By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org
South Haven recently announced that its popular HarborFest would return for 2022.
According to chairs Ken and Kelly VanHorn, it was their goal to come back strong in 2022 with amazing music, vendors, activities and fun. Popular activities will be back including craft vendors, food vendors, kids’ area, beer tent, and dragon boat races and, of course music.
The dates for this years HarborFest are June 17 and 18. For more details, visit www.southhavenharborfest.com.
By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
Caledonia hosted the Michigan High School Division 1 boys basketball District tournament this week and they welcomed Thom VanderKlay and his Wyoming Wolves Wednesday night in semifinal action.
The Fighting Scots won the opening tip to start the game and the first quarter 13-8, but the Wolves took control after that, hitting 14 3-pointers on the night, and prevailed in the end by a score of 80-61 to improve to 14-7 on the year.
They will play East Grand Rapids for the championship Friday night, after the Pioneers defeated Byron Center, 53-52, to improve to 11-10 on the season. (For complete local district action, see a WKTV update here.)
The Wolves opened the scoring with the first 4 points before Caledonia got on the board with a free throw by senior Liam Mulnix with just over 6 minutes remaining. After another Wyoming basket by their own senior, and leading scorer, Ramere Draper, the Scots would score the next 12 to go up 13-6. Wyoming’s Jordan Love would score the final 2 points to cut the deficit to 5 just before the buzzer.
Nick Henry led the way for Caledonia coach Phil Visser’s team with 6 and Mason McKenzie chipped in 4. In addition to Draper’s 2, the Wolves had 4 points from Jaleil Holt.
The momentum gained from Love’s late basket continued to start the second quarter as Wyoming went on a 14-0 run of their own as the Wolves offense started to gel as the taller Scots would stay in their zone defense, only to have Draper, Holt, and Alyjah Chandler combine for 5 triples in the quarter.
That helped the Wolves take a lead, and control of the game, that they would not relinquish.
After a Henry basket for the Scots, Holt was fouled attempting a 3-point shot and would make all three free throws to make the score 23-15. Caledonia’s Elijah Holt would cut that lead down to just 5 with a triple of his own, but the Wolves would quickly respond with another 11-0 run to take a 16-point lead into the locker room, 34-18.
Draper, aided by his three triples, would finish with 15 points at the half. Holt was close behind with 12, while the Scots were led by Henry with 8. Wyoming outscored Caledonia 26-5 in the quarter.
The third quarter was a repeat of the second, even though Caledonia would double their first-half total with 18 points, Wyoming would put up 31 to increase the lead to 29 at the buzzer, 65-36.
After exchanging points early in the final stanza, the Wolves would again run off 12 consecutive points to stretch the lead to 52-25. Caledonia senior Gavin Hurst came off the bench to score 8 points in the quarter, but his team again had no answers for Draper, who connected on another four 3-pointers giving him seven makes on the night, 14 points in the quarter, and a game-high 29 to close it out. He had help from Qua’dir Hatchett who chipped in 9 points after being shut out in the first half.
The final quarter was just a formality, but the Scots would continue their fight and were able to outscore VanderKlay’s Wolves 25-15, as he had subbed most of his key players by early in the quarter. Caledonia, again led by Hurst with 8 more points in the quarter, and 7 by Mulnix, while the victors were led by Hatchett and Jameson Lamrouex, each with 5 points.
The leaders on the night for the Wolves were Draper with 29, Holt with 15 and Hatchett with 14, while the Scots were led by Hurst with 16, Mulnix with 11 and Henry with 10.
The Wolves combined for 14 triples on the night while Caledonia had 5. Unofficially, Caledonia had 25 turnovers for the game and Wyoming took advantage of them by scoring 28 points off them, while Wyoming had 13 turnovers of their own, but only gave up 4 points off them. Caledonia concludes their season at 11-11.
By WKTV Staff
The Wyoming High School and Grand Rapids South Christian boys basketball teams won semifinal games in their MHSAA District tournaments Wednesday, March 9, and advanced to district title games Friday in tournaments being played at Kelloggsville and Caledonia high schools.
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian also advanced in a tournament at Climax-Scotts high. Godwin Heights, West Michigan Aviation Academy and Wyoming Potter’s House Christian each saw good seasons come to an end in semifinal action.
In the D2 Boys District 44 tournament at Kelloggsville, South Christian (now 16-5 on the season) defeated Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy, 73-35, as the Aviators fine season came to an end with a 15-7 overall record.
In the other semifinal game at Kelloggsville, Grand Rapids Christian (17-4) defeated Godwin Heights, 73-50, as the Wolverines also ended a winning season with a 10-9 record.
South Christian and Grand Rapids Christian will play for the District 44 title at Kelloggsville Friday, March 11, with the game scheduled for 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the D2 Regional 11 at Ada Forest Hills Eastern, with opening round play set for Monday, March 14.
At the D1 Boys District 12 tournament at Caledonia, the Wyoming high Wolves (14-7) defeated the host Fighting Scots (11-11), 80-61, in semifinal action and will now face East Grand Rapids (11-10), which defeated Byron Center (6-16), 53-52. The District 12 title game will be at Caledonia, Friday, with tipoff at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the D1 Regional 3 at Grand Haven, with opening round play set for Monday, March 14.
For WKTV Sports coverage of the Wolves vs. Fighting Scots game Wednesday, see a story by WKTV Volunteer Sports Director Mike Moll here.
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (15-6) advanced Wednesday in semifinal play in the D4 Boys District 114 Tournament at Climax-Scotts with a 58-44 win over Kalamazoo Phoenix (10-6). The Defenders will now play Martin (7-15) in the District 114 title game at Climax-Scotts, Friday, with tipoff at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the D4 Regional 29 at New Buffalo, with opening round play set for Monday, March 14.
In the D3 Boys District 76 Tournament at Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, Wyoming Potter’s House’s season came to an end with a fine 15-7 record after the Pumas gave the host Chargers (17-3) all they could handle in a 67-62 overtime loss.
WKTV recorded several regular season Featured Games which will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All 2021-22 Featured Games, both football and basketball, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand at wktvlive.com.
By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer
The talented young dancers of the Grand Rapids Ballet School’s junior company were all set to “recreate” the ballet “Aladdin” back in 2020, and then like many stages, their’s went dark as the pandemic dropped its curtain.
And while that moment was bitter for cast and crew, young and old, “Aladdin” will finally fly in, starting this weekend — with a special tea party available.
The ballet school’s junior company will take the stage March 11-13 and March 19-20 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre to “share the familiar story of ‘Aladdin’, an impoverished boy living in Agrabah who falls in love with the beautiful Princess Jasmine.”
Choreographed by Grand Rapids Ballet School (GRBS) Director and Junior Company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo, the ballet “Aladdin” was inspired from the folktale in the book, “One Thousand and One Nights.” The adventure features a thrilling quest with mysterious characters along the way including a fierce dragon, a magic genie, and a powerful sorcerer.
“It will be an amazing production of dancing and performance,” Mosolygo told WKTV.
This production, actually, has been two years in the making after GRBS had to cancel their planned performance on opening night in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
“The students have been working extremely hard the past three months helping me recreate this ballet and they are thrilled to be given this second chance to perform it,” Mosolygo said in supplied material.
The path to this opening night, however, was not an easy one.
The planned opening night of “Aladdin” in 2020 was one that GRBS dancer Serafina Wagneveld remembers well.
“There we were, at the height of excitement, ready to go,” said Wagenveld, who will perform the role of Jasmine in the 2022 production. “At the beginning of the day we still didn’t know if we would go on.”
Then came the announcement that “Aladdin” would be postponed.
“Even then, we didn’t fully grasp what was happening,” Wagenveld said. “We were sad but hadn’t lost hope.”
As the pandemic continued, however, it became obvious that the performance GRBS Junior Company had worked so hard for would not be taking the stage anytime soon.
Mosolygo told WKTV that, due to pandemic restrictions, it was more than five weeks before he was allowed back into the building after the cancellation. Walking on stage with every curtain ready to be pulled, every prop in place, Mosolygo said — “I could almost hear the music — but nothing happened.”
Online classes began but were difficult for the dancers, many of them improvising in their homes by performing ballet on stairwells and on kitchen counters. “It was all new and we were doing our best,” said Wagenveld.
Mosolygo said he noticed a definite shift in the mindset of students over the last two years.
“Virtual classes work in some ways, and they don’t in others. When you come to an art form that is so hands-on, to try to learn anything off your iPhone, off your tablet, off your computer — over time it’s not fun. Their attention and willpower went away.”
Wagenveld personally felt the hardship of the ongoing pandemic — “There was nothing you could be sure of anymore.”
Because of the mental and emotional toll, the dancer decided last year to take a break from dancing. But she couldn’t stay away for long.
“It wasn’t long before I came back,” said Wagenveld. “It (dancing) brings out my creativity. It is a unique way of expressing myself that not all people get to experience.”
And the junior company’s leader understands his dancer perfectly.
“Ballet is an art form, a self-expression of who you are,” Mosolygo said. “Dancing goes beyond words.”
Through the hardships the pandemic brought, Wagenveld and her classmates were able to find a silver lining. And the ability to have in-person classes again this school year and the chance to perform “Aladdin” has created excitement among the dancers and staff, healing some of the heartbreak that came with having to set aside the performance two years ago.
“We are more appreciative of what we have, not taking them for granted,” Wagenveld said.
For an added experience, GRBS Junior Company is hosting Aladdin & Jasmine’s Royal Tea, a “unique and memorable event, fit for both princes and princesses alike,” on Sunday, March 13, at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market in the Greenhouse space.
The event features a photo booth, a meet and greet with “Aladdin” characters,” a kid-friendly craft, all topped off with a brunch built for kids and adults. After the Royal Tea, attendees will travel to the land of Agrabah at Peter Martin Wege Theatre to experience the thrills of “Aladdin” beginning at 2 p.m.
Tickets for “Aladdin” are available now for $18 online, via phone at (616) 454-4771 ext. 10, or in-person at GRB’s Box Office. Tickets to Aladdin & Jasmine’s Royal Tea are available for $49 per person.
By WKTV Staff
As the Wyoming High School Wolves and Grand Rapids South Christian boys basketball teams waited to start action in two of several MHSAA District tournaments being played around the area, several local teams were in action Monday, March 7, including at Kelloggsville high where the host Rockets and neighborhood rival Godwin Heights battled for the third time this season in D2 Boys District 44 opening round action.
After splitting two OK Conference Silver contests during the regular season — both tight, highly competitive games — Godwin (10-8 overall) defeated Kelloggsville (12-9), 87-78, to take the season series 2-1, and advanced to the semifinals, Wednesday, March 9, at Kelloggsville, against Grand Rapids Christian (16-4). The game will have a 7 p.m. tip-off.
In other action in the D2 Boys District 44 at Kelloggsville, Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy (15-6) defeated Kentwood Grand River Prep (6-9), 66-51, to advance to a March 9 semifinal game against South Christian (15-5), which had bye in the opening round. The game will have a tip-off of 5:30 p.m.
