Category Archives: Local History

Female veterans, facing often unfair conditions on duty and at home, have local advocates, support

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  • Veteran Jurgen Nitzsche produced this work as part of veterans art project which led to the Yellow Ribbon ArtPrize entry. (Supplied/Pamela Alderman)
  • Zaneta Adams, Director of the MVAA, Judge Rosemarie Aqualina, and two attendees of Kent County Veterans Services’ 2021 Banquet for Female Veterans. (Supplied)
  • An attendee making art at one of Kent County Veterans Services’ women veterans events. (Supplied)
  • Colorful art and colorful veteran at one of Kent County Veterans Services’ women veterans events. (Supplied)
  • Local female veterans at a “female only” retreat early this year. (KC Veterans Services)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

Fair treatment for women serving on American military active duty, and as veterans, has been battle fought for decades — often with unsatisfactory results.

And while many local female veterans continue to fight against unfair treatment — including local veteran and advocate Theresa Robinson — several Kent County organizations and individuals strive to help female veterans and their families receive the acknowledgement and support they deserve.

Devoted specifically to supporting “all” veterans, Kent County Veterans Services (KCVS) has served the veterans of Kent County since 2008, connecting them with resources in the community as well as providing them with assistance in obtaining benefits they are entitled to from all levels of government.

And, in recent years, KCVS has focused heavily on female veterans and their needs.

“Our continued emphasis is going to be on making female veterans feel comfortable and welcome and helping them to recognize that they may be eligible for benefits, which is the primary part of what we do,” Martha Burkett, manager of KCVS, said to WKTV. “A lot of them don’t even know they have them.”

Burkett continued by saying that applying to the federal government for their benefits is often harder than the government claims. “It’s not easy to do the application process or follow it through. If they can deny you, they will deny you.”

Requests can be kicked back if forms are not filled out properly, for not providing adequate documentation, or not using the right words.

“That’s why the services we offer through our office are so important,” Burkett said. “The Veterans Services officers know all of that. They are trained and certified to do that work. We can do that for veterans on their behalf and make the process a lot smoother and easier for them.”

KCVS has been striving to expand their services to female veterans, not only assisting with benefits but providing help and engagement opportunities for veterans in different ways.

A semi-formal banquet in July celebrates female veterans annually, while a year-round wellness program offers yoga classes, art therapy, and various other opportunities for women.

Equine assisted therapy retreats with programing specifically for female veterans has also been made available since 2019. KCVS has also used grant money to facilitate a recreation program that includes kayaking, hiking, and other activities specifically for women.

For some, working to support veterans — all veterans — is personal.

  • Theresa Robinson at Kent County airport with other veterans welcoming home active duty military members. (Supplied)
  • Theresa Robinson, at Kent County Airport, arriving home from boot camp. (Supplied)
  • A veteran married to a veteran, Theresa and George Robinson. (Supplied)
  • Theresa Robinson, left, is active in many veterans organizations and efforts. (Supplied)
  • Theresa Robinson — veteran, veterans advocate, local businesswoman. (Supplied)

Individual issues but often common cause

Theresa Robinson, veteran, veteran advocate, and current realtor for 616 Realty, served her country in the U.S. Navy as a personnel specialist from 1974 through 1976, and has remained active in the efforts to bring fair treatment and recognition to women serving on active duty and to female veterans.

Robinson told WKTV she personally experienced the hardship of obtaining benefits, having a claim rejected and being told by other veterans that for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), “This is normal procedure … You just have to keep going back.”

“It’s sad because … any veteran deserves that care and earned that care,” Robinson said. “It should not be so hard.”

KCVS is also only one of many resources available to female veterans, Robinson pointed out, citing groups such as the American Legion, the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard, and the United Veterans Council of Kent County as great avenues for helping veterans and their families.

Robinson has served in all three organizations as a way to continue her service to other veterans and the country she loves.

“As a Vietnam Era veteran, I saw the treatment of veteran and active duty during that time in history and it motivated me to want to make a difference in how veterans are perceived to the public,” Robinson said. “Female veterans need to know if they go to the VA for health reasons, be it mental or physical heath, they can count on the VA being equipped to handle females and their needs.

“And female veterans need to know they are not alone … others that have served have experienced many of the same things they did and are there (to support) each other.”

Burkett also believes female veterans need to know there is support out there for them.

“Women have always been less likely to come forward,” Burkett said.

From fear of their careers being derailed if they speak up, to diving back into their civilian roles of mother and wife, to not realizing their problems could be combat-related, women have often kept silent.

“No matter the arena, women are less likely to present for treatment than men,” Burkett said.

Historic issues still present

Over the years, seeing so little change for women who serve is frustrating for Robinson.

“I should not be hearing from anyone 48 years after I served that behaviors unbecoming a military active member are still happening today,” Robinson said. “We and the military are better than this.”

To see that change happen, however, Robinson believes the community must get involved.

“It’s not only veterans that have to ask the VA and our government to be accountable to veterans. The general public needs to do that too,” she said. “The general public needs to tell their government officials that we belong — as human beings, as citizens of the United States of America.”

Robinson also thinks that despite changes, the VA system still needs improvement — “There has got to be a better system for reviewing claims when they come in.”

Most of all, it is important to Robinson that female veterans are “seen, recognized, and appreciated.” And that male and female veterans will be recognized as one group.

“I long for the day when I can speak on and about veterans,” Robinson said, “and not have to differentiate when speaking, female or male veteran.”

Some other groups support female veterans

Robinson speaks highly of the women veteran’s outreach campaign, She Is a Veteran.

“She Is a Veteran is all about empowering female veterans,” Robinson said. “We want female veterans to know they can make a difference in government, in real estate, in teaching, in their everyday lives.”

Women can also learn about advocacy for themselves and their community by attending the Michigan Women Veterans Conference in Lansing, scheduled for June 10-11, sponsored by the Michigan Women Veterans Coalition. Michigan Women Veterans Conference questions can be directed to Erika Hoover, Women Veterans and Special Populations Coordinator, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 517-230-6090, HooverE2@michigan.gov.

Other resources and events for female veterans include:

“Woman Veteran Strong”

Theresa Robinson, Veteran and Advocate

Virtual Art Workshop with ArtPrize Artist Pamela Alderman

KCVS Events Calendar

Eyeing needs at junior high, Wyoming Public Schools seek district voter approval of ‘no property tax increase’ bond

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Wyoming Public Schools graphic of changes planned for the junior high building. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

In November 2017, Wyoming Public Schools district voters approved a bond proposal which transformed Wyoming High School, and accomplished much needed modernization of other schools and district buildings.

Wyoming Public Schools high school building classroom after the 2017 bond funded improvements. (Supplied)

With those priority projects done, or set to be done this summer, the district is looking at more needed district infrastructure work, especially at Wyoming Junior High School, and not just needed upgrades but again “transforming” the educational setting for district students.

To do that, the district is seeking a bond renewal on the May 3, 2022, ballot which would allow it to gain additional funds while having no property tax increase over the current rate for district residents.

(District property tax payers could actually see a decrease in total property tax with passage May 3 of the City of Wyoming’s Proposals 1 & 2, which are the city’s proposed income tax and millage reduction proposals for funding of the Wyoming’s Police, Fire and Parks & Recreation Departments.)

Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra. (Supplied)

“If approved, the current (WPS bonding renewal) proposal would provide an additional $24.9 million for comprehensive renovations and the partial reconstruction of Wyoming Junior High School, a facility that has not seen major structural improvements in nearly forty-three years,” Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Craig Hoekstra said district informational material on the bond proposal. “And just like in 2017, if passed, this proposal will not raise the property tax rate above the current rate. The current millage rate (which has remained the same since 2016 and is currently lower than 14 of 20 Kent County school districts) would be extended into the future.”

The 2017 bond, according to Superintendent Hoekstra, “paved the way to remodel and reconstruct outdated buildings throughout the District; bring them up to code; and improve security, air quality, and technology.”

But with funds set aside from the 2017 bond approval, the district could only lightly renovate portions of the junior high.

“Having experienced the successful transformation of the High School, the District is asking the community to consider improvements to the Junior High as extensive as those made at Wyoming High School,” Hoekstra said.

 

Wyoming Public Schools photos of some of the problems with the junior high building. (Supplied)

Renovations and improvements to the junior high to be funded by the bond renewal include, according the district, modern learning environments, new furniture, and integrated technology; adequate lab spaces and equipment; improved air quality; replacement of failing building systems (such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical) to become energy efficient and meet modern building codes; and site improvements to traffic flow, aging parking lots, and athletic facilities.

To learn more about the 2022 bond proposal, and to see images of the work completed to date with funds from the 2017 bond, visit wyomingps2022.com.

According to ballot information from the Kent County Elections Office, the estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2023, is 0.94 ($0.94 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a 0 mill net increase over the prior year’s levy.

How and when to vote on the bond renewal

All registered voters can either vote in person on Election Day or send in an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots became available March 19, and must be returned by May 3 at 8 p.m. You can request an absentee ballot by contacting the City Clerk’s Office online or by phone.

In-person voting will take place on May 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the polling location designated by the city. You will need to bring your voter ID.

If you’re not registered to vote, you have a few options to become registered to vote in this election: By mail on or before April 18; online at michigan.gov/vote on or before April 18; in person at the City of Wyoming City Clerk’s office through May 3.

Posing with Princesses, training with Superheroes coming to Gilmore Saturday, April 2

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“Cars & Characters: A Celebration of Princesses and Superheroes”, a family-focused event scheduled for this weekend at the Gilmore Car Museum. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

“Cars & Characters: A Celebration of Princesses and Superheroes”, a family-focused event scheduled for this weekend at the Gilmore Car Museum promises to “combine a magical interaction for kids with storybook princesses and comic book superheroes,” according to an announcement form the museum.

And for for the adults, there will be indoor collection of more than 400 classic vehicles.

The event will be Saturday, April 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For tickets and more information visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org.

Aurora and Frog Princess will be among the Princesses and Superheroes this weekend at the Gilmore Car Museum. (Supplied)

“Our princess and superhero events at the Gilmore have become a unique opportunity to engage and delight children, yet also educate and introduce them to automotive history,” Josh Russell, executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum, said in supplied material.

“Cars & Characters” will provide “aspiring young princesses and superheroes,” and their parents or grandparents, the opportunity for memorable photographs with more than 20 storybook princesses and comic book superheroes alongside carriages, royal coaches, limousines, and fairy tale backdrops.

Fairytale princesses will be cruising in cool cars at the Gilmore Car Museum next week. (Gilmore Car Museum)

Photos with the featured princesses and superheroes will be taken in front of special luxury vehicles from the Gilmore collections, including a 1936 Packard, the America’s Sweetheart Ford Model A, and the 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Sedanca De-Ville from the 1967 Walt Disney film “The Gnome-Mobile”.

Several new “experiences” for children have been added to this year’s event, according to the announcement, including Storytime with Belle (a reading of a magical tale), “Certified Superhero Training Sessions” with Spiderman, and Pixie Dust Wishing Ceremony with Tinker Bell. There will also be a special new VIP Coronation Ceremony with the Frozen Sisters, available by separate VIP tickets.

Each activity happens every thirty minutes, is first come, first served, and is available to fifty guests at one time.

Advance Cars & Characters admission tickets are available online.

“Cars & Characters – A Celebration of Princesses and Superheroes” at the Gilmore Car Museum is produced in collaboration with Michigan-based Olivia Grace & Company, and its highly-regarded cast of unforgettable character performers.

For more information visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org, call 269-671-5089 or email info@gilmorecarmuseum.org.

Photo of the Week: The Founder of Kelloggsville

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Francis William Kellogg (Photo by Mathew Benjamin Brady – Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Brady-Handy Photograph Collection.)

)Originally from Worthington, Mass., Francis William Kellogg moved to the Paris Township area in 1855 where he engaged in lumber business with the firm Kellogg, White & Co. He would help to establish the Kelloggsville School district which was named after him. Kellogg was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served from 1863-1865. During the Reconstruction, he was appointed by then U.S. President Andrew Johnson as collection of the U.S. internal revenue for the southern portion of Alabama. Kellogg moved to Mobile, Alabama and event served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Alabama.

March is Reading Month: The Polar Express

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s book selection comes from Katie Nugent owner of Jersey Junction, an ice cream parlor in East Grand Rapids. Started in 1963, Jersey Junction has become not only a popular spot but a famous one as well. We’ll let Katie explain why.

