Tag Archives: costumes

30 years of fun in disguise: A beloved Wyoming icon will close its doors at year’s end

November 18, 20243-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Going Local, Holidays, Kent County, Local Business, Local Faces, Our Cities, VoicesCity of Wyoming, Community, costumes, Halloween, Local Business, The Kostume RoomDeborah Reed

Randy and Gayle Vaartjes are retiring after three decades helping customers disguise themselves year-round through The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Gayle and Randy Vaartjes have served their community for 30 years (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

A popular Wyoming icon will close its doors at the end of the year, concluding a 30-year adventure while ushering in a new chapter.

Randy and Gayle Vaartjes have spent over three decades assisting customers from all over the United States and Canada disguise themselves year-round through their family-owned costume retail store, The Kostume Room.

The Kostume Room provided costumes, professional makeup, wigs, and accessories for almost every event, including: Halloween, school and church plays, museums and the film industry.

But, to Gayle and Randy, costumes were more than just a business. It was fun.

“I enjoyed every single customer that came through our door,” said Gayle, adding that it was fun to help customers pick out their costumes. “It’s fun to help them create what they’re looking for.”

Many times, after seeing all The Kostume Room had to offer, customers would change their mind about what costume they wanted and walk out the door with a completely different ensemble.

When asked why people enjoy dressing up so much, Gayle said, “I think, personally, because they can be someone else, and they can act differently.”

“Disguise Yourself”

Randy and Gayle called their store “an adventure of a lifetime” that opened its doors in 1993 with a mission to help customers disguise themselves all year long.

Fun and daring wigs can spice up an ensemble (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The adventure began when Gayle and her sister decided to sell Halloween costumes they had made for their kids. When that endeavor met with success, the sisters continued making children’s costumes and selling them on consignment at a local thrift store.

“Back then there really wasn’t much [for costumes],” said Gayle. “Not only that, we didn’t even know where to get costumes – and we weren’t going to pay retail for them. So we put them in the thrift store.”

A hat for every occasion! (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

As the costumes continued to sell, the women became aware of a Halloween show for costume creators to buy goods. That discovery elevated their business to new heights. After the first year, the sisters found retail space in Rogers Plaza.

“We kept growing each year. After the sixth or seventh year, it was time to find a home,” Gayle said, gesturing around their current location.

The next year, they offered adult costumes as well. Gayle received special requests for costumes and made a few for the store as well – “but really not as much as I would have liked to.”

Gayle’s wish had been to spend time sewing costumes in the back room of the store. However, she was needed at the front of the store and much of the sewing fell to her mother and sister.

During retirement, however, Gayle will put her sewing skills to good use.

“My plans are to use my skills and make historical costumes, or whatever people would like me to do,” said Gayle, adding that she plans to sell them on eBay or Etsy.

The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Kostume Room (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

A unique business

Though the couple planned to sell the business within the next few years, their timeline was accelerated when they received an unexpected offer for the building. They decided to accept.

“Now we’re looking for a buyer to buy the business side of it, move it out and relocate it someplace else,” said Randy, adding that their wish is for the business name to continue on.

But that is not as easy as it sounds.

The Kostume Room has thousands of costumes and accessories (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

The business, said Gayle, is extremely unique. Many people do not understand how much work is put in behind the scenes.

Special touches to service – such as re-curling Santa wigs after washing – combined with maintaining thousands of accessories and the 41 racks of costumes, is not for the faint of heart.

A desire to give back

Well, this seems like a hairy situation… (Courtesy, Deborah Reed)

Randy and Gayle gave back to various local organizations throughout the years, including Kids Food Basket, American Cancer Society, Paws with a Cause and Whooriders.

The Kostume Room also offers assistance to cancer survivors through the Wig Bank.

“I’m a cancer survivor,” said Gayle. “And I decided that I was going to give back. I donate really nice wigs to women going through chemo or any hair loss.”

Gayle originally helped provide wigs through the American Cancer Society (ACS), but when the program ended, Gayle took up the mission. Instead of returning the wigs ACS donated to the store, Gayle continued the program through The Kostume Room.

When asked what inspires the couple to give back, Gayle shrugged. “Just wanting to help,” she said simply.

The next chapter

Luscious locks…for your face! (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

What’s next for the retiring couple?

“We’re going to travel,” said Gayle with a smile. The couple has always wanted to visit the Netherlands – and now they will. “That’s our big trip. The rest will be small trips; there are so many places we haven’t been to in the United states.”