In other action involving local teams, East Kentwood opened play Monday in the D1 Boys District 12 tournament, hosted by Caledonia but with this game being played on the Falcons home floor. The game, against neighborhood rival Byron Center, was a close contest but the Bulldogs (6-15) ended the Falcons season with a 54-53 win. East Kentwood finished with a 6-15 record.
Byron Center will now play East Grand Rapids (10-10) in semifinal action at Caledonia Wednesday, March 9, with tip-off at 7 p.m. Wyoming high (13-7), playing in the same District 12 tournament but with an opening round bye, will play at 5:30 p.m., against host Caledonia (11-10), which won a 55-48 opening round game over Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills.
Wyoming Potter’s House (15-6), playing the D3 Boys District 76 Tournament at Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, advanced to a Wednesday semifinal game with a 56-24 opening round win over Saugatuck (8-13) on Monday. The Pumas will now play the host Chargers (16-3), which had an opening round bye, in a semifinal game March 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Wyoming Lee (5-15) saw their season come to an end Monday in the D2 Boys District 43 Tournament at Grand Rapids West Catholic, with a 68-16 loss to the host Falcons (16-5).
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (14-6) will play in the D4 Boys District 114 Tournament at Climax-Scotts, with a semifinal game scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, against Kalamazoo Phoenix (10-5).
WKTV recorded several regular season Featured Games which will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All 2021-22 Featured Games, both football and basketball, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand at wktvlive.com.
By WKTV Staff
Dee Dee Bridgewater — Michigan native, GRAMMY winning jazz vocalist extraordinaire, Tony winning actress, United Nations Goodwill Ambassador — will need little or no introduction when she is introduced before hitting the St. Cecilia Music Center’s Royce Auditorium stage later this month.
And her accompanist, GRAMMY winning jazz pianist Bill Charlap, is not far behind in jazz star power.
So it is sure to be a night of superb “re-envisioning jazz classics” when the two perform as the next concert in the St. Cecilia Jazz Series Thursday, March 10, with tickets still available.
“Over the course of a multifaceted career spanning four decades, Grammy and Tony Award-winning Jazz giant Dee Dee Bridgewater has ascended to the upper echelon of vocalists, putting her unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics,” it states on her record label website.
Ever the “fearless voyager, explorer, pioneer and keeper of (jazz) tradition,” the three-time Grammy-winner most recently won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee” — Eleanora Fagan was Holiday’s actual name.
Her latest CD release, in 2019, created as part of her induction in the Memphis Music Hall of Fame was, appropriately titled “Memphis, Yes…I’m Ready.”
“These were songs I listened to on the famous Black radio station WDIA, where my own father, Matthew Garrett, was a young on-air DJ,” Bridgewater said about the release in supplied material. “I was born in Memphis, but my family migrated north to Flint, Michigan when I was 3 years old. The South has always remained buried in me and coming back for this recording project has brought me full circle in my life.”
Charlap, considered one of the world’s premier jazz pianists, has performed and recorded with many leading artists of our time, ranging from jazz masters Phil Woods and Wynton Marsalis to singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand.
In 2016, Charlap won the GRAMMY for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Since 1997, he has led the Bill Charlap Trio, now recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz.
“We are thrilled to bring the amazing Dee Dee Bridgewater to St. Cecilia Music Center to hear her gorgeous voice and unique spin on beloved jazz classics and her own new music “Memphis”, St. Cecilia executive and artistic director Cathy Holbrook said in supplied material. “It will certainly be a special evening to see Dee Dee and Bill Charlap performing together within our intimate Royce Auditorium setting.”
Bridgewater earned her first professional experience as a member of the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, and throughout the 1970’s she performed with such jazz notables as Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon and Dizzy Gillespie. After a foray into the pop world during the 1980s, she relocated to Paris and began to turn her attention back to jazz.
Bridgewater, who produces all of her own recordings, boasts a series of critically-acclaimed releases, with almost all having received GRAMMY nominations.
Bridgewater also pursued a parallel career in musical theater, winning a Tony Award for her role as “Glinda” in The Wiz in 1975 but continuing with playing Billie Holiday in the off-Broadway production of “Lady Day”, and numerous her other theatrical credits.
As a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, Bridgewater continues to appeal for international solidarity to finance global grassroots projects in the fight against world hunger.
In April 2017 was the recipient of an NEA Jazz Masters Fellows Award at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.. and that same year she was presented with the ASCAP Foundation Champions award acknowledging her charitable contributions.
The final concert of the St. Cecilia’s 2021-22 Jazz Series will be April 14, as, Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra perform a night of big band favorites.
Tickets to Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap, and Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, can be purchased online at scmc-online.org or by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224.
St. Cecilia currently requires proof of fully vaccinated status, or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours, to attend a concert at the SCMC venue. Attendees need to bring photo ID and proof of vaccination, or a negative test, the night of a concert. Note: Home tests are not accepted.
All patrons are required to wear a mask for the full duration of their time in the building.
If you have tickets to an upcoming performance and are unwilling or unable to abide by this policy, please contact the SCMC box office for a refund at kelly@scmc-online.org a minimum of 48 hours prior to the concert date.
By WKTV Staff
The 2021-22 high school basketball post-season is in full swing with three local girls teams heading into MHSAA District tournament finals Friday, March 4, and all the local boys teams set to open District play next week.
In the only girls District tournament on a Wyoming-Kentwood high school home floor, the East Kentwood High School girls (12-9 overall) look to continue their post-season run against Byron Center (18-2) in the D1 Girls District 12 finals at East Kentwood. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m.
The Falcons girls, who closed the regular season winning of 10 of 13 games after a slow start, rolled past Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, 81-14, to open District action Feb. 28; then defeated Caledonia, 50-36, on March 2. Byron Center enters the District finals 18-2 and with an OK Conference White title after a 14-0 conference season.
In other District finals action involving local teams, Grand Rapids South Christian (18-3) will challenge Grand Rapids Christian (15-6) in the D2 Girls District 44 finals at Grand Rapids Christian, while Wyoming Potter’s House (16-5) will play Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (11-8) in the D3 Girls District 76 finals at Fennville. Both tip-off at 7 p.m.
To get both the District finals, the Sailors girls defeated Wyoming Kelloggsville (7-15 final overall record), 54-27, on March 2. (For a WKTV feature on South Christian visit here.)
The Pumas of Wyoming Potter’s House girls, in early District games, first defeated Holland Black River, 50-25, on Feb. 28, and then defeated Saugatuck, 44-33, on March 2.
Kelloggsville High School will be the place to be in the local area for boys District play, beginning with opening night action Monday, March 7, as OK Conference Silver foes Wyoming Godwin Heights (9-7 overall, with a “stay sharp” game schedule for March 3) and Kelloggsville (12-8) play the deciding third game in their 2021-22 season in D2 Boys District 44 opening round action with tip off at 5:30 p.m. (See a WKTV feature on the two teams here.)
The District 44 tournament at Kelloggsville is loaded with quality local teams as well. In addition to the Wolverines and the Rockets, Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy (13-6) will open play on March 7 at 7 p.m. against Kentwood Grand River Prep (6-8). Then, set to start play Wednesday, March 9, Grand Rapids Christian (15-4) will play the winner of the first opening round game, while Grand Rapids South Christian (15-5) await the winner of the second opening round game. The finals will be Friday, March 11, at Kelloggsville at 7 p.m.
Two local teams, Wyoming high and East Kentwood, will be in action at Caledonia in the D1 Boys District 12 tournament. The Falcons (6-14) will open play Monday, March 7, against Byron Center (5-14). The Wolves (13-6 overall, with a “stay sharp” game at home against Benton Harbor March 3) get a first-round bye and are set to play the winner of Monday’s game between Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills and host Caledonia on Wednesday, March 9, at 5:30 p.m.
Wyoming Lee (4-13 overall with at least one game scheduled this week at the Battle Creek Academy Tigers Tournament) will play in the D2 Boys District 43 Tournament at Grand Rapids West Catholic, starting opening night, Monday, March 7, against the host school at 5:30 p.m.
Wyoming Potter’s House (14-5 overall, with a “stay sharp” game at North Muskegon March 3) will play at the D3 Boys District 76 Tournament at Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, starting with an opening round game Monday, March 7, at 5:30 p.m. against Saugatuck (8-11).
And Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (14-5, with a “stay sharp” game scheduled at Grandville Calvin Christian March 3) will play in the D4 Boys District 114 Tournament at Climax-Scotts, with a semifinal game scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, against Kalamazoo Phoenix (10-5).
Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores.
WKTV featured games covered throughout the season, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand at wktvlive.com. You can also follow all WKTV sports programing at wktk.org/sports.
By Philip Janowski, WKTV Contributing Writer
High-quality moviegoing experiences — in sight, sound and all-reclining seats — will soon be coming to Woodland Mall as Phoenix Theatres has announced it will be opening its planned 14-screen complex on the mall’s south side in April.
The recently installed vertical marquee, spelling out PHOENIX, is sure to show moviegoers the way.
The marquee, composed of more than 200 light bulbs, was designed with a classical 1920s and ’30s style in homage to the Chicago Theatre, Jordan Hohman, local executive, recently told WKTV during a backstage tour. The building overall carries a refined art deco style that makes “going to the movies” special again, honoring “tradition” while still providing a “new, modern experience.”
“The theatre can’t just be a ‘box’. You really have to have some character, a face to this business,” Cory Jacobson, owner of Phoenix Theatres, said.
The location is expected to open to the general public Thursday, April 14, after special opening events early that week.
Construction is progressing rapidly, with carpeting almost completely fitted and reclining seats added on the daily. At the location there will be four large, three mid-sized, and seven small auditoriums. And, management says, those 14 screens at this location will be the most screens of any Phoenix Theatres location, and will be the 50th screen of the Michigan-based company.
“Like celebrating a fiftieth wedding anniversary,” Jacobson said.
Phoenix Theatres will screen films utilizing the powerful Dolby Atmos sound system, making for some of the highest cinema sound quality in the country, Hohman said.
From above, numerous speakers shape sound moving throughout the room. Below, subwoofer speakers in every seat bring the frequency of film audio directly to your chair. This extensive, detailed sound system makes Dolby Atmos the doorway to “improved immersion in films,” Hohman said.
Jacobson actually told a story that Douglas Trumbull, the famous photographic effects supervisor for the classic “2001: A Space Odyssey”, said Phoenix provided the best presentation of the film he had ever seen — and heard — in 50 years.
To promote its new place in the community the theatre is planning to have a ticket giveaway, which can be entered on the company website. First prize is a VIP ticket giving admission to 52 films in the first year, followed by second and third place prizes as well.
Phoenix management is also reaching out to news media and holding press conferences, to make a big initial spash.
When it comes to a grand opening, “You only get one bite at the apple,” Hohman said.
Phoenix Theatres also plan to offer unique experiences through Fathom Events, including Turner Classic Movie showings, anniversary films like celebration of the classic “Casablanca” on its 80th anniversary, and live showings from the Metropolitan Opera.
Fathom is a good chance for many to “explore an interest in operatic shows that would otherwise be difficult to access,” Hohman said. Large sports games and other “live events” may also be shown.
