By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma joanne@wktv.org Video by Anna Devarenne
Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo admits that or most people, when you mention “Beauty and the Beast,” they immediately think of the Disney version.
The junior company’s “Beauty and the Beast” production, which opens today, is actually based on the book.
“It is all your favorite characters and the same storyline, but just slightly different from the Disney version,” Mosolygo said.
Belle—a bright, beautiful young woman—is taken prisoner by a beast in its castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the beast’s hideous exterior, allowing her to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true prince that hides on the inside.
“We did ‘Beauty and the Beast’ about five years ago and I thought it would be an appropriate time to visit an old favorite story with a brand new cast and some updated costumes and scenery,” Mosolygo said.
The show is about an hour long, making it perfect for families with small and older children, Mosolygo said, adding that “besides opening night all productions are matinees so it is a great time for families to come.”
So the only evening production is tonight, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. All other showtimes are 2 p.m. March 16 , 17, 23, and 24. All performances are at the Ballet’s Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW. Tickets that are available are $18. For tickets, visit grballet.com or call 616-454-4771, ext. 10.
Connie Gall, whose fibromyalgia led to her early retirement, has found a new sense of purpose in the adoption and care of older dogs. She’s pictured here with her dog Prince. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
What do actor Morgan Freeman and Irish singer-songwriter Sinead O’Connor have in common with Connie Gall, a retired college financial aid officer?
All three suffer from fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder with debilitating effects.
Gall, 59, has lived with fibromyalgia since 1990. Just four months after having back surgery that year, she was in a car accident that gave her severe whiplash.
The whiplash triggered a series of symptoms: migraines, widespread joint and muscle pain, TMJ trouble, restless legs, burning and cold skin sensations, sleep problems, fatigue, tinnitus and polyneuropathy.
Although Gall’s symptoms began 28 years ago, it wasn’t until 2004 that a rheumatologist connected the dots and diagnosed her with fibromyalgia.
Joshua Brinks, NP, is a family nurse practitioner who works in the Spectrum Health Medical Group East Grand Rapids Family Medicine office and specializes in working with fibromyalgia patients. He and Gall, one of his patients, would like to shed some light on fibromyalgia and debunk some of the common myths associated with it.
Myth No. 1: Fibromyalgia isn’t real, it’s all in your head.
Fact—Fibromyalgia is a central nervous system pain processing disorder.
“It’s a chronic pain syndrome,” Brinks said. “We don’t know what causes it and we don’t have a cure. And so for patients to actually have a name (for their disorder) and to know that … it’s not in their head is very comforting or relieving to them.”
Gall agrees. When she finally found a doctor who “could put a name on what was going on with me, it made me feel validated … and it all started to make sense,” she said. “It’s (your) central nervous system playing games with you.”
In the last decade, more and more health care providers have accepted and acknowledged the reality of fibromyalgia, Brinks said.
“That’s a big step,” he said.
The next challenge is getting more people to understand it.
“It’s hard to explain to people it’s something that’s going on in your brain—that it’s your central nervous system that is controlling how you feel pain,” Gall said.
Myth No. 2: Health care providers diagnose fibromyalgia when they can’t find a “real” diagnosis.
Fact—There are defined diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia. If a patient meets these criteria and if other diseases are ruled out, the diagnosis is quite clear.
“I can diagnose it in a single visit,” Brinks said, giving two main diagnostic criteria:
Widespread pain above and below the waist on both sides of the body for three months or longer.
Eleven out of 18 classic tender points—again, above and below the waist on both sides of the body.
“There’s no blood test for it, although sometimes we do a blood test to rule out other things that can mimic it,” Brinks said.
Myth No. 3: If your muscles hurt so much, there must be something wrong with them.
Fact—The problem isn’t in the muscles themselves, but in the way the brain is interpreting signals.
“The fact is,” Brinks said, “they’ve done studies to look at the muscle fibers, they’ve looked at biopsies, pathology studies—they can’t find anything wrong here.”
So if you have fibromyalgia, you need to “retrain your brain into thinking that if (your) husband gives (you) a hug and that causes pain, it’s not actually causing harm to the tissue,” he said.
Myth No. 4: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that affects only women.
These statistics match the patient demographics Brinks sees in his practice.
Myth No. 5: Fibromyalgia is rare.
Fact—Experts estimate that more than 5 million adults in the United States have it.
“It’s actually one of the most common pain disorders,” Brinks said.
Myth No. 6: Fibromyalgia is hopelessly untreatable.
Fact—Although fibromyalgia has no cure, several treatments can be helpful. Patients respond best if they keep a positive attitude and try various treatments to find what works for them. Brinks mentioned several:
Education
This is where treatment should start for every patient, said Brinks, who spends extra time helping newly diagnosed patients understand what he knows about fibromyalgia.
Gall advises people to find out as much as they can about their illness and its symptoms.
“One of the things that helped me was to really learn about it,” Gall said. “I found reading about it, understanding what all these things are, it made them less scary.”
Maximize sleep
Almost all patients with fibromyalgia experience non-restorative sleep.
“We don’t necessarily know why, but … the quality of their sleep is not good, so they wake up feeling tired,” Brinks said. The result: intensified pain.
Brinks tries to help patients develop good sleep behaviors and patterns. He also looks for underlying sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and works to treat them.
Low-impact aerobic exercise
Using an elliptical machine, swimming, riding a bike, going for a fast-paced walk—any of these exercises can improve a patient’s sleep and mood, and they can also reduce pain. “Initially it makes your pain a little worse, but then it gets better with time,” Brinks said. Activities like yoga and tai chi can help, too.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Try a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, Brinks suggested. Working with a therapist or pain psychologist, some patients experience improvement through relaxation and breathing techniques or through guided imagery.
Drug therapy
Brinks often starts patients on a low dose of amitriptyline, which can help improve sleep and pain. He might also prescribe drugs that block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which can help improve a patient’s mood and reduce pain. Some patients also find that anticonvulsant medicines help reduce pain.
The medications’ effectiveness can vary from patient to patient. “Sometimes it’s just one drug, sometimes it’s a combination,” Brinks said.
But narcotics are not in the mix: “Research has shown over and over again that narcotics do not help fibromyalgia,” he said.
Address underlying mood disorders
Treating anxiety and depression, which often go hand in hand with fibromyalgia, can ease the burden of living with the disorder.
Well-balanced diet
Gall is a firm believer in eating right.
“I don’t know what shape I’d be in if I didn’t eat so well,” she said. “If you let that slide, it’s like a domino effect.”
Overall, attitude makes a big difference for people with fibromyalgia, she said.
“I love life. I think this is a pretty cool place to be, and if you’re always talking to the people you run into about the latest thing your doctor has told you to do, that means you’re concentrating on your condition,” she said.
“Except for those days when I’m screaming through those stabbing pains or curled up like a ball with a migraine for three days, I’m going to try to do the rest of life with a smile on my face,” she said.
Brinks said people who have good attitudes and a willingness to try new things will experience better outcomes.
Three P’s
One strategy Brinks recommends is the “three P’s” approach:
Prioritize—“If you have a day off work and you have 12 errands you want to run, you need to shorten that list,” Brinks said. “What are the things that are most important?” If you take on too much, the stress can impact your sleep and “all of that is like the perfect storm for fibromyalgia to flare up,” he said.
Plan—Based on your priorities, think about how you should approach your tasks and what’s reasonable to expect of yourself.
Pace yourself—If you have three errands to run, don’t try to do all of them in the first two hours. Space them out, Brinks said. Gall told of a day when she didn’t pace herself as she prepared the house for a family gathering. She ended up in so much pain, she could hardly enjoy the party.
Above all, Brinks said, don’t let pain rule your life. Recognize there will be good days and bad, and remind your brain that your pain is “not life threatening—it’s annoying and frustrating, but it’s not going to cause terminal illness,” he said.
Still, it may bring about major life changes. For Gall, the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia became so bad she eventually had to retire early from a job she loved.
Looking to fill the void, she and her husband began adopting older dogs from animal shelters, giving them a safe home in their later years. The sense of purpose this gives her is a tremendous help, Gall said.
After decades with fibromyalgia, she’s found the best strategy is to face it with grit and resolve.
“Even if I have to do life in pain every day, ranging from a pain level 3 to a pain level 10, I don’t get to go back and do it again,” she said, “so I’m going to try to be as good at it as I can.”
Depression and anxiety are both common and potentially serious health issues.
In fact, approximately 10 percent of us suffer from one of these disorders, with anxiety being more common in women than in men.
The symptoms of anxiety and depression can go away and come back throughout life if left untreated, and many people find it difficult to admit they have anxiety or depression, thinking there isn’t a cure for what they are experiencing. Fortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
A few months ago, a patient I’ll call Cindy came to see me for her annual visit. She started to talk about her life and how she was feeling down most of the time. She didn’t understand why she was feeling this way—everything seemed like it should be nearly perfect.
Cindy is married, has three great kids and a part-time job she enjoys. She also has a strong group of friends at church and her parents live nearby, so she really feels like she has a good life.
As I probed a bit further with questions, she admitted she had been feeling down for about three months and wondered if she would ever feel like her old self again.
Her kids are doing well, but they are becoming busier with sports, church and school. Of course, this meant that Cindy is becoming busier as well. Although she generally isn’t feeling stressed or anxious, she started noticing some changes in herself: doubting how well she could handle her busy life, losing interest in playing games with her kids, making excuses to avoid going out with friends, cooking less (something she once loved to do), losing interest in sex, and exercising less.
When I asked Cindy about her extended family, she said that her mom had suffered from depression during Cindy’s childhood, and she remembers her mom withdrawing and spending quite a bit of time in her bedroom.
Cindy felt that her mom didn’t really know her and was never supportive of anything she wanted to do. In fact, when Cindy wanted to join the cheer team in high school, her mom would not take her to practice, and never encouraged Cindy to practice on her own or exercise to stay in shape. In addition, her mom always seemed sad and unusually quiet, her dad worked long hours and was never home, and her brother kept to himself most of the time.
Cindy obviously didn’t have a perfect childhood. She once had big dreams of attending college, but those dreams never materialized. She hadn’t thought about her college dreams in a long time, but talking to me about her childhood stirred up some old memories.
On a positive note, Cindy doesn’t drink much alcohol, never smoked, and eats a fairly healthy diet. She also walks the dog around her neighborhood daily, but she didn’t follow an intense workout program. Although she feels OK with her weight, she admits that she would feel better if she lost a few pounds.
Cindy just wanted to know how she could feel better. I certainly understand Cindy’s frustrations, and I was anxious to figure out why she was feeling this way and help her develop a plan to move forward.
I talked with her about anxiety and depression. We first looked at common risk factors of both: genetics (family history), low self esteem, prior traumatic events, abuse or neglect, substance abuse and early onset of anxiety and depression.
Cindy obviously had at least one of these factors in her life. We also talked about other reasons people struggle with these issues.
Anxiety and depression can be related to life events (past and present), but they can also be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. The analogy I use to explain our brain chemistry goes something like this: brain chemicals are like money in the bank—we only have so much to spend before we run out. We make brain chemicals when we sleep, and genetically (linked to many genes), some of us make more than others. We spend brain chemical on life events, which can cause our supply to get low.
For Cindy, life events (busy kids, busy husband, busy household) were causing her to use her supply of brain chemicals. She also had unresolved issues come to the surface: her kids getting to do things she never did in her childhood, her husband working long hours (just like her dad did), and thinking more about her earlier dreams of college. Add to all of this a little weight gain, and you can imagine the stress Cindy felt.
When we have unresolved issues on our minds (like Cindy did), they cost brain chemicals. Sometimes we may not even be aware of some of the things that are floating around in our head. So, when our friends ask us out for coffee or it is time to make dinner, we don’t have enough brain chemicals to propel us forward. We slowly start to shut down, and life starts to pass us by. Depression can set in and affect not only ourselves, but our family, friends and co-workers as well.
There are several common symptoms of depression that you can look out for, including feeling down most days, losing interest in usual things, sleeping too much or not enough, losing or gaining weight, feeling unable to concentrate or think clearly, and thinking you are not good enough.
If depression is left untreated, other issues can arise, such as anxiety, diabetes, heart disease and thyroid disease.
