The City of Kentwood and Great Lakes Disc are inviting disc golfers of all levels to the annual Fall Fling tournament and food drive Saturday, Nov. 11.
The best-shot doubles tournament begins with on-site registration at 9 a.m. at Old Farm Park, 2350 Embro Drive SE. The cost is $25 per person or $50 per team, plus a canned food donation for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
“The City of Kentwood is pleased to again offer local disc golfers an opportunity to have fun, show off their skills and support our community at the Fall Fling,” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “We appreciate our partnership with Great Lakes Disc in helping to bring this popular event to Kentwood each year and are grateful for the continued generosity of our local disc golf community.”
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Pre-registration for the Fall Fling is encouraged online at kentwood.us/FallFlingDiscGolf. Players will meet at 9:45 a.m., and the first round of the tournament will begin at 10 a.m. Dune Buggy food truck will be on-site offering burgers, fries and beverages for sale.
“We really enjoy being a part of this tournament and spending a fall day with local disc golfers and other community members,” said Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc. “Our team is honored to join the City of Kentwood in co-hosting this event, which is a great example of our community’s active and giving spirit.”
Kentwood Little Free Pantry
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The pantry is open to all community members year-round and addresses an immediate and local need. It offers non-perishable food and personal care items. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry, no applications required, and no questions are asked.
(Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry is in immediate need of donations, and the City is encouraging local businesses, organizations and community members to get involved. The pantry has locations at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, and the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, along with several other donation bins located throughout the City of Kentwood campus.
More information about the pantry, including hours and a suggested list of donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
Valentine’s Day 2022 falls on a Monday (Feb. 14) but the City of Kentwood has a “Sweetheart Deal” to get your “Valentine’s Weekend” started with a little outdoor fun run, a possible partnership opportunity, and support for a great community service program.
The city will host its fifth annual Valentine’s Dash 5K Saturday, Feb. 12, starting at 11 a.m., and benefitting Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which provides food and personal care items to community members in need.
Valentine’s Day-themed costumes are encouraged. While intended to be a fun run, the race will be chip timed and awards will be given for the fastest runner overall and in each age group.
An awards ceremony will follow in the library’s community room at about noon, including refreshments, candy, music and a photo booth.
“Our Valentine’s Dash 5K is a great way to kick off the holiday weekend and help foster or fuel a love for running, even in the winter months,” Spencer McKellar, race organizer, said in supplied material. “This course is great for first-time runners or walkers but will also provide a challenge to more experienced racers. All are invited to come out and join us. Bring a friend or a loved one — or meet someone new.”
Online registration is $30 until Feb. 11 and includes a long-sleeved shirt and other participant-packet goodies (while supplies last). Day-of registration is $35. Runners who sign up as a couple save $5 each. Participants who bring a nonperishable item or monetary donation for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry will be entered to win a special door prize.
Kentwood’s first Little Free Pantry opened to the community in 2017 at the Kentwood Activities Center, where it remains available year-round during business hours. The city, last year, launched a second pantry at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
I think we’re all ready for Spring Break or even Mid-Winter Break.
At least we have MLK Day (Monday, Jan. 17), which is a Federal holiday, but more than just a day off.
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr’.s birthday, and ideals, it is meant to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”
We all need that.
In the meantime, let’s look at things to do this weekend in my Gonzo’s Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal.
5. Pop Up Disc Golf
It might be 40 degrees. It might be below zero. Who knows this time of year? Well, if you’re a disc golf enthusiast, you don’t care too much. You love being outdoors. That’s why you might want to know about a Pop Up Disc Golf event from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 29) at Covenant Park, 3724 Shaffer Ave. SE, in Kentwood. This is a fun, nine-hole disc golf course. There is no cost to participate, but you must bring your own discs. Restrooms will be available in the clubhouse. This event was supposed to be this weekend, but was changed because of the frigid temperatures. Presented by City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department. More info on the Facebook event page.
4.Maple Hill Golf – Huge Golf LIquidation Sale
Speaking of a different kind of golf, the one where I yell “Heads Up” all the time, golf lovers can head out this weekend to the DeltaPlex in Walker for this huge liquidation sale. Presented by Maple Hill Golf, more than $2 million worth of equipment will be for sale. This year’s event marks the 22nd year of the sale, and the first year at the DeltaPlex. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5. Ages 12 and younger free. More info at www.deltaplex.com.