The lobby will include self-serve drinks for faster service, as well as a new lounge with a grand piano. Additionally, the halls are to be lined with photographs of historic local theatres.
Despite advanced sound and video systems, and a retro aesthetic, Phoenix Theatres will carry “friendly” film prices.
“You shouldn’t have to pick between a trip to the movies or a trip out of town,” Hohman said.
For more information visit Phoenix Theatres’ website at phoenixmovies.net.
By K.D. Norris
For many local basketball teams not fighting for a conference title in the last week of the season, the OK Conference Silver boys basketball finale between Godwin Heights High School and Kelloggsville high might have meant little as both ended winning regular seasons and readied themselves for their MHSAA district tournament.
But the Friday, Feb. 25, clash between the visiting Wolverines and the host Rockets — a neighborhood rivalry if there every was one — was not a game without meaning.
Godwin Heights entered the game comfortably in third place in the always tough OK Silver (at 8-3, 9-6 overall) but Kelloggsville also entered in the upper half of the conference standings with a very similar record (8-5 in OK, 11-7 overall). But one of those losses was a 73-67 defeat at Godwin on Jan. 28.
In Friday’s game, the Rockets gained a measure of revenge against the Wolverines, taking a highly competitive, back-and-forth contest that wasn’t settled until the final horn, 76-74. But both coaches agree that their neighborhood rivalry is good for both schools, both teams and really good to prepare each for the coming tournament.
“I think the neighborhood rivalry is an excellent thing,” Kelloggsville head coach Troy Ricketson said. “I graduated from Kelloggsville in 2009, I have played in this rivalry, so I have experienced firsthand the excitement it brings to the communities. The players know each other and have grown up together in some cases. Every time the two schools play in any sport, it brings a big crowd.”
Godwin head coach Tyler Whittemore agreed, and said he knows his team will always get tested when they play the Rockets.
“We have always got Kelloggsville’s best games against us and we can tell that the intensity is increased,” Whittemore said. “It’s important that we understand the intensity in the rivalry so that we play as hard as we can each possession — no plays off.”
Whittemore also said that in games like the Feb. 25 visit to Kelloggsville, his team needed to be poised and stay “true to all of the things we’ve taught them throughout the season and move the basketball fast on offense without turning the ball over.”
But, speaking before the game, Whittemore also said he team could not “get out-worked (because) Kelloggsville talent will be able to put up lots of points quick.”
And that may well have been a key factor in last week’s contest — a Rockets offensive explosion to open the game and the fact that the Wolverines had to constantly play from behind.
In the Feb. 25 win, the Rockets — and senior Corey Patton-Ivy — came out to make a early statement and jumped to a 28-16 lead after one quarter, with Patton-Ivy scoring 11 points including a three. Demoni Gamble, Brendon Tuinstra and Harry Knowling also hit from long range in the quarter.
But Godwin’s Jakhary Towns and Jabari Crump-Moore answered the call in the second quarter, scoring nine points each, as the Wolverines battled back to make is close at the half, 39-36.
The second half was a back and forth affair as Kelloggsville extended their lead to eight points after three quarters, 58-50.
But the Rockets then had to weather a determined Wolverine attack in the fourth quarter, when Godwin’s offense came alive with 28 points. But Kelloggsville made enough free throws in the final period — nine of them — and eventually survived to even the series at one game apiece with a 76-74 win.
For the game, Patton-Ivy led the Rockets with 21 points, while big-man Caleb Balsitis added 14 points, including six in the final period, and Marc Whitfield Jr. and Tuinstra added nine points each.
Godwin received a great game from Towns, who led all scorers with 26 points, followed by Jeremiah Drake’s 16 points and Crump-Moore’s 15.
Irregardless of the outcome of the Friday game, both coaches say their senior-led teams have benefited from their tough OK conference schedule, and their overall non-conference schedule, to prepare them for next week.
“When we were trying to create the schedule for this season, we wanted to make sure we were playing competition that was going to challenge us and make us better,” Rockets coach Ricketson said. “We have had some success and have also been humbled throughout. I think that has definitely prepared us for what we will see come district time.”
Throughout the season, the Rockets have been led by senior Demario Montgomery and sophomore Marc Whitfield Jr., both of whom have been averaging more than 10 points-per-game, but also getting great leadership, good rebounding and 7-to-8 ppg. from seniors Patton-Ivy and Balsitis, and junior Tuinstra. Other seniors on the team include Demoni Gamble, Kevin Gaddis Jr., Harry Knowling, Jaevyon Turnbull and Cameron Mosley Jr.
Wolverines coach Whittemore also thinks the tough schedule during a sometimes up-and-down season has helped his team grow.
“This season has been tough and a great learning experience for our players,” Whittemore said. “Most of our games have been very close, on both sides of the winning, and each game has pushed our players to improve and work hard in practice.”
Godwin, too, is a team lead by seniors but with a high-scoring underclassman.
Junior Towns, now in his 3rd year playing varsity, is averaging 20 ppg., and, according to his coach, “is our best offensive player.” But senior Drake — he of the “high-motor and intensity” his coach says, averages about 14 ppg. and 7 rebounds per game. And fellow senior Jordan Norman, a “very good shooter from the outside” who can “guard the opposing teams guards or big guys,” averages 13 ppg. and 5 rebounds.
Other senior leaders include Mark Dolo, Crump-Moore, Kaleil Harris, and Javeon Lyons. While junior Jamarion Collins has been a force on the defensive end.
“Playing Godwin Heights basketball comes with some pressure and the understanding (that) due to the program’s history of success, even before I became the coach, that we will get every team’s best effort. We embrace that and has raised the level of all of the players we have in the program and we are hoping to peak at our performance now that the tournament is approaching.”
Both Godwin (now 9-7 overall) and Kelloggsville (now 12-7 overall) will play non-conference “stay-sharp” game this week — strangely enough, both against Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (14-3 overall) — with the Rockets at home March 1 at 7 p.m., and the Wolverines at home March 3 at 7:15 p.m.
But things get real in a big way Monday, March 7 as the two look to keep their seasons alive in their Division 2 District 44 tournament, with games scheduled March 7, 9 and 11, and which includes Grand Rapids Christian (15-4 overall), Grand Rapids South Christian (14-5 overall) and Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy (12-6 overall), as well a Kentwood Grand River Preparatory Academy (6-8 overall).
The good news for both is that the tournament will be in their neighborhood — at Kelloggsville. The bad news is that the Godwin and Kelloggsville will play the 2021-22 series-deciding game on opening night, at 5:30 p.m.
“Our district is a gauntlet, but I am excited to have it on our home floor,” coach Ricketson said before last week’s game. “I feel like we are playing some of our best basketball, and like the confidence these guys are showing.”
By WKTV Staff
St. Cecilia Music Center has announced that special $10 student tickets are available for the this weekend’s three-day WinterFest “jazz festival”, Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 24-26, all shows with headliner bassist Christian McBride.
To redeem student priced tickets visit scmc-online.org/winterfest/ and click on the night(s) you would like to attend. Go through the process of finding your seats and buying tickets. When you check out, enter the discount code STUDENTWF22 and it will adjust the price to $10. There is a $3 ticketing fee per ticket.
On Thursday, Christian McBride & Friends will offer up a unique pairing with fellow bassist Edgar Meyer for a “double bass extravaganza”; then on Friday The Christian McBride Trio takes the stage with special guest jazz singer Cyrille Aimée; and on the final evening, Saturday, McBride and his award-winning quintet, Inside Straight, will hit the stage.
For a WKTV Journal story on the concert series, visit here.
For more information call St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224.
St. Cecilia currently requires proof of fully vaccinated status, or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours, to attend a concert at the SCMC venue. Attendees need to bring photo ID and proof of vaccination, or a negative test, the night of a concert. Note: Home tests are not accepted.
All patrons are required to wear a mask for the full duration of their time in the building.
If you have tickets to an upcoming performance and are unwilling or unable to abide by this policy, please contact the SCMC box office for a refund at kelly@scmc-online.org a minimum of 48 hours prior to the concert date.
WKTV Staff
After frigid temperatures in January resulted in the postponement of the City of Kentwood’s Unity Walk to Honor Martin Luther King Jr., the city announced this week that the event has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 5, and moved indoors at Woodland Mall.
Residents of all ages are invited to gather at the food court inside Woodland Mall, 3195 28th St. SE, at 9:30 a.m., for a walk that will end at 10 a.m., in front of the inside entrance to Von Maur.
A ceremony will immediately follow and feature a proclamation, live music, coffee and cake. The event is free and open to the public.
Donations of canned goods and other nonperishable items will be accepted to stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which began as an MLK Day community service project to fill an immediate and local need. Since then, the city has continued to host food drives to keep the pantry well-stocked.
“While MLK Day serves as a timely, annual reminder of the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr., every day is a great day to celebrate his legacy and take part in activities that honor his values,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to host our Unity Walk to Honor MLK at Woodland Mall. It is the perfect local venue for us to be able to gather together, no matter the weather.”
Woodland Mall marketing manager Alyson Presser stated that the event is “in line with the spirit of the mall’s ongoing initiatives and events that encourage guests to support the Black community throughout the year,” according to the announcement.
“We are committed to celebrating and supporting the Black community beyond Black History Month and other annual observances,” Presser said. “We’re honored to work with the City of Kentwood to bring another meaningful opportunity for the local community to celebrate the historic achievements and continued advancement of Black Americans.”
Kentwood’s first Little Free Pantry opened in 2017 at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, where it remains available year-round during business hours. The second Little Free Pantry was opened last year at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch for the community to visit during library hours. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry.
For more information, including a list of suggested donations, visit kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
Woodland Mall asks all guests to follow CDC recommendations by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall and practicing physical distancing.
For more information about the March 5 event, visit kentwood.us/MLKUnityWalk.
By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Contributing Writer
As Grand Rapids Ballet celebrates the opening of its 50th anniversary season, the company is looking both forward and back with its upcoming performance of “Cinderella.”
When the dancers take the stage at DeVos Performance Hall this weekend, Feb. 25-27, it will be significant in many ways.
Thirty-five years ago, “Cinderella” was the first full-length ballet that the company performed.
And aside from the annual performances of “The Nutcracker,” the shows this weekend will also mark the first time in a decade that the Ballet has done a full-length production with the Grand Rapids Symphony at DeVos Performance Hall.
“We love the magic of the theater, we love having the live music, and the fact that it has been in our history is special too,” said James Sofranko, artistic director at Grand Rapids Ballet.
Full-length ballets like “Cinderella” are the pinnacle of what classical ballet is all about, he said.
“It has a beautiful orchestral score, beautiful sets and costumes, and utilizes classical ballet steps, so this is what we’ve been training for our whole lives,” he said. “It’s a very challenging thing to make it look effortless and hone every detail.”
This version of “Cinderella” was created more than 50 years ago by Ben Stevenson, former director of the Houston Ballet. Renowned companies like The Washington Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Houston Ballet have all performed the work, and Sofranko feels the significance of that history for both the individual dancers and the company as a whole.