In order to help Cindy, I first ordered some lab work, which included her blood count, thyroid levels, body chemistry function, vitamin levels, and sugar levels. All came back normal. My hope was that we could work together to treat her symptoms.
Cindy felt a sense of relief just getting her worries off her chest, and she became hopeful when I told her she wasn’t crazy. Her experiences are normal, common and treatable.
I first recommended that she see a therapist who practiced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help her sort out issues from her past. I also suggested more exercise in her daily routine, even if it is in small amounts (like 10,000 steps per day).
And, finally, I recommended a short-term course of medicine from a group called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). These drugs increase the brain chemical levels so there is “more money in the bank” to help people like Cindy get back on track and stop the downward spiral.
Cindy came to see me two months later, and she felt much more like herself again—hooray!
She had seen her therapist several times and had started a very low dose of the medication. She also developed a meal and exercise plan that worked well. Her kids and husband had noticed, and commented that they had missed having fun with her and were happy to have her back.
Cindy started to think about her part-time job and maybe quitting so she could go back to school. She had coffee with a friend and realized how good it felt to stay connected and laugh again.
I have no doubt that Cindy will be fine, but she will always have to be aware of her feelings, or even ask a friend to check in with her if she notices any new symptoms Cindy might be displaying. Cindy will inevitably experience stressful events in her future (we all will), so she will always be at risk for starting a downward spiral at some point.
However, with treatment and awareness, she should live a happy, connected and fulfilled life.
WKTV will begin broadcast coverage of Michigan Golden Gloves this weekend. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Wyoming and Kentwood area still has basketball teams playing in the state tournament this week, but due to MHSAA rules our Featured Game Coverage team’s high school sports winter season has ended. (Check WKTVjournal.org/sports for online/print updates, however.)
But our coverage truck and crew will not be idle — It’s Golden Gloves Boxing time!
WKTV has been covering the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament for more than 25 years. Again this year, we will be at the Grand Rapids DeltaPlex Saturday, March 16, for the West Michigan Preliminaries, with replays of the bouts on our cable channels on Sunday, March 17, at noon, and Wednesday, March 20, at 5 p.m. We will continue coverage through the State Finals in April.
The Deltaplex Arena is located at 2500 Turner Ave NW, Grand Rapids.
The tentative coverage days/times and replay plan includes:
West Michigan Preliminaries, Saturday, March 16; airing Sunday, March 17, at noon, and Wednesday, March 20, at 5 p.m.
West Michigan Semi-Finals, Thursday, March 21; airing Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, March 27, at 5 p.m.
West Michigan Finals, Saturday, March 30; airing Sunday, March 31, at noon, and Wednesday, April 3, at 5 p.m.
State Semi-Finals, Friday, April 12; airing Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, April 17, at 5 p.m.
State Finals, Saturday, April 13; airing Sunday, April 14, at noon, and Wednesday, April 24, at 5 p.m.
Catch all the action on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse 99 with a tape delayed airing of each evening’s bouts on the following day. For future broadcast schedule, check out our on-air schedule.
All bouts will also be available on-demand at WKTVondemand.com , but not immediately after the event.
Senior Sailor Sydney Cleary will be on the court tonight as South Christian seeks a Regional title. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Girls basketball regional tournament update
South Christian in regional action at Coopersville
South Christian High School (now 15-9), after won its opening-round game Regional 11 tournament at Coopersville on Monday by defeating the host Coopersville, 52-50, finished their Regional title with an 48-42 win over Muskegon Oakridge (21-4 to end the season) on Wednesday, March 13.
The Sailors will now move on to a Division 2 quarterfinal game, a neutral site game scheduled for Portage Northern High School on Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. Waiting of them will be undefeated, 24-0, Hamilton. The winner will then move on the MHSAA state girls basketball Division 3 semifinals, to be held at Van Noord Arena, Calvin College, on Friday, March 22.
South Christian High School (now 14-9) won its opening-round game Regional 11 tournament at Coopersville on Monday, March 11, when the Sailors defeated the host Coopersville (16-8 after loss) by the score of 52-50. The finals of the regional is set for Wednesday, March 13, at 6 p.m., when the Sailors will battle Muskegon Oakridge (21-3), with the winner moving on to a Division 2 quarterfinal game.
Tri-unity Christian wins Division 4 state quarterfinal game, advances
Tri-unity Christian (now 22-3), on Tuesday, March 12, defeated Bellevue (24-2 after the loss), 62-31, in the MHSAA state Division 4 quarterfinals, a neutral-site game played at Charlotte High School.
In the game, the Defenders were led by 18 points from senior forward Bennett Sinner, including four 3-pointers, while senior guard Brayden Ophoff scored 12, freshman guard Brady Titus had 11, and senior center Elijah Badgero added nine. A key stat of the game was that Tri-unity had 13 steals in the game, including four by Titus.
“We got after them with our defense right away,” Tri-unity head coach Mark Keeler said to WKTV. “We were just too quick for them and caused a lot of turnovers … We didn’t allow them to get into the game.”
Tri-unity Christian now moves on to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University for the state semifinals on Thursday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., and, possibly, the finals on Saturday, March 16 at 10 a.m.
East Kentwood High School’s 2018-19 team. (Supplied/East Kentwood Falcons)
By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
The East Kentwood Falcons and record-setting coach Jeff Anama’s basketball season came to an end Tuesday night at Caledonia High School, losing to Okemos, 50-45. And while their march toward MSU and the state championship game Saturday may have hit a road block, this team accomplished something that hadn’t been done by a boys basketball team from East Kentwood since 1998 — advancing to the quarterfinals.
The Falcons’ tournament run didn’t come easy as they survived three district games by a total of 11 points to advance to regionals.
The difference between winning and losing was just as small in the regional round when the Falcons won two games by a total of seven points. Three of their post season wins were against teams the Falcons had lost to on four occasions during the regular season.
“The guys never lost faith in each other and were better prepared for the rematch,” coach Anama said to WKTV. “When a team wins a couple of tough games, things can start rolling.”
Anama passed former East Kentwood coach Mickey Phelps in all-time coaching wins at the school with the regional championship win, which was his 220th.
Their final game of the season was a continuation of tight games as the largest lead by either team was seven points.
Okemos led 20-13 early in the second quarter, but East Kentwood came back with 14 straight to take a 27-20 lead early in the third quarter. Okemos, though, came back with 14 straight points of their own at the end of that quarter and to start the fourth to take a 44-37 lead.
The first quarter had both teams trading baskets as neither team had more than a two-point lead until just before the buzzer when Okemos leading scorer Evan Thomas hit a 3-pointer and was fouled by East Kentwood’s Josh Mayhue. After he converted the 4-point play, Okemos led 17-13 to close the quarter. Evans led all scorers with 10 points.
The second quarter was a very quiet stanza where the Falcons were able to take the lead at the half 22-20. Thomas had the only Okemos’ points as he connected on a 3-pointer in the first 20 seconds, but soon after picked up his second personal foul and had to sit for over half of the quarter. The Falcons were able to take advantage as they went on their run which included triples from Christopher Brown and Ryel Daye. Daye led the way with 10 points at the break.
It seemed like the Falcons were ready to take control early in the second half after five consecutive points from Daye, but the Chiefs were quick to respond with a pair of buckets, and a made foul shot in between, all by Grant Holtzer, and another triple by Evans. But East Kentwood held a 37-34 lead heading into the decisive fourth quarter.
However, the Falcons then hurt their cause by committing six of their unofficial 12 turnovers in that final quarter alone.
“The difference tonight was they won the fourth quarter as we didn’t finish strong, and they made free throws,” Anama said.
The Falcons totaled eight points in the fourth, but gave up 16 to close out the game and their season. Okemos guard Fabian Leone came alive with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Evans hit four key free throws late to put the final score out of reach.
The Falcons finish 16-10 on the season and were led by senior Daye with 19, junior Ja’moni Jones with nine, senior Brown with seven, and junior Jordan Jackson with six.
Okemos, now with a 23-2 record, was led by Evans with a game high 22 points, Leone with 10, and Holtzer with nine. The Chiefs will now face 24-2 Detroit U-D Jesuit in the Division 1 semifinals at MSU Friday, March 15.
“Bodies Revealed” will allow people to learn about their own bodies. (Premier Exhibitions, Inc.)
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that after nearly a decade, the exhibition Bodies Revealed will return to the Museum this November. The exhibition features real, whole and partial body specimens that have been preserved through an innovative process, giving visitors the opportunity to view the complexity of their own organs and systems like never before.
Opening November 16, 2019, Bodies Revealed will allow people to learn about their own bodies and, ultimately, teach how to take better care of one’s own health and make positive lifestyle choices. In this phenomenal exhibition about the amazing and complex machine we call the human body, more than a dozen full body human specimens and hundreds of organs are respectfully displayed to tell the story of the miraculous systems at work within each of us. With a reverent, academic approach, this display allows people of all ages to more closely observe the skeletal, muscular, nervous, digestive, respiratory, reproductive and circulatory systems, and to absorb information normally reserved only for medical professionals.
The blood vessels in a hand. (Premier Exhibitions, Inc.)
“Bodies Revealed is an incredible learning opportunity that will enlighten, empower, fascinate and inspire curiosity in Museum visitors,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “It is rare to get such an in-depth educational and professional look at our amazing bodies and the complicated way they work – this exhibition gives us this opportunity. We are thrilled to bring this exhibition back to West Michigan.”
Many of the whole body specimens are presented in vivid athletic poses that allow visitors to better understand their own everyday motions and activities, while other specimens illustrate the damage that can be caused to organs by habits like over-eating, lack of exercise and smoking.
The human body specimens in the exhibition are preserved through a technique called polymer preservation. The process permanently preserves human tissue through the use of liquid silicone rubber that is treated and hardened. The result is a rubberized specimen, preserved to the cellular level, showcasing the complexity of the body’s many bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and organs.
“The educational impact of this exhibition is immeasurable,” said Roy Glover, Ph.D., professor emeritus of anatomy and cell biology at the University of Michigan and chief medical director for Bodies Revealed.
Bodies Revealed will open at the GRPM on November 16, 2019. Tickets will go on sale Fall of 2019. Bodies Revealed is brought to the GRPM by Premier Exhibitions, Inc.
Bodies Revealed is sponsored by David & Carol Van Andel Family Foundation, Bank of America, Meijer, The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation, Lacks Enterprises, Inc., Williams Kitchen & Bath, Media Place Partners, AMR of West Michigan and Hope Network Foundation.
WKTV will be featuring the launch of the Expedition 59-60/Soyuz MS-12 Spacecraft to the International Space Station on WKTV Government 26 channel.
NASA astronaut Christian Koch, cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague. (NASA)
The launch is set for 3:41 p.m. Thursday, March 14. Coverage will begin at 2 p.m. Coverage will continue at 10:30 p.m. for the Hatch Opening and Welcoming Ceremony. The hatch is scheduled to open at around 11:10 p.m.
NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch, and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin are set to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a six-hour journey to the International Space Station.
Koch, who was born in Michigan, and astronaut Anne McClain will be part of a the first all-female spacewalk set for March 29 with complete coverage on WKTV. Canadian Space Agency flight controller Kristen Facial will be supporting McClain and Koch on the console at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The spacewalk is part of three planned spacewalks during Expedition 59 to upgrade batteries on the International Space Station.
For more information on NASA TV or the International Space Station, log on to www.nasa.gov.
NASA TV can be seen on the WKTV 26 Government Channel on Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.
Michigan is home to more lighthouses than any other state and some 30 of those are rumored to be haunted by the spirits of former keepers, mariners, and others with ties to these historic beacons.
Inside the pages of “Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses,” long-time writer and promoter of all things Michigan, Dianna Stampfler, shares stories of those who dedicated their lives—and afterlives—to protecting the Great Lakes shoreline. The 144-page book, part of The History Press “Haunted America” series, is now available for purchase online at MiHauntedLighthouses.com for $19.99 (plus shipping/handling and tax). All copies purchased from the author are autographed and/or personalized.
“I have been researching, writing and presenting programs about Michigan’s lighthouses and their keepers for more than 20 years,” says Stampfler, who launched her company Promote Michigan in 2004 after serving for seven years as the marketing and media director with the West Michigan Tourist Association.
