Once upon a time there were two best friends and their names were Maya and Victoria. They were watching a movie and eating rainbow popcorn with extra rainbow butter and rainbow gummies, and then someone spilled a Dragon fruit-drink on the remote, and then the whole house shook.
And then they got sucked into the T.V. Then they got pooped out of the portal, and they landed on a gargantuan marshmallow. Then they got stuck in a marshmallow to their waist, and they had to eat their way out. It took them an hour.
After that, they saw a dogocorn and a unicorn. Then, the dogocorn and unicorn ask Maya and Victoria to help them. They agree to help, but only if there is a way to get home. They said they need to beat the evil turtle.
The only way to destroy it is true love.
They all work together to find a boy turtle. When they do find him, he has an awesome singing voice. His name is Timmy. Then they bring him to the evil turtle’s castle.
Timmy knows she is really pretty, so then they get married. The evil turtle is no longer evil. She is really nice and sweet, and her name is Mia. Then Mia shows them a secret portal.
They go home and live happily ever after.
The End
P.S. Dogo Corn made everything a mess.
Victoria (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Maya (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Maya (left) and Victoria are 4th grade students at AnchorPoint Christian School.
The Two Best Friends was a collaborative effort between Maya and Victoria, and is their first published work.
A quarter of the people landed in the UnderWorld. A quarter of the people landed in GrimGate. The rest landed in E. State.
It all happened at 5:45.
While Josiah and I were playing Fortnite, we got sucked into the game. Josiah and I were shocked. We found ourselves in E. State. We hid in a bush because we were scared. We hid there until 50 people died.
Now there are 25 players left. We defeated five players. Now there are 19 players left. There used to be a gargantuan amount of players. 10 of them died. We destroyed four of them.
Now there are three left, not counting us. The other people destroyed the guy. Now it is a 2v2 and Josiah destroyed one person.
Josiah died to his teammate, and I destroyed him from behind.
Josiah Freeman (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Nathan Simeon (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Nathan Simeon (left) is a 3rd grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School.
Josiah Freeman (right) is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School.
Fortnite World was a collaborative effort between Nathan and Josiah, and is their first published work.
Mrs. Kim Omanchi, AnchorPoint Christian School 3/4 Grade Teacher (Courtesy, Toby Lehnen)
By Toby Lehnen
3rd Grade Youth Contributor
AnchorPoint Christian School
This is Mrs. Omanchi. She is my teacher.
She wakes up and gets ready for work. She eats breakfast. Her breakfast is the homemade granola her mom made her.
Ezra gets up and she asks him what he wants for lunch and lays it out. They get in the car and drive to Potter’s House on the highway and Clyde Park Avenue.
When she gets to school around 7:40 a.m., she writes the morning message and prints the work we are going to do today.
She waits to greet her students at the door and see how we are doing.
Toby Lehnen (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Toby Lehnen is a 3rd grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Toby’s news article, Mrs. Omanchi’s Morning, is his first published work.
Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.
The story is about sharks, there is a shark attack. It takes place at sea. It happened on July 12, 1916.
Once upon a time Jaxon and I were reading a book called I Survived Shark Attacks.
It was Feb. 10, 2024 when we were reading the book. We randomly got sucked into the book, and the teacher came and she saw that we weren’t there anymore.
It was July 12,1916. Jaxon and I were in the middle of the sea. Jaxon and I were scared because we thought we were gonna get eaten by a shark.
Afterwards, we saw people running to the sand because of five great white sharks. Two people had gotten eaten, and three people were left. But two sharks got two other people, leaving one person named Nick. He was running towards me and Jaxon.
Jaxon and I were jittery and started running to land, but we saw that he had disappeared. He came out of the water fighting the shark and killed the shark. Running from the other sharks, he made it to land.
Then Jaxon and I disappeared, coming back to school reading Shark Attacks.
The End!!!!
Alan Perez (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Alan Perez is a 3rd grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Alan’s short story, Stranded in Sharkland, is his first published work.
Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.
Once upon time I was playing Fortnite, and I won the game. Suddenly I was invisible.
I went to Target and got a PS6. I set money on the counter which made the manager confused.
I took it home and plugged it in. I played Fortnite for 24 hours. My parents didn’t know because they couldn’t see me.
I took my dad’s credit card, so I could get the new XBOX Series and 10 Nintendo Switches. I charged them and played them for 10 hours, but I got bored. Then I decided to get the PS5. I liked it, however I got bored of that too. So I took a break to get ice cream.
When I came home, I went to sleep. I woke up and played Fortnite for 10 minutes. I got the Dub on Fortnite, but my invisibility ran out. And my parents caught me.
The end.
Joseph Montoya (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Joseph Montoya is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Joseph’s short story, My Invisible Day Playing Fortnite, is his first published work.
Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.
Suddenly, I am in the Ninja Turtle movie. I see if I can go meet the Turtles, and I become their friend. They show me around. They teach me how to fight. I fight the Krag with them. I have a sword and I can fight the Shredder and fight him with the turtles, and then I ride in the shell razor with the Turtles.
“Man, these buildings are gargantuan.”
Then I had my first fight.
“We went against the Krag. We won. It was easy with the Turtles. And the weapon I was using was a sword. It was cool.”
I was like Leo, but I was not the leader then we went home. It was stinky in the sewers but I had to deal with it.
Then it was time for bed. I slept on the couch, then I said, “That was the best day ever! And I know the Turtles are far-fetched.”
Dahmari Lee (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Dahmari Lee is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Dahmari’s short story, Stuck in the Movie, is his first published work.
Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.
Once upon a time there were two friends going to a magical theater. Their names were Taylor and Ashley. They’re both 16 years old.
Taylor has waist-length blonde hair and brown eyes. She hopes to be an actress some day. Specifically, on BROADWAY! They both live in New York City!
Ashley has brown, straight, shoulder length hair and blue eyes. She hopes to be a director some day. Specifically, working with Taylor, on BROADWAY! In New York City!
Texting
Ashley! You are packed right?! From Taylor.
Duh! Are you packed Taylor? From Ashley.
I’m packed and you are! Good! From Taylor.
Real Life
Taylor and Ashley were asked to come to “Emelia’s Star Theater” to perform in a movie. Taylor would be cast as Queen Shoreanna of the Shore Fairies. Ashley would be cast as Queen Flamebelle of the Flame Fairies. These two queens were forever enemies but their daughters, Princess Shore and Princess Flame, were best friends. Unfortunately, Shore and Flame were Taylor and Ashley’s younger sisters. Shore is Taylor’s sister Zoe and Flame is Ashley’s sister Hallie, they’re very annoying. Then there was Prince Sand and Prince Fire. Taylor and Ashley’s younger sisters’ twins. The twins were all 13 years old. Sand is Shore’s twin and Fire is Flame’s twin. Sand is Jake, Zoe’s twin and Fire is Kayden, Hallie’s twin. Taylor’s younger twins have blonde hair and blue eyes. Ashley’s younger twins have brown hair and brown eyes.
“Hey Shore! Sand! Get over here!” Taylor yelled from her room.
“Don’t call us Shore and Sand!” they said from their room. Jake and Zoe are particular about names.
“Goodness,” Taylor mumbled.
“We heard that!!!” they yelled.
“Well are you two packed?”
“Yes!”
Meanwhile
“Hallie and Kayden you better be packed!” Ashley yelled.
“Duh, we are!” Hallie and Kayden yelled.
“Jinx!” Kayden said.
“Mm!” Hallie said/mumbled. She said “COOTIES!” not using words though.
The next day Taylor, Ashley, Zoe, Hallie, Jake and Kayden arrived at…
“Emelia’s Star Theater!” Emelia herself said. “Welcome.”
“Thank you,” Ashley said, being polite.
“This is Luke and Matthew, my sons,” Emelia said. They were both 16 with blonde hair and green eyes, twins. “Luke and Matthew, the blonde one is Taylor and the brown hair one is Ashley, the queens. The younger girls are the princesses, the younger boys are the princes. More introductions later!”
“Looks like Ashley and I are the only ones with no twins,” Taylor said. Wow, Luke’s cute! she thought.
“How’d ya know we’re twins?” Luke asked.
“Same pale blonde hair, same emerald green eyes, DUH!” Ashley pointed out. Whoa, Matthew is super cute! She also thought one of the boys was cute.
“True,” Matthew said.
“MWA HAHAHAHA!!!” someone said, “Tis I, Witch Lemon, and the Lime Lovers! I’m casting a curse so no one may exit this so-called ‘star’ theater!”
“WHAT?! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!” they all screamed.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Rozemarijn L. De Graff, Youth Contributor (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi)
Rozemarijn L. De Graff is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Rozemarijn’s short story, Thrilling Theater Time, is her first published work.
Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.
