While some may enjoy all the winter activities, there are others who are facing some of the darkest periods of the year.
These are people who may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that is related to changes in the season. SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year. For most, it starts in the fall and well into the winter months although some can have the verse of Spring and Summer Affective Disorder.
This past year has been one like no other with stress brought on by the COVID pandemic, an election and unprecedented movements such as the Black Lives Matter movement which may have further complicated those dealing with SAD.
Not able to adhere to exercise routines or to take a trip to sunny or warmer climates or just having access to the therapist presents obstacles.
Don’t brush off your feelings as a case of the winter blues or just being in a funk. If you find you are losing interest in what you enjoy doing, can’t focus or are even having suicide thoughts, make sure to tell someone.
It is normal to have some sad days but if those days outweigh the good, then you should talk to someone. Remember, you matter.
One of the oldest businesses in the Wyoming area is Tommy Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille. Home to Michigan’s “Original Sizzle,” Brann took over the Division Avenue restaurant in 1971 and has been running consecutively for 49 years. Brann also serves as the 77th District State Representative, which covers the City of Wyoming and Byron Center Township. He has often said that being a restaurant owner has given him a unique perspective into what people face everyday, especially during the COVID pandemic where he has championed for support for those in his industry.
Name: Tommy Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille
What is your business? Steakhouse
How long has your business been operating? Been in business 49 years at same location 4157 S. Division Ave., Wyoming.
How did your business get started? My dad lent me $30,000 dollars at age of 19 after working for him since 13. He saw my hard work ethic and we bought the Southern Restaurant July 5, 1971 on a land contract. I had a $5,000 a month payment at the age of 19.
Friendly staff are ready to serve at Tommy Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille now that restaurants have been reopened by the state. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Why did you decide to locate your business in the Wyoming/Kentwood area? The Southern Restaurant was up for sale at that time in Wyoming. Also, we had a motel one time on the property and I stayed there also.
What has been the greatest challenge for your business? The biggest challenge was to show that a 19-year-old kid can do it and they saw me working from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. right off the bat and for more than 20 years with that work schedule so I could make my $5,000 dollar a month payment.
What is the most popular product/item at your business/restaurant? Popular item is our sizzler steak.
What is a Wyoming/Kentwood business you like to visit during your free time? Cherry Health, 2929 Burlingame Ave. SW, in Wyoming. It is a non-profit but they do so many great things.
Did your New Year’s resolution to lose 2020’s COVID weight gain stall out by the end of January? Maybe you need a new approach. I’ve been impressed with the macro approach to weight loss. You only have to think about the three macros, short for macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are the nutrients your body needs in smaller amounts. Whether you follow a vegan, paleo, Mediterranean, or USDA MyPlate diet, you can make macros work for you.
With a macro diet, you focus on getting a certain number of grams from each of the three macros. This approach helps ensure that you are getting the nutrients your body needs—the best way to use macros to lose weight is to choose healthy, whole foods.
Fats have gotten a bad rap but your body actually needs them – but hold the fries. Healthy fats help your body convert calories to energy, support organ health, and cell growth, and enable your body to absorb vital nutrients. Chow down on avocados, tree nuts, and seeds. (We love pepitas—pumpkin seeds.) Cook with olive or grapeseed oil. Experts now tell us that bacon fat is OK, as long as the bacon is uncured, preferably from free range pork, and has no harmful additives like nitrates and nitrites.
Healthy carbs provide fiber, naturally. Dig deep on the grocer’s shelf for 100% whole grain breads. Fresh fruits and veggies are also fiber-rich carbs, especially dark, leafy greens. Cook up a pot of black beans and brown rice with a side of home-cooked collards or kale. Now we’re talking healthy carbs.
When you think “protein,” your first thought might be meat. And you’re right. Lean cuts of chicken, turkey, or beef and fatty fish (think salmon or mackerel) are great meat-based proteins. Eggs, milk, and cheese also provide a good amount. Plant-based protein options offer an inexpensive way to meet your body’s protein needs. Legumes (like black beans or unsweetened peanut butter), tree nuts, tofu, and seitan are a few examples.
So how do you count your macros? How much do you need of each? That depends on your weight loss goals and physical activity. You can find a great macro calculator at FreeDieting.com that even lets you figure in the kind of diet you want to follow, e.g., keto. In general, you should eat 30% fat, 30% protein, and 40% carbs if you exercise an hour or less every day. Those numbers shift to 25% fat, 30% protein, and 45% carbs if you exercise one or two hours every day.
Maintaining your ideal weight and eating nutrient rich foods are two ways you can achieve optimal health. But sometimes, doing those two things can be difficult, especially if you have other health concerns. Before you start any diet, check in with your medical doctor or a certified nutritionist to get the go-ahead. And don’t forget to get adjusted by your chiropractor on your journey to better health. An aligned spine improves the function of your nervous system and supports the health of your body’s organs, which in turn can impact your metabolism and cravings.
When Thelma Ensink decided to step down as the administrator for Calvin Christian Schools, all she knew was the calling to go back to her roots and work with the most vulderable population.
Within a few months, the Wyoming resident would discover a possible direction as Marge Palmerlee, the longtime executive director for Dégagé Ministries, had announced her plans to retire.
“When I did hear about that position opening up, I thought this is the right fight,” Ensink said. “This is the type of organization I wanted to serve in this next chapter of my career.”
Born and raised in South Africa during apartheid, Ensink said her experiences ignited “a passion for social justice because I grew up around racial injustice.” Her family immigrated to the United States, settling in the Grand Rapids.
Ensink attend Calvin University and through a friend’s suggestion became a paramedic, which introduced her to Dégagé Ministries, where she learned the residents’ stories were not that much different form her own.
“In may ways they were living lives just like mine until there was a tragic event or maybe they served in the military and that sent their life into a very different course,” she said. “All of sudden they find themselves experiencing poverty, being without a home, being without the resources and relations to be in a stable place.”
Ensink did not forget those stories through her career which included working at a rural Ionia medical practice and serving as a teacher and administrator for Calvin Christian Schools.
Heeding the call to work with the most vulnerable population, Ensink decided to leave Calvin Christian Schools last spring.
“I just knew I wanted to work in that field, so I kind of took a step of faith, stepping away from the education world and really seeking the right opportunity,” Ensink said.
Now in the Dégagé director position for about a month, Ensink said she is enjoying the opportunity to work with the staff and volunteers.
She admits it has been an interesting time to step into the role as many, because of the pandemic, are facing hardships for the first time.
“We are focused right now on the immediate needs and looking forward to when we can welcome our volunteers back and host community events,” Ensink said.
Also this past October, Degage broke ground on a new $6 million project that will expand services to the area’s homeless and low-income families. Part of that project includes a sleeping area for those who are on third shift and a recovery area for those who had surgery.
For more on Dégagé Ministries, its projects and needs, visit degageministries.com.
With gyms and parks closed and people sheltering in place, it is easy to see how people have been able to gain weight during the pandemic.
Obesity can aid in worsting the effects of COVID as well as lead to diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
But now is the perfect time for people to make healthy lifestyle changes, according to Dr. Afriyie Randle, the host of WKTV’s Medical Moments.
They key to doing this is scheduling a routine: plan your bedtime, your meals and everyday, wake up and dress for success.
Cook new foods and add fruit, vegetables and grains to your diet. Try a new form of exercise such as yoga or tai chi.
Now is a good time to access your lifestyle and make some healthy changes. Get to know you again. Remember losing weight is possible in this pandemic, just create a plan and do it.
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health’s newest outpatient office is now open, bringing more services, including heart and vascular specialists, to East Grand Rapids, Cascade and surrounding areas.