“I am honored that The History Press contacted me asking if I was interested in writing a book for them. I know many of these stories intimately, but I’ve been digging in even more to find photos, historical records, newspaper clippings and other details that shed light on the history of these beacons. I have even uncovered some facts that contradict what I previously believed about some of the keepers, which is exciting to me and hopefully to my readers.”
Throughout the year, Stampfler will present several public programs at libraries around the state where she will share these spirited stories – including the premiere date on Friday, March 22 at the Historical Society of Michigan’s Local History Conference in Sterling Heights. For the schedule of upcoming events, or to book a program, visit the Promote MichiganSpeaker’s Bureau online.
Stampfler has been professionally writing and broadcasting since high school. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in Community Journalism and Communications with an emphasis in radio broadcasting from Western Michigan University. She is a member of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, Great Lakes Maritime Museum, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, Historical Society of Michigan, Michigan Maritime Museum, National Museum of the Great Lakes and West Michigan Tourist Association. Stampfler was born and raised in Plainwell but currently lives in Walloon Lake, where she welcomes visits from her two adult children, her family, and friends.
Each week WKTV features an adoptable pet—or few—from an area shelter. This week’s beauty is from Crash’s Landing. Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary rescue organizations were founded by Jennifer Denyes, DVM (Dr. Jen), who is on staff at Clyde Park Veterinary Clinic (4245 Clyde Park Ave SW).
In late January of 2019, Dr. Jen received an email from concerned cat lovers in Olivet who had befriended a very adorable, outgoing — albeit intact — male who showed up several weeks before. He had taken to hanging out on their back porch, meowing at them through the window, so they put food out for him (and an opossum buddy it seems), and he repaid their kindness by purring, head-butting and rubbing up against the husband and wife.
They took to the Charlotte Facebook pages to see if anyone had lost this orange kitty, but the only replies received were that people had seen him around as he had spent the summer at the Sherwood Forest campgrounds begging for handouts. As the weather turned colder, they made him a house on their porch and set him up with heated dishes, but when it dipped dangerously below zero, they were compelled to take him indoors.
Sadly, once he was let back out, he got into a huge fight with another feral in the area; then only a few days later, a dog attacked him; he wasn’t eating well and was looking rough, so they took him in to their vet for treatment—and discovered he was FIV+. Not having the room or cash flow for a fourth cat, and not wanting to entertain the morbid thought of having him euthanized as recommended, they reached out to us for assistance.
Since he was such a gentle cat who wasn’t phased in the least by the presence of the household kitties, even when being hissed at, they felt he deserved every chance at finding himself an indoor home that could better accommodate him. In the meantime, they boarded him at the vet’s office until they could make the trip over to us (the weather simply wasn’t obliging). On Feb. 4th, we eagerly opened our doors to the 3-1/2 year old (born in the summer of 2015), a striking, sturdy hunk aptly named Sherwood.
As is customary, Dr. Jen always does her own medical work-up when a cat enters into our program at either shelter, so she set to work on treating a multitude of issues: a bilateral ear infection with a deep left pinna laceration; an abraded and infected scrotal sac (ouchie!) that made neutering a bit of a challenge; there were small, scabby chin wounds; his upper right canine tooth had also been fractured but didn’t need extracting, thankfully.
Sherwood is still a bit shy, but he’ll warm up once he has a home of his own
By the next morning, he was feeling lots better and Dr. Jen felt he was ready to head on down to our sanctuary to start living the cushy life at the hands of our volunteers who were ready to spoil him. Initially, this 13-pound fella was quite shy, preferring to spend most of his time in one of our cozy cat cubbies, only venturing out primarily at night when the shelter was quiet and calm. But he is starting to settle in nicely and is exploring more readily. His favorite pastime, besides eating, is chilling on one of our many windowsills watching the birds come to the feeders, though he also is quite fond of being spoken softly to and is very accepting of head scratches.
He isn’t quite sure of being picked up yet, and when he gets to feeling overwhelmed by too much commotion, he will hiss and retreat to one of his safe places. We all collectively feel that he would do well in a home with another cat, though it isn’t mandatory, but that small kids would be too much for him. We also think that in time he will become an avid fan of lap lounging, though now he is perfectly content to hunker down here with us where it is safe, warm and canned food flows freely.
Ultimately, Sherwood sure would love to find himself a home of his own, but he is a happy lil’ indoor camper currently loving this new life of his!
More about Sherwood:
Large
Domestic Short Hair — Orange & White
Adult
Male
House-trained
Vaccinations up to date
Neutered
Not declawed
Good in a home with other cats
Prefers a home without children
Want to adopt Sherwood? Learn about the adoption process here. Fill out a pre-adoption form here.
Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Find out how you can sponsor a cat!
Crash’s Landing and Big Sid’s Sanctuary have a common mission: To
take at-risk stray cats off the streets of the Greater Grand Rapids
area, provide them with veterinary care and house them in free-roaming,
no-kill facilities until dedicated, loving, permanent homes can be
found.
Moooove over, Bessie. Cow’s milk has lots of competition.
You can fill your glass with a milk-like beverage made from hemp, coconut, cashews, macadamia nuts, oats, peas, flax, sunflower seeds or quinoa.
And the longtime favorites―soy, rice and almond milks―occupy more and more space on store shelves.
In the past few decades, the growth in milk alternatives has cut into Americans’ dairy milk consumption. Cow’s milk sales have dropped to half the level of the 1980s, according to the Dairy Reporter. Meanwhile, the milk alternatives market is expected to double by 2019.
With more options popping up, picking the right milk to pour on your cereal can be a bit overwhelming for consumers.
Making that choice depends on an individual’s health needs―and taste preference, says Kristi Veltkamp, MS, RD, a dietitian at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital.
“If you have allergies, that’s obviously a big driving force,” she says.
For those allergic to cow’s milk, nuts or soy, the growing alternatives market offers some welcome options.
Aside from allergies, nutritional goals should guide your choice, she says.
From the cow
When it comes to nutrition, the old standby rules.
“Cow’s milk by far has the most nutrition in it,” Veltkamp says. “It has protein in it. It has carbohydrates. It has fats. It has a good combination of all three macronutrients. …It’s also a good source of calcium. It has phosphorus and potassium.”
Nutritional guidelines call for whole milk for children from ages 1 to 2. Veltkamp recommends organic milk, free of growth hormones.
Consumers also should consider pastured or grass-fed cow’s milks, she adds, because in consuming an animal product, “you eat what it eats.”
Once children turn 2, they generally can switch to a lower fat milk.
Although adults have long been advised to drink low-fat milk to limit calorie and fat consumption, Veltkamp says recent research casts doubt on that practice. A 2016 study in the journal Circulation, for example, found people who consumed full-fat milk and dairy products had lower diabetes rates.
Sugars and protein
People opt for an alternative to cow’s milk for a variety of reasons―they may be lactose intolerant, allergic to milk or following a plant-based diet.
Typically, the plant-based alternatives are created by blending up the main ingredient with water and straining out the pieces.
“Then, they add a thickener. Otherwise, it would be very watery,” Veltkamp says, “Then they add vitamins. Essentially, it’s flavored water.”
Many plant-based milks “are a nice low-calorie option if you are trying to watch your calories or your carbs,” Veltkamp says.
But stick with an unsweetened version, she advises. The flavored versions of popular drinks, like soy and almond milk, can deliver more sugar and calories than cow’s milk.
And remember to check the nutrition facts. Rice milks typically are relatively high in carbs.
Milk produced by cows does contain lactose, a naturally occurring sugar. But that differs from the sugar added to sweetened milk alternatives.
“It is processed differently in the body,” Veltkamp says.
Most of the alternatives have little protein―just a gram or 2 per serving. For those looking for a higher protein content, soy milk and pea milk are good alternatives. They contain 7 or 8 grams of protein in a cup.
Calcium and cooking
Most of the plant-based milks are calcium fortified and deliver 30 to 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance for adults.
If lactose intolerance poses a problem, consumers can buy lactose-free milk.
“They add an enzyme called lactase, and it breaks down the lactose in milk,” Veltkamp says. “It’s kind of like it’s predigested.”
Despite the thinner consistency, Veltkamp says milk alternatives work well in recipes.
“I use almond milk in any recipe that calls for milk, and I don’t have any issues,” she says.
Lucia Rios was born with spina bifida but also with a family who urged her to try to do anything she wanted to. That included trying roller-skating on crutches and attending university in an era when the U.S. was still working to become handicap-accessible. She joins colleague Stacey Trowbridge to talk about stigmas, accommodation, and common-sense tips around disability.
TEAM 21 group leader Jocelyn Medina gives the afternoon agenda to students in her after-school program, speaking exclusively in Spanish. (Supplied)
By Bridie Bereza School News Network
Jocelyn Medina has been a group leader for the TEAM 21 after-school program at the district’s Early Childhood Center for three years.
Since the beginning of February, her job looks the same as it always has – leading games in the gym, passing out snacks and nurturing young students after dismissal. But it sounds different; Medina, who is bilingual, is leading a group of about 17 first- and second-graders exclusively in Spanish.
“It’s been fun,” she said. “It is a little difficult sometimes, because they’re all at different levels in their Spanish. Some are very fluent and have no problem whatsoever; they can have conversations for days. Some of them can’t, and they get frustrated.”
Jocelyn Medina helps first-grader Karla Farias-Gutierrez, one of around a dozen students who attended TEAM 21’s Spanish-speaking program last week, after dismissal at the Early Childhood Center. (Supplied)
Immersed and Improving
The effort is part of a new program the district has implemented to improve Spanish for “heritage learners:” those students who have been exposed from an early age to Spanish at home and who can understand and speak it to varying degrees.
Carol Lautenbach is assistant superintendent of teaching and learning design for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools. She said that the idea for the program came from research the district did on dual immersion language programs. A district team studied and supported the idea of dual immersion in the classroom, she said, but didn’t think it was sustainable given the number of bilingual teachers available.
With a grant from the Steelcase Foundation and robust support from TEAM 21 leadership, the Spanish-language after-school program was born. Medina and teacher Katie Van Haven helped design the program with Lautenbach. The district held an informational meeting for Spanish-speaking parents of children who attend TEAM 21 after school, and parents of 17 students opted in.
First-grader Edwin Chavez is one of those students.
“I know more English than Spanish,” he said. “I need to learn some knowledge about Spanish because I’m not really used to it. Numbers like 75… I’m not used to saying those things in Spanish.”
Edwin said using Spanish at TEAM 21 already has helped him understand and speak more Spanish at home.
Arielly Sanchez is excited to improve her Spanish skills, and hopes it will help her communicate with friends and family who speak Spanish. (Supplied)
Second-grader Arielly Sanchez, who says she is “in the middle” in terms of her Spanish proficiency, agreed.
“I think it’s kind of good, so I can learn more Spanish for when I go to Mexico,” she said.
Measuring Success
Lautenbach said other desired outcomes of the program are the same as those of the English-language TEAM 21: improved math and reading skills and exposure to new experiences.
“It should be a very interesting way to see if instructing and enriching in Spanish leads to growth in all of the 6Cs of our learner profile,” said Lautenbach, referring to an educational approach adopted by the district that emphasizes collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creative innovation, confidence and content.
Edwin Chavez says that TEAM 21’s Spanish-only after-school program has improved his understanding of the Spanish he hears at home. (Supplied)
Medina, who grew up in a bilingual household and graduated from Lee High School, said she has definitely seen improvement from the first few days of the program, when she noticed some confusion and frustration from certain students.
“Most of them still can’t speak it fluently, but they understand it,” she said. “At the end of the day, I know that they’re learning more and they’re comprehending more, so it’s been exciting to see that growth.”
Brittani Stickler, TEAM 21 site coordinator at the school, said many parents have expressed appreciation for the option. Stickler said she knew of parents who had planned to send their children to visit with family in Mexico to improve their Spanish, and now they may not have to do that.
“They’re hopeful,” Stickler said. “We only started at the beginning of February for this particular program, but we’ll be watching the data to see how everyone does.”
