With April being National Poetry Month, and yesterday being Haiku Poetry Day, a few citizen reporters tried their hand at the art of the traditional Japanese poetry and its 17 syllables.
by Dylan Rettler
I ask for insight
Ashen sky of you and I
On this phoenixed flight
by Kathryn Gray
Stories to be told
Warm fingers on the keyboard
Awake hearts and minds
by Katelyn Kohane
No worries or cares
Relaxing beside the water
Watching waves roll by
And WKTV News editors Mike DeWitt and Victoria Mullen even gave it a shot!
by Mike DeWitt
Recruiting Writers
Take it one step at a time
To write from the heart
The WKTV community gathered at Stony Brook Country Club on April 1 – and that’s no April Fools – to celebrate the volunteers to who make the station so special.
Since its inception as only the second community media station in the country in 1974, WKTV has given everyday citizens a platform for their voice and message to be heard. Volunteers have access to state-of-the-art video and editing equipment, studio space, a television channel, and an online newspaper to help mold their messages and stories about the communities they live in.
The best part? It’s all free!
Over 300 volunteers take advantage of the services WKTV has to offer in production, recording, editing, writing and filming. The Volunteer Appreciation Banquet is one way for the station to say thank you.
The banquet started with cocktails and a meet and greet before everyone sat down for dinner. The presentation of the awards followed dinner, but not before the premier of the annualvolunteer appreciation videos courtesy of Nate Diedrich and the WKTV Production Staff.
“Producing these videos for the volunteer appreciation event allows us to express our sincere gratitude for all the effort our volunteers and producers put into creating quality content throughout the year,” said Nate.
When the room finally quieted down from all the laughter, the awards were ready to be handed out.
Volunteer of the Year – Doug Remtema
Volunteer of the Year was rewarded to Doug Remtema for his willingness and ability to help out on multiple projects at the station. Doug is a real pro and makes life easier on whichever project is lucky enough to utilize his talents.
Doug Hansen was recognized for Lifetime Achievement. Doug started at the station back in the 80s and has continued to be a resource for both volunteers and staff members.
Kathryn Gray was chosen as Citizen Reporter of the Year for her ability to make individuals come alive through the written word.
Community Service Programming went to Thomas Hegewald. The Community Service award is given to the volunteer who not only creates their own programming, but is also willing to volunteer on other projects as well.
On top of the four individual awards, volunteers were recognized for their individual service at the station.
23 volunteers were first year volunteers, 16 joined the 100 hour club, six citizen reporters in attendance were recognized for their yearly contributions, four volunteers were recognized for five years at the station, two volunteers were recognized for 10 years, four volunteers were recognized for 15 years, and two volunteers were recognized for 20 years of service.
20 years of volunteering at WKTV
19 shows were recognized for Program Dedication Awards.
WKTV is run by the volunteers who make everything possible. The volunteer banquet is one more night for them to shine.
Full list of volunteers recognized:
Volunteer of the Year: Doug Remtema
Citizen Reporter of the Year: Kathryn Gray
Community Service Programing: Thomas Hegewald
Lifetime Achievement Award: Doug Hansen
100 Hour Club
Terri Rees – 711
Doug Remtema – 494
Gary Vande Velde – 480
Alan Dunst – 446
Mike Bacon – 279
Barb VanDuren – 278
Thomas Hegewald – 249
Tom Sibley – 220
Sophia Maslowski – 190
Phil Moore – 172
Carrie Bradstreet – 149
Dan Simone – 122
Kristyn Miller – 117
Nathan Krzykwa – 111
Doug Hansen – 110
Athina Morehouse – 103
Program Dedication
A Day in the Dirt – Gary Vande Velde
Catholic Forum – Alan Dunst
Community Awareness – Donna Smith
Feel Like You Belong – Alan Headbloom
Fools for Christ – Jim Dohm
High School Sports – Paul Kableman
Is That Really Me on TV – Melanie Evans
OnPoint – Thomas Hegewald
River Reflections – Rosemary Burns
Senior Exercise – Chris Rush
Silent Voices – Dennis Lawrence
So & Mo Presents – Sophia Maslowski
Sounds of Summer – Patty Williams
Talking God & Guns – Janice Brown
Tips, Tricks & Techniques – Chef Terri Rees
Veteran’s History Project – James Smither
Whittlin’ Time – Mike Bacon
VMTV – Hung Nguyen
You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me America – Carrie Bradstreet
First Year
Dan Davis – Whittlin’ Time
Gina Greenlee – OnPoint
Robert Gonzalez – Sports/Plus
Wendy Jenkins – Silent Voices
Mark Kelly – Sports
Mark Lange – Sports
Linh Le – VMTV
Cameron McCargar – Sports
Brice Miller – Sports
Athina Morehouse – OnPoint
Angela Peavey – Indie Films
Reid Petro – Indie Films
Steve Pham – VMTV
Bill Roelfsema – OnPoint
Eric Sheler – OnPoint
Michelle Sheler – OnPoint
Downie Streahl – Sports/Plus
Kevin Ton – VMTV
Lillie Towns – Silent Voices
Barb VanDuren – Chef Terri Right Hand
Arturo Varela – Mision Evangilistica
Chris Williams – Sports
5 Years
Ray Boisvenue – Fools for Christ
Karen Graham – Schubert Chorus/Plus
Mike Moll – Sports Announcer
Ron Schultz – Sports Announcer
10 Years
Mark Bergsma – Sports
Anne VanDreumel – Shubert/Plus/Plus
15 Years
Girbe Eefsting – Digital Cinema Guild
Eddie Grover – Various Shoots
Gary Vande Velde – Day in the Dirt/Sports/Plus
Mike VanDreumel – Mr. Fix It/Everything
20 Years
Mark Tangen – Dream Wheels/Festivals of Chefs
Dick Visser – Board/Direct: Reading Train/Beanie Babies/Crafty Ladies
For the first time in a decade, the East Kentwood High School football program ignited fans and made the community stand up and take notice. The Falcon squad went 8-1 in the regular season, losing only to West Ottawa. After grabbing a share of the OK Red Conference title, EK then sailed through 3 playoff games only to be stopped short of a trip to Ford Field by Clarkston in the state semifinals.