“You’re adding to your own personal repertoire as a dancer, and as a company, these ballets elevate us and our stature in the dance world,” he said. “These dancers are relishing this moment, and these ballets bring us to our next level. So to do this in our 50th anniversary year is fitting, and shows that we are moving ahead pretty boldly into the future.”
The Grand Rapids Ballet’s home stage at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre provides an intimacy that is perfect for many shows, he said, but the size of the DeVos Performance Hall stage allows bigger sets that give an immersive, storybook quality to “Cinderella.” The immediacy of the live music by the Symphony enriches the performance as well, he said.
“For the dancers too, it feels grander, so you dance bigger,” he said. “You want to raise your dancing to match it. It elevates the performance in many ways.”
Students from the Grand Rapids Ballet School will join the 19 professional dancers on the stage.
As the community continues to feel the lingering effects of the Covid pandemic, Sofranko said he’s glad people are buying tickets and supporting the Grand Rapids Ballet, which is the only professional ballet company in Michigan.
“We’re very thankful that people are still wanting to support the arts and not watch everything on TV,” he said.
“Cinderella” takes place Feb.25-27 at DeVos Performance Hall. Tickets start at $20 and are available online, via phone at 616-454-4771 ext. 10, or in person at GRB’s Box Office.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Anyone who meets Dave Custer will probably eventually hear the story of faced with his father’s story closing, he was able to support the tuition at the then Grand Rapids Junior College.
“Grand Rapids Junior College had lower tuition and allowed me to stay at home and helped me get a start on a college degree,” he said in article from the Grand Rapids Community College. “And having that degree allowed for better opportunities of employment, which molded by career.”
Because of the difference that GRCC had made in the CEO and founder of Custer Inc., Custer and his wife, Karen, have dedicated their time and abilities to ensure current GRCC students get the same opportunities that he had.
This month, the couple is being recognized for their service to the the Greater Grand Rapids community as this year’s Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award presented by the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids.
“We are pleased and excited to honor the Custers as the 2022 Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award winners for their contributions to our community,” said Meijer, Inc. Executive Chairman Hank Meijer, who is the son of Fred Meijer. “Dave and Karen’s generous and gracious spirts embodies the true meaning of this award.”
The Custers have been involved in a number of organizations such as the WMU Foundation, Chairman of GRCC Foundation, Hope on the Hill Foundation, Clark Retirement Community Capital Campaign Chair and Board Trustee. Dave Custer is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, member and past chairman of the Grand Rapids Economic Club, member and past president of Cascade Hills Country Club and director at Irwin Seating.
“We are honored to receive an award that bears the name of Fred Meijer and believe that you should do all you can for others when you can and while you can,” Dave Custer said. “We are humbled by this recognition which is truly an honor to us.”
The Custers join City of Wyoming’s Marge Wilson, owner of Marge’s Donut Den, along with several others who have received the Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award.
The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids will honor the Custers at the Frederik Meijer Service Above Self Award Celebration May 10 at 6 p.m. at The Cultural Center, 2250 E. Paris Ave. SE. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation. Tickets are on sale at grrotary.org or by calling 616-429-5640.
By WKTV Staff
In conjunction with National Judicial Outreach Week, the City of Kentwood’s 62-B District Court has announced that residents are invited to meet Judge Amanda Sterkenburg and learn more about the court during a hybrid public/online event Wednesday, March 2.
National Judicial Outreach Week was created in 2017 by the American Bar Association to encourage judges to invite community members to their courthouses to meet with them, share information about the rule of law and talk about the work courts do every day. Every year, it is held March 1-10 and features a “Preserving the Rule of Law” theme.
The 62-B District Court will host its event inside the courtroom at the Kentwood Justice Center, 4740 Walma Ave. SE, and online via Zoom from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
During the event, Judge Sterkenburg will give a presentation on the importance of the judiciary and how the court preserves the rule of law. Community members will have the opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions on how the court can better serve the community.
“National Judicial Outreach Week is a perfect opportunity for the court to foster a greater understanding of our role in government,” Sterkenburg said in supplied material. “We are looking forward to hosting our first-ever judicial outreach event at the 62-B District Court in that spirit and to connect with our community.”
Community members are asked to RSVP for the event online or by calling 616-554-0715.
To help slow the spread of COVID-19, in-person attendance will be limited to the first 40 who register, and face coverings will be required for all regardless of vaccination status.
The event will also be available via Zoom. Virtual participation information will be emailed to registrants prior to the event. Attendees who require interpreter services or other accommodations are asked to contact the court at 616-554-0715 by Friday, Feb. 25.
Sterkenburg began presiding over the 62-B District Court in January 2021, for a six-year term. In her prior practice as a solo attorney, she represented criminal and civil defendants, landlords, tenants and litigants with many different types of claims. Her experience includes successful jury trials on assault, theft and retail fraud offenses. She has more than 90 hours of mediation training and has handled matters in many local circuit and district courts, including the 62-B District Court.
The 62-B District Court, according to the announcement, “strives to earn the public’s trust and confidence by providing a fair and just forum for the resolution of civil and criminal disputes, providing services in a professional, timely and efficient manner with respect and courtesy, educating and providing services in an understandable and user-friendly fashion, being accountable for the resources invested in the court and recognizing the changing needs of the judicial system and the people it serves.”
For more information contact Court Administrator Michele White at 616-554-0715 or whitem@kentwood.us.
By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Contributing Writer
As Opera Grand Rapids gets ready to stage the world premiere of Stinney: An American Execution, a companion piece will bring together local artists to talk about Stinney’s story through a variety of additional art forms.
The new opera tells the true story of the execution of George Stinney Jr., a Black teen who died in the electric chair at age 14 after he was wrongfully accused of raping and murdering two White girls. His conviction was overturned in 2014, 70 years after his 1944 execution.
The Stinney Artistic Collaborative, being performed the night before the opera opens, will showcase Ebony Road Players, Dr. Eric Williams from the Smithsonian Museum of African American History, The Diatribe, student artists from WMCAT, and other independent artists, in addition to performances by Opera Grand Rapids.
“It’s essentially an open invitation for those artists to create after being inspired by George Stinney’s story,” said Emilee Syrewicze, executive director of Opera Grand Rapids.
“It’s a significant artistic achievement to get a world premiere opera, and particularly one that is so highly regarded,” she said. “That it speaks to a social issue like racial justice is something we wanted to elevate.”
She said after securing the rights to the opera in June, they knew they wanted to do more with it than just perform the opera. They reached out to organizations represented by artists of color and found several that were interested in taking part in a collaborative event.
Edye Evans Hyde, executive director of Ebony Road Players, will be performing songs relevant to the theme of the opera at the Stinney Collaborative.
She said in the current climate around the United States, with books about racial injustice being banned in schools, the arts community is the only place left to telI stories like Stinney: An American Execution.
“The arts still have the ability to further the conversation about equality and inclusion and racism and all these things that we still need to talk about,” Evans Hyde said. “I’m just really proud of the Opera and other Institutions taking on the subject matter so that we can continue to talk about these things, not just in February but the whole year long.”
G. Foster, a teaching artist and co-founder of The Diatribe, will be performing a poetic work at the Stinney Collaborative.
He’s frustrated by the lack of progress toward racial justice not only around the United States, but in the Grand Rapids community.
“We still have so many problems that need to be addressed,” he said. “In 2021, Mayor Bliss announced that racism is a public health crisis in Grand Rapids. I haven’t heard anybody talking about it. We haven’t been putting in the work to make sure it’s preventable. We have ‘diversity, equity and inclusion.’ These are amazing words, but when you go to the table, there’s no diversity at these tables. It’s usually done by people who don’t look like me.”
He’s participating in The Stinney Artistic Collaborative in hopes that the event will help put words into action.
“We have to know our history, but we have to be able to change our present and our future,” he said.
The Stinney Artistic Collaborative takes place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, 17 Pearl St. NW.
Stinney: An American Execution will be staged Feb. 25 through 27 at the Peter Martin Wege Theater, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW. Tickets for Stinney and the Stinney Artistic Collaborative are available online at www.operagr.org or by calling the box office at 616-451-2741.
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
It is no secret that bassist Christian McBride wears many hats — a good number of photographs have him wearing one. But the “many hats” metaphor applies not only to his headgear but where his head is at, musically.
Over his legendary and GRAMMY filled career, dating back now more than 30 years, McBride has slid his stand-up bass in alongside artists ranging from Chaka Khan to Shanghai Quartet; he has effortlessly excelled in jazz, pop, rock and classical, all with little or no real meaning to labels or genres; and he and his bass, it seems — to morph an old phrase — can lead, follow, but never get out of the way.
McBride’s many music hats, and many musical friends, will be on full display at St. Cecilia Music Center’s three-day WinterFest “jazz festival” Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 24-26.
First, Christian McBride & Friends will offer up a unique pairing with fellow bassist Edgar Meyer for a “double bass extravaganza”, then The Christian McBride Trio takes the stage with special guest jazz singer Cyrille Aimée, and on the final evening, McBride and his award-winning quintet, Inside Straight, will hit the stage.
Tickets for the series, and individual shows, are still available — $123 for the full series, $40 to $55 per single concert — and tickets can be purchased online at scmc-online.org or by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224.
McBride moved to New York in 1989 to pursue classical studies at the Juilliard School, but he was quickly recruited to hit the road with jazz saxophonist (and composer, arranger and educator) Bobby Watson. From there he gained masterclass after masterclass from the who’s who of music until he, himself, became the master.
He leads his own bands, starting in 2000 with the formation of what would become his longest-running project, the genre-bending Christian McBride Band, to the 2009 formation of his more “straight-ahead” Inside Straight quintet, to the later Christian McBride Big Band, whose 2012 release The Good Feeling won the GRAMMY for Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album.
He joins other groups, jazz and otherwise, all-star and Young Lion-filled, including the modern who’s who of straight ahead jazz in the legendary 1994 “MoodSwing” quartet of saxophonist Joshua Redman, McBride, pianist Brad Mehldau and drummer Brian Blade — a group that will hit the road again in “A Moodswing Reunion” this spring including a stop in Ann Arbor in April.
Along the way, McBride was named the artistic director of the Newport Jazz Festival, arguably one of the top three jazz festivals in the world; he hosts and produces “The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian” on SiriusXM satellite radio and National Public Radio’s “Jazz Night in America”; and, with his wife, vocalist Melissa Walker, he formed Jazz House Kids, the nationally recognized community arts organization dedicated to educating children through jazz, but developing musical potential, leadership skills, and academic performance.
Oh, ya. And he has made a lot of musical friends.
McBride’s opening-night friend, GRAMMY winning bassist Edgar Meyer, is both a unique performer and an accomplished composer, and as The New Yorker says, he “is the most remarkable virtuoso in the relatively un-chronicled history of his instrument.”
His musical uniqueness was on full display in 2011 when Meyer joined cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mandolinist Chris Thile, and fiddler Stuart Duncan for the recording The Goat Rodeo Sessions which was awarded the 2012 GRAMMY Award for Best Folk Album.
As a composer, his uniqueness was also on full display as he has collaborated with Béla Fleck and Zakir Hussain to write a triple concerto for double bass, banjo, and tabla, which was commissioned for the opening of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.