For more articles on area schools, visit the School News Network at schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian head coach Mark Keeler with his team at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian head coach Mark Keeler, having coached the Defenders for 32 seasons and just two wins away from 600 at the school, has had a lot of great teams over the years, state champions included.
So he does not make “comparisons,” he told WKTV at a light team practice on the eve of their MHSAA state Division 4 quarterfinal game Tuesday, March 12. But he does see a a big similarity between this season’s 21-3 team and his great teams of the past.
“I think they demonstrate the grit that it takes. That is what I like,” Keeler said. “They are not going to back down from anybody. I am not worried about them being intimidated by anybody.
“Now I might be a little worried about them being intimidated by being at the Breslin (Center, at Michigan State University, where the Final Four is held), looking around there. But they are not going to be intimated by the other team.”
And the Defenders are only one game away from seeing the Breslin Center.
After two district wins over Byron Center Zion Christian and Martin, Tri-unity, last week, defeated Marcellus Howardsville (68-56) and then Muskegon Heights Academy (62-53), in the Division 3 Region 29 tournament at Mendon to reach the quarterfinals, a neutral-site game to be played at Charlotte High School on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m.
The Defenders’ opponent will be Bellevue (24-1, and winner of the Southern Central Athletic Association). The winner will move on to the Breslin Center for the state semifinals on Thursday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., and, possibly, the finals on Saturday, March 16 at 10 a.m.
The Defenders are no strangers to this level of competition, having reached the Final Four eight times since 2000, with three state titles, in 2002, 2006 and 2011.
The Wyoming Tri-unity Christian team at practice. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
This year’s Defender team is captained by senior forward Bennett Sinner and senior guard Brayden Ophoff, with the other usual starters being 6-foot-4 senior center Elijah Badgero, senior guard Benson Heath and freshman guard Brady Titus. The top reserves include junior swingman Kurt Flynn, junior guard Ethan Rosendall, junior forward Dan Wierenga and junior guard Colin DeKlyen.
The leading regular season scorers for Tri-unity were Sinner at 12.4 points-per-game, with Titus averaging 12.0, Ophoff averaging 11.5 and Badgero at 8.1. Defensively, the team got a lot of steals, with 76 for Sinner, 59 for Ophoff and 34 for Titus. Badgero leads the team in blocks with 18.
“We don’t have a lot of height, but we have a lot of quickness,” Keeler said. “The key is we play really good defense.”
Other players on the Tri-unity postseason roster include: sophomore forward Derek Rowlader, junior forward Jayce Kaman, junior guard James Eerdmans, junior forward Ethan Knoth, junior guard Isaiah DeKlyen and sophomore center Austin Treece.
“Eating good food is, too me, one of life's favorite joys, and I will never punish myself for it.”
― Miriam Shor
A scene from a previous Taste of Kentwood. (WKTV)
Taste of Kentwood this week
The community is invited to explore a smorgasbord of local cuisine during the 18th annual Taste of Kentwood event on Thursday, March 14. Held at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, a variety of local restaurants will offer food and desserts during two sessions: one from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and another from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For the complete story, visit here.
Kent County Land for planned Sustainable Business Park, aerial shot that includes the property adjacent to the landfill, with the landfill in the background. (Supplied/Kent County)
Plans developing on business park
The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) and The Right Place, Inc. have announced a multi-year strategic partnership for the planning and development of the Kent County Sustainable Business Park. In October 2018, the Kent County Board of Public Works (BPW) approved the Sustainable Business Park Master Plan for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center. For the complete story, visit here.
Dr. John Mulder. (Supplied)
Local doctor earns national honor
Holland Home recently announce that John Mulder, MD, has been recognized by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) with the 2019 Project on Death In America (PDIA) Palliative Medicine Community Leadership Award. Dr. Mulder is Medical Director of the Trillium Institute, an affiliate of Holland Home. For the complete story, visit here.
Fun fact:
0.0173 percent
Today only 0.0173% of Americans live to 100. The population of the United States in 2010 Census was approximately 309 million. (Source)
East Kentwood High School’s 2018-19 team. (Supplied/East Kentwood Falcons)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
After finishing the regular season with a four-game losing streak which dropped their season record to 11-9 and left them tied for third in the OK-Conference Red at 6-6, the East Kentwood High School boys basketball team has become the classic “survive and advance” tournament team this season.
After winning three tough games in the district tournament, then grinding out two two very tough wins in the Division 1 Regional 3 tournament at Holland West Ottawa last week — defeating Muskegon, 68-62, and then Hudsonville, 61-60 — the Falcons (now 16-9 on the season) will play in the MHSAA state Division 1 quarterfinals, a neutral-site game to be played at Caledonia High School Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m.
Incidentally, the regional final win over Hudsonville gave East Kentwood head coach Jeff Anama 220 wins as the team’s head coach, passing Mickey Phelps in the program’s record books.
East Kentwood’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be Okemos (22-2, and winner of the Capital Area Activities Conference-Blue), with the winner moving on to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University for the state semifinals on Friday, March 15, at 2 p.m., and, possibly, the finals on Saturday, March 16 at 12:15 p.m.
This will be the Falcons first quarterfinal appearance since 1998 and the first time they have advanced past district play in eight years.
East Kentwood’s playoff tournament run is all the more impressive, as head coach Jeff Anama pointed out in supplied information to WKTV, because “We have beaten three teams on our run that we lost to during the regular season … East Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Hudsonville — twice.”
The Falcon team is captained by senior guard Ryel Daye and 6-foot-4 senior forward Chris Brown, as well as junior guard Ja’moni Jones — who is the team’s leading scorer, with about 22-points-per-game in the regular season. The other routine starters for East Kentwood are 6-3 junior forward Jordan Jackson and 6-5 junior center Urim Sahitolli. The top reserves are 6-1 sophomore center Drapher Cribbs and junior guard Adonis Vashon.
While Jones has been the most consistent scorer for East Kentwood, coach Anama pointed out in supplied information that “four players have scored over 20 points in a game this year” — Jones, Daye, Brown and Jackson, while Sahitolli had a season high of 15 points.
Other players on the Falcons postseason roster include: sophomore guard Kellan Roelofs, sophomore guard Josh Mayhue, sophomore guard Kamarion Harris, junior forward Anthony Brown, junior guard Prince Shema, sophomore Jacari Barnes and junior forward Sean-Anthony Diggs.
Three local boys high school teams, including South Christian, are in the quarterfinals of the their state basketball tournaments/ (WKTV/Drew Dargavell)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Boys basketball quarterfinal tournament update
East Kentwood in Division 1 state quarterfinals
East Kentwood (now 16-9 on the season), last week, defeated both Muskegon (68-62) and then Hudsonville (61-60) in the Division 1 Regional 3 tournament at Holland West Ottawa to reach the MHSAA state Division 1 quarterfinals, a neutral-site game to be played at Caledonia High School Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. The Falcons’ opponent will be Okemos (22-2, and winner of the Capital Area Activities Conference-Blue). The winner will move on to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University for the state semifinals on Friday, March 15, at 2 p.m., and, possibly, the finals on Saturday, March 16 at 12:15 p.m.
South Christian (now 22-3), last week, defeated Coopersville (62-35) and then Grand Rapids Catholic Central (64-62) in the Division 2 Regional 11 tournament at Fremont to reach the MHSAA state Division 2 quarterfinals, a neutral-site game to be played at Calvin College Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. The Sailors’ opponent will be Hudsonville Unity Christian (22-3, and winner of the OK Conference-Green). The winner will move on to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University for the state semifinals on Friday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m., and, possibly, the finals on Saturday, March 16 at 6:45 p.m.
Tri-unity Christian in Division 4 state quarterfinals
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (21-3), last week, defeated Marcellus Howardsville (68-56) and then Muskegon Heights Academy (62-53), in the Division 3 Region 29 tournament at Mendon to reach the MHSAA state Division 4 quarterfinals, a neutral-site game to be played at Charlotte High School on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. The Defenders’ opponent will be Bellevue (24-1, and winner of the Southern Central Athletic Association). The winner will move on to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University for the state semifinals on Thursday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., and, possibly, the finals on Saturday, March 16 at 10 a.m.
South Christian in Regional action at Coopersville
South Christian High School (now 14-9) won the Division 2 District 44 tournament at Grand Rapids Christian last week by defeating Godwin Heights to earn a spot in Regional 11 tournament at Coopersville this week. On Monday, March 11, the Sailors defeated the host Coopersville (16-8 after loss) by the score of 52-50, to advance to the regional tournament final, set for Wednesday, March 13, at 6 p.m. South Christian’s opponent will be Muskegon Oakridge (21-3), with the winner moving on to a Division 2 quarterfinal game.
East Kentwood High School won the Division 1 District 11 tournament at East Grand Rapids last week by defeating the host East Grand Rapids to earn a spot in the Regional 3 tournament at Grand Haven this week. On Monday, March 11, the Falcons (now 18-5) lost in the regional opening round to Muskegon, 67-46.
The South Christian High School boys basketball team celebrate one of their early tournament game wins. (WKTV/Drew Dargavell)
By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern ken@wktv.org
South Christian’s boys basketball team seems to be unstoppable right now as they are winners of 19 straight games, champions of a district and now regional tournament, and one game away from a trip to Michigan State University’s Breslin Center for a state Final Four game.
South Christian (now 22-3) will play in the MHSAA state Division 2 quarterfinals, a neutral-site game to be played at Calvin College Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m., against Hudsonville Unity Christian (22-3, and winner of the OK Conference-Green). The winner will move on to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University for the state semifinals on Friday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m., and, possibly, the finals on Saturday, March 16 at 6:45 p.m.
South Christian’s last loss came on Jan. 4 against rival school Grand Rapids Christian, a team against which the Eagles ultimately avenged that loss, beating them 56-50 on the road on Feb. 1.
Two of the Sailors biggest wins of the year, however, both came against Grand Rapids Catholic Central, who went undefeated in the OK-Conference Blue and had only two losses in the regular season — one of which came against South Christian on Jan. 19 by a score of 54-42.
But in their second meeting, in last week’s regional final, everything was on the line, as South Christian looked to avenge their loss to Catholic Central in last year’s regional final. (Catholic Central went on to finish as state runner-ups a year ago.) In the rematch, the Sailors defeated the Cougars, 64-62.
After the game, South Christian head coach Jeff Meengs told WKTV that the game wasn’t about getting revenge on Catholic Central, however, but rather “the team just loves the thrill of advancing and keeping their state championship hopes alive.”
Catholic Central came into the game on a 12-game win-streak of their own, coming off of a blowout win in the regional semifinals against a then 15-7 Muskegon Orchard View by a score of 75-43 after taking out Grand Rapids Christian (16-5) and Ada Forrest Hills Eastern (12-10) in district play.
South Christian was also coming into the game off of a blowout regional semifinal win, defeating Coopersville by a final of 62-35, giving them their 18th consecutive win. Senior Luke Schrotenboer had a huge game, scoring 30 points while knocking down 4 3-pointers and shooting 12-of-16 overall from the field.
This regional final rematch was a very close one throughout, with a halftime score of 28-27 in favor of Catholic Central. The second half was very back-and-forth with the game eventually getting tied up at 62-62 with 11 seconds remaining.
Then, with the ball, South Christian senior Connor Kok drove the ball up the court and knocked down a mid-range jumper from the wing to give South Christian a 64-62 lead and force Catholic Central to heave up a last-second half-court shot that missed the mark and gave South Christian a payback win to move on to the state quarterfinals.
Kok was not only the hero at the end of the game, but led the way in scoring, putting up 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 on 3-point attempts. Kok also contributed five assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Senior Peyton Vis, who led the way in district play, put up 16 points and added three steals.
The team stats in the game were very comparable, but one key difference that stood out was the offensive rebounds in which South Christian had a 12-4 advantage over Catholic Central.
“Limiting them (Catholic Central) to four offensive rebounds was definitely key,” coach Meengs said. “And we only had eleven turnovers against an impressive defense, so I think those were two big factors in the game.”
This was not the first time South Christian has won it on a last second shot in the tournament as Tyler Buwalda hit a game-winning three against Godwin Heights in the district semifinal game.
“Our players are not afraid of the moment,” coach Meengs said on his team’s ‘clutch factor’. “They are confident under pressure and enjoy the big moments.”