3. Public Skate at Van Andel Arena
If you have missed free skating at Rosa Parks Circle this winter, it’s back this weekend. No, the construction project is still going on, but thanks to the city’s parks and recreation department, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI) and Van Andel Arena, free skating is available on Sunday (Jan. 16) at Van Andel Arena. You must reserve a skating time, but walk ups are an option. Each session is 90 minutes and open to 150 skaters. (100 skating spots are reservable, with the remaining 50 available for walk-up skating on a first-come first-served basis.) Go online to reserve up to six skaters at a time, HERE. Group reservations should only be made with people in the same household as the registrant. Visitors may bring their own skates. Rentals are available. Hockey equipment, such as hockey sticks and pucks, are not allowed on the ice. Hours are 2-3:30 p.m., 4-5:30 p.m., and 6-7:30 p.m.
By the way, the Grand Rapids Griffins are in town Friday and Saturday. Games are at 7 p.m. each night. More info at https://www.vanandelarena.com/events.
We are all jumping for joy that theater has returned. “Hairspray” comes to DeVos Performance Hall this week. (Photo by Jeremy Daniel)
2. “Hairspray”
Despite postponing opening night because of COVID concerns among the touring cast, the Broadway production of “Hairspray” opened Wednesday night to great reviews. Fans loved the show, as well as the return of major tours to Grand Rapids. It’s been nearly two years since Broadway Grand Rapids has been able to present a show. “Hairspray” continues through Monday, Jan. 17 at DeVos Performance Hall. (Monday’s show is the rescheduled date for the Jan. 11 postponement.) For ticket information and showtimes, go to devosperformancehall.com.
As part of its Martin Luther King Jr. Day community service project, the city will be collecting donations for its Little Free Pantry locations. (Supplied)
Unity Walk to Honor MLK
The City of Kentwood was supposed to host a unity walk in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. at 9 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 15), but it has been changed “due to the frigid temperatures forecasted for this weekend, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone Saturday’s Unity Walk. We will share information about the rescheduled event once details are finalized.”
Organizers had hoped to help Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry with collecting canned goods after the walk. In a Facebook post, they said: “We hope you’ll still help stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which began in 2017 as an MLK Day community service project. We’re accepting canned goods and other non-perishable items at the Kentwood Activities Center 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.”
That’s it for now.
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Jan. 12 Update: The City of Kentwood has announced that due to the frigid temperatures forecasted for this weekend, the City “has just made the difficult decision to postpone the Unity Walk planned for this Saturday.” Details of the rescheduled event will be announced once finalized.
In celebration and remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday Jan. 17, the City of Kentwood will host several events in honor of MLK on Saturday, Jan. 15, including a unity walk, a proclamation, live music, coffee and cake, and a community service effort to stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry — which began in 2017 as a Martin Luther King Jr. Day community service project.
A painting at the Kent County Administration Office unveiled in 2018. (WKTV)
Residents of all ages are invited to gather in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, at 9 a.m. for a 1-mile walk. The walk will end at Fire Station 1, 4775 Walma Ave. SE, according to a statement from the City of Kentwood.
An indoor ceremony will follow, including a proclamation that will be presented by various community members, live music, coffee and cake. The event is free and open to the public.
Canned goods and other non-perishable items will be accepted at the event to stock Little Free Pantry, for which the City of Kentwood continues to host food drives to keep the pantry well-stocked.
“We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “We will walk in remembrance of his historic contributions leading the civil rights movement bringing needed changes to our nation and in reflection of what we all can do to honor his values today and every day.
The City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)
“The event also continues our MLK Day community service tradition of stocking Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry to support our neighbors in need. All are invited to join us.”
Kentwood’s first Little Free Pantry opened in 2017 at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, where it remains available year-round during business hours. The second Little Free Pantry was opened last year at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch for the community to visit during library hours.
Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
Celebrating the words and actions of Martin Luther King Jr, Kentwood residents and city leaders recently came together to mark the day with a special program at the KDL Kentwood branch.