The Vaartjes’ upcoming adventure, however, will be bittersweet.

“I didn’t realize how much we meant to the community, I really didn’t,” said Gayle. “I was just doing my job.

“Throughout the years I’ve made good friends with people, and I don’t like seeing them sad because then it makes me sad.”

A message from Randy and Gayle Vaartjes

“Thank you for being our customers,” said Randy, adding that he has enjoyed seeing the generations change over time. “We see kids that are growing up coming in with their kids. And they’re telling us that they were kids when their parents brought them in here.”

“It was our pleasure, more than they know,” Gayle said. “Our customers are Number One. If we didn’t have them, we would have been gone a long time ago. That’s what makes this happen. We’re just the directors.”

But wait – there’s more!

Here comes Santa Claus… (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Though The Kostume Room doors will close for the final time at the end of the year, they are not closed yet!

“I just want to make sure everyone knows that we were not closed yet,” said Randy. “There is still a lot of inventory to choose from!”

The Kostume Room hours are Monday-Friday from 12-7 p.m., and Saturday from 12-5 p.m. They are now closed on Sundays.

Learn more about The Kostume Room here.

NICU babies dress up for Halloween at Trinity Health Grand Rapids

October 29, 2024Citizen Journalism, Health, Holidays, Kent County, Kids Activities, medical moment, West Michiganbabies, celebration, costumes, Halloween, NICU, Trinity Health Grand RapidsDeborah Reed

By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

With Halloween days away, the tiniest patients at the Trinity Health Grand Rapids Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are ready to celebrate! Their Halloween costumes were all hand-made by NICU nurses to fit these tiny patients without disrupting their care and monitoring.

Though the babies are not able to go outside to trick-or-treat, dressing up in the costumes allowed families to experience a childhood milestone.

(Courtesy, Trinity Health)
(Courtesy, Trinity Health)
(Courtesy, Trinity Health)
(Courtesy, Trinity Health)
(Courtesy, Trinity Health)
(Courtesy, Trinity Health)
(Courtesy, Trinity Health)
(Courtesy, Trinity Health)

About Trinity Health NICU

Trinity Health Grand Rapids NICU is a licensed 15-bed, Levell III NICU, that cares for 200 to 300 newborns on the unit every year. We have successfully cared for babies born at 22 weeks gestation and weighing as little as 11 ounces.

To learn more about Trinity Health Grand Rapids NICU services, visit their website.

‘Downton Abbey’ costumes are a delight to see in person

June 23, 20223-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Movie Review, Recreation, Upcoming Eventscostumes, Downton Abbey, exhibit, Muskegon Museum of ArtJoanne

The formal dining attire in the “Dressing the Abbey” exhibit is complimented by pieces from the Muskegon Museum of Art. (Photo by Thomas Hegewald)

By Thomas Hegewald
WKTV Contributing Writer

I was a little late in becoming a fan of the television series Downton Abbey. It was in its second or third season before I started watching it (from the beginning).

A detail look at the bearded silk of a debutante’s gown. (Photo by Thomas Hegewald)

Initially, it was the title sequence that pulled me in by capturing in carefully composed and choreographed shots the details of life in that time period and setting. I instantly knew that this was a high quality television production where everything, down to minute detail, would be accurate.

Once I started watching, the characters and storylines continued to hold my attention. An integral part of bringing those varied characters to life was the period clothes they wore. During that time period (and setting) people (especially women) changed their attire multiple times during the day to dress appropriately for an event or activity they were participating in. In Downton Abbey, the costumes themselves then played a large role in establishing each character’s personality which in turn helped to engage viewers in watching the series.

“Dressing the Abbey,” a new exhibit at Muskegon Museum of Art, features 35 costumes from the Downton Abbey™ television series, which ran for five seasons, premiering in 2010. The costumes range from high formal (and intricately beaded), casual tweeds for outdoor or hunting, to humble servants’ uniforms. Exhibits Development Group, based in Minnesota, provided the exhibit components – which included the costumes on mannequins with a few accessories like a bike, horse saddle and rack (also featured in the television series).

Muskegon Museum of Art Director of Marketing Kristina Broughton told me how the museum searched through its permanent collection for period pieces of art to compliment the exhibit. As backdrop to exhibit vignettes, there are oil paintings, prints, Tiffany glassware as well as actual furnishings from the Hackley and Hume homes – on loan from the Lakeshore Museum Center.