The Sailors were looking for more than just revenge on last year’s regional final, as they now march on to the state quarterfinals with hopes of going the distance.
But first South Christian has to take care of business in the state quarterfinal matchup against a strong Hudsonville Unity Christian team, in which the Sailors are very familiar with. Unity Christian will enter the contest with a 23-2 record. Their last loss, however, came at the hands of South Christian.
“They were a little rusty earlier in the year coming off of the football season” Meengs said in a joking tone of their win against Unity Christian early in the season.
Like South Christian, Unity Christian is coincidentally on a 19-game win-streak as well, and are winners of the Ok-Conference Green, going 12-0 in conference play. Unity Christian comes into the state quarterfinals off of a tough regional final matchup against the defending Division 2 state champions, Benton Harbor, who had only lost one game all season. Unity Christian came away with a 63-54 win.
Coach Meengs told WKTV that this is a very interesting matchup because they know this Unity Christian team very well and vise versa. He said that not only did they play them earlier in the season but that these teams play each other in the offseason as well.
“All we can really do is go out there and play our game,” he said.
South Christian and Unity Christian will meet again on March 12 at 7PM at Calvin College. The winner will go on to play the winner of Ludington (13-10) and Alma (19-3) at the Breslin Center in the state semifinals.
For more updates on both girls and boys basketball playoffs, visit wktvjournal.org/sports.
Today, there are over 5,000,000 people in the U.S. living with dementia. They are members of our churches, our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and our communities. They shop in the same stores we do, dine at the same restaurants, attend the same events, and utilize the same public transportation system. Despite living with dementia, they continue to be vital members of our communities and valued for their contributions. This is the ideal, anyway.
The reality is that for people living with dementia, their world tends to become slowly and consistently smaller, and a lot of this has to do with the difficulty they experience interacting with the world around them. We’ve all come into contact with a person who seems lost, is taking an extremely long time to make a decision or is ‘holding up the line’ because they are confused about a process. We become exasperated; they become upset, and no one leaves the experience feeling good.
While we can go about our day collecting better experiences, a person with dementia might be flustered and reluctant to do anything that may recreate it — shopping for groceries, riding a bus, ordering in a restaurant. They gradually become more isolated, less independent and separate from their communities. The isolation and separation people with dementia experience can actually contribute to the acceleration of their disease.
Dementia Friends Michigan (DFMI) is part of a national movement working to educate ‘Dementia Friends’ throughout the state so that people living with dementia can feel comfortable navigating daily life. DFMI strives to move Michigan toward becoming more aware, accessible and inclusive throughout the state. Dementia-friendly communities are more attractive, competitive and sustainable when they become more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
DFMI’s main focus right now is creating awareness. This is done by teaching people about dementia and helping participants develop practical actions they can use to help someone they may encounter in the community who has dementia.
Jennifer VanHorssen, DFMI Program Coordinator, said, “Whether it be the checkout at a grocery store, on the bus, serving coffee at a coffee shop, or at an art or music performance, each of us can be supportive and help people living with dementia feel welcome and included.”
Dementia Friends Michigan is not only training Dementia Friends, but also educating Dementia Champions who become trainers in their own communities.
Creating dementia-friendly cities and states requires participation from all sectors of society — business, local government, transportation, financial institutions, neighborhood associations, faith communities, emergency responders, healthcare and the legal sector. “In a dementia friendly community” VanHorssen cites, “people living with dementia have autonomy, a high quality of life, and are engaged with the community.”
It begins with generating awareness.
If your business/organization would like to learn about becoming a dementia friend or you’d like to bring Dementia Friends Michigan to your community by becoming a Dementia Champion, contact Dementia Friends Michigan by calling (616) 222-7036 or email info@dementiafriendlygr.com. You can also learn more about DFMI and the dementia friendly movement on their website www.DFMI8.org.
Regina Salmi is the PR & Communications Coordinator for AAAWM. When not keeping up with two busy teenagers, she enjoys reading, writing, volunteer work, golf, technology and learning something new every day.
While 2019 got off to a slow start in January, February’s report for the West Michigan economy shows a return to a pattern of slow growth that has been reported for nearly 10 years, according to Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.
Long surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of February.
The survey’s index of business improvement (new orders) bounced back to +16 from -4. In a similar move, the production index rose to +16 from +4. The index of purchases also bounced to +16 from +3, and the employment index rose to +17 from +14.
Long said several business leaders continue to voice concerns over the still unresolved tariff war with China, and others are cautious about the potential decline in auto sales.
“Although several of our local auto parts producers remain modestly pessimistic about the prospects for 2019, we have yet to see any significant weakening in our local firms,” said Long. “Overall, the mood remains watchfully optimistic.”
Long said business confidence rebounded in February, after posting some near-record lows in January.
He said despite the weakness in last month’s survey, the employment index continues to remain double-digit positive.
“Employers are still complaining that they cannot find enough qualified workers,” he said.
The Institute for Supply Management survey is a monthly survey of business conditions that includes 45 purchasing managers in the greater Grand Rapids area and 25 in Kalamazoo. The respondents are from the region’s major industrial manufacturers, distributors and industrial service organizations. It is patterned after a nationwide survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. Each month, the respondents are asked to rate eight factors as “same,” “up” or “down.”
If you’ve experienced depression, it may help to know you aren’t alone.
More than 16 million people experience at least one major depressive episode at some point during the year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
The positive angle on this: We know of many things that can help fight depression, including therapy, exercise and medication.
Sometimes the treatment depends on the circumstances.
Depression after having a baby, known as postpartum depression, is more common than people may realize.
About 15 to 20 percent of women in the U.S. experience major depression after having a baby. This type of depression is different from the more common baby blues, which about 80 percent of new mothers will experience.
Baby blues pertains to hormonal changes from having a baby, as well as lack of sleep with a new baby and a new role that comes with new pressures and other circumstances.
Postpartum depression in moms, however, is more extreme and can interfere with a woman’s ability to care for herself and her family. Severe symptoms usually require treatment.
Over time, we have come to realize that postpartum depression can happen quite often. Many moms will suffer in silence, however, because they don’t know what signs to look for or they don’t know what to do about it even when they know what’s happening.
I should also point out that women can also suffer from depression during pregnancy, not just afterward. An estimated 14 to 23 percent of pregnant women will struggle with depression, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
While it may seem reasonable to assume this depression results from a pregnant mom’s changes in hormones, this is only partly true.
Depression in pregnancy can also be triggered by an unplanned pregnancy, partner violence, a previous pregnancy loss, relationship issues and more.
Some of the symptoms to watch for:
Thoughts of death or suicide
Sleeping too little or too much
Sadness that won’t go away
Inability to concentrate
Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
Anxiety beyond what might be considered a normal amount
Feelings of guilt
No desire to eat or eating all the time
Extra stress
Some of these symptoms are normal with pregnancy, so it’s important to remember that you need to watch for extremes.
Make sure you talk with your OB provider if you’re worried about depression or anxiety during pregnancy.
A study published earlier this year in JAMA Pediatrics found evidence suggesting that depression during pregnancy could result in poorer emotional and behavioral outcomes in children.
Of 101 pregnant moms surveyed for the study, 42 met the criteria for mild depression. Researchers then took MRIs of each baby’s brain at 1 month of age.
“Our study suggests that moderate levels of maternal depression and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy were associated with variations in the brain’s white matter microstructure or ‘wiring’ at one month of age,” said lead author Douglas Dean III, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Up to 1 in 5 pregnant women experience depression and anxiety, according to the report, adding: “Mounting evidence links these conditions with poorer emotional and behavioral outcomes in children.”
Other studies, meanwhile, have found that untreated depression during pregnancy is linked to lower baby weight at birth.
Bottom line: If you are pregnant and feeling symptoms of depression or anxiety, please talk to your OB provider.
It has motivated the work of nearly every great composer to follow in the history of Western Classical music. It continues to inspire those who hear it more than 269 years after Bach’s death.
The 12th biennial Grand Rapids Bach Festival, the first under its new Artistic Director Julian Wachner, returns to West Michigan in March with a week of concerts and activities celebrating the life and work of the composer whose music represents the pinnacle of the Baroque Era.
An affiliate of the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Grand Rapids Bach Festival will present the inaugural Linn Maxwell Keller Distinguished Bach Musician Award, a $10,000 cash prize in memory of Keller, an accomplished singer who founded the festival in 1997.
Julian Wachner, a keyboardist, conductor, composer and a Grammy nominated recording artist, serves as Director of Music and the Arts at New York City’s historic Trinity Church Wall Street, and Wachner will bring his 28-voice choir to Grand Rapids during the eight-day festival opening March 17. The Bach Festival Artistic Director chair is sponsored by John & Mary Loeks | Studio C.
“Bach has been a lifelong fascination and passion of mine,” said Wachner, who grew up in a musical family. “I started playing Bach before I could speak.”
The Grand Rapids Bach Festival Artistic Director Julian Wachner servers as Director of Music and the Arts at New York City’s historic Trinity Church Wall Street. (Supplied)
At Trinity Church Wall Street, which is just down the street from the World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial, Wachner has been leading performances of the choral and orchestral music of J.S. Bach every week for more than six years.
“I’m really excited about bringing that experience to Grand Rapids,” he said. “There have been incredible artists who have joined the Grand Rapids Bach Festival including pianist Angela Hewitt and the Bach Collegium Japan under the director of Masaki Suzuki.”
“It’s an incredible honor to follow in all of their footsteps in being part of this wonderful festival,” Wachner said.
Besides musical performances, “Bach in the City” will include such activities as BACHBends yoga and KinderBACH for young children and adults. Locally, the Donut Conspiracy and Love’s Ice Cream have created special, limited-time taste treats especially for the 12th biennial festival.
Several events are free admission or freewill offering thanks to the support of major sponsors including: Prince Conference Center at Calvin College; Daniel L. & Ellen VanderMey; Grand Rapids Community College; and the Cathedral of Saint Andrews.
Dashon Burton is one of the Grand Rapids Bach Festival soloists. (Photo by Tatiana Daubek)
Bach Pass
The Grand Rapids Bach Festival’s Bach Pass, which admits holders to all ticketed concerts and provides preferred seating at free events, is available for $40 adults, $20 students. Order online.
Single tickets are available in advance or at the door for Grand Rapids Bach Festival programs. The GRS ticket office is open weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616.454.9451 x 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)
Nola Richardson is competing in the GR Bach Festival Linn Maxwell Keller Award. (Supplied)
Festival schedule
Sunday, March 17 BACH IN SACRED SPACES Sunday morning Area Churches Grand Rapids Symphony musicians
Musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony present the music of J.S. Bach and other composers inspired by Bach in Sunday services in centers of worship throughout the community to comfort and inspire. A jubilant opening to this year’s festival, presented free of charge.Tickets for these concerts are FREE
During his life, J.S. Bach was little-known as a composer, but he was widely regarded as one of the greatest organ virtuosos of his day. Bach’s music for organ has astonished and mesmerized audiences ever since. Three powerful showpieces, including Charles-Marie Widor’s famous Toccata, will thunder from 3,883 pipes of the Wicks Organ in the Basilica of St. Adalbert. As a bonus, Bach Festival Artistic Director Julian Wachner will improvise at the keyboard based on themes suggested by the audience. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. Free with the 2019 GR Bach Festival’s Bach Pass.
Hear the next generation of voices in a FREE concert showcasing the six Keller Award semi-finalists. The $10,000 Linn Maxwell Keller Distinguished Bach Musician Award competition aims to encourage and support gifted young singers in pursuit of professional careers in music. During each Festival cycle, one award of $10,000 will be granted, with intention to advance the career and professional developments of the recipient. Tickets for this concert are FREE
Tuesday, March 19 MARIMBACH 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Grand Rapids Symphony percussion section
It’s Bach – with a backbeat! In the reverberant, Romanesque splendor of Fountain Street Church, a battery of percussion and percussionists will present MarimBACH – thrilling, percussive pronouncements on the Baroque. Tickets for this concert are FREE
“Terrific,” raves the Chicago Tribune of young organ sensation Isabelle Demers, who has attracted a legion of followers. “Her technical and musical dexterity proved that the next generation of organists is well capable of carrying the profession forward,” declared The American Organist. Experience her artistry on Grace Episcopal Church’s three-manual, 40-rank Noack tracker organ. FREE will offering
Wednesday, March 20 BACHBENDS 12 p.m. Wednesday, St. Cecilia Music Center, 24 Ransom Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 7 p.m. Wednesday, First United Methodist Church, 227 E. Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
J.S. Bach’s masterful counterpoint can provide the perfect accompaniment to lead you through such yoga poses as tree, warrior or downward-facing dog. Licensed yoga instructor and WOTV’s wellness expert Michele Fife leads a specially-curated playlist for both restorative and flow-type classes. Don’t just sit and listen when you can listen, feel and move. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. Free with the 2019 GR Bach Festival’s Bach Pass.
