography, and speaking engagements.

Bareman says we should never stop learning and exploring (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

And, most importantly, being a grandma to her two grandchildren while looking forward to welcoming more into the Hip Grandma fold.

Bareman encourages those around her to never stop exploring, no matter their age.

“Don’t forget to explore your own backyard,” says Bareman. “We have the gift of a lifetime of experience and look through a whole different lens than we would have when we were 25 and trying to figure life out.

“Now we’ve kind of got the gift of having it figured out. We never stopped learning, and we never have it completely figured out, but certainly those years of experience are a huge gift when you’re at this point in life.”

Inspiration to get you started

Adventures of the pink-haired, high-energy Hip Grandma with a Camera can be found on her website, Hip Grandma Life.

You can also find Veronica Bareman on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

Local author Carol R. Dodge publishes book that fills an important gap in Grand Rapids history

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Kent County, Local History, West Michigan, , , , ,
Carol R. Dodge with her book, The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion (WKTV)

By Deborah Reed

deborah@wktv.org

The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion by Carol R. Dodge (Courtesy Photo)

Carol Dodge, lifelong resident of Grand Rapids, recently published a book that closes a large gap in the history of the area and its development.

The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion was published May 13, 2023 and is lauded as a “welcome addition to publications chronicling the history of Grand Rapids, Michigan,” according to the Sweet House Foundation website.

Dodge has a long history with what is now called the Sweet House, remembering how, as a young girl of 8-years-old, she would walk past the Sweet House – then called the Women’s City Club – on her way to choir practice at church.

“I was really impressed with the building and hoped that someday I could have lunch there,” said Dodge.

A dream come true

Dodge’s dream of entering the City Club came true when, as a senior in high school, she received the Daughters of the American Revolution Merit Award. Recipients of the award were honored with a tea held at the Club.

“I was able to go inside and was so impressed with the beautiful house,” said Dodge. “I always hoped that someday I would be a member of the City Club.”

Dodge’s wish became reality in 1985 when she joined the WCC. Her love of early American history and early Grand Rapids history was immediately utilized when the WCC appointed her Chairman of the History Committee.

That interest and her appointment as Chairman prompted Dodge to delve deeply into the history of the mansion that was home to the WCC.

Rare pieces of history

Dodge quickly realized there were two men who had lived at the mansion who played an integral role in the growth and development of Grand Rapids – but were rarely talked about.

Grand Rapids Mayor Martin L. Sweet built the mansion in 1860 soon after he took office. Sweet was an entrepreneur who greatly contributed to the economic and political development of the area before he died in 1905.

“He was a very prominent man,” said Dodge. “Even as far as Kansas City and Colorado, they would talk about Sweet and all that he was doing.”

Concert pianist Ottokar Malek operated the Malek School of Music from the mansion during the years 1914-1919. In 1919, St. Cecilia Music Center approached Malek about expanding their orchestra of 20 musicians.

“He accepted the position and increased the orchestra to 65 outstanding musicians,” said Dodge.

That orchestra is now called the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Carol Dodge (right) with Pamela Keim of Grand Tap Media (WKTV, Deborah Reed)

“I was just fascinated with finding out about the two men who lived there and all that they contributed to the city of Grand Rapids,” said Dodge. “And there is no book, no gathering of information about them or about the Sweet House.”

Dodge began giving presentations and writing articles so members of the WCC would know about Sweet and Malek.

“I did that for about 15 years, and then I thought: ‘What’s going to happen to the information when I’m no longer around? I think I should write a book,’” said Dodge.

Putting it all together

Dodge began by taking scripts from her oral presentations and converting them to written form. She then dove into further research, finding the majority of pertinent information at the Grand Rapids Public Library.

“I really have to credit the history section of the library,” said Dodge. “Those people were so helpful to me.”

Between verbal interviews, online research, history books and biographies of previous residents of Grand Rapids, and old newspaper articles from the 1800s, Dodge was able to create a clearer picture of Sweet, Malek, and the Sweet House.

“I just kept piecing information together until I had enough to complete [Sweet’s] story,” said Dodge. “It took two and a half years to diligently gather everything.”

A team of two editors helped Dodge, meeting weekly with her during those two and a half years.

“It was quite a journey,” said Dodge. “The book is what it is today because of their help.”

Dodge said she hopes the book will raise awareness in the community about the significance of the Sweet House and the importance of preserving it, as well as “close the gap and fill in the history so that people will recognize the impact [Sweet and Malek] had on the city, the development and the culture.”