The pairing of McBride and Meyer will also, to say the least, be unique.
The next night, McBride’s trio will team with vocalist Cyrille Aimée, who, the story goes, grew up singing at gypsy camps in her native France and on street corners around Europe, graduated to facing audiences at the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals, not the least of which was the Montreux Jazz Festival.
But her singing is only part of her story. As an actress, Aimée co-starred with Bernadette Peters in a Stephen Sondheim tribute at New York’s City Center, which inspired her to dig deeper into Sondheim’s repertoire, resulting in her fourth and most recent album, “Move On: A Sondheim Adventure.”
And then, on the final night of the WinterFest, McBride will be on stage with his Inside Straight cohorts — drummer Carl Allen, saxophonist Steve Wilson, pianist Peter Martin (who replaced the band’s original pianist Eric Reed) and now joined by young vibraphonist Warren Wolf.
Inside Straight’s “Christian McBride & Inside Straight Live at the Village Vanguard” is his quintet’s newest recording and, to some, can be thought of as a companion to the GRAMMY Award-winning Christian McBride Trio Live at the Village Vanguard album released in 2015.
St. Cecilia currently requires proof of fully vaccinated status, or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours, to attend a concert at the SCMC venue. Attendees need to bring photo ID and proof of vaccination, or a negative test, the night of a concert. Note: Home tests are not accepted.
All patrons are required to wear a mask for the full duration of their time in the building.
If you have tickets to an upcoming performance and are unwilling or unable to abide by this policy, please contact the SCMC box office for a refund at kelly@scmc-online.org a minimum of 48 hours prior to the concert date.
By WKTV Staff
Wyoming Lee High School athletic department will add four distinguished alumni to its school’s athletic department Hall of Fame Friday, Feb. 18, with a ceremony scheduled between a 5:30 p.m. girls basketball game and a 7 p.m. boys basketball game, both against Byron Center Zion Christian.
The Hall of Fame includes members of both Rebel and now Legends athletics as well as high school distinguished persons. David Britten, former Lee principal and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools superintendent, will speak at the event.
Among the 2021 inductees are long-time teacher Thomas Wier, who taught at the school from 1980-2020; and Larry Landstra (Class of 1956), a student leader at Lee who was captain of his football team and selected in 1955 to the First Team of the Grand Valley Conference. (Landstra is not expected to attend in-person.)
Two other distinguished Lee high persons will also be inducted posthumously: Miss Agnes Noel, who as a teacher from 1892-1932; and Bernard Raterink, who as a Lee teacher, coach, counselor, athletic director and principal — and also played football at Lee and Michigan Site University in the 1950s.
By WKTV Staff
Woodland Mall has announced plans to help those “looking to maintain your resolutions to stay fit and healthy in 2022” with a free Heath & Wellness Expo planned for Saturday, Feb. 19.
A dozen or more vendors will showcase their products and services from noon to 7 p.m., according to an announcement this week from the mall. From exercise equipment to better sleep, and workout clothing to healthy eating, shoppers will be able to connect with experts focused on promoting an active, engaged and healthy lifestyle.
“We’re all looking to improve our health and well-being,” Alyson Presser, marketing manager for Woodland Mall, said in supplied material. “We have drawn from our own retailers and invited a curated collection of West Michigan’s top organizations for this year’s Health & Wellness Expo, which can help shoppers keep their resolutions and live their best and healthiest lives.”
The event is free and open to the public. Booths will be set up throughout the mall.
Among the vendors expected to be at the Health & Wellness Expo are Aerie, Atman Collective, Black Impact Collaborative, CycleBar, EYEQ.ITY, Jamba Juice, JCPenney, Mayweather Boxing + Fitness, Offline by Aerie, Orangetheory Fitness and Tempur-Pedic.
The expo will also feature demonstrations by Mayweather Boxing + Fitness and CycleBar, along with a fashion show from Aerie and Offline by Aerie and several workout demonstrations.
Woodland Mall asks all guests to follow CDC recommendations by using the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the mall and practicing physical distancing.
Regular mall hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday.
Woodland Mall is located at 3195 28th St SE, Grand Rapids. For more information visit shopwoodlandmall.com.
By WKTV Staff
Lexi Adams, who will open the City of Kentwood’s free-to-the-public Winter Concert Series this week, is a singer/songwriter who offers up a mix of covers and original music that are “stories of life experience carefully crafted through each melody and lyric.”
The concert, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17, will take place at the Community Room of Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, from 6:30-8 p.m. Guests are welcomed to bring their own beer, wine or nonalcoholic beverages to enjoy at the show.
Each concert will also have a food truck outside offering a range of cuisines and available for purchase, with Patty Matters Food Truck available on Feb. 17.
Originally from southwest Michigan Lexi moved to Nashville Tennessee in 2008 to “pursue her love and passion for music,” according to her website. She moved back to Michigan with the intent of taking three months to immerse herself in her newly recorded EP but “she received many opportunities to play her music in the west Michigan area and that hasn’t stopped since.”
Three months turned into 12, and she continues to pursue her love and passion for music in the local Michigan music scene. And while she hopes to eventually return back to the Nashville — “the city that stole her heart” — for the meantime, “Michigan is where it’s at!”
Lexi Adams’ sound, according to her website, “is Ryan Adams on a cool summer night, smoking cigarettes while leaning in for a kiss with Taylor Swift. It will leave you hurting and longing for more; wishing you had said what you really wanted to say to the love of your life before they walked away.”
For more information on Lexi Adams, visit her website here.
WKTV will record all concerts and will replay them, as scheduled, on our cable channels as well as on WKTV.org by hitting the “Watch Live” button, and also later on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
Tentative run time for Lexi Adams’s concert will be The concerts will air on WKTV 25 Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 9 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 26, at 10 p.m. Visit wktvjournal.org/wktv-on-air-schedule/ for a schedule of replays.
More information is available at kentwood.us/WinterConcerts. Also, according to a city announcement, “residents are encouraged to follow current public health guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”
By WKTV Staff
The WKTV Feature Game coverage crew will pay a visit to Lee High School Friday, Feb. 18, as both the boys and girls teams will be in action in an evening which will also be the athletic department’s Hall of Fame night. (See a preview story on the Lee high Hall of Fame night here.)
While the truck crew will be at Lee, we will also have cameras at Wyoming high on Feb. 18, as the Wolves athletic department also holds its Hall of Fame night at the halftime of a girls basketball game and as part of a special community night celebration. (See a preview story on the Wyoming high Hall of Fame night here.)
The Wyoming Lee games, when Byron Center Zion Christian comes to the Legends home court for an Alliance League doubleheader, will feature a girls basketball game at 5:30 p.m., and boys game at 7 p.m.
The WKTV Feature Game coverage crew will wrap up the 2021-22 basketball regular season with planned coverage of East Kenwood boys basketball on Tuesday, Feb. 22, against Caledonia, and then a boys and girls basketball doubleheader Friday, Feb. 25, when Wyoming Tri-unity Christian visits Wyoming Potter’s House Christian.
The Grand Rapids South Christian girls won a big game Wednesday, Feb. 9, 42-39, over visiting Grand Rapids Catholic Central — and then avoided a letdown on Friday, Feb. 11, with a home win over Wayland, 51-38 — to run their record to 13-3 overall and take control in the OK Conference Gold conference race with a 9-1 record. (The Cougars are also 9-1, but are 12-4 overall). (For a game story and a WKTV video, visit here.)
The Wyoming high boys (9-6, 6-4 OK) won an early week contest last week, defeating Holland, 81-36, at home Feb. 8, before falling to state powerhouse and OK Green leader Muskegon on Feb. 11. (For an on-demand recording of the Wyoming-Holland game, visit here.)
The South Christian boys (10-5, 7-3 OK) went 2-1 last week in a stretch of three-straight OK Conference Gold road contests, bouncing back from a Feb. 8 loss at GR Central Catholic to score wins over Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, 59-45, on Feb. 9, and then defeating Wayland, 71-44, on Feb. 11.
The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys (10-4 overall) saw their six-game win streak come to an end in their only game last week, a 57-50 loss to Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, on Feb. 8. The two teams are still at the top of the Alliance League standings, however, as Wyoming Potter’s House Christian (10-4) leads the league title chase at 5-0, with Tri-unity at 4-0, and the Aviators at 5-1. In addition to the win over WM Aviation Academy, Tri-unity also defeated Byron Center Zion Christian, 72-31, on Feb. 11.
Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)
WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
By WKTV Staff
The Wyoming High School athletic department will add eight distinguished alumni to its Wolves Hall of Fame Friday, Feb. 18, with a ceremony at the halftime of a girls varsity basketball game against Zeeland East scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
The Hall of Fame includes members from both Rogers and Wyoming Park high schools, which combined to form Wyoming high.
Among the 2022 inductees are longtime Wyoming Public Schools teacher and Rogers high graduate (Class of 1986) Dino Paganelli, Rogers high (Class of 2002) student-athlete Ashley Heuvelman, Rogers high (Class of 1968) student athlete Jerry Hoag, Wyoming Park high (Class of 1980) student-athlete Rob Baker, Wyoming Park high (Class of 1997) student-athlete Amanda Hartman Schichtel, and Wyoming Park high (Class of 2012) student-athlete Lexi Popma.
Also to be honored are long-time Wyoming Park high athletic supporters Karen and Gary Stockdale, and the late John Wiggers, a huge supporter of athletics both at Wyoming Park and, later, at Wyoming high.
The game night, which includes a junior varsity game starting at 5:30 p.m., and the Hall of Fame ceremony, will be part of a special Community Night, with performances by the Wyoming high Pep Band, and Wyoming Dance Team led by Coach Meghan Dolata. There will also be a halftime hoop shoot, as well as a raffle, and senior shirts and yard signs available.
The senior all-night party committee will be sponsoring the halftime hoop shoot fundraiser when people will have the opportunity to shoot a half-court or 3-point shot. The 50/50 raffle will also support the senior all-night party.
The senior all-night party committee will be selling auction tickets, senior yard signs, and t-shirts as part of their fundraising efforts.
By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org
Circle Theatre will host auditions for its Main Stage and Summer Concert series in March.
This year’s Main State productions include “RENT,” “The Play That Goes Wrong,” “The Music Man,” “On Golden Pond,” and “Little Shop of Horrors. Auditions for those shows will be held from 6:30 – 10 p.m. March 4 and from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. March 5.
Circle Summer Concert productions include “Nobody Does It Better,” “Get Ready:The Music of Motown,” “Divine Divas: Iconic Women of Pop,” “Soul Groove: The Hits of Soul and R&B, and “Under Pressure:The Music of Queen and David Bowie.” Auditions for these productions will be from 7 – 9 p.m. March 11 and noon – 3 p.m. March 12.
All auditions will be at the Aquinas College Art and Music Center, located on the Aquinas College campus at 1700 Fulton St. SW. Find audition notices, sides and resources, registration info, and more at circletheatre.org/auditions.
For more information on Circle Theatre’s auditions, to purchase 2022 season tickets and memberships or to find more ways to support Circle Theatre, call 616-456-6656 or visit circletheatre.o.