Book: The Polar Express
Author: Chris VanAllsburg
Genre: Picture book/Christmas story

Jersey Junction was established in 1963 by Doris “Chris” VanAllsburg, the author’s mother. When the movie premiered in Grand Rapids, Chris donated an autographed model of the Polar Express to Jersey Junction that is displayed in its dining room. Another model of the Polar Express can be seen running along the ceiling of the shop. The book is about a young boy who on Christmas Eve is whisked away on the Polar Express to meet Santa Claus.

Jersey Junction, located at 652 Croswell Ave. SE, officially opens for the season today, Friday, March 11. So take a few minutes to celebrate summer with an ice cream and to check out those trains. Hours are 3-9 Monday through Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday up to Memorial Day and from Labor Day to Oct. 31. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-10 p.m. Sunday.

Historic WMTA sign makes its way back home

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

From left, Dan Verhil and West Michigan Tourist Association CEO/executive Dan Sippel. (Supplied)

When Dan Sippel would visit Dan Verhil at the One Trick Pony, he would make a point about asking about an old blue, yellow, and white West Michigan Tourist Association sign.

“He would always ask me when I was going to give it back,” said Verhil about Sippel, the CEO/executive director for the West Michigan Tourist Association (WMTA), who admitted that he figured one day he would return the 1930s sign to the the organization.

After more than 40 years in the restaurant business, as owner of the Cottage Park and One Trick Pony, Verhil decided to retire in 2021, and upon his retirement, returned the 1930s sign back to the tourism advocacy group. 

A precursor to Travel Michigan and the Pure Michigan campaigns, WMTA has worked to support local businesses since the start of the organization in 1917.

Signs like the 1930s one were distributed to participating businesses to be displayed so travelers would know it as a trusted travel destination. (Supplied)

“At that time, there was a meeting with various counties in the region that were interested in highlighting or boosting tourism for the area,” said WMTA Marketing Manager Erin Murphy. “They wanted to make the state and Western Michigan aware of what was in the area and it became the model for campaigns that came afterwards.”

Signs like the 1930s one were distributed to participating businesses to be displayed so travelers would know it as a trusted travel destination. Murphy noted, it was similar to the digital TripAdvisor badges that tourists rely on today.

In fact, the WMTA’s offices were located in the building that currently houses the One Trick Pony, 136 Fulton St. Before purchasing the Cottage Bar, Verhil worked at that office for about a year, he said.

Located at 18 LaGrave SE, the Cottage Bar has been around since 1927, originally opened by Peter Varano and Earl and Marie Coons. Dan’s father, John, had purchased the establishment and ran Grand Rapids’ oldest continuously operating restaurant until 1980.

 

Verhil took over in 1980 and around that time, had the opportunity to purchase the building next door, which was the former WMTA offices.

“So I went from working for them to becoming their landlord,” Verhil said.

WMTA continued operating out of the Fulton Street location until 1995. The organization now has offices located on Kenmoor Avenue. The WMTA move allowed Verhil the opportunity to open his second restaurant, the One Trick Pony, in 1996.

“I was deconstructing the upstairs one day and I came across the sign,” Verhil said. “I thought it was cool and decided to hang it in the restaurant.”

 

That is where the sign hung for about the next 30 years. During that time period, Verhil’s restaurants were WMTA members, so the sign continued its purpose of designating to travelers that it was “a trusted travel destination” as well as serving as a connector between the WMTA and Verhil.

In 2021, Verhil announced that he had sold the restaurants to Jaswinder “Jassi” Dhami, who owns the Palace of India next door to One Trick Pony. When Verhil left, he took the sign with him and this past October presented it back to WMTA.

“We had previous signs from the 1920s, the 1940s, and the 1950s,” Murphy said. “So it was really great to be able to add this sign to that collection.

We are just really grateful to have the sign and be able to hold that piece of history once more.”

Murphy noted that the signs are currently in a collection housed at the WMTA’s office. There currently are no plans to display the signs. 

A piece of track at downtown GVSU connects to Wyoming’s past

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Realtor Sam Wilson added a large roof and benches to his Wyoming Park office for the comfort of local residents (and potential buyers) waiting for the next interurban car. (Wyoming Historical Commission)

Recently, Grand Valley State University commemorated remnants of the interurban railway tracks on its downtown campus, rails that once connected to a station in the City of Wyoming that served as a key connector for those wishing to travel to the lakeshore or Kalamazoo.

Started in 1901, the electric transportation system, called the Grand Rapids, Holland, and Chicago Railway, started with a line to Holland and in the following year, 1902, added a Muskegon line. Delayed by politics, the line to Kalamazoo was completed in 1915 by the Michigan Railway Company. Passengers of the interurban could make the decision of if they were heading west or south at a station near Lee Street and Grandville Avenue (now Chicago Drive), located in the City of Wyoming.

“It was located by the old Kelvinator building,” said David Britten, who is with the Wyoming Historical Commission. This made sense since the home appliance manufacturer would open its doors in 1914 with the interurban providing an easy way for residents to get to the plant for work.

There were several stops in the City of Wyoming. If you took the route toward Holland, the interurban would stop at Beverly Hills, Wyoming Park, and Elmbrook neighborhoods. Businessmen took advantage of those route stops to promote bungalow-style homes, spurring growth within the City of Wyoming. Take the interurban to Kalamazoo, which ran along side Divisions Avenue, and it would stop on 50th Avenue in the Kelloggsville neighborhood and  54th Street before heading on to Cutlerville as the train made its way to Kalamazoo. Today Consumer’s Energy power lines follow the old Kalamazoo route.

An ad for the Elmbrook community located between Porter and 28th Street west Byron Center Avenue. (The Street Railways of Grand Rapids by Carl Bajema and Tom maas)

Britten said you can see the interurban route through a Google map overview, but that little remains of the actual tracks.

“In many places, they just paved right over the tracks,” he said, adding the tracks would have run behind the current Godfrey-Lee athletic fields. Some years ago, owners of the property dug up the remaining tracks and pieces, which Britten said he did salvage a few items.

But the tracks contained within a brick inlay on the Mount Vernon pedestrian pathway on GVSU’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus, are more than likely the last stretch of any interurban tracks in West Michigan, according to a GVSU historian.

The exhibit placed above the tracks uses images and text to explain the interurban system and its impact on the region. The piece also gives related historical context for the time, such as how the Grand River was a “working waterfront.” According to Britten, the interurban would travel across the now cement bridge that is a pedestrian crossing for residents to and from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. From there it would make its way south along Grandville Avenue, passing through the car holding area that is now where Grand Valley State University’s downtown campus is located.

At the heart of the commemorative project is a core narrative that is important to the community, said Nathan Kemler, GVSU director of Galleries and Collections, who helped lead the effort to create and install the piece.

The remaining interurban track is contained within a brick inlay on the Mount Vernon pedestrian pathway on the Grand Valley State University’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus. (GVSU)

“One reason this project is so impactful is that it was an early sustainable transportation method that was rooted in equity,” said Kemler of the themes captured in the exhibit that is part of the GVSU Art Gallery. “Anybody could ride the Interurban, and it would take you into the city or outside of it to Lake Michigan, Lake Macatawa, or farms.”

Kemler noted that someone could take the Interurban from Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan, then board a steam ship for Chicago, and it was all done through electric power.

Learning about the prevalence of such green technology long ago is eye-opening for students, said Matthew Daley, GVSU professor of history, who was the key researcher on the project.

“Students are stunned that there was this huge integrated network of electric freight and passenger service that then tied into a citywide network of street cars,” Daley said. “You could take an interurban that produced no soot, no dirt, and at some point on West Michigan lines reach over 70 mph.”

In fact, reporters who road the Kalamazoo route noted that the train could cover 47 miles between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo in 44 minutes, according to the book “The Street Railways of Grand Rapids,” by Carl Bajema and Tom Mass.

“It ran really well until Americans discovered in the 1920s that they liked cars,” Daley said.

A GVSU employee puts the finishing touches on the outdoor exhibit about the interurban which is now located at Grand Valley State University’s downtown Pew Campus. (GVSU)

The paving of roads would help to establish the American car industry. By 1926, the Grand Rapids, Holland and Chicago Railway was sold at auction. Britten noted that in 1927, the United Suburban Railway was organized to restore car service from Jenison to Grand Rapids.

 

“It was called the shortest track with the most stockholders,” Britten said with a laugh. The seven miles of track had 700 stockholders. The United Suburban Railway would last until about 1932.

Daley and Kemler both said the story of the interurban gives important insight into fleeting economic conditions, how people come together, the environmental impact on the Grand River and how the community has evolved.

“This is about the changing landscape of Grand Rapids itself and understanding this location before the Grand Valley campus was here and before downtown was revitalized,” Kemler said.

There are no markers in Wyoming of the former interurban, which Britten said it would be nice if a marker was placed. There is only a small portion of the interurban that is part of the walking/bike trail Oxford Trail, which is in Grand Rapids. The Oxford Trail does cross over the old swing bridge the interurban once used, according to Britten.

Lee High School teachers, athletes, leaders inducted into Hall of Fame during Feb. 18 ceremony 

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A WKTV produced video of the Lee High School 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony.

By WKTV Staff

The Wyoming Lee High School athletic department added four distinguished staff and alumni students to the school’s Hall of Fame Friday, Feb. 18, with a ceremony scheduled between basketball games against Byron Center Zion Christian.

The Hall of Fame includes members of both Rebel, now Legends, athletics as well as Godfrey-Lee Public Schools and high school distinguished persons. David Britten, former Lee principal and GLPS superintendent, led 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 was not able to attend in-person.

Two other distinguished Godfrey Lee persons were 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 Michigan Site University in the 1950s.

Thomas Wier, teacher, 1980-2020

Thomas Wier served Godfrey-Lee Schools students from 1980-2020 and started at Godfrey Elementary as a teacher in 1980. Here he addresses the crowd at the Lee High School’s 2022 Hall of Fame ceremony. (New district superintendent Dr. Mike Burde is shown behind.) (WKTV)

Having come to Godfrey Elementary as a teacher in 1980, he was a constant force in the lives of his students and a recognized master teacher for 40 years, according to his introduction. He was a regular volunteer in sports programs for more than two decades, was instrumental in developing the science curriculum as he assisted in several county- wide projects to improve elementary science instruction.

In 1992, he was recognized by the Wyoming Jaycees as Teacher of the Year after the selection committee was flooded by letters from parents of former and current fourth grade students — his selection for the prestigious honor was the first time in 12 years the Jaycees had chosen an elementary teacher.

Wier earned his bachelor degree at Grand Valley State University and his masters degree from Michigan State University. 

Bernard Raterink served Lee high and other area students as a teacher, coach, counselor, athletic director and, finally, principal. (Supplied Historic Photo)

Bernard Raterink, teacher and so much more

Raterink served Lee high and other area students in so many ways: teacher, coach, counselor, athletic director and, finally, principal. And he clearly loved the game of football.

Having earned all-state honors as a football running back in high school, he went on to Michigan State University, playing for the Spartans as a member of their 1952 national championship team. He transferred to Central Michigan University where he won additional honors setting the single-season record for touchdowns and selected to the All-America team.

After graduation in 1956, he served as a teacher and coach in Whitehall and Charlotte, then guidance counselor for Grand Rapids Central high before coming to Lee High School in 1967. At Lee, he served as assistant principal and athletic director from 1977-80 before serving as Lee Middle & High School principal until he retired in 1986.

Larry Landstra, Class of 1956

An active student leader at Lee high, he served as a Junior Rotarian, Varsity Club President, and captain of his football team, where he was selected in 1955 to the First Team of the Grand Valley Conference. He was also involved in the school’s Hi-Y Club and on the track and basketball teams.

Larry Landstra (Lee high Class of 1956), a student leader at Lee who was captain of his football team. (Historic photo)

Having received a scholarship to Ferris Institute, he graduated with a degree in the field of pharmacy, and returned to the Godfrey-Lee community, working for and then purchasing the Greenwold Drug Store, and after five years taking over Pfeffer’s Pharmacy and operating it for the next 15 years.

A humble and compassionate individual, according to his introduction, he lived up to the caption next to his senior picture in the Echo yearbook: “Athlete and wit combined, a nicer guy is hard to find.”

Miss Agnes Noel, teacher, 1892-1932

Having earned her teaching credentials at Western Normal College, she began a long teaching career in several other schools before coming to the Godfrey-Lee district, where she first taught in the original one-room Green School in 1892.

When teacher Agnes Noel came to the Godfrey-Lee district she first taught in the original one-room Green School in 1892. (Historic Photo)

Growth in students led to the opening of the two-room Godfrey Avenue school in 1894, where she taught the lower grades — “though the school grew to twelve classrooms, she was the one constant during that time impacting the lives of three generations of area children,” according to her introduction.