The three finalists of the $10,000 Linn Maxwell Keller Distinguished Bach Musician Award competition will perform a FREE recital. Each candidate will perform two contrasting arias by J.S. Bach plus one vocal work by another composer of the singer’s choice. Tickets for this concert are FREE
From the famous Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street will travel to Grand Rapids to perform Bach’s Mass in A for choir, flute, strings and basso continuo, and Julian Wachner’s own Epistle Mass, which draws upon 1,000 years of musical influences from Gregorian Chant to contemporary times. Enjoy the music in historic St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, the oldest existing public building in Grand Rapids, dating from 1848. Tickets are $15 adults, $5 students. Free with the 2019 GR Bach Festival’s Bach Pass.
Bach composed more than 200 cantatas. This aching, exquisite trio of cantatas can be counted among his most personal. The radiant Cantata No. 170 surveys the world and begs for release. Cantata No. 51 is a sterling duet for soprano and trumpet. And, in “Ich habe genung,” as the solo tenor’s flesh weakens, his spirit soars. His weary words are frequently punctuated by pauses, and in those long pauses is heard the most poignant music of all. The truths found in Bach’s music will reveal themselves in the Tiffany windowed First United Methodist Church. Tickets are $5. Free with the 2019 GR Bach Festival’s Bach Pass.
Saturday, March 23 KINDERBACH 11 a.m. Saturday Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Laboratory at GRCC, 200 Lyon St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Join us for an opportunity to play with your little one in an hour-long interactive KinderBach class. Inspired by Anna Harwell Celenza’s book, Bach’s Goldberg Variations, the session will be led by a Grand Rapids Symphony musician and a dancer from Grand Rapids Ballet. Tickets are $10 adult plus one child (age 5 and under). Free with the 2019 GR Bach Festival’s Bach Pass.
Soprano Molly Netter is another Grand Rapids Bach Festival soloist. (Supplied)
Music for the season as well as music for all seasons. Bach’s Magnificat, his first liturgical composition with a text in Latin, soars and sings, inspiring choirs and listeners for nearly three centuries. Cantata No. 110 radiates joy for the coming of man with alternating biblical texts and arias. And Martin Luther’s own hymn is rejuvenated centuries later by Igor Stravinsky. The Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus joins soloists and orchestra for the performance in the sonic splendor of the Basilica of St. Adalbert. Tickets are $26 adults, $5 students. Free with the 2019 GR Bach Festival’s BachPass.
Sunday, March 24 BACH IN SACRED SPACES Sunday Area Churches Grand Rapids Symphony Musicians
In the spirit of Bach’s evergreen renewal of the soul, the festival concludes as it began as musicians from the Symphony again perform in Grand Rapids churches. All events are FREE, and bring the festival to a glorious conclusion – until 2021! Tickets for these concerts are FREE
The South Christian Sailors are the Division 2 District 44 tournament champions. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern ken@wktv.org
In what’s been a bit of an up-and-down season for the South Christian High School girls basketball team, they seem to be hitting their stride at the perfect time with a District title in their hands and a spot in the MHSAA Regional 11 tournament.
Following a convincing win in the Division 2 District 44 finals March 8 against Godwin Heights, the Sailors (13-9) will open play at Coopersville, against the host Broncos (16-7) tonight, Monday, March 11, in a 5 p.m. game.
The Sailors had a slow start to the season, starting off winning only two of its first seven games and then proceeded to win five straight games giving them a record of 7-5. After the streak came to an end, they went back-and-forth winning, then losing every other game for the remainder of the regular season putting their record at 11-9 and finishing in a tie with Grand Rapids Christian for third in the OK Conference-Gold with a conference record of 7-5.
So, in an almost de-facto tie-breaker between Christian and South Christian, they met in the district tournament semifinals.
Christian had the upper hand in the first meeting of the year, winning by a score of 51-41, while South Christian won the second meeting 48-41. But South Christian left no doubt in their district meeting as they defeated Christian 59-26, outscoring Christian 36-12 in the second half. Senior guard Sydney Cleary led the way in this one, scoring 18 points with three 3-pointers, while freshman Sydney Vis scored eight.
Their district final matchup came against a Godwin Heights team that entered the playoffs with a 9-10 record on the season. Godwin looked impressive in their first two district wins, beating West Michigan Aviation 51-17 and Wyoming Kellogsville 56-40.
But South Christian was on a mission as they jumped out to a whopping 44-7 halftime lead. Senior Emily Brinks put up 12 points in the first quarter and Sydney Vis scored 11 in the first half. They lifted their foots off the pedal a bit in the second half as they were outscored four-to-three in the third quarter, but finished the game off strong, winning by a final score of 55-19.
Brinks and Vis both ended up with 12 points. Cleary, who was the leading scorer in the semifinal game, ended up with just two points, but she was very active on getting her teammates involved in the scoring.
“I like to pass the ball a lot and get my teammates the opportunity to score as much as I can” Cleary told WKTV after the game. “But I also work on my own game when I need to and when my team needs it from me.”
WKTV also caught up with South Christian head coach Kim Legge after the game on their impressive district performances.
“It’s taken us all season long to get to this point,” Legge said, “but at this point in the season is when you really want it all to come together and that’s what’s happening for us.”
South Christian has now advanced to the regionals for a third straight season where they will take on Coopersville. Coopersville finished the regular season with a 13-7 record and finished third in the OK Conference-Blue. They are in the midst of a 6-game win-streak, which include three district wins coming against Grant, Sparta and Newaygo.
The winner will advance to the region 11 final against the winner of Grand Rapids Catholic Central (15-6) and Muskegon Oakridge (20-3).
From left, seniors Michelle Pham, Summer Brown, Erik Lopez and Shamar Green worked on a video to tell the story of East Kentwood. (School News Network)
While the phrase “we are family” can be said in many languages, its feeling is universal inside the hallways and classrooms at East Kentwood High School.
Students in teacher Geoffrey Westman’s Falcon News Network broadcasting class created an eight-minute, 34-second documentary last spring to tell the story of East Kentwood, or “EK,” through the eyes of students, teachers and administrators. The video recently aired on FNN and at the Kentwood Education Foundation’s annual Black & Red Gala.
It shows school where flags from dozens of countries hang from the ceiling and no one is an outsider. Interviewees said:
“It’s a little piece of heaven.”
“It’s a beautiful space for students to be their authentic selves.”
“It teaches (students) to be human, to take off their ethnocentric lenses and have empathy.”
Erik Lopez and Shamar Green work with the camera. (School News Network)
Twelve students, several of whom graduated last year, took on the project after Mosaic Film Experiencerepresentatives approached them about showcasing diversity and inclusion through video. Mosaic founder Skot Welch, whose children graduated from East Kentwood, discussed the idea with Superintendent Michael Zoerhoff. Mosaic, which provides digital media opportunities for youth, introduced students to Carbon Stories Grand Rapids, filmmakers who lent equipment and shared storytelling tips. Students also partnered with The Wyoming/Kentwood channel WKTV.
Students brainstormed their vision, interviewed between 20-30 people and put everything together as a staff.
Class of 2018 graduate Allison Biss spent many hours crafting and editing the documentary. “It’s a representation of what I learned and the experiences I had while at East Kentwood,” said Biss, who is majoring in broadcast and cinematic arts at Central Michigan University. “Often, I asked myself what legacy I would leave after graduating from EK. Through the documentary, I am able to impact others in a positive way, even though I’m no longer a Kentwood student.”
Senior Shamar Green, who worked as a producer, said he wanted the video to convey that EK is “what the world should be,” he said: a place where people from all over the globe come together in harmony.
“People always ask, ‘How does EK work, with all our different ethnicities, races and culture?’” Shamar said. “We wanted to show them that we can handle it. It doesn’t have to be a tolerating thing; it’s an accepting thing.”
Senior Summer Brown, also a producer, said she hopes to counter negative perceptions she sometimes hears about Kentwood. “We are a great school,” she said. “We have all these things going on. We have all these students who love each other and care about each other. We work well together.”
Summer Brown interviews Michelle Pham in the Falcon News Network studio
Falcon News Network class member Erik Lopez was interviewed for the documentary. “I basically talked about why I like EK. What I really like about it is the diversity. Being Hispanic, I felt very much like I belong here. I transferred here from another school that wasn’t like that, and I immediately noticed the difference.”
Westman said the project gave students a change to work on something meaningful from start to finish.
“They did a wonderful job,” he said. “I hope it was an eye-opening experience for them as far as the whole process goes, from planning through filming and execution, all the way through the editing phase.”
Welch, of Mosaic, said facilitating the video’s creation was a gift from Mosaic to the district meant to instill a greater sense of inspiration, motivation and honor. Mosaic crew member Liz Merriman and Derk Baartman worked closely with students.
“It is one of the most amazing school districts I‘ve experienced because of its ethnic diversity and the high level of academic excellence they are constant getting awarded for,” Welch said. “It is something that is noteworthy nationwide.”
Inclusion, Academics and So Much More
Along with diversity, students said there is something for everyone at EK, socially and academically. “I don’t see too many kids walk the halls alone,” Shamar said. “Everybody’s got two or three friends they can fit in with. There are many people and so much to do. Eventually you find your footing.”
Summer said career exploration courses like Falcon News Network, clubs, sports and Advanced Placement offerings mean it’s easy to go beyond the basics. “We value academics so much, and it creates a higher level of student-integrated pride in our school,” she said.
“I want the Kentwood community to see (the video) and be prideful and know we are Kentwood. We are family. This is where we come from and we love it.”
For more stories on area schools, visit School News Network at schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Pianist Wu Han, violinists Arnaud Sussman and Alexander Sitkovetsky, and cellist Nicholas Canellakis. (Supplied/St. Cecilia)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center returns to St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday, March 14, in a program entitled “Russian Mastery” and featuring works by Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Arensky. The Chamber Music Society artists who will perform include co-artistic director and pianist Wu Han, violinists Arnaud Sussman and Alexander Sitkovetsky, and cellist Nicholas Canellakis.
“Every concert at SCMC performed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is amazing to watch with artistry that is always flawless,” SCMC executive director Cathy Holbrook said in supplied material. “We are so lucky to have these brilliant musicians take the stage in Royce Auditorium. … We are also very excited to have Wu Han … back to provide background on some of the wonderful music they will be performing.”
According to supplied material, “Russia’s vastly expressive music over time has told the story of its country and people, painting a picture through music of its turbulent historical landscape. Specifically, the Prokofiev Two Violin Sonata, written in 1932, stands apart as an audaciously creative work from the period between World War I and World War II, while the remaining works will be glorious musical outpourings of the age of the Tsars and the Russian Empire.”
The selections to be performed include: Trio élégiaque in G minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello — Sergei Rachmaninov, composer; Souvenir d’un lieu cherfor Violin and Piano, Op. 42 — Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, composer; Sonata in C major for Two Violins, Op. 56 — Sergei Prokofiev, composer; Romance and Oriental Dance for Cello and Piano — Sergei Rachmaninov, composer; and Trio No. 1 in D minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello, Op. 32 — Anton Arensky, composer.
The final CMS of Lincoln Center concert for this season will take place April 25, titled From Mendelssohn” will feature works by Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms and Tchaikovsky.
Tickets for the March 14 and April 25 concerts are $45 and $40 and can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. Tickets can also be purchased online at scmc-online.org.