Activities included a proclamation from Mayor Stephen Kepley who was assisted by honor students from East Kentwood High School with the reading. The guest speaker was Kyle Ray, pastor of Kentwood Community Church, with music by Craig Tyson.
“I always want the City of Kentwood, being so diverse, to use this day to remember the things that Martin Luther King Jr. taught us,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley after yesterday’s program. Kepley said it is not just about King’s words but also his service. “This is a day of service. We wanted to actually but our words into action because, I think, words without works is dead. So we wanted to have the works –the service — and we have used this day and other previous Martin Luther King Jr. days to provide food for those in need. We wanted not only to sponsor our little free food pantry but also the food pantries of West Michigan.”
Last year, the city officially launched its little free food pantry, where you take an item or items when needed and leave an item or items when you can. As part of this year’s activities, the city hosted a food drive for the little free pantry at Celebration! Cinema South and the Family Fare located on Kalamazoo Avenue. According to city staff, the little free pantry has been very well received.
“I have heard stories of people who were in need a year ago and things got better, and now, instead of taking food that they need, actually are supporting the food pantry,” Kepley said. “They have done a 360. There was a need for them and now things are better off. They got a better job, some income coming in, and are bringing food to the little food pantry.”
Because the Kentwood Activities Center is being remodeled, the little free food pantry has currently been moved to the KDL Kentwood Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. Staff has noted that the temporary location has been as busy as the Kentwood Activities Center one.
“It has been so successful we are actually looking to have a second location here at the library,” Kepley said, adding that the city then would have two little food pantries, one at the Kentwood Activities Center and one at the KDL Kentwood branch.
Food donations are accepted year around for the pantry. Donations are accepted at the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during normal business hours, currently at the KDL Kentwood Branch, and once the Kentwood Activities Center reopens in March, donations will be accepted there as well.
This year, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the city of Kentwood decided to honor the civil rights leader by partnering with The Pantry and opening a “little free pantry” where people can take or leave food and household supplies.
“This is the one day of the year I believe represents Kentwood,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley to an audience at the KDL Kentwood Library where the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. program took place on Monday.
“Because of what Martin Luther King Jr. stood for, who he was, what he said and what he did, his actions helped to make the city what it is today. Kentwood is one of the most diverse and international cities in the state.”
With a population of more than 50,000, the city has approximately 60 different cultures speaking more than 70 different languages. According to Kepley, this diversity probably would never have happened without King’s vision of people “…one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character.”
Kepley said King taught people to “love their neighbors as yourself…Because how can you hate them if you love them?”
Noting that King was not a man of just words but actions, Kentwood leaders decided to follow King’s actions by partnering with The Pantry, located at John Knox Presbyterian Church, for the community’s first Little Free Pantry.
Staff work to fill the Little Free Pantry
Started in Arkansas with the motto “Neighbors serving neighbors,” the Little Free Pantry is similar to the little free library movement. The pantries are designed to be small and fill an immediate and local need. Basically, take an item or items when needed and leave an item or items when you can.
“It’s residents helping residents, neighbors helping neighbors,” said community leader Jessica Ann Tyson, who was the host at Monday’s event. “If you are going to the store and you are picking up some macaroni and cheese, pick up an extra one for the pantry.”
Tyson said there is a need within the city as 9.8 percent of the families in Kentwood live below the poverty line. For a family of four, the poverty line is $24,300. For an individual, it is $11,880 or less. Other figures Tyson had was that 14.6 of the Kentwood population live under the poverty line, including .6.8 percent are under the age of 18 and 7.6 percent are over the age of 65. Tyson also noted that there are about 5,000 food assistance cases in Kentwood.
She said the Little Food Pantry is anonymous, with people not required to fill out an application to receive items.
Located inside the Kentwood Activities Center, the Free Little Pantry is open year around. Donations of food items such as brown rice, cereals, canned goods, pasta, and peanut butter, and personal care items, such as deodorant, disposable razors, laundry soap, shampoo, toilet paper, can be dropped off at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, or to The Pantry, 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. Other items accepted are crayons, small toys, games and school supplies.
The Free Little Pantry is open during the Kentwood Activities Center regular hours. For more information about the Little Free Pantry, call the Kentwood Activities Center at 616-656-5270.