By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer
It’s Super Bowl weekend, and the entire state of Michigan is rooting for the LA Rams and Matthew Stafford. Are there any Bengals fans out there?
Well, the big game is not until 6:30 p.m. Sunday, which means you have plenty of time to get out of the house and enjoy the snow. We have a few ideas in this weekend’s Gonzo’s Top 5, exclusively on WKTV Journal.
Here we go.
Gonzo’s Top 5
5. Scotty McCreery at The Intersection
I can’t believe it’s been more than 10 years since teen star Scotty McCreery won Season 10 of “American Idol.” It’s been watching him grow as an artist, and as a person. He’s released several hits, got married and even endured loss. Through it all we have we’ve stayed in touch. In fact, I got to spend some time on his tour bus last summer when he performed at an outdoor concert in Grand Rapids. Over the years he has carved out a solid career after his meteoric rise to fame, topping the country charts with hits such as “This is It,” “Five More Minutes,” “You Time” and his most recent video, “Damn Strait.” It’s a classic country song that pays homage to the legendary George Strait. If you’re a fan, you already know he’s in town tonight (Feb. 11) at The Intersection in Grand Rapids as part of his “Same Truck Tour.” Tickets are $39.50 at the door. I guarantee it’s going to be a great show. More info at www.sectionlive.com.
4. Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Friends
Why not celebrate the Disney character we know and love by taking the kids to see “Mickey and Friends” at Van Andel Arena? You’ll spend time with Moana and Maui, Woody and the whole “Toy Story” gang, Anna and Elsa of “Frozen” and so much more! Performances are at 7 tonight (Feb. 11); 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday. Ticket information at www.vanandelarena.com.
3. World of Winter in Grand Rapids
It’s a busy weekend in downtown Grand Rapids as World of Winter has several events, including:
Learn more about all of the events taking place now through March 6 at www.worldofwintergr.com.
2. Winter Family Day at Meijer Gardens
If you can’t make it downtown, Meijer Gardens is offering several activities as part of a Winter Family Day from 1-4 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 12). The kids can watch a sculptor transform a block of ice into a piece of ice art; create a winter-inspired craft; and discover how birds play and eat. The special activities are included with your admission to the gardens. Get more info at www.meijergardens.org.
1.Hamilton at DeVos Performance Hall
What is there to say? I think everyone knows that “Hamilton,” created by Lin-Manuel Miranda about American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, is a groundbreaking Broadway show. It has been selling out since it first debuted in 2015, and tickets for the touring shows remain in high demand. A few tickets still remain for performances through Feb. 20 at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. Check the latest ticket availability at https://broadwaygrandrapids.com/.
Also, listen to an interview with new Broadway Grand Rapids President and CEO Meghan Distel, who was a guest on my inaugural “Then By All Means, Lead the Way” theatre podcast. In the interview she said the show is “emotional,” “inspiring” and “the lyrics are so brilliant.” “I sobbed the first time I saw it,” Distel said in the podcast. “I was so moved. And you just want to see it again.” She also talks about the remainder of the Broadway Grand Rapids season and her new role. Please listen.
Well that’s it for this weekend’s Top 5.
Go Bengals!
As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
Have a great, safe weekend.
John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.
By WKTV Staff
The early U2 band poster in the “Green Room” at Grand Rapids’ Fountain Street Church is not there because the historic church once had a reverend who dug the boys from Dublin, the band actually played there in 1981.
The walls of the Green Room, back stage where guests often await shows, are filled with evidence of the musicians, comedians and just flat interesting people who have visited the famous stain-glass windowed, pipe-organ dominated sanctuary of the church.
And that history of outside entertainers hitting the stage at Fountain Street will continue Monday, Feb. 14, with Waxahatchee (aka Katie Crutchfield) undoubtedly bringing songs from her new album, “Saint Cloud”, to be released on March 27. (The 7 p.m. show will have Madi Diaz opening.)
Fountain Street Church has served as a platform for a variety of performers since 1928 when senior minister Alfred Wesley Wishart debated Clarence Darrow over the topic “Is There a General Purpose in the Universe?”
Over the years, speakers such as Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt and Malcolm X have given talks. Notable musicians who have performed in the sanctuary range from Duke Ellington to Frank Zappa, from Alison Krauss to B.B. King.
Fountain Street Church is the venue only, not the promoter, of the entertainment scheduled — which will include comedian Fortune Feimster (currently seen on NBC series “Kenan”) visiting as part of Gilda’s Laughfest on March 18 as well as later shows by Needtobreathe and Welcome to the Night Vale.
Needtobreathe, with Patrick Droney, is scheduled for May 17. Welcome to the Night Vale, with Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin, is scheduled for June 13.
For more information about all shows, visit here.
Waxahatchee’s new album, “Saint Cloud” is “an unflinching self-examination,” according to the band’s promotional material.
“From a moment of reckoning in Barcelona to a tourist trap in Tennessee to a painful confrontation on Arkadelphia Road, from a nostalgic jaunt down 7th Street in New York City to the Mississippi Gulf, Crutchfield creates a sense of place for her soul-baring tales, a longtime staple of her storytelling. This raw, exposed narrative terrain is aided by a shift in sonic arrangements as well.”
Waxahatchee is a project fronted Katie Crutchfield, a singer and songwriter from Birmingham, Ala. She debuted the project in 2011 and has released three critically acclaimed albums under its name since 2012.
Since the age of 15 Crutchfield played in indie rock bands with her twin sister, Allison, the first was called The Ackleys, and the second was called P.S Elliot. That union and band(s) came to an end in 2011.
Around the same time Cruchfield needed to get away from the world, so she went to her parents holiday home in her native state of Alabama. She spent her week there writing the songs that would make up her debut as Waxahatchee, “American Weekend”.
“Katie Crutchfield’s southern roots are undeniable,” it states on her website. “The name of her solo musical project Waxahatchee comes from a creek not far from her childhood home in Alabama and seems to represent both where she came from and where she’s going.”
For more information on Waxahatchee, visit here. For a video visit here.
By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer
May Erlewine — singer-songwriter, West Michigan native, and no stranger to Grand Rapids audiences and soundtracks — plans a creative twist for her Feb. 17 concert at St. Cecilia Music Center, when she will debut her new release, “Tiny Beautiful Things”.
And music will be only part of it.
“(Tiny Beautiful Things) is about exchange and all these different faces of love,” Erlewine told WKTV. “The record has songs about falling in love, songs about falling out of love, songs about loving your children, songs about loving those who have passed on, all of the many incarnations love finds in our lives. The sentiment is that love is always there.
“One of the ways I wanted to present this was by reading some letters throughout the concert and share these different incarnations of love and connection.”
Tickets for May Erlewine’s Feb. 17 Folk Series concert can be purchased online at scmc-online.org or by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224.
“We are excited to bring May Erlewine back to SCMC,” Cathy Holbrook, St. Cecilia Music Center executive/artistic Director, said in supplied material. “She appeared here many years ago when we first started our folk series. It’s exciting that May can highlight her new album with this show and that audience members will have the chance to purchase the new album that night.”
Not only will the St. Cecilia audience be treated to new songs and the opportunity to purchase Erlewine’s new album, they will also be treated to a more personal aspect of the songwriter’s life.
Erlewine is a strong believer that sharing our connections with others throughout life can do much to enrich our lives. An avid letter writer, Erlewine plans to share snippets of her own correspondence with loved ones over the years to highlight this belief.
“Part of the reason I wanted to do this was to remind people how important it is for us to stay connected in a time where most of us are unable to be close to our loved ones,” Erlewine said. “We have all been through a lot of changes and had to sacrifice a lot through this difficult time. We are still very connected in community even though we haven’t been able to actively feel that connection.”
Erlewine urges people to reach out to their loved ones in both little and big ways.
Connection has always been a vital and powerful aspect of Erlewine’s life, even prompting a cross-country journey at age 16.
“I was really curious about seeing the country, seeing how different people lived,” she said. “And I think one of the main reasons I wanted to do that is that I love to hear people’s stories. Songs are basically stories, so I found a great way to share the ones I’ve collected.”
Collecting and listening to stories of people’s lives has always fascinated the songwriter and has been a catalyst for several of her songs.
“We are all living a similar human experience, but we all have these incredible unique things that have happened to us in our lives,” Erlewine said. “There is a lot of meaning and depth in sharing those things.”
Erlewine said she felt the power of music at the young age of 12, when she picked up a guitar for the first time.
“I was immediately inspired to write a song. When I did that, I had this ‘aha’ moment of ‘This is something I’m supposed to do. This is my way of expressing myself in the world.’ I just didn’t stop from that point on.”
Over the years, Erlewine has used her music as a platform for positive change, whether it be individual or as a community, environmental, or even regarding social justice. Her catalog of albums and collaborations gives voice to these themes. (Checkout a 2019 WKTV feature on her “Second Sight” release, and its social/political themes.)
“I had a revelation that music is part of a very long-standing tradition, much larger than just me and what I am feeling,” said Erlewine. “It encompassed something much bigger. I wanted to serve that.”
The passion listeners hear in Erlewine’s voice and songs comes from a deep-seated belief in the power of music to connect people no matter where they come from or what their beliefs are.
“Music has a lot of power in community to bring people together, to speak about issues that are happening around us. That folk tradition of being a voice for the people is something I really believe in and have embraced in my path of music.”
When asked about the fearlessness demonstrated in using her music to speak on social and political issues, Erlewine likened it more to strength.
“It’s always scary to be vulnerable,” Erlewine said. “It takes a lot of strength to go there.”
What helps Erlewine is focusing on what she feels is the “most honest thing to do.”
“I have a strong sense that if something feels like the right thing to do,” the songwriter said, “even if it’s scary or even if it puts me in harm’s way, if it’s the right thing to do…then I know that it is part of my path, and I trust that.”
Erlewine’s daughter also plays a large part in giving the songwriter the courage and strength to do what she feels is right.
“When I think about my daughter and her living in this world after I’m gone, I ask, what things can I do that will impact her future in a way that matters to me? That has definitely added some fuel to those moments where I might feel more shaky. This is not just for me, this is for future generations.”
For more informant about the artist, visit mayerlewine.com.
Health and COVID protocols and requirements for SCMC can be found at http://scmc-online.org/concerts-and-events/.
By WKTV Staff
The City of Kentwood has announced that, partnering with Great Lakes Disc, the city will again host its annual Freeze Fest doubles disc golf tournament and food drive on Saturday, Feb. 19.
Disc golfers of all skill levels are invited to join the best-shot doubles competition at Jaycee Park, 1088 Gentian Drive SE. All proceeds will go to support Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.
On-site registration begins at 9 a.m., and the first round of the tournament starts at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged online at kentwood.us/FreezeFest. The cost is $40 and one canned food donation per team.
“It’s been amazing to see the popularity of our disc golf tournaments grow over the years and, along with it, the support of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry,” Lori Gresnick, Kentwood recreation program coordinator, said in supplied material. “We are grateful the disc golfer community continues to take part in our annual tournaments for some friendly competition and for a good cause.”