Remaining at Godfrey-Lee until 1932, she retired following a 40-year career. Upon her retirement, a community-wide celebration was held and because she was such a popular teacher, reservations and complimentary tickets were required to attend. In 1939, she was memorialized in the Lee High School yearbook and returned to Godfrey as the honored guest speaker at the opening of the new school in 1952.

Kentwood’s MLK Unity Walk rescheduled for March 5, inside at Woodland Mall

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One of the entrances to Woodland Mall (on a nice weather day). (Supplied)

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.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. (Wyoming High School)

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.

Special night at Wyoming Wolves den as high school honors Rogers, Wyoming Park past with Hall of Fame ceremony

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Wyoming High School Athletic Department 2022 Hall of Fame Ceremony. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Wyoming High School Wolves athletic department honored its heritage Friday, Feb. 18, as it inducted eight distinguished alumni and friends of 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.

Dino Paganelli

Paganelli has had many titles in his life: student and teacher, athlete and coach, and there is that “part-time” job of being an official for NCAA and National Football League games — including Superbowl 47 and 55.

He attended Rogers High School before going on to Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas College and gaining his Masters in Education. A three-sport athlete at Rogers, in 1986 he was named Rogers High School Athlete of the Year.

He is now in his 30th year as a teacher and coach in Wyoming Public Schools, and has also served as head varsity baseball coach, and coached varsity softball.

Paganelli joined his late wife, Christy Jaklinski, as members of the Wyoming High School Hall of Fame.

Ashley Heuvelman Smith

Rogers high student athlete Ashley Heuvelman was a three-year varsity player on the basketball and softball teams. She played varsity in both sports for three years, was a key member of the 2001 State Championship softball team, and was her school’s Athlete of the Year in 2002.

She went on to play softball at Aquinas College, was a key member of a 2006 NAIA National Sweet 16 team, and received All American Honors in softball at Aquinas.

Married to high school classmate Chris Smith and with two daughters, she currently teaches at VanGuard Academy and is the assistant girl’s varsity basketball coach at Grandville High School.

Jerry Hoag

Rogers high student athlete Jerry Hoag was a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball, and went on to play basketball and baseball at Central Michigan University, where he was a key player of a 1971 National Champion runner up baseball team — but he was an exceptional softball coach.

Now retired, he taught and coached with the Wyoming Public Schools, and then for Jenison High School. His career head varsity softball coaching record is 529 wins and 85 loses, during which he coached 14 league champions and MHSAA state champions six times.

He also served as a basketball referee at the prep and college levels, and was part of the first NCAA Division II Women’s College Basketball National Championship game crew.

Rob Baker

Wyoming Park high student-athlete Rob Baker was an “old school” three-sport athlete —  football, basketball and baseball — but he excelled as a running back for some of the best Wyoming football teams ever. Between the years of 1978-79, the Vikings had a record of 16-3, and in 1978 he earned All State honors.

In basketball he was also a two-year starting point guard for the Vikings. In baseball, he played short stop on the 1979-1980 conference championship teams and was a member of the 1980 state finalist team. He was first team All State as a shortstop and then went on to Hope College, where he continued his baseball career and was awarded All Conference in both 1982 and 1983.

Amanda Hartman Schichtel

Wyoming Park high student-athlete Amanda Hartman Schichtel is currently a front-line hero as a nurse at Grand Rapids Spectrum Health Hospital after earning her degree from Grand Valley State University.

In high school she played tennis, golf and volleyball, earning a total of 10 varsity letters, and was the 1997 Athlete of the Year at the school. In tennis, she was All Conference, All Area, and All State all four years of high school. She was also exceptional in golf, gaining All Conference and All Area every year and, starting her junior year, she was also All State for two years. And in volleyball? She joined the team for two years, and was named team captain in 1997.

She went on to play tennis for four years at Grand Valley State University, where, in her senior season, she was All Conference.

Lexi Popma

Part of the last graduating class of Wyoming Park high — and always proud of her Park Pride — student-athlete Lexi Popma is currently a math teacher at Kelloggsville high.

At Wyoming Park she was a three-sport athlete, playing basketball, softball, volleyball. Maybe her best sport as softball — in the spring of 2012 she was All Conference, All Region and All State, and also played in the Michigan High School All Star game after batting .546. (No, that is not a typo.) Additionally, she is still the Wyoming all-time leading base stealer, stealing 88 bases in 91 attempts.
 

She graduated in the top 10 of her class at Wyoming Park, and received scholarships from many schools including Aquinas College, where she went on to play four years of softball at Aquinas College, when she batted over .300, and kept stealing those bases.

Karen & Gary Stockdale

Wyoming Park high athletic supporters Karen and Gary Stockdale had two children who graduated from the school, and they were really supportive supporters. Karen and Gary were members of the Wyoming Athletic Boosters for 12 years, with Karen serving as president for eleven years.

Both worked countless hours volunteering for the entire school system, and were instrumental in helping with the transition from two Wyoming Public School high schools to the now Wyoming High School Wolves.
 

As their introduction at the ceremony stated: “Karen and Gary Stockdale will forever be remembered for all their tireless work and the support they provided for all our athletes and Wyoming Public Schools Students. We will be grateful and love Karen and Gary Stockdale forever!”

John Wiggers

The late John Wiggers, a huge supporter of athletics both at Wyoming Park and, later, at Wyoming high, had emotional family members accept the honor.

John, his wife, Tina, and family members all worked to make sure the school’s athletes were provided with all the best equipment, uniforms, and gear possible. John was also a very important part of helping the transition of the two schools athletic departments into the Wyoming Wolves.

“This man and his legacy will forever live on in his family and with the athletes here at Wyoming High School,” his Hall of Fame introduction stated. “We will always, always remember John and his efforts to provide the best Athletic Experience for our students. He has been an awesome member of our Wyoming High School family and we will forever be grateful.”

With long history in GR, local curling club and Kentwood Ice Arena team up to offer classes, leagues

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  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink. (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (preparing to throw the stone). (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (giving instructions on placement of stones into the house). (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (throwing the stone). (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (notice the sweeper helping the stone’s movement). (GR Curling Club)
  • The sport of curling in action at the Kentwood Ice Rink (who has the shot for point?). (Kristina King)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

Continuing a local history of the sport of curling which the Grand Rapids Curling Club “didn’t even know” about initally, the club is bringing a taste of the Winter Olympics to West Michigan by offering curling lessons and leagues at the Kentwood Ice Arena.

“We are getting more and more people who want to try curling,” said Greg Robinson, president of the Grand Rapids Curling Club. “They see it on the Olympics and want to try it. … We have seen curlers as young as 8 and as old as 90. It is an approachable sport that you can play for a long time.”

Curling has a strong history in Grand Rapids. Robinson said the club discovered records in the Grand Rapids Public Library archives that show a curling club was started in 1897 and was very successful until it dissolved slowly in the late 1920s.

“We are standing on history we didn’t even know we had,” said Robinson. “We aren’t starting a new club, we are restarting one that had gotten lost to history. We want to build upon that.”

  • The original Grand Rapids Curling Club’s Arch Founders, (front) David Forbes, William Miller, John Paul; (standing) George McInnes, John McNabb, Henry Sherwood; (inset) Alex Reeves, James MacGregor. (Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Public Library Digital Collection and Grand Rapids Public Museum Collection)
  • Grand Rapids Curling Club’s Arch Ladies from 1908. The note included with it in the GR Public Library read 
“The city at the time boasted the first curling club in the country composed of women.” Their names are, from left, Mrs. John Brower, Miss Helen Barstow, Mrs. F.E. Hill, Mrs. Stuart Foote, Miss Rosetta Leitelt, Mrs. H.B. Snyder. (Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Public Library Digital Collection and Grand Rapids Public Museum Collection)
  • The original Grand Rapids Curling Club’s rink, circa 1905, located on the Southeast corner of the intersection of Lake Drive and Norwood Avenue.(Image courtesy of Grand Rapids Public Library Digital Collection and Grand Rapids Public Museum Collection)

While the history of curling in the Grand Rapids area goes back a century, the modern history of the sport started just last year as the Kentwood Ice Arena, a part of Kentwood Public Schools, reached out to the GR Curling Club in the summer of 2021 with an offer to host curling lessons and leagues for the club.

It is the first time the ice arena has been used as a venue for curling, and Philip Sweeney, KPS manager of campus operations and events, said that configuring a schedule to ensure the ice is ready for curling while also hosting hockey and other ice events was a challenge.

“Hockey ice versus curling ice is very different,” Sweeney said. “We need an hour to get the ice ready for curling.”

The challenge, however, did not deter the rink or the curling club. They began by offering Learn to Curl classes on Saturday nights and then began developing leagues on Sunday mornings.

“This is a process that is now starting to come to fruition,” Sweeney said. “We now offer corporate events as well.”

Robinson said that the two-hour “Learn to Curl” classes have been a hit with community members, with many saying they want to do it again.

“We hope curling will become more of a hobby than a curiosity,” he said.

A fun sport for old and new

West Michigan resident Kristina King recently began curling after a recommendation from a co-worker who is also a member of the GR Curling Club. “She talked me into joining the league with her and it all progressed from there,” King said.

Like many others, King watched curling as part of the Winter Olympics over the years — with shouts of “Sweep!” at the television screen being her only engagement with the sport.

After trying it, however, King found she enjoys curling.

Susan Yaw (left) and Kristina King (right) have taken up the sport, and taken lessons. (Kristina King)

“It seemed like a sport that I could get better at slowly without being too hard on myself for not being good at it the first time I tried,” she said. “You definitely have to give yourself some grace when learning a new sport on such a slippery surface.

“It has been somewhat of a life lesson being able to laugh at my ‘newborn fawn’ stature on the ice and having everyone around you show support and encouragement.”

King has also been impressed with both Kentwood Ice Arena and the GR Curling Club, mentioning the friendly and inviting atmosphere, staff willingness to answer questions, and easy to use facilities.

“The instructors do a great job of teaching at a level of the crowd,” King said. “I feel as though they balance the class very well and don’t overwhelm you with the technicalities on the very first try.”

Like her co-worker, King has begun recruiting friends to try out the sport.

“My friend, Kristina, was looking for a fourth teammate for an upcoming bonspiel (tournament). I thought, why not?” said Susan Yaw, a Learn to Curl class member. Yaw admitted that she never really gave curling a thought up until that point, but that she is “always willing to try (almost) anything once.”

Yaw said that she found her time at Kentwood Ice Arena and with GR Curling Club members to be enjoyable, even planning to join a Sunday league to get more time on the ice and hone her skills.


“They were very well organized from the registration process through the time I walked out the door,” Yaw said. “The instructors did a wonderful job breaking down the throwing and sweeping motions and teaching the rules and scoring of the game.”

Yaw urges others to try the sport as well.

“I would highly recommend anyone who thinks they might be remotely interested in learning about curling to attend the next Learn to Curl. A couple of tricks to make it more enjoyable … dress warmly and make sure you use rubber bands on your shoes for traction!”

Current and future home in Kentwood

Sweeney believes curling will be a mainstay at Kentwood Ice Arena.

“We envision a 5-year plan where curling becomes a major portion of our ice arena and our business,” Sweeney said. “We have a great partnership with the Grand Rapids Curling Club. They are great people who are excited to grow enthusiasm for the sport.”

Robinson agrees that curling is here to stay in West Michigan.

“This is our first year…and we are over 70 members strong,” Robinson said. “We have had eight classes since the start of the season in October, and all have sold out.”

Part of Robinson’s hopes include the possibility for starting up a junior program since their partnership with KPS has been so successful. “We have had their full support,” Robinson said. “It’s been wonderful.”

Interested community members can sign up for curling lessons on the Grand Rapids Curling Club website: grcurling.com, and also their Facebook page: facebook.com/GRcurling.
 

Health and COVID protocols for Kentwood Ice Arena and the GR Curling Club are outlined in the registration process.

Lee Legends to induct four into Hall of Fame between basketball games Feb. 18

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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.

Wyoming Wolves to induct eight into Hall of Fame during basketball halftime ceremony Feb. 18

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The Wyoming High School athletic department’s Hall of Fame ceremony from 2020. (Supplied/Wyoming High Athletics)

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.