A post-concert “Meet-the-artist” party, with complimentary wine will be offered to all ticket-holders giving the audience the opportunity to meet the artists and to obtain signed CDs of their releases.
Kent County Land for planned Sustainable Business Park, aerial shot that includes the property adjacent to the landfill, with the landfill in the background. (Supplied/Kent County)
By Kent County
The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) and The Right Place, Inc. have announced a multi-year strategic partnership for the planning and development of the Kent County Sustainable Business Park.
Under the terms of the three-year agreement, The Right Place will support the planning and development of the Kent County Sustainable Business Park through business development and infrastructure planning efforts. The Right Place will also assist the county with managing community partnerships and identifying new sources of funding for the Sustainable Business Park.
In October 2018, the Kent County Board of Public Works (BPW) approved the Sustainable Business Park Master Plan for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center. This plan was created by local and national experts and includes recommendations on how Kent County can transition from a reliance upon disposal of trash in landfills toward a sustainable materials management system where waste materials are either reused in new production processes or products, recovered, or converted into renewable energy.
Kent County DPW processes over 1 billion pounds of waste each year and estimates 75 percent of that waste could be reused, recycled, or converted. The Sustainable Business Park could generate $500 million in direct private sector capital investment and 150 jobs could be created by processing and waste sorting alone. As part of the master plan approval, BPW authorized DPW to form a business development team to implement the plan, which includes The Right Place.
“The Sustainable Business Park will significantly reduce the amount of trash going into landfills and attract investment from companies that can convert waste into usable products,” said Dar Baas, director of the Kent County DPW. “The Sustainable Business Park is part of our community’s vision for a Circular Economy and our partnership with The Right Place will help attract businesses, technology developers, startups and non-profits from across the country that align with the Sustainable Business Park’s goals.”
As part of DPW’s Reimagine Trash strategic vision, there is a goal to reduce Kent County-generated municipal, commercial, and industrial solid waste going to landfills by 90 percent by 2030. The development of the Kent County Sustainable Business Park is critical to reaching that goal.
“The Sustainable Business Park has the potential to generate investment and create jobs in West Michigan, while serving as a national model of what communities can achieve with a practical, innovative approach towards recycling and upcycling,” said Birgit M. Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “We look forward to partnering with Kent County Department of Public Works to bring the Sustainable Business Park to life.”
Godwin Heights head coach Cassie Medina., center, talks to her team during a time-out in the Wolverines District final game. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
After two impressive wins in the MHSAA girls basketball Division 2 District 44 tournament at Grand Rapids Christian High School and a spot in the district finals Friday, March 8, Godwin Heights’ season ended against a very good South Christian squad.
Despite being offensively overwhelmed by the Sailors in a lopsided first half, which ended with a 44-7 South Christian lead, the Wolverines’ “family” stayed together, stayed aggressive on defense, and made respectable the final score of 55-19.
“I just wanted us to bring it back … to respectability,” Godwin Heights coach Cassie Medina said to WKTV about how her team handled the second half of the game. “With a score like this it is easy to fall apart. The family thing is: ‘Stay together. Talk together. Be family’.”
Against South Christian, senior guard Raviear Koppenhofer led the Wolverines in scoring with nine points, all in the second half. And Koppenhoffer was also an offensive force in Godwin Heights two district early-round wins, a 51-17 victory over West Michigan Aviation, and a 56-40 semifinal win over Kelloggsville in which she scored 28 points.
Koppenhofer was joined by Destiny Craig and Josefa Shields as the only seniors on the squad.
The seniors “have definitely brought a lot to our team,” Medina said, and Koppenhofer “has been one of our bigger scorers (all season). She makes this team go.”
Medina also sees progress in her team, despite finishing at 11-11 after last year’s similar 11-10 season.
“Every year I want to progress, not go backwards,” she said. “Next year … I just want us to progress.”
One reason for her optimism is that the Wolverines fielded a team in the district tournament with only two juniors (Jordan Ballard and Chanelle Hatchett) but six sophomores.
“This is a young team,” she said. “I am definitely looking forward to this summer and next year.”
The sophomores on the team include Lanaja Polk-Craig, who scored seven points against South Christian; Lashay Lee and Hannah Barns, who scored eight points each in the win over Kelloggsville; as well as Diamond Johnson, Anika Clark and Jakaya Lay.
In one of our recent childbirth classes, a mom-to-be asked me for some advice on the best ways to bring her new baby into the home, since they have two dogs.
Now, my family doesn’t have inside animals at home, so I don’t have any personal experience.
But this struck me as a great question, and it led me to ask around and search online for some helpful tips. I found plenty of great information.
To start, you should assess your dogs—or even your cat, if that’s the case—to get a handle on their experiences and disposition around small children.
Has your pet ever been around small children before? How did the pet do?
One site I looked at recommended preparing your dog at least four months in advance for the arrival of the baby. You can do this by showing the pet the baby areas for play and sleep, the baby’s clothes, and so on.
When you’re one to two months from the delivery date, adjust the dog’s normal routine. You’ll have to do this anyway if you plan to have the dog sleep somewhere else, or if the dog’s access to certain areas will be limited because there’s a new baby in the house. It’s best to ready the dog in advance.
If you have time—and if your dog doesn’t already know these—teach the dog some basic commands like come, go, sit, stay and drop it. (That last one comes in handy with baby items.) It’s very important to teach the dog not to jump.
Prep your pup
One great way to prepare you dog for the arrival of a new baby in the home is to mimic—appropriately and respectfully—the potential behaviors of your baby. This can be done before your baby comes home, but also after.
Babies don’t know what they’re doing. If they see a dog, it’s inevitable they will pull its ears, fur, paws and nose.
The recommendation is to gently interact in a similar way with your dog—gently pull on the fur, for example—and give the dog a treat for behaving properly. Then, say something to your dog that you would have said if baby had been pulling on the dog’s fur.
For example: Give the dog’s paw a gentle tug, and then in a kind voice say, “What was that? Just baby!”
Continue this, appropriately, so your dog learns not to react. Your dog can learn how to properly respond to baby’s poking and prodding. Also, remember you’ll be teaching your baby what is OK and not OK with your pet.
Also, teach your dog that the nursery is off limits. (Remember, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends your baby sleep in a crib or bassinet in your room for the first year if possible, or the first six months at a minimum.)
At the end of the day, your baby’s safety is more important than all else. If you suspect your pet can’t behave or can’t be properly trained to accommodate a new baby, you should find the pet a new great home.
Some other tips I found in online research:
When you’re still at the hospital with your new baby, give a family member something that has your new baby’s scent on it, such as a burp cloth or a blanket. Have the family member take that item back to the house so that your dog can smell it. This can acclimate the dog to the new baby’s scent.
Once you’ve left the hospital and you arrive home with your baby, try to enter the home first. You or a family member can hold the baby at a safe distance, possibly in another room or a quieter part of the house. Let your dog get used to your return and work through its excitement. Just keep your baby a safe distance from the dog until the animal settles down.
Have someone distract the dog with treats until everything settles down.
When you eventually do allow the dog to come over and see the baby, be relaxed. Allow the dog to smell baby’s feet first. Praise your dog for being gentle and have treats available.
Never leave your baby alone on the floor with your dog.
What comes to mind when you think about Michigan? The peculiarly shaped Midwest state is known for its cars, lakes, and cities still finding their feet, but one thing it definitely doesn’t have a reputation for is being a hot retirement destination. But while the winters are cold and the roads are bumpy, choosing assisted living in Michigan has plenty of benefits for even the most discerning retiree.
What is Assisted Living?
At its most basic definition, assisted living is housing for elderly and disabled people that provides assistance with daily activities, such as meals and housekeeping. While there’s nothing wrong with this completely serviceable definition, it’s impossible to sum up all the benefits of assisted living in a single sentence.
Living in an assisted living community means so much more than getting help with activities of daily living, or ADLs. Depending on the community, care can extend to nursing assistance, respite and memory care, and rehabilitation. Even for aging adults that are capable of performing ADLs on their own, the community aspect of assisted living is extremely valuable, as isolation during retirement is a huge risk factor for poor mental health.
Why Michigan?
Cost: According to the 2017 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the cost of assisted living in Michigan is lower than the national median cost for a private one-bedroom apartment. Michigan’s tax burden for individuals is among the lowest in the country, and options like long-term care Medicaid and the Choice Waiver Program help eligible elders with the costs of assisted living and healthcare. While it may not be the first place people think of for great places to retire, there are many reasons why choosing an assisted living community in the Great Lakes State offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Outdoors: For the aging outdoors person, Michigan may as well be paradise. With four of the five Great Lakes forming many of the state’s borders, as well as over 11,000 inland lakes, residents of Michigan are never more than six miles away from some form of waterfront. In addition to lakes, the state’s natural landscape boasts over 36,000 miles of rivers and streams and 20.3 million acres of forests, on which 4 national parks, 103 state parks and recreation areas, and almost 8,000 miles of biking, hiking, and snowmobiling trails are available for enjoyment. Phew! And that’s just the start. For the hunters, fishermen and -women, winter sportspeople, swimmers, hikers, and those who just enjoy fresh air, Michigan offers everything you need.
Arts & Culture: If the great outdoors doesn’t call your name often, or at all, there’s still so much to take in. From the rejuvenated big city living in Detroit to the rich history of the old trading ports like Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island, to the thriving art and music communities in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Saugatuck, there’s truly something within half a day’s driving distance for everyone.
If you or a loved one is looking for an affordable but fun and full of life location for retirement, assisted living in Michigan should be at the top of the list.
Kelloggsville head coach Bilal Muhammad talks to his squad during the team’s district game against Godwin Heights. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
The Kelloggsville High School girls basketball team ended their season this week standing “solid” after tripling their season win total from a year ago and offering a good defensive effort against Wyoming Godwin Heights in the 56-40 loss Wednesday night in the Division 2 District 44 tournament at Grand Rapids Christian.
In the March 6 semifinal game, the Rockets had to rely on young players to provide much of their minutes and scoring due to a short bench. But the team’s coach had nothing but praise for his team’s 12-9 season, its emerging young talent and the toughness of his small senior class.
“We tripled our wins from last year,” head coach Bilal Muhammad said to WKTV after the game. “Last year we had four, this year we had 12. We stand solid and I am excited for the future … I’m proud of the effort they gave tonight, the effort was there. I just want to have the girls keep working hard.”
The future includes the Rockets fielding a team in the district tournament that included three freshmen and two sophomores among a nine-player squad.
This year’s Rockets girls basketball team relied on youth but had some good senior leadership. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Kelloggsville was led by sophomore Nariah Collier’s 12 points, with 10 coming in the second half as she almost singlehandedly kept her team in the game. Junior Mercedes Chandler and freshman Brea’Ana Smalley each added six points. Freshman Sydney Hansma added five points.
“Our youth has stepped it up,” Muhammad said. “We are making strides. The future is looking great.”
The only seniors on the squad, Indonesia Carpenter and Symone Britt, scored four and five points, respectively But coach Muhammad said the pair brought much more than scoring to the Rockets this season.
“The seniors brought toughness to our team, toughness and leadership,” he said. “They have been here before so they can let the girls know what to expect here, but really toughness and leadership.”
Season highlights for the Rockets this season included starting 5-1, with a streak of four straight home wins highlighted by a win over Zeeland West and the title of their own Holiday tournament. They finished 6-4 overall at home and 4-6 in the tough OK Conference Silver.
Yup, it’s time to change your clocks this weekend.
Spring is right around the corner. Really, it is, and the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department points to its Spring Activities Calendar as proof. Check out all the fun things you can do here.
The best things in life are free
The Grand Rapids Public Museum offers free admission March 10.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum offers fun, hands-on learning opportunities for all ages through a variety of core and traveling exhibits. Visitor favorites include the Streets of Old Grand Rapids, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors back to 19th century of downtown Grand Rapids, and West Michigan Habitats, that showcases the vast wildlife found in West Michigan. More info here.
Live and let live
That’s it, in a nutshell.
Domestic violence abuse attorney Kinza Khan
A presentation on Monday, March 11 at Grand Valley State University will explore the importance of encouraging young people to grow in their interfaith understanding in order to become positive religious leaders of the 21st century. Kinza Khan, a domestic violence attorney, will be the featured speaker during the 2019 Rabbi Phillip Sigal Memorial Lecture. More info here.
