Kentwood police officers, firefighters and city leaders will celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 2. (Courtesy)
By WKTV Staff
Kentwood police officers, firefighters and city leaders will help celebrate National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 2. The event will feature block parties, neighborhood events and more.
National Night Out is an annual nationwide event that promotes community-police partnerships and encourages residents to turn on their porch lights and come outside to connect with their neighbors, community leaders and local police and fire department personnel.
Kentwood’s National Night Out celebration will be held at various locations on Tuesday, Aug. 2. (Courtesy)
Kentwood police officers, firefighters and leaders will join residents at 15 gatherings, most of which will take place from 6-8 p.m. Residents can learn about a variety of safety topics and explore police cruisers, fire engines and other emergency response vehicles at the events.
“National Night Out gives residents a chance to connect with our police and fire teams and learn how we can all be part of a community effort to make the City of Kentwood a wonderful place to call home,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “The city’s leadership team is excited to spend time with residents and enjoy an evening of camaraderie, community and connection.”
Several community-based events will be hosted throughout the evening and feature a variety of free activities, including appearances from McGruff the Crime Dog.
Ada Bible Church, 1640 East Paris Ave. SE, will offer food and activities from 5-8 p.m.
Pentecostals Church, 2627 44th St. SE, will host a party from 6-8 p.m.
Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin (shown when he was deputy chief). (Courtesy)
“National Night Out is a great opportunity for our department to spend time with community members in a fun, relaxed setting,” Police Chief Bryan Litwin said. “We always look forward to this event and value strong community relationships.”
National Night Out was created in the 1980s through an established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, crime prevention associations and volunteers across the country. It began with a goal to promote thriving neighborhoods by uniting community members and police against neighborhood crimes.
Brena, a local favorite known for lively shows and Top 40 rock, performs on July 28 at Cutler Park and August 11 behind Kentwood City Hall. (Courtesy)
By John D. Gonzalez, WKTV Contributing Writer
I love late July. It’s like the sweet spot of summer.
You still have plenty of time to visit your favorite vacation spot. Maybe take in a West Michigan Whitecaps game. Go to the zoo. Or discover something new.
Fall and back-to-school shopping can wait.
Here are a few things to consider this week and early August.
Let’s support local, community events this summer as a couple of popular music series in the area are starting to wind down.
Wyoming Concerts in the Park
On Tuesday, July 26, the Wyoming series at Lamar Park continues with country singer Bernadette Kathryn, followed by Grupo Latin (Aug. 2). All shows begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free. More info: Wyoming Concerts in the Park Facebook page.
Kathryn, the self-proclaimed Detroit Country Rebel, is ready to light up the stage at Lamar Park.
“This is going to be a high-octane, full-throttle, audience engaging show that will leave them wanting more,” said Kathryn, who will perform with her Lonely Days Band. “We play new and old country, classic rock, and you might even find a few pop songs disguised as country. We call our genre ‘Hot Rock’n Country’ because we can ‘chicken fry’ anything.”
Kathryn said they’ll play Reba, Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson, Luke Combs, “some of my originals, and many other songs that you can hear on the radio.”
Diana Ladio and Alison Lynn hold Bachelor of Music degrees in music performance and music education, which have given each the technical foundation to explore the limits of her instrument and helped the group build a reputation for musical excellence. Their new album, “Live & Plugged In,” just reached No. 1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Charts.
Lynn said the band’s polished, high-energy show continues to redefine strings’ role in contemporary music, and offers audience members a diverse, fun, musical experience.
“We use a variety of audio effects pedals. The Moxie Strings compose the majority of their pieces and arrange melodies from many countries, resulting in a genre-blurring blend of ear-catching, mainstream melodies and foot-stomping, rock-influenced rhythms.”
Brena Band is a one-stop-shop when it comes to wedding entertainment. Their six member band, featuring guitars, drums, horns, violin, keyboards and tight vocal harmonies, will keep your guests dancing all night long. Their wide variety of songs offer a little something for everyone; ranging from oldies, to current top 40 hits, classic rock to smooth R&B, country to high energy dance music, and everything in between.
All Kentwood concerts take place from 7-8:30 p.m. on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Admission is free. A variety of food trucks also will be on hand.
The 86th annual Byron Days Festival returns with an arts and craft show, 5k run, pancake breakfast, live music, kids zone activities, food trucks and more. (Courtesy)
Byron Days Festival (July 28-31)
Looking ahead to next weekend, the 86th annual Byron Days Festival returns with an arts and craft show, 5k run, pancake breakfast, live music, kids zone activities, food trucks, classic car show, fireworks and more. The festival runs July 28-31 in downtown Byron Center. More info at byrondaysfestival.org. Or check out the Facebook Event Page.
If you have something for me to consider for a Top 5 column, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
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
WOOD TV8 meteorologist Terri DeBoer (right) stopped by WKTV Thursday to promote her first book on a show called Grand Tap Media Business TV, hosted by Pamela Keim (left), which airs toward the end of August. (WKTV)
By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor
For more than 30 years, WOOD TV8 meteorologist Terri DeBoer has woken up West Michigan with her early morning weather forecasts.
In addition to her Storm Team 8 predictions, DeBoer also has co-hosted eightWest, a show that informs and entertains its viewers.
“I’m often one of the first faces many people in West Michigan see every morning,” said DeBoer, who’s also the meteorologist for many of West Michigan’s most popular radio stations. “I love having a challenging job; forecasting the weather in a complicated part of the country, and helping people relate the weather conditions to the lives of our viewers and listeners.”
