Val Romeo - WKTV Journal

Community members and friends are invited to attend The Vibe, a Parks and Recreation gala benefiting Kentwood’s Adaptive Sports programs, which provide recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Now in its third year, The Vibe will highlight the City’s adaptive water ski program – a one-of- kind program in Michigan that offers lessons and clinics for youth and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. All proceeds raised will be used to purchase a new ski boat to benefit the program.

The celebration will take place on Friday, May 18 from 6-10 p.m. at Stonewater Country Club, located at 7177 Kalamazoo Avenue SE in Caledonia. Featured speakers will include Katelyn Bush, Susie Kluting and Pam Buschle, who will share how Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs have impacted their lives.

“The Vibe Gala is the perfect opportunity to connect with friends and colleagues in an upbeat environment while supporting recreation access to all in West Michigan” said Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. “Our keynote speakers are three incredible women who have impactful stories to tell that underscore the importance of inclusive recreational opportunities. We welcome the community to join us for this remarkable event and to support our adaptive sports program.”

Bush is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist who has worked with Kentwood Parks and Recreation for the past three years. During a routine ultrasound in 2017, Bush and her husband discovered their daughter had a birth defect called myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida. While she has worked with children who have this diagnosis previously, Bush now navigates the maze of parenthood with a child who has a disability.

Kluting has played sled hockey for the Grand Rapids Sled Wings for more than 10 years, with sights on the U.S. Paralympic Team. Born with spina bifida, Kluting was introduced to sled hockey through Mary Free Bed’s Adaptive Sports program. She now uses her experience and expertise on to support, educate and empower children with disabilities and their families.

Buschle, a social worker at Kentwood Elementary Schools, developed a severe form of sepsis in 2013, forcing her medical team to amputate all four of her limbs to increase her chances of survival. Buschle uses prosthetics to live her life with joy, hope and purpose.

The evening will include dinner, dancing and a silent auction. The auction will feature items such as four passes to Action Wake Park, aVIP tour and tasting for six adults at Chateau Chantel, a one night stay and restaurant credit at Little River Casino, two adult round trip ferry tickets for Beaver Island Boat Company, and more. The auction will also feature sports memorabilia, golf packages, jewelry, and museum passes among other things.

Tickets for the semi-formal event are $100 per person and can be purchased online a kentwoodvibe.com or by calling 616-656-5270.

The Crane Wives opens the Kentwood Summer Concert Series tonight.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

The wait is over. The Kentwood Summer Concert Series kicks off tonight with a bang as the local favorite The Crane Wives take the stage at 7 p.m.

“Kentwood’s concert series offers something for the whole family,” said Kentwood Parks and Recreation Director Val Romeo. “It’s a great opportunity to kick back, relax with your favorite snack or local craft beer and enjoy the show.”

The annual concert series is every Thursday from 7 – 8:30 p.m. on the lawn located behind the Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Rd. SE. Concert-goers can bring their own food and drinks or sample from food trucks, such as Patty Matters, Moochies Dream Cream, Doughrunts, and B.D.’s BBQ.

“We have a few different food trucks this year,” said Laura Barbrick, the marketing and events coordinator for the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department. The series also is part of the Kentwood’s 50th Anniversary celebration, which kicked off in February and continues throughout the year. In fact, the week after the Summer Concert Series ends, the city will host the Kentwood 50th Anniversary community celebration Aug. 11 and 12.

This year’s Summer Outdoor Concert Series has an impressive line up with female-fronted, harmony-driven folk-rock/pop group The Crane Wives starting the series off. From murky origins in Chinese restaurants, high school ska bands, and dorm room jam sessions, the band came together in 2010. Since then, the group has won seven “Jammie” awards from WYCE; Best Folk/Country song winner from ArtPrize 2012; and the group’s song “High Horse” was selected as one of the “Entries We Love” from NPR Tiny Desk Contest in 2017.

The group has released four albums including the dual set “Coyote Stories” (2015) and “Foxlore” (2016), plus a series of new singles in 2017.

The Crane Wives includes founders Kate Pillsbury, guitars and vocals, and Emilee Petersmark, guitars, banjo, and vocals, along with Dan Rickabus, drums and harmony vocals, and Ben Zito, bass.

The rest of the Summer Concert Series includes June 22 Tom Cutts & Friends; July 13 The Mainstays; July 20 Look Out Lincoln; July 27 The Tomas Esparza Blues Band; and Aug. 3 May Erlewine.

For more information on the concert series, visit www.yourkprd.org.