Butler and head housekeeper attire. (Photo by Thomas Hegewald)

Muskegon Museum of Art also went as far as to paint an accent wall violet to complement one of the Dowager Countesses’ violet themed costumes. The end result of such thought and execution is that the inclusion of period pieces enhances the sense of being there. Where mannequins stand in formal attire of a tux or beaded gown, behind them are portraits of aristocrats in oil and an ornately carved wood table and chairs – giving a sense of a formal dinner party. Complimenting a display of less formal dresses, though no less intricately designed, are a number of Tiffany lamps and glassware.

Broughton also pointed out that the costume designers always sought to use period pieces when creating the custom-made clothing – like period fabric. In one piece, it is noted that the jacket for a dress ensemble was actually made out of a period tablecloth.

Each exhibit grouping features printed information regarding the character/scene in which the costume was worn as well as additional historical information regarding a particular setting or activity. Period pieces from Muskegon Museum of Art’s collection or on loan are also identified for inquisitive visitors, like me.

As a draw for younger attendees of the exhibit, Muskegon Museum of Art created a space focused on children’s toys at the time as well as a touch and feel area. Visitors of any age can test their tactile skills by feeling the difference between types of fabrics hanging from a wall.

“The Dressing the Abbey” exhibit runs through Sept. 12 at the Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Ave, downtown Muskegon. Check muskegonartmuseum.org for information on gallery hours and entry fee.

Wyoming’s Trick or Treat Trail takes places this Saturday

October 7, 20213-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Recreation, Upcoming Eventscostumes, Fall, Halloween, Recreation, WyomingJoanne

Entrance and parking area for the upcoming Wyoming Trick or Treat Trail. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

One of the most popular events in the City of Wyoming is taking place this weekend, the Trick of Treat Trail. The event is set for 4 – 6 p.m. at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter St. SW.

About 2,500 children are expected to attend to the annual free event which has local businesses, such as Weller Self Serve, Bloom Credit Union, Godwin Plumbing and Hardware, and Hom Flats, handing out candy. WKTV also will be there filming fall greetings from area children on different seasonal backgrounds.

There is no pre-registration for the event, with families encouraged to come. With that in mind, we caught up with Wyoming’s Special Events and Marketing Programmer Corey Stamps to get the scoop on a few things you should know before you go.

The community comes together at Wyoming’s Trick or Treat Trail. (Supplied)

Entering and Parking: Participants should enter from the Byron Center East gate (see map above). This is also where they can park.

Costumes: Costumes are not required but encouraged to add a little more fun to the event. Parents can dress up as well.

Adult supervision: Children must have a supervising adult with them to participate.

Event time: The event will start right at 4 p.m. and go until 6 p.m. There is no additional time before or after the event.

The pathway: Once participants park they will be directed to the path. The actual path goes in a complete loop around the Lamar Park parking lot. Along the way participants will be greeted by our table host and be able to participate in different activities.

Kids Area: There will be a kids area with crafts, face painting and tattoos.

Social distancing and Mask wearing: Since there will being a large number of participants, we encourage everyone to try and keep a safe distance from one another. Masks are not required at this event but participants are more than welcome to wear one.

What if it rains?The event will take place rain or shine. Please pay attention to our Facebook page if there happens to be a weather concern.

For more information about Parks and Recreation programs and events please contact the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation team by calling 616-530-3164, emailing parks_info@wyomingmi.gov, or visiting www.wyomingmi.gov

When life threw us COVID-19, Theatricks decided to make masks

June 4, 20203-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Health, Local Businesscloth, costumes, elastic, masksJoanne

David Johnson, owner of Theatricks cuts strips of elastic for masks. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

As area theater companies began to cancel productions due to gathering restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Theatricks owners David Johnson and Kateri Kline-Johnson went from making costumes to making masks.

“It was an easy switch,” said David Johnson during an interview at his costume shop Theatricks, 2136 Plainfield Ave. SE. “As theaters closed, we just went from making costumes to making masks. We didn’t think much of it. We figured we would probably make about 100 to 200 masks.”

About ten weeks and more than 2,000 masks later, Johnson said the shop has been able to make enough masks to stay open during the pandemic, keep the three employees — himself, his wife, and another employee — employed, plus cover all the building’s utility costs as well as the supply cost for the masks. Johnson owns the building that his business is located in.

