Using a donated, temporary-use facility at Catholic Central High School, Kent County and City of Grand Rapids Emergency Management Divisions have partnered with the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mel Trotter Ministries, and The Salvation Army to create a “safe shelter” for women experiencing homelessness and who are presumed negative for COVID-19.
The facility, according to a statement Friday, April 24, from Kent County, will allow permanent shelters in the area to reduce their daily populations so individuals experiencing homelessness are better able to socially and physically distance.
Catholic Central High School (Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids)
“We are called as Catholics to care for our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable among us,” Greg Deja, principal/CEO of Catholic Central High School, said in supplied material. “While we’ve all been sheltering at home for the past month, many of our Heartside neighbors do not have that same option … Our decision to open our gymnasium as a dormitory reflects one of our core values at Catholic Central to serve — through which we come to know and love Christ more fully.”
The Catholic Central gymnasium can hold up to 75 women and provides shower facilities, food services provided by The Salvation Army, and other essential services. It will be primarily staffed by Kent County volunteers, the City of Grand Rapids Homeless Outreach Team, and Mel Trotter Ministries staff.
“This is an example of the entire community coming together to care for some of the most vulnerable in our community and do all we can to keep them safe. We are truly all in this together,” Dennis Van Kampen, CEO, Mel Trotter Ministries, said in supplied material. “My hope is that after this pandemic we will have created connections and work groups that continue to work together to solve some of our communities most urgent issues.”
The announcement for the county stresses that the facility use is not intended to be a long-term solution, and there are still staffing needs for the daily operation of the shelter. Volunteers for all shifts are needed and will not be in direct contact with known positive COVID-19 patients. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit kcest.org/volunteer.
“All of us who are working at the shelter have been moved by the strength of these women,” Lt. Lou Hunt, Kent County emergency manager, said in supplied material. “It has truly been a blessing and our privilege to serve this vulnerable yet highly appreciative population.”
Some students know Judy Bergsma from her work at the Kelloggsville High School counseling office, but a lot of students who went to Kentwood and Wyoming, Bergsma is more well known as the host of the popular local children’s program, “The Reading Train.”
For more than 20 years, “The Reading Train” has spread the love of reading with Bergsma, who also is the producer of the show, reading books and talking to students about reading. In fact, over the years, more than 12,000 West Michigan school children have enjoyed visiting the WKTV studios and been apart of “The Reading Train” audience.
“If you talk to someone that is a little order and grew up going to one of the elementary schools in Wyoming, Kentwood or Gaines area, they might of heard of ‘The Reading Train,’” Bergsma said during a recently taped show. “They might have been on a show. Their class might have taken a class trip and been in the audience or they might have watched a show.”
Bergsma returned to the WKTV studios this month to tape about 20 more segments.
Judy Bergsma, the host and producer of “The Reading Train.” (WKTV)
“With the children being out of school, we started production again,” Bergsma said, noting that due to the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the recent tapings did not have an audience. Bergsma said she felt that it was a great time to again spread the love of reading along with providing positive messages of friendship, hope, and learning.
“It is fun to do them and I am excited to do them again,” Bergsma said. “The stories never grow old. You can always be telling stories and they are good for all ages/ I hope the adults enjoy them as must as the kids.”
Each segment features Bergsma introducing a theme for the show and then reading some of her favorite stories such as “The Glassmakers of Gurven,” by Marlys Boddy and “Charlie’s Checklist,” by Alison Bartlett and Rory S. Lerman. The camera moves from Bergsma reading to illustrations in the book to give a more interactive experience.
“We’re back for some very special episodes,” Bergsma said, with one of those programs focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Laura Bennett, a limited license psychologist in the Greater Grand Rapids area, wrote the script for Bergma’s special message to kids during this time of COVID.
“It’s important to know that there are lots of smart doctors and scientists and your parents or caregivers working to make this sickness go away and keep you safe and healthy,” Bergsma said during “The Reading Train.” “Its important to know that you won’t have to stay away from your friends or school forever. Just for a while. We don’t know exactly when yet, but in time you will go back to school and playing with your friends and things will feel more normal.”
As Bergsma does with every show, she offers fun activity suggestions for students such as inventing a new game, drawing a picture, visit with a friend or grandparents via the phone or video chat and or trying something new such as reading a new book.
Since 1997, “The Reading Train” has been a part of the WKTV broadcast lineup and can be seen on the WKTV Channel 25 and AT&T 99 at 4 p.m. Monday, 4:30 p.m. Friday, and 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The show is available through WKTV’s live stream at wktv.org.
After retirement, you might discover that you have more time on your hands than originally expected. In order to fill that time, many seniors start exploring new hobbies and activities. But many common activities like golfing, traveling, and fishing aren’t geared towards seniors who would rather stay at home than go out.
Luckily, there are plenty of senior hobbies that don’t need a lot of time, money, or physical capability, and can take place in your own living room. Retirement offers a perfect opportunity to learn new skills, so take a look at these seven different retirement hobbies that are perfect for creative types.
1. Painting and drawing
Creating artwork like paintings and drawings is an activity that has almost no limitations on what can be created. From watercolors to acrylics to oils to charcoals, there are countless mediums of art, so you can find the perfect one that works best for you.
Local community centers typically have plenty of art classes that are great for beginners. These also provide seniors with a new way to get out of the house and socialize with others. Whether you go big with canvases and materials or keep it simple with a few pencils and paper, painting and drawing can help you feel relaxed and calm while helping you build your artistic skills.
2. Crafting
Crafting is another example of a creative activity that doesn’t require a lot of mobility or physical effort, and it includes all kinds of hobbies such as:
Crafting can also be a way to make a little extra money after retirement. Going to craft shows or selling your items online can be a fun way to earn some extra cash while exploring a new activity and meeting plenty of new people.
3. Cooking
There are almost an unlimited number of ways to learn new cooking skills, from looking at old family recipes to watching cooking shows to swapping ideas with friends. There’s so many recipes out there that everyone from the most basic beginner to seasoned experts can find something new to work with.
Cooking also provides seniors with a way to take control of their health, explore different cuisines, and share meals with others. Whether you’re gaining a few basic cooking skills or perfecting your talents, retirement is a perfect time to explore new cooking opportunities. Looking for some great beginner recipes to get started with? Click the link below to try some healthy options!
Pottery is an often overlooked but incredibly satisfying hobby. It typically requires a significant amount of time, which makes it a perfect creative outlet for retired seniors who can now afford to dedicate the necessary hours to create ceramics.
Like many other crafting opportunities, pottery gives seniors a chance to earn some additional income by selling their wares either online or at festivals and craft shows. Pottery can create useful items like bowls, plates, and vases, or fun home decor items and abstract art pieces.
5. Woodworking
If you like a hands-on approach to retirement hobbies and want to try something a little out of the box, then woodworking might be the best option for you. While getting the right tools can be an expensive up-front cost, woodworking is a wonderful creative outlet that your friends and family might not have seen before.
6. Gardening
If you think that all gardening involves kneeling down in the dirt and having to perform back-breaking labor, then you would be wrong! Gardening can take place out of doors in flower beds, but it can also be adapted to meet a senior’s needs, especially if getting up and down is difficult.
Container gardening is a great way to get enjoyment out of planting and growing your own flowers or vegetables without having to perform as much physical labor. Raised containers like planters, baskets, and pots can help you protect your back health, and can take place both indoors and outdoors.
7. Writing
As you age, you might discover that there are many things you want to record and preserve for posterity. Or you might have some creative ideas that you want to explore through writing. Either way, there’s never a better time to start than today!
Writing can include everything from novels to poems to short stories, as well as everything in between. If you are looking for a good place to start, then consider reminiscence writing as a way to help you connect to past events while providing helpful therapeutic results.
Hankerin’ for a dinner of TwoGuys Brewery’s prime rib and beer? TwoGuys managing partner, brewmaster and all-around craft-brew guru Tom Payne shows off a take-home option. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Three Wyoming and Kentwood area craft breweries and brew pubs — TwoGuys Brewing, Broad Leaf Local Beer and Railtown Brewing Company — are doing what they can to keep their taps flowing in these times of COVID-19 restrictions.
Like most restaurants, they are offer take-out and delivery of food from their kitchens. Like most breweries, they offer to-go craft beer choices from their brewers. And like any good pub, they offer the kind of optimism that any good bartender will offer up to customers contemplating the worst over a cold pint.
Broad Leaf reports they are brewing up a Super Wonderful Happy IPA, “named to contrast the times and keep people thinking positively,” they say.
But despite a barkeep’s optimism, there is a healthy outpouring of concern about the future.
Railtown Brewing Company. (Supplied)
“It’s been a long road so far. Sadly, we’re in the early part of a marathon not a sprint,” Railtown’s Justin Buiter said to WKTV. “We were one of the first industries to see forced shutdowns and we’ll be one of the last to re-open. We’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best.”
TwoGuys also has some concerns about what might happen with a “slow opening” of establishments like theirs.
“As far as plans for when things open back up, we aren’t really sure,” TwoGuys Brewing managing partner Amy Payne said to WKTV. “We are prepared to pivot once again as necessary but have discussed that until all restrictions to regular business are lifted we will, most likely, continue to operate as we currently are. Opening our taproom at half capacity (if that should be the next phase) would definitely be detrimental to sales so keeping with the current model would keep us closer to our goal numbers.”
A bright spot has been community support
Despite the current hardships, the three breweries have been thankful for the support of the community during these times.
“The community support has been amazing,” Railtown’s Buiter said.”We see a lot of familiar faces every week. Folks genuinely care about us and want to see us through this, and that means more than we can put into words.”
For Broad Leaf and its mother ship, Grand Rapids’ Brewery Vivant, their thankfulness includes community support of employees whose jobs were impacted by the closures.
“All gratuities at both locations are being put into an emergency fund for our hourly staff,” Broad Leaf and Brewery Vivant co-owner and president Kris Spaulding said to WKTV. “We have been amazed at how generous our community is. Through those guests, we have built up a meaningful fund that will surely help out some of our staff who are struggling.”
Broad Leaf is also being a little old-school resourceful when it comes to labeling their to-go beer cans and their brewing choices.
Broad Leaf Local Beer offers door pick-up of beer-to-go, and merchandise, at the Kentwood location. Much of the pub’s usual food fare is available through the mother ship, Grand Rapids’ Brewery Vivant, by pick-up or delivery. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“People may notice our simple war-time style labels printed on address stickers as we make do with what we have on hand,” Spaulding said. And “We have been going back to old school methods and are all pulling together to be able to share what we all love with the amazing public that has been going out of their way to support us.”