What’s next?

Carol Dodge during interview with Pamela Keim, Grand Tap Media (WKTV, Deborah Reed)

At 88-years-old, Dodge shows no sign of slowing down. She continues in the role of historian for the WCC and the Sweet House Foundation, conducts tours of the Sweet House, writes articles, and actively promotes The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion with speaking engagements.

When asked if she was always this active and project-oriented, Dodge replied without hesitation: “Yes.”

Copies of The Mayor, the Maestro, and the Mansion can be reserved by contacting the Sweet House at sweethousegr@gmail.com or 616-459-5484. A donation to the Sweet House Foundation is requested in exchange for the book.

Let It Snow: Mystery and Thriller book suggestions

3-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Recreation, ,

By Kent District Library
kdl.org

“I’ll be honest, when someone suggested ‘The Silent Patient’ to me, I thought it sounded pretty routine and so I passed,” said WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma. “Then my daughter, a registered nurse, mentioned how her co-workers told her she needed to read the book.

“She got it. Read it in two days and then gave it to me. I couldn’t put it down and then, it was the twist that I never expected.”

“The Silent Patient,” by Alex Michaelides, is just one of many possible options under the KDL Let It Snow Mystery and Thriller book selections which also includes “Run Rose Run,” by James Patterson and Dolly Parton, “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn and Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.”

Based on a Greek myth, “The Silent Patient” centers around the story of famous painter Alicia Berenson who has killed her husband and stops speaking and Theo, a therapist determined to unlock her secrets.

Adults and teens (11+) who participate in the Let It Snow and read a minimum of six books in different categories between Jan. 3 and March 31 will receive a collectible Let It Snow 2023 ceramic mug. Participants who finish an additional four titles will be entered into a Power Reader drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Scribe with stylus pen or other prizes.

KDL Let It Snow: Going local on the local indie/Michigan author book list

3-bottom, Books, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kent County, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Kent District Library

Photo by Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Angeline Boulley’s debut novel, “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” skyrocketed to the top upon release earning several awards including a Printz Medal Winner, William C. Morris Award, American Indian Youth Literature Award Best Young Adult Honor, and was a Reese Witherspoon x Hllo Sunshine Book Club YA Pick.

Set in Sault Ste. Marie, the story follows Daunis Fontaine, a half-native, half-white young adult who witnesses her best friend’s murder by the hand of her friend’s boyfriend. She decides to protect her family and her culture by becoming involved an FBI investigation revolving around a new drug that mixes meth with Ojibwa herbs.

Boulley, who is enrolled member of the Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was born in Sault Ste. Marie. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and has worked in Indian education at the tribal, state and national levels including becoming the director fo the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Boulley’s book is just one of the many recommendations on the KDL Let It Snow Local Indie/Michigan Authors. Other books on the list are Jenison author Tobin T. Buhk’s “Cold Case Michigan,” a look at several unsolved Michigan murders, and Shona Buchana’s “Black Indian,”  a memoir of being African American with American Indian roots and how her family dealt with not just society’s ostracization but the consequences of this dual inheritance.

Adults and teens (11+) who participate in the Let It Snow and read a minimum of six books in different categories between Jan. 3 and March 31 will receive a collectible Let It Snow 2023 ceramic mug. Participants who finish an additional four titles will be entered into a Power Reader drawing to win an Amazon Kindle Scribe with stylus pen or other prizes. 

The history of 28th Street celebrated in Wyoming book

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Local Business, Local History, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming Events, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

From being a dirt road to being a major thoroughfare, 28th Street is a roadway of history in the Greater Grand Rapids, especially for the City of Wyoming.

So much so, that the Wyoming Historical Commission has spent the last year compiling a new book “From Beals Road to 28th Street, a History of The Miracle Mile.” The book is being released this Saturday with copies available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wyoming Historical Room, located inside the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW.

“We like to think of ‘The Miracle Mile’ as a scrapbook that not only outlines the commercial history from South Division Avenue to Byron Center Avenue but will likely jog many found memories for our readers,” said David Britten, who headed up the project. “It should be a valuable addition to anyone’s local history collection.”

The project is the result of conversations held during Metro Cruise last August as visitors stoped at the Historical Commission’s booth in the Rogers Plaza area, Britten said.

Studio 28 was the first megaplex and one of the largest movie theaters in the world. It was located along 28th Street.

