Tag Archives: WKTV volunteers

WKTV Community Connection: Special report on Corona-virus, by Dan Stevens

3-bottom, Beer, Going Local, Local Faces, Volunteers, WKTV Projects,
A special “Corona-virus” report from WKTV volunteer Dan Stevens. (Dan Stevens)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Community Media is all about the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood, as well as our community volunteers who live all over West Michigan — community people who bring life to our building and to our work. So in these days of social distancing we at WKTV wanted to keep us a little more connected.

So, we asked people to “Tell us how are spending your time?” How has your life and work changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions? What has stayed the same in your life. What advice would you give to the other WKTV community members, and the public at  large?

Dan Stevens, long-time WKTV volunteer, video partner (and humorist)

Dan Stevens is a man of many skills, including making sweets for WKTV’s volunteer potluck. (WKTV)

“With the crisis, there are no (sports) officiating opportunities thanks to schools being closed for the rest of the year, which doesn’t affect me much as I was not planning officiating high school sports this spring anyway. Thanks to my 25 months spent on active duty with the military, 19 of which involved recovery from two shoulder surgeries, I have enough money saved to support myself while I wait for summer recreation leagues to start providing me income again.

“Until that happens, though my shoulder isn’t 100 percent, it still works well enough to allow me to get lots of exercise by playing with a small (yet growing) group of outdoor pickleball enthusiasts (and yes we ARE maintaining awareness of social distancing when we play!) who like to play for 2-4 hours a day, 2-3 days a week. We all enjoy it as it keeps us sane and in good shape in the midst of these troubling times.”

And his words of wisdom:

“When I’m not out playing pickleball, I’m focusing on writing books, which I was planning on doing even without the pandemic, learning about stock market investing, learning a 2nd language, taking care of my adorable kitty Hobbes, and laying the foundation for starting my own business training future sports officials, so that when this pandemic blows over — and I have faith it will blow over — we can all get back to doing what we enjoy: reconnecting with work, friends and ESPECIALLY our WKTV family! So keep your chin up, everyone, we’ll all be seeing each other again very soon!”

Thank you Dan, for all you do.

Interested in learning more about WKTV Community Media, maybe getting involved with our volunteer community? Visit wktv.org.

Other WKTV Community Connections:

Paul Kabelman, high school sports announcer

Becci Schumaker, cameraperson extraordinaire

Mike Moll, high school sports director and announcer

Bill Rinderknecht, volunteer cameraman and content contributor

Cory Dalton, high school sports announcer and sports show host

Riley Zoet, volunteer cameraperson and sports intern



WKTV Community Faces: How are you spending your time, Becci Schumaker?

3-bottom, Local Faces, Volunteers, WKTV Projects
WKTV’s remote video truck includes many volunteers, with Becci Schumaker often one of the volunteer camera persons. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Community Media is all about the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood, as well as our community volunteers who live all over West Michigan — community people who bring life to our building and to our work. So in these days of social distancing we at WKTV wanted to keep us a little more connected.

So, we asked people to “Tell us how are spending your time?” How has your life and work changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions? What has stayed the same in your life. What advice would you give to the other WKTV community members, and the public at  large?

Becci Schumaker, cameraperson extraordinaire

 

“I, we, are doing well, I am stuck at home regardless of the stay-at home-rule. Just one week out from my foot surgery. Already going bonkers,” Becci said to WKTV in an email. “But I  am making phone calls to people, encouraging them when needed. Also on Facebook, so I’m in contact through Facebook. Will be doing a short video for my second grade Sunday school class and posting it to our church Facebook page.”

  

And her words of encouragement:

“Stay safe everyone. Miss y’all.”

Thank you Becci, for all you do.

Interested in learning more about WKTV Community Media, maybe getting involved with volunteer community? Visit https://wktv.org.

Other WKTV Community Faces:

Paul Kabelman, high school sports announcer


WKTV honors volunteers for years, hours of being ‘heart and soul’ of community media

3-bottom, Going Local, Local Faces, Volunteers, WKTV Projects

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By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Whenever you visit WKTV Community Media, all hours day and all days of the week, there are almost always volunteers working in the building on their own unique projects or working out in the community with our various community coverage projects.

WKTV appreciates its volunteers all year around, but once a year they are honored with at a special event. This year, in late June, WKTV held its Volunteer Recognition Picnic at Douglas Walker Park in Byron Center.

“For nearly 50 years, the community volunteers at WKTV Community Media have been the heart and soul of this organization, and that continues today,” said Tom Norton, executive director of WKTV Community Media. “We have volunteers working on their own unique projects to be shared on WKTV, volunteers who work with sports coverage and the newsroom programs, we have volunteers whose work helps keep this organization running. We are grateful to them all.”

At the event, top honors were given to Becci Schumaker and Bill Rinderknecht with Volunteer of the Year Awards, with Schumaker able to accept in person. The award for Community Service Programming was given to Gary Vande Velde.

Recognition was given to volunteers for both years of volunteer service as well as hours of service in 2018. Following is a list of those recognized as well as their programs or volunteer areas for those honored for years of service.