Also “Super Wonderful Happy IPA … is sort of an old-school IPA made with Mosaic and MI Chinook hops … Bananicula is a pastry stout with Count Dracula Chocolate cereal, banana, vanilla, and marshmallow that we bottled by hand on a homebrew counter-pressure filler contraption our head brewer Jacob cobbled together.”
Man, and woman, does not live on beer alone
That adapting with the times is also at play in to-go food selections.
Much of Broad Leaf’s eclectic fare — including their appropriately named “Drunken Noodles” — is available for pick up and limited-area delivery out of Brewery Vivant’s Eastown kitchen. (The actual Broad Leaf location has curbside pick up of beer and merch, as well as beer delivery.)
TwoGuys, in contrast, has made some changes to adapt.
“In order to stay relevant in the current situation we took a look at what our guests, and hopefully folks new to TwoGuys, would be looking for as the social distancing seemed like it was going to carry on longer than officials were suggesting,” Payne said. “What we decided was, although hot take-out food is great for some, many were traveling across town to get back home if they worked near us or wanted to support us even though they lived across town. Take-out hot food just isn’t as good when it has travelled for a while. So, we began to work on ‘Take N Bake’ options.”
Currently they offer casseroles, lasagna, mac and cheese — and prime rib meals — purchased in tins ready to be put in the oven when they got home.
Desserts have also been “huge,” she said. “Pans of brownies full of all kinds of delicious additives … Nothing like brownies when the world is full of uncertainty.”
(The take-and-bake fruit cobblers looked too good to pass up when researching this story! And their TwoGuys IPA hits the pale ale spot.)
Railtown Brewing Citra Warrior IIPA. (Supplied)
At Railtown, they are open for pick-up and carryout of beer, cider and much of their regular menu food for lunch and dinner, daily except Sunday. Ordering is by phone only. And they do have some special brews unexpectedly available.
“Due to COVID-19, we had to cancel our Warrior Unleashed party which is a celebration of our Imperial IPA, Citra Warrior,” Railtown’s Buiter said. “The result is, we have a ton of beer selections on tap currently. We released 4 variations of Citra Warrior — Midnight Warrior (Black Imperial IPA), Soulless Warrior (Ginger Imperial IPA), Tiki Warrior (Pineapple Imperial IPA), and Tiki Torch (Pineapple and Cayenne Pepper Imperial IPA).”
Keeping with that barkeep’s optimism, they also have a new “Shutdown Brown”, a hazelnut brown ale.
Railtown is located at 3595 68th St. SE, in Dutton but just across the border with Kentwood. For food and beer information, call 616-881-2364 or visit railtownbrewing.com.
TwoGuys is located at 2356 Porter St. SW, in Wyoming. For food and beer information, call 616-552-9690 or visit twoguys-brewing.com.
Broad Leaf is located at 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd, in Kentwood. For food and beer information call 616-803-0602 or visit broadleafbeer.com.
Local public school’s plans for remote learning differ, but all meet state guidelines and goal that “teaching and learning must continue.” (Public Domain)
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, early this month, ordered all K-12 public school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year but urged the continuation of education through remote learning — in fact part of her order included funding the use of public school facilities by public school employees and contractors for the “purposes of facilitating learning at a distance.”
Many Wyoming and Kentwood school districts, along with the Kent ISD, anticipating the governor’s order, had already been working on remote learning plans. But the governor’s order set a deadline of this week for remote learning plans to be submitted and approved by the Kent ISD, and required “all schools to begin providing learning opportunities for all students no later than April 28, 2020. Districts who are able to begin their plans earlier are encouraged to do so.”
Most local schools districts are already “doing so.”
There was no easy answer, no cookie-cutter answers given individual district goals, needs and even the logistics of working to verify students’ ability to access the internet and to distribute the technology necessary to reach as many students as possible.
So every district’s plan is unique but, in the words of the Kent ISD Continuity of Learning and COVID-19 Response Plan Application instructions, “although schools are closed and not providing in-person instruction, teaching and learning must continue.”
To look at just one plan, after getting approval of the district’s plan from the ISD, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools this week shared their plans with their community, and WKTV.
“Today marked a new beginning for Godfrey-Lee Public Schools as the district responded to the suspension of in-person learning and shifted to distance learning for the entire district,” Kevin Polston, superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, said to WKTV early this week. “District staff have prepared for this reality over the past few weeks to provide students and families necessary supports to continue meaningful learning for the remainder of the school year. New student learning begins today and will continue through the remainder of the school year ending on May 29.”
Some of the highlights of the Godfrey-Lee remote learning plan include providing almost 1,500 computer/tablet devices and contacting families individually to check on internet access — the district reports 93 percent have such access. For more detailed information on the Godfrey-Lee plan, visit here.
“While the means of delivering learning has changed, the district’s vision, mission, and values remain constant,” Godfrey-Lee’s Polston said. “I am confident that our students will have an excellent experience during our Continuity of Learning Plan, and our staff stands ready to support any student or family member in need.”
Also like other school districts in the Wyoming-Kentwood area, remote learning is only one part of Godfrey-Lee schools’ efforts during a spring of closed schools.
“The district has also continued to support the basic needs of families, social-emotional wellbeing of students, and health and wellness of families through Kent School Services Network (KSSN) support,” Polston’s stated. “It is the expectation that each student will have contact with a district staff member every week. … (And) the district implemented a structure to target students that aren’t in contact to offer assistance and support.”
Godfrey-Lee, also undoubtedly like other local school districts, has also gained support in their remote learning activities.
“The district is thankful for the generous support of individuals, community partners, and philanthropy during this crisis,” Polston said.
Garage Bar & Grill proprietor Kevin Farhat is helping where he can with feel meals. (Supplied)
After providing more than 3,000 free family meals in 30 days to the areas unemployed, the owners of the popular Garage Bar & Grill (819 Ottawa Avenue) announce they are continuing its pledge to provide 100 free meals per day through May 5. Once complete, the Garage Bar Cares initiative will have provided 4,500 free meals to those in need.
Although the program was set to expire April 20, Garage Bar & Grill owners saw the powerful impact this program has made on the community so they decided to extend the giveaways.
“It’s more than just providing food, it’s about providing hope and comfort,” said Garage Bar & Grill proprietor Kevin Farhat. “We have heard so many wonderful stories of how Garage Bar Cares has helps families and also spurred other giveaways and support efforts, so we just want to keep it going a little longer. Our sponsors were on board to extend the program and we had a new sponsor step up (Anderson Neitzel Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors), so we’re keeping our sleeves rolled up and continue serving.”
Launched Friday, March 20, Garage Bar Cares takes the first 100 people to call the Garage Bar’s Grand Rapids location starting at 10 a.m. each day to submit their order for a free meal to be picked up during operating hours. It’s an idea that Garage proprietor Kevin Farhat, along with Garage Bar owners Max Benedict, Dave Levitt and Brad Rosely, hoped would inspire others to find unique ways to help those in need during this unsettling period.
The first 100 people to call the restaurant receive a free meal. (Supplied)
“Our goal was just to get this idea off the ground and provide some relief to those in need,“ said Dave Levitt, partner, Third Coast Development and one of the four Garage Bar owners. “But as soon as we mentioned this to other local business owners, itreally took off. We’re grateful to our sponsors who have helped support this effort, and we’re very excited to see other restaurants and businesses create some type of giveaway initiative.”
The target audience for the first month of the program was focused on anyone who has been recently downsized or temporarily laid off from their job. For the extended period, new audiences are being targeted, including area first responders and organizers of Grand Rapids Service Industry Network Donations, which is a volunteer initiative that provides food and supplies to out-of-work service industry workers.
“The Grand Rapids food service industry is a tight-knit community, so we felt it necessary to help out our brothers and sisters in the industry,” Farhat said.
Individuals can call the Garage’s North Monroe District location at (616) 454-0321 with their name and order and select their pick up time. Callers will be able to order any item off the menu up to 2 people. Owners are asking that guests limit their order to once per day.
Aside from Garage Bar owners, Mercantile Bank, Pioneer Construction, Car City, Custer Office, Century Flooring, EatGR, InsureIt, Anderson Neitzel Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, an anonymous family and private donations have helped cover the expenses of the initiative. The Garage Bar is welcoming additional participation in the effort. Interested parties can learn more about sponsoring meals or making financial contributions by contacting Kevin Farhat at (616) 454-0321.
“It’s the community supporting those in need, which is keeping our staff employed,” Farhat explained. “The kindness of our community is really on display here.”
Garage Bar and Grill remains open for delivery and take out customers, as well, including beer and wine sales.
Those with dairy in their diet have a lower risk of diabetes—possibly because they’re eating less refined, low-fiber carbohydrates, according to one study. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
Dairy foods have been getting a lot of attention from researchers in recent years, notably from studies done both jointly and separately by scientists at Harvard and Tufts universities.
They looked at the relationship between full-fat dairy and the risks for heart disease and diabetes.
A 3,000-participant study found that people who included dairy fat in their diet had a lower risk of diabetes. One theory for the link is that people who skip or limit dairy might compensate by eating more refined, low-fiber carbohydrates, which can increase diabetes risk.
A study that followed more than 200,000 people over several decades looked at the relationship between dairy fat intake and heart disease.
It found no increase in heart disease risk among people who ate dairy fat, although the risk was lowered when calories from dairy fat were replaced with calories from plant-based fats or whole grains—24% when they were replaced by polyunsaturated fats and 28% when replaced with whole grains.
On the other hand, the risk went up by 6% if those calories went instead to foods with other types of saturated fat, like red meat.
A third piece of research reviewed nine studies that looked specifically at butter—another source of saturated fat—and its role in heart disease, diabetes and all causes of death.
The analysis found that while plant-based fats are healthier, small amounts of butter aren’t likely to hurt you.
What might you do with all this information? The familiar bottom line is moderation.
While it’s still healthier to cook with olive oil, for instance, you can indulge in a pat of butter on your hot whole-grain cereal or an ounce of cheese on whole-grain bread or, perhaps best of all, a serving of full-fat yogurt and a cup of berries.
A Michigan Department of Transportation project has begun that will reduce 44th Street to one-lane traffic each way between Breton Avenue and Shaffer Avenue until late July.
The $1,553,000 project, according to the City of Kentwood Public Works Department webpage, is scheduled to last from mid-April to late July.