Fountain Street Church has history, and legendary acoustics, as 2022 concert series begins with Waxahatchee Feb. 14

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Waxahatchee (aka Katie Crutchfield) will bring songs from her new album, “Saint Cloud”, to be released on March 27, to Fountain Street Church’s historic Sanctuary. (Supplied/Artist website)

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 wide variance of concerts held at Fountain Street Church: U2 and the Vienna Boys Choir. (WKTV)

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.

Take a visit to Waxahatchee

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.

Watch for it — Ford International Airport to have commercial run on Super Bowl LVI telecast

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The new statute for Gerald Ford has become hot spot for selfies. (Supplied/Ford Airport)

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.

Meijer Gardens’ Michigan’s Farm Garden carries on the humble legacy of Lena Meijer as replica of early home

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Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Michigan’s Farm Garden, a reproduction of Lena Meijer’s home early in life near Lakeview, Michigan. The windmill is actually from that farm. (Supplied/Dean VanDis)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

ken@wktv.org



The legacy of the late Lena Meijer — community advocate, philanthropist and so  much more — lives on in her family, in many ways in the Grand Rapids community, and, of course, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

And while Lena played a large role in the success of her family’s Midwest grocery super-center business, her life began on a humble farm near Lakeview, Michigan. And that humble beginning is on full, if slightly miniature, display at Meijer Gardens’ Michigan’s Farm Garden.

“She always spoke so lovingly of her upbringing and cherished that experience in her life,” David Hooker, President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, said WKTV.

Fred and Lena Meijer. (Supplied/undated)

Both Lena and her husband, late grocery entrepreneur Fred Meijer, grew up on farms. A daughter of German immigrants George and Mary Rader, Lena was born and raised on the farm her parents acquired after settling near Lakeview, while Fred’s family farm was located in Greenville.

Lena and Fred never lost the desire to share their knowledge and love of the land with their community.

“They wanted people to really understand that food comes from a farm, it doesn’t come from their grocery stores,” said Hooker.

Through this desire, the Michigan’s Farm Garden was born.

“The idea for creating Michigan’s Farm Garden was so people could understand what the farming life was like, especially in the era of the 1930s when they both grew up,” said Hooker. “The fact that they wanted to recreate that experience for people is a testament to how Lena felt about it.”

Milking cows, fresh carrots … and that windmill

At the Michigan’s Farm Garden, visitors can find a three-quarter scale replica of the farmhouse where Lena was born and raised, a barn, vegetable and flower gardens, animal pens, and bronze sculptures of farm animals scattered throughout. Patrons are invited to sit in rocking chairs on the wraparound porch, and visit and relax.

Fred and Lena Meijer at the dedication of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Michigan’s Farm Garden. (Supplied)

Another piece of Lena’s heritage she chose to share with the community is the windmill visitors see while visiting the Farm Garden. “That actual windmill came from her family’s farm,” Hooker said.

“She (Lena) learned at a very young age how to milk a cow and work the fields, and do everything that farmers do,” said Hooker.

One of Lena’s favorite stories involved milking cows. Hooker said Lena liked to joke about being so skilled at milking a cow that she could feed their cat at the same time.

“She could squirt the milk into the cat’s mouth from six feet away,” said Hooker.

Lena’s antics as a young farm girl didn’t end there.

One of the farm scene sculptures from the Michigan’s Farm Garden. The girl riding the pig, reportedly, is taken from Lena’s childhood. (Supplied/William J. Hebert)

“As a young girl, she’d ride the pigs,” Hooker said. “In fact, we have a sculpture of Lena as a little girl riding a pig out in Michigan’s Farm Garden. It’s classic.”

When it was mentioned that it seemed like Lena had some “spunk” in her personality, Hooker agreed — “Oh, she had a ton. Absolutely.”

Lena died at the age of 102 on Jan. 15. She will be buried beside her husband at Michigan’s Farm Garden, laid to rest in a place they both loved to visit in their twilight years.

“If it was the right time of year, they would pull a carrot right of the ground, wash it off, and they’d eat it,” said Hooker.

Children, learning and lots of beautiful plants

Lena’s love of gardening and plants is also revealed in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and, especially, the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden.

“(Lena) loved kids and loved the idea of a garden dedicated to children learning about gardening and learning about how life itself would not be possible without plants,” Hooker said.

Lena Meijer at the 2017 groundbreaking of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s expansion projects. (Supplied/Anthony Norkus Photography)

The Children’s Garden promotes interactive learning and the use of all five senses with various hands-on activities for children and their families.

“Meijer Gardens is a gift to all of us as a community,” said Hooker. “This is what Fred and Lena were interested in and they gave this to us as a gift. For this gift to mean anything, come on out and visit! It’s here for everyone to enjoy.”

For more information about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park visit meijergardens.org.

Winter fun — Gilmore’s Winter Motoring Meet, vintage snowmobile show set for Feb. 5

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, WKTV Projects,
(Gilmore Car Museum)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org


The second annual Winter Motoring Meet will return to the Gilmore Car Museum Saturday, Feb. 5, with a day of outdoor family fun in Michigan’s winter weather, plus full access to the museum’s indoor collection of more than 400 classic vehicles.

Access to the Winter Motoring Meet and related activities will be included in standard daily admission to the museum, according to an announcement from the museum.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include winter machines of all kinds. (Supplied/by Lew Verburg)

“The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet is for folks who appreciate Michigan’s Winter Motoring season, whether in their cars, 4×4 trucks, Jeeps, or snowmobiles,” Josh Russell,  executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum, said in supplied material. “It’s a fun way for us to get outside and enjoy the winter season, in an outdoor environment with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy our 90-acre campus.”

The Winter Motoring Meet will include scenic rides around the snow-covered Gilmore campus in several of the museum’s antique cars and trucks, a special exhibit of vintage snowmobiles, a professional ice carving exhibition, and outdoor games.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include classic snowmobiles. (Supplied/by Lew Verburg)

A special 1-day-only exhibit of antique, vintage, and racing snowmobiles (from 1992 and older) will be on featured display at the Winter Motoring Meet. The indoor and outdoor snowmobile exhibit has been coordinated with help and support from Vintage Snowmobile Michigan — snowmobile enthusiasts from across Michigan and the Great Lakes region (facebook.com/VintageSnowmobileMichigan).

Guests will also be able to warm up by an outdoor fire, with available food and beverage options to include homemade soup, gourmet hot chocolate, winter beer, a glass of wine, or a favorite cocktail.

“If we’re lucky enough to have fresh snow on the day of our meet, guests are welcome to bring their own snowshoes or cross-country skis for a trek across our beautiful 90-acre campus,” the announcement states.

The Gilmore Car Museum’s Winter Motoring Meet will include tours in antique vehicles. (Supplied/by Josh Russell)

Free “glorified sleigh rides” through the snow-covered Gilmore campus will also be offered to museum guests, riding on bench seats in the bed of a classic Ford Model AA pickup truck, and in other classic “open air” cars and trucks from the museum’s collection.

“Guests should consider bringing their warm coats, hats, gloves, and perhaps even blankets,” the announcement states.

For general questions or more information, visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org, call 269- 671-5089 or email info@gilmorecarmuseum.org.

‘Preparing for battle’ is all part of the fun at West Michigan’s Centerline Sword School

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Local History, Recreation,

By Nathen Slauer
WKTV Contributing Writer

Those who visit Allendale’s Evergreen Elementary school on Wednesday nights should come prepared for battle.

Seasoned warriors enter the gymnasium with weapons drawn each week, ready to engage in combat. As duels commence, the room fills with the sound of clashing steel blades.

Members of the Centerline Sword School have some fun posing. (WKTV)

This band of sword-wielding enthusiasts forms the Centerline Sword School. The school teaches Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), a growing movement to revive the study of historically accurate swordcraft in West Michigan and nationwide.

Mark Maddox, a Centerline Sword School student, recalls hearing about HEMA from his niece and brother and immediately getting hooked.

“HEMA is an opportunity to do martial arts as I did long ago in a different context,” Maddox said. “It’s a little bit of childhood excitement mixed with reliving the history of medieval and renaissance times.”

In Maddox’s view, HEMA appeals to athletes and history buffs alike. The hobby involves discovering fighting techniques developed by European swordsmen and putting them into practice using modern interpretation.

Unlike eastern martial arts or fencing, HEMA does not follow an oral tradition passing down standardized methods and rules. HEMA instructors must study manuals written by influential figures such as Joachim Meyer, a 16th-century German fencing master, and analyze the moves depicted in diagrams.

When students start practicing these moves, they often discover that the motions feel different than what they imagined after seeing choreographed fight scenes in fantasy movies.

Centerline Sword School instructor Shane Hillen reviews techniques with a student. (WKTV)

“The media gets a lot wrong,” Maddox said. “Real fights are not ‘Princess Bride’-style where you land several hits for twenty minutes. In reality, a fight could end with a single blow.”

Sessions consist of solo drills, lessons on a particular technique, and sparring. Beginners learn basic cuts, guards, and footwork before moving to dodges, counterattacks, and grappling.

Maddox’s favorite tenet of swordsmanship says that one should never be afraid of getting hit or hitting someone else. HEMA uses protective equipment to ensure participants’ safety. Still, students must brace themselves to take hits and walk away with the occasional bruise.

Yet Cameron Metcalf, a Centerline instructor, describes swordplay as an elegant art. Bouts often end when a combatant finds a strategic opening in their opponent’s position, removes their weapon, and throws them off balance.

Metcalf and Centerline students travel to tournaments across the Midwest to test their prowess. Contestants earn points by landing blows on the head, torso, and limbs during matches.

On average, sword battle only lasts about a few minutes, according to members of the Centerline Sword School. (WKTV)

“Fencing is a game of chess, not a brutish activity,” Metcalf said.

The thrill of competition motivates some Centerline participants to keep coming back to practice. For others, HEMA offers a fun way to meet friends and get in shape with a supportive community.

“Who doesn’t want to play with swords?” said Ehren Wynder, a Centerline instructor. “It’s a great way to blow off steam.”

Newcomers can start practicing HEMA by purchasing a synthetic sword for around $100. Inexpensive equipment allows the user to get the swing of things before investing in pricey gear like a steel longsword and a complete armor kit.

West Michigan residents interested in learning more about HEMA can find a full class schedule on Centerline Sword School’s website and Facebook page.

City of Kentwood’s MLK Day events, set for Jan. 15, has been postponed

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Jan. 12 Update: The City of Kentwood has announced that due to the frigid temperatures forecasted for this weekend, the City “has just made the difficult decision to postpone the Unity Walk planned for this Saturday.” Details of the rescheduled event will be announced once finalized.

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

In celebration and remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday Jan. 17, the City of Kentwood will host several events in honor of MLK on Saturday, Jan. 15, including a unity walk, a proclamation, live music, coffee and cake, and a community service effort to stock Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry — which began in 2017 as a Martin Luther King Jr. Day community service project.

A painting at the Kent County Administration Office unveiled in 2018. (WKTV)

Residents of all ages are invited to gather in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, at 9 a.m. for a 1-mile walk. The walk will end at Fire Station 1, 4775 Walma Ave. SE, according to a statement from the City of Kentwood.

An indoor ceremony will follow, including a proclamation that will be presented by various community members, live music, coffee and cake. The event is free and open to the public.

Canned goods and other non-perishable items will be accepted at the event to stock Little Free Pantry, for which the City of Kentwood continues to host food drives to keep the pantry well-stocked.

“We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “We will walk in remembrance of his historic contributions leading the civil rights movement bringing needed changes to our nation and in reflection of what we all can do to honor his values today and every day.

The City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry. (Supplied/City of Kentwood)

“The event also continues our MLK Day community service tradition of stocking Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry to support our neighbors in need. All are invited to join us.”

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. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/LittleFreePantry.

For more information about the Jan. 15 event visit kentwood.us/MLKUnityWalk.

Leaders of Kent County Board of Commissioners look back on 2021, forward to new year

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The Kent County Board of Commissioners (from a 2019 meeting). (Supplied/Kent County)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

As the outgoing chair of the Kent County Board of Commissioners looked back on a list of the county’s 2021 accomplishments — not the least of which was being a key partner in the West Michigan’s efforts to battle the pandemic — the board selected new leaders to begin 2022.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously selected Stan Stek (District 6) as chair and Emily Brieve (District 10) as vice-chair during a Monday, Jan. 3, organizational meeting. Stek, who had served as vice-chair, takes over as chair from Mandy Bolter.

As incoming vice-chair, Brieve will lead the Legislative and Human Services Committee.  Commissioner Diane Jones (District 4) will continue to serve in her role as chair of the Finance and Physical Resources Committee.