Recording at WKTV
DeBoer stopped by WKTV Thursday to promote her first book (published in 2021) on a show called Grand Tap Media Business TV, hosted by Pamela Keim, which airs toward the end of August. Keim has produced shows on WKTV since 2017.
Keim said the purpose of her WKTV program is to “introduce West Michigan to all the businesses, nonprofits, individuals that can help us thrive in our lives.
“I’m a cheerleader for West Michigan. I like to promote events, individuals, and talk about what’s new like Terri’s book. There are some wonderful people that live in our community in West Michigan.”
DeBoer said she wrote “Brighter Skies Ahead: Forecasting a Full Life When You Empty the Nest” in 2020 during the pandemic after decades of interest.
An emotional time
“For about 40 years I wanted to write a book and I wasn’t sure what to write about and when I made the transition into the empty nest it really hit hard,” DeBoer explained. “I wasn’t expecting to feel so sad and for things to feel so empty and so I reached out to someone and thought maybe I should write a book about that.
“One thing led to another and I wrote the book as the pandemic shut everything down.”
How did she do it with her busy schedule as a TV personality and mom?
What, turn off the TV?
“I’m going to tell you a secret,” she said grinning. “I turn off the TV. It’s amazing how much time we would find to do the things we say we really want to do if we just turn the television off and get started.”
“The book is 50 short chapters broken into multiple categories, highlighting the past, present and future of the life cycle of a parent. There’s a section on your physical health, mental health, your relationship with your adult kids, your friendships, and your faith is a big part of the book.”
WOOD TV8 meteorologist Terri DeBoer stopped by WKTV Thursday to promote her first book titled “Brighter Skies Ahead: Forecasting a Full Life When You Empty the Nest” (Courtesy)
Millions of empty nesters
According to recent US Census information, there are approximately 22.5 million empty nest households in the United States.
DeBoer said it’s an emotional time and the overwhelming feelings of sadness, grief and emptiness can be common.
The book outlines her strategies for weathering the often stormy transition to an empty nest. DeBoer helps readers find hope, peace, comfort and joy in this next stage of life.
Ginger Zee endorsement
Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist at ABC News, said the book is “a blast of sunshine full of wisdom, wit and inspiration for every stage of life.”
After the first round of edits, there was one chapter the editor felt needed to be taken out. The one about her relationship with her husband, Bill.
Enter her four-legged friend
She joked about replacing Bill’s chapter in the book with her daughter Jenn’s adopted dog, Hank, which was really due to not oversimplifying spousal relationships, which are unique from person to person.
DeBoer said her editor felt the chapter about her relationship with her husband isn’t as simple as she made it to be.
“People’s relationships are complicated,” she and her editor determined. “Some people are married, some aren’t, some are divorced, widowed or in unhappy marriages. It’s not that simple.”
She admitted she wasn’t ever a pet person until Hank came along, and the answer was always “no” when her three kids asked for a dog.
The Great Dane/mastiff-Lab mix, that she now calls her grand dog, however, has swayed her opinion. She now touts the great health benefits of having a dog and how they can expand your social circle at the dog parks, and recommends a pet for empty nesters.
She admits, however, that she can enjoy Hank as much as she wants, and “when he needs to go potty in the middle of the night, it’s Jenn who gets to take him out.”
She said she has been “blessed” along the way to have raised three wonderful children, “who are all hard-working followers of our incredible God; combining their talents with their ever-deepening faith.
“They are all fun-loving and kind individuals; who are making strides through making the world a better place.”
Self-proclaimed Detroit Country Rebel, Bernadette Kathryn, takes the stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 at Lamar Park. (Courtesy)
By John D. Gonzalez, WKTV Contributing Writer
Funk, blues, rock and even a cello have been featured this summer at the Wyoming Concerts in the Park series this summer.
Now, it’s time for some kicking C-O-U-N-T-R-Y!
The self-proclaimed Detroit Country Rebel – a.k.a Bernadette Kathryn – is ready to light up the stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 at Lamar Park. Admission is free, as always.
“This is going to be a high-octane, full-throttle, audience engaging show that will leave them wanting more,” said Kathryn, who will perform with her Lonely Days Band.
“We play new and old country, classic rock, and you might even find a few pop songs disguised as country. We call our genre ‘Hot Rock’n Country’ because we can ‘chicken fry’ anything.”
The Tuesday night series continues through Aug. 2. All shows will be recorded and aired on WKTV.
In an interview with WKTV Journal, Kathryn said they’ll play Reba, Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson, Luke Combs, “some of my originals, and many other songs that you can hear on the radio.”
County music is at the heart of everything she does. It goes back to when she was a child.
“I’ve been performing on stage since I was five and just get this incredible rush that just can’t be replicated with anything other than performing for a live audience,” Kathryn said in an email.
She channeled her passion when she was 14-years-old and started a band.
As a fan of Patsy Cline, “I knew that I wanted to name the band after one of her songs: Seven Lonely Days,” she said.
“I hired veterans of the music industry to back me up, and my lead guitar player has been in the band since the beginning,” she said of the band she formed in 2014.
Bernadette Kathryn, the Detroit Country Rebel, will appear at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 at Lamar Park. Free admission as always. (Courtesy)
Her current lineup includes Erik Blundell on lead guitar, Brendan Derey on bass and Jim Theide on drums. Kathryn plays rhythm guitar and sings. Derey and Theide are in their fifth year with the band, she said.
“Our band has a great chemistry and we bring something to the crowd that they don’t get anywhere else,” she added.
They’re all excited to perform at Lamar Park.
“The audience can relax in their lawn chairs or on a blanket and enjoy the show without having to worry about anything else,” she said.