The beginning of roadwork in early April on 44th Street in the City of Kentwood, headed west just before Shaffer Avenue. (WKTV)
The scope of work includes replacing the top four inches of asphalt on 44th Street from Breton to Shaffer, and replacing the intersection of Shaffer with full depth concrete, according to information provided to WKTV. Traffic will be maintained with a single lane in each direction throughout the project.
A construction notice was mailed to all residents that live adjacent to that section of 44th Street.
The 2020 election cycle, the August primary and the November general elections, will have a wide spectrum of officeholders for Wyoming and Kentwood voters to decide upon.
The 2020 election cycle, the August primary and the November general elections, will have a wide spectrum of officeholders for Wyoming and Kentwood voters to decide upon — from Kentwood’s District Court judge to President of the United States.
As the candidate deadline for the filing for partisan positions on the fall primary and November ballots passed today, April 21, at 4 p.m., a review of the Kent County Elections Office list also includes three local developments of special note.
Three candidates will vie for the Kent County Board of Commissioners 8th District seat, which is entirely in the boundaries of the City of Wyoming, but current commissioner and long-time public servant Harold Voorhees will not be one of them.
And current State Sen. Peter MacGregor (Republican, 28th District) is running for Kent County Treasurer, an action that if successful would require him to resign from his senate seat two years before term limits would force him to do so.
Both Commissioner Voorhees and Sen. MacGregor talked to WKTV briefly today about their decisions.
For Commissioner Voorhees, this is just the right time.
Commissioner Harold Voorhees
“At the end of 2020, I will have served 30 years in elected office. I think this is the right time for someone else,” Voorhees said. “I have been blessed to be able to serve people in three different elected offices … (and) my wife and I are in our 80s and we are blessed with good health. So why not spend more time with our six children, 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. We have lots of visiting to do.”
The new county commission’s 8th District commissioner, to be decided in November, will be either the sole Democrat to file, Sarah Chatterley of Wyoming, or the winner of an Aug. 2 Republican Party primary between current City of Wyoming City Council Member-at-large Dan Burrill and Grandville’s Denise Kolesar.
Additionally, in the county commission’s 13th District (Kentwood), incumbent Democrat Betsy Melton filed early but then removed her name late in the process, so fellow Democrat Michelle McCloud and Republican Levi Cipcic, both unopposed in the primary, will face off in November.
As far as Sen. MacGregor’s decision, he told WKTV that his love of public service — he has more than 11 years as a state representative and now state senator — and looming term limits are what drove him to the decision.
State Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28th District)
“I truly love serving the people” of Kent County, he said. “Maybe I can use my skill set to continue serving this way … (and) this is kind of a free shot to test that.”
If he does not win the treasurer seat, Sen. MacGregor would continue to serve his final two years in the senate.
Also seeking the county treasurer job, and running in the Democratic primary, are José L. Reyna and Beth White, the winner of which will face MacGregor in the general election.
City of Wyoming City Council
City of Wyoming voters will have three seats on the City Council to be voted on, all three on the November ballot and two of the three unopposed at this point. Incumbents Marissa K. Postler and Robert Postema have filed for the 2nd Ward and the 3rd Ward council seats, respectively. Rob Arnoys and John Fitzgerald have filed for a Commissioner-at-large seat.
Kent County Board of Commissioners
In other Kent County Board of Commissioners contests, in the 7th District (Grandville/part of Wyoming), Republican incumbent and Grandville resident Stan Ponstein and Democrat and Grandville resident Jane Newton will run unopposed in August and face off in November.
In the 9th District (Byron Twp./part of Wyoming), incumbent Republican Matt Kallman will be opposed by Keith Courtade (D) of Wyoming, while in the 12th District (Kentwood/part of Wyoming and Grand Rapids) incumbent Democrat Monica Sparks of Kentwood and Grand Rapids Republican Ryan Malinoski will run unopposed in August and face off in November.
Kent County-wide elections
Current Kent County District Attorney Chris Becker (R) will run for reelection unopposed this election cycle, but current Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young (R) will be opposed Democrat Marc Burns.
Current county Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R) will also be opposed, by Wyoming resident Devin Ortega-Furgeson (D). And current Drain Commissioner Ken Yonker (R) will be opposed by Elaine Isely (D).
Part of the Kent County Court System, Kentwood’s current 62 B District Court Judge William G. is bared from running again due to a state law setting an age limit of 70. Running for the non-partisan seat is Amanda Sterkenburg and Joe Jackson, both of Kentwood.
According to the Kent County Elections Office, local judicial candidates will only be on the November candidate listing unless they are forced into a primary (if more than twice the number of candidates file for the number of seats to be elected). If that happens, there will be a primary on the August ballot.
Wyoming’s and Kentwood’s state, federal elected positions
In the Michigan State House of Representatives 72nd District, which includes Kentwood, incumbent Rep. Steven Johnson (R) of Wayland will run unopposed in the primary but in November will face the winner of a Democratic primary between Lily Cheng-Schulting of Grand Rapids and Cade Wilson of Kentwood.
The state house 77th District (which includes Wyoming) will have incumbent Tommy Brann of Wyoming running unopposed in the Republican primary and, in November, he will face the winner of an August Democratic primary field of Bob Smith of Byron Center and Dana Knight of Wyoming.
In Michigan’s 2nd U.S. Congressional District (which includes Wyoming and Kentwood) incumbent Rep. Bill Huizenga (R) and Rev. Bryan Berghoef (D) will also run unopposed in August and face off in November.
Wyoming and Kentwood voters will in November also select between incumbent U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D) two Republicans running in the August primary, John James and Bob Carr.
According to the Kent County Elections Office, “Candidates without party affiliation have until 4 p.m. on July 16 to file petitions to appear on the November ballot.” So independents could still file for offices.
The City of Wyoming is moving forward on redevelopment plans for Gezon Park. (WKTV)
By Rebecca Rynbrandt City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation
The City of Wyoming is excited to announce the next steps in the redevelopment of Gezon Park. 5651 Gezon Ct., in an effort to continue to provide high quality and well-maintained parklands.
On Monday, April 20, the Wyoming City Council authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute an agreement for professional services with Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio in the amount of $132,710 and Fishbeck in the amount of $23,850. The profession services are to prepare construction drawings and bid materials for the next phase of Gezon Park’s development which will include a splash pad, walking and bike trail, restroom, shelter, and expanded parking.
“We are grateful to our residents as we continue to invest in the local economy through our parks system,” said Jack Poll, mayor. “The redevelopment has been highly anticipated by area residents as the project has been guided by community input.”
The large-scale park is expected to serve as a regional recreational source for the entire community. Currently, the interior of the park is undeveloped. This project would improve this area and increase access to recreation and leisure services for a significant portion of the community.
In 2018, The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department offered three development plan options for Gezon Park which were produced by Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio. (WKTV)
Gezon Park currently borders a densely populated residential area of the community which includes multi-family and single-family homes. The southernmost portion of the park has been developed as an athletic complex featuring baseball, softball, and football fields. The northernmost portion has been developed with a small shelter, playground, and basketball court.
“During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen an increase in our residents using our trails and recreational resources to maintain their physical and mental health. We’re excited for this next step in the process to make improvements to Gezon Park which will continue to add to these valuable facilities,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services.
The development plan for Gezon Park was approved by the City Council on April 2, 2018. Funding for the professional services was planned for in the city’s 2020 budget from the capital parks revolving fund.
Construction for this next phase for the park development is slated to begin in the spring of 2021. In the meantime, the community can look forward to the opening of Ideal Park, 5843 Crippen, this summer of 2020 and Jackson Park, 1331 – 33rd SW, in 2021.
Kentwood resident Amy VanDorp made regular visits to her mom’s place, bringing her groceries, dropping off items and just spending time with her.
“I was going over there at least once to a couple of times a week,” VanDorp said.
That was until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early spring and Michigan’s governor announced the Stay Home, Stay Safe order along with social distance guidelines of at least six feet or more between people, encouraging strict enforcement for those who are older and at higher risk of contracting the virus and becoming seriously ill.
So VanDorp’s visit to her mother changed to her and her family standing on the lawn of her mother’s Byron Center home at least six-feet from the porch where VanDorp’s mother stood. There was no contact, not even a hug.
“I realized I was becoming more frustrated because all I could do is look at her,” VanDorp said. “The more I saw her, the more I just wanted to hug her.”
As a social worker, VanDorp recognizes the power of human contact.
Kentwood resident Amy VanDorp talks about the Hug-Able as her husband, Jeff, puts it up in the background. (Hug-Able video)
“The power of the human touch releases endorphins,” VanDorp said. “It connects us. It decreases depression.”
After a recent visit with her mom, VanDorp recognized that her desire to have that contact — to at least hug her mom — was so strong, she decided to do something about it.
“I figured someone probably had created something,” VanDorp said, adding that she started thinking about science fiction films that always had a scientist using a glove box, a clear box where the scientist could put their hands in gloves to touch an unusual object or conduct an experiment. She also thought of a neonatal incubator for premie babies that has armholes so a parent is able to touch their child.
But a search through the internet led to VanDorp discovering nothing that would allow her to give her mom a hug. So she decided to make something herself and began to look around her home for items she could use. She spied a clear plastic drop cloth that could be used as a buffer and clear plastic bags that could be used as sleeves to put a person’s hands and arms in to give a hug.
Enter VanDorp’s husband, Jeff, an engineer, who armed with Duct tape, was able to take VanDorp’s idea of the Hug-Able and make it a reality.
“We took the plastic sheet and cut it to create armholes and then used the clear plastic bags and taped them to the armholes,” Jeff VanDorp said.
The family went over to the mother’s house, telling her they had a surprised but not to peek. In the family’s video, Jeff VanDorp tapes the Hug-Able to a door in the garage, creating a protective barrier between her and the family but through the plastic sleeves/garbage bags, they were able to hug.
Kentwood resident Amy VanDorp prepares to give her mom a hug. (Hug-Able video)
In the video, you can see how pleased VanDorp’s mother is to be able to hug her family members, saying things such as “This is awesome.” “This is beautiful.” “Can I keep this going all night?”
“She called me the next day and said she slept wonderful that night,” VanDorp said, adding that she does credit the power of being able to hug.
The family posted a video about their journey to create the Hug-Able as to give other people ideas of what they might be able to do to keep the human connection in these times of social distancing.
“My first goal in making the Hug-Able video was to hug my mom,” VanDorp said. “My second goal was to share the love of God with the people who watched the video.”
