Tag Archives: Maura Lamoreaux

Top stories of 2019 for Wyoming, Kentwood

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

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Well the calendar flipped to a new decade — it you start at zero to mark the decade — and with the changing of the calendar, we thought we would take a look at some of the most popular WKTV stories of 2019.

In compiling this list, I took a look at both page views on a story, which indicates the number of people who clicked on the article, and also social media statistics. The result is a mix of both most read and shared articles from the WKTV Journal website.



Ranking Number One

All we can say about the top 2019 story is that everyone must love a good  mystery as the “Mystery billboards along US-131 revealed” was the WKTV’s most read story for 2019. The billboards which featured the words “abuse, lonely, neglect, fear, trauma, abandonment” got people talking which according to officials from D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s was the purpose in raising awareness about April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Raising awareness was a huge theme in 2019 as we had a number of stories focused on that topic from a group of Grand Valley State University’s students’ efforts to raise awareness and money for Multiple Sclerosis to Crystal Lettinga’s effort to help raise awareness about Autism. An Allegan family continued its efforts to raise awareness about Richard, “Richie” Hitchcock in hopes of finding answers to what happened to Richie who disappeared 28 years ago.

A Kentwood filmmaker created a film around an idea he had to help the hungry and State Rep. Tommy Brann and U.S. Senator Gary Peters had victories in helping domestic survivors and family pets.

On the election front, concerns over preventing outside forces from tampering with the U.S. elections still remained an important topic as the Secretary of State’s office announced plans to upgrade election computers.

The spiral tower of Notre Dame. (WKTV/2004)

From the world stage, while millions watched as Notre Dame burned, members from Kentwood’s St. Mary Magdalen reflected on the 2012 fire that destroyed their church. Readers sent photos in of the famed Notre Dame and Bishop Walkowiak reflected on what the fire meant to the Catholic community.

Top 2018 stories for the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming

There was a lot of anticipation of special events, the City of Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival, and all of the redevelopment activity at Woodland Mall which included the addition of Von Maur and The Cheesecake Factory.

Taking on cabin fever, the City of Kentwood hosted the Great Lakes Disc and Freeze Fest along with its Winter Concert Series. Another popular Kentwood story was the opening of the volleyball and football bowling courts. Also, after accepting a position on the city commission, Kentwood City Commissioner Maurice Groce made a stop to the WKTV station to discuss his continuing commitment to the city he calls home and the Detroit Tigers made a special stop to the Kentwood Police Department to help celebrate the department’s 50th anniversary.

There was a lot of activity in the City of Wyoming for 2019. The city saw the Studio 28 Flea market close after more than 50 years. In its place is the area’s first-ever workforce-dedicated housing, HOM Flats. The City of Wyoming also started the process of a new master plan.

Other top 2019 city and community stories were:

Wyoming City Council takes its meetings on the road for the summer

Kelloggsville, Kentwood Public Schools seek renewals in May special election

County’s successful courthouse therapy dogs coming to Wyoming’s district court

East Kentwood to host the largest scholastic marching band competition in Michigan

Lee High building update, County strategic plan on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

Stone Fox Ventures set to move new acquisition to Wyoming

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health becomes first GR hospital to receive HIMSS Level 7 status


From the closing of a 50-year-old market to billboards along US 131, these were the top WKTV Journal stories from



On the Playing Field

East Kentwood swim coach Jock Ambrose was certainly a popular figure in the community. The story of his retirement,“WKTV sports features retiring East Kentwood swim coach, who talks memories, gratitude,” was the the top sports story for 2019.

Other top sports stories for 2019:

WKTV sports coverage team begins extensive coverage Golden Gloves coverage this weekend

Weekend of Meijer State Games of Michigan opening ceremony at Fifth Third is June 21

Lee high boys soccer ready to make run for conference title, deeper playoff run

Spanish language game announcing available of Lee high boys win over Godwin Heights




That’s Entertainment

Within the top spots, there were several art and entertainment stories. Residents enjoyed learning about the concert series at the Lowell Showboat, upcoming events at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and Kent County Road Commission’s Maura Lamoreaux’s adventure as a “dancing queen” in Grand Rapids Civic’s production of “Mamma Mia!”

We also celebrated the Grand Rapids Chorus Sweet Adelines 5th place award in the Sweet Adelines 73rd International Convention and Competition

Other top 2019 entertainment stories were:

2019 edition of Lake Michigan Lighthouse map now available as a free resource

On Tap: Wyoming, Kentwood breweries share the ‘love’; welcome to Eastern Kille

Kentwood, Wyoming and more have spring break activities right in your backyard

For one Wyoming resident, theater live can be murder

Nu Blu, on national tour, brings vocal bluegrass to Wyoming’s Concerts in the Park

Brena Band brings a little of everything to the next Concerts in the Park

GR Civic takes it all, adds two shows to meet demand

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment,
Author Joanna Bailey-Boorsma with Maura Lamoreaux, who plays Tanya in Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s “Mamma Mia!” (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

If there is a winner that takes it all this year, it has to be the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!”

Full of the flair that comes from ABBA’s music, the cast does an outstanding job, making the audience dance and sing in their seats.

“That’s what we wanted,” said Eric Beuker, who plays Harry Bright, after the Feb. 28 performance. “We wanted people to have a party, to have fun.”

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre presents “Mamma Mia!” through March 17. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday with two new shows added for 7 p.m. March 10 and 17. Call 222-6020.


After being ‘super troupers’ over this crazy winner, Fun is what a lot of people seeking causing them to literally flock to the show. The ‘gimme, gimme, gimme’ response has caused Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to announce two additional shows, Sunday, March 10 and 17 at 7 p.m. I would grab the tickets quick because Maura Lamoreaux, who plays Tanya, told us that even the Wednesday shows are filling up.

Let’s be honest, it’s hard not to have fun when it comes to an ABBA song. The Swedish pop group’s lyrics and beat make you want to grab the nearest hairbrush and start singing. For us, we were in the balcony, where the party was certainly happening from people clapping to the beat to those dressed in ABBA garb.

But the cast is what makes the show such a success. You can see they are having fun from the moment that Breighanna Minnema (Sophie) opens with “I Have a Dream” to the cast jiven to the last number, “Waterloo.” (Oh yes, Bob Wells, who plays Bill, we along with the people next to us, noticed you grooving away in your red body suit as the curtain was coming down.)

The two having the most fun on stage appeared to be Lamoreaux as Tanya and Sarah LaCroix as Roise. Each had their own shining moment, Lamoreaux with “Does Your Mother Know” and LaCroix with Wells on “Take a Chance on Me,” which about brought down the house in laughs. (There was a lot of high fiving among the ladies in the balcony.) Heather Cregg (Donna) gave a powerful rendition of “Winner Takes It All” and Minnema with Cullen Dyk (Sky) along with the ensemble presented a playful version of “Lay All Your Love On Me.”

Thanks to the sewing genius of Bob Fowle the costumes were sparkly authentic right now to the ABBA-style body suits. The set was simple but yet pulled you right into the Greek island where the story unfolds.

In the end, we just wanted to ‘thank you for the music’ to Director Bruce Tinker and the cast for providing a great night of entertainment.


So if the name of your game now is to snag some tickets, the best way is through Grand Rapids Civic Theatre at www.grct.org or by calling 616-222-6020.