Teddy is a 4th grade student at AnchorPoint Christian School. Teddy’s poem, I Draw, is his first published work.
Led by teacher Mrs. Kim Omanchi, and in collaboration with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed, students created unique pieces for publication on WKTV Journal.
Community members can vote to double the Make More Happen Award amount (Courtesy photo)
Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance have awarded Doyle & Ogden Inc. a 2024 Make More Happen Award for its volunteerism with Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite in transforming our world.
The award includes an initial donation of $5,000 for Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation and its Coats for Kids program, which can be doubled to $10,000 just by having community supporters vote online.
The Doyle & Ogden Inc. and Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation community story will be highlighted on the official Make More Happen microsite. Supporters can vote to help the team reach their donation goal.
If the featured story receives at least 500 votes, the $5,000 donation will be raised to $10,000.
A legacy of warmth and care
The Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation was established in 2005 as a tribute to the founder of Doyle & Ogden, Del J. Doyle and his wife Jean, to continue their legacy of philanthropy and volunteerism.
As a part of this organization, Doyle & Ogden created the Coats for Kids program in 2009, providing winter coats to elementary children whose families are unable to afford one.
Doubling the $5,000 donation will help hundreds of children in need (Courtesy, Doyle & Ogden Inc.)
West Michigan winters are brutal, and a large percentage of children in need walk to school. Without a warm winter coat, students do not attend school. Subsequently, they do not have breakfast and lunch that day or receive their sack supper from Kids’ Food Basket. Without proper nutrition, students then fall behind in their education.
The $10,000 donation will allow the organization to supply an estimated 500 children with winter coats and expand the number of schools benefiting from this program.
“We are honored and incredibly grateful for being awarded the 2024 Make More Happen Award so we can continue to help our community and give back even more to local schools,” said Mike Doyle, agency owner and president of Doyle & Ogden. “The Coats for Kids program has had a significant impact in the Grand Rapids area and are thrilled to double the donation with community support.”
Expanding donations
In 2023, a total of 1,202 new winter coats were distributed among 18 schools and organizations in need. This year marks 15 years of the Coats for Kids program, and the agency is delivering more coats than ever.
Coats for Kids is providing more and more coats to kids in need each year (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
The $10,000 donation is vital in continuing to provide winter coats to those in need.
The entire team at Doyle & Ogden assists with the Coats for Kids program. The agency holds internal fundraisers and solicits donations from partners. Several staff members have knitted scarves and hats for each coat donated.
“Recognizing independent agents’ dedication to their communities and nonprofit partners is what the Make More Happen Awards is all about,” said Lisa Hartt, Safeco Insurance Midwest Region Senior Territory Manager. “Doyle & Ogden is a shining example of the amazing work independent agents do in Michigan, and we hope sharing inspiring stories motivates others to do the same.”
Apply for the Make More Happen Award
Throughout 2024, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will select up to 37 independent agents nationwide for a Make More Happen Award. They will donate up to $370,000 to the nonprofits they support.
Agencies became eligible for the award by submitting an application and photos demonstrating their commitment to a specific nonprofit.
It was a hot summer evening in 1923 when a group of Grand Rapids women ignited the spark that would become the iconic Women’s City Club of Grand Rapids (WCC).
One hundred years later, the women of Grand Rapids continue to provide support for each other and for their community through charitable and educational outreach…and fun.
On March 14, the GR Stories program – hosted by the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and the WCC – celebrated a century of resilience, influence and impact.
WCC historians Carol Dodge and Marcie Woods presented an oral history titled “Our First One Hundred Years” during the celebration. The presentation was derived from the WCC’s recently published centennial book bearing the same name and co-authored by Dodge and Woods.
“This Women’s City Club knows no boundaries,” said Judge Sara Smolenski during the event. “They’re in our community helping, reaching out and making an impact.”
This is the story of Grand Rapids’ most influential women and their legacy of resilience in times of challenge.
The year is 1923
It’s the roaring 20s. It’s a jazz age, another year of prohibition and speak-easies. Women have the right to vote. It was declared legal for women to wear trousers anywhere. It’s a year of prosperity, and there are new roles for women.
WCC historians Marcie Woods (left) and Carol Dodge present the history of the Club (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
On a hot July evening in 1923, a group of women sat on the steps of the Grand Rapids YWCA and dreamed about having a place to gather, socialize, entertain and inform. They longed to be women of common interest in the welfare of the city in public issues.
A spark was ignited. On January 4, 1924, an enthusiastic group of women came together in the first official meeting of the WCC.
“The Club was started at just the right time, with just the right people,” said Dodge during the presentation. “The community leaders among the women of Grand Rapids were the early leaders of the City Club, and they were diligent in inviting other civic-minded women to join.”
With annual dues set at $10 and meeting rooms at the Morton Hotel, the WCC was off and running.
When the Sweet House came on the market in 1927, the Club purchased and remodeled the building for their clubhouse. Almost everything inside the House was given or loaned to the Club.
By the end of the decade, the Club had 1,800 members and 165 on a waiting list.
The economy was down with the 1929 market crash, but optimism was high at WCC. It had become a welcoming second home for many women in the community.
The 1930s rolled inwith a vengeance
The Club was not immune to the trouble following the Great Depression.Membership dropped to 800 in 1933. Losing over half of their members, the board worked diligently to keep the doors open.
WCC member Rebecca Sneller performed a song from each decade (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
WCC members were empathetic to those less fortunate during the Depression. Their auditorium was turned into a sewing and workroom, and clothing was made for families in need. Food, books, and toys were collected and distributed.
As the economy turned around, so did membership numbers.
In 1936, membership had become so desirable that a membership limit of 1,400 was set – and they also had a waiting list.
The 1930s featured teas and dances. Many well-known guests presented at the Club during this time. Among them were Winston Churchill’s son Randolph and aviatrix Amelia Earhart. The first Bob Cratchit Holiday Dinner was served, and became a tradition for 77 years.
“During these difficult Depression years, the Club did not miss a single mortgage payment, and we ended the 1930s on a high note,” said Dodge. “The mortgage of the Club was burned, and after 12 years we were debt-free.
The 1940s were called the War Years
A WCC Friendship Quilt made in 1993 (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Hazel Whitaker Vandenberg, a charter member of the Club and Senator Vandenberg’s wife, kept Club members abreast with her monthly bulletin reports from Washington DC.
Monthly urgent pleas went out to members for volunteers to help in the National Defense program.
The WCC auditorium was once again turned into a workroom where surgical dressings were wrapped, sewing machines made surgical gowns, baby blankets and baby layettes. Women were trained to serve in city hospitals to relieve the shortage of medical staff.
“Our members were active,” said Dodge. “Many were heads of war relief programs in the city.”
The Club collected money to buy personal items for wounded soldiers, and monthly hospitality events were held to entertain the soldiers from the Army Air Force Weather School.
“At the end of the war, the Club celebrated and offered thanksgiving for victory,” said Dodge. “And now it was time to plan for the future.”
1950 brought a revolution of the WCC bulletin
The bulletin was an extremely important part of WCC right from the beginning with its first editor, Miss Christine Keck. The WCC’s third president, Keck was the first to realize that included ads would defray cost.
Marcie Woods (right) signs a copy of the centennial book for a member (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Next came Miss Mabel Allen, who edited the bulletin for 35 years. Allen was in charge of all ads and editing, but had two dozen women gathering information and writing articles. The bulletins were now 50 pages long, with 40 ads in the January 1950 edition alone.
The bulletin covered all Club activities, added humor, and kept local women in touch with the world. It presented local and national issues and urged members to vote.
“It showed us where we could be active,” said Woods. “The goal was for each woman to be noteworthy in the life of the city.”
WCC ended the decade with an all-time high of 2,400 members and another 400 on the waiting list.
The 1960swere a tipping point
WCC members talk during the reception (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Membership remained at a high of 2,400.Three hundred of those members were on committees. They gave over 40,000 hours of volunteer work each year.
WCC began a six-week series on local national and international affairs issues. Armchair Cruises were established with a Club dinner featuring food related to the country shown on the slides. Exceptionally well-attended, Armchair Cruises continued for 20 years.
At the end of the decade, the Club still had 2,400 members but the waiting list had dropped to 36.
The 1960s were a tipping point for the entire nation. Clubs, churches and civic organizations all showed declining numbers.
The 1970s introduced a time of firsts
The Club turned 50 years old. Women could register under their own names – they did not have to be “Mrs. Him.” They had the freedom of wearing more casual clothing, including sandals – and no hats.
Helen Claytor, the first African American woman in the United States to be president of a community YWCA, joined the WCC. It was also the national bicentennial and Grand Rapids sesquicentennial.
Membership dropped, decreasing Club income. At the end of the decade, the WCC dining room, bulletin, parking lot and library budgets were in deficit. After years aplenty, the Club had to dip into reserve funds.