The Kentwood Little Free Pantry initiative began in 2017 as a community service project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The small food pantry is open to all community members year-round and is designed to fill an immediate and local need. It offers nonperishable food and personal care items. Anyone can utilize or donate to the pantry. No application is required and no questions are asked.
“Great Lakes Disc is proud to again partner with the City of Kentwood to host the annual Freeze Fest,” Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc, said in supplied material. “It feels great to have our favorite sport play a part in helping the local community.”
The demand for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, has steadily increased since its opening, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help meet the growing need, the city opened a second pantry location in 2021 at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.
More information is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
By WKTV Staff
The entertainment and sports world — and an estimated 1 million West Michigan viewers — will be focused on their televisions this Sunday as Super Bowl LVI plays and everybody attention is on the game, the halftime and, of course, those advertisements.
And it is not just beer and soda commercials either. Getting in on the action, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport has announced it, too, will air its first Super Bowl spot, a 30-second ad, which “leans on a football theme to underscore the ease of travel through Ford International Airport – complete with yellow flags over a penalty.”
The commercial was created by Extra Credit Projects, and recorded and produced with Taproot pictures in Grand Rapids.
“We are excited to unveil this new ad to our fans during the game of the year,” Dan Koorndyk, chair of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, said in supplied material. “… The Super Bowl felt like a great opportunity to showcase the Airport to our community.”
Travel numbers grew steadily during 2021 for Ford International Airport, reaching 2.9 million passengers – 82 percent of its pre-pandemic numbers, which were records.
“The Airport has experienced tremendous growth and continues to advance plans for additional development, making it a huge economic driver in the region,” Rob Jackson, principal at Extra Credit Projects, said in supplied material. “The scale of the Super Bowl felt right … at the end of the day, it’s just exciting to be part of the big game and connect with such a broad audience in the region.”
The football connection also seems fitting for the airport’s namesake.
“The Ford International Airport has an undeniable connection to football as former President Gerald R. Ford helped lead his Michigan Wolverines to two undefeated seasons on the gridiron nearly nine decades ago,” Tory Richardson, president and CEO of Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, said in supplied material.
By WKTV Staff
After a brief scheduling delay, the City of Kentwood’s free-to-the-public Winter Concert Series will return Thursday, Feb. 17, with singer/songwriter Lexi Adams leading off three concerts on select Thursdays through the end of March at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.
WKTV will record all concerts and will replay them, as scheduled, on our cable channels as well as on WKTV.org by hitting the “Watch Live” button, and also later on-demand at WKTVlive.org. Visit wktvjournal.org/wktv-on-air-schedule/ for a schedule of replays.
The series will feature three West Michigan performers who will play a mix of genres and, in keeping with the mix of musical tastes, each concert will also have a food truck outside offering a range of cuisines and available for purchase.
“With a variety of talented local musicians and food truck favorites, winter concerts offer residents an enjoyable night out during the colder months,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “We welcome all to enjoy the good food and live music in the warm comfort of the library this winter.”
The concerts will take place in the library’s Community Room from 6:30-8 p.m. Guests are welcomed to bring their own beer, wine or nonalcoholic beverages to enjoy at the show.
Also, according to the city announcement, “residents are encouraged to follow current public health guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”
The lineup of performers and food trucks is as follows:
Thursday, Feb. 17 — Singer and songwriter Lexi Adams with food from Patty Matters Food Truck. Adams, according to supplied material, will present a mix of original music and covers. “Her songs are stories of life experience carefully crafted through each melody and lyric.”
Thursday, March 17 — Cellist and vocalist Jordan Hamilton with food from Around Baking Company. Hamilton “will merge musical styles to tell stories of the human experience through a variety of genres.” A member of Last Gasp Collective and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, he can be found performing primarily in the Midwest, where he has opened for national acts.
Thursday, March 31 — Singer and multi-instrumentalist Nicholas James Thomasma with food from El Jalapeño. Thomasma will perform a mix of Americana, folk, country and rock music. “He combines stories and songs with humor and wit for a show that can be enjoyed by all ages.”
More information is available at kentwood.us/WinterConcerts.
By WKTV Staff
The basketball season is winding down for local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school teams, with key conference games and tournament seeding at stake. So the WKTV Featured Game coverage crew will pay a visit to Wyoming High School Tuesday, Feb. 8, as the Wolves boys basketball team continues its push to the postseason with a home game against Holland.
Replays will be available the night of the game (and later as scheduled on our cable channels) on WKTV.org and hit the “Watch Live” button, and later on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
Wyoming enters the game 9-5 overall and 5-3 (and tied for second in the standings) in OK Conference Green. The Wolves won their only game last week, at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (8-6, 5-3 OK), 58-53, and avenged an early season loss. Holland will enter the contest with a 4-9, 2-6 OK record, but won twice last week in conference action. (For a recent WKTV Sports report on the Wyoming Wolves boys basketball team, visit here.)
The Grand Rapids South Christian girls continue on their roll of now six-straight wins and enter the week 11-3 overall and 7-1 in OK Gold games after another convincing win last week at Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg, 41-31. The Sailors only conference loss came at OK conference leader Grand Rapids Central Catholic (currently 11-3, 8-0 OK), with the rematch coming this week, Wednesday, Feb. 9, on the Sailors’ home court.
The South Christian boys also won last week, over Middleville TK, 76-55, to push their record to 8-4 overall and 5-2 in OK Conference Gold. The Sailors play at OK Gold leader Grand Rapids Catholic Central (13-1, 8-0 OK) this week, on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys won twice last week, over Saugatuck and Wyoming Lee in non-Alliance League action, and now have won six straight to push their record 10-3 overall and 5-0 to lead the Alliance League. But the Aviators face a league showdown this week with the Wyoming Tri-unity Christian boys team which will enter the Tuesday, Feb. 8, game at 7-4, 2-0 in the Alliance.
Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)
The tentative WKTV Feature Game schedule for February is as follows:
Friday, Feb. 18, boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)
Tuesday, Feb. 22, boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 25, boys and girls basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House
WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
By Phil de Haan
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
The first-ever major Capital Campaign for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services was publicly launched on January 24, 2022.
“Expanding Equal Access: A New Home for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services” is a $266,000 fundraising campaign that will allow D&HHS to become part of a large non-profit center being developed at the old South Christian High School on 68th Street in Grand Rapids, just west of a major bus line on South Division Avenue.
The project is being headed up by Special Olympics of Michigan and will see the 127,000 square foot building (which includes two gyms and a 735-seat auditorium) become home to 10 non-profits, all of which have advocacy and empowerment at the heart of everything they do.
D&HHS will join Special Olympics of Michigan, Autism Support of Kent County, Brody’s Be Café, Disability Advocates of Kent County, Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, Far Out Volleyball Club, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan/be nice, MOKA, and Thresholds in this new space.
The public launch event included remarks by Tim Hileman, president and CEO of Special Olympics of Michigan, who said: “I love days like today. It speaks to what really good organizations can do both individually and collectively. What they can do together.”
Hileman commended what he called the “great, great leadership” of D&HHS, including the staff and the board.
He added: “I love the name of your campaign. This new non-profit center truly is multiple organizations coming together to create access, and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services is an important part of this project.”
D&HHS Board President Rowan O’Dougherty agreed.
“Deaf people need our agency,” he said. “And Deaf people need community. That’s why I am so excited about the move here. We currently have such limited space, but when we move here those limitations will go away. We can draw our community together to socialize, to play sports, have coffee at the Café. Our Deaf senior citizens could make this a weekly activity. It’s going to be great.”
For Mary Andringa, step-mother to Chad, now a Deaf adult, the new space will continue a long legacy of D&HHS service to her family.
“D&HHS has been a rock on which Chad could build his core values and see himself as a unique individual with talents and abilities,” she said. “The people here (D&HHS staff) were pivotal to his growth and mine. He has had the advocates he needed to protect his rights, and he has been called to grow. This agency has been a conduit. Or should I say a can-do-it place. This agency always feeds back truth.”
Mickey Carolan, the treasurer for the D&HHS board, spoke not just about money (though he did that too!) but also about his experience growing up as the child of Deaf adults, a CODA.
“I was born into a majority Deaf community,” he said. “It’s the reason I am here today. I remember growing up and the access my parents had to communities in Detroit and Flint and Saginaw. There hasn’t been a place on this side of the state for that kind of community. Until now. This is the spot. And I hope that the energy everyone here today brought inspires you, whatever that is. Maybe it’s a gift of $1. Maybe it’s $50,000 I don’t want to limit you. But whatever it is, we are grateful.”
Indeed, Carolan was grateful at the event to accept a check for $15,000 from Earl Howell and Dr. Robert Hohendorf of Lions Club International District 11-C1. That gift brought the current fundraising total to just over $133,000, just over half of the $266,000 total goal for the campaign.
D&HHS hopes to start the renovation of an old science lab into its new space in March 2022, pending fundraising. If all goes well it would move to the new non-profit center in the summer of 2022.
Images of the D&HHS space and the entire facility, plus the campaign video and photos from the campaign event, are online and available to media at: deafhhs.org/capital-campaign.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Detroit author William Kienzle often would say that every person has a good story. Local resident and WKTV volunteer Donna Kidner Smith is hoping to encourage people to share their stories.
This month, on Feb. 24, Smith will be the host of the WKTV Voices’ Storytelling Project. The program will take place at Wyoming’s The Stray, 4253 S. Division Ave., at 7 p.m.
The idea for the project came from Moth Radio Hour, which airs on NPR stations across the nation. The program features storytellers who share stories that honor both the diversity and commonality of human experience, and satisfies a human need for connection.
“I thought this is such a wonderful program and wondered why we didn’t have a local version,” said Smith, who teaches a story making class at Grand Valley State University.
Stories were the essential way that traditions and information were passed from people to people and generations to generations, Smith noted. It is an art form as well as an important way that communities stay connected.
In the fall, a friend invited Smith to attend a musical program at the newly opened The Stray.
“I saw the place and knew it would be perfect for this event,” Smith said.
Hunter VanKlompenberg, who oversees the programming at The Stray said they felt like the WKTV Voices’ Storytelling Project seemed like a good fit as well.
“It sounded like a cool idea,” VanKlompenberg who with his parents, Chip and Karen, and his partner, Victoria LATeano, own The Stray. Chip VanKlompenberg is the president. Karen VanKompenberg is the creative director, Victoria LaTeano is the cafe manager and Hunter VanKlompenberg is the music and arts manager.
The coffee house officially opened in September, but the foursome had been working on the project for well over a year, VanKlompenberg said. They selected the location on Division Avenue because of its high traffic but also the building, located at 4253 Division Ave., provided enough space for the group’s vision. That vision was to create a coffee house that would offer live music and other programs as well as a place for local artists.
Work from local artists are on display and available for purchase. Plans include artist studios in the back of the building and there will be a patio space come spring.
Currently, The Stray features the café in the front of the building. The menu features a selection of coffees and non-coffee items such as tea, hot chocolate and Brix soda. There is also a lunch menu of sandwiches and salads and in the evening, the offerings include flat breads and a selection of beer and wine.