Fun fact:
85%
The percentage reduction in the number of children named ‘Katrina’ after Hurricane Katrina.
Tainted pet foods and treats may make more than your dog or cat sick, new data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests.
Harmful bacteria can also make owners ill if they handle contaminated pet products improperly, and bacteria such as salmonella can spread from pets to people, the agency said.
“Ultimately, we’re hoping to learn ways FDA can help minimize the incidence of foodborne illness associated with pet foods and treats,” Renate Reimschuessel, head of the FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, said in an agency news release.
To collect the new data, the FDA worked with 11 veterinary labs across the United States to investigate pet infections reported by pet owners. One of the main focuses was salmonella infections.
Of almost 3,000 dogs and cats tested so far, fewer than 100 have tested positive for salmonella, the agency found.
“Pet owners should know, though, that almost half of the dogs that tested positive for salmonella showed no symptoms,” Reimschuessel said.
And a dog with no signs of illness can still be carrying salmonella, which can spread to people, she added.
The dogs that have tested positive for salmonella were more likely to have eaten raw pet food, Reimschuessel said. Raw food is not heated or cooked, which might explain why there was a higher likelihood of contamination, officials said.
There are a number of things pet owners can do to protect themselves, including checking the FDA’s list of recalled pet products. Other measures include:
Feed pets in areas that are easily cleaned and sanitized
Wash hands carefully after handling pet foods
Earmark specific utensils for use only with pet foods
Wash counters and any other surfaces that come into contact with pet foods
Keep dry pet foods in a sealed container in a cool, dry place
Never buy pet food in dented cans or damaged packaging
The world can be confusing and scary, even for adults. In times of public violence and loss, everyone is impacted, especially young children. Incidences of violence and hate have a lasting impact on individuals and on our country as a whole. Here are some things you can keep in mind as you talk about violent events with young children.
Ask them what they know. Ask your child to tell you what they think they know or understand about the situation. Children often have misconceptions or a limited understanding of a complex issue, so start by asking them what they know. You can clear up any misconceptions and get a better understanding of what might be bothering your child about the situation.
Establish a dialogue. Talk openly with your child about what happened. Tell your child the facts about what happened, why it happened and what the result was. Take the lead from your child on how much information they are ready to hear, so keep your responses brief and look for cues that your child either needs to be done talking or wants more information.
Tell the truth. Give your child the facts and keep the information you share age-appropriate. Avoiding talking about traumatic events or telling white lies can actually make children more afraid if they think you are hiding something from them. It’s not easy to talk to children about issues like racism, hate or violence, but it is so important we do.
Educate yourself. If you are not confident that you truly understand the issues surrounding an act of violence, look to trustworthy resources to educate yourself. It’s OK to tell your child you don’t know or understand all the details surrounding an issue. You can always respond to a question with, “I’m not sure, but I will look into it and then we can talk about it some more.”
Talk about your feelings. It’s OK to let children know you are sad, scared or angry about violence in our world. Tell them how those violent acts make you feel; this act gives power to those emotions that your young child is experiencing as well. They will learn to trust their own emotions and emotional reactions to violence and other trauma when you share yours openly with them.
Accept their emotions. It’s tempting to want to minimize a child’s emotional response because we don’t want them to be anxious, sad or scared. It’s important we allow children to express themselves openly and we accept whatever they are feeling. Maybe they are angry or confused instead of just sad. All feelings are OK, even if they differ from yours. Children should have an outlet for processing their emotions. Some may want to just talk while others may process by writing, drawing or thinking on their own.
Love and reassure them. Children need parents and other families to be a steady foundation—they don’t need you to be perfect or happy all the time. Your calm and reassuring presence can help them work through tough situations and feelings and find calm and comfort. Show them affection, spend quality time together doing things you both enjoy and tell them how much you love them.
Be available. Unfortunately, violence is not a one-time event, and it’s not something anyone can just “get over.” Be available to continue to support, comfort and talk to your child about their feelings. Check in with them regularly to see how they are doing and if they need any additional support from you.
Limit exposure. The 24-hour news cycle means that stories about violent acts get replayed over and over again on many different media outlets from news television broadcasts and newspapers to social media, YouTube and in our daily conversations. Limit your young child’s exposure to the constant talk about violent events, as this may increase their anxiety or confusion of the issue. Instead, make sure you take the time to connect with them to talk about and process what has happened.
Provide resources and support. Sometimes the impact of a violent event can be severe. If your child continues to struggle with processing a violent event, or if they are having a hard time coping and you can’t seem to comfort them, you may need to reach out to others to find resources and support for your young child. Ask your child’s doctor or school social worker for help finding supports for your child.
Children are constantly learning and trying to make sense of the world, but sometimes the world doesn’t make sense. You can help children by being present with them, engaging in conversation and dialogue and giving them unconditional love and support.
For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, please visit the Michigan State University Extension website.
To learn about the positive impact children and families are experience due to MSU Extension programs, read our 2017 Impact Report. Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan 4-H and MSU Extension positively impacted individuals and communities in 2017, can be downloaded from the MSU Extension website.
Godwin Heights coach Cassie Medina, center, huddles with her team during the team’s district semifinal win over Kelloggsville Wednesday, March 6, at Grand Rapids Christian High School. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Godwin Heights and South Christian both won MHSAA girls basketball district semifinal games at the Division 2 District 44 tournament at Grand Rapids Christian on Wednesday night to advance to the tournament title game Friday.
In addition, East Kentwood will be playing for a district title after Wednesday night action at another tournament site.
WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage team was at the Grand Rapids Christian tournament site and covered both semifinal games, and will continue coverage of the tournament on Friday, March 8.
Godwin Heights vs. South Christian at Grand Rapids Christian
At Christian, Friday’s 7 p.m. title game will have Godwin Heights (now 9-10) against South Christian (12-9) after impressive wins Wednesday night. Godwin Heights defeated Kelloggsville (which finished the season 12-9), 56-40, in the first game and South Christian defeated the host Grand Rapids Christian, 59-26, in the nightcap. The winner will earn a spot in the Regional 11 tournament at Coopersville.
In the semifinal game, Godwin Heights was led in scoring by a dominating performance by senior Raviear Koppenhofer, who had 28 points including two 3-pointers and 6-for-7 from the free-throw line. Two sophomores, Lashay Lee and Hannah Barnes, added eight points each as Wolverine coach Cassie Medina used every player on her bench in the win.
Kelloggsville was led by sophomore Nariah Collier’s 12 points, with 10 coming in the second half as she almost singlehandedly kept her team in the game. Junior Mercedes Chandler and freshman Brea’Ana Smalley each added six points.
South Christian’s win was keyed by senior point guard Sydney Cleary’s 18 points, while freshman Sydney Vis added 12 points, all the second half when the Sailors turned a 23-14 halftime lead into the one-sided victory.
East Kentwood at East Grand Rapids
At the Division 1 District 11 tournament at East Grand Rapids, East Kentwood (now 17-4) will play the host EGR (20-2) in the Friday title game at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, the Falcons defeated Wyoming (8-13 to end the season), 73-49, while East Grand Rapids defeated Byron Center, 49-40. The winner will move on to the Regional 3 tournament at Grand Haven.
Boys basketball regional tournament update
After a series MHSAA boys basketball regional opening-round games Tuesday, local squads from East Kentwood, South Christian and Tri-unity Christian will be playing for regional titles tonight, Thursday, March 7.
East Kentwood at Holland West Ottawa
East Kentwood (now 15-9 on the season), defeated Muskegon (20-4 after loss) in the Division 1 Regional 3 tournament at Holland West Ottawa. The Falcons will now play Hudsonville (22-2 after a 51-42 win Tuesday over Grand Rapids Northview), with the winner moving on to the state quarterfinals starting on March 12.
South Christian at Fremont Regional
South Christian (21-3), defeated Coppersville (12-11), 62-35, in the Division 2 Regional 11 tournament at Fremont. The Sailors will now play Grand Rapids Catholic (23-2 after a 75-43 win over Muskegon Orchard View), with the winner moving on to the state quarterfinals starting on March 12.
Tri-unity Christian at Mendon Regional
Tri-unity Christian (20-3), defeated Marcellus Howardsville (22-2), 68-56, in the Region 29 tournament at Mendon. The Defenders will now play Muskegon Heights Academy (13-7 after a 66-56 win over New Buffalo), with the winner moving on to the state quarterfinals starting on March 12.
Featured game coverage
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
For the record, according to one of our volunteers, the recent storm we had is just the final hurrah before springs big entrance.
So with that in mind, the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department has compiled “10 Programs You Have to Try this Spring.”
1. Mother-Son Bowling Event
This is just around the corner on March 23. Moms get to spend the afternoon with their sons at the Park Center Lanes bowling alley. The event includes bowling, pizza, and pop. The cost is $12.50 per person with the registration deadline March 14. Note, this event does book up fast, so if your interested save your spot ASAP.
2. Tumble and Play
After the winter we have had, everyone has a little energy to burn off. In this Wednesday class, children, 18 months – 2-years-old, will have the chance to learn skills on the balance beam, bars, and floor. This class also includes strength and flexibility activities. The parent-child class is Wednesdays March 13 – April 24 at South Godwin School. Fee is $30 for residents and $45 for non-residents. Registration has passed but if interested, contact the Parks and Recreation office at 616-530-3164.
3. Slow Pitch Softball Leagues
Soon it will be time for the boys — and girls — of summer, so sign up now for a softball league. Leagues will be offered for men’s and co-ed teams. Participants must be 18 years or older. Games start in mid- to late April and will be at Kelloggsville, Lamar, Lemery, and Palmer field. Registration is open until March 18 or until the leagues are full.
Individual plays are accepted. For more information on individual players, contact Kenny Westrate at westratek@wyomingmi.gov or 616-530-3164.
4. Zumba
An activity where adults can burn off some energy with a mix of Latin and international music and dance that creates an exciting and effective cardio workout. The program is on Wednesdays from March 13 to May 1 and located at the Wyoming Senior Center. Fee is $36 for residents and $54 for non-residents. Registration is open until March 7.
5. Health and Wellness Expo
Mark those calendars because the annual Health and Wellness Expo is April 13. This free event runs from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center. The Health and Wellness Expo is an afternoon focused on increasing health awareness and overall wellness. Gather information from local health organizations; enjoy fitness demonstrations, healthy snacks and more. This event is for all ages and will get everyone motivated to make healthy choices.
6. Kickball
Coed league for kickball begin May 22. Games take place Wednesday nights at Lamar Park. Participants must be 16 or older. The fee is $250 per team. Registration is open until April 29 or until the league is full.
7. Sunday Youth Flag Football
Flag football is open to students ages 5 to 13. The program runs for five weeks, April 28 – June 2 at the Gezon Park Sports Complex. The focus of this program is on teaching the fundamental skills of football and playing. The fee is $24 for residents and $36 for non-residents. The registration deadline is April 15.
8. Older Adult Fitness – Sweet & Low
This program is designed for the 50 and older crowd with its low impact activities consisting of chair-based exercise designs to stretch muscles, increase muscle town, and get you moving. It takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 – 10:45 a.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center Community Room.
9. Tae Kwon Do
This class introduces participants to the Korean martial art form of Tae Kwon Do. The class focuses on flexibility, concentration, balance, and self-defense. The spring session is April 8 to June 17. Fees for the 30-minute class is $18 for residents and $27 for non-residents. The two-hour class is $46 for residents and $69 for non-residents. There is $5 off for additional household members. The program includes eight classes plus two bonus classes.
10. Tap and Jazz
This Saturday class offers two levels for beginner and more experienced. Level One includes simple stretches and jazz moves and develops tap techniques and routines. Level Two classes continue to build on the principles of the Level One class. It also will include the tempo and introduce a variety of moves for your enjoyment. Classes are at Godfrey Lee Early Education Center and run from March 23 to May 25. The fee is $24 for residents and $51 for non residents.
Through a partnership with the Greater Wyoming community Resource Alliance, the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department offers scholarships to Wyoming residents for use in department youth programs For more information about those scholarships, call 616-530-3164 and ask for Kenny Westrate