Carol Dodge signs a copy of “Our First One Hundred Years” (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The 1980s began with 1,700 members
Fashionettes continued, and the Travel Committee booked several trips. A WCC favorite was Barbara Rinella, who performed book reviews in costume for 15 years.
The women did what they could to save and raise money for the Club. But the decade still ended with a deficit, and membership dropped by 500, leaving only 1,200 members.
The 1990s was a decade of ups and downs
Mother Teresa and Princess Diana were lost. There was 24-hour coverage of Desert Storm. For the City Club, an “up” included $115,000 raised through a diligent campaign called Rising to the Future.
The board continued to vigorously promote membership and retention. The bylaws were amended to change the word “woman” to “person.” Joint ventures with the World Affairs Council and the Ladies Literary Guild were initiated, and the Club opened two Saturdays a month.
Budget issues remained a concern as house maintenance costs continued to mount. In 1998, a fundraising campaign was held, raising over $40,000 and enabling the Club to get through that decade.
It was apparent that changes needed to be made.
The world slipped quietly into the new century without Y2K predictions coming true
The world watched the horror of the 9/11 attacks and worried about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Women’s City Club stepped into the new century with anxiety, with anticipation of a committed membership, and a vision for the future.
The silver tea set is original to the Sweet House (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“It was a decade of transition for the Club,” said Dodge. “We did continue the tradition of excellent programs and activities. We learned from city and world leaders.”
The Club’s Women’s City Antique Roadshow brought in people from the community. Club members donated clothing and gifts for children and clothing for women needing interview attire.
Because of budget deficits, their dwindling assets became a critical issue. Something had to be done.
“We had talked about it a long time, but now we had to make changes,” said Dodge. “We had to take action.”
An automated bookkeeping system and a strong marketing committee diligently promoting the Club were a few of those changes. They also held additional evening programs that were met with rave reviews.
The WCC formed the 501c3 Sweet House Foundation, allowing members and the community to donate tax-free dollars for the maintenance and preservation of the House.
This helped the Club end the last three years of the decade in the black and do much-needed maintenance and repairs on the clubhouse.
At the end of the decade, WCC had 223 members and 15 additional 50-year members.
The new decade began with relief, hope and high tech
WCC entered the electronic age with a website and social media presence. Simultaneously, the History Committee preserved the past by acquiring all 75 years of Club records and archiving them at the Grand Rapids Public Library.
Women’s City Club of Grand Rapids 100th birthday luncheon (Courtesy, WCC)
As an ArtPrize venue, tens of thousands came through the Sweet House, attracting more women to try a trial Club membership.
Things were looking up. Then the computer system crashed. The Club manager retired. The new management software was too complicated for staff to use. The dining room manager quit. The treasurer quit. In the new year, the general manager quit.
“And then came the bad news,” said Woods.
WCC’s reserve funds were almost gone. The accountants gave the Club six months until bankruptcy.
“We had choices,” said Woods. “Do nothing and let the Club die, stay in the House but close the dining room, or move to a different location.” Woods paused. “We chose to leave.”
On April 28, 2018, the WCC left their home of 91 years.
But…guess what?
“We are alive and well,” said Woods.
The WCC overcame decades of challenges and found new locations to meet and new opportunities for giving. Club members continued to create a legacy of compassion and charity through countless donations, by creating the Impact Award for juniors at Union High School, and creating a legacy that is embodied in the Sweet House.
“But that’s merely our physical legacy,” said Woods. “Our living legacy is our members. Many of our members throughout our history have been active in nearly every influential organization in the city.
We are women of influence, of impact, separately and together. And have been for 100 years.”
Woods continued, “Together, we find the support, inspiration, enrichment and friendship that tie us all together. Our social and educational programs, classes, and the opportunities to build relationships continue to offer the women of Grand Rapids a place to belong, to give back to the community.
“That is the history of the Women’s City Club.”
About the WCC historians
Carol Dodge worked in the insurance industry for over 35 years, is one of the founding members of the Sweet House Foundation, was WCC president from 2005-2007, and is a Club historian.
Marcie Woods was a professional educator who taught at several area schools, is editor-in-chief of the WCC bulletin, and also serves as a Club historian.
AnchorPoint Christian School in Wyoming is excited to announce that 4th grade student Dahmari Lee will be moving on to the MYWAY State Championships. Dahmari is AnchorPoint’s first student to move on to the championship round.
“I’m so proud of all the wrestlers this year!” said Coach Ed Harris in supplied material. “Each one has grown in a number of ways whether it is learning new moves, self-confidence, or how to handle adversity.”
Challenges and growth
Dahmari Lee with parents Andreen and John Wierenga (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
For the past two years, Dahmari has wrestled as a novice. The 2024 regional tournament at Grandville High School was his first taste of open wrestling, competing against opponents with two or more years of wrestling experience.
Dahmari enjoys wrestling with his dad at home, so when AnchorPoint’s 5-6th grade teacher Ed Harris formed a school wrestling team, he immediately signed up.
“He’s really into sports, so when they started a wrestling program here he wanted to try it,” John Wierenga, Dahmari’s father, told WKTV. “I told him we probably wouldn’t do any tournaments the first year, just practice. But after three practices, he was ready [to try] a tournament.”
Dahmari said he enjoys working hard and receiving medals (of which he has earned several) at competitions. The young wrestler is looking forward to participating at the State Championships, in part because he will wrestle open.
“Open is a little bit harder because you have to wrestle a couple years ahead of you,” said Dahmari, admitting that he likes the challenge of competing against more experienced wrestlers.
Andreen Wierenga, Dahmari’s mother, said watching her son wrestle is very emotional for her because she doesn’t want him to get hurt.
Despite her nervousness, Andreen supports Dahmari by attending his matches.
Dahmari Lee (right) prepares to scrimmage (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“When he’s winning, I like to cheer him on,” said Andreen. “But when he started to get the hang of it, he said, ‘I don’t like the excitement. You can stay home, and Dad can take me,’” said Andreen.
Andreen attended a recent match with the promise that she would sit quietly and not cheer. When Dahmari won his match, however, Andreen admitted that her emotions ran high.
“He came up and hugged me and said, ‘See? This is why I told you not to come,’” said Andreen with a laugh.
Dahmari’s willingness to accept challenges placed before him has garnered the notice of his coach.
“[Dahmari] is always willing to challenge himself in practice and in competition,” said Harris. “The fact that he placed 4th shows he belongs with those open wrestlers, and will continue to grow as an athlete and a person going forward.”
Iron sharpens iron
Launching AnchorPoint’s K-6 grade wrestling program stemmed from Harris’ own love of the sport.
Teacher and Coach Ed Harris believes in teaching more than just wrestling moves (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Harris began wrestling in high school and quickly fell in love with the sport. A Division 2 Team National Championship win at GVSU was followed by coaching positions at Godfrey Lee Middle School and then Wyoming High School.
When a donor purchased mats for AnchorPoint from Michigan State, the school’s youth wrestling team began.
“I love the sport of wrestling, and with a donor coming forward to help get the mats here, and my sons going to this school [and] with the opportunity to coach them, God’s timing was perfect,” said Harris.
Harris is also excited to incorporate faith into the wrestling program.
“I have always loved Proverbs 27:17: ‘Iron sharpens iron,’ because it is so true in wrestling,” said Harris, adding that a good partner provides refinement, but a bad partner creates stumbling blocks. “It is amazing how much faith and wrestling are connected, and we talk about that in our devotions before every practice.”
Life lessons
Dahmari (left) shows perseverance during a recent scrimmage (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Faith is only one life lesson AnchorPoint’s wrestlers learn through the program.
Strengthening their bodies as well as relationships with their peers as they work together in a competitive setting is also a focus of the program. Giving students a positive outlet for working through emotions, physical stress or anxiety, and learning the art of winning and losing gracefully are also lessons the students will take with them throughout life.
But one of the most important lessons, Harris said, is perseverance – especially through tough times.
“Wrestling is super tough, especially when you first start out,” said Harris, commenting that he was proud of the wrestlers for showing perseverance during a recent scrimmage. “No matter the score, they just kept wrestling and working to improve.
“I hope they transition that thinking to life and that, no matter what is going on in life, you can always find ways to work to make it better.”
Preparation and anticipation
As Dahmari prepares for the State Championships at Wings Event Center Arena on March 22-23, anticipation is high for both student and coach.
“I’m excited to see where wrestling can take Dahmari and all of our students in the future!” said Harris.
Four simple steps can save lives – find out how to BE NICE.
Christy Buck and Jessica Jones of Mental Health Foundation’s be nice. program reveal how to make mental health part of our every day conversation (Courtesy, WKTV)
TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive information about depression and suicide that may be distressing or traumatic for some individuals.