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
With less than two weeks remaining until the statewide primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 2, Michigan voters who have not returned their absentee ballot are encouraged to hand deliver it to a local drop box or their clerk’s office to avoid postal delays.
The City of Wyoming drop box (and usually drive-up) for absentee ballots. (WKTV)
“Drop boxes continue to be among the safe options that voters have to return their ballot securely this year, in addition to hand-delivering their ballot to their clerk’s office, voting early at their clerk’s office, or voting at their polling place on Election Day,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
Eligible residents who have not yet registered to vote can do so in person at their city or township clerk’s office now through 8 p.m. on Election Day. They also can request and submit an absentee ballot at the clerk’s office in the same trip. Citizens who still need to register must do so in person at their clerk’s office if they wish to vote in the August primary, as online and mail registration is not permitted within 14 days of an election.
Voters can check the status of their absentee application or ballot online at Michigan.gov/Vote or by contacting their local election clerk. Voters who already received an absentee ballot should complete it, sign the envelope and mail it or drop it off at their clerk’s office or drop box as soon as possible.
Citizens also can vote in person at their polling place on Election Day, Aug. 2. Polls will be open 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
City of Wyoming
City of Wyoming Clerk Kelli VandenBerg said the city has about 5,700 registered voters and her office is working to do the best to serve all of them for the election.
For absentee ballots, her office has seen an increase since the change was made in 2018. For elections, the city is seeing about 62 percent absentee ballots with about 38 percent voting in-person.
VandenBerg said the city has mailed out about 6,000 ballots with 2,400 having been returned.
“While right now mail is feeling OK, but as we get closer to election day, I will be getting more and more inclined to encourage voters to come visit us,” VandenBerg said. The city has a dropbox located at City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, or bring the ballot to the clerk’s office in city hall.
The clerk’s office also will be hosting a public voting test at 9 a.m. July 26 in the council chambers at city hall. Area residents can see how ballots are tabulated and the process for counting ballots.
City of Kentwood
If returning absentee ballots by mail, Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic recommends putting it in the mail by Monday, July 25 to ensure a timely delivery for the August election.
Residents also can hand-deliver absentee ballots to the Clerk’s Office at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, during regular business hours or use one of the 24-hour drop boxes located outside City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE, and the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE.
The City Clerk’s Office, located in City Hall, will be open for voter registration and absentee ballot requests from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, July 30.
More information about the Aug. 2 election, absentee ballots and voter registration is available at kentwood.us/elections.
Michigan law regarding primary ballots requires voters to cast votes for only one party’s candidates. Votes for candidates in multiple parties on the same ballot will not be counted.
Absentee ballot request data shows more than 1.1 million Michigan citizens have now requested their ballots, and the vast majority have already received them. A side-by-side comparison of current absentee ballot request numbers, compared to the same time ahead of the 2018 statewide primary, is below. A breakdown of the numbers by jurisdiction is available online.
14 Days Before Election Day(July 18, 2022)
14 Days Before Election Day(July 23, 2018)
Number of Applications Received
1,167,369
588,909
Number of Ballots Issued
1,163,659
589,042*
Number of Ballots Returned
398,756
260,017
The Michigan Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote provides important information for voters ahead of Election Day, including a sample ballot and information about how to use voting equipment, and how to contact your local clerk.
*The number of ballots issued is greater than the number of applications received as it represents all ballots issued, including replacement ballots for those who requested to spoil their first.
This empty field will soon be swarming with talent this weekend as the Little League Majors State Tournament runs from July 22-27 at MacKay-Jaycees Park in Grand Rapids.. (Zach Fanko)
By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributing Writer
The best that Michigan Little League baseball has to offer is coming this weekend to Grand Rapids as 16 district champs, including defending Little League World Series champion Taylor North, vie for a spot in the Great Lakes Regional.
Hosted by Southern Little League, the 12-and-under Little League Majors State Tournament runs from Friday, July 22 through Wednesday, July 27, at the MacKay-Jaycees Park, 2531 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids.
Look for our WKTV Sports Truck and crew covering the game at 7 p.m. Friday, July 22.
Round robin play runs from July 22-24, followed by the single elimination championship round from July 25-27. Admission is free.
Teams by pool (16 district champs)
Pool A: Grosse Points Farm City, Dexter, Midland Northeast, Grand Rapids Southern East
Pool B: White Lake, Paw Paw, Traverse City, Bay City Southwest
Pool C: Millwood, St. Clair, Tecumseh, Taylor North
Pool D: Petoskey, Negaunee, Gladstone, Commerce Township
Each team will play three games, facing each opponent within their pool once with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the single elimination championship round. The state champion advances to the Great Lakes Regional from Aug. 6-10 in Whitestown, Indiana.
Photo taken after District 9 Southern Senior Little League beat District 7 St. Clair 10-1 in a 2017 tournament. (WKTV)
Defending World Series champs back
Little League World Series champs Taylor North, the first team from Michigan to win it all since 1959, is back to defend its title. They went undefeated in the 2021 state tournament (6-0), allowing just seven runs over six games.
Bay City Southwest returns to the state tournament and is hoping to avenge its semifinal loss to Taylor North a year ago. Another contender, St. Clair, returns after a quarterfinal appearance last year.
Grand Rapids Southern East is hoping home field advantage will play a factor as the District 9 champions look to make some noise this weekend.
“He’s always wanted to give back to the community,” said Bobbie McLaughlin, brother of the area’s biggest basketball star who set records in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s at Creston High School and Central Michigan University.