Kent County Board of Commissioner Chair Stan Stek. (Supplied)

“It is truly an honor to be chosen to lead this Board,” Stek said in supply material. “I look forward to working together to maintain our strong fiscal position, improve residents’ quality of life, enhance the overall delivery of services, and ensure continued economic growth for the region.”

And, in a statement from the county detailing some of the board’s 2021 accomplishments, the wide-ranging duties and efforts of the county board were detailed.

Financially, the board late last year approved a balanced 2022 budget of $527 million, including $454.8 million for operating expenditures, of which $16.7 million will be capital improvements. It also maintained maintained its dual AAA bond rating from S&P Global and Moody’s Investors Service — for the 23rd consecutive year.

The county also was a key player in the local effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to distribute federal funds meant to do the same.

The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, created in response to the need to vaccinate as many people as possible, saw Kent County, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and Spectrum Health develop one of the largest vaccination clinics in the country at DeVos Place — with more than 231,000 COVID-19 vaccinations administered between January and May 2021.

In addition, the county Health Department added three new mobile health units in 2021. These self- contained mobile health facilities have been used extensively to target vulnerable populations in the administration of COVID-19 and other vaccinations, HIV testing, and community outreach. To date, more than 1,000 county residents have received COVID-19 vaccinations at clinics supported by these units, according to supplied material.

 

Kent County Commissioner Mandy Bolter. (Supplied)

“Despite the various pressures placed on public services this past year, our Board and staff were dedicated to continuing to provide excellent service to our community,” Bolter said in supplied material. “While we continued to meet the challenges of the pandemic, we also maintained a strong focus on meeting the needs of continued economic growth.”

Other stated accomplishments, according to the county statement, included expansion and bonding of The Gerald R. Ford International Airport; the hiring of the county’s first Chief Inclusion Officer “to underscore our commitment to fully embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our strategic priorities and service delivery”; and establishing three new “issue-focused” subcommittees (Broadband, Judicial Resources and Veterans Millage Review).

The county also funded county Sheriff’s Office cruiser and deputy body cameras, and secured an expansion of the Chief Hazy Cloud Park into a 395-acre natural preserve along the Grand River and allow for future trail expansion to connect multiple communities.

Incoming leadership has long local history

Stek, whose District 6 includes the city of Walker and part of the city of Grand Rapids, was first elected to the commission in 2014. He is an attorney at Miller Canfield and, according to supplied material, has a long history of serving his community on various boards and committees.

Among his current and past work is serving on the Crisis Center Task Force, Dedicated Millage Committee, Kent County Community Action Board, Kent County Workforce Development Board, Lakeshore Regional Entity, Millennium Park Advisory Board, Michigan Works!, Network 180, Senior Millage Allocation Board, Substance Use Disorder Oversight Board, and Walker Citizens Advisory Committee.

 

Kent County Board of Commissioners vice-chair Emily Brieve. (Supplied)

Brieve, whose District 10 includes Gaines Township and part of Caledonia Township, has served in the board since 2014. She works for her family’s small business, FastoolNow.com.

She currently chairs the Board of Public Works and Community Health Advisory committees and is a member of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, Grand Rapids Public Museum, and West Michigan Sports Commission.

The cities of Kentwood and Wyoming are represented on the county board by Stan Ponstein (District 7), Dan Burrill (District 8), Matt Kallman (District 9), Monica Sparks (District 12), and Michelle McCloud (District 13). For complete information on the members of the board, and the areas they represent, visit here.

“We have a strong Board and an incredible community, and we are committed to supporting the prosperity of our businesses and residents,” Stek said. “We look forward to tackling the challenges ahead with fiscal responsibility, innovation, and collaboration.”

 

Lee middle & high school building contractor approved; repairs, reimagining set to start

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  • Construction and reconstruction will begin at Lee middle and high school this spring. One of the new projects will replace an area of the building which collapsed in 2019 with a new entrance off Havana Street, as well as a new multipurpose area. (Supplied)
  • Construction and reconstruction will begin at Lee middle and high school this spring, including enclosing the currently unusable interior courtyard to be used as a cafeteria and other purposes. (Supplied)
  • Construction and reconstruction will begin at Lee middle and high school this spring, including a new area which will include a band room. (Supplied)
  • Construction and reconstruction will begin at Lee middle and high school this spring, including a new area which will include a band room. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The long saga of a much-anticipated makeover of the Wyoming Lee Middle and High School building will move into high gear early this year as, following the final approval of a general contractor late last year, construction will begin as soon as spring weather allows.

In 2020, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools district voters voted to support a bonding proposal which would allow the district to put out bonds for about $18 million for a wide range of building and facility projects.

At the time, the district not only faced the task of modernizing portions of its middle and high school that are nearly 100 years old, it had to make repairs to a portion of the building which collapsed in 2019. But modernization and repairs are only the most obvious part of the historic and still bustling building.

“As far as the new construction, I am most excited for us to begin to make our facilities worthy of the amazing students that we serve,” Eric Mockerman, district Board of Education president, said to WKTV. “I am (also) happy that our building will be more accessible to our community in multiple ways and it will overall be easier to navigate throughout the facility. I am very excited for the addition of our new band room that will better fit the needs of the phenomenal program that will use that space.”

According to information provided by Dirk Weeldreyer, district interim superintendent, the building effort will be a two-year project, expected to be completed in the 2023-24 school year.

Construction and reconstruction will begin at Lee middle and high school this spring. One of the new projects will replace an area of the building which collapsed in 2019, shown at left. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

Among the projects are the reconstructed portion of the building along Havana Street in the space where the building collapsed and was demolished. An existing entrance to the gym will be redone, and the area demolished turned into a new media center on the first floor and new classroom spaces on the second floor.

Also planned is a new cafeteria and multi-purpose space that will be built in the area that is currently the unused courtyard of the building. And there will be a new band room addition on the north side of the building.

“Our current construction timeline calls for activity on our new/rebuilt spaces to commence in early spring 2022,” Weeldreyer wrote in an email. “We will need to work from the ‘inside out’ on these new spaces, so the first thing to happen will be excavation and preparation of the interior site (inside the current courtyard).”

There will also be interior renovation work in the existing classroom spaces starting in the summer of 2022, and renovation will continue over the subsequent 18 months or more.

Kentwood police promotes 20-year force veteran Stephanie Morningstar to deputy police chief

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Kentwood Police Captain Stephanie Morningstar was with family as she was promoted from sergeant to the department’s first female captain in 2018. Now she is the department’s first deputy chief. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The leadership change at the City of Kentwood Police Department continues as, following last week’s appointment of Chief Bryan Litwin to replace retired Chief Richard Roberts, the City of Kentwood announced Dec. 15 that Captain Stephanie Morningstar has been promoted to deputy police chief.

Deputy Chief Morningstar previously was a captain in the Kentwood Police Department’s Services Division. Chief Litwin had previously been deputy chief.

For a story on new Chief Litwin visit here. For WKTV future story on retired Chief Roberts visit here.

As deputy chief, Morningstar is responsible for assisting with the planning, coordination and management of the city’s police, code enforcement and traffic engineering functions and staff, according to the announcement.

“Deputy Chief Morningstar brings exceptional leadership, communication and strategic planning skills as well as more than 20 years of experience with the Kentwood Police Department to her new role,” Chief Litwin said in supplied material. “Her expertise in the department’s investigative, patrol and training efforts will be invaluable as we continue to focus on reducing serious crime, increasing traffic safety and serving the community with excellence.”

Kentwood Police Department Deputy Chief Stephanie Morningstar. (Supplied)

Morningstar started her career in Canton Township before coming to Kentwood in 2000. She served as a patrol officer, general case detective, patrol sergeant and detective sergeant before becoming the department’s first female captain in 2018.

As the former captain of the Services Division, Morningstar oversaw the Detective Bureau, Special Investigations Unit and Records Bureau, as well as the city Justice Center’spolice and court building maintenance, operations and security. Additionally, she has provided guidance and instruction at major crime scenes and conducted complaint investigations to ensure quality customer service.

“I am honored to be deputy chief of the Kentwood Police Department and serve our community in this role,” Morningstar said in supplied material. “I look forward to continuing our efforts to deliver professional police services and partnering with residents and other community members to make sure Kentwood is a wonderful place for everyone.”

During her tenure with the City of Kentwood, Morningstar has taught precision emergency vehicle response driving to police academy recruits at Grand Rapids Community College since 2007. She also developed and presented lectures on death investigations at the Grand Valley State University Police Academy from 2014-18.

Morningstar serves on several specialized units, including the Kent County Child Death Review Board, Sexual Assault Response Team, Adult Mobile Crisis Unit and Human Trafficking Coalition Coordinated Response Team. She is also a Kentwood District Court Sobriety Court advisor.

Morningstar has completed numerous trainings in different types of interviewing, interrogations and investigations, according to the city’s announcement, as well as critical incident stress management and peer support. She has also completed leadership programs through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and Grand Rapids Police Department Leadership Institute.

Morningstar graduated from Grand Valley State University and GVSU Police Academy in 1996 with a degree in criminal justice.

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools’ new superintendent eager to get to work on ‘exciting’ district agenda

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Lee Middle and High School. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, after selecting Dr. Mike Burde, currently Assistant Superintendent at Kenowa Hills Public Schools, to be the next GLPS superintendent last month, the school board approved his contract at its meeting Monday, Dec. 13.

Superintendent Burde’s first day on the job will be Jan. 3. And a long list of “exciting “ work awaits him.

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Burde. (Supplied)

“It’s an honor to be selected as the next superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools,” Burde said to WKTV. “I am eager to get started in listening, learning, and building relationships in the schools and in the community. With bond construction projects scaling up, new curriculum programs, and forward-thinking continuous improvement efforts, it’s an exciting time to be a Legend!”

Burde will work with Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer as he transitions out of this role.

The Board, in a previous statement, said it was “especially thankful for Mr. Weeldreyer’s leadership” since the beginning of the school year.

“We have been fortunate to have the time to conduct a thorough search, and it has been time well spent,” GLPS board President Eric Mockerman said in the statement.

Mockerman also told WKTV he and the district is excited to have Burde take over in the new year.
 

“I am excited to get to work with Dr. Burde. He comes to us with a wealth of experience that I believe will lead Godfrey-Lee well into the future,” Mockerman said. “While we were going through the interview process the board was impressed by Dr. Burde’s experience as well as the thoroughness that he had planned for his first 90 days.

“I spoke personally with several of Mike’s references through the hiring process and I also had the opportunity to speak to several of his current board members who backed up 100 percent what was told to me by his references. Mike … is more than ready to hit the ground running with all of the work that needs to be done. I think he is an excellent fit for Godfrey-Lee.”

Superintendent Burde, according to a biography on the Kenowa Hills Public Schools website, become the district’s assistant superintendent in 2012. Since then, “he has supported the district’s implementation of building and district improvement plans that support student-centered education; which the district calls Personal Mastery. Dr. Burde has also been an active advocate for the K-12 instructional technology; assisting in the planning and implementation of district’s ongoing 1:1 technology initiative. In addition, he’s worked to develop strong partnerships with organizations such as KnowledgeWorks, the Michigan Department of Education, and the Michigan Association of State and Federal Program Specialists (MASFPS).”

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education from Spring Arbor University, Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University, as well as a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.

For 15 years, Dr. Burde has been involved in public school administration at the elementary, secondary, and central office levels. He began his professional career at Ionia Public Schools, where he served as a middle school social studies teacher before taking on various leadership responsibilities at Belding Areas Schools.

Burde and his wife, Jacqlyn, have two children: Katherine and Marilyn.

Kentwood City Commission approves appointment of Bryan Litwin to rank of Police Chief

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Deputy Chief Bryan Litwin has been picked to be the next Chief of the City of Kentwood Police Department. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood announced this week that after action by the City Commission on Tuesday, Dec. 7, Deputy Chief  Bryan Litwin will be the next Chief of the Kentwood Police Department.

Deputy Chief Litwin will succeed Police Chief Richard Roberts, who is retiring Friday, Dec. 10. (For a WKTV feature story on retiring Chief Roberts, visit here.)

As chief, Litwin will lead a team of nearly 95 personnel, including 71 sworn police officers. And, according to the city announcement, “he will continue the department’s efforts to recruit and hire individuals who are representative of Kentwood’s diverse community, collaborate with other City departments to support community safety and engagement efforts and work to enhance quality of life.”

Additionally, he will continue to provide “the best training and equipment possible for members of the police department,” and will also oversee the department’s goal of obtaining state accreditation in 2023 through a “continued commitment to following state and national best policing practices and procedures.”