Christy Buck is changing the narrative on mental illness with her be nice. program (Courtesy, WKTV)
Christy Buck, Executive Director and Founder of be nice., is determined to make mental health a part of our everyday conversation.
Buck’s passion for transforming and saving lives through mental health education has led her through 36+ years of experience in the mental health field and the development of mental health and suicide prevention programs.
“I would challenge people to become more knowledgeable to have the confidence to talk about mental illnesses/mental health disorders,” said Buck to WKTV Journal.
Due to a 20% increase in mental health disorders, people are talking more about mental health than ever before. But Buck says we are still missing a vital piece of the solution.
Greater understanding breeds prevention
“What’s not being talked about is recognizing when somebody is struggling with an illness,” said Buck. “That, to me, is one of the biggest things that we owe the community and the nation right now: a better understanding of recognizing the onset of a mental health disorder.”
Buck continued to say that talking about mental illness/mental health disorders is going to raise a greater understanding of one of the most common illnesses in the world – anxiety disorder.
Normalizing conversations about mental illness combats stigma (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
And when we make it okay to talk about mental illness, we combat stigma.
“One way we can combat stigma is by listening to conversations, [and] correcting people when they might not be knowledgeable about mental illnesses,” said Buck.
Since 2006, Buck and her staff have educated over 300,000 people in West Michigan about mental health awareness, bullying, and suicide prevention. And though Buck says she has seen a large shift over the last few years, there is still more work to do.
“When somebody is struggling with a mental health disorder, it’s very scary for those individuals,” said Buck. “Oftentimes there is self-stigma too…viewing yourself as unworthy, viewing yourself as defeated, that there is no hope.”
Dare to swim upstream
Conquering stigma requires knowledge and willingness to open conversations “upstream.”
The four-step be nice. action plan (notice, invite, challenge, empower) addresses all of these issues.
Be willing to “swim upstream” and have those open conversations (Courtesy, WKTV)
“It’s a simple tool,” said Buck. “Oftentimes we complicate mental health.”
The first step to unraveling that obstacle is to notice when something is different than the norm.
“It’s huge to have ownership of what I am seeing and what I am noticing,” said Buck. “Now I have this knowledge, and having a knowledge base is going to build my confidence to take action.
“Confidence is that tool to invite myself into a conversation.”
That conversation should begin with what is good and right about the person you are talking to. It allows that person to know you care and are concerned. Then acknowledge the differences you have noticed.
(Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Then give hope.
“[Hope] comes through language like: you can feel better, you can get better,” said Buck. “Because it’s the truth. It is huge to be able to give that person some hope.”
Also using the word(s) love and I care about you can instill hope in someone.
Protective/Preventative Measures
Ensuring access to services and usage of those services are two main protective factors for those struggling and/or at risk. Another protective factor is friends and family – having people you can talk to.
Eating right, getting sleep and exercising are three things that release chemicals in your brain that help a person feel better. Spiritual wellness can also help, whether in the form of church or meditation that focuses on positive thinking.
“These are all pieces of empowerment,” said Buck. “When somebody is struggling with a mental health disorder or mental illness, they can’t find those protective factors.”
Buck went on to say that inviting someone struggling into a conversation by asking how you can help guides that person toward self-awareness.
Anyone can be N.I.C.E.
“No one is too young to follow the [action] plan, no one is too old to follow the plan,” said Buck. “This can be for kindergarteners through senior citizens. I love it because it is so multi-generational.”
The be nice. program and action plan educates students, staff, and community members about mental illnesses and encourages them to exchange stereotypes for understanding, compassion and acceptance.
And it has been proven to save lives.
“Be nice. is to go out and treat people with respect and dignity,” said Buck. “It is having that greater understanding that how we treat each other has an affect on someone’s mental health. On how somebody is thinking, how they’re acting, and how they’re feeling.”
Then, Buck continued, it turns into an action plan to change, improve, and save lives.
Notice the right and good of every individual you come into contact with, and invite yourself to share that good with them. Many times, the person may not have ever heard the good about themselves.
(Courtesy, be nice.)
By sharing that with them, you are “bringing about that greater understanding of how worthy they are,” said Buck.
Challenge other people to spread that kindness. Treat people with respect and dignity.
“Ultimately, it feels good,” said Buck. “That’s empowerment.”
Julie Gregory, mother of suicide victim Jessica Gregory, is an advocate for the be nice. program.
“As I have gotten to know some of the wonderful volunteers and people who are involved in this program, I have realized what a difference it could have made in Jessica’s life,” Gregory said on her blog, Picking Up the Pieces. “It could have affected the outcome of my daughter’s life.”
Gregory went on to say that, over the last several years, she has learned that how you treat people impacts the way they think, act, and feel.
“Be the change this world needs today,” said Gregory. “Treat people with love and respect, give them support when they are down, get involved, be positive role models and be nice.”
“We are here.”
Help others by educating yourself (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Knowledge surrounding physical illnesses has increased exponentially over the decades. Buck now challenges us to become more educated about mental illness.
Be nice. offers training on how to recognize mental illness signs and help those struggling. Training registrations can be found on their website.
“We are here,” said Jessica Jones, Communications Director for the Mental Health Foundation. “[We’re] ready to help people have those conversations.”
Resources
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers confidential support, information and local resources.
TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive information about depression and suicide that may be distressing or traumatic for some individuals.
Eradicate stigma through knowledge (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Ignorance results in stigma.
Stigma prevents those who need help from seeking it.
Knowledge and self-awareness stop both ignorance and stigma in their tracks.
“I’ve learned that when people say things about suicide,” Julie Gregory, mother of suicide victim Jessica Gregory, told WKTV Journal, “they’re not saying it to be mean or callous. They’re saying it because they’re ignorant to the facts.”
Christy Buck, Executive Director of the be nice. program, provides an action plan consisting of four simple steps that equip individuals with knowledge to recognize, understand, accept, and take action regarding mental health.
N: notice changes in someone’s thoughts, actions or feelings.
I: invite yourself to speak up if those changes last two weeks or longer.
C: challenge yourself to ask the tough questions, get help, and fight the stigma surrounding mental illness and treatment.
E: empower yourself and others with the knowledge that you can have an effect on how a person thinks, acts and feels.
Self-awareness and grace
For those struggling with mental illness, self-awareness and giving themselves grace are two key components of healing.
“The more self-aware you become, you also know what your limits are,” said Dr. Valencia Agnew of Adolescent and Family Behavioral Services.
Jessica Jones of the Mental Health Foundation discusses mental health with local clinicians (from left to right) Dr. Matthew Clark, Dr. Valencia Agnew, Dr. Jim Bettenhorn, and Dr. Brendan Kelly (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Being aware of your thinking gives you more control, said Dr. Brendan Kelly of The Well Being Counseling and Fitness Center. “Control over things you didn’t have [before], like a sense of empowerment over yourself.”
Preparation: It’s like clockwork…I know it’s coming…
In a place of recovery for mental illness, local resident Monica Ruiz said paying close attention to what her body tells her, and how it affects her engagement in activities that keep her regulated and healthy, is key in recognizing when her mental illness is triggered.
Opting out of her regular walks, skipping support group, and not making dinner are all signs that Monica’s mental health is faltering. She then digs into her coping resource toolbox to help manage those negative symptoms.
Signs of mental illness
Signs that someone is struggling with their mental health varies from person to person, but there are several indicators that appear with regularity.
Symptoms of mental illness come in many forms (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Changes in normal patterns lasting two weeks or more is a key symptom of mental illness. Some (but not all) signs are included below:
Changes in eating
Changes in sleeping
Isolating themselves
Not wanting to go to school or places they used to enjoy
Increase in crying/appearing sad
Changes in schoolwork
Violence toward themselves or others
Increase in crude or harmful language
Increase in anger/temper tantrums
Nothing to look forward to, such as events or the future
If you notice these signs in yourself or others, seek help.
If encountering resistance from a parent/adult, Agnew advises those struggling to say: “Even if it is a phase, what harm will it do for me to go and have someone help me? Who couldn’t benefit from support during a [difficult] phase?”
Adapting and Modifying
Simplify activities during difficult times (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
When experiencing a low point, modifying daily routines can be helpful.
“One of my first lines of defense is to modify my daily activities,” said Monica. “Pausing, being still, and taking that time.”
For a few days, dinner might consist of protein shakes or frozen dinners. Groceries might be ordered and delivered via an online app versus spending hours in a store.
However, Monica added, simplifying activities should only be a short-term solution.
Rachael Braginton, Program Coordinator for be nice., said she has experienced struggles with her own mental health. She can tell her mental health has been negatively triggered when she becomes more irritable, her energy levels dip, and she regularly feels overwhelmed.
Slow down and breathe (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Rachael has learned to give herself grace during those times.
“It’s okay to take the evening,” said Rachael. “It’s okay to just sit. It’s okay if you’re just surviving…for a few days.”
