"Don't ever question the value of volunteers. Noah's Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals." - Dave Gynn, an engineer out of the San Francisco Bay area.
A BIG Thanks
WKTV Volunteer of the Year was Charlie Kormanik
And WKTV values its volunteers, this year hosting a Brazilian-style barbecue at Johnson Park.
This year’s Volunteer of the Year was Charlie Kormanik who had more than 300 volunteer hours. Charlie travels almost 80 miles, one-way, from St. Joseph, Michigan, to participate in a number of WKTV programs. Thanks Charlie and to all our volunteers for another wonderful year. To see all the volunteers who were recognized at this year’s picnic, click here. To become volunteer, call 616-261-5700.
Song spinners
The Crane Wives performs July 26.
After making recent tour stops throughout the country, the band will be returning home to play at the Kentwood Summer Concert Series this Thursday.
Show time is set for 7p.m. at the lawn next to the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Click here for more.
Who’s counting?
After reporting the busiest June ever in its history, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport has 1,406,644 more to go to hit the three million passenger mark. At the rate things are going, we expect GFIA to land that goal soon. For more on the story, click here.
Be Involved and be informed
Stealing Mayor Jack Poll’s closing line for every Wyoming City Council meeting, WKTV reminds residents that the upcoming primary is Aug. 7 and there are a number of candidates seeking their party’s spot for the general election. In the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, there are two Kent County Commission races, two Republicans for the 8th District and four Democratic in the 12th District. For more, click here.
And today’s fun fact:
400
That is the number of meters of Lycra (an elastic polyurethane fiber or fabric) needed to make the costumes for the "Super Trooper" scene in the ABBA-inspired "Mamma Mia!" Don't believe us? Then check out the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre production this February and see for yourself.
Recently, WKTV hosted a volunteer picnic for the many people who contribute their time and efforts in creating program for the WKTV station along with writing for the WKTV Journal.
The picnic was at Johnson Park and had a little twisted with food provided by Charcoal Grill Brazilian Steak House out of Holland. Charcoal Grill offers authentic Brazilian food with servers carving up the meats right at the table. The three-hour event included a time to recognize the many accomplishments of all of WKTV volunteers.
The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Charlie Kormanik who has worked on a number of projects including the WKTV’s spring broadcasting of the FIRST Robotics Competition. WKTV Board member and contributor Mike Bacon received the Community Service Programming Award and WKTV Board member and contributor Judy Bergsma received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Recognized for 15 years of service were Jim Dohm for helping to wire the WKTV building and the show Catholic Forum; Dan Kuipers for Bethany URC, and Todd Lewis for the Grand Rapids Theatre documentary and various other work. Recognized for 20 years was Mike Endres for EP Adventures and the Ghosts of Grand Rapids documentary; Rose Hammond for the Idlewild documentary; and Phyllis Koslow for her work with the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band and Symphonette shows. Recognized for 25 years of service was Kim Johnson for her work on a number of projects such as the the Dynamic Praise Program, WKTV specials, Memorial Tributes, the End of Year Memorials, and Princess Diana.
Just some the people who attended the WKTV Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. All photos are by Pat Mulder.
Also recognized were:
Those who volunteered 25 hours or less
Brittany Berens – WKTV Sports
Maddison Berone – WKTV Sports
Judy Bergsma – WKTV Board Member
Ryan Burkholder – I.T.
Mike Endres – EP Adventures
Kim Johnson – Dynamic Praise/Memorial Tributes
Katelyn Kohane – WKTV News
Pat Moll – WKTV News Photographer
Edward Nelson – W.T.H.
Chris Rush – Senior Exercise
Bob Serulla – Golden Gloves/Metro Cruise
Matt Small – WKTV Sports
Emily Southerton – Catholic Forum
Erica Southerton – Catholic Forum
Paul Southerton – Catholic Forum
Doug Styles – Rowland – Stop of Faith
Anne Van Dreumel – Metro Cruise and Schubert Male Chorus
Mike Van Druemel – WKTV
Dick Visser – WKTV Board Member
Matt Whitney – WKTV
Those who had volunteered 26 – 50 hours
Carrie Bradstreet – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America
Jim Dohm – Catholic Forum/Fools for Christ
Randy Galaszewski – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America
Chris Huntoon – WKTV
Mark Lange – WKTV
Sunshine Myers – The Projectionist
James Smither – GVSU Veteran’s Oral History Project
Sue Southerton – Catholic Forum
Larry Swanson – You’re Got to Be Kidding Me America
Patty Williams – Bluegrass On Stage & Sounds of Summer
Pat Williams – Volunteer
Those who have volunteered 51 – 75 hours
Kriss Boom Boom – W.T.H.
Rose Hammond – Idlewild Documentary
Sophia Maslowski – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America
After reporting the busiest June ever in its history, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport has 1,406,644 more to go to hit the three million passenger mark. At the rate things are going, we expect GFIA to land that goal soon. For more on the story, click here.
Stealing Mayor Jack Poll’s closing line for every Wyoming City Council meeting, WKTV reminds residents that the upcoming primary is Aug. 7 and there are a number of candidates seeking their party’s spot for the general election. In the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, there are two Kent County Commission races, two Republicans for the 8th District and four Democratic in the 12th District. For more, click here.