The result is 122-page, 8-1/2by-11 inch book containing more than 200 photos and dozens of advertisements and articles from the earliest years.

In “The Miracle Mile” book, there are three sections detailing the growth of the commercial corridor from 1946 through 1973. A section titled “The Early Years” outlines the changes over time in the road, itself, the Rogers School, and the first few businesses in what was then a rural, farming section of Wyoming Township.

During that time period, 28th Street has been called many names, Beals Road, the Sunset Strip of Grand Rapids and of course, The Miracle Mile.

For around 90 years, 28th Street has served as the southern gateway helping residents and travelers move east and west, serving as the southern border of the Beltline, a bypass route around the city. At one time it was the second busiest highway in the State of Michigan and home to so many hamburger joints, it was said you could have a different one every day and not eat at the same place for three months.

In 1957, US-131 was completed with direct access on and off of 28th Street. It immediately caused change along the roadway. 

In the fifties, McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in the West Michigan area along the stretch of 28th Street in Wyoming. Rogers Plaza would open in 1961 followed by Southland (now 28th West Plaza). Rogers Plaza was the first major modern shopping center in Kent County and caused a tremendous change in metropolitan area shopping.

And just what Rogers Plaza did for shopping, Studio 28 did for movie attendance as Studio 28 was the first megaplex and one of the largest movie theaters in the world.

It was in the Rogers Plaza parking lot during the 2021 Metro Cruise that the idea for “The Miracle Mile” book came about. Rogers Plaza was the first shopping center in Kent County and it is located on 28th Street. (WKACC)

More stores sprouted up on 28th Street, which was widened to five lanes, and that was about the time the nickname “The Miracle Mile” was attached to the street. According to “A City of Wyoming – A History,” also produced by the Wyoming Historical Commission, Fred Eardley’s Trading Post at Burlingame Avenue anchored The Miracle Mile on the west, and Ben Duthler built a supermarket at Clyde Park at the east end anchor. Other new stores were Stone’s Shoes, Rogers Department Store (which would become the largest department store in the county), Feighner Drugs, TerMeer Hardware, Suburban 5 and 10 Store, Meijer, Eberhards food stores, Holiday Lanes, and several gasoline stations.

The book also includes a short biography of Abram J. Longstreet, a forgotten pioneer of Rogers Heights community. In fact, Fruit Basket/Flowerland is located on the original Longstreet farm and Clyde Park is actually named after the Clydesdales that were once located on the farm. The Wyoming High School football field is named after Longstreet.

Books are $20 and beside Saturday, will be available during Metro Cruise, Aug. 26 and 27, and during the History Room’s normal hours which are 9:30 a.m. – noon Tuesdays and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month. For more information, visit the Wyoming Michigan History Room’s Facebook page. 

March is Reading Month: The Polar Express

3-bottom, Books, Food, Kids Activities, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local History, Restaurants, , , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s book selection comes from Katie Nugent owner of Jersey Junction, an ice cream parlor in East Grand Rapids. Started in 1963, Jersey Junction has become not only a popular spot but a famous one as well. We’ll let Katie explain why.

Book: The Polar Express
Author: Chris VanAllsburg
Genre: Picture book/Christmas story

Jersey Junction was established in 1963 by Doris “Chris” VanAllsburg, the author’s mother. When the movie premiered in Grand Rapids, Chris donated an autographed model of the Polar Express to Jersey Junction that is displayed in its dining room. Another model of the Polar Express can be seen running along the ceiling of the shop. The book is about a young boy who on Christmas Eve is whisked away on the Polar Express to meet Santa Claus.

Jersey Junction, located at 652 Croswell Ave. SE, officially opens for the season today, Friday, March 11. So take a few minutes to celebrate summer with an ice cream and to check out those trains. Hours are 3-9 Monday through Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday up to Memorial Day and from Labor Day to Oct. 31. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-10 p.m. Sunday.

March is Reading Month: The Word for World is Forest

3-bottom, Books, Citizen Journalism, Local Entertainment, Recreation, , , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s suggested book comes from the Wyoming Tree Commission, which develops and promotes programs that maintain and improve Wyoming’s tree assets on both public and private properties. The group also fosters a healthy, species-diverse tree canopy that meets or exceeds coverage percentages suggested by the Michigan DNR, U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters.

Book: The Word for World is Forest
Author: Ursula LeGuin
Genre: Science Fiction

It is suitable for teens and adults. The parallels author Ursula LeGuin draws to contemporary life on earth and where humanity could be heading are palpable, instructive — and inspiring one to act for change (and plant more trees.)