“Throughout Deputy Chief Litwin’s 22-plus years of service to the City of Kentwood, he has played an integral role in the department’s service, recruitment and training efforts,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “I have no doubt the department will continue to provide excellent service to our community as has been provided by our department under the leadership of the chiefs before him.

“I look forward to the future accomplishments the department will achieve under Chief Litwin’s leadership and direction.”

Litwin joined the Kentwood Police Department in 1999 as a patrol officer. He has also served as a field training officer, community services officer, Staff Services Bureau officer, special response team member and team commander.

The Kentwood Justice Center which houses 62-B District Court and the Kentwood Police Department. (WKTV)

He was promoted to sergeant in 2012, captain in 2016 and then to deputy police chief in 2019. As captain, he managed the Professional Standards Division, served as the public information officer and oversaw the police cadet program, which recruits and develops future police officers.

“It will be an honor to serve as police chief and continue to work alongside the dedicated professionals of this outstanding department,” Litwin said in supplied material. “We will continue to commit ourselves to serving the community with excellence with a high emphasis on community engagement, transparency and accountability.”

During his tenure with the City of Kentwood, Litwin has taught ethics in law enforcement to police academy recruits at Grand Valley State University and led GVSU’s Police Academy Subject Control program. He served as chair of the department’s training committee from 2016-19. Litwin has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from GVSU.

Litwin also helped implement the City’s first Youth Police Academy, which gives high school students and recent high school graduates hands-on experience in a variety of police-related tasks.
 

Litwin has completed numerous trainings, including leadership programs through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and Grand Rapids Police Department Leadership Institute.

Litwin serves as chairman of the GVSU Police Academy Advisory Board and Kent Career Technical Center Law Enforcement Advisory Board. He also has served as president of the West Michigan Tactical Officers Association.

“Deputy Chief Litwin has long been an integral part of our leadership team, demonstrating steadfast dedication to the department, profession and service to our residents,” retiring Chief Roberts said in supplied material. “With the leadership, communication and strategic planning skills he has illustrated during his career, I have complete confidence he will continue to provide exemplary leadership and fulfill the department’s mission.”

Retiring Kentwood Police Chief Roberts reflects on decades of service, community involvement, career of police work

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  • Kentwood Police Chief Richards Roberts. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police Off. Richard Roberts on patrol in an undated photo. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police Off. Richard Roberts out in the community in an undated photo. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police Det. Richard Roberts with bureau, from 2001. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts with kids at a community event in an undated photo. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police’s Richard Roberts, with Santa at a community event, in an undated photo. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police Deputy Chief Richard Roberts, with then Chief Thomas Hillen, in an undated photo. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts at a community event in an undated photo. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police’s Richard Roberts, with command team, in an undated photo. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts getting sworn in as chief, with wife Maria and mother Rose, from 2019. (Supplied)
  • Kentwood police Chief Richard Roberts and Ada Bible Church Pastor Jason Ross, at the 2021 National Night Out event. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
  • Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts out in community in 2021. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Compiling a series of photographs of the career of City of Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts two things stand out — there is a ton of him standing proud among his “Brothers in Blue” and a close second is him getting personal with community members, especially kids.

As Chief Roberts prepared to retire from his position this week, and end a career of four decades in police work and 30 years with the City of Kentwood, he sat down with WKTV and reflected on what has changed and what has not over his career.

“What doesn’t change, over the years as I think back, is what I thought about (when he started), what drove me to get into police work,” Chief Roberts said. “A sense of community. To help the community, be an advocate for those victims of crimes, to try to solve them, to hold people accountable. Just basically make a community a safe place for people to live, to have businesses, raise a family. … Those are the same reasons that young people, now, are seeking to get into this profession.”

Kentwood Police Chief Richard Roberts with wife Maria in an undated photo. (Supplied)

Along the way, however, Chief Roberts said, there has been good days and bad days; there has been mentors and young officers to be mentored; there has been the constant support of a policeman’s family — including his wife, Maria — who he said are “in it as much as we are.”

“It has to be that way,” he said. “We are one of those handful of careers where we work nights, holidays and weekends. This career, the family of someone who has chose this career, has to understand that. … There has to be that support from the family.”

If he did not know that the first day on the job, he knows it now.

And about that first day …

From first day, to an unexpected career path

On his first day as a patrol officer, before he even joined the Kentwood Police Department, he learned lessons about knowing your beat and dealing with the community.

“It was 38 years ago and I can remember my very first call,” Chief Roberts said. “It was a small department, one square mile, City of Roosevelt Park, over near Muskegon … It was a call for me to respond to a traffic crash.”

Problem was, as he tells the story, he did not know the city very well, wasn’t from that area, and ended up — shall we say — taking the long way to go a short distance.

“Seemed like it took me forever to get there. … (But when he did) they asked me ‘What took you so long?’,” he said. “It’s a 1-square-mile city and they could hear my siren going all around them.”

And while on that first day in a patrol car Chief Roberts really had no thoughts of one day being a department chief, he did have the mindset of taking advantage of the opportunities presented.

“I didn’t have any long-term plans to become a chief,” Chief Roberts said. “I had some shorter-term goals that I wanted to, first, take advantage of the opportunities as they came along. And my first opportunity was as a field-training officer.

“The reason that interested me is that my field-training officers here at Kentwood turned out to be some of the people that I looked up to the most throughout my career. … That is one of the most important positions here, training our new officers.”

He added that he had some “aspirations” to be a supervisor, “but there was no race to get there.” Yet he certainly got there.

Prior to joining the Kentwood Police Department, he served as deputy corrections officer at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and as a police officer with the City of Roosevelt Park.

Roberts joined the Kentwood Police Department in 1987 as a police paramedic and has served in many different roles, including 24 years in supervisory and management positions — the last few leading a team of nearly 95 personnel, including 70 sworn police officers.

Uniquely, Chief Roberts was the first in the Kentwood Police Department history to move through the ranks from patrol officer to police chief. In addition to his paramedic experience, he also served as a detective, field training officer, field training supervisor, road patrol supervisor, Staff Services Bureau supervisor and Detective Bureau supervisor. He also served on the crisis negotiating team.

Roberts was promoted to captain of the Patrol Division in December 2012, deputy police chief in August 2017 and then to chief in November 2019.

Along the way, there were mentors and people to be mentored, he said.

“I had two very good sergeants,” Chief Roberts said. “Sgt. (Michael) Hollinrake and Sgt. (Ted) Herrington. Both were my primary sergeants early on in my career. … Just the way they carried themselves. They were good officers themselves before they became supervisors, and both of them encouraged me to take advantages of opportunities as they came along.”

Later on, he said, Capt. Scott Yerrick and Capt. Randy Williamson mentored him after he became a supervisor.

Technology, policy changes but job remains the same

While a lot has changed over the years, in Chief Roberts career and in police work in general, he said. But most of it was for the good of law-enforcement officers and most of it is good for the community they “protect and serve.”

When he first started there were no computers in the car — “Everything was done over the radio. We hand wrote everything. Now there is so much technology in these vehicles that the officers can use.”

And that use of technology extends to all aspects of police work.

“I kid with my detectives now, with all the technology that is available for investigations, I could never go back in there,” he said. “It has changed a great deal.”

When he worked as a detective, “we were door-knockers. Talking to people. Talking to people on the phone,” he said. “But now much of modern investigations are done though social media platforms and many other computerized resources.”

And as far as changes to the “way” police do their business, he simply said “policies evolve over time” and those policies are driven by case law, changes to equipment, and more and more of a focus on being part of the community not just the protector of the community.

“I think what has changed in policy goes along with what has changed in policing over the last 30, 40 years,” he said. “It has moved to more of a profession than just a job. More and more of our staff are college educated.

(Photo supplied by Kent County Sheriffs’ Office)

“Along with new technology came police changes. Probably the most prevalent one is body cameras. The use of that and the policies on the use of force. Use of force has been standard and defined based on case law, for many, many years. … What has evolved is what tools we may have to deal with the use of force” including tasers and pepper spray … “The soft techniques.”

What hasn’t changed, he said, is community involvement, community interaction.

“We are the guardians for the community,” Chief Roberts said. “So, they count on us to protect them from crime, to try to keep crime at a reduced level. We do the best we can. … Part of serving is answering their calls when they call us. But what else can we do to enhance our community?

“We can work with the community, be transparent with them, because they have to trust us. So we spend a lot of time having positive interactions with our community, not just enforcement actions.”

Chief Roberts’ retirement is effective Friday, Dec. 10. Upon the recommendation of Mayor Stephen Kepley, the City Commission confirmed Deputy Chief Bryan Litwin to become the city’s next police chief during its Dec. 7 meeting.

 

County family court celebrates a record number of teenage adoptions on annual ‘Adoption Day’

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  • Kent County 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Kathleen A. Feeney, on the court’s 2021 Adoption Day. (Kent County)
  • Kent County 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Patricia Gardner, right, with adopted youth Marissa Holmes, center, on the court’s 2021 Adoption Day. (Kent County)
  • Kent County 17th Circuit Court Family Division Judge Terence J. “T.J.” Ackert, on the court’s 2021 Adoption Day. (Kent County)
  • The Overway family, with newly adopted son Pierce, who was adopted on Kent County 17th Circuit Court Family Division’s 2021 Adoption Day. (Kent County)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County 17th Circuit Court, Family Division, marked its 25th Annual Adoption Day Dec. 2 with 27 adoptions finalized, a new record for the annual event, according to an announcement from the county. This year’s theme, “You are Deer to Us,” had many of the virtual courtrooms decorated and judges dressed in festive reindeer attire.

“We celebrate every single adoption that is finalized in our courtrooms throughout the year,” 17th Circuit Family Division Judge Kathleen Feeney, said in supplied material. “But our annual adoption day is a way to collectively honor these momentous occasions and to celebrate with the children and families whose lives are forever changed through adoption.”

The 17th Circuit Court’s Family Division finalizes an average of 300 adoptions each year, with the largest number in a single day typically slated for the Annual Adoption Days. Statewide, 2,161 adoptions are finalized in 2019. Of this number, 8 percent of the adoptions were youth between the ages of 13 to 17, according to the announcement.
 

This year, the Family Division judges had added reason to celebrate as nine teenagers officially joined their adoptive families. Among those adopted were 15-year-old Pierce Overway, who has spent the last seven years in foster care, with 10 different foster home placements and 15-year-old girl Marissa Holmes, who has spent more than seven years in foster care, with 13 different placements.

“The tragic truth is, teen adoptions are rare,” 17th Circuit Family Division Judge Patricia Gardner said in supplied material. “Like Pierce and Marissa, far too many kids spend years moving from one foster home to another with no sense of permanency. Many age out of the foster care system before they’re adopted.

“We are so happy for Pierce and Marissa and for their families. Theirs is a story of deep love, commitment and renewal — as are the stories of every single adoptive family.”

 

Wyoming Gives Back canceled as county health leader ‘deeply concerned” about rising COVID cases, urges vaccination

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A Kent County Health Department nurse gives a COVID-19 vaccination shot. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

WKTV has been informed by the City of Wyoming that the planned Wyoming Gives Back event planned for next week has been cancelled due to health concerns for public gatherings.

This follows an announcement this week that the Kent County Health Department is alarmed by the rising COVID-19 cases which have led to local hospitals operating at “extremely high capacity.”

The health department is also encouraging residents to “do their part” and get vaccinated and take other measures to slow the spread of the virus. Among the statistics which have alarmed health leaders are current test positivity rate of 22.8 percent, as of early this week, as ell as a 7-day average for new cases is 645.

“This is a crisis for all of us who live and work in Kent County,” Dr. Adam London, KCHD Director, said in supplied material. “The capacity for hospitals to provide care, which is exasperated by staffing shortages, is at a tipping point. We should all expect increased wait times for emergency, urgent, and primary care as well as delays in ambulance transfers and some surgical procedures until we control the spread of COVID-19 in the community.”

Among the recommendations issued by county health officials are:

Get vaccinated against COVID-19 and Influenza. “Vaccines are widely available, safe, and effective. According to our local hospital leaders, most of the individuals who are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated,” according to the county health. “If more people get vaccinated, it will greatly help reduce the number of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals. We also strongly urge residents to get the influenza vaccine. If you have questions about the vaccines, talk to your health care provider and visit vaccinatewestmi.com to find a location for a COVID-19, booster, or influenza vaccine location.”