If you have questions about the Hug-Able, you can reach the VanDorps at hugable2020@gmai.com.
There are parts of aging that we don’t like to talk about, including the loss of independence that many older people face. It’s difficult to see our senior loved ones struggle with things that used to come easy to them, but it’s even harder for them as they have to face the idea that they can no longer take care of themselves alone.
Helping a loved one accept their new situation often involves a conversation about moving to a place where they can receive aid for the things they can no longer do themselves. With bleak images of nursing homes often popping into mind, this option is incredibly unappealing to many seniors. However, a perfect balance between independence and assistance for your senior loved one can be found in assisted living.
What does loss of independence look like?
Losing independence looks different in each senior as they age, but
there are three main ways elderly people begin to notice a loss of
independence.
Physical—As seniors age they lose strength and mobility, making housekeeping chores, getting out of bed, walking around their residence, bathing, and dressing difficult to do alone.
Mental—Losing cognitive function makes it difficult for seniors to remember appointments, medication schedules, when they last ate, and other personal care tasks.
Social—When a senior can no longer drive or move easily, they often find themselves isolated and unable to engage socially with others, which can have long-term effects on their mental health.
As a result of losing independence, seniors can feel depressed, angry, guilty, ashamed, or afraid. Seniors can also become confused about why they are losing their independence and either act out or isolate—neither of which are healthy reactions.
The most common of these feelings is depression, which can often go unnoticed in seniors. It’s important to get your loved one help if they are showing signs of depression, which include:
Loss of interest in socializing and activities that used to interest them
Changes in weight & appetite
Lack of motivation
Neglecting personal care (bathing, dressing, taking medications)
Decline in cognitive functions
Self-loathing
Another common reaction is extreme guilt or shame. Seniors can feel like their inability to care for themselves is their fault, or they might feel ashamed that they need help in parts of their life that they had control over when they were younger.
Every senior is going to react differently, so be aware of the different types of feelings that your loved one might exhibit during this difficult period in their life, and work with them to address the negative feelings that they have.
What can you do?
The best thing you can do for a loved one struggling through the process of accepting their loss of independence is to be patient. Your loved one may not understand their own feelings, so don’t add to their stress with your frustrations. Keeping a level head and remaining calm can go a long way.
Visit with your loved one regularly and encourage them to ask for help when they need it so you can understand what their needs are. Offer rides to get them out of their house or apartment and to places where they can socialize with others. If you are working as a temporary caregiver, remember to take your own health into consideration so you don’t burn out, causing more difficulty.
Another one of the best things you can do is encourage your loved one to move to a community that can give them both the help they need and encourage their own independence.
Assisted living and senior independence
Assisted living can be a great solution for seniors who need help in
certain areas of their lives, but want to maintain their independence as
well. Most communities create a plan with your loved one to provide
needed services, but allow independence in the other areas of your
family member’s life. Common services include:
In addition to assistance with these types of tasks, assisted living
communities also provide socialization opportunities that your loved one
wouldn’t find with in-home care or a family caregiver. Rather than
remain confined to a single room, assisted living communities are
designed to get seniors interacting with each other and participating in
fun activities.
Communities like Vista Springs are designed with independence and luxury in mind, and we look forward to giving your senior loved one every opportunity to maintain control over their lives while offering assistance with the things they do need help with. Click the link below to learn more about what makes Vista Springs different, or subscribe to our blog to get the latest information on all things assisted living!
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that, similar to federal tax refunds, families owed past-due child support will receive funds “intercepted” from federal stimulus payments.
As a result of a federal requirement, “stimulus payments to noncustodial parents who owe child support will be directed to custodial parents and children,” the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced in an April 17 statement.
Families will begin receiving the intercepted stimulus payments this week, according to the MDHHS.
“The Office of Child Support wants to make sure parents understand what is happening with stimulus payments to people who owe child support,” Erin Frisch, Office of Child Support director, said in supplied material.
As federal stimulus payments — officially known as Economic Impact Payments — authorized by the CARES Act, are sent to Michigan parents who owe child support and qualify for enforcement, all or a portion of this payment will be intercepted by the IRS through the Tax Offset Program, according to the MDHHS.
The funds will then go to the MDHHS Office of Child Support to be applied to the child support debt owed, also as required by the CARES Act.
Funds will be distributed to the custodial parent or guardian in the same way the Office of Child Support distributes all yearly federal income tax refunds that are intercepted.
The CARES Act authorized stimulus payments to address economic issues and unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law requires stimulus payments to apply to child support debt when distributing the funds.
“In some cases, the stimulus payments also will cover debt owed to the state based on specific case circumstances,” the MDHHS states.
The Office of Child Support reports that it does not know how much Michigan will receive from the IRS, but expects to receive weekly payments until the stimulus payments discontinue.
“We’ve managed to get to the life raft,” says epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch, of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH), in a recent AAAS/Science Magazine article. “But I’m really unclear how we will get to the shore.”
The article states that as governments move forward, there are many things officials will have to consider such as health of citizen, freedoms of the population, and economic constraints. Countries will be follow different paths to reopen as there is no controlled experiments to compare the effectiveness of different social distancing measures with one expert noting the comparisons of these paths could be revealing.
Breaking those habits
As the debate continues on when U.S. states and cities will reopen, one item everyone can agree on is that to beat the pandemic, everyone will need to make a change in their behavior. Throughout the crisis, people have been ordered to seek protection in large and small ways from washing their hands to avoiding almost all physical contact.
According to an AAAS/Science Magazine article, politicians, executives and Facebook and Twitter leaders have consulted with Robb Willer, a sociologist at Stanford University who has recruited more than 40 top behavioral sciences to help determine how to steer people into certain actions.
U.S. Census Delayed
When it comes to the U.S. Census, it appears U.S. leaders are in agreement: data collection is going to be delayed. The Trump administration has requested that Congress give the Census Bureau a four-month extension, until April 30, 2021, to deliver its data to the president and another four months to tell each state how many seats it will hold in the 435-member House.
The reason for the request, according to an article in AAAS/Science Magazine, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Census Bureau to delay sending out enumerators to track down anyone who hasn’t already completed the 10-question census that became available last month. Field operations are expected to continue until the end of October, making it impossible to meet the current statutory deadlines, which had field work being completed on Aug. 14.
WKTV Community Media is all about the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood, as well as our community volunteers who live all over West Michigan — community people who bring life to our building and to our work. So in these days of social distancing we at WKTV wanted to keep us a little more connected.
So, we asked people to “Tell us how are spending your time?” How has your life and work changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions? What has stayed the same in your life. What advice would you give to the other WKTV community members, and the public at large?
Leslie Vaas, high school sports remote, in-studio crew
“I’m working from home now, and since my coworkers normally do most of their work face-to-face with students at their schools, we’re cancelling everything we had planned for the spring and summer and figuring out new ways to continue providing services. So that’s been a challenge,” Vaas said to WKTV in an email.
Leslie Vaas
“But not all the changes to my life have been bad. It’s just as easy to video chat with a friend in New York as a friend in Michigan, so I’m seeing a lot more of people I don’t normally make weekend plans with. I also attended my first ever online birthday celebration, for a friend in Chicago who decided to host his party on Zoom. So even though it’s a bummer not to be able to spend time with people in person, it’s cool to see how creative people are getting.
“My family continues to get along well even though we’re all spending a lot more time at home, and so far we’re all still healthy. And as I already mentioned, I’m still able to do things with friends and family outside my household, thanks to technology. I’ve always done my workouts either at home or outside, so that required no change. I can still read books, and write stories, and continue watching a lot of my favorite movies, shows, and YouTubers, so most of my solo free time activities are still possible. And of course, Michigan’s weather remains as unpredictable as ever.”
And her words of wisdom:
“Whether you’re super busy now or have more free time than you know what to do with, try to find at least a little bit of time for things that help you stay sane or help brighten someone else’s day (while still maintaining social distancing). These are crazy times, but like High School Musical says, we’re all in this together. Stay safe, be kind, and hang in there, everyone.”
Thank you Leslie, for all you do.
Interested in learning more about WKTV Community Media, maybe getting involved with our volunteer community? Visit https://wktv.org.
WKTV volunteer Leslie Vaas in station’s remote coverage truck during a 2019 high school sports event. (WKTV)
Just 10 days after announcing an aggressive relief effort that pivoted its annual 100 business ideas competition, The Start Garden 100, into a fund for existing entrepreneurs, Start Garden announces it has selected grantees of its 100 Comeback Fund. Launched April 7, entrepreneurs had 100 hours to apply for a grant from a $300,000 fund. Just yesterday, a review committee awarded more than $300,000 to 68 entrepreneurs.
It was a whirlwind experience for the Start Garden team and entrepreneurs, but organizers knew the process needed to be quick as time and money is precious for so many entrepreneurs that are trying to navigate the next 100 days.
“Each day we talk to entrepreneurs, many say that time is their biggest enemy,” said Jorge Gonzalez, Start Garden co-director. “When their April 1 bills came due, it was a serious blow. We knew they needed money before May 1, so we compressed what’s normally six months of work into three weeks. With so many requests, we wished we could do more. We’re confident we did the best we could as fast as possible.”
The results of the 100 hour application process:
430 applications submitted.
$5.6 million in requests.
70% of fund requests were for $10,000 or less.
68 applicants were selected to receive funds.
Selections were made & entrepreneurs notified in less than 100 hours.
88% of recipients indicated a household income of less than $60,000.
44% of recipients are female. 56% male.
35% of recipients are African American. 32% are Caucasian. 25% are Hispanic. 4% are Asian. 3% identified as Other.
“New business owners frequently pay everyone else before themselves. Almost instantaneously, their ability to provide for their own families was compromised,” said Start Garden co-director Paul Moore. “These funds targeted eliminating that problem for an entrepreneur as they spend the next few months navigating the daily changing landscape of how to make a comeback.”
Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic reached Michigan, the decision was quickly made to pivot funds to The 100 Comeback as Start Garden leaders knew that new entrepreneurs often defer paying themselves in order to grow their business and they can’t lay themselves off. Almost all federal and state small business relief comes in the form of loans, and many new businesses can’t risk the additional leverage.
“The need for entrepreneur financial support is unlike anything we’ve ever seen right now,” said Start Garden co-director Darel Ross II. “People think a business owner is taking home the biggest check. Most don’t realize they’re investing that money into their people and business. In the small business and tech startup community, the financial impact of the COVID-19 shut down hits employers and employees alike.”