Grand Rapids author’s debut book delivers message of hope, guidance on journey of self-discovery

Books, Entertainment, Health, Local Entertainment, WKTV Projects, ,
It was a day to celebrate for Sheila VanZile when her debut-work books arrived. (Supplied)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

ken@wktv.org

Sheila VanZile, Grand Rapids resident and businesswoman, recently released her debut book, My Waterfall of Awakening: How Loss Can Bring You Home to the Life You Want — A Guided Journal, offering hope and guidance to other women through her own journey of self-discovery.

“My true calling is to share my story with women who could recite a similar journey in the hopes that by revealing the truth below the surface of a seemingly successful and satisfying life there is a very different picture,” VanZile explains on her website. “My hope is to deliver the message that you are never alone and it is never too late to live a life faithful to your true self.”

Sheila VanZile’s My Waterfall of Awakening: How Loss Can Bring You Home to the Life You Want — A Guided Journal. (Supplied)

Enduring a complex relationship with her distant, love-withholding mother, VanZile realized the impact of that relationship ran so deeply that it changed the course of her entire life.

“I always did what I should do,” VanZile said to WKTV. “I was always the good girl who did what she should.”

The author revealed that her life of “shoulds” began at age four. Having a gift for piano playing, VanZile embarked upon a path of music, majoring in piano performance in college. “I didn’t think about whether I liked it. Whether I liked it or not wasn’t the point. I was good at it, so I should do it.”

Partway through her college experience, VanZile switched her major to economics, becoming a product of the first generation of career women that resulted from the 1960’s original feminist movement.

“I got a job in insurance because they were accepting women in the professional capacity,” said VanZile.

VanZile has been successful in her career, eventually founding her own insurance agency in 2005. Even so, the businesswoman found herself dissatisfied, disillusioned with the workforce, and unfulfilled.

At age 60, the death of VanZile’s mother helped her realize she had been given the gift of time. VanZile “reclaimed her journey,” she states, and she and shares her powerful transformation in My Waterfall of Awakening in the hopes of helping other women realize that it is never too late to live life on your own terms.

When asked why she chose the written word to share her journey rather than public speaking, VanZile said, “My message is very personal; it’s not a big crowd thing. People are touched by being able to hear a story personally, and they can then use the journal to forge their own journey.”

One journey leads to others

VanZile’s journey of healing began with slowing down.

“I decided to let the universe open up in front of me and let it decide the path for me,” said VanZile. The result was more than she could have hoped for. “Life has filled in with all these things I wanted to do.”

A 12-day pilgrimage to Oregon led to hours of self-reflection about what VanZile wanted for her life. When she returned, opportunities began to present themselves.

“I had the opportunity to sell my agency — so I did,” VanZile said. “A sudden chance to buy a house in France came up — so I did. Then I was introduced to a book-writing coach.”

VanZile that writing My Waterfall of Awakening was “very satisfying” and she is “grateful for this opportunity.”

And what’s next …

The businesswoman and author plans to retire at the end of 2021 and continue to live life to the fullest — on her own terms. When asked what that might mean for her and what the future holds, VanZile said, “I don’t know.”

And she is okay with not knowing. “Friends have asked if I will move to France now. I tell them, ‘I don’t know.’”

When asked if she plans to continue writing, VanZile delivered the same response: “I don’t know. It feels like there’s a book on France somewhere. The wonderful fabric of the community there, that could be a book.”

Blogging, however, will remain in VanZile’s immediate future. Her blog (and book) can be found on her website and features lessons with a similar approach as those contained in her book, along with other subjects “as the muse strikes.”

VanZile is willing to allow her future to unfold at its own rate, remembering that she is not alone in her journey, and urges others to do the same on her website: “You know you are not alone. And we celebrate our stepping into the light. Together.”

Two sisters share the stories of haunted Michigan

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Great Lakes, Local Entertainment, Local History, Travel, , ,

By Wayne Thomas
Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters

While dinning at a restaurant called The Whitney in Detroit, Beverlee Rydel took a photo that remains unexplained. The paranormal possibilities of this photo fueled a passion that lead to a 12-year crusade, often traveling tens of thousands of miles per year across Michigan to research paranormal activity. Rydel and her sister Kathleen Tedsen shared the adventure as they bravely ventured into a world of the unknown.