The seating area is a mix of tables and sofas, all of which Karen, an artist and interior designer, found searching social media sites, according to VanKlompenberg. The design is definitely a homey, welcoming feel which is an ideal setting for the live performances.
“We try to create a listening atmosphere, building an intimate connection between the artist and the audience,” VanKlompenberg said, adding the focus is on the performer, giving the person a chance to get feedback from the audience and the audience and opportunity to learn about the performer. VanKlompenberg said the response has been positive with both the performers and audience members.
Smith was one of those audience members who felt that welcoming vibe and found the opportunity to really make a connection, which is something she wants to do with the WKTV Voices’ Storytelling Project.
“The program is about connecting with the community, our community,” Smith said. “I hope people will share their stories and those who come will listen, learn and laugh with our storytellers.”
About 13 community members have signed up to share story vignettes that will be about four to six minutes in length. The entire event will be recorded by WKTV and aired on Comcast Channel 25 at a later date.
Smith said the goal is to host the WKTV Voices’ Storytelling Project on a regular basis. She is currently working to gather a group of storytellers for the next event, which will be announced. Those interested in participating in the WKTV Voices’ Storytelling Project can connect with Smith at kidnersmith5@gmail.com.
The Stray is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Live performances are usually on Friday and Saturday starting at 7 p.m. The WKTV Voices’ Storytelling Project will be on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. For more about The Stray, visit thestraycafe.com.
By K.D. Norris
The Wyoming High School boys basketball team finished their non-conference schedule with three-straight wins and then went 4-3 in the first half of their grueling OK Conference Green schedule, including a road loss to state power Muskegon.
So as the Wolves (7-5 overall, third in OK conference standings) prepared this week for the beginning of the second half of the OK Green schedule with a road game at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer — 8-4, 5-2 in conference including a hard-fought win over Wyoming on Jan. 7 — Wolves head coach Thom Vander Klay might be pretty happy with where his team stands.
And maybe not …
“Sitting in third was not the objective,” Coach Vander Klay said to WKTV. “We are definitely looking to become more consistent to compete in the (state) tournament. … We look to work to be the best team we can be, which may mean more victories in the second round and in the tournament.”
Despite a pandemic-altered 2020-21 season last year, the Wolves were in top form at tournament time, with a home win over Byron Center and then a tough, 54-52, road loss at East Grand Rapids to finish 7-9 overall.
In the 2019-20 season, the team’s last year in the OK Gold, the Wolves finished 11-1 in conference and 20-2 overall including two wins in the playoffs — before the pandemic stopped the season in the middle of what could have been a deep playoff run.
Now in the Wolves second year in the OK Green, Vander Klay does not see the move as giving his team in tougher schedule, it is just those long roadtrips — to Muskegon and Zeeland — that are a challenge.
“Not sure the Green is better than the Gold,” Vander Klay said. “We switch leagues every few years so it has been difficult to get rivals but we are getting to know these teams and what they try and do.
“The hardest part is the travel. We seem to have many schools we can play but we are going to the Lakeshore Tuesdays and Fridays.”
In the second half of the OK conference schedule, the Wolves will host four of the seven games, including hosting two teams Wyoming lost to on the road in the first round, Muskegon (currently 10-0, 7-0 OK) on Feb. 11 and Grand Rapids Union on Feb. 22.
Coach Vander Klay said while the Wolves’ current team has only four seniors, seven juniors and no underclassmen, he is feels the squad is “doing really well”, especially senior leaders Ramere Draper (19.5 points per game average), Jaleel Holt (13.3 ppg.) and Jordan Love (9.4 ppg.)
Draper was first team all conference last year, and Love was honorable mention.
One of the juniors making a big impact in the stat sheet with double-figure scoring is Qua’dir Hatchett (10.6 ppg.). But Alyjah Chandler, Bernie Varnesdeel, Eugene Atkins and Quintin Williams are also key contributors.
Andrew Tran is the other senior, while other juniors include Jaden LaFleur and Jameson Lamrouex.
By WKTV Staff
Valentine’s Day 2022 falls on a Monday (Feb. 14) but the City of Kentwood has a “Sweetheart Deal” to get your “Valentine’s Weekend” started with a little outdoor fun run, a possible partnership opportunity, and support for a great community service program.
The city will host its fifth annual Valentine’s Dash 5K Saturday, Feb. 12, starting at 11 a.m., and benefitting Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which provides food and personal care items to community members in need.
The 5K route will include a combination of trails and paved pathways starting and ending at Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.
Valentine’s Day-themed costumes are encouraged. While intended to be a fun run, the race will be chip timed and awards will be given for the fastest runner overall and in each age group.
An awards ceremony will follow in the library’s community room at about noon, including refreshments, candy, music and a photo booth.
“Our Valentine’s Dash 5K is a great way to kick off the holiday weekend and help foster or fuel a love for running, even in the winter months,” Spencer McKellar, race organizer, said in supplied material. “This course is great for first-time runners or walkers but will also provide a challenge to more experienced racers. All are invited to come out and join us. Bring a friend or a loved one — or meet someone new.”
Online registration is $30 until Feb. 11 and includes a long-sleeved shirt and other participant-packet goodies (while supplies last). Day-of registration is $35. Runners who sign up as a couple save $5 each. Participants who bring a nonperishable item or monetary donation for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry will be entered to win a special door prize.
Kentwood’s first Little Free Pantry opened to the community in 2017 at the Kentwood Activities Center, where it remains available year-round during business hours. The city, last year, launched a second pantry at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.
For more event information visit kentwood.us/ValentinesDash.
By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Wyoming residents wanting to learn more about the city’s proposed income tax and millage reduction proposals will have the chanced at a series of informational meetings.
Starting tomorrow, Feb. 2, the city will be hosting seven public meetings in February, March, and April. The meetings are designed to provide information regarding the May 3, 2022 ballot proposals. The two proposals are an income tax that would be up to 1 percent for residents and up to .5 percent for non-residents. The second proposal would be for a city property millage reduction for property owners both homeowners and business owners. The millage would go from about 11.89 to 5 mills. The two proposals are tied together with both required to pass.
“It is my goal to make sure every Wyoming voter has the information they need to vote on May 3,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “The public meetings are a chance for residents and community members to learn more about the need and have their questions answered.”
The first meeting is set for Wednesday, Feb. 2, at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
The other meetings are:
Feb. 16, Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW
March 2, Gezon Fire Station, 2300 Gezon Parkway SW
March 9, Del Mar Community Room
March 15, Godwin Heights High School, 50 35th St. SW
March 24, City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW
April 19, KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW
In September, the Wyoming City Council approved the two proposes to be placed on the May 3 ballot. If approved, the proposals would minimize the overall tax burden to city residents while generating an additional $6 million in revenue each year. The revenue would be used to improve public safety and parks infrastructure for residents, businesses, and visitors.
The additional funds would allow the Wyoming Department of Public Safety to add 27 firefighter and 14 police positions, improving public safety by decreasing response times, enhancing crime prevention efforts and adding more proactive traffic enforcement.
The funding also would provide $600,000 in sustainable annual capital invest in the city’s park system. Many of the city’s parks were built between 1950 and 1970 and while the city has made great strides in developing park properties such as ideal, Frog Hollow, Jackson and Ideal, other parks such as Marquette Park, are 25-years-old or more and are in need of capital improvement. City officials have noted that the current parks millage does not have capacity to provide any funding for capital investment.
For more on the two proposals or to use the tax calculator, visit wyomingmi.gov/FundingFortheFuture.
By WKTV Staff
WKTV Featured Game winter coverage of local Kentwood and Wyoming area high school usually focuses on basketball, but each season we pay a visit or two to East Kentwood High School to catch up on the Falcons hockey team — so this week, Wednesday, Feb. 2, will have have our cameras at the Mainstee vs. East Kentwood match.
The hockey match, set for puck drop at 4 p.m., will find the Falcons playing a non-OK Conference Red foe from up north in the second half a home-and-home series. Manistee defeated East Kentwood on Jan. 28.
Then, on Friday, Feb. 4, WKTV will be at Wyoming Potter’s House Christian for an Alliance League basketball doubleheader as the Pumas host Grand River Prep, with the girls playing at 5:30 p.m., and the boys playing at 7 p.m.
In the girls game, Potter’s House will enter the game 7-5 overall and 1-0 in league, including a win Jan. 28 over Lee and a cancelled game against Grand Rapids Wellspring Prep originally scheduled for Feb. 1. Grand River Prep enters the week at 0-5 and 0-2 in Alliance, but has two early-week games on the schedule before visiting Potter’s House.
In the boys game, Potter’s House enters the week at 6-4, 1-0 in Alliance games, following a win over Lee Jan. 28. The Pumas are scheduled to play Wellspring Prep on Feb. 1. Grand River Prep will enter the week with a 3-6, 2-4 league record.
The Grand Rapids South Christian girls continue on their roll of now five-straight wins and enter the week 10-3 overall and 6-1 in OK Gold games after convincing wins last week at Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (63-32) and at home over Cedar Springs (52-22). The Sailors only conference loss coming at OK conference leader Grand Rapids Central Catholic (currently 10-3, 7-0 OK), with the rematch coming Feb. 9 on the Sailors’ home court.
The South Christian boys also won twice last week, over Ottawa Hill (69-51) and Cedar Springs (76-49) to push their record to 7-4 overall and 4-2 in OK Conference Gold. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (12-1, 7-0 OK) and Forest Hills Eastern9-3, 6-1 OK) currently lead the conference and are the two teams to have beaten the Sailors; but rematches with both are looming in February.
The Wyoming boys team (7-5) split OK games last week, with a 73-50 home win over Muskegon Mona Shores on Jan. 28, to stay near the top of the OK Conference Green standings at 4-3. This week, in a rescheduled game Feb. 3, the Wolves get a chance to avenge an early-season OK loss to Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (8-3, 5-2 OK).
The East Kentwood girls (4-7, 4-3 OK Conference Red) won early last week, 55-51 over Caledonia, to push their winning streak to four games and then gave state power Rockford (11-2, 7-0 OK) all it could handle in a 66-63 overtime loss on Jan 28.
The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys won twice last week, and now have won four straight and six of seven, to push their record 8-3 overall and 5-0 to take over the lead in Alliance League action.
The Wyoming Tri-unity Christian boys team won for the fight time in six games, pushing their overall record to 6-4, with a 78-52 win over Godwin Heights on Saturday, Jan. 29. In the game, it was reported on other media that senior Brady Titus set a school record for the Defenders by scoring 44 points.
Complete local basketball schedules as well as up-to-date scores of previous night’s games are also available at wktvjournal.org/sports-schedules-scores. (You can also just just bookmark WKTVjournal.org on your phone or other device and click on the blue banner at the bottom of the screen.)
The tentative WKTV Feature Game schedule for February is as follows:
Tuesday, Feb. 8, boys basketball, Holland at Wyoming
Friday, Feb. 11, boys hockey, Petoskey at East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 18, boys and girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyo. Lee (HOF night)
Tuesday, Feb. 22, boys basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 25, boys and girls basketball, Tri-unity Christian at Potter’s House
WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of basketball and other winter prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.