Metro Health Beltline, at 1310 E. Beltline Ave. SE, just north of Lake Drive, replaces a smaller clinic on Cascade Road. All the providers from that office are relocating to the East Beltline site, and their phone numbers will not change.
The building’s modern design emphasizes a patient-centered concierge atmosphere. Nurse triage spaces provide convenient access for walk-in patients. The office is equipped with technology that allows self-rooming and self-checkout to reduce patient wait time and promote safety.
“As we enter a new world of healthcare delivery, this office is an example of Metro Health’s commitment to finding new and innovative ways to deliver quality care to our patients,” said Dr. Rakesh Pai, Chief Population Health Officer and President of the Medical Group.
At 30,500 square feet, the office is Metro Health’s largest primary care site. It has the capacity to accommodate up to 20 providers and 55 staff, caring for between 400 and 500 patients a day.
The office’s comprehensive services include family practice, sports medicine, internal medicine, behavioral health and diabetes education. Additionally, with adult and pediatric heart and vascular specialists, patients will have the choice of seeing their cardiologist at the main hospital or the East Beltline location. Heart and vascular services offered include chest x-rays, electrocardiograms (EKG / ECG), stress echocardiogram exercise or medication, graded exercise tests (GXT) and continuous portable telemetry monitoring.
With two patient care levels, the building also includes on-site x-ray and laboratory services. The office is open 7am to 5pm weekdays, with walk-in visits accepted. Call 616-252-1500 or visit Metro Health’s website for more information.
“We’re all looking forward to maintaining a relationship with our existing patients in this new location, where they will have convenient access to a wider range of services,” said Dr. Edwin Kornoelje, Metro Health Beltline Site Director. “At the same time, we look forward to adding new patients to the Metro Health family.”
By Office Jenni Eby Wyoming Department of Public Safety
This week’s Traffic Tuesday question focused on accidents and what information to collect.
During snowstorms when there are a lot of minor crashes and long police response times, drivers are sometimes “ordered in” to the police department after a crash. That means that if both vehicles are driveable and no one is injured, the drivers are asked to exchange information and come in to the police department to make a crash report on another day. What information do you need to exchange for both drivers?
Only driver names
Only names and phone numbers
Only names, phone numbers, and vehicle information
Names, phone numbers, vehicles information, and insurance information
I’m not sure, I’ll check back on Thursday!
The answer is 4) Names, phone numbers, vehicle descriptions and insurance information.
Make sure to get the first and last name of the other driver, their phone number, the name of their insurance company and the policy number, and the vehicle description. Remember CYMBAL for the vehicle description: Color, year, make/model, body style (2 door/4 door/pickup/van, etc), additional (damage, bumper stickers, things that make it unique), and license plate number.
As part of its continued efforts to ensure the well-being and safety of its family of associates, customers and communities during the coronavirus pandemic, SpartanNash has partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with state programs in all states the company operates in, to offer the COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with the nationwide rollout plan.
The vaccine will be administered at no cost to patients and will be available at each of SpartanNash’s 88 company-owned pharmacies, such as Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Family Fresh Market, and Forest Hills Foods. SpartanNash operates stores in Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Store guests may sign up to be notified when the vaccine is available at their nearest SpartanNash pharmacy atshopfamilyfare.com/covid19vaccine.
“With multiple COVID-19 vaccinations approved and ready for broad distribution in the coming months, SpartanNash and our family of retail pharmacies are here for our store guests, and we are committed to providing them with a safe, clean environment to receive this important vaccine,” EVP and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Lori Raya said. “Our pharmacists have and will continue to play an important role in the fight against the coronavirus, providing critical care for the communities we serve. You can trust us to provide safe access to the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available.”
To ensure the safety of both store guests and pharmacists as well as the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, customers will schedule an appointment and complete a health screening prior to receiving the vaccination. These measures ensure low wait times and appropriate social distancing efforts, as well as allowing customers to receive their second dose in a timely manner.
During the scheduled vaccination appointment, the pharmacist will administer a contact-free temperature reading, and both the pharmacist and the customer will be required to wear a medical grade face mask, provided by SpartanNash as an additional safety measure.
Following the COVID-19 vaccination, customers will be visually monitored by the SpartanNash pharmacist who administered the vaccine for a brief period of time.
To maximize access to COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the U.S. government’s partnerships with large chain pharmacies and networks that represent independent pharmacies and regional chains. Through the partnership with pharmacy chains, this program covers approximately 60 percent of pharmacies throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The area’s most famous road is 28th Street which runs through both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. This aerial view shows 28th Street heading east from the City of Wyoming. The Woodland Mall is located on the right about midway on the photo. The photo was probably taken in the early 1970s.
If you have have old photos of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, please contact historical commissions for either of those communities. For Kentwood, click here. For Wyoming, click here.
There are lots of incredible businesses and restaurants right in our own backyard which is why WKTV has partnered with the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce to bring this series focused on businesses right here in the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming.
Starting the series is Tomato Pie. which was recently purchased Chef Joseff VanHorn, owner of YoChef’s Catering Company and YoChef’s Café.
Name: Tomato Pie, 5301 S. Divison Ave.
What is your business?
A restaurant serving wood fired thin Napoli-style pizza, with a wonderful bubbly crust. Combining high quality ingredients with unique flavor combinations. Also serving hot subs and specialty salads.
How long has your business been operating?
I took over the pizza business November 16, 2020 from Sam D’Angelo (open a total of 18 months)
How did your business get started?
Sam D’Angelo had a vision of what pizza should be (hand tossed dough made from scratch and a red sauce that was made from scratch but not too sweet. Sam & I have been friends for years and in the middle of 2020 we both had to make a move. Catering was at an all time low for me and Sam needed someone he could trust to keep his vision alive and take it to the next level! I excepted the challenge and have been using my 30-plus years of operating many kitchens to bring Tomato Pie to the next level.
Chef Joseff VanHorn just put a wood fire pizza into the oven. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Why did you decide to locate your business in the Wyoming/Kentwood area?
Sam owned a car lot on which the new building stands. I have another business in Kentwood – YoChef’s Catering Company & YoChef’s Café so it was a perfect fit to be located right around the corner.
What has been the greatest challenge for your business?
Keeping our business open during 2020. COVID-19 and all the rules and regulations that have affected the hospitality business has made it almost impossible to stay open.
Tomato Pie’s Crazy Greek features fresh spinach, roast artichokes, red onion, roasted red pepper, feta, mozzarella and Kalamata olives. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
What is the most popular product/item at your business/restaurant?
Specialty pizzas that you can’t find anywhere else separate us from the standard pizza place. We slice to order a lot of specialty meats and cheeses to make your pizza just the way you like it. People have told us the Margherita, four cheese, & aged prosciutto pizza are the best in town.
What is a Wyoming/Kentwood business you like to visit during your free time?
I have not had much free time. Mostly my away time is spent shopping for local products, meats and cheeses. I really enjoy Lee’s Market for Asian and the Mediterranean Island Market for the hard to find specialty meats and cheese like Suho Meso and Sudeka (smoked beef products).
Hopes for 2021:
We hope to get Tomato Pie open and profitable where people enjoy dine-in or take out food for lunch or dinner. You can not tell from the street but when you walk inside Tomato Pie it is a GREAT place to dine-in. We have an open kitchen where guests can see us toss the dough by hand in the air and make their lunch/diner right in front of them. It is all about the show!
By Officer Jenni Eby Wyoming’s Department of Public Safety
Rhis week’s Traffic Tuesday question was about snow plows. Do you know what year the first snowplow designed to be used with motor equipment built?