Rachael makes a conscious effort to slow down and tell herself it is okay if everything she planned doesn’t get done. But, after taking a moment to relax, Rachael makes a revised plan: What two things am I going to do, so I feel accomplished?
And again…grace.
“You’ve got to continue to give yourself grace in that process,” said Rachael.
First steps: Reaching out
Seek help and reach out to someone you trust (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
When your mental health is triggered, reaching out to a person you trust is crucial.
“My biggest encouragement would be, find that one person who you are the most comfortable with, that you can say, ‘I’m struggling, and I don’t know what the next step is. Can you help me?’” said Rachael.
Monica agreed that finding a person you trust and who can help you navigate those first steps of the healing process is impactful.
And support is often needed more than advice.
Support vs. Advice
Though it is human nature to want to help a struggling loved one find relief or a solution, a listening ear is often most important.
“Do not fix, control or hand out advice,” said Monica, adding that she personally does not want advice most of the time. “I’m not looking to be fixed.”
Listening, empathizing and letting someone know you support them often helps the most.
“Don’t tell them you know exactly how they feel, because we don’t,” said Dr. Matthew Clark of The Clark Institute. “A lot of times people just want someone to listen, to reflect back to them what they are saying.”
Dr. Matthew Clark (left) and Dr. Valencia Agnew discuss ways to provide support to those struggling (Courtesy, WKTV)
Minimizing or invalidating an individual’s struggle is also damaging.
“Invalidation can be very harmful, and it can immediately fracture that trust and feeling of safety,” said Monica.
Rachael added that causing someone to feel shame about their struggle is also harmful.
Find a team of supportive people (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“Most people struggling logically know what they are doing is not helpful, or logically know [that] I should be able to do X, Y, and Z. [But] I can’t,” said Rachael. “There is a logical piece to all of us, and we know it’s not right. So quick fixes – those little things – just aren’t helpful.”
Eliminate “Just” statements such as Just breathe, or Just calm down.
“If I could ‘just’ think really hard and change my chemicals, I would,” said Rachael. “But I can’t.”
Madelyn Musser, a local resident with personal mental illness experience, said to stay calm if approached by someone looking for support. Simply ask, What do you need from me? Would you like advice? Or do you just want me to listen?
“That is something so powerful, just those two little options,” said Madelyn, adding that it is important to surround yourself with supportive people. “Build a team.”
Hold space, leave space
“Leave space for silence,” said Rachael. “Allow the other person to fill it. Let them say what they need to say.”
If there is any indication someone is struggling, it is vital to ask how that person is doing and hold space for that conversation. It is also just as important to hold space for the answers you receive.
Asking someone if they are okay shows you care about them (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“Don’t be afraid to have that conversation with someone,” said Agnew. “Nine times out of ten, they’re going to tell you [if they are thinking of suicide].
“You are not going to make someone suicidal by asking. You are not going to plant a seed.”
Clark said that simply checking in with someone is a way to show support.
“Sometimes we feel like no one really cares about what [we are] going through,” said Clark. “Sometimes we think that if they don’t ask, they don’t care.”
#ThereIsAlwaysHope
“I do believe that all suffering is temporary,” said Monica. “I do believe that, as humans, we are capable of healing ourselves, and we know what we need.
“Life experiences can get in the way of that and make us feel hopeless, that we will never get better and there is no help. But I do believe that is not true.”
All suffering is temporary – there is always hope (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“When we sit here and say there is hope, it’s because we’ve seen it, we’ve lived it,” said Rachael.
When hope is not easy to see, Rachael urges those struggling to take it one step at a time.
“It’s not always easy, but there really is hope out there,” said Rachael.
Monica said that even in the lowest times, there will be moments of reprieve. “So please hold on. There is help. It gets better.”
Recognize your worth
“I remember the first time someone told me that I was worthy just because I existed,” said Monica. “It brought me to tears immediately.”
She continued, “It’s something I say to others. I do believe everyone really does belong here.”
Changing things up
Rewriting the narrative surrounding mental health and mental illness is long overdue. Action is how to make it happen.
Rewrite the narrative on mental illness by taking action today (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“You change the narrative by doing something,” said Agnew. “Go talk to someone. It changes the narrative just by taking that step.”
Buck’s be nice.book visualizes the four-step suicide prevention process as a pyramid (pg. 143).
Knowledge of mental illness signs and risk factors – and how to approach them – creates the base. Confidence generated by that knowledge is the middle. At the top of the pyramid is action: the steps taken to address the concern.
Dr. Valencia Agnew shares how we can change the narrative (Courtesy, WKTV)
“Knowledge breeds confidence,” said Buck in her book (pg. 144). “Confidence breeds action.”
Increasing personal knowledge, having a support system and building resiliency are all steps to rewriting your story, or the story of a loved one.
“Any of those things can change the narrative,” said Agnew. “Literally change the narrative.
“It’s not always easy to do, but it is possible to do, and it is well worth the investment. You get to go from existing, to living.”
Eradicate Stigma
To learn more about be nice. and the four simple steps to recognizing depression and preventing suicide, visit the Mental Health Foundation.
Help stomp out stigma surrounding mental illness by joining the free annual be nice.Stomp Out Stigma 5K Walk event in May each year.
*Find more Mental Health: Rewriting the Narrativeresources by clicking here.
Resources
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers confidential support, information and local resources.
TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive information about depression and suicide that may be distressing or traumatic for some individuals.
Madelyn Musser was 15 years old when she attempted suicide. Rachael Braginton attempted to end her life as a freshman in college.
It was several years before Monica Ruiz realized her depressive episodes and struggles with suicide were a result of complex trauma from her childhood and the resulting PTSD.
These three local women sat down with WKTV Journal to share their mental health journeys in the hopes of eradicating stigma surrounding mental illness.
Moderated by Jessica Jones of Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, lived experience participants (left to right) Madelyn Musser, Monica Ruiz and Rachael Braginton discussed the stigma and challenges of mental disorders (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Managing their mental health journey is a daily endeavor for millions of people worldwide. It is one undertaken and shared by these three local women. Joined by local clinicians and the Mental Health Foundation, they strive to rewrite the narrative surrounding their struggles.
Stigma: Victims of our own conditioning
You are going through: hormone changes, emotions, being ‘that age.’
But you have: a loving family, material possessions, a roof over your head.
All of the above are a fraction of what Madelyn and Monica heard from doctors and family members over the years as they struggled to understand a persistent sense of hopelessness.
Harmful beliefs and narratives make it difficult for those suffering to receive help (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“I don’t think my family are bad people,” said Monica. “I think they’re just a product of the culture in which we live, and these harmful beliefs or narratives that have been passed on from generation to generation.”
“I had to break out,” said Madelyn. “I did have a suicide attempt when I was 15, and I think that kind of set in everybody’s mind that she does need help.”
Rachael Braginton now works as Program Coordinator for Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan (Courtesy, WKTV)
Rachael believes stigma resided inside her, ultimately stopping her from seeking help. Even with a caring and supportive family, good grades in school, great friends and good health, one question kept circling her mind: “Why would I be feeling this way?”
“I remember wishing I could be [physically] sick to make it make sense to myself,” said Rachael.
Because she couldn’t make sense of her feelings, Rachael feared judgment from others. Afraid people would think she was lazy, or couldn’t handle a certain stage in life, she repeatedly implied that she was doing well.
“It spiraled into a hole of lies,” said Rachael. “There’s support there, but I’ve been lying to my support. So now what do I do?”
Feeling she had cut herself off from all avenues of help, Rachael attempted to take her own life.
Perpetuating Silence
Monica Ruiz was met with disbelief and indifference from people she thought would help her (Courtesy, WKTV)
While Rachael struggled with crippling silence, Monica chose to be vocal about her inner battles – and was met with painful responses.
“I don’t believe you.”
“This can’t happen…You can’t not show up.”
The comments above, made by Monica’s graduate professor and co-worker, hurt Monica deeply.
“When those things happen, it really fractures trust, and really damages the relationship to the point where I feel this person is no longer safe to be honest [with],” said Monica.
“And that perpetuates the living in silence a lot of us experience.”
Therapist and owner of The Well Being Counseling and Fitness Center, Dr. Brendan Kelly, also believes that fear of judgment is a root cause preventing people from seeking help.
You are not alone – most everyone has experienced anxiety or depression at some point (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“People are afraid of being judged,” said Kelly, adding that people are even afraid of what their therapist might think of them.
Dr. Matthew Clark of The Clark Institute agrees: “They see it as a weakness, or something they don’t want to admit to somebody because they might feel ashamed.
“Almost everybody at one time or another has struggled with anxiety or depression, and there’s help out there. And if you get help for yourself, then you can help other people, too.”
Treatment – Understanding the journey of healing
Treatment is a journey that takes work and is an imperfect process.