Some of the masks available at Theatricks. (WKTV)

“We have not had to take out any government loans or layoff any employees,” Johnson said.

The group decided to offer up a basic mask, made of two pieces of 100 percent cotton with non-adjustable elastic straps. This mask comes in small, for children 2-11, and adult regular and large. They also make a mask with a pocket to place a filter and adjustable elastic straps.

As surgical and N95 masks became harder to find along with the Michigan guidelines that residents should wear a mask while in public places, cloth masks became the answer. According to the Mayo Clinic, cloth masks can help reduce the spread of the coronavirus by people who have COVID-19 but don’t realize it.

“One of the hardest things we ran into was getting the supplies needed to make the masks,” Johnson said. With only word-of-mouth and social media as advertising for the store’s masks, Theatriks was inundated with requests.

This coupled with the fact that many had taken up making homemade masks, made getting the needed elastic for the masks tough. So the Johnsons innovated and started making masks with a tie made from corset lacing.

Theatricks owner David Johnson with some the masks that are available at the Plainfield Avenue store. (WKTV)

Johnson said they listened to customers about specific needs such as how the elastic on a mask could start to hurt the ears after long periods of use. So they designed a mask with the elastic going over the head instead of around the ears.

Then a customer came in with the suggestion of making a headband with buttons on either side for the mask’s elastic band, which the store started making as well.

While costs for materials have gone up, Johsnon said the couple made the decision early on to keep the price for the masks low, which start at $3 for a basic mask and goes up for the speciality masks.

“We honestly, really did not think that it would take off as much as it did,” Johnson said, adding that they have had individuals come in to buy a few masks to churches and organizations ordering more than 100.

Having been in business for 39 years, Theatricks is known for building and providing costumes to community, college, and high school theater productions. The store staff also makes period pieces for those who participate in Civil War reenactments and Renaissance festivals.

“We actually have had a few people coming in to have costumes made for the Renaissance fairs for when they start back up again,” Johnson said, adding he usually has a booth at the fairs for costumes and other related items. Johnson said he is hoping that the Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly, Mich., will still take place in late August.

Also over the past few weeks, local theater companies have been reaching out as well as they look ahead to their upcoming productions and the possibility of being able to open in the fall, Johnson said.

Still it is quiet in the store with Johnson spending a portion of his time cutting elastic in the north corner of the shop that is filled with costumes, masks, wigs, make up and jewelry. The actually sewing area is a clean room with only those making the masks allowed in.

“It’s all done by hand,” he said with a laugh as he measured out the elastic strips. We chat for a few minutes and then I gather up my prize — five brand new masks.

Kentwood hosts Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 21

October 12, 20173-bottom, City of KentwoodCity of Kentwood, costumes, Halloween, Kentwood Department of Public Works, Trunk or TreatJoanne

Calling all ghouls, monsters, superheroes, princesses and other trick-or-treaters: You are invited to attend the City of Kentwood’s annual Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 21.

Trunk or Treat will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Kentwood Department of Public Works, 5068 Breton Road SE, Kentwood. The City, which is celebrating 50 years in 2017, is inviting families from West Michigan to join in the event.

Children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and bring their own candy-collection bag. More than 20 businesses and City departments will be handing out candy and other treats throughout the morning. In addition to the trunks, there will be games, face painting, a bounce house and hay rides.

Some more flashback fun in honor of Kentwood’s 50th anniversary.

“Trunk or Treat gets bigger every year, which is really reflective of the growth in our community,” said Laura Barbrick, marketing and events coordinator of Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation Department. “It was created to provide families a safe and fun opportunity to trick or treat.

“Local businesses and organizations are invited to attend and decorate their vehicles with Halloween themes. It’s a great time for families to connect with local organizations and businesses in a fun, high-energy day.”

The event is free for those participating in trick or treating. There is no cost for those organizations wishing to reserve a parking space, however they must supply their own candy. For more information or to register a vehicle, please contact Laura Barbrick at barbrickl@ci.kentwood.mi.us or 616-656-5272.

Information is available at www.kentwood50.com.

Ease on down Wyoming’s Pumpkin Path for all kinds of goodies, fun

September 28, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Upcoming Eventscostumes, Halloween, Kostume Room, Lamar Park, Pumpkin Path, WyomingJoanne

Believe it or not it is almost time for every ghost, goblin, and superhero — big or small — to ready their favorite attire in preparation for one of the City of Wyoming’s most popular events: the Pumpkin Path.