A flyer from the Good Roads Machinery Company which is unofficially credited with creating the first snowplow.
A. 1898
B. 1905
C. 1913
D. 1920
The answer is 1913. in New York City. The Good Roads Machinery Company is unofficially credited with creating the first snowplow for the very specific standards of the New York City Cleaning Bureau.
“It was nice to see all the people walking around,” wrote a Facebook friend as we discussed visiting downtown Grand Rapids to see the World of Winter Festival.
Hosted by Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. (DGRI) and the City of Grand Rapids, the annual event is designed to encourage area residents to get out and enjoy the winter weather. Wanting to make the event special, especially with everyone dealing with the pandemic, the city’s DDA added to its initial $150,000 contribution with an additional $155,000 to expand the festival. This allow organizers to increase the number of outdoor sculptures .
The festival runs through the end of February with different activities and sculpture pieces being installed.
“HYBYCOZO” is on display at Ah-Nab-Awen Park. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Currently on display is “HYBYCOZO,” a series of large-scale installations and artworks that investigate geometric exploration and patterns through light, shadow, and perception. The piece is located at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, which is in front of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW.
Between the Blue Bridge and Pearl Street will be “Grand Illuminations” featuring light and color along the Grand River.
“Winter Tumbleweeds and Grasses,” on the Blue Bridge, is an interactive art installation made out of more than 5,000 pool noodles. The installation features five large tumbleweeds, three small tumbleweeds and for groves and two anemones.
Near the Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW, is the “Path of Encouragement,” which features positive saying and messages such as “It’s OK to no be OK.”
“Path of Encouragement” is located near the Grand Rapids Public Museum. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Look to the sky to see the 20-foot inflatable dancing tube persons on top of 10 buildings throughout downtown Grand Rapids. Part of the “Color the Skyline,” the bright colorful characters can be seen from the downtown sidewalks as well as from US-131 and I-196.
Being added on Friday is “Impulse,” an interactive art installation that consists of 15 seesaws that light up and create sound when put into motion by people. “Impulse” is located on Monroe. At Canal Park is “The Singing Tree,” a lighting experience that transforms traditional displays into interactive experiences. Participants will be able to sing, clap, or yell to create an unforgettable and magical experience.
Another installation, set to run Jan. 29 – Feb. 2 is the “Ice Luminaries.” Featuring 10 giant icicles with lights frozen in the center, the Ice Luminaries will light the way along the Gillett Bridge located near Ah-Nab-Awen Park.
“Winter Tumbleweeds and Grasses” on the Blue Bridge. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
On Feb. 1, the “Elevated Love Language” project, led by Grand Rapids Poet Laureate Ericka “Key Kane” Thompson, will be installed. In this exhibit, short poetic expressions from local artists will be placed on billboards or projected onto buildings throughout the city.
Also in February, every Saturday and Sunday night, will be “Projection Mapping” by Live Space, which will light up the front of the Civic Auditorium, located on Lyon Square across from the Amway Grand Plaza.
More than 80 ice sculptures will be part of the Valent-ICE, which will take place Feb. 12 – 14. Grand Rapids Running Tours will be offering Ice Sculpture Walking Tours and self-guided tours also will be available.
Many of the past group experiences will not be taking place at this year’s event, however DGRI is planning to live-streaming dance performances at two installations. Also during the six-week event, there will be walking tours such as The Chilly Challenge: the Heartside Walking Tours and Black History Walking Tours as well as pop-up performances, tribal storytelling, outdoor ice games, and a scavenger hunt.
Every year, Mackinac State Historic Parks sends historic interpreters into classrooms throughout the state to share the diverse historic and natural history of the straits area with the students of Michigan. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in-classroom outreach has been suspended. However, Mackinac State Historic Parks is excited to debut its lineup of six virtual offerings, headlined by the award-winning Historic Mackinac on Tour program.
“Our new online education programs allow us to reach students across the state, regardless of whether they are learning in the classroom or at home,” said Mackinac State Historic Parks’ Chief Curator Craig Wilson. “Additionally, our new programs significantly broaden the scope of MSHP’s educational offerings, allowing us to address a variety of curriculum standards across multiple grade levels.”
All programs will be offered via Zoom, allowing for students to interact with the historic interpreters. Programs cost $20 each and can be booked fully online. Programs available for the 2020-21 school year include: Historic Mackinac on Tour, Slavery in Colonial Michigan, Women at Michilimackinac, The Revolutionary War in Michigan, Weathering the Climate: Science and Gardening at Michilimackinac, and Challenges to Expansion: The War of 1812 in Michigan. Full descriptions and availability of each program can be found at mackinacparks.com/education.
Historian Craig Wilson talks about the Old Mackinaw Point Lighthouse. (Mackinac State Parks)
Mackinac State Historic Parks’ education outreach programs are made possible, in part, by the generosity of Mackinac Associates, the friends group to MSHP.
Mackinac State Historic Parks, a family of living history museums and parks in northern Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac, is an agency within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its sites—which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums—include Fort Mackinac, Biddle House, Historic Downtown Mackinac, The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum, and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, and Colonial Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse, Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, and Michilimackinac State Park in Mackinaw City. Mackinac State Historic Parks is governed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, established in 1895 to protect, preserve and present the parks’ rich historic and natural resources for the education and recreation of future generations. Visitor information is available at (231) 436-4100 or online
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and Grand Valley State University announced today that the annual Roger That! conference and event is returning on Friday, Feb. 19, and Saturday, Feb. 20. Roger That! celebrates space exploration and the life of Grand Rapids native, Roger B. Chaffee, with a multi-day virtual experience, hosted by both organizations.
“The Museum is thrilled to partner with GVSU for the fifth year to celebrate the life of Roger B. Chaffee and space exploration through a series of free public events,” said Rob Schuitema, the GRPM’s Director of Public Programs. “Although the celebration is virtual this year, attendees are going to be fully engaged and intrigued by the incredible lineup of guest speakers and presentations that address space, science, art and more.”
GVSU will host a virtual academic conference consisting of a diverse lineup of panelists including meteor scientists, engineers, artists, experts on virtual reality, physicists, space collection curators and astronauts. Registration required. For more information on GVSU’s guest lecture lineup, schedule and to register, visit gvsu.edu/rogerthat.
Roger Chaffee died with his fellow astronauts in a training exercise. (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
“Going virtual has allowed us to include speakers from around the country and around the world (Australia and Vatican City) and will also allow conference participants to tune in from everywhere,” said Deana Weibel, event co-organizer and GVSU professor of anthropology. “For instance, we have a visual effects panel composed of Hugo, Emmy and Oscar awardees. Since this year’s event is virtual, we felt it was important to include discussion from members of an industry that helps take us where we can’t be.”
Public events hosted as part of Roger That! include a livestream of a 1925 sci-fi silent film “Our Heavenly Bodies,” accompanied by the acoustics of the GRPM’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ; a webinar led by Dr. Brent Bos, who is a West Michigan native and NASA scientist; and a science fiction panel discussion featuring Hollywood special effects artists. To learn more about public presentations taking place as part of Roger That! visit grpm.org/RogerThat.
Public Virtual Events
The GRPM will kick off its public celebration on Friday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. with a special virtual presentation of the 1925 sci-fi German silent film, “Our Heavenly Bodies,” accompanied by the dynamic sounds of the 1928 Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ. This performance will be live streamed from the GRPM’s Meijer Theater and will be available to watch via a Zoom link. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance due to limited spots. Tickets are available by visiting grpm.org/RogerThat.