“Not everybody understands that everybody is different in their treatment,” said Madelyn, admitting that it took years to realize medication did not work for her.
Instead of medication, Madelyn Musser relies on various coping skills to manage her mental health (Courtesy, WKTV)
Clark agreed, saying there is not one set therapy or treatment.
Regarding medication, Clark said, “You can try until you find a medication that works for you. And [you] may not need it forever. It might just be a short period of time to get you through this period.”
Length of time until treatment begins working also varies.
“It can take a while,” said Kelly. “We are the world’s most complex organism known to mankind. We’re all different.”
Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with can also be a challenge. Many clinics have bios and pictures of available therapists to help that process.
Affordability of treatment
“One of the worst things is that, a lot of times, financial stress is a part of why a person is struggling,” said Kelly. “I really wish insurance would just remove the deductible for mental health.”
Financial resources are available for those seeking treatment (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Checking with your insurance provider is a good place to start. Those enrolled in Medicaid do not have a copay for mental health services. There also are foundations who provide financial help to those who need it.
Agnew’s staff includes Masters-level interns that clients can see at a much lower rate.
“It was really important to me that our services be available for people who can’t afford it,” said Agnew.
Closing the gap, filling your toolbox
While medication can help close the gap between a low point and the stability sought, having a toolbox of coping skills is also important.
“I like to say I have a toolbox with resources,” said Monica.
Movement (e.g., walking) and mindful practices such as meditation and yoga are tools Monica engages in on a regular basis. However, community is an important resource for her as well.
“At my lowest, I tend to isolate, and I don’t really want to be around anybody,” said Monica. “But I know the people [in] my circle that I trust, and that I can call in those moments, that I feel safe around.
“Getting that contact – that social contact – has been really helpful for my mental health.”
Being around other people who have experienced similar struggles can be very helpful (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Support groups are a great way to find that human connection.
“I can’t explain how helpful it is to be in a group who all struggle with complex trauma and mental health issues, and I know they all understand,” said Monica.
Though Rachael put off participating in group therapy at first, she quickly found solace in the rapport she found there.
“We all get it,” said Rachael. “There are people who can relate, and that can be uplifting.”
A life-changing impact
Christy Buck, Founder of be nice. and Executive Director of Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, has made it her life’s mission to provide that support system – and she does it by way of educating people about mental illness.
Removing stigma so people understand what is happening in their lives, helping people identify signs of mental illnesses, knowing where to go, and how to help themselves or others are all part of Buck’s suicide prevention program.
Julie Gregory, mother of suicide victim Jessica Gregory, encourages individuals and organizations to embrace the be nice. program.
“Get onboard with the be nice. program and encourage people to listen and train these kids on how to watch for [warning signs],” said Gregory.
(Courtesy, MHF)
To learn more about be nice. and the four simple steps to recognizing depression and preventing suicide, visit Mental Health Foundation.
Help stomp out stigma surrounding mental illness by joining the free annual be nice.Stomp Out Stigma 5K Walk event in May each year.
Resources
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers confidential support, information and local resources.
TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains sensitive information about depression and suicide that may be distressing or traumatic for some individuals.
Jessica Gregory (Courtesy, Julie Gregory)
At approximately 3 a.m. on March 10, 2015, 28-year-old Jessica Diane Gregory silently ended the internal pain she fought to free herself from most of her life.
Jessica’s mother, Wyoming resident Julie Gregory, prefers to focus on Jessica and her struggles versus the act of suicide when talking about her daughter’s death.
“I lost my daughter to depression, bullying and bipolar disorder,” said Gregory when talking with WKTV Journal.
Mental illness does not discriminate
Jessica had a family who loved her, was in the top 20 in her high school class of 2004, participated in sideline cheer and the competitive cheer team, ran track and had amazing friends.
Despite all of these things, Jessica was hounded by a darkness that led to physically harming herself and a suicide attempt in high school. Jessica’s internal struggle eventually spiraled into a loss of all hope.
Excerpts from Jessica’s journal and various other writings reveal the internal pain she battled daily:
Several pages of Jessica’s journal contained detailed plans of how she could end her life.
“I’m not ashamed or scared to talk about suicide or how my daughter ended her pain,” said Gregory. “We need to end the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness. Redefine the way people talk about suicide and the way we think about suicide, and look at it as an effect of an illness.
“Why is it that the brain is the only organ in your body that will get judged for being ill?”
Gregory went on to say that those who die by suicide have lost a battle with a disease.
“They couldn’t hold on any longer,” said Gregory. “I feel it’s our job to help them hold on. Mental illness is treatable.”
‘I’m sorry, Mom. I love you.’
The last time Gregory saw her daughter alive was like a hundred others. There was nothing to indicate Jessica planned to end her life that night.
After having dinner with her family, Jessica and Gregory finished a jigsaw puzzle and began another.
Gregory had no idea Jessica purchased a handgun nine hours earlier.
Jessica’s journal and last letter to her mother (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
At approximately 10:30 p.m., Jessica helped her mother put the puzzle table away and went home to her apartment.
After writing one last letter to her mother in pink marker – her favorite color – Jessica silently ended the pain she battled daily.
Before you ask…educate yourself
Gregory said one of the hardest questions people ask her is: “How did she do it?” Gregory’s palms turned toward the ceiling, shrugging in disbelief and saying, “Does it matter?”
An entry from Jessica’s journal (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
What matters to Gregory is that her daughter is gone forever.
Another question Greogry repeatedly faces is, “Why didn’t you get her help?”
“We did get her help,” Gregory said vehemently. “She did go to the doctor, she was on meds, she went to therapy. She had a psychiatrist, she had a counselor, she had all these people. She had a team of people.
“You can put a mask on and show people what you want them to see,” Gregory continued. “It’s not always easy to see.”
“Even when parents, and people in general, have noticed a lot of signs, it is also possible to miss signs,” said Agnew.
Jessica with her cat, Desi (Courtesy, Julie Gregory)
When Gregory went back and looked at specific dates in Jessica’s journal, she was stunned at how well Jessica hid her true emotions.
After one particular journal entry that conveyed Jessica’s wish to die, Gregory looked back at Facebook pictures, realizing it was the same day the family attended a birthday party. All pictures from that day portrayed Jessica as happy.
Gregory thought to herself, “She was happy. That was the mask she wore. And she was thinking all day about how she could die?”
Selfishness vs. Mentally Ill
Entry from Jessica’s journal (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Gregory shares her daughter’s struggle because she wants others to understand that the thought process of a mentally ill person is not normal.
“I am simply showing people how the mind of my mentally ill daughter was thinking,” said Gregory. “She wasn’t looking to hurt anyone. She was ending her pain and what she thought was a life that couldn’t get better.”
Suicide is not selfish, Greogry continued. “Suicide is a desperate way to end pain, physical or mental. It is a hopelessness that things will never get better. It is a feeling that family or friends will be better off without them.
Entry from Jessica’s journal (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“Those who are suffering don’t want to end their lives, they want to end their pain.”
Gregory also hopes to end usage of the term “committed suicide.”
“In 1964, it was a law that it was illegal to commit suicide – but they didn’t know anything about it,” said Gregory. “Now that we know more, we can talk more about it and we don’t have to use those ‘committed’ words.”
“We say ‘died by suicide,’” Gregory continued. “Instead of focusing on the act, we focus on the person and what was going on.”
Picking up the Pieces
Gregory and her family faced a lot of “firsts” as they learned to maneuver life without Jessica. Gregory credits their faith in God and having each other to lean on as the key to their survival.
Julie Gregory is dedicated to helping others navigate the pain she endures daily (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The grieving mother’s main focus after losing Jessica was making sure her son, younger than Jes by 14 years, was okay. That everyone around her was okay.
And that included other people who found themselves enduring the loss of a loved one.
“I had hundreds of people send me messages,” said Gregory, adding that she welcomes those messages. “People can come to me.”
Gregory is a vocal advocate for the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s be nice. program. She encourages schools and organizations to take part in the program, take action, and save lives.
However, for Gregory, personal comfort and healing comes in the form of helping those enduring the aftermath of loss. She does this through the i understand love heals program.
“For me, helping people pick themselves up after – it just hit home.”
Grieving and healing
“I didn’t have time to grieve, and I still won’t take that time to feel sorry [for myself], because I need to be 100% to help all these other people,” said Gregory.
While Gregory admits that is not the healthiest approach, she has no plans to stop being that voice for Jessica and a source of hope for those grieving.
Jessica’s last words are tattooed on Gregory’s forearm (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“Just to know that I’ve helped others is healing to me, and so I don’t know any other way to grieve,” Gregory said. “I grieve sitting at that big table and having new people come to the group that literally just lost their family member two weeks ago.
“And I feel their pain, and I will grieve for that family and those lost, and for Jessica.”