Nothing but net
Considered the best high school basketball player in Grand Rapids history, Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin averaged 33 points a game his junior and senior seasons at Creston High School in the late 1970s and then went on to score more than 2,000 career points at Central Michigan University. He is a member of the Central Michigan Athletics Hall of Fame and in 2005 was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame.
The camp has been shut down since 2019 because of Covid, and, with “all the crazy things going on for kids in the inner city,” organizers wanted to offer a chance to offer something at no cost.
“Everywhere he goes, the kids are asking about the camp,” said Bobbie, who attended Grand Rapids South High School back in the day. “They’re really thirsty. So we put our heads together and said, ‘Let’s give them a free camp.’ Let’s show them some love.”
Campers practice their skills at the Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin Basketball All-Star Camp at East Kentwood. (Courtesy)
A fundraising campaign is going on right now to help the McLaughlins raise money to make it happen. The goal through the social media platform Vertical Raise is $10,000. They are more than halfway there, he said, as local businesses such as Brann’s Restaurants have contributed, as well as individuals.
The three-day camp is for boys and girls grades 5-12.
Hours are 8-11:30 a.m. for grades 5-8, and from 1-4 p.m. for grades 9-12 from Aug. 2-4.
“All the area kids, inner city kids, just come out and have a good time… We’re just looking for people to help make this happen,” Bobbie McLaughlin said.
Guest speakers
Along with learning basketball skills with drills and instruction, Bobbie McLaughlin said camp organizers are arranging guest speakers to help educate and motivate the kids to learn more than just basketball.
“(Mel) said we need to show some positive love for the kids. Everything’s been a little crazy, not just in Grand Rapids, but all over. We just said, ‘What can we do to help these kids out?’”
The camp has been a staple of summers in Grand Rapids for about 25 years. It originally took place at Ottawa Hills High School, but moved to East Kentwood in 2018 when attendance swelled to more than 200 campers, said Bobbie McLaughlin, who lives in California but looks forward to returning to see old friends and relatives. (He was a pretty good baseball player back in the day.)
Some notable campers
The camp has produced some notable players over the years, including Kobe Bufkin (Michigan), Marcus Bingham (Michigan State University) and Xavier Tillman (Michigan State, Memphis Grizzlies), just to name a few.
“We know it’s working, we know these kids are learning and having fun,” McLaughlin said.
“We’re so proud of them. A lot of the parents come up to us after the last day of camp and say, ‘Where are you gonna be next week? This is such a good thing for these kids.’”
McLaughlin said he is in the middle of finalizing a gift bag each player will receive during the camp, which includes a T-shirt, wristband, hat and hopefully a book, which was written about his brother’s life.
Check out “Sweet Shot”
“Sweet Shot: The Basketball Life and Legacy of Melvin ‘Sugar’ McLaughlin,” which was released in 2021, looks at the player’s life on and off the court, from his early childhood in Ann Arbor to today.
“Sweet Shot,” a book about local basketball star Melvin “Sugar” McLaughlin, was released in 2021. (Courtesy)
Author Vernon E. Wendt — a theology professor at Concordia University-Chicago, ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and East Grand Rapids native, is expected to be in attendance at the camp, Bobbie McLaughlin said.
“It’s a really cool book,” McLaughlin said. “We want to make an impact.”
In addition, players can compete in contests for trophies, he said. And camp organizers will present sportsmanship and MVP awards.
It’s all about spreading joy, and a message, he said.
“We teach them, sports is like life…you have to learn to play together, to work together, to be a team. Take that home. Spread it. That’s our concept.”
And don’t be surprised to see Sugar put his skills on display.
He still “balls,” his brother said. “He’s always doing something for kids.”
“Come and join us for this very beautiful and positive experience,” Sugar McLaughlin said. “This is something that is true to my heart and very special to me.”
Learn more about the camp by calling 616-222-6126.
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.
The courts were booming at Kentwood Parks and Recreation’s pickleball tournament held last Saturday at Old Farm Park, 2350 Embro Dr. SE (Zack Fanko)
Zach Fanko WKTV Contributing Writer
If you’re out taking a stroll in one of the many parks in West Michigan, you may notice a distinct popping noise, and it’s probably not the wildlife in your area.
More than likely, it’s the sound of the pickleball craze that has hit the United States within the past few years.
That noise is a small paddle hitting a yellow, plastic ball with holes in it, similar to a wiffle ball, and the sport has taken over many recreation parks throughout the area, including Kentwood’s Old Farm Park (2350 Embro Dr.)
Founded in 1965
Pickleball, described as a mix of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, had its humble beginnings in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Wash.
Fastest-growing sport
Now with more than 4.8 million players nationwide, and a growth of nearly 40 percent the last couple years, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport for two years running, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
One of the reasons for its growth is its ease to learn and play for beginners, according to Larry Keefe, who helps run Kentwood’s tournaments and also is an ambassador to the United States Pickleball Association.
“Anyone could show up to the court and even without any experience could pick it up relatively quickly,” said Keefe, Kentwood’s main pickleball instructor who helped kickstart the program. “Most players are always willing to lend a hand when it comes to rules and tips on how to play.”
Keefe said the growth in the sport locally has led to many pickleball courts being overrun with participants.
Pickleball was the nation’s fastest growing sport in America two years running, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. (Zach Fanko)
“You could go to any park during the weekend here and you will find many players waiting to use the courts,” Keefe said. “Quite frankly, there is a need for more courts. It is that popular in the area.”
Youth growth during pandemic
Coincidentally, the pickleball program saw an increase in participation among the younger demographic during the Covid-19 pandemic as these individuals were seeking recreational activities to do outside.