On Saturday, Feb. 20, at noon Dr. Brent Bos, West Michigan native, senior research physicist at NASA Goddard Flight Center, and camera operator of the OSIRIS-REx asteroid mission, will host a webinar titled Bombshells at Bennu: Revelations from NASA’s First Asteroid Sample Return Mission. This webinar will be live streamed from the GRPM’s Meijer Theater and will be available to watch via a Zoom link. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance due to limited spots. Tickets are available by visiting grpm.org/RogerThat.
The celebration will conclude with a panel discussion, Art and Special Effects in Science Fiction, on February 20, starting at 3 p.m. The panel will be led by four Hollywood special effects artists: Vincent Di Fate, Ron Miller, Robert Skotak and Rick Sternbach. This group of artists have produced Oscar, Emmy and Hugo winning achievements, and will discuss the role of art in science fiction, while focusing on the introduction of special effects in silent films. The panelists will reflect on Friday’s silent film of “Our Heavenly Bodies” as well as share their own stories, experiences and artwork. Q and A will follow. The panel discussion will be available to watch via a Zoom link. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance due to limited spots. Register at gvsu.edu/rogerthat.
Visitors are encouraged to continue celebrating space exploration by visiting the GRPM’s Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, which features a new show Incoming! that explores asteroids, comets and meteors. A live show, created by the GRPM, will accompany the movie portion of Incoming! in partnership with NASA scientist Brent Bos. In addition to the show, the GRPM also partnered with Brent Bos and created a set of new interactive experiences outside of the Chaffee Planetarium. These include a lunar crater station, meteors under a microscope and a meteor pinball machine.
The Planetarium lobby also features an exhibit with Roger B. Chaffee related artifacts that tell a detailed story of his life.
The GRPM is open during regular business hours with capacity limits. Advance tickets are required for entry. Planetarium lobby interactives and displays are included with general admission. Planetarium shows are an additional cost and can be purchased at grpm.org/planetarium.
Roger B. Chaffee and the Apollo Tragedy
On Jan. 27, 1967, tragedy struck NASA’s Apollo program when a flash fire occurred in command module 012 during a launch pad test of the Apollo/Saturn space vehicle being prepared for the first piloted flight, the AS-204 mission. Three astronauts, Lt. Col. Virgil I. Grissom, a veteran of Mercury and Gemini missions; Lt. Col. Edward H. White, the astronaut who had performed the first United States extravehicular activity during the Gemini program; and Grand Rapids Native Roger B. Chaffee, an astronaut preparing for his first spaceflight, died in this tragic accident. The Grand Rapids Public Museum renamed its planetarium to the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium the same year. The Planetarium was originally opened in 1994 and has gone through renovations to provide the best experience for Planetarium visitors.
Roger B. Chaffee, born in Grand Rapids, MI, was an American naval officer and aviator, aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut in the Apollo program.
Next time you pass by the intersection of 36th Street and South Division, try to imagine this one room school house that once occupied the northeast corner for many decades. As the local population grew in the mid 1800s, there soon was a demand for a new schoolhouse. The brick building was constructed in 1867 and stood until 1924. Hand pumped water, a wood burning stove, and outdoor toilet facilities were the standard accommodations during its operation. The first school teacher employed was Charley Howard, making a dollar a day. At the time of its construction, railroad transportation was just starting to develop in Michigan. What is now Division Avenue was then an unpaved road that served as a high-trafficked main highway linking Grand Rapids with areas to the south.
This photo is part of the Wyoming Historical Commission collection. If you have photos or memorabilia of the City of Wyoming and would like to share it with the historical commission, email wyominghistoryroom@yahoo.com.
If there was a word for 2020 it would be collaboration, said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll as he presented his 12th State of the City address at the City Council’s Jan. 18 meeting.
Through the annual address, Poll reflects on the past year while taking a look at the future.
“We did not see 2020 coming,” Poll said. “No one did.”
But despite the challenges faced by many, the residents of the City of Wyoming came together to help each other.
“Our community stepped up together,” he said. “I could spend an entire evening highlighting the ways in which we worked collaboratively to overcome challenges and create a brighter future for all who live, work and play here in Wyoming.”
As the state went into lockdown, businesses were forced to close their doors — some permanently — and employees who could worked remotely did. But cities like Wyoming, Poll noted, are not able to shutdown and the Wyoming City staff “without missing a beat” developed a response plan to ensure the safety of residents, business, and visitors.
Due to social distancing, many activities did not take place and others were moved to virtual. More than 2,400 people participated in virtual programs, Poll said, adding that the Wyoming Senior Center staff has worked with Senior Meals on Wheels to prove more than 6,800 senior meals and in a drive-thru format for personal care items.
Poll noted a number of other successes:
More than 78 percent of the residents self-responded to the U.S. Census, which was nearly a six percent increase over the 2010 U.S. Census. Through in-person follow-up, the city had a 100 percent participation once the 2020 U.S. Census was completed.
At the November presidential election, 65 percent of the registered voters in Wyoming cast ballots with more than half of these ballots being absentee. That is a 420 percent increase in absentee voting over the last presidential election.
The city’s Department of Public Works added more than a mile of new waterman in two separate projects and repaired more than 40 waterman breaks including repairng a major water transmission line in just nine days so that more than 230,000 West Michigan residents could receive clean water.
One of the highlights for 2020 was the grand re-opening of Ideal Park. (WKTV)
In 2020, the city issued more than 580 building permits at a value of more than $105 million in construction.
The Wyoming Planning Commission reviewed more than 40 projects such as the new residential development with multiple buildings to businesses near Burlingame and 60th Street and another new resident developments that included the addition of single family, multi-family and dedicated senior living homes.
Restoration of the Burlingame water tanks
More than 14 miles of streets were resurfaced.
The city celebrated the grand re-opening of Ideal Park and began construction work to improve Jackson Park.
The city invested more than $663,000 in Community Block Grant funding with more than $140,000 spent on housing rehabilitation programs and support services and $79,000 spent on additional public services to prevent homelessness.
The Wyoming Housing Commission participated in a venture with developers to help complete applications to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority which lead to the Housing Commission passing eight resolutions to help increase affordable housing options in Wyoming.
The Department of Public Safety assisted the City of Grand Rapids during several protests. The police responded to 28,500 calls for service and fire responded to about 6,500 calls for service in 2020. Public Safety also responded to 900 calls for confirmed or suspected cases of COVID.
As the city looks toward the future, Poll said the city will have to consider how to maintain its current financial stability.
“Today, our city is in a solid financial place, but we cannot rest on those laurels nor rely on this to continue to grow,” Poll said. “We have to anticipate our future growth and the corresponding future needs of our community.”
Wyoming must continue to address its community needs, such as the staffing of the Department of Public Safety which is understaffed compared to other similar sized communities, Poll said.
“The council and I will be working with city staff to evaluate financial options we hope to bring to residents for review in the coming months,” Poll said.
The city expects to see more development of 28 West in 2021. (WKTV)
Poll said there are many exciting events set to take place in 2021:
The hiring of the city’s next deputy city manager
Working with local developers and continuing to identify the right tenant for the Site 36 property.
Additional retail development along 28 West as the city welcomes nearly 400 new residential units on the site for the former Studio 28
Approving the city’s new master plan
Continuing to work with the cities of Kentwood and Grand Rapids and The Rapid in the Division United study to help the growth of the Division Avenue corridor.
Poll encouraged residents to get involved and mentioned that there were openings on several of the city’s boards and commissions such as development, community enrichment and others.