“The decision making process was quite emotional,” adds Start Garden program director Laurie Supinski. “Each entrepreneur has such a unique set of problems, which having the 100 second video in the submission was critical to understanding. Their resilience and creativity is so inspiring, and the heartbreak is very real right now. We remain hopeful that this venture will help keep 68 talented entrepreneurs going instead of folding.”
“My mother is an incredibly beautiful woman who has laughed at every single thing my father’s ever said. At a young age, my brother and I understood that if you can make girls laugh, you can punch well above your weight class.”
Seth Meyers (From whom we stole the headline!)
Love in the time of coronavirus
April is a big time for weddings and like many couples, Melanie Bork and Bradley Wernette were looking forward to their special day on April 17 in Petoskey, Mich. However, one uninvited guest — COVID-19 — crashed the party before it could even get started. Go here for the story.
Boardman Brown, on stage at a July 2019 Wyoming Concerts in the Park. (WKTV)
A summer concert, from your ‘stay at home’ couch
The members of Boardman Brown, a West Michigan band that lit a little musical bonfire at a Wyoming Concerts in the Park summer series gig last summer, are working their way through the COVID-19 restrictions just like everyone else — at home. Go here for the story/videos/on-demand concert.
A virtual walk in Australia’s Outback
The most iconic element of Australia’s Red Center, Uluru is sacred to the indigenous Anangu, who finally succeeded in having hiking banned on the rock late last year. But even walking around the perimeter (which is still allowed) is a staggering experience—particularly at sunrise or sunset, when the rock takes on a preternatural glow. Go here for a virtual tour video.
Fun fact:
883
… and each with at least one bad joke!
The current total number of Saturday Night Live eposides. Trivia bonus fact: On the very first episode of SNL, host George Carlin comes down from the balcony and discusses the differences between football and baseball, using the language associated with each sport. See Carlin’s monologue here.
In your later years, it matters less what type of movement you choose—it’s all about the fact that you’re up and moving. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
As people age, physical activity still needs to be part of the game plan for living a healthy, happy life—and experts say it’s never too late to get active and build strength.
“We try to tell people the body can still adapt and it can still improve,” said Barbara Nicklas, a professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Those who engage in more occupational or leisure time physical activity have a lower risk of disease and death—and the health benefits of movement can extend to all ages, Nicklas explained in an editorial in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Nicklas cautions against placing all “older adults” who are age 60 and up into one category. Rather than basing exercise and activity goals on age, they should be geared to one’s “physical functional status.”
“What can the person do?” she said. “Not everybody is the same.”
Whether you’re 65 or 85, or a runner, a tennis player or perhaps someone who has difficulty getting around, one constant remains: the importance of moving.
“Any time you can incorporate more movement throughout the day, it is good,” said Nicklas, who urges “starting where you’re at and doing what you can.”
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department and the American Heart Association recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity or a combination of both, as well as muscle-strengthening activity.
For those who have been living a sedentary lifestyle, walking is the best way to begin getting physically active, Nicklas said. She suggests going with a friend or enrolling in a walking program like the one her university offers. It adds accountability, a social component and safety, to guard against falls.
Using a “walking tool,” such as a cane or walker, if it’s needed, can help you stay active, Nicklas said.
“Slow and steady—the tortoise pace—is better than the rabbit pace when you’re starting out or starting over,” she said.
Resistance or strength training—through free weights, weight machines, pushups or pull-ups—can help with range of motion around joints and improve muscle mass, muscle strength and bone strength. It can help in the ability to perform everyday activities, improve balance and may reduce the risk of falls.
Fred Bartlit, 87, proves the point that chronological age isn’t the determining factor when it comes to strength and feeling young.
A former U.S. Army ranger, Bartlit always had been physically active. He also was an avid skier and golfer. As he reached his 50s, at the urging of his future wife, he intensified his workouts and began strength training at a gym.
Today, the Colorado attorney and author said he is stronger than when he was in the Army at age 22. In addition to practicing law, he makes it his mission to inform older adults about battling sarcopenia, the loss of muscle with aging.
“Our bodies, they’re crying out for physical activity,” he said. “And now the world is sedentary.”
For someone as active as Bartlit, strength training helps him ski challenging mountains trails with his 58-year-old son and 16-year-old granddaughter.
Multiple scientific studies point out that building strength is important in performing everyday activities and in avoiding or managing chronic disease.
Bartlit suggests working with a trainer at first, if possible, and trying to fit in strength training three times per week.
“You have to create habits,” said Bartlit. “It’s about living a full life. It changes the way you think, the way you feel, your confidence in doing things.”
Boosting physical activity and strength helps aging adults do the things they want to do in daily life—and that can be motivating, Nicklas said. It may be as simple as going to the grocery store on your own or having the energy to take grandchildren to the park or to a soccer game.
Older adults are disproportionately affected by conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, with 80% of people over 65 having at least one of those chronic conditions, according to the National Council on Aging.
But even though some health setbacks may occur with advancing age, they don’t have to completely derail an exercise plan. “This is just reality and it’s going to happen,” Nicklas said.
“Steady improvement” should be the aim, she said. “The body is still capable of adapting.”
Feel like you want to support seniors in your community while maintaining a social distance from one of the most at-risk COVID-19 populations? A new virtual food bank may be just what you’re looking for.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Aging and Adult Services Agency and the Food Bank Council of Michigan announced this week the creation of “virtual food bank” raising money to provide food boxes to seniors who are staying home to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Michigan residents can make monetary donations on the virtual food drive website to buy food for the project.
Kent County seniors who need extra support at this time can now sign up for assistance, including meal delivery, delivery of non-perishable food items, and daily wellness-check calls by contacting the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan.
The Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan said to WKTV, following the state announcement, that information on local food resources is available at aaawm.org/article/an-update-on-food-resources.
Each of the virtual food drive boxes is filled with 33 food items that provide for 22 well-balanced, nutritious meals, according to supplied material. Each box contains breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes for seniors who are food insecure. A donation of $28 pays for an entire box containing food such as chunk white canned chicken, green beans, peanut butter and low-sodium diced tomatoes. Boxes are distributed from local food banks through Area Agencies on Aging and delivered by volunteers.
“Michigan’s aging adult population is especially vulnerable to COVID-19,” Dr. Alexis Travis, director of the Aging and Adult Services Aging, said in supplied material. “It’s critical that seniors stay home, but they also need healthy food.”
The Michigan National Guard is packing the first 10,000 boxes at Gleaners’ Community Food Bank’s warehouse in Pontiac. The Food Bank Council is routing the boxes to Area Agencies on Aging across the state, but more food is needed to feed seniors.
“The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented additional barriers to food access,” Dr. Dawn Opel, of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, said in supplied material. “This program is an example of how we are creating innovative food distribution models to bring food to people where they are—to alleviate household food insecurity and to prevent the spread of the virus for those without transportation and other supports.”
About two weeks before the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order went into effect, more than 100 people gathered at the WKTV station, located at 5261 Clyde Park Ave. SW, to celebrate another great year of community programming.
At the annual Volunteer Banquet, which was held at the WKTV station, giving volunteers an opportunity to check out the recently finished construction work that added a new facade to the station’s main control room along with creating a second floor above Studio A. In fact, the new meeting space already has been used for a video shoot in February.
WKTV also added to its offerings with the creation of a new podcast room where about 20 shows are taped and filmed with the video housed on the Whole Picture Podcast Facebook page and the podcasts also can be found on the WKTV Journal website.
As always, the annual banquet is designed to recognize the many amazing contributions of the WKTV volunteers.
From left: Anne Cope with Scott Baisden (Pat Moll)
This year’s Volunteer of the Year, Scott Baisden, has spent plenty of time at the WKTV station, clocking in more than 1,000 volunteer hours while also editing and producing shows. Baisden has done a number of handyman jobs from various construction projects to landscaping. He also has lent his expertise to several WKTV productions and podcasts.
Far right, Mike Moll, with the rest of the WKTV Sports crew Mark Bergsma, Ron Schultz, and Paul Kabelman. (Photo by Pat Moll)
This year’s Community Service Programming recipient also is no stranger to WKTV. Mike Moll has been a WKTV volunteer for nine years and he might be a familiar face to many as he is one of the hosts for the WKTV Sports program. Moll also has written sports articles for the WKTV Journal and served as a host for a number of WKTV projects.
Recognition was given to volunteers for both years of volunteer service as well as hours of service in 2019. Following is a list of those recognized as well as their programs or volunteer areas for those honored for years of service.
From the left, Latesha Clay and Bernadine Francis were recognized as new volunteers. (Photo by Pat Moll)
From left, Cynthia Johnson and Randy Galaszewski received their Five-Year Awards. (Photo by Pat Moll)
Becci Schumaker received the 10-year-Award. (Photo by Pat Moll)
Allen Wegener received the 20-Year Award.
20 Years
Allen Wegener – Variety of shows throughout the years
10 Years
Beccie Schumaker – Sports/Concerts
5 Years
Cynthia Johnson – Sports/Parades
Randy Galaszewski – Anything Goes/Sports/Concerts
New Volunteers
Cynthia Best – Volunteer
Latesha Clay – L.I.P. Street Team
Bernadine Francis – Studio Productions
Dana Knight – Productions Involving Arts and Culture
WKTV Community Media is all about the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood, as well as our community volunteers who live all over West Michigan — community people who bring life to our building and to our work. So in these days of social distancing we at WKTV wanted to keep us a little more connected.
So, we asked people to “Tell us how are spending your time?” How has your life and work changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions? What has stayed the same in your life. What advice would you give to the other WKTV community members, and the public at large?
Dan Stevens, long-time WKTV volunteer, video partner (and humorist)
Dan Stevens is a man of many skills, including making sweets for WKTV’s volunteer potluck. (WKTV)
“With the crisis, there are no (sports) officiating opportunities thanks to schools being closed for the rest of the year, which doesn’t affect me much as I was not planning officiating high school sports this spring anyway. Thanks to my 25 months spent on active duty with the military, 19 of which involved recovery from two shoulder surgeries, I have enough money saved to support myself while I wait for summer recreation leagues to start providing me income again.
“Until that happens, though my shoulder isn’t 100 percent, it still works well enough to allow me to get lots of exercise by playing with a small (yet growing) group of outdoor pickleball enthusiasts (and yes we ARE maintaining awareness of social distancing when we play!) who like to play for 2-4 hours a day, 2-3 days a week. We all enjoy it as it keeps us sane and in good shape in the midst of these troubling times.”