“When we couldn’t go to restaurants or movie theaters I think young people gravitated toward the sport,” Keefe explained. “It really is more of a social sport at its core.”
Growth was the fastest among players under 24 years of age from 2020-2021 at 21 percent.
Kentwood’s pickleball program, which includes singles and doubles, began about four years ago, according to Shelby Henshaw, a recreation program coordinator.
“We have our beginner and intermediate lessons, as well as our monthly tournaments during the summer,” said Henshaw, who’s added three more instructors because of growth. “It is mostly adults and seniors, but we have seen an uptick in youth participation as well.”
With an official pickleball court measuring 20-feet wide by 44-feet long, one-third the size of a tennis court, the sport focuses more on agility and balance. This combined with other rules makes the game very inclusive.
Fun for all ages
“It’s a very good sport for people of all ages,” Henshaw said. “It is highly competitive, but you don’t need elite athleticism necessarily to excel at pickleball.”
While others were just enjoying a nice summer day at Old Farm Park last Saturday, Julian (28) and Murali (43) were one of the teams participating in the Kentwood tournament.
“I first started playing down in Florida while staying at my grandma’s condo,” Julian said. “After that I started playing here and Belknap. It’s amazing to see how many people have started playing recently and all the new courts that have been built.”
Murali said the environment sold him on the game.
“The social aspect of meeting all kinds of different people,” he explained. “It really is like our own community.”
Beer City Open: $90,000 in prize money
For some players, the Kentwood tournament on July 16 served as a warmup for the Beer City Open, one of the largest USPA-sanctioned events in the Midwest. When registration opened for the event, more than 900 participants signed up within 10 minutes.
Hosted by the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club, the Beer City Open runs from July 20-24 at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids and features $90,000 in total prize money.
Wyoming Potter’s House Christian’s Lezawe Osterink (left) was a state champion in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at last spring’s Division 4 track and field finals, and was a member of the winning 3,200-meter relay with teammates Ian Palacios, Jackson Rodriguez and Logan Swiney. Osterink also won the D-4 boys cross country individual title last fall. The boys team placed third at the track and field finals and 12th in cross country. (Courtesy of MHSAA)
Participation in Michigan High School Athletic Association sports rebounded tremendously during the 2021-22 school year, despite a slight decline in enrollment among the MHSAA’s 750-member high schools.
Big decline during COVID-19
The onset of COVID-19 during the spring of 2020 was followed by a significant decline in participation in sports during 2020-21. However, participation for the most recent school year concluding last spring saw an increase of 6.6 percent from 2020-21 to a total of 260,542 participants across the 28 sports for which the MHSAA sponsors postseason tournaments – even as statewide enrollment fell nearly 1 percent to 440,728 students this past school year.
Girls participation increased 6.8 percent to 109,128 athletes, while boys participation was up 6.5 percent at 151,414. The overall MHSAA participation totals count students once for each sport in which they participate, meaning students who are multiple-sport athletes are counted more than once.
“We’re excited to see participation beginning to rebound, and in a big way in a number of sports,” said Geoff Kimmerly, MHSAA communications director. “Something reaffirmed during the months of COVID-19 shutdowns and delays was the value of sports in our school communities, and we expect those participation numbers to continue to rise as more families feel comfortable and we continue to learn more and more about best practices for living and competing while the coronavirus remains with us.
“Something else to consider is how our participation has begun to bounce back even as enrollment in our member schools has continued to decline slightly. Michigan generally ranks higher in participation nationally than for student-aged population, and while we may not be at our pre-COVID levels yet, we do anticipate our numbers to keep growing during 2022-23.”
The Forest Hills Northern girls tennis team won the Division 2 state championship last spring. (Courtesy of MHSAA)
Track and field, boys skiing lead way
A total of 23 sports saw increases in participation during 2021-22 compared to 2020-21. Ten sports saw double-digit percentage increases, led by boys track & field (27.2 percent to 22,120 participants), girls track and field (22.4 percent to 15,594 participants), and boys skiing (22.4 percent to 1,001 participants).
Wrestling (17.1 percent) and boys bowling (16.2 percent) also saw double-digit increases, along with girls tennis (11.4 tennis), girls bowling (11.2 percent), girls competitive cheer (10.6 percent), boys golf (10.5 percent) and girls lacrosse (10 percent).
Girls boost wrestling numbers
Wrestling’s major boost came in part because of a nearly 300-percent increase in girls participants with 620 taking the mat for the first season of the MHSAA offering a girls championship division at its Individual Wrestling Finals.
Also enjoying increases in participation during 2021-22 from the previous year were girls golf (8.1 percent), girls skiing (7.6 percent), boys basketball (6.4 percent), girls soccer (6.3 percent), boys swimming and diving (6.1 percent), boys lacrosse (5.8 percent), softball (3.6 percent), girls basketball (3.1 percent), baseball (3 percent), boys tennis (2.8 percent), football (2.4 percent), girls volleyball (2 percent) and girls swimming and diving (1.2 percent).
Decreased participation
Five sports saw decreased participation in 2021-22, including boys soccer (0.21 percent with 28 fewer participants), girls cross country (1.4 percent), boys ice hockey (1.2 percent), boys cross country (3.9 percent) and girls gymnastics (4.6 percent).
Football highest participation
Football, with a combined 33,284 participants over the 11- and 8-player formats, remained the most-played sport during the 2021-22 school year. Boys track and field (22,120) and boys basketball (20,017) were next for total participants, followed by girls volleyball (18,798), the most popular girls sport, baseball (16,528) and girls track and field (15,594).