“Let’s make 2021 a year where we ll are commit to be involved and be informed,” Poll said.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Still Spreading Joy
The City of Holland recently announced that it would keep its holiday lights up through March, extending the cheer through the winter months. The lights are up through downtown Holland so that walkers and runners have the opportunity to enjoy them.
Build It and They Feel Welcomed
The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosted a soft opening this week for its new entranceway. Those who visit the Gardens will now enter through the new Welcome Center, which is comprised of two levels, the Main Level and the lower Courtyard Level. The Main Level features the new entryway, Ram’s Garden, ticketing center and expanded coat room, restrooms, and mobility center as well as other features. The library, archives, indoor eating area and the new Mimi’s Garden are located in the Courtyard Level.
Remembering a Leader
On Monday, Jan. 18, the nation will celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Locally, two organizations, Grand Valley State University and the Muskegon Museum of Art, will be hosting virtual events. At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18, GVSU will host a Zoom webinar with White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor who will discuss the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. On Jan. 18, the Muskegon Museum of Art will offer an online art activity, film list for adults and an African-American art highlight as part of its Virtual MLK Day Celebration. As its 2021 MLK Community Service project, the City of Kentwood is collecting food and nonperishable items for its Little Free Pantry. Items can be dropped off at several locations such as Kentwood City Hall, KDL Kentwood Branch, and the Kentwood Activities Center.
Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team in action against Wyoming Tri-unity Christian on Jan. 7, 2020. (WKTV)
The Blizzard and Basketball
While we wait for the high school basketball season to start, how about a history lesson? Recently Google honored James Naismith, the man who invented basketball. According to the only surviving recording of Naismith, the idea for the game came about when he was a physical education teacher for what is now Springfield College in Massachusetts. After a blizzard had covered the area eliminating outdoor activities, Naismith said he was looking for a way to help the students burn off some excess energy. One day, after practice, he came up with the idea of nailing two peach baskets to the opposite ends of the gym, dividing the students into two teams of nine, and told them the object was to get the ball into the other team’s basket. This was the start of one of the U.S.’s most popular winter games.
After being closed to the public for almost two months, the Kent District Library announced plans today to reopen all of its branches for in-person services starting Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Patrons will be able to enter their local KDL branch to browse the collection and enjoy other library resources inside, in addition to having the option of curbside service. Due to construction, the KDL Cascade branch will reopen on Feb. 1.
“We are so excited to welcome our patrons back to the library once again,” said Regional Manager Anjie Gleisner. “We look forward to seeing and serving people while making our buildings a safe place to visit.”
For health and safety reasons, KDL will have a couple of guidelines in place:
· Properly worn masks are required.
· Private study rooms are not available for use and play spaces will be closed.
· Patrons are asked to limit their visits to two hours. Computer use will be limited to two hours a day.
· KDL encourages high-risk patrons to visit the branches during the first hour of the day, as they are usually less busy.
· The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Epidemic Ordersrequire KDL to limit building capacity to 30 percent.
Curbside pickup service has become extremely popular, enabling patrons to checkout materials online and have them quickly brought to their car during regular hours. Patrons who are more comfortable using the library from home can enjoy a wide range of materials and services online, including livestreamed programs, by visiting www.kdl.org/virtual. Locations, hours and all services are detailed at kdl.org.
Downtown Holland‘s holiday lights will remain up all winter long to help bring some much-needed light to the community after a difficult year. The lights will remain up until March so they can be enjoyed by Downtown Holland customers, along with numerous walkers and runners who like to take advantage of Downtown Holland’s snowmelt system all winter long.
“We made the decision to leave the lights up because we recognized that the community could use a little light during these long winter days,” said Downtown Development Authority Coordinator Amy Sasamoto. “We invite everyone to Downtown Holland to stroll the brightly lit streets. We hope it’s a gift that helps lift everyone’s spirits!”
The holiday lights in Downtown Holland are installed and maintained by Chips Ground Cover, a local Holland business, and are paid for the City’s Downtown Development Authority. No general taxpayer funds are used for the project. The DDA is funded by a 1.6 mil tax levy paid annually by properties located within the DDA boundaries.
Longtime City of Wyoming resident Earl Jourden stopped by the WKTV Community Media Center’s studio to share some stories about the city. “We had snow,” Jourden said with a laugh as he showed this picture taken in the 1940s of a snowy covered street in Wyoming.
One the biggest blizzards to hit the midwest region was the Armistice Day Blizzard on Nov. 11, 1940. Warm temperatures had encouraged many to venture outside and enjoy the day, especially duck hunters who had noticed an unusual amount of birds out on the lakes. By day’s end, the storm had moved in causing gale force winds, reported to be 80 mph in Grand Rapids, and 20-foot snow drifts.
Jourden’s stories will be featured in an upcoming VOICES program. To learn more about VOICES, contact WKTV Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma at joanne@wktv.org.
Host Wayne Thomas with William J. Konkolesky on the Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters Paranormal podcast. (WKTV)
By Wayne Thomas Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters
William J. Konkolesky joined the Michigan Chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) more than 25 years ago and has served as director since 2004. MUFON is the world’s oldest and largest civilian UFO investigation and research organization with volunteers in 43 countries and all 50 states. This non-profit, charitable corporation defines its mission as “the scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity.”
Konkolesky lectures at conferences and libraries, virtual presentations, and other events associated with the UFO phenomenon. Our first contact was in the summer of 2019 at Plainwell’s Ransom District Library during his UFOs Over Michigan presentation. Konkolesky worked out a long mathematical equation resulting in a sum of 100 sextillion possible habitable places in the universe suitable to support life. The presentation covered the 1966 sighting over southeast Michigan and 1994 sighting over Grand Rapids, both with hundreds of eyewitnesses, including police and radar confirmation. Other presentations feature New UFO Cases, UFO Abductions, and High Strangeness UFO Cases.
Not limited to those events and venues, Konkolesky has either consulted for or appeared on The History Channel, Discovery, Syfy, and Science channels, ABC, and National Geographic. Author of two books and writing for magazines and websites, Konkolesky was one of the most fascinating guests interviewed on our WKTV Podcast. We featured his books, “Experiencer: Raised in Two Worlds” and “Experiencer 2: Two Worlds Collide” on Grand Rapids Ghost Hunters Paranormal Podcast episodes #10 and #35. These books are true story autobiographies of personal abduction experiences starting at age two in the first book and picking it up at age 19 in the second book.
William J. Konkolesky
We had intuitive Astrologist Laura Briggs guest host on our last podcast with Konkolesky, where she offered insights suggesting that in the next couple years there will be indisputable evidence of alien existence. On Konkolesky’s Facebook, he quotes The Washington Post: “UFOs exist and everyone needs to adjust to that fact.” Scientists have concluded life on other planets is statistically inevitable and imminent.
In other words, if aliens are not already here, they soon will be. If you ask Konkolesky, they have been visiting Earth and interacting with us for several years.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has announced the soft opening of the new Welcome Center to the public on Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. The 69,000 square-foot building greatly enhances the arrival, admission and orientation experience for guests. The Welcome Center features contemporary sculpture as well as horticultural elements throughout.
Please note: The Jan. 11 opening is a soft opening, and not all areas of the building will be open and accessible until fall of 2021. Additional information will be sent regarding the Opening Celebration and Dedication.
“The magnificent new Welcome Center is made possible by the generosity of Fred & Lena Meijer, the extended Meijer family and hundreds of individuals, companies and foundations,” said President & CEO David Hooker. “The Welcome Center was created in response to an unprecedented embrace of our mission as reflected in our attendance, membership and donor base growth…Our architects, artists and garden designers have created a place to experience our mission that is truly world-class.”