What was the key factor in the Falcon winning season? Although he would wave it off, new head coach Tony Kimbrough was the right man, at the right time, for Kentwood.
Growing up in Detroit, Kimbrough was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He first attended Winston-Salem State University before making the decision to join the Marines. Once back in Michigan, Kimbrough returned to the gridiron at Grand Rapids Junior College. After a quick stint with GRJC, Kimbrough went to Western Michigan University where he led the Broncos to the 1988 MAC Championship while being named the Mid-American Conference Most Valuable Player.
His professional playing career included time in the Canadian Football League as well as the Arena Football league. Kimbrough worked as the offensive coordinator for the Utah Blaze in 2008. He has also had stops as the offensive line/quarterbacks coach at both Western Michigan and Grand Rapids Community College. Even with his accomplishments, Kimbrough remains humble and seems to brag about everyone else’s accomplishments by his own.
Kimbrough, who works as a behavioral specialist for East Kentwood High School, has a long association with the Falcons as an assistant coach. He actually interviewed to be the head coach of East Kentwood in 2007. John Keenoy, East Kentwood principal and a huge supporter of Kimbrough, convinced him he was ready. “When I didn’t get it I was really, truly disappointed,” said Kimbrough.
East Kentwood takes the field early in 2014
Still, Kimbrough remained tight with the Falcons. Although skilled as an offensive line and quarterbacks coach, Kimbrough wanted a challenge and served as the defensive coordinator for EK in 2013.
The call to lead the East Kentwood football team came in May 2014 as the Falcons had gone through 3 head coaches in as many seasons. What the Falcons needed more than anything was stability in its coaching staff and commitment from its players. Tony Kimbrough was their man. “All these kids wanted was someone who cared,” said Kimbrough. Although the coaching staff was a revolving door, many of the players had been playing together for years; first in Rocket football, then through the 56er and 78er programs.
Kimbrough knew the players, had experience coaching both sides of the ball, and brought the confidence the team required.
From the start, Kimbrough challenged the seniors on the team. “This is not my team,” he told them, “This is your team. I am just the conductor.” Senior player such as Kyle Friberg, Adam Racette, Michael Ivy, and John Keenoy, Jr. eagerly responded to the call.
“The summer was key.” emphasized Kimbrough. Not only did the players have to agree to 100% commitment to the program, they would be responsible for an attitude adjustment that would be the basis for their confidence later in the season. They had to commit to pooling their individual talents and learn the concept of family.
“FAMILY is an acronym,” explained Kimbrough, “It stands for Forget About Me I Love You.” This discipline came naturally to Kimbrough, both through military and gridiron training, who had learned that you need to depend on and love the man on your left and the man on your right.
In addition to the grueling summertime on-field practices, the two-a-days, and the weight room regimen, Kimbrough had a marine run several boot camp-type conditioning programs with the team. The concepts of brotherhood, interdependence, and trust became core values for the team, bonding the young men together. Their physical and mental toughness would serve them well during the season.
Although the East Kentwood Falcons were a game short of reaching their Ford Field appearance, the future remains bright for the team. Tony Kimbrough seems to have brought all the right ingredients for a long-term successful career in Kentwood. He brings his life experience, discipline, and excellent coaching skills on both sides of the ball. Kimbrough wants a stable program, from the Rocket players through the Seniors. He is proud that his players are already talking about next year. He laughs as he explains, “Jamari Booker (Junior) is so excited, he is already pulling guys in to the weight room.”
Perhaps the greatest values Kimbrough brings are confidence and humility, “It’s about the kids. It’s not about me.”
When asked about being named the MLive Grand Rapids Press Coach of the Year Kimbrough shakes his head, stating, “I only wish it was engraved ‘Coaches of the Year’,” giving credit to the many assistant coaches who work alongside him.
The future looks bright indeed for the East Kentwood Falcons. When asked if it going to be hard losing more than 25 seniors, Kimbrough thinks a moment, then smiles broadly, using the old cliché, “We don’t need to rebuild…we just need to reload!”
With April being National Poetry Month, and yesterday being Haiku Poetry Day, a few citizen reporters tried their hand at the art of the traditional Japanese poetry and its 17 syllables.
Over 300 volunteers take advantage of the services WKTV has to offer in production, recording, editing, writing and filming. The Volunteer Appreciation Banquet is one way for the station to say thank you.