25 Years: Rose Hammond – Idlewild Documentary; Kim Johnson – Dynamic Praise Program/ Memorial Tributes/ Princess Diana.


20 Years: Judy Bergsma – The Reading Train; Pat Williams – Reading Train/ Community Awareness/ Anything!

15 Years: Jeff Steere – Rescue 1 FireSafety; Patty Williams – Bluegrass On Stage & Sounds Of Summer.

10 Years: Carrie Bradstreet – You’ve Got To be Kidding Me America/Plus.

5 Years: Kara Boorsma – News/ Plus; Randy Galaszewski – You’ve Got To be Kidding Me America/ Plus; Shahied “DJ” Word – Michigan’s Finest Talent.

100 Hour Club included Garion Adams, Tom Sibley, Gary Vande Velde, Tyler Darland, Marisol Martinez, Joiman Davis, Becci Schumaker, Bill Rinderkencht, Kriss Boom Boom, Matt Zuby, Rose Hammond, Mike Moll, Val Fisher, Ben Aki, Doug Remtema, Kyle Cortez, Stephanie Norton, Kathy Norton, Mike Bacon, Michael McCallum, Scott Baisden.

Those with 51–99 hours included Mark Bergsma, Shahied “DJ” Word, Randy Galaszewski.

With 26-50 hours were Patty Williams, Pat Williams, Rene Karadsheh, Larry Swanson, Carrie Bradstreet, Scott Wiseman.

With 1-25 hours Mike Boorsma, Kara Boorsma, Jim Dohm, Monique Keels, Phyllis Koslow, Pat Moll, Hung Nguyen, Les Raebel, Charlotte Rinderknecht, Mike Van Druemel, Gina Wiseman, Meochia Thompson, Judy Bergsma, Kim Johnson, Dan Kuipers, Dick Visser, Darious Young, Mike Endres, Travis Mandenburg, Edward Jay Nelson, Mark Tangen, Sophia Maslowski, Don Schumaker, Mark Lange.

WKTV Sets up for CLASSIC CARS!

Local Entertainment, WKTV Projects,

Come watch WKTV’s red carpet production in person and be a part of the action!

WKTV transforms Klingman's parking lot by rolling out the red carpet in preparation for the 10th Annual Metro Cruise and WKTV's production of "Metro Cruise LIVE on the Concourse." Come check it out tomorrow evening. If you like lights, camera, action and classic cars -- you will love this event!
WKTV transforms Klingman’s parking lot by rolling out the red carpet in preparation for the 10th Annual Metro Cruise and WKTV’s production of “Metro Cruise LIVE on the Concourse.” Come check it out tomorrow evening. If you like lights, camera, action and classic cars — you will love this event!

WKTV staff members set up Thursday afternoon for Friday's WKTV's "Metro Cruise Live on the Concourse" production open to the public. Show starts at 8 p.m. come early for a seat in the bleachers!
WKTV staff members set up Thursday afternoon for Friday’s WKTV’s “Metro Cruise Live on the Concourse” production open to the public. Show starts at 8 p.m. come early for a seat in the bleachers!

WKTV Presents GR Choir of Men and Boys

Local Entertainment, Our Cities, WKTV Projects, , ,

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Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys is in its 24th year.

Truck outside cathedral
WKTV’s remote live truck accommodates the technical production just a few feet away.

by Janice Limbaugh

For the first time in its 40 year history, WKTV will televise the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys Lessons and Carols for Christmas concert on Saturday, December 21 at 7 p.m. The performance was pre-recorded at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Grand Rapids on Friday, December 13.

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WKTV’s camera jib extends up to 18 feet above the crowd in St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

 

“We are so proud to present this esteemed choir’s performance in our holiday programming,” says Tom Norton, general manager of the station and director of the recording. “It’s the first year we’ve gone into the cathedral and set up four cameras to capture their performance live. The caliber of their singing is simply renowned, so we’re very excited to be able to share this with our viewers.”

Long time WKTV volunteer, Doug Hansen runs camera.
Long time WKTV volunteer, Doug Hansen runs camera.

 

The station relied on a team of  volunteers to set up lights, run cables from the live truck, and operate cameras, including an 18 foot camera jib operated by Rich Parker. “I love this work,” says Parker. “I’m glad to be getting this experience but this is my first time running the jib and I am just a little nervous. But it will be a beautiful production.”

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The GRCMB offers try-out camps in summer.

 

The Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys (GRCMB) is comprised of 60 members, ages seven to 81. According to the choir’s director, Scott Bosscher, 11 of the boys sing with their fathers in choir. One boy signs with his father and grandfather.  “Over the years, it’s become a generational thing. It’s quite wonderful,” says Bosscher who has been directing the choir 15 out of  its 24 years of existence.

 

“We’re thrilled WKTV is doing this for us,” adds Bosscher. “We’ve never had a televised special of this magnitude before.”

 

The choir performs English Cathedral music and considers to be a gift to the community and to the choristers who sing it. The philosophy of the GRCMB is for the truth of the music to be drawn into the depth’s of one’s being as opposed to singing as an expression of what is within the individual. The core mission of the choir is to “learn the way of melody, harmony and rhythm” to allow “grace and beauty to draw the fragmented soul into God’s presence.”

 

Janet VanDusen of Byron Center says her 6th grade son Ryan “just loves it.” He’s been signing with the group for three years now.

 

“Even after two hours of practice he continues to sing around the house. It’s amazing,” she says. “He likes sports and has other interests, but this speaks to God’s magnificence.”