And his words of wisdom:
“When I’m not out playing pickleball, I’m focusing on writing books, which I was planning on doing even without the pandemic, learning about stock market investing, learning a 2nd language, taking care of my adorable kitty Hobbes, and laying the foundation for starting my own business training future sports officials, so that when this pandemic blows over — and I have faith it will blow over — we can all get back to doing what we enjoy: reconnecting with work, friends and ESPECIALLY our WKTV family! So keep your chin up, everyone, we’ll all be seeing each other again very soon!”
Thank you Dan, for all you do.
Interested in learning more about WKTV Community Media, maybe getting involved with our volunteer community? Visit wktv.org.
The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.
We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from Monday and Tuesday, April 13-14 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.
State expanding COVID-19 testing criteria, access
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Monday it is expanding testing criteria for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) to include individuals with mild symptoms, and has published a COVID-19 test site finder at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus to help Michiganders locate a testing site near them.
“Expanded testing is needed to learn more about how COVID-19 is spreading in our state,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said in supplied material. “We want to make sure people know that if they have symptoms, they should work with their medical provider to be tested.”
Michigan’s testing priority criteria now includes: hospitalized patients, symptomatic healthcare workers and expanded list of “patients in congregate facilities with symptoms,” including those at:
The USA Masters Games and the State Games of Michigan, the organizers for the 2020 USA Masters Games originally scheduled to be held this June in Grand Rapids, jointly announced this week the postponement of the games to 2021.
At the same time, however, the State Games of Michigan organizers said it was still possible that some of the planned state games would take place later in the year.
The national games had previously been scheduled for June 19-21 and June 26-28, but will now be held June 24-27, 2021, still in Grand Rapids — and still set to be called the “2020 USA Masters Games”.
“On behalf of the USA Masters Games, and our Grand Rapids Host Organization, the State Games of Michigan, we want to emphasize that our number one priority is the health and well-being of all participants in the USA Masters Games,” Hill Carrow, CEO of the USA Masters Games, said in supplied material. “With that objective in mind, and given the great uncertainty and concern surrounding the current worldwide coronavirus pandemic, it has been determined that it is in the best interests of the safety of Games athletes for the Games to be postponed for one year.”
As far as the name of the games … “We’re following the example of the International Olympic Committee,” Carrow said. “When they decided to keep it the ‘2020 Summer Olympic Games’ in 2021, we said to ourselves, ‘That’s a good idea’, so we are doing the same thing with the USA Masters Games.”
The local sponsors of the national games are also still committed to the event, and the State Games of Michigan leaders are still hopeful their signature games can be held this year.
“As one can imagine, rescheduling a large 24-sport event is a major undertaking, and we will collaborate closely with the (USA Masters) Games rights-holder and our great local event partners as we transition to these new dates,” Mike Guswiler, President of the West Michigan Sports Commission in Grand Rapids, said in supplied material.
Eric Engelbarts, who serves as the Executive Director of both the State Games of Michigan and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2020 USA Masters Games, also discussed the status of the state games in the announcement.
“First, I want to assure participants in the 2020 State Games of Michigan, that those games are not being postponed, but the timing of the sports competitions are all in flux now as we shift the schedule and location of events to dates, likely throughout the summer, that will hopefully allow this year’s events to take place,” he said in supplied material. “ … We ask for patience as we work through the large number of details while our … staff is having to work remotely under state and local government lockdown restrictions.”
“In Between the Trees”, Rose Hammond’s 2019 documentary film about the historic African-American resort towns of Idlewild and Woodland Park, was more than simply a community project supported by WKTV Community Media.
It is a prime example of a community-led project which WKTV prides itself in being an advocate for and a partner with. And the film will be on display next week as it begins a short cable-television run on WKTV Community Channel 25.
“As Rose went through he process of producing this documentary, we all found it fascinating that she was uncovering this amazing story of local history,” said Tom Norton, general manager of WKTV Community Media. “WKTV is happy and proud that she chose to use this facility to realize that storytelling goal.”
WKTV will air “In Between The Trees Monday, April 20, at 9:30 a.m.; Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m.; and Friday, April 24, 10 a.m.
Idlewild was started in 1912 by white investors who created a resort for black vacationers during the Jim Crow era — when most resorts would not allow blacks to book stays. Woodland Park came a few years later.
Rose Hammond at WKTV Community Media for the premiere of her film “In Between the Trees”. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The film about the history of the towns — produced, substantially filmed, and edited at WKTV by Hammond — is based on her 1994 book “Idlewild & Woodland Park, Michigan (An African American Remembers)”.
“I was attracted to the story when coming home and our family went up north to visit our grandpa’s old house,” Hammond said to WKTV. “While in Woodland Park all I heard were the stories of how it used to be. I then decided that someone needed to put a collection of interviews together to maintain the historical value of the community.
“No matter what becomes of the two communities they will always be known as an outlet for thousands of African Americans to entertain and vacation like their counterparts. It will always be Idlewild and Woodland Park.”
For the complete WKTV Journal story, visit here. The trailer for the documentary can be viewed here and another here. For a WKTV video interview with Rose Hammond while the film was in process, visit here.
The genetic traits that helped our ancestors battle food scarcity could today be contributing to excess weight and related illnesses. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)
It’s not easy maintaining a healthy weight. Even when you manage to drop a few pounds, they often return.
Why would the body seem to encourage obesity?
New research suggests the answer lies far back in human evolution, with an anti-starvation mechanism that primes the body to store fat.
The key to this mechanism is a protein dubbed “RAGE,” according to New York University scientists working with mice. They believe RAGE evolved to help keep ancient humans from starving when food was scarce.
But today, in times of plenty, there’s a glitch at work: RAGE is produced to combat the cellular stress caused by overeating.
The protein seems to mistake this stress as similar to starvation, and so it switches off the body’s ability to burn fat. The result: fat becomes easy to accumulate, but tough to shed.
Still, there’s a silver lining to all of this, the NYU team said, because the research might lead to anti-obesity drugs.
“Our thinking is that RAGE is targetable. When we put mice with no RAGE expression at all on a high-fat diet, they ate the food but were not becoming obese,” explained study author Dr. Ann Marie Schmidt, from the NYU School of Medicine.
And a lack of RAGE appeared to be safe, at least for mice.
“When you totally delete RAGE in mice, they have normal reproduction and no problems with cognition,” she said.
The researchers hope that because RAGE seems to be active just during times of metabolic stress instead of during everyday functions, taking it away won’t create problems.
But don’t pin your hopes on a RAGE-deleting drug just yet.
Schmidt was quick to note that any such drug is a long way off yet because the research is currently in mice. Findings from animal studies don’t always translate to humans.
Still, Schmidt said the potential is exciting.
In addition to limiting the body’s ability to burn fat, RAGE also may contribute to inflammation throughout the body. So, along with taming obesity, it’s possible that removing the RAGE protein might help with some of the inflammatory consequences of obesity, such as diabetes, cancer, hardening of the arteries and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the researchers.
Dr. Michael Wood, medical director for bariatric surgery at the Detroit Medical Center’s Harper University Hospital, said the study was interesting, although very early.
And, Wood said, “obesity is a very complicated problem, and I think these findings are an oversimplification.”
But Wood noted that it’s possible the RAGE protein plays a role in excess weight. It’s just not likely the only factor in the development of obesity.
“I don’t think there’s one switch or any one thing that can solve this complicated issue. There’s no magic bullet for obesity,” he said.
Right now, if someone wants to lose weight, they have to commit to lifestyle changes, Wood said.
And, that’s true even if someone has weight-loss surgery. He added that the most significant change comes from eating fewer calories. Exercise is a healthy habit, but only a small component of weight loss.
The study was published online recently in the journal Cell Reports. Funding was provided by the American Heart Association, the U.S. Public Health Service and the American Diabetes Association.
Melaine Bork and Bradley Wernette were not about to let COVID-19 prevent them from getting married. The couple tied the knot April 13 at Metro Health. (Supplied)
April is a big time for weddings and like many couples, Melanie Bork and Bradley Wernette were looking forward to their special day on April 17 in Petoskey, Mich. However, one uninvited guest — COVID-19 — crashed the party before it could even get started.
Both essential employees working at Metro Health – University of Michigan Health — Bork is a a nurse in the post-anesthesia recovery unit and Wernette is a physician assistant in neurosurgery — the couple faced long hours ahead on the front lines of battling the coronavirus. That and a governor’s executive order limiting gatherings met the Petoskey wedding was not going to happen.
But Bork and Wernette were not about to let anything stop them from getting hitched.
Metro Health chaplain John DeVries (center) officiated the ceremony. (Supplied)
“We can say that we’re more excited about the marriage than one day of a party and a wedding,” Bork said. “We’re more excited about the rest of our lives and a marriage.”
They picked a new venue, the place they happened to be at the most, Metro Health, and reached out to the hospital’s chaplain, John DeVries. DeVries has married other people at the hospital, but it is normally when a patient is too sick to have a wedding anywhere else, adding that this was a much nicer experience, despite the less-than-perfect venue.
“It is really nice to have a wedding to focus on and to show there are good things going on during this unprecedented time,” DeVries said.
Social distancing guidelines were followed for the April 13 wedding of Melaine Bork (second from right) and Bradley Wernette (right). (Supplied)
So a few days earlier from their original date, the couple tied the knot on Monday, April 13, with two co-workers as witnesses and DeVries officiating the ceremony, and of course, all social distancing guidelines being followed. Metro Health also was able to stream the ceremony for the couple’s family members to watch and enjoy the special union.
The couple is not alone. Across the country, there have been reports of couples finding ways to say their “I dos,” from one couple stepping outside for their “walk” to another having a drive-by wedding.
The couple, who reside in Hudsonville, hopes to have a party with the 110 friends and family who were planning to come to the Petoskey ceremony this summer to celebrate their nuptials as well as taking their postponed honeymoon to Hawaii.
The couple’s friends and family were able to watch the wedding via streaming. (Supplied)
In an effort to obtain information to track potential COVID-19 hotspots in Kent County, the county health department today launched a new web-based survey for residents — keepmihealthy.org.
The “secure, anonymous, web-based survey” — which does not required an app download — will provide health officials with “valuable data that could potentially identify future COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ in Kent County,” according to the announcement.
“Our ability to respond to this pandemic depends upon timely, accurate, and multi-sourced data,” Kent County Health Department Director Adam London said in supplied material. “The information gathered through this survey will provide us with an additional layer of data to make strategic decisions on how we use our resources.”