Wear your mask in public settings. “While masks are not perfect, they provide an additional layer of protection by reducing the spread of virus laden droplets in exhaled air. Masks are especially important for people who are not vaccinated, not fully vaccinated, may be infected and do not have symptoms, or have health conditions that make them more vulnerable to becoming sick if they are infected with COVID-19.”

Get tested. “To help mitigate the spread of the virus,” it is important to get tested if you have been around someone who has COVID-19, experiencing any symptom of COVID-19, before attending indoor gatherings with people above the age of 65 or with underlying health conditions, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19, get tested five days after exposure.

“I am thankful to everyone who has been following our recommendations since the onset of the pandemic,” London said this Thanksgiving week. “The current problems would be far worse if not for your actions. We are now asking for your consideration once again as we look to slow the spread of the virus, regain access to our hospitals, and continue to work to get this pandemic behind us.”

Feeding the masses: Mel Trotter, Cherry Health, The Rapid — and the public — team up for huge Thanksgiving meal

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A view of Mel Trotter Ministries’ Thanksgiving diner for the public in need, from 2018. (Mel Trotter Ministries)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Imagine having 1,500 people at your Thanksgiving meal table; then imagining the traffic jam in your driveway. And, by the way, some of them may need a COVID vaccination.

Mel Trotter Ministries, working with medical partner Cherry Health and transportation partner The Rapid, have plans to serve 1,500-plus persons — in person — at a Thanksgiving Community Meal Thursday, Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Day, at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

While volunteer opportunities are filled, but public “sponsorship” donations are still being accepted to cover the cost of the meal. For more Information visit meltrotter.org/thanksgiving.

“We are so excited to be able to be together again, and to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus to anyone who is alone or hungry this Thanksgiving,” Dennis Van Kampen, President and CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries, said in supplied material. “Being in community is what it’s all about and we definitely missed that last year.”

Covid precautions and safety measures will be in affect and strictly followed according to CDC guidelines, according to an announcement from Mel Trotter Ministries. Temperature checks at the door, along with mandatory mask wearing at all times other than while eating will be enforced for all who attend the Community Meal.

Additionally, in partnership with Cherry Health, the event will also be offering a free Covid vaccine clinic that morning.

“For the last several months, our staff has held regular vaccine clinics at Mel Trotter,” Dr. Jenny Bush, director of pediatrics and COVID response coordinator at Cherry Health, said in supplied material. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our community from COVID-19, and we want people to feel encouraged to get vaccinated. We know a big part of that is meeting people where they’re at, making them feel comfortable, and making the process as quick and easy as possible.

“We hope that by offering an onsite COVID-19 vaccine clinic at this incredible event, we are able to remove barriers to care and increase vaccination rates for our neighbors experiencing homelessness and anyone in the Grand Rapids community who attends.”

Doors open at the Thanksgiving Community Meal at 10 a.m., and vaccine clinic runs from 10 a.m. to noon, with meals being served between 11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the DeVos Place Convention Center, Ball Room.

While there is free parking available onsite, The Rapid and Mel Trotter Ministries will continue their partnership to provide free transit service to and from the community meal as they have in years past.

The free service will consist of two shuttles connecting South Division and portions of northwest and northeast Grand Rapids to DeVos Place. The service will begin around 10:00 a.m. and conclude around 1:30 p.m. (See map and schedule information below).

“One of the most important things we provide to the community is access,” Deb Prato Chief Executive Officer at The Rapid, said in supplied material. “While that access is often focused on employment, education, and critical services, partnerships like this that provide a free ride to a Thanksgiving meal are a great reminder that the value we provide goes far beyond day-to-day commuting.”
 

The Rapid’s regular fixed-routes and paratransit services are not in operation on Thanksgiving day, as part of its standard holiday service schedule. For more information on The Rapid, please visit ridetherapid.org.

 

Indigenous food markets in Michigan grow as Native Americans reclaim heritage

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Minogin Market, located in Mackinaw City, took over the former Bell’s Fishery in 2018. It now offers a selection of maple syrup and other food products.

By Kayla Nelsen
Capital News Service

LANSING — When Ziibimijwang Farm sells maple sugar at Minongin Market in Mackinaw City, it’s more than a business transaction – it represents Indigenous food sovereignty.

Further north, in the Upper Peninsula, partners Jerry Jondreau and Katy Bresette operate Dynamite Hill Farms in L’Anse.

“The way we phrase it is ‘getting back to our responsibilities,’” Jondreau said.

Social media and online sales has fueled both operations as part of a growing availability of Indigenous food resources nationwide.

“With colonization and boarding schools, a lot was ripped away from us,” said Joe VanAlstine, who is the chair of Ziibimijwang Inc. “For us to come back and reclaim that, people are just hungry for it, no pun intended.”

Minogin Market opened in 2018 in Mackinaw City’s former fish market, Bell’s Fishery.
 

VanAlstine and his colleagues considered how they might use the market to reclaim their Odawa Indian identity.

Located at the tip of Michigan’s mitten, Mackinaw City was historically the trading hub of the Great Lakes region. Now, it’s a gateway to the Upper Peninsula that has become a tourism hotspot.

“You can go and buy one of those dreamcatchers made in China or you can come to Minogin and buy a real one, made by a real Native American,” VanAlstine said.

Jondreau, the owner of Dynamite Hill Farms, said its origin relates more to his relationship with land as a tribal citizen.

“As Odjibwe people, it’s our responsibility to take care of this place and maintain a relationship,” he said. “You can’t do that if you’re never there and not participating, just like a personal relationship.”

Dynamite Hill Farm owner Jerry Jondreau uses traditional methods to harvest wild rice. (Photo courtesy Jerry Jondreau)

Dynamite Hill Farms was established in 2019 after Jondreau quit his teaching job at Michigan Technological University to continue tapping maple sugar and harvesting wild rice. He uses the term “business” loosely. The farm is a family function he runs with Bresette, their children and the occasional volunteer.

“We feel that’s the true way to sustainability – the small scale,” Jondreau said. “We do everything on a less official basis. People will ask questions and we’ll say, ‘You know what, why don’t you just come and camp out here for the weekend? Come out here and haul some sap with us and we’ll have some conversations.’”

As former teachers, education is at the center of everything he and Bresette do. Though Dynamite Hill products are available for purchase on Facebook, Jondreau prefers to make sales in person so he can explain the process behind the food they harvest.

“It’s not just about extraction and selling, it’s about healing and restoring,” Jondreau said. “Was there tobacco put down? Were there prayers being said to those trees when they were tapped? Those are the things that will create sustainability. Those are the things that will create healing of this land again.”

Jondreau’s alternative approach to business is what host Andi Murphy of “Toasted Sister Podcast,” a radio show about Native American food, calls “Indigenomics.”
 

Making a profit is often idolized in the current economic system, she said. “But in Native America, we’re always thinking about our community and making it a better place and situation. That’s the main difference.”

Building Indigenous food sovereignty by reclaiming the presence of Indigenous products in the Mackinac area and across the country is Ziibimijwang and Minogin Market’s mission, VanAlstine said. The farm also packs food boxes for tribal elders.
 

Additionally, Ziibimijwang partners with Indigenous chefs who use the farm products in their kitchens,VanAlstine said.
 

Crystal Wahpepah, the first Indigenous chef to appear on the Food Network show “Chopped,” is one of Ziibimijwang’s regulars. “She exclusively buys maple products from us. So we ship them all the way to California for her.”

The farm is also in partnership with Tocabe, a contemporary Native American restaurant in Denver. The restaurant is soon to launch Tocabe Express, a ready-to-cook meal delivery service that will include the ingredients and instructions to make the restaurant’s most popular dishes at home. A featured Tocabe Express meal is maple-rubbed bison ribs.

“In that rub they use our maple sugar,” VanAlstine said. “So you’ll get maple sugar from us and they’ll tell you where all the ingredients are from.”

Reclaiming Indigenous food is a way for VanAlstine to connect with his ancestors.
 

“I’m eating the same food that they did,” he said. “And that brings me closer to them, knowing that they tasted the same fish I tasted, from the same river and the same lakes. For me that’s the joy – having more of our people feel that way.”

Whether through a hands-on education approach or through nationwide partnerships, Dynamite Hill Farms and Minogin Market are growing the presence of Indigenous farming wisdom in the United States.
 

“Getting excited about these Indigenous flavors, that’s the most important part of food sovereignty,” Murphy said. “And that doesn’t happen without those entrepreneurs who are making it available.”

 

Kent County, partners receive state refugee resettlement grants to assist local Afghan refugees

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Kent County Community Action has been providing meal assistance to local Afghan refugees. (Supplied/Kent County)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Kent County’s efforts to assist Afghan refugees being resettled in West Michigan gained a boost as the Kent County Board of Commissioners, at a Nov. 18 meeting, approved two grants to meet the health and nutritional needs of newly arriving Afghan refugees.

One grant is a $333,000 Refugee Resettlement Food Assistant Grant from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services which will be managed by Kent County Community Action (KCCA), according to an announcement from the county.

The second is a $180,000 Refugee Screening Grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity which will be administered by the Kent County Health Department (KCHD).

The health department will screen newly arriving refugees for contagious disease, review and document medical history, administer vaccinations, and provide referrals for primary care physicians, according to the announcement.

 
“Kent County is expecting more than 350 refugees from Afghanistan and the responsibility to provide health screenings and immunizations for these new residents falls on local public health,” KCHD Public Health Division Director Joann Hoganson said in supplied material. “These funds will allow us to provide screenings and other support services to the Afghan refugees and assist them in their transition to a new life in the United States.”


The KCHD will also provide health education services that include an introduction to the U.S. health care system along with information about nutritional healthy living and Medicaid health insurance coverage.

Kent County Community Action has been providing meal assistance to local Afghan refugees. (Supplied/Kent County)

The food assistant grant will assist KCCA in its temporary meal and housing assistance to refugees.

 
“I am glad that KCCA can help during this time of need,” KCCA Program Manager Rachel Kunnath said in supplied material. “I cannot imagine what these families have been through over the past few months, and it is my hope that these meals are a little taste of home that brings them comfort.”

Local resettlement agencies determine the needs of each family as meals are provided to those in temporary living quarters until permanent housing is established. To date, KCCA has prepared more over 1,000 meals which are packaged in boxes containing 20 culturally appropriate meals with four to five different varieties and pita bread.

Santa Claus Girls, adapting to hard times, return this holiday season and look to the future

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This year’s Santa Claus Girls operation will look different than it did in 2018. But the desire to support local families in need has not changed. (Supplied/Santa Claus Girls)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The historic holiday non-profit and volunteer-run Santa Claus Girls program, which most recently operated out of Kentwood but has temporarily set up its toy shop in Grandville, will return this Christmas season after last year breaking a century-long run of helping families due to the pandemic.

The Santa Claus Girls program, shown in this undated photo, has been around for more than a century, but is changing these days. (Supplied/Santa Claus Girls)

After 112 years of service to the West Michigan community, losing its facility and unable to gather volunteers in numbers in 2020, Santa Claus girls was determined to get back to business in 2021, Tina Hudson, president of Santa Claus Girls, said to WKTV.

But things will be different — a new workplace, a compacted work schedule, a smaller number of kids and families supported, a different plan to get the gift package out to the community, and — maybe most importantly for the future — changes in how the group is funded.

“We are back this year but in a very different format,” Hudson said. “We are working out of West Michigan CDL for four days — Dec 9-12. (The group usually works months ahead of time to gather and put together gift packages). This will entail an extremely high intensity work time for us. We are fortunate, though, to at least have this time and space.”

West Michigan CDL, a Grandville truck driver training school with a well-known Commercial Drivers License (CDL) program, has allowed Santa Claus Girls to use their facility this year. But, Hudson has pointed out, they are a working facility and, so can only offer up a short period of time.

“Due to limited time constraints, we estimate being able to service approximately 2,500-3,000 families rather than our usual 5,000 to 6,000. So that means 5,000 kiddos rather than the 12,000 to 13,000 we usually do,” Hudson said, noting that they have already reached their registration limit. And, “again due to limited time and storage space, we are not able to accept donations of toys, clothing, etc. this year.”

The client families, this year, will be given a control number and pickup time— “We are not delivering, curbside pickup only,” she said.

The Santa Claus Girls are not all “girls”, as in this 2019 photograph. (WKTV)

The children who will be given gift packages will be the same ages Santa Claus Girls have always done: infant to age 12 of both genders. But due to the limited time they will not be wrapping gifts, so parents will have that option. The gifts will be bundled and placed in non-see-through plastic bags and given to the parents.

“The parents will not be coming into our building but snaking around the parking lot (in cars) to the pickup door,” Hudson said.