Located at the beginning of the journey into the 158-acre main campus, the Welcome Center complements the glass architectural lines of the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and serves as a place for guests to comfortably purchase tickets or a membership, view an orientation film and receive information about their visit. The design ties together the many parts of Meijer Gardens into a coherent and understandable whole and serves to welcome everyone who enters.
The Welcome Center is comprised of two levels, the Main Level and the lower Courtyard Level. Main Level exterior and interior highlights include an expanded and relocated Peter C. and Emajean Cook Entryway, PNC Portico, expanded and relocated Ram’s Garden, Daniel and Pamella DeVos Ticketing Center, expanded coat room and restrooms, a Mobility Center for complimentary wheelchairs and electric carts, O-A-K Theater and the Garden Pavilion, featuring horticultural displays and the new sculpture titled Utopia by the Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. The Garden Pavilion is scheduled to open later this year. Courtyard Level highlights include an expanded and relocated Peter M. Wege Library, archives and storage, Lievense Indoor Eating Area and a Courtyard Level garden named Mimi’s Garden, featuring a glass enclosed sunken garden that is naturally lit from above.
The new Welcome Center and recently completed Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater and related facilities were designed by architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.
In addition to horticultural details throughout, the Welcome Center will feature prominent works of Contemporary sculpture by celebrated international artists: Jaume Plensa, George Segal, Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, El Anatsui, Kenneth Snelson, Alexander Calder and Marshall Fredericks, whose work first caught the eye of Fred Meijer and began his passion for collecting sculpture. Part of the permanent sculpture collection, the placement of these pieces and horticultural elements reflects the greater Meijer Gardens mission as evidenced throughout the Gardens & Sculpture Park. The exterior and Frey Foundation Plaza leading into the Welcome Center will feature sculpture by Marshall Fredericks, Tony Cregg, Manuel Neri and Henri Laurens.
“The Enchanted Trail offers a magical experience for all ages,” says Mike Chumbler, Boyne Highlands Resort’s president and general manager. “It’s a really serene and peaceful walk culminating at a beautifully designed yurt where beverages are served, and guests can gather round a bonfire, before journeying back.”
The trail totals two miles roundtrip, and features the twinkling of hundreds of lights strewn throughout the path. Guests can opt to walk, or snowshoe the trail with snowshoes available for rent. Tickets are $15 per person, and The Enchanted Trail is open on weekends and holidays with departures from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Hot chocolate and s’mores are included. A cash bar is available and beverage tickets can be purchased in advance for the event.
Social distancing should be practiced on the trail and face masks are required inside the yurt and anytime six feet cannot be maintained from other parties.
For complete event information, lodging reservations, or more information about Boyne Highlands Resort, please visit boynehighlands.com or call 866.759.3530.
When Duc Nguyen Abrahamson was an infant in 1975 Saigon, her father came home and told his wife, “Pack up the kids. We’re going!”
In the frantic hours that followed, Abrahamson’s mother was trampled in the rush to a waiting escape vessel, nearly drowning her baby daughter in the process. The family made it to the boat, was rescued by Denmark, and eventually resettled in East Michigan beginning the all-too-familiar challenges of refugees; adapting to language, work and culture of a strange new homeland.
Duc Nguyen Abrahamson (From Video))
Abrahamson would be the first in her family to graduate from college, Wayne State University, where she discovered the Asian American Professional Network. It was with this organization, she found that her two worlds of Vietnam and America could come together and she felt “for the first time I was home.”
Today, Abrahamson is the executive director of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, based in Farmington Hills. Through APACC, Abrahamson works to bring that same feeling of home as she builds relationships with U.S. and Asian companies. APACC is looking to expand with a second office in Grand Rapids.
Yamiche Alcindor, award-winning journalist and White House correspondent for PBS Newshour, will give the keynote address during West Michigan’s commemoration of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Yamiche Alcindor (GVSU)
The virtual program on Monday, Jan. 18, will run from 6:30-8 p.m. It is free and open to the public; register online to receive a link to the Zoom webinar. More information about Alcindor is below. The event will also introduce area high school scholarship recipients and include short welcomes from college presidents and community leaders.
Alcindor’s address, “The Legacy of MLK: Purpose, Truth and Justice,” is sponsored by Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College and Davenport University, with key support from Spectrum Health, Consumers Energy, and Warner Norcross and Judd LLP.
On the 35th anniversary of this community event, GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella said she is pleased the higher education partners teamed to bring Alcindor to the community.
“Dr. King’s legacy invites all of us to commit ourselves to fighting systemic racism by supporting the Black community and elevating their voices and experiences of yesterday, today and tomorrow,” Mantella said. “Together, we as a nation have work to do.”
Bill Pink, president of GRCC, said: “Each year we come together as a community to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King. We recognize his achievements, his life and his message. But it is also a time for us to take a hard look at ourselves and our community. We can appreciate how far we have come while still focusing on the long road ahead. The events of 2020 show we have much to do. Our annual celebration can inspire us to do that work together.”
Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport University, said he is grateful the campus partners honor the legacy of King and are “renewed in our commitment to provide equitable and inclusive experiences across our campuses.”
“Together, we are teaching and shaping tomorrow’s leaders to build each other up, show others compassion, speak out against racism and violence and rally together for what is right,” Pappas said.
Alcindor joined PBS NewsHour in 2018. She began her journalism career at Newsday in New York and several years later was named a political correspondent for NBC and MSNBC. During the 2020 presidential election, Alcindor became a go-to voice in analyzing the nation’s most critical issues.
Alcindor has received the White House Correspondents’ Association Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage and the 2020 National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year Award.
More information about Alcindor, the Jan. 18 event and other GVSU events to commemorate King’s life are online at gvsu.edu/mlk.
To say 2020 has been an interesting year, is probably the understatement of the year. This time in 2019, we were getting hints as to what was about to come and coronavirus, or COVID, came like a running back with the ball in his hands and an open field to the end zone.
As we get reading to make that final flip to the new year, and hopefully COVID in the review mirror, we thought we would take a look at some of the top stories of 2020.
It’s all about the pups…Pronto Pups
Who knew that the area’s love for Pronto Pups was so strong? Wyoming’s Andy Bogart and Kentwood’s Matt Morton certainly did and the duo’s effort to bring Pronto Pups to Grand Rapids became the top WKTV Journal story for 2020.
The two partnered up during the spring shutdown to secure a license from the national chain, Pronto Pups, based out of Portland, Oregon, to bring Pronto Pups to locations in and around Kent County. Pronto Pups Grand Rapids, not affiliated with the stand in Grand Haven, offers both traditional Pronto Pups, the battered dipped hot dog on a stick, and ones with a twist such as Breakfast Pups and Pickle Pups. The operation, which has a location at Comstock Park’s Elk Brewing as well as a food truck, is on a winter hiatus with plans to be resume deep frying those dogs in spring of 2021.
Kent County Treasurer Kenneth Parrish (center) announced his retirement as Kent County Treasurer. (WKTV)
Elections, Elections, Elections
Peter MacGregor was elected as the county’s new treasurer in November. (Supplied)
As the national race heated up, we had some local races that piqued everyone’s attention. Of note, was the Kent County treasurer position. With the announcement of Ken Parrish retiring at county treasurer, several people put their names in the ring including State Senator Peter MacGregor, who won his bid in the November election.
Harold Voorhees retired as the Kent County 8th District Commissioner
Dan Burrill was elected as the new Kent County 8th District Commissioner
John Fitzgerald was elected to the Wyoming City Council
The City of Kentwood also saw a big change as its first and only district judge, William G. Kelly, retired from the 62-B District Court with Amanda Sterkenburg winning the seat in the November election.