A voice for Jessica
Gregory proclaims herself to be an open book, refusing to hide that her daughter ended her own life.
Instead, two years after Jessica’s death, Gregory chose to open both her own life and Jessica’s to scrutiny and possible ridicule in the hopes that even one person would see – and choose – hope.
Jessica with family and friends (Courtesy, Julie Gregory)
Picking Up the Pieces is a blog that unveils Jessica’s journey, her internal pain, bullying she experienced at her job, and the aftermath Gregory endures daily since finding Jessica in her apartment nine years ago.
Gregory does not hold back, laying bare the pain and darkness – and emphasizing the glimmer of hope she knows is always present, even if not always noticed.
Though Gregory has been pushed out of her comfort zone countless times over the last several years, she embraces each challenge so she can share Jessica’s story and be that voice for her daughter.
“If I reach just one person, letting them know they aren’t alone, it is worth sharing,” said Gregory. “Or, maybe someone reading these pages who doesn’t have a mental illness will be enlightened by what is in someone’s mind that does.”
#ThereIsAlwaysHope
Jessica applied for a new job before she took her life. A job at a hospital where she could help others and could carry out her personal life mission. Multiple interviews and a job shadow followed.
A Picking Up the Pieces blog entry (Courtesy, Julie Gregory)
The darkness Jessica fought against, however, overwhelmed her before she heard their decision.
“The day after Jessica’s suicide, there was a message left on her cell phone voicemail,” said Gregory. “It was a message from the hospital she had applied at.
“She received that call one day late…”
Julie and Jessica both have a tattoo symbolizing a mother and daughter and their love for each other (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The timing of that voicemail is something Gregory encourages all who struggle to contemplate.
“There is always hope,” said Gregory. “No matter how bad today can be, things will get better. You can’t leave today, because tomorrow everything could change.
“Life is all hills and valleys, and for every valley that you’re in, those hills are going to be amazing.”
Monica Ruiz, in a personal place of mental health recovery for the past few years, echoes that message.
“I do believe that all suffering is temporary,” said Ruiz, adding that there will be moments of relief even in the lowest times. “So please hold on. There is help. It gets better.”
A radical resolve
Gregory’s resolve to eradicate stigma and live with hope is evident in each word of Picking Up the Pieces.
“I am determined to be more than just a survivor,” said Gregory on her blog. “I am determined to find the silver lining, I am determined to see my glass as half full, I am determined to keep talking about mental illness and the side effects that ‘Pain’ can cause some people.
“I am determined to help change the definition of suicide.”
Eradicating stigma
“The stigma needs to be lifted about mental struggles,” said Gregory. “We need to talk about it, out in the open, and not treat it like a dirty secret – those days are past. We need to continue this conversation.”
Help stomp out stigma surrounding mental illness by joining the free annual be nice.Stomp Out Stigma 5K Walk event in May each year.
The be nice. program and action plan (notice, invite, challenge, empower) educates students, staff, and community members about mental illnesses and encourages them to exchange stereotypes for understanding, compassion and acceptance.
Resources
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers confidential support, information and local resources.
“The Sunday Night Funnies has always been a diverse show,” says Brian B., MC and Founder of the SNF. “I wanted to celebrate the contribution women comedians have brought to the show through the years.”
Brian B. went on to say that, locally, women performing standup comedy was rare.
“Over the course of the last few years, that number has been steadily growing,” Brian B. says. “We’re featuring seven extremely funny women comics for this show.”
The lineup
The March 3 special performance will feature Grand Rapids comedian Kim Cook, a Second City alumni and semifinalist in the 2022 Kingpin of Comedy competition; Nicole Melnyk, voted Lansing’s Best Comic three times; Lauren Corbett; Cheryl Stoner; Amanda VK; and SNF first-timers Lucky Lee and Cinda DeBolt.
Lucky Lee (Courtesy, SNF)
Kim Cook (Courtesy, SNF)
Cheryl Stoner (Courtesy, SNF)
Amanda VK (Courtesy, SNF)
Cinda DeBolt (Courtesy, SNF)
Lauren Corbett (Courtesy, SNF)
Nicole Melnyk (Courtesy, SNF)
Mark your calendars for upcoming SNF events!
The following Sunday, March 10, is SNF’s annual LaughFest show. Comics 50+ will celebrate Older American Month with a show on Sunday, May 5. Soon after will be the start of SNF’s sixth annual Kingpin of Comedy competition.
About SNF
The creation of Grand Rapids stand-up comedian Brian B. (Brian Borbot), the SNF is a weekly live stand-up comedy performance featuring a variety of comics from Michigan and around the country.
WHS Art 3 students recently studied a contemporary artist who uses tape to create large-scale optical illusions. Inspired by this work, students collaborated to create six unique designs that would give a 2D space a 3D appearance.
Students worked in pairs and used two kinds of tape as a creative medium to explore the idea of space.
“It’s good to have them collaborate, it’s good to have them work in a different space and on a different scale,” WHS art teacher Liz Duffield told WKTV. “We use different things, different materials, so they recognize art is not just drawing and painting, that we have a lot more in the art world.”
Painting…with tape?
Tape art emerged in the 1960s as an alternate urban art form that uses only adhesive tape as a medium. The work of tape artists has garnered a great deal of media interest over the last decade.
That interest is partly due to the advantages of “painting” with tape versus aerosol cans.
The tape art installations cover the walls from the floor to the ceiling (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
No longer needing protective measures, such as masks, to guard against dangerous vapors is a convenience as well as a health benefit to tape artists.
Adhesive tapes can be applied quickly and easily to materials such as stone, wood, glass, aluminum and more. The tape can also be removed without leaving residue.
Strange, interesting, unique…all of the above?
“It was an interesting concept,” said Jordan, WHS junior. “I never would have thought of this for an art project, putting tape on walls. That sounds strange; it was abstract.”
Jovanny, WHS senior and Jordan’s collaborative partner on the project, agreed. “It was really fun. We’re always doing painting or drawing, and I think this was a unique experience, using tape and creating art with it.”
Jovanny (left) and Jordan with their tape art installation (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Though both students agreed the 3D project was not the easiest, both enjoyed the challenge of designing and executing the art.
“We just went with the flow, and this is how it turned out,” said Jovanny, gesturing to an image of their art installation on his computer.
Jovanny also enjoyed the collaborative aspect of the project.
“I liked how we collaborated together because usually we don’t collaborate often in this class,” Jovanny said, adding that creating an art piece with another student – and having it turn out well – produced a sense of accomplishment.
Jordan, who typically creates 2D drawings on a much smaller scale, admitted that while she enjoyed the 3D project, she has no plans to repeat it.
“One time is enough,” Jordan said with a laugh.
An opportunity to share and inspire
Collaborative partners Daira and Deborah, both WHS seniors, enjoyed the opportunity to share their art with the entire school.
Daira (left) and Deborah with their 3D tape art creation (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“I liked it because a lot of students can see [it],” said Deborah. “I had three or four students ask me, What class is this? What are you doing this for? I think it catches students’ attention, and that is good if they want to take art.”
Daira said that, though she typically enjoys painting, she had fun working on the tape art.
“I don’t think it was that difficult because you have just straight lines,” said Daira. “The difficult part was making them look even.
“I would want to do something like this again and experience more than just painting. Art is more than just painting and drawing.”
Deborah would also like to try tape art again, but the WHS senior is thinking…bigger. A bigger canvas and a larger audience.
“Somewhere downtown, somewhere where everybody can see it,” said Deborah.
Art as an outlet
That creative expression is what draws both Daira and Deborah to art in general.
Art teacher Liz Duffield periodically walks by and checks to make sure the tape remains secure (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“I like that you can express your creativity,” said Deborah. “Instead of like every other class where you just write and read, in this class you can actually express it more in colors and lines and shapes.”
“Expressing your feelings too,” Daira added. “Art has a lot of feelings and emotions that you can show. If you are not good in English and writing, you can express it in art.”
Allowing students the opportunity for that expression is important to Duffield – though she admits that she never expected to become a teacher.
“I always knew that I loved art and being creative, design and things like that,” said Duffield. “I never actually thought I wanted to be a teacher, and then I started volunteering in a classroom–and I loved it.”
Value in variety
While the medium of watercolors is Duffield’s personal favorite to work in, she believes in the value of all art forms.
“I think it’s really important to expose my students to many different kinds of art,” Duffield said.
Beacon Hill at Eastgate is more than a retirement community – it is a mission to deliver a new standard in senior living.
“We’ve made a great change here in the way that senior care is delivered in Grand Rapids,” said Jeff Huegli, President and CEO of Beacon Hill at Eastgate.
That standard has garnered notice by more than just Beacon Hill residents.