One other result of the change of practice this season is that the program will — actually wants to — deplete its stockpile of toys and clothes and other items. And they will then turn to their future work of finding a more permanent home, restocking their shelves and finding other means of financially supporting the program.

“We lost our storage space at Knoll (Industries in Kentwood), due to its sale and had to move out any remaining items we had after Christmas 2019,” Hudson said. “Meijer was kind enough to step up and send trucks for us to move things into and they are storing goods for us. We hope to deplete our inventory this year and find a permanent home, but so far no luck.”

And talking about “hoping” for the future, even their funding sources will need to change.

“We operate on a $200,000 budget, all donations from the community. With not working last year due to COVID our donations barely came in,” she said. “We are working with what is in a bank account and dearly hope to have donations return to us this year.

“Besides losing Knoll we also lost our longtime sponsor — The Grand Rapids Press.  We are now a stand-alone charity and are praying the community steps up and helps us out.”

For more information about the Santa Claus Girls, visit santaclausgirls.org.

Veterans Day events across the region honor America’s heroes young and old

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Graphic supplied by Gilmore Car Museum (see events planned at museum lower in story).

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

There are many ways to honor American’s veterans on this year’s Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, privately with friends and family who are veterans, and publicly with ceremonies at several locations.

WKTV brings you a few of them:

City of Kentwood

While the City of Kentwood’s city offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day, there will be a Luminary Walk at Veterans Park on Friday, Nov. 12, from 5:30-8 p.m.

Located at 355 48th St. SE, the park will have approximately a half mile of pathway lit up with luminaries decorated by community members. This event is free and open to the public, but “the entire event is outside so please bundle up so you and your family can stay comfortable,” according to the city website.

Public invited to flag ceremony at local Michigan Veterans Home

(Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs)

Michigan Veteran Homes will hold statewide Veterans Day activities to honor its veteran members and those who served before them, including at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids, located at 3000 Monroe Ave NE.

While the veterans home will host several “members only” events on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, including a wreath laying ceremony in the memorial garden, the public is invited to a lowering of the flag ceremony led by the United Veterans Council of Kent County at 1 p.m.

‘Black Hawk Down’ author at GVSU

U.S. Army Rangers First Sgt. Matt Eversmann (Ret.) — whose battlefield experiences in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia led him to become an author (including the book on which the film “Black Hawk Down is based on) — will be the featured guest at a Veterans Day Celebration hosted by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, Grand Valley State University’s Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center and GVSU’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies.

The Veterans Day Celebration will take place Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., in GVSU’s Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium, 401 West Fulton St., Suite 134 E, DeVos Center, Grand Rapids. For more information and to register, visit this gvsu.edu page. Free parking is available at the nearby Seward Ramp.

For a WKTV story on the event, visit here.

Gilmore Car Museum weekend of free admission to vets, active duty 

To thank America’s veterans for their “endless service and dedication,” Gilmore Car Museum is inviting all active, inactive and U.S. military personnel to free admission to museum, car collection, and all its 90-acre historic campus in Hickory Corners, just outside of Kalamazoo. The special admission is available starting Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, and running through Sunday, Nov. 14.

Attending veterans and military personnel should be sure to take special notice of the 1941 Bantam BRC-40 Reconnaissance Car, which is currently on feature display in the museum’s Campania barn.  Prior to Ford and Willys production of “General Purpose” vehicles that would become known worldwide as the “Jeep,” these early BRC-40s were first produced for the U.S. Army by American Bantam Car Company, in Butler, PA, and also under contract by Checker Car Company in Kalamazoo.

For questions or more information, visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org or call 269-671-5089.

Most county offices closed for Veterans Day

All Kent County offices and health department clinics will be closed on Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day, with two exemptions are: the Kent County Correctional Facility will remain open with regular hours; the Department of Public Works administration offices will be closed; however, all disposal facilities will remain open. For more information about and contact information for Kent County departments, visit accesskent.com.


Kentwood mayor, commissioners, clerk and treasurer take oath of office at City Commission meeting

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Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic swears in City Treasurer Laurie Sheldon (shown with her family) at the City Commission meeting Monday, Nov. 8. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

After a swearing-in ceremony this week, the City of Kentwood has two new commissioners on the City Commission, and welcomed back re-elected Mayor Stephen Kepley, Commissioner At-Large Betsy Artz, City Clerk Dan Kasunic and City Treasurer Laurie Sheldon.

Clarkston Morgan and Jessica Ann Tyson were sworn in as first-time city commissioners at the City Commission meeting Monday, Nov. 8, following their election Nov. 2. They were joined by the reelected officials, who also took the oath of office for their respective positions.

Morgan is now Ward 1 commissioner representing the western half of Kentwood and Tyson is Ward 2 commissioner representing the eastern half of the city. Each seat is a four-year term.

“We are pleased to welcome Clarkston and Jessica Ann to the City Commission,” Mayor Kepley said in supplied material. “Both are highly engaged, longtime residents who bring excellent leadership skills, business experience and community connections that will be invaluable as the City of Kentwood continues its mission of providing high-quality services to foster a thriving community for all.”

Mayor Kepley and Commissioner Artz each were re-elected for a third four-year term. They were first elected in 2013. Kasunic and Sheldon each were re-elected for a four-year term. Kasunic has served as clerk since 2000 and Sheldon has served as treasurer since 2013.

Meet the new commissioners

Morgan, a city resident since 2007, previously served the City of Kentwood as a planning commissioner, member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and member of the Arts Commission.

Commissioner Clarkston Morgan (City of Kentwood)

As the founder and CEO of Ambassador Consultants LLC, he has established strategic relationships between organizations and corporations that have resulted in mutually beneficial increases in market share and funds to benefit the quality of life for families in the community, according to a city announcement. He has also launched the nonprofit Career Proactiv to empower K-12 and college students to start their own entrepreneurial platform.

In addition, Morgan serves as vice president of the Michigan Chapter of the US Minority Contractors Association and chief operating officer of W4 Construction Group. He also is chairman of the African American Leadership Council for the Christian Alliance For Orphans, working alongside national adoption and foster agencies to empower African American families to adopt children.

Commissioner Jessica Ann Tyson (City of Kentwood)

A two-time governor appointee, Tyson actively serves the community as a member of several boards, including the City of Kentwood Economic Development Corporation, Kentwood Community Foundation and Better Business Bureau of West Michigan, according to the city announcement. She is a past board member of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tyson brings operational business and management experience to her city commissioner role. A multi-business owner, she serves as president and CEO of JA PR Group, Pink Lounge: Dry Salt Therapy, The Beastro (a company offering fresh cuisine for canines) and The Candied Yam, an area restaurant featuring Southern cuisine.

Over the years, Tyson has received many prestigious awards, including being recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women of West Michigan.

   

Godfrey-Lee schools superintendent search moves into initial interviews this week

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Lee Middle and High School. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

After reviewing 14 applications for its Superintendent of Schools position, the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Board of Education is moving forward this week with its selection process by scheduling interviews with three West Michigan educators.

The interviews will be held Tuesday, Nov. 9, and Wednesday, Nov. 10, with the interviews open to the public and the public “encouraged to attend.”  Interviews will be held at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center, 961 Joosten St. SW, Wyoming.

The interview schedule for Nov. 9 will have Dr. Michael Burde, current Deputy Superintendent at Kenowa Hills Public Schools, scheduled for 6:45 p.m.; and Brevet Bartels, current Middle School Principal at West Ottawa Public Schools, scheduled for 8 p.m.

On Nov. 10, at 6:45 p.m., Ana Aleman-Putman, current Principal at Grandville East Elementary School, is scheduled to be interviewed.

“We were pleased with the applicant pool and interest demonstrated in the Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, especially with the large number of superintendents retiring in Michigan over the last two years and all the difficulty facing school districts during the pandemic,” Board President Eric Mockerman said in supplied material. “We believe these quality candidates may meet our needs and expectations.
 

“We look forward to finding out more about the candidates’ leadership abilities and what each candidate has to offer our students, staff, and community. The Board continues to appreciate the input from the public and encourages people to attend the interviews.”

According to a statement from the district, 19 educators responded to the posting with preliminary applications for the position. Five candidates eventually withdrew or did not complete the application fully.  Applicants consisted of current superintendents, central office administrators, principals, intermediate school district employees, and a teacher.  The position attracted interest from California, Illinois, Michigan, and Canada.
 

The superintendent search became necessary as Kevin Polston accepted the position of Kentwood Public Schools superintendent after serving the district for four years.  Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer has served the Godfrey-Lee Schools for the last several months.  The process has been facilitated by the Michigan Leadership Institute.

“It is our hope to have a new superintendent in place by January 3 (2022), realizing we may have to be somewhat flexible regarding that date,” Mockerman said.

A district description made as part of the initial search process states that total enrollment is about 1,761 students with Hispanic/Latino students at about 1,398 of that total. Staff includes 123 instructional staff, 61 support staff and 13 administrators. Its most recent budget expenditures were $27,605,217.

Also, district voters approved a Godfrey-Lee Public Schools bond request in 2020 to fund a wide-ranging building, reconstruction and technology effort. The project went out to bid in October with construction slated to begin in late winter/early spring of 2022. The current construction/renovation timeline calls for all projects to be completed by early 2024.

For more information visit godfrey-lee.org.

GVSU, Ford Foundation’s Veterans Day event hosts veteran/author who inspired ‘Black Hawk Down’

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Image taken from promotional material for the Veterans Day Celebration, with U.S. Army Rangers First Sgt. Matt Eversmann (Ret.) speaking. (GVSU)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

U.S. Army Rangers First Sgt. Matt Eversmann (Ret.), whose battlefield experiences in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia led him to become an author, is also an advocate for “teaching the next generation of leaders through his experience with the atrocities of war.”

In that and many other ways, Eversmann is the perfect person to be the featured guest at a Veterans Day Celebration hosted by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, Grand Valley State University’s Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center and GVSU’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies — a center named for Col. Ralph W. Hauenstein.

Hauenstein — a journalist, war hero, entrepreneur, philanthropist and so  much more — was also a strong advocate for educating leaders on the impact and aftereffects of military conflict.

The Veterans Day Celebration, with Eversmann speaking, will take place Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., in GVSU’s Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium, 401 West Fulton St., Suite 134 E, DeVos Center, Grand Rapids. For more information and to register, visit this gvsu.edu page. Free parking is available at the nearby Seward Ramp.

U.S. Army Rangers First Sgt. Matt Eversmann (Ret.), now an author and speaker. (Supplied)

“In October of 1993, First Sergeant  Matt Eversmann led a group of Army Rangers in a UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia,” it states in event promotional material. “Having been trapped, outnumbered, and marked for death, Eversmann’s survival and heroism earned him a Bronze Star Medal with valor device. He’s since been immortalized in the film Black Hawk Down.

“Upon returning from Somalia, Eversmann committed to teaching the next generation of leaders through his experience with the atrocities of war – not unlike our namesake, Colonel Ralph W. Hauenstein. His story highlights the importance of leadership, followership, and responsibility in our age of tribalism.”

While the Veterans Day Celebration will be a live event, the Hauenstein Center continues to offer a digital alternative for all of their events “as we consider the health and safety of our members, students, and the community.” The program is available virtually by visiting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87222394732 or call 929-205-6099 to gain access to the webinar ID: 872 2239 4732  to view the live broadcast.

In addition to members of the Hauenstein Center, all community members who are veterans or military-connected are invited to an hors d’oeuvres and drinks event at 5:30 p.m.

Eversmann — soldier and author

Eversmann is the co-author of two military-related books, The Battle of Mogadishu and Walk in My Combat Boots, and he knows what he writes about. But he is also a strong advocate for veterans rights and post-military employment and other services.

In Eversmann’s supplied biography, it states that: On October 3, 1993, Matt was placed in charge of a group of Army Rangers to lead a daytime raid against an eager enemy militia. His inspiring story of survival was immortalized in the epic film, Black Hawk Down, which recounts the harrowing experience. For his actions on the battlefield he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with valor device.

During his remaining time in uniform, he worked at the Army War College, taught at The Johns Hopkins University and was finally deployed to Iraq where he lived with the Iraqi Army for 15 months during The Surge. He remained on active duty until May of 2008, when he retired after 20 years of service.

His frustration with the typical hiring process for veterans fueled his desire to help others avoid the “veterans predicament,” where servicemen and women are overlooked because of a broken hiring system. Since his retirement from active duty, he has worked in several industries in mid-level to senior-level positions. He was an operations officer in healthcare, an executive director in a non-profit and a VP of leadership development for a data management company.