Golf and skiing enjoy high participation
While the majority of sports are still building back to their pre-COVID participation totals, golf and skiing posted some of their highest totals in some time. Boys golf (6,829) had its most participants since 2012-13, and girls golf (3,875) its highest total since 2003-04. The boys skiing total (1,001) was its highest since 2002-03, and the girls skiing total this past season (837) was the highest for that sport since 1998-99.
The participation figures are gathered annually from MHSAA member schools to submit to the National Federation of State High School Associations for compiling of its national participation survey. Results of Michigan surveys from the 2000-01 school year to present may be viewed on the MHSAA Website
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg talks about the $8.7 million federal grant for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on Monday in Grand Rapids. (WKTV)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced a nearly $8.7 million grant to the Gerald R. Ford Airport to media and guests on Monday morning in Grand Rapids.
Speaking at the airport where construction workers were expanding Concourse A in the background, Buttigieg spoke highly of the federal grant.
“As part of the terminal gate expansion project, this grant is going to help fund eight new passenger boarding bridges so this airport is able to handle more travelers, and so they can walk or roll more comfortably from their gate to their plane,” Buttigieg said. “It’s going to make traveling better, and allow Grand Rapids to accommodate that increasing passenger growth, and support the economic opportunity that is emerging across West Michigan.
Improving airport experiences
“Today, when you look at global rankings of great airports, not a single airport in the United States ranks among the world’s top 25. And we feel those shortcomings too often flying through terminals that need a lot of work, and now we are in a position to fix that. We’re making sure people are going to be proud of their airport experiences across America and support the good work that is already happening in communities like Grand Rapids.”
The bridges also will enhance energy efficiency with pre-conditioned air and auxiliary power.
Buttigieg said the Department of Transportation fielded nearly $14 billion worth of applications and awarded $1 billion.
“That gives you the sense of just how much need is out there,” he explained. “For the long term, we have to modernize the infrastructure itself … for the decades ahead. This was a very, very competitive program.”
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
“This President and Congress finally delivered,” said Buttigieg, of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “The Biden Harris administration has already announced about $3 billion headed to Michigan to improve a range of transportation and infrastructure assets, and we are just getting started.
“We are not just building infrastructure, but building better futures and building careers. What we’re really talking about is creating jobs. It’s part of a bigger picture.”
Tory Richardson, CEO and president of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, shakes hands with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday in Grand Rapids.
On a Personal Note
Buttigieg said it was a pleasure to be in Grand Rapids, whose Mayor Rosalynn Bliss often had conversations with him when he was the mayor of South Bend, Ind.
“I’ve often compared notes with Mayor Bliss about what it means when you have civic pride and a lot of energy and commitment to growth,” Buttigieg said. “This is also a city where we spent some time last fall when our little guy was being treated at DeVos (Children’s Hospital). We couldn’t be more thankful for the care he received from the medical staff there.”
He and husband Chasten adopted twins (Joseph “Gus” August and Penelope Rose Buttigieg) last year.
Traverse City Home
Buttigieg also revealed why they recently relocated to Traverse City.
“We are here (Michigan) because of family,” he explained. “When I married Chasten, I married into Michigan, at some level to begin with. But it was really the arrival of our children that cemented our relationship to Traverse City.
“We depended on the help we got from my mother- and father-in-law (the kids’ grandparents) and found that it really is a great home and we have a great support network there for raising our kids.”
Attorney General Dana Nessel
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel welcomed Buttigieg to his new home state of Michigan.
“Mr. Secretary, you could not have picked a better state in the union to become a resident of,” she said. “I certainly hope that you like college football. We have a lot going on in this state. We are so thrilled to have you as a Michigander or a Michiganian, depending on who you speak to about that.”
Gerald R. Ford International Airport to receive nearly $8.7 million for terminal improvements. (Courtesy)
The Federal Aviation Administration funding, announced by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Signed into Law Last Year
“This funding will support eight new passenger boarding bridges in 2023 to further enhance the guest experience and provide growth opportunities for airline service in West Michigan for years to come,” said Torrance Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. ”We are thankful for the investment in community infrastructure by Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters, which allows the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to compete nationally for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding to invest in our passenger terminal.”
This funding is from the Airport Terminal Program. Senators Stabenow and Peters helped secure these funds in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“Having reliable and safe air service is crucial for tourism, commerce, and economic development,” Senator Stabenow said. “This funding is another critical piece of the infrastructure investments coming to our state and will improve customer experiences at our airports.”
Gerald R. Ford International Airport. (Courtesy)
The Airport Terminal Program is one of three aviation programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The law provides $1 billion annually for five years for Airport Terminal grants.
“Airports play a critical role in boosting Michigan’s economy by connecting communities and businesses to important destinations and resources,” Senator Peters said.
“I was proud to help secure this federal support through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help Gerald Ford International Airport make necessary upgrades to critical infrastructure, ensuring it can continue to welcome and transport travelers safely and efficiently for years to come.”
The Airport also will receive a $3.6 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for infrastructure improvements. The funding will go toward expanding the airport’s snow removal equipment building, as well as reconstructing existing airport service roads, runway lighting systems and the aircraft rescue and firefighting building.
Local husband and wife business owners Daimond Dixon and Regina Russell-Dixon have landed a big win with their training company.
Alpha Human Performance, located at 3233 Eastern Ave., has been named the official Preferred Sport Performance Training Partner for the Midwest United Football Club. That’s the football that’s commonly known as soccer.