William G. Kelly retired as Kentwood’s 62-B District judge
Amanda Sterkenburg was elected to the 62-B District Court judge position in November.
Also of interest in 2020 was the voting process as many on the national, state and local level, followed how the state would be handling absentee voting. In 2018, Michigan voters approved an amendment that allowed for anyone to vote absentee. Due to the pandemic, many sought this option for the 2020 election.
The Springrove Variety story, which had been in Wyoming for more than 60 years, closed its doors in June. (WKTV)
The End of an Era
Before the pandemic, Mike Sprenger made the difficult decision to close Wyoming’s Springrove Variety Store. He said dime stores like Springrove had “outlived our niche.” Started in 1958 as the Suburban 5 & 10, Sprenger had owned the store since 2008. It was part of small chain of dime stores he owned that included one in Lowell, which Sprenger closed in August.
Interestingly, many of our readers also turned back to a story we published in January 2019 about Green Stamps, which had a redemption store at Rogers Plaza Mall. The popularity of the story about Green Stamps pushed it into the top five stories of 2020.
The City of Wyoming celebrated the official re-opening of Pinery Park this summer. (WKTV)
Other top stories from Wyoming
Wyoming’s K9 Dutch headed off to retirement. (WKTV)
52nd Street looking West to Division Avenue, with road infrastructure work being done not directly a part of the CityLine Apartments project. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Back to Business…Sort of
Another top story was the announcement of the CityLine Apartments being constructed on Division Avenue near 52nd Street. It is the first Kentwood development project that was approved using the Form Based Code, which was designed by the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood to aid in the redevelopment of the Division Avenue corridor.
Woodland Mall also had a number of exciting events including the opening of Von Maur however, our top story from the the Woodland Mall was its weekend showcase of black-owned businesses.
The Kentwood Public Works Department hosted a parade of trucks in May. (Supplied)
The Wyoming high girls basketball team used a balanced scoring attack, good defense and some clutch free-throw points down the stretch to score a 73-63 win over Wayland Jan. 14, 2020. (WKTV)
The Headlines from Sports
While many things went virtual — such as most of the entertainment offerings — high school sports managed to move it down field until about November when a partial lockdown went into effect.
The snow finally came to Michigan which means the ski season has officially started.
Many of the West Michigan ski slopes opened in mid-December and it may be hard to snag a lift ticket at some due to limited capacity. Also because of COVID guidelines, these resorts have social distancing guidelines to help those suiting up and heading down the slopes.
For most of the West Michigan ski resorts, face coverings will be required in the base area, lift lines, on chairlifts and indoors, except when seated at a table in a restaurant. (when in-dining is allowed again.) Note, there are limits to indoor capacities, so people’s base camp may become their cars to warm up. Some ski resorts have added fire pits and heaters.
Before heading to any ski resort, remember to check the resort’s website or social media page for up-to-date operating information and snow conditions.
Hill action starts at 10 a.m. for most days, but check the resort’s website for specific operating hours. Tubing is not currently open.
The resort is working to assure everyone is having a fun, outdoor experience while staying safe. Staff receives health checks daily and wear a clean mask at all times. Centers for Disease Control guidelines are being followed for cleaning and sanitizing all public surfaces. Doors will be left open as much as possible to allow fresh air and food and drinks will be served from The Sweet Spot and Burgie’s Food Truck.
The luge track, designed by three-time Olympian Frank Masley, is one of only four in the United States. Of course if going 30 mph down a luge track is not your thing, the park also has two acres of natural ice and a skating trail through the trees. There is also cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Echo Valley
Tubing also is available at a number of the ski resorts.
Echo Valley will be open Saturdays and Sundays in January, February, and March when weather permits. The winter sports park features tobogganing and tubing. There is no age, height, or weight restrictions and tubes and toboggans are provided. The park only accepts cash and it is highly recommended that you call before coming out.
Shanty Creek already been busy with lift tickets sold out through Jan. 2. Of course the resort offers other options such as tubing, snowshoeing and dog sled rides. It is recommended that guests pre-purchase rentals and lift tickets which will provide for contactless interaction with staff.
Started in 1949, Mt. Holiday is a community nonprofit recreation area for skiers and snowboarders in the Traverse City area. Mt. Holiday is scheduled to open this weekend if weather permits. It offers tubing and skiing and its dining, which is carryout for now, is open.
Both the Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain offer day and designated night skiing. Boyne Highlands is open daily, usually form 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The resort also offers tubing, snow-go bikes, biplane adventures, and winter horseback rides. For both, it is highly recommended that guests purchase tickets online as window tickets will be limited.
Crystal Mountain Resort recommends getting your ski pass early and online. (Supplied/Crystal Mountain)
Crystal Mountain also has been busy with most of its lift tickets sold-out through this weekend. Due to how fast passes are selling, Crystal Mountain does recommend that guests purchase tickets early and online as window tickets may not be available the day of.
Gaylord averages about 140 inches of snow and four months of skiing each season, which means there is a good chance the hills at Treetops will be open. The resort also has dog sledding tours along with a host of summer activities.
Vintage New Year’s Card from Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections
We thought we would wish everyone a Happy New Year (or at least a year better than 2020) with this vintage card from the Grand Rapids Museum’s collection. The card is from the 1900s – 1930s. The Museum’s collection is now public domain with anyone able to access and download materials. For more information about the museum’s collection, visit www.grpm.com/collections/.
Carillonneur, Julianne Vanden Wyngaard (Photo courtesy of GVSU)
Do you hear what I hear?
The annual GVSU Christmas Eve Carillon Concert will take place at 9:30 p.m. at the Pew Campus, 401 W. Fulton St., downtown Grand Rapids. Patrons are invited to drive-up and park in one of the lots near the carillon and listen to the performance by Carillonneur Julianne Vanden Wyngaard. The concert is free.
Chaffee Planetarium will present “Let It Snow” through Jan. 3, 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Look to the stars
The Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium at the Grand Rapids Public Museum has reopened and is featuring three different shows: “Let It Snow,” “Under Starlit Skies,” “Ice World,” and “Incoming!” which is narrated by “Star Trek’s” George Takei. For a full Chaffee Planetarium show schedule, visit grpm.org/planetarium. Also, the Public Museum will be open throughout the holidays. Visit grpm.org for the museum’s holiday schedule.
Bah-Humbug!
Get into the holiday spirit with the classic Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” currently being presented by the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. The company is live streaming the performance through Broadway On Demand through Dec. 31. Tickets are $9.99 for individuals and $24.99 for families. For more information, visit grct.org.
Fun Fact: Bells in Space
In 1965, “Jingle Bells” became the first song broadcast from space when the astronauts aboard Gemini 6 decided to play a prank on Mission Control and performed the song on a harmonica and actual jingle bells they had smuggled on board. Another fun fact about the song is that was originally composed as a Thanksgiving song by James Lord Pierport who premiered the piece as “One Horse Sleigh” at his church’s Thanksgiving performance.
There is one holiday event that the officers at the Wyoming Department of Public Safety look forward to — Shop With a Cop — and the officers were not about to let COVID prevent it from happening.
Traditionally, children are partnered with a police officer or firefighter from the department and shop for things that are on their Christmas list. But the recent COVID-19 pandemic put a kink in those plans due to restrictions large gatherings.
So instead, the officers from the department’s community service unit, with lists in hand, headed to the Meijer on Clyde Park Avenue and went shopping for the children.
“We have done this for a numbers of years,” said Connie Searl. “They are a great part of our community and they come in and shop for all the different kids to make sure they too have a great Christmas.”