This paranormal pilgrimage and their tedious historical research culminated in Rydel and Tedsen becoming the award winning authors of “Haunted Travels of Michigan.” This three book series is a unique book and website interactive experience. Each story has its own “Secret Room” offering audio, video, and behind the scene colored photos online, where evidence can be reviewed. Rydel and Tedsen included several of Michigan’s top paranormal investigating teams at many of the haunted locations. Their common goal was to separate fact from fiction when it comes to ghost stories, urban legends, folklore, and myth. 

Beverlee Rydel

Honorably, if the authors were investigating a location and “no ghostly activity was identified,” they made it clear, “didn’t turn up any paranormal evidence,” and were not afraid to say “no ghosts” here at this time. Hunting ghosts can be a hazardous hobby with inherent risks and real dangers and is not recommended for amateurs. The serious side of the supernatural is explored as Rydell and Tedsen detail accounts of demons and deliverance. Deliverance is needed when obsession nears possession and can be defined as an exorcism.

Rydel and Tedsen followed their highly successful “Haunted Travels of Michigan” book series with their final book, a collaboration titled “Stepping Into Darkness.” Gone but never to be forgotten, Rydel passed away before the book was completed. Tedsen completed the project with chapter one covering Eloise Psychiatric Hospital, considered to be one of Michigan’s top ten most haunted sites. The author’s special connection introduces the reader to “Mark” a patient at the hospital. The personal insights are astonishingly detailed and descriptive.

Kathleen Tedsen

Another chapter is titled, “Lost Boy of Mackinac Island.” In this story the sisters put together clues from the previous year and are able to encourage the spirit of a young boy to cross over to the other side. Channeling peace to the living and the dead is the ultimate goal of ghost hunters. According to Rydel and Tedsen, “Something does exist out there…Something that can’t be explained…Something paranormal.”

Disclaimer: Since my last article on Mackinac Island, I interviewed Todd Clements and he no longer supports the details of “The Drowning Pool” story.  

Local writers group spends its pandemic free-time crafting tales, book now available

Entertainment, Recreation, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

When thinking about a fundraiser for the Grand Rapids Region Writers Group, the obvious answer to author Diana Lloyd was for the group to put out a book.

Like many organizations the GRRWG has been impacted by COVID and the social guidelines that restrict gatherings.

“We couldn’t meet in person,” Lloyd said, adding that the group use to meet at the Kentwood Peppino’s Sports Grille and Pizzeria, which is located near Celebration! South. “We lost our connection, we lost members. So we were trying to think of something that we could do to raise interest and money for the group.”

The money from the fundraiser would be dedicated to the Workshop for Writers program, which is scheduled for August. Started in 2019, the goal was to have one annually but because of group restrictions due to COVID, the writer’s group had to cancel the 2020 event.

With plans to host the 2021 workshop in the works, the GRRWG needed money to bring in speakers, Lloyd said, which lead to members looking for ways to fundraise.

“There were the usual suggestions, sell flowers for Mother’s Day or popcorn, but how do you do that all online?” Lloyd said. “I started thinking what are we? Writers. And what do we do? Write.”

So Lloyd suggested the idea of putting together an anthology of short stories to show the talent pool of the organization’s members. There were a few hurdles, such as finding an editor and coming up with a theme. Lloyd established the theme of “Lost and Found,” with all the stories centered around romance. Each member was asked to contribute a new, original story based on the theme with a total of nine stories included in the final book.

“The idea was that the book was to be released around Valentine’s Day because romance novels sell best during that time,” Lloyd said. But due to some delays, which included the original editor having to leave the project, the anthology’s release was pushed back to the end of March. GRRWG member and contributor Diana Stout volunteered to edit the anthology, which helped to get the project moving forward.

Lloyd said she believes people will be surprised by the variety of stories since romance provides a broad range of possibilities that can be based in the past, the present and/or the future and can also “be of this world or beyond.”

“I am a romance purest,” Lloyd said. “I read these stories and it got me out of my comfort zone and inspired me to look at things in a different way.”

It is the hope of the authors — which along with Lloyd and Stout include Jae Vel, Lisa Campeau, Martin Shoemaker, Natalia Baird, Patricia Kiyono, Rosanne Bittner, and WKTV Managing Editor K.D. Norris — that others also will be inspired as well.
 

“I hope people don’t read the word ‘romance’ and let that scare them,” Lloyd said. “There really is something in there for just about everyone: sweet, inspirational, spicy.

“I also hope Michigan residents, or at least people in the Grand Rapids area, will check it out and learn what our writer’s group is about and learn about some of our local writers.”