Yes, the annual activity that pretty much kicks of the haunting season in the city is set for Saturday, Oct. 8, at Lamar Park, 2561 Porter SW. The event is from 4 to 6 p.m.

“We have about 70 to 80 businesses attending who hand out a variety of items, candy, trinkets, coupons,” said Wyoming Recreation Programer Valarie Mester. “We encourage them to bring something for the kids as well as the adults because adults like things too.”

Because this event is free and does not require any registration, Mester said the department can only estimate on the number of people in attendance, which in the past has been around 7,000 people with about 2,000 – 3,000 being children.

“Most people do come in costume,” Mester said. “It is not required, but it is an opportunity to wear them earlier in the season.”

And perhaps no one knows costumes better than Gayle Vaartjes of Wyoming’s Kostume Room, 835 36th St. SW.

“Star Wars is going to be big this year,” Vaartjes said, adding that this is because of last Christmas’s release of Star Wars:The Force Awakens. “When there is a movie involved, it usually indicates if the costume is going to be popular.”

Another hit is the recently released Suicide Squad, with Harley Quinn, The Joker, and Deadshot being the most popular, she said.

“I have the Batman from the other moves and the other Jokers from the other movies as well,” Vaartjes said. “We have everything.”

For children, Vaartjes said Star Wars will be big along with the princesses and ninjas as well as the classics such as witches and ghosts.

“There are people who love Halloween,” Vaartjes said. “Just like there are some people who love Christmas and it’s their holiday and it’s a time to be someone else and just be creative.”

With the growth of the Pumpkin Path over the years, it is pretty apparent people do love the Halloween season. The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department has been hosting the Pumpkin Path for about 13 years. “They used to host a Halloween party and that started to have a decline in attendance, so staff began to think about what else they could do,” Mester said. “Something that was out-of-the-box.”

Or at least down the path as patrons travel a paved loop through Lamar Park lined with various businesses stocked with treats to handout. Participating businesses can compete for such awards as most spirited, best costume, and best decorated pumpkin, which are judged by members of the teen council.

“It’s pretty neat,” Mester said. “We have had some pretty cool costumes over the years.”

A few tips Mester offered for those planning to attend:

The entrance to the free event parking is located on Byron Center Ave near where it intersects with Chicago Drive.

You do not need to arrive at 4 p.m. to participate. Actually, Mester said they have the first group that comes around 4 p.m. and they go through with usually a couple of more waves who come through after that. “So arriving around 5 p.m. is fine.”

The Pumpkin Path opens at 4 p.m. and not a second sooner.

For more information on this and other events hosted by the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, visit their website.

Adventures at San Diego Comic-Con: The Big Bang Theory, creative costumes, and a camp out

September 12, 20163-bottom, Citizen Journalism, EntertainmentAdventures at comic-con, Big Bang Theory, Captain America, Comic-Con, costumes, Hall H, Katelyn Kohane, San Diego, Suicide SquadJoanne

For the second straight year, Katelyn visited Comic-Con in San Diego. In case you missed it: Wonder Woman had an anniversary and Her Universe had a fashion show.

Written and photographed by: Katelyn Kohane

“Okay, Okay. When he’s at Comic-Con, I’m bringing in the wrecking ball.”

Day 3 turned out to be just as exciting as the first two. I made sure to get to the convention early and headed to Ballroom 20 to see Inside the Big Bang Theory Writers’ Room. They had a great start and played a bunch of hilarious clips from Season 9!

Many of the writers came on stage – Bill Prady, Steve Molaro, and Dave Goetsch just to name a few – along with Melissa Rauch, the actress who plays Bernadette, was introduced as the guest speaker. She was very funny, especially when she first arrived on stage and debated whether or not to stand on the stool they provided for her. She eventually decided to use the stool because we wouldn’t have been able to see her without it.

The panel talked a lot about the show and how many of their own mistakes from personal life make it into the show. They mentioned that we would see more of Penny’s family and that Katie Segal would player her mother. On top of the upcoming season Easter eggs, Jack McBrayer walked onto the stage and was introduced as the actor set to play Penny’s brother.

Overall, it was a lot of fun sitting in on The Big Bang Theory panel and awesome to see Melissa Raunch!