Officers connected with students over the phone and through email to get their wish lists. With a $3,000 donation from Clyde Park Meijer and $2,500 from the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance, the officers spent several hours shopping for gifts for the children and their families. Lt. Joe Steffes, part of the community service unit, said the department helped about 40 families this year.
There was a wrapping party at the station with about every officer pitching in to help. Officers then delivered the gifts to the children and their families.
Steffes said the officers are thrilled at the opportunity to make the holidays a little brighter for some of the community’s families.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to connect with police in a fun and exciting way,” Koster said. “Their time is spent shopping, talking and getting to know each other. One of the really cool things that we see every year is that most children want to spend their money on gifts for their family members. I just love that.”
Earlier this month, the City of Wyoming hosted its first live broadcast of the Wyoming Gives Back.
Traditionally, the event is hosted at the Rogers Plaza Mall, but due to COVID restrictions on large gatherings, the event was broadcast live from the WKTV Community Media.
The program features music from Wyoming’s San Juan Diego Academy along with holiday greetings from city staff and council members including newly elected Councilor John Fitzgerald. There is also appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The program was hosted by Mayor Jack Poll and WOOD-TV8’s Michele DeSelms.
Click on the video above to see the entire show, or click here to look at the playlist.
Carillonneur, Julianne Vanden Wyngaard, poses for a portrait after practicing songs on the Beckering Family Carillon Tower on Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids Dec. 14. Vanden Wyngaard will perform a Christmas Eve concert where guests can drive up and “crack their windows just a little” to hear the music. (Photo courtesy of GVSU)
For the past 19 years, retired GVSU carillonneur Julianne Vanden Wyngaard has climbed the 112 steps of the Beckering Family Carillon Tower for a special Christmas performance — a performance that cannot be stopped by the current COVID pandemic.
Since it has always been a drive-up concert, the program does not have to make any changes to meet the 2020 gathering guidelines. So the free Christmas Eve Carillon Concert will take place at 9:30 p.m. on the Grand Valley State University’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus, 401 W. Fulton St.
Vanden Wyngaard said it was important to her to continue the tradition, which is celebrating a 20th anniversary. She performs from the playing cabin of the carillon, with the windows of the bell tower’s belfry open on all sides, knowing an audience that she doesn’t see has gathered in vehicles parked nearby. “Silent Night” always closes the concert.
“Then they just toot their horns and drift off into the darkness,” Vanden Wyngaard said.
She said the 9:30 p.m. concert is timed so that people with either evening or midnight services can still stop by to enjoy the music.
The concert is free and open to the public. Find more information here.
Constructed in 2000, the Beckering Family Carillon Tower is 151-foot carillon-clock tower that features 48 bronze-casted carillon bells by famed French foundry Fonderie Paccard, which has casted more than 120,000 bells that are throughout the world.
Tulip Time Festival has announced that the 2021 Festival will take place May 1 – 9.
Events currently being planned include: – Tulip Time Artisan Market, May 1 & 2 at the outdoor grounds of Beechwood Church on Ottawa Beach Road (previously held at Centennial Park) – Tulip Time Run, May 1, in person or virtual – A new Tulip Immersion Garden, May 1 – 9, at Dunton Park on Holland’s north side – Dutch Marktplaats, including the NEW Dutch Dance Costume Exhibit, May 1 – 8, to be held at Holland Civic Center Place
Widening the festival footprint beyond Downtown Holland and introducing timed ticketing for all events will allow guests to spread out and maintain a safe, steady flow in accordance with recommended social distancing and capacity guidelines. Details on these events and additional ticket information, including on-sale date, will be forthcoming.
According to Tulip Time organizers, the health and safety of visitors, volunteers, and community are of utmost importance, and Tulip Time will continue to follow the recommendations and directives of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the State of Michigan and the local health department. Planning during this ever-changing landscape is challenging, but organizers are optimistic.
Many festival favorites are yet to be determined, including Dutch Dance performances, the carnival, and parades. If Tulip Time can safely host a parade, it would likely be on Saturday, May 8, with no grandstand seating available. Indoor, fixed-seated events are not planned at this time.
Tulip Time has been a tradition in Holland for over 90 years. Thousands of community members have been involved in organizing and running the annual event and hundreds of thousands of visitors plan to make it a part of their spring celebration. Millions of tulips have been planted in Holland in anticipation of the annual event.
Organizers will continue to monitor national and local directives and adapt plans accordingly. For more on Tulip Time, visit tuliptime.com, follow on Facebook, and/or the email list www.tuliptime.com/about/join-mailing-list.
Christmas Button from Wurzburg Department store (Grand Rapids Public Museum)
Founded in 1872 by Frederick W. Wurzburg, Wurburg’s was a popular department store in the Grand Rapids area from about the 1920s to the 1960s. There was even one in Wyoming’s Southland Shopping Center, now the 28th West Place (formerly Wyoming Village Mall). In 1951, Wurzburg’s took over the Herpolsheimer’s location at 101 – 103 Monroe NW, where the Grand Rapids Art Museum is now. Christmas was a special time at the store with thousands lining the streets around Wurzburg’s just to see the store’s animated Christmas windows. And like Macy’s in New York, Wurzburg’s also hosted the annual Santa Claus parade in downtown Grand Rapids.
The image is part of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Collections. To see more of the collection, visit www.grpmcollections.org.
At 6 a.m. today, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health began to vaccinate its employees with the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19.
“This vaccine will provide much-needed protection for our employees , who serve on behalf of our community on the front lines of the pandemic,” said Metro Health – University of Michigan Health President and CEO Dr. Peter Hahn. “This is a breakthrough moment. This is how we start to turn the tide in our long battle with COVID-19.”
One of the first Metro Health staff to be vaccinated, Dr. Gabriel Pedraza, director of critical care at Metro Health, agreed with Hahn.
“I am going to fee a lot more comfortable treating my patients, my COVID patients,” Pedraza. Pedraza said he trusts the Center for Disease Control and knows that the Federal Drug and Food Administration would not have approved something that would put people at risk.
“Unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation out there,” Pedraza said. “I have looked at some of the data. I trust the CDC. I trust the FDA. They are not going to release an unsafe vaccine.
A Metro Health – University of Michigan staff person shows her vaccine record. (Supplied)
“This is a big moment for our country and for us and I really highly recommend that we all get vaccinated. I did. I do what I preach and I think it is very important that we all do that. I recommend that everyone can, get vaccinated.”
The Pfizer vaccine was the first to be approved by the FDA on Dec. 11. Shipments of the vaccine, which is made in Kalamazoo, started leaving the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Airport on Monday. The vaccine arrived at Wyoming’s Metro Health – University of Michigan Health on Thursday.
“This generation’s greatest minds have been working tirelessly on vaccines from almost the moment the pandemic began,” he said. “Soon we will have to do our part, by being vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to each of us.”
Hahn praised the historic scientific effort and rigorous evaluation that made a vaccine available this year.
Metro Health’s initial shipment was 975 doses, with more anticipated on a regular cadence over the weeks to come. Metro Health’s Human Resources team collected input from its own Infection Prevention experts and clinical leaders, along with guidance from the CDC, to develop tiers of vaccine distribution based on risk of exposure and role in daily operations.
“As vaccine supplies grow, we look forward to extending the vaccine’s protection beyond our walls by following the guidance of public health experts,” Hahn said. Hahn and other leaders plan to receive the vaccine as soon as they meet the distribution criteria.
“As an ICU physician and healthcare leader, I will urge everyone to do the same,” he said.