Alpha Human Performance co-owner Daimond Dixon stands alongside portraits of visiting athletes. (Philip Janowski)
Alpha Human Performance (Alpha for short) trains athletes from a variety of sports, including American football, basketball, softball, swimming and volleyball.
“We are excited to get the opportunity to help so many soccer players reach their potential,” said Daimond, who was a walk-on member of the University of Miami 1991 national championship football team. “Our programs use various methods of training along with cutting edge technology while focusing on our Four Pillars: Mindset, Training, Performance and Recovery.”
As Director of Operations, Daimond is responsible for training and Alpha’s fitness programs. Regina, a GVSU grad with a business degree, runs the administrative and business side of the company. The couple met in Michigan and has been together for nearly 20 years.
“Going into business with my wife was great; she’s very smart,” said Daimond, who played more than a decade of minor league football for several Midwest teams. “She set up the entire business side. I know training, I know performance. I’ve done it for two-and-a-half decades.
“So, we came together and crafted out an ideal formula for how we can take the training and actually make it into a business.”
Daimond began his training career in 1995, and since then has worked with teams and individuals at every level from high school to the professionals. Today, Alpha collaborates with local businesses such as Athleta, Clean Juice and Xtreme Cryo.
Becoming a Preferred Sport Performance Training Partner means offering direct training to Midwest United Football Club members. Alpha has become the standard for how Midwest United trains its athletes, and Midwest’s teams will be coming to Alpha to train.
Athletes train in Alpha Human Performance’s open turf area. (Philip Janowski)
Midwest United, which began in 1990 under the moniker GRASA (Grand Rapids Area Soccer Association), was the first youth select soccer club in Grand Rapids. The initial registration was 60 players from around the area and it was from these humble beginnings that it has evolved into one of the Midwest’s top clubs.
Alpha’s 6,500 square foot facility includes several options and opportunities for training. A Full Strength area includes up-to-date strength training and conditioning equipment. The open turf area is dedicated to movement-based training and sports performance. Upstairs is the recovery lounge, providing the latest tools for rest from the rigors of training and performance.
Motivation and mindset are key parts of Alpha’s training. Alpha works with a journaling program called Win the Mental Game, a journal for athletes. Mindset involves building a competitive mindset, and being aware moment-by-moment during a game.
“It’s all about intrinsic motivation,” Daimond summarized. Alpha isn’t about traditional training where athletes are constantly given orders on what to do next. Athletes should be motivated to pursue better and better personal performance by their own energy.
Alpha Human Performance co-owner Daimond Dixon (lower right) trains athletes at his facility on 3233 Eastern Ave. (Philip Janowski)
Notable local athletes that Alpha has trained include NBA players Xavier Tillman of Michigan State and the Memphis Grizzlies, as well as Duane Washington Jr. of Ohio State and the Indiana Pacers. American Football player Mike Brown of the Minnesota Vikings has worked with Alpha, and in volleyball Aubrey O’Gorman of Michigan State.
Alpha offers programs for non-athletes as well, in Adult Performance Programs. Classes are similar to those that the pros follow, with an easier start, of course.
“It’s about human performance,” Daimond said. “Push, pull, rotate, squat, lunge. We train in things which every single person needs. Before you’re an athlete, you’re a human. We all do the same things.”
Daimond noted that he trained a lot of area trainers when they were kids.
“My wife says I should get a shirt that says ‘I trained your trainers’.”
For more information on Alpha, log on to alpha-hp.com
The City of Kentwood has announced its tentative road construction and maintenance schedule for the summer.
The $3.02 million reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance program – approved by the City Commission – includes improvements to approximately 30 miles of major and local roads. Work is expected to begin in June and be completed by the end of October.
Planned street reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance projects include:
Full reconstruction of Burton Street from East Paris Avenue to Patterson Avenue.
Full reconstruction of Jefferson Avenue from 44th Street to Montebello Street.
Other preventative street maintenance work throughout Kentwood, including routine street marking, crack sealing and patching.
Message boards on major streets will give drivers advance notice of when closures will begin.
“We’re grateful for the support of residents and local businesses as we work to improve and maintain this critical infrastructure,” Kentwood City Engineer Brad Boomstra said. “Quality roads are essential for public safety. Recognizing the disruption road construction can cause, crews will work hard to minimize impact on our community.”
The full reconstruction project on Burton Street will begin in July and include narrowing the existing roadway pavement for the construction of a new non-motorized trail on the north side of the street. In addition, the street will receive new concrete curb and gutter, new concrete driveway approaches and new asphalt pavement surface on the roadway.
City of Kentwood Summer Street Resurfacing and Rehabilitation Map.
For a majority of the project, Burton Street through traffic will be maintained in both directions. Eventually, eastbound traffic will be detoured from East Paris Avenue to Sparks Drive to Forest Hill Avenue and from East Paris Avenue to 28th Street to Patterson Avenue.
The Jefferson Avenue project will begin in June and include new concrete curb and gutter, new concrete sidewalks and driveway approaches, new asphalt pavement surface on the roadway, repairs to the storm sewer system and new watermain installation. During construction, Jefferson will remain open to residents and their visitors. While through traffic will be maintained with one lane, drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid traffic delays.
Property owners affected by the Burton, Jefferson and East Paris projects were informed by letter. Mail deliveries and trash pickups will not be disrupted.
Patching and crack sealing work will take place on several neighborhood streets in June to prepare them for cape sealing in August. Cape sealing is designed to create a smooth surface with increased durability. Cape seal projects take two non-consecutive days, with the cape seal treatment requiring up to a few hours to dry before being ready for traffic.