“Lost and Found” is available through Amazon. For more information about the GRRWG, visit the organization’s Facebook page. 

Civic Theatre’s ‘Fancy Nancy’ features Kentwood resident in lead

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Entertainment, , , , ,

Kentwood resident Amelia Moody (in the middle with tiara) rehearses with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s cast of “Fancy Nancy the Musical.”

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Being fancy isn’t about what you have or how you move, according to Kentwood resident Amelia Moody. It’s about making the community you are in, and even the world, a better place.

 

“And that is what is cool about Nancy,” said Moody, who should know since she plays Fancy Nancy in the musical of the same name at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre this month.

 

“This show is a lot of fun,” Moody said. “The imagination and the excitement is amazing and the crowd interaction is over the top.”

 

Based on the beloved children’s book “Fancy Nancy” by Jane O’Connor, Fancy Nancy is excited to audition for the school play, but her fancy world crumbles when she is not cast as a mermaid but rather a tree. Through the help of her friends, Fancy Nancy discovers not everything has to always include tiaras and sparkly shoes.

 

Amelia Moody is Fancy Nancy in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Fancy Nancy the Musical.”

“I was very surprised to get the role as I wasn’t expecting it since there are so many talented people in this area,” said Moody, who is a seventh grade homeschooled student. Her past credits include the Homeschool Performing Arts production of “Jane Erye” and Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s 2015 production of “The Hundred Dresses.”

 

“Getting this opportunity is so amazing. It is really very exciting being Nancy because there is a lot of imagination, which is endless. ”

 

Familiar with the book series, Moody said she likes Nancy because she is about creativity and that fancy is state of mind to bring a level of joy and entertainment to everyone.

 

“And its not just for girls, but boys too,” she said, adding that the inspiration behind it is just to enjoy the moment and to have fun which is what the show does.

 

“It’s a lot of fun for everyone,” Moody said. “It’s not just sitting around watching a show but that imagination can grow though this experience and we can all make it a happier and fancier place.”

 

Rounding out the cast is Elizabeth Foster as Bree, Lucy Boswell as Wanda, Theresa Landis as Rhonda, Drew Smith as Lionel and Carolyn Peterson as Mom.

 

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Fancy Nancy the Music” starts April 21 and runs through April 30 at the theater located at 30 N. Division in downtown Grand Rapids. Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for the show are $10 – $16 and are going fast according to Grand Rapids Civic Theatre staff. For more information, visit www.grct.org.

On the shelf: New GVSU book highlights the life and art of Mathias J. Alten

Entertainment, , ,

A new publication spotlights the life and artistic works of Mathias J. Alten, who called the city of Grand Rapids his home. Grand Valley State University owns the largest known single public collection of Alten’s works and papers in the world.

 

The book, entitled “Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy,” is a hard cover monograph that includes color illustrations and scholarly essays exploring Alten’s artistic legacy.

 

Grand Valley’s George and Barbara Gordon Gallery currently displays 96 pieces of Alten’s work. His vast résumé of creations has also been exhibited widely at major American art institutions, and many can be seen in various buildings around Grand Rapids.

 

Stacey Burns, Galleries and Collections program manager, said the book celebrates the ongoing gifts to the university of Alten paintings by individuals from around the U.S., and by lead donors George and Barbara Gordon.

 

“The book demonstrates Grand Valley’s commitment to active scholarship and visual learning,” she said. “The Gordon’s underwrote the production of this book and share in the Art Gallery’s ambition of enriching the quality of life for students and the community through direct engagement with original works of art.”

 

A native of Germany, Alten immigrated to Grand Rapids as a teenager. Often referred to as the “Dean of Michigan Painters,” Alten spent his career painting in Europe and across the U.S., but always returned to Grand Rapids, his professional base of operations and home until his death in 1938.

 

The book will make its public debut during a special community open house Friday, March 3, from 3 – 5 p.m. in the Gordon Gallery, located in Building E of Grand Valley’s DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.

 

“We planned the open house to be a respite from winter where educators, students, the regional museum community and the public could visit the gallery and share experiences, ask questions and explore ideas,” said Burns.

 

“Mathias J. Alten: An Evolving Legacy” will be available for purchase at Grand Valley’s Laker Store beginning March 3.

 

To RSVP for the community open house, contact the Art Gallery at (616) 331-2563 or gallery@gvsu.edu. More information can also be found at gvsu.edu/artgallery.