Tag Archives: Mieke Stoub

LocalFirst kicks off 15th anniversary celebration on annual meeting

January 22, 20183-bottomAnnual Meeting, Elissa Hillary, Goei Center, LocalFirst, Mieke StoubJoanne

For 15 years, LocalFirst has been helping local businesses become stronger and educating consumers on why supporting local businesses matter. This Thursday, the organization will host its 8th Annual Meeting at the Goei Center.

According to LocalFirst Marketing Manager Mieke Stoub, the annual meeting will focus on the 2017 accomplishments of LocalFirst and what the organization’s plans are for 2018. Much of this will be included in LocalFirst Executive Director Elissa Hillary’s State of LocalFirst address. Also at the meeting, LocalFirst will be kicking off it year’s worth of programming to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

“Last year, we saw a 70 percent increase in minority owned businesses,” Stoub said, adding that many were aware of the 2015 Forbes article that had Grand Rapids ranked second at the bottom in the post “The cities where African-Americans are doing the best economically.”

“So we are really excited about that change of events,” Mieke said. “We also just see a happier group of people because they are supporting a local business.”

Stoub said the meeting is an excellent opportunity for community members to learn more about LocalFirst, which is an economic development non-profit, and its mission of supporting local businesses.

“Anyone is welcomed to attend and join us,” Mieke said. “Anyone who is new to LocalFirst, members, people of the general public..we would love it if visitors to our community were able to attend.”

Those not able to attend this Thursday’s event, on Feb. 8 will be the Lakeshore Annual Meeting and LocalMotion Awards at the CityFlats Hotel, 61 E. 7th St., Holland.

“We are moving our LocalMotion Awards out to the Lakeshore,” Stoub said. “Typically that has been a part of the annual meeting in Grand Rapids. This year we are honoring our Lakeshore businesses for being a force for good.”

Tickets for both the annual meeting in Grand Rapids and the one in the Lakeshore are each $40 pre-sale and $50 for at the door. For more information about LocalFirst and any of its upcoming events, visit www.localfirst.com.

WKTV Journal: Migrant Legal Aid, Gezon Park, LocalFirst, and a look at a special documentary

January 18, 20183-bottomCity of Wyoming, Gezon Park, Local First, Mieke Stoub, Migrant Legal Aid, Rose HammondJoanne

With the new year, comes a new WKTV Journal. To give you more of what is happening in your community, we have extended our newscast so we can provide expanded coverage about what is taking place in local business, sports, entertainment and more.

In this newscast, explore the issues facing migrant laborers talking with representatives from the Migrant Legal Aid. LocalFirst Marketing Manager Mieke Stoub to talk to us about LocalFirst, its impact and the organization’s upcoming 8th Annual Meeting.

We then take a look at the City of Wyoming’s efforts to develop a new master plan for Gezon Park. And finally, local author and producer Rose Hammond stops by to discuss her work on the documentary “In Between the Woods: Idlewild and Woodland Park, Michigan.”

Local First organizes second annual Lakeshore Fork Fest at Coppercraft Distillery, Sept. 28

September 18, 20173-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Food, Going Local, Local Food, Upcoming EventsLakeshore Fork Fest, LocalFirst, Mieke StoubJoanne

Attendees invited to try samples from area restaurants, farms, specialty shops, and more

By Mieke Stoub, LocalFirst

Local First will host the second Lakeshore Fork Fest, presented by Coppercraft Distillery, on September 28 from 6-8:30 pm. This event, also held in Grand Rapids each fall, celebrates the local food system. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with food and beverage vendors and learn about ways to shift their dollars to strengthen the local food economy.

“Food naturally brings people together,” said Elissa Hillary, President of Local First. “Fork Fest helps the community bond with the people behind the agricultural abundance in West Michigan. It nurtures our connection to place.”

Each vendor will offer samples of their menu, which are included in the cost of admission. Chef Kelsey of Coppercraft and Chef Matthew of the Southerner will perform live cooking demonstration with ingredients from Visser Farms and Louise Earl Butcher. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch each chef prepare the dish and taste the finished product. Adult beverages will be available for purchase at the event.

“We’re really excited to be involved with Fork Fest again,” said Paul Marantette, Restaurant & Tasting Room Manager of Coppercraft. “Farm-to-table and grain-to-glass are our main messages, so this event means a lot to us.”

Fork Fest welcomes folk musician Megan Dooley, a Kalamazoo native, and the Holland Arts Council, who will bring their ArtCart for the kids. Complimentary valet provided by At Your Service Valet.

In addition to connecting the community to the people who feed it, Fork Fest is an annual fundraiser for the Local First Educational Foundation. Each year, the Education Foundation hosts this and other events such as the Lakeshore Street Party and the Measure What Matters workshops to lead the development of an economy grounded in local ownership that meets the basic needs of people, builds local wealth and social capital, functions in harmony with our ecosystem, and encourages joyful community.

Food vendors