Homeowners in the neighborhoods where these projects will take place will be informed by letter. Residents are asked to drive slowly during the road work and follow the crew’s instructions for the best access to their homes. On-street parking will not be allowed during cape sealing.
Resurfacing of East Paris Avenue from 28th Street to 36th Street began in May. The Michigan Department of Transportation project includes new pavement. While there are intermittent lane closures, northbound traffic is being maintained throughout the project. Drivers traveling south are encouraged to seek an alternate route or follow the posted detour from 28th Street to Patterson Avenue to 36th Street. The work is scheduled to be completed in October.
The street reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance projects are funded through the Michigan Transportation Fund, which is supported by taxes on the sale of gasoline and diesel fuel as well as fees collected by the Secretary of State for vehicle registrations.
The City’s road maintenance decisions are made based on ratings from the annual Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system, or PASER, as well as other data. PASER provides a basis for comparing the quality of roadway segments and uses a 1-10 rating system for road pavement conditions based on visual inspections.
Kentwood maintains one of the highest-rated major street networks in Kent County, according to data compiled by the Grand Valley Metro Council that is based on PASER ratings.
Last year, the city invested in improvements to 30 miles of major and local roads. Major streets included in the 2021 reconstruction, resurfacing and maintenance program were:
Andover, Lyles, Heyboer, Blaine, Brinks and 51st streets.
32nd Street from Breton Avenue to Shaffer Avenue.
For more information, including amap of street resurfacing and repairs, visit kentwood.us/construction. Drivers can subscribe to be notified when construction updates are added to the City’s website and also receive updates via Facebook and Twitter.
After overcoming some obstacles this season, the East Kentwood varsity dance team rose to the top with many awards and honors.
Soon before their national championships in February in Orlando, the students learned their flight was overbooked and it was time for Plan B. With no other options, the team drove 18 hours to Florida to make it just in time for the semifinals and compete with the nation’s best teams in the 2022 Dance Team Union National Championship.
Both the jazz and hip hop teams reached the finals, and earned 15th and fourth place, respectively.
Coach Kat Albertson (far left) and her East Kentwood varsity dance team proudly show off their two trophies at the 2022 Dance Team Union National Championship in February in Orlando. (courtesy)
“It was a great feeling to be recognized among the best teams in the country,” said EK coach Kat Albertson, who coached the Falcons for four years and is now pursuing coaching at the collegiate level. “Luckily, this was the most hard-working and determined group of student-athletes I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching. They were all so eager to prove to themselves, and to their school, that not only is the dance team at East Kentwood one of the best in Michigan, but also that dance team is a sport.
“We had incredible success this past year due to the team’s hard work, dedication and the positive team culture we built together. We were undefeated in hip hop this year, won the grand champion award at every local competition (registered the highest scoring dance in the entire competition), and won two regional championships for the first time in program history.”
Albertson said her team captain, junior Saniya Harvey, is an “exceptional dancer and leader.”
Check out the dance team’s performance at the national championship by clicking here.
“We lost five incredible seniors in 2021 and only had five returning members for the new year,” continued Albertson, whose assistant coach was EK dance alum Brooklyn Smithers, a freshman at GVSU. “We were uncertain if we’d be able to have ample time to create a family-like bond with so many new members, get our technique where it needed to be, and to reach the level of excellence that our past teams had been able to do.
“It’s taken a really long time for us to get the recognition that we deserve, and I think that has truly been the most fulfilling thing that we’ve seen come out of this year.”
Shortly after his organization received a significant $2 million donation from Meijer on Tuesday, Kenneth Estelle called it a beyond-expectations commitment.
“The amount of the gift is amazing,” said Estelle, president and CEO of Feeding America West Michigan. “We are not an organization that typically gets a million dollar donation or gift, so having a $2 million gift from Meijer was more than amazing.
Feeding America West Michigan President and CEO Kenneth Estelle speaks at his organization’s advancement campaign event at its new facility Tuesday in Kentwood. (WKTV)
“It really showed that we have a significant partner that believes in what we’re doing and is willing to put some significant money where the belief is.”
The $6 million advancement campaign, Nourish Tomorrow, was developed to move the food bank’s headquarters and distribution center from Comstock Park to 3070 Shaffer Avenue, SE in Kentwood.
Challenges worsened by the pandemic, and a continuing effort to provide more equitable service in all its 40 counties, pushed the food bank’s current Comstock Park facility to operate beyond its capacity.
Ultimately, this facility will enable the food bank to nearly double its food distribution to nourish more Michigan residents.
“Meijer has supported our work for more than 30 years,” Estelle said. “They provide millions of pounds of food, donate semi-trucks and give generous financial gifts like this one.”
The campaign has raised $4.7 million over the last several months — 78 percent of its goal. To date, nearly 100 local donors, businesses and area foundations have supported the campaign, including the large gift from Meijer.
Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes speaks at a Feeding America West Michigan event Tuesday. (WKTV)
“We’ve been partners with Feeding America West Michigan for over 30 years, and you just see the impact and the need that’s in our community,” said Rick Keyes, president and CEO of Meijer. “The impact that they’re able to make is really incredible, so we look for partners like them. Hunger relief is at the core of some of the work we do in the community.”
Serving local families in need since 1981, Feeding America West Michigan reclaims millions of meals worth of safe, surplus food from various sources. With the help of countless volunteers, the food bank sorts, stores and distributes this food through a network of more than 700 partners to fill hundreds of thousands of neighbors’ plates instead of landfills.
The food bank’s service area consists of 40 of Michigan’s 83 counties from the Indiana border north through the Upper Peninsula. For more information, visit FeedWM.org or call 616-784-3250.