Local technology company OST, which started in Grand Rapids in 1997 but now has a worldwide footprint, actually came to Kent County with the idea.
“We would like to thank local technology developer OST for turning this community health screening concept into reality,” London said. “Without being asked, they identified a need, reached out to us and other community partners, and quickly developed an easy-to-use and effective screening tool.”
The survey questions are simple — as simple as “Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms or not?”
To complete the survey, residents will be asked to answer four personal identification questions including year of birth, gender, county, and zip code.
All data will be kept confidential and housed in a secure database, according to the announcement. Under licensed agreements, health care professionals, hospitals, and local health departments will have access to the anonymous data to learn more about the community’s health in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID- 19.
To complete the survey, go to keepmihealthy.org/ and click “Get Started!”
Upon completion, residents can optionally provide their mobile phone number to receive a daily text reminder to take the survey.
“By taking the survey daily, it will ensure health officials are making decisions based on the most current information available,” according to the statement.
To learn more, review the frequently asked questions document at keepmihealthy.org/faq.
A Spanish version of the application will be released shortly.
If there is something that staff from West Michigan hospitals have learned during the past couple of weeks, if you ask, the community will rally to help.
As the announcement of the Stay Home, Stay Safe order came out and area hospitals began to see the number of COVID-19 cases rise, hospital officials put out a request for items.
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Public Relations Manager Jamie Allen said Metro Health has received a number of donations from the community. Among those contributing are:
• Amway donated 3,400 bottles of hand sanitizer
• Steelcase donated 1,800 face shields
• Byrne Electric donated 500 face shields
• The Center for Physical Rehabilitation donated an assortment of gloves, wipes, and sanitizer
• Planet Fitness donated hand sanitizer and disinfectant products
• Posh Nail Spa and Girl Cave Nail Salon donated gloves
• Hoekwater Family Dentistry donated masks and gloves
• Home Depot donated make, filters, and gloves
“We are now asking for homemade cloth masks from the community,” Allen said, adding that they have received about 600 handmade masks from individual donors. “These are something we want to provide to our non-clinical staff members.”
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is accepting donations from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Items are to be brought to Metro Health’s System Services and Learning Center, 1980 Metro Court, Wyoming. People should enter using the door on the south side of the building, facing M-6.
Area schools contribute
With public school and college buildings shut down due to the governor’s order, staff at KentISD and several area universities and colleges discovered they had extra personal protection equipment that would not be used for the current school year.
School News Network reported that the Kent Career Tech Center’s Exploring Health Careers program has donated personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, isolation gowns, and cleaning items like hospital-grade wipes and hand sanitizes to Spectrum Health and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
According to School News Network, other schools that have donated include Rockford, which donated 5,000 medical gloves and more than 1,000 masks and Grandville High School science department donated 219 pairs of protective eyewear to Metro Health. As well as Grand Rapids Community College, which donated more than 70,000 pieces of medical and personal protection equipment and have had faculty members volunteering time and expertise to Spectrum Health and GRCC’s Nursing Programs loaning thermometers and donated more than 1,500 thermometer probe covers to the Grand Rapid sPolice Department.
Various departments at Grand Valley State University have donated medical supplies to regional health care systems and facilities. Efforts include donating disposable gloves from science laboratories as well as custom-made masks designed and created by engineering students and faculty, and face shields and respirators donated by occupational safety and health laboratories.
“It seemed like the right thing to do,” said Michele DeWitt, lead lab supervisor with the GVSU Chemistry Department, who led efforts for donating 90,000 disposable gloves to Spectrum Health. “We don’t want the doctors, nurses and other health professionals to get sick. We want them to be able to help us.”
The Padnos College of Engineering and Computing and the applied Medical Device Institute worked to design and create approximately 1,000 face masks, all made by hand from fabric and metal. Because elastic is in short supply, the design incorporates a metal clamp to hold the mask in place comfortably. Those masks will be donated to American Family Care, an urgent care in Grand Rapids that was already in short supply of equipment.
Businesses getting creative
Business leaders have also rolled up their sleeves to help where they can.
Hearing that there was a major shortage of nasal swaps for the COVID-19 test kits at a Grand Rapids hospital, The Right Place staff identities Keystone Solutions Group, a member of its medical device consortium, MiDevice, that had the capabilities to fulfill the request. The company’s team worked to develop the swabs and being production for West Michigan health care systems.
Many have heard of Holland’s Coppercraft Distillery’s efforts to produce hand sanitizer with the company delivering a 1,000 gallons to Holland Hospital before the end of March and another 1,000 gallons to the Detroit Fire Department last week.
While Coppercraft is focused on area hospitals and other emergency agencies, Three Oaks’ Journeyman Distillery has answered the call of providing hand sanitizer to the community.
“In the early 1940s, the Warren Featherbone Company supported the war effort by manufacturing raincoats for the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Journeyman founder and self-proclaimed history buff Bill Welter. “Now, almost 80 years later, we’ve converted our production facility in the historic Featherbone factory to make hand sanitizer for front-line healthcare and essential service providers—as well as our community.”
In March, Journeyman had a fundraising bottle sale for its Hourly Employee Fund and from there requests for hand sanitizer started rolling in with the company website taking online orders.
Southwest Airlines Grand Rapids station staff prepares to take snacks to Spectrum Health. (Supplied)
Due to national restrictions, travel has been down especially on the airlines. Southwest Airlines found it had an abundance of snacks it normally serve for on-board flight service and wanted to make sure food items were put to good use. This week, Southwest Airlines Grand Rapids station dropped of 30 boxes of snacks to teams at Spectrum Health as a way of saying thanks to all the healthcare employees putting in long hours to battle COVID-19.
Donations are being accepted at many facilities. For a list of items, click here.
In future Michigan classrooms, the age of COVID-19 will be studied by all age groups. A new Michigan History Center program seeks to collect stories to tell. (U.S. Army)
The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.
We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from the Easter Sunday holiday weekend, April 9-12 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.
Michigan History Center seeks public input for COVID-19 pandemic project
The Michigan History Center has announced a new collecting initiative that gives residents the opportunity to share stories that reflect their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the benefit of future generations.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a critical moment in history, and the Michigan History Center is committed to documenting — through objects, archival materials, stories and experiences from diverse Michiganders — how the coronavirus is affecting Michigan residents in the workplace, at home, in communities and in many other settings,” an April 11 press release states.
The first phase of the three-phase collecting initiative is active right now. It offers a web-based platform for people to share and donate photos, videos and audio files that document their daily lives during this emergency— all of which will be considered for preservation in the Archives of Michigan’s collections.
Michigan health insurance providers to waive COVID-19 patient costs
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) announced that the state has received agreements from nearly all of the state’s health insurance companies to waive cost-sharing, including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and treatments. The Whitmer Administration and DIFS had worked with insurers to waive these costs.
Consumers with these individual and group health plans will not be charged cost-sharing for coronavirus-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, laboratory testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and FDA-approved medications and vaccines for COVID-19 when they become available.
The new Expedition 63 crew joined the Expedition 62 crew a board the International Space Station. (Front row from left) NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner. (Back row from left) NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir. (Credit: NASA TV)
On Wednesday, April 15, the WKTV Government 26 will feature the live NASA coverage of the Expedition 62-63 Change of Command Ceremony as Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka hands over the command of the International Space Station to NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy. The ceremony is scheduled for 4:55 p.m.
Live coverage continues on Thursday, April 16, for the Expedition 62 farewells and Soyuz MS-15 hatch closure as NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan and Jessica Meir and cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka prepare to return to earth. Coverage begins at 6 p.m., with the hatch closure scheduled to take place at approximately 6:35 p.m.
Stay tuned for the de-orbit burn and landing coverage starting at midnight Friday, April 17. The de-orbit burn is scheduled for approximately 12:22 a.m., with the landing near Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan expected at 1:17 a.m.
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 Channelon Comcast and AT&T U-verse 99 Government Channel 99.
Feeding America West Michigan’s mobile food bank operation is working with Woodland Mall and the Michigan National Guard to provide Mobile Food Pantries for those facing hunger. The weekly food distribution is open to the public but aims to serve unemployed service industry workers. (Feeding America WM)
There has always been hunger in the Wyoming and Kentwood area — and across the region, state, country and world, in fact. And there is a long list of groups big and small working to be part of the solution to the problem.
From the City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry to the Kent County Community Action, from local school districts to Wyoming’s United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) and a score of other area churches and other private non-profit organizations, many groups have done their part and continue to do their part in this time of a COVID-19 unemployment surge.
Feeding America West Michigan is providing weekly Mobile Pantries in Woodland Mall’s parking lot. The Michigan National Guard is helping to distribute the food each week. (Feeding America WM)
The most far-reaching single group, however, is Feeding America West Michigan, which with the aid of the Michigan National Guard and Woodland Mall began weekly food distribution at the mall April 1.
The next Woodland Mall mobile pantry food distribution, from Feeding America’s Service Industry Workers Mobile unit, will be Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m., at 3195 28th St., Kentwood.
“Hunger is not new,” Molly Kooi, communication manager for Feeding America West Michigan, said this week to WKTV. “Before COVID-19, 1 in 8 people in our 40-county service area faced hunger. Now, many more people are in need of food assistance due to unemployment, school closings and a variety of other factors.”
Feeding America West Michigan (WM), part of Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks, not only collects and directly distributes food but also works with many religious and non-profit groups. And they have some sobering statistics about the impact of COVID-19 on the food assistance need.
“We’ve seen a 235 percent increase in people searching for food assistance on our website,” Kooi said. “We’ve seen a 50 percent increase in the amount of food requested by our partner agencies. We’re spending $100,000 each week to keep up with the increased demand for food.”
The new distribution site at Woodland Mall is just one part of the group’s efforts, and one part of a much wider spectrum of emergency food providers. In the Wyoming and Kentwood area alone, food pantries supported by Feeding America include the East Paris Community Food Pantry, located at At-Tawheed Islamic Center and Mosque, on East Paris Avenue; Faith Reformed Church Food Pantry, on 44th Street SW; and Family Network, also on 44th.
What to expect if you’re seeking assistance
The first step for persons seeking food assistance — especially persons new to the system such, maybe recently out of work and seeking to support families — could be the regional Feeding America WM webpage FeedWM.org/findfood, Kooi said.
Feeding America West Michigan is working with Woodland Mall and the Michigan National Guard, to provide weekly food distribution at the mall parking lot in Kentwood. (Feeding America WM)
“There they will find a map making it easy for them to locate our partner agencies (red icons) and mobile food pantry sites (blue icons) near them,” she said. “If they don’t have access to the internet, they can call 2-1-1 or our office (616-784-3250) for assistance.”
And how does a person new to the system qualify and register for food assistance?
Some traditional food pantries have income limits, some have geographical limits and most have visit frequency limits (say, once a month). However, many may be changing how they are doing things due to COVID-19, Kooi said.
“I would tell a neighbor in need to first locate a food pantry near them and then reach out to that pantry’s director, or search their website, to learn what the requirements are,” she said.
Feeding America WM’s mobile pantries are hosted by organizations such as churches or schools, and provide fresh produce and other food to those in need, farmers’ market style, Kooi explained. All attendees are required to fill out a form asking for basic information like household size.
“Anyone in need can attend mobile pantries at any time and no one is turned away,” she said. “Due to COVID-19, all mobile pantries are providing drive-thru service at this time.”
Woodland Mall food distribution part of large network
The new mobile food pantry at Woodland Mall is a prime example of diverse organizations working together.
During the recent COVID-19 crisis, Feeding America has gained assistance from the Michigan National Guard at various locations including at the Woodland Mall mobile distribution.
One reason for the National Guard assistance is that Feeding America WM’s regular volunteer force, often older retired persons, has been directly impacted by safety concerns and stay-at-home orders.
But the local work is just a small part of the scope of Feeding America WM’s food bank collection and food distribution work.
Feeding America West Michigan currently owns 30 trucks, that drove about 418,000 miles in 2019, according to the organization. (Feeding America WM)
The food bank currently owns 30 trucks, that drove about 418,000 miles in 2019, according to the organization. So many trucks and trips are needed because of the way our the organization works: “We reclaim safe, surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retail stores, and then distribute it to more than 800 partner agencies throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula,” they state in supplied material.
Typically, more than 100 mobile food pantries are held each month across our 40-county service area. More than 99 percent of the donated food collected and distributes comes from large-scale food donors, with a small amount from community food drives.
Feeding America WM also delivers thousands of pounds of various food items to fixed food pantries and other hunger-relief agencies each month.
Where to go for support, to be part of the solution
During the COVID-19 pandemic, two things have defined the American — and the world’s — job market: rampant unemployment and the explosion of work-from-home. That, and the already emerging changes due to interconnected world job markets and automation in the workplace, are profoundly changing the future of work.
So the World Affairs Council of West Michigan’s now virtual-only spring lecture series is perfectly timed as it looks at “The Future of Work” with three Tuesday evening lectures discussing the future workforce and workplace changes in a changing world.
“The Future of Work” series, presented in partnership with the Kent District Library, will start with the reality that “COVID-19 creates a ‘new normal’ in all aspects of our lives, including the economy and work,” according to World Affairs Council statement.
Set to start the series on Tuesday, April 14, Kristin Sharp, a partner with Entangled Solutions, out of Washington, D.C., will speak on “Global Trends Shaping the Future of Work”.
Following discussions will be April 21, as a panel led by moderator Attah Obande, “Director of Dream Fulfillment” at Spring GR, discuses “Entrepreneurs’ Experiences in the Changing Economy: Local Perspectives”.
Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink (GRCC)
Finally, on April 28,Dr. Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College, will discuss “Working Together for Growth in West Michigan: Industry and Education”.
The premier of each discussion will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. each Tuesday and can be attended for free via the World Affair’s Council’s YouTube page for an “interactive conversation” as there will be the ability to send questions during the live presentations. All the discussions will be available afterwards as archived videos.
“Globalization. Automation. Underemployment and the gig economy. What are the trends that have been shaping patterns of work?” the World Affairs Council states about the series. “How will government, industry, and educators respond to the new opportunities and challenges created by change? Just as importantly, how do people imagine new possibilities in their local roles as workers and citizens in a global and tech-driven economy, so that we can positively affect the future of work?”
Details of the discussion leaders
Kristin Sharp. (Supplied)
Kristin Sharp, as a partner with Entangled Studios, is “focused on building out the future of work, automation, and ed/workforce technologies portfolio,” according to her company’s webpage biography. Prior to joining the company, she co-founded the Shift Commission and launched the ShiftLabs and Work, Workers, and Technology projects at New America, examining the impact of automation and AI on the workforce. Earlier in her career, she worked in technology, innovation, and national security policy in the U.S. Senate, working in senior staff roles for senators and committees on both sides of the political aisle.
Attah Obande, of SpringGR. (Supplied)
Attah Obande works for Spring GR, “a grassroots business training experience that uses the business model canvas (think of it like a road map for starting a business) to help entrepreneurs develop their business idea or business,” according to the company’s website. Over the course of 12 weeks, the group brings people together in small groups, teach the business process, and provide coaching. … For two years following graduation, SpringGR “acts as a bridge to connect graduates to other resources throughout Grand Rapids to further grow and develop their businesses.”
Dr. Bill Pink is the tenth president of Grand Rapids Community College, starting in 2017. He has been an educator for over 25 years, including as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma City.) and he has taught and/or coached in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Oregon. He has an Associate’s Degree from York College (Nebraska), a Bachelor’s from Oklahoma Christian University, a Master’s from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.
When caring for a loved one, the process can be both a rewarding and stressful experience. It often involves shifting family dynamics, financial changes, and an increased workload. Because of this, it is not uncommon for caregivers to experience increased feelings of stress and burnout. Without support, these feelings can lead to emotional and physical problems like heart disease and depression.
To avoid these issues, it’s important to recognize the need for help and support to relieve some of the stress. Here are some practical ways to accomplish this:
1. Ask for help
Caregivers often find themselves taking on too much and not wanting to burden others with our responsibilities. However, this common problem can quickly lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and helpless. Speak up and let family and friends know that you need some assistance.
Additionally, when someone does offer to provide help, don’t be afraid to accept it. Keep in mind that this also means having to relinquish complete control of the situation, which can be challenging.
2. Take breaks
Busy caregivers often don’t have much leisure time to themselves. However, not making this element a priority could be counterproductive in the long run. If necessary, dedicate this time in a calendar and ask someone to help fill in for you (see the paragraph above and ask for help with this item) and take the time to rest from the list of caregiver responsibilities. After this rest time, energy and focus will be improved, increasing attitude and productivity.
3. Make health a priority
When a caregiver fails to make their health a priority, that will ultimately result in not being able to provide the level of care their loved one needs. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, regular doctor visits, and exercise are essential components that keep a caregiver feeling great and energized.
4. Find support
Depending on the situation, caregiving can become a lonely place. But that doesn’t have to be the case, as there are many other caregivers out there that are dealing with similar situations and they can become an excellent resource. There are also support groups available (both in-person and online) that focus on discussing and listening to others’ who know and understand what caregiving entails. These groups can provide comfort from those feelings of lonesomeness as well as education and insight on care and specific diseases.
5. Accept the situation
It is easy to find ourselves in a trap of feeling frustrated or mad about the caregiving situation, continuously asking why something like this has happened. That energy is being wasted and doesn’t help improve caregiving abilities. Instead, try to accept the situation and use it as a tool to build personal strength, depth, and understanding.
In conclusion, when stress and burnout set in, it puts the caregiver at risk of not being able to provide adequate care. That impacts both the caregiver and the person being cared for. The bottom line is that managing the health and well-being of a caregiver is equally as important as making sure a family member takes their medication and gets to their doctor appointments on time.
In the 40-year history of a Grand Valley State University economic survey, the economic situation in West Michigan has seldom looked this grim, said Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in Grand Valley’s Seidman College of Business.
“Although negative, much of our data collected in the third and fourth weeks of March do not begin to reflect the impact of recent events,” said Long.
Long surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of March.
The survey’s index of business improvement (new orders) slipped to -21 from +7. The production index dropped to -16 from +2. The index of purchases plunged to -30 from +9, and the employment index plummeted to -25 from +9.
Long said the Detroit automakers made good on their promise to report only 2020 quarterly sales, which reflect the aggregate of positive sales months of January and February and the negative month of March. “Even then, sales were off considerably,” he said.
Long said at this early stage, assessing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is almost impossible, but said “we are now in a historical collapse.”
“If, by some miracle, we were to have a viable vaccine in the next few months that could be widely distributed, the economy would quickly begin to recover,” said Long. “However, some marginal businesses have already been forced to close, and there will surely be more to follow. Unfortunately, this crisis is still just beginning.”
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.”
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced today that it is actively collecting digital submissions of community stories, videos and photos related to COVID-19 to ensure the local pandemic experience is documented for future generations. The COVID-19 pandemic will be recorded as a significant event in history and the GRPM encourages all community members to take a moment to reflect and share how COVID-19 has impacted you, your family and community.
“We want to do our part in making sure that we’re documenting history as it happens, especially since this pandemic has dramatically shifted life for the people of West Michigan and beyond,” said Alex Forist, the GRPM’s Chief Curator. “We hope to collect a variety of stories from community members so we can accurately portray what life was truly like during the pandemic, while also creating an archive for future generations to remember this time.”
Signs like these on Marge’s Donut Den is just some of the items the Grand Rapids Public Museum is looking to collect. (WKTV)
Once it is safe to do so, the Museum will begin collecting objects related to the pandemic as well. From products and signage made by local businesses, to homeschool lesson plans and grocery lists, the Museum hopes to document everyday life during this time. Donors may indicate objects they are interested in giving to the Museum Collections in the online form at grpm.org/collections. To ensure all health care workers have the resources needed during this time, the Museum will not accept objects or medical items, such as N95 masks, until the crisis is over.
To submit a story, video or photos, visit grpm.org/collections and click “submit.” People of all ages are encouraged to submit. Children 17 and under may submit their experiences, but must have a parent or guardian sign off on the form. For additional questions, please call 616.929.1809.
The GRPM Collections page on the Grand Rapid Public Museum’s website. (WKTV)
The Grand Rapids Public Library is also collecting stories related to the COVID-19 pandemic to create a shared community memory of this time. Consider sharing your story with both the GRPM and the GRPL. Stories submitted to the GRPL will become a part of the Library’s permanent archival collections and will give scholars, historians and medical researchers a record to study in the future. Learn more at https://www.grpl.org/covid-19-stories/.
To learn more about the GRPM’s Community Documentation Project, visit grpm.org/collections. Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #CommunityCollectingGR to help spread awareness.