Recently recognized as one of America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) by Newsweek and Statista, Beacon Hill at Eastgate is ranked at #45 out 250 CCRCs in the United States, and #2 within the state of Michigan.
“It’s been a head-turning moment for the organization,” said Huegli.
A humble beginning
Located in the heart of the Eastgate neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Beacon Hill is a distinctive, not-for-profit retirement community dedicated to providing a vibrant life for Grand Rapids’ seniors.
The vision for Beacon Hill began in 1951 by five area Baptist churches. That vision came to fruition on a 10-acre site named Michigan Christian Home.
“It’s a historic building that initially served independent living residents, with some assisted living, and skilled nursing,” said Huegli.
Huegli came to Beacon Hill in 2003 to help expand the campus in a different part of the county.
Beacon Hill at Eastgate has expanded over time, but its values remain constant (Courtesy, Beacon Hill)
“After recognizing that our market and our call to service for the community is here on the southeast side, we reinvested and bought the hospital that was here, Metro Hospital, and gained the 12-acre site to begin constructing independent living – which is now known as Beacon Hill at Eastgate,” said Huegli.
Huegli and the Beacon Hill staff are dedicated to continuing the original vision and core values of the founders: Christ-inspired compassion, service, collaboration, generosity and integrity.
“Even though we’re now known for hospitality, wonderful lifestyle, community connection, all of our heart and service model is rooted in the original values that were established by that board,” said Huegli.
Skilled nursing is the core of that original service model.
“We have done a tremendous job in building out our healthcare system,” said Huegli. “We’ve attracted great service partners. Trinity Health comes out of that organization, and they have really committed to forming a high-quality health system.”
A thriving community
The heart of Beacon Hill’s mission is community.
“We are a faith-based community,” said Huegli. “We hold onto what Jesus Christ taught us for hospitality and personal care in the gospel, transferring that into a modern healthcare system.
“Attending to all people, irrespective of where they come from. That has given us a really rich tapestry of a wonderful, thriving community.”
Beacon Hill provides a thriving community for seniors and their families (Courtesy, Beacon Hill)
Beacon Hill works to provide a warm, high-quality environment for its residents and the community. Part of that environment includes walking paths and a community garden.
“What’s different about Beacon Hill from other communities is that we’re located in the [Eastgate] neighborhood. We love that it’s urban, and we intentionally invest in connecting to the people, and to the geography, of this area.”
Beacon Hill’s commitment to each individual and where they are in their life journey is shown in the care of every resident, family member and guest.
“Each person is known,” said Huegli.
Experiencing life…again!
Beacon Hill serves over 400 residents, many who are learning to experience life for a second time.
“My favorite people [are] the residents who reluctantly come here,” admitted Huegli. “These are folks who have had a highly independent professional career where they have made their own decisions, they have had great influence over process or an organization, and are fiercely independent.”
However, Beacon Hill becomes their home, Huegli continued. “This place just seeps in over time, and we see engagement over and over again.”
Beacon Hill residents at a summer celebration (Courtesy, Beacon Hill)
The Beacon Hill community provides residents with opportunities for activity, exercise and optimism.
“And optimism,” Hugeli said, “is a significant portion of physical health. That’s what Beacon Hill can do for people.”
The highest standard of care
Huegli said satisfaction rates with Beacon Hills’ extended care services of rehab memory care, assisted living and other personal services, are high.
“We work minute-by-minute to ensure that we’re meeting the standards, and that we’re exceeding expectations in every form,” said Huegli. “We know the effort our 250 employees give will be reflected immediately on quality of life for each resident and their family member.”
Continuous investment is also a Beacon Hill priority.
“We put over $150 million of capital into this campus over the years that I’ve been here, and what has resulted is something that’s way deeper than a dollar bill,” said Huegli. “It’s connection.
“City connection, connection to our immediate neighbors, and bonds between residents and the staff who work here every day.”
Beacon Hill is committed to continual improvement and care (Courtesy photo)
The recent national recognition of Beacon Hill’s efforts is meaningful because they did not seek it out.
“I don’t even remember hearing about this before it was announced,” Huegli said. “So the fact that it’s an independent study is all the more meaningful.”
Intentional care creates increasing demand
The demand for Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) is steadily increasing, a fact that is not surprising to Huegli.
“Communities like us, we are intentional in creating a friendly, warm and optimistic place that’s just packed full of resources,” said Huegli. “The value that we can add as a provider for any resident here – independently or otherwise – is astounding.”
Out of the 2000+ CCRCs throughout the United States, Huegli said: “Beacon Hill is a gold standard, and it’s been my career’s work to see it through.”
Generations of service
To Huegli, serving the senior community is not just a job – it is his passion.
“I’ve got a long history in my family, generations of people who have dedicated their lives to community service, community development, social change,” said Huegli. “That inspired me to find a career path that would make a difference but also make use of my interests.”
Huegli has dedicated his career to serving others (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Those interests include planning, finance, design and marketing. But Huegli finds his purpose in caring for others.
“Taking care of seniors has been an amazing find for me personally,” said Huegli. “Impacting individual seniors as their needs have changed and interacting with a care team who is equally committed – I can’t think of anything more noble.
“Touching these lives in a positive way…there’s nothing better.”
What’s next?
Committed to being state-of-the-art and progressive in their programs and designs, Beacon Hill is poised for even more growth.
“Our next work will be to construct the finest assisted living and memory care program around, just as we have with other components of our service model,” said Huegli. “You’ll be seeing more from us very soon.”
To learn more about the Beacon Hill at Eastgate services and community, click here.
Award-winning local author Susie Finkbeiner wrote her first novel in secret.
“I would sneak out and go to a coffee shop and write for an hour,” said Finkbeiner. “Nobody knew I was writing a novel. Not even my husband.”
Since that first novel, Finkbeiner has written several more, with awards following close behind.
Two-time winner of the Michigan Notable Book Award, a Christy Award Nominee and Selah Award Finalist, Finkbeiner is making waves in the historical fiction genre.
Stories = Love
The Wyoming author is more thrilled to have the opportunity to be a full-time storyteller than she is by awards.
“My family is very story-centric,” said Finkbeiner. “My dad is also a novelist, and he would always tell us stories. My mom would read to us all the time, and do the voices of the characters.”
One of Finkbeiner’s earliest memories is of her big sister reading a story to her.
“When [my siblings] had to practice reading, my mom would send them to read to me,” said Finkbeiner with a laugh. “My big sister reading a story to me, I felt very loved.
“That is the feeling I associate with that memory. So in my mind, sharing stories equates to sharing love.”
That value of books and stories is something Finkbeiner tries to instill in her own children.
Writing in the margins
Finkbeiner was writing plays for a local church and blogging snippets about life when a friend said she should write a novel.
At first, the idea seemed crazy to Finkbeiner. Then… “That little seed of a thought kept growing.”
Chasing after three young children and being employed didn’t leave a lot of time for writing. That time was carved out in quiet moments at coffee shops and while her children were sleeping.
Finkbeiner’s first novel began in a coffee shop (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“I would write when they were napping, I would write when they went to bed,” said Finkbeiner. “I really wrote in those margins.”
After finishing the first draft, Finkbeiner thought it might have some potential.
“I never knew if it would go anywhere,” said Finkbeiner. “I got a lot of rejections.”
After several of those rejections, Finkbeiner decided to change course for bit.
What did I get myself into…?
Finkbeiner posted on Facebook, committing to writing as many short stories as she was given ideas for during the month of September.
“I thought I would get three or four,” Finkbeiner said. “I got 32.”
With each story 1,500 words or less, the process taught Finkbeiner how to get to the point, characterization, and about working toward a deadline.
“It stretched me,” said Finkbeiner. “They would paint me in a corner and I had to find my way out. I learned so much.”
But Finkbeiner has no plans to repeat that challenge.
“I don’t know if I could ever do it again. Now that I write such long pieces, 1,500 words sounds like a sprint.”
While Finkbeiner was posting 32 stories in 30 days, an editor was paying attention. Shortly after that short story challenge, Finkbeiner received a request for her novel.
The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
History? No, thank you!
While Finkbeiner’s novels are centered around historic events and times, it took some time for her to embrace the genre.
“My first two novels were contemporary because I didn’t think I could write historical fiction,” said Finkbeiner. “It seemed too daunting to me. In my mind, historical fiction was the 1700s, 1800s, the Civil War. I just didn’t want to reach back that far, so I thought [that genre] wouldn’t be for me.”
Another deterrent was that most historical fiction Finkbeiner saw was centered around romance – a genre she was not comfortable writing.
After reading a novel set in the 1930s, however, Finkbeiner realized she could write a Depression Era book.
“It worked,” said Finkbeiner. “And I realized how much I love the research. The 20th Century is fascinating. So much happened in this very condensed amount of time. And the research is a lot easier to access.”
The author especially enjoys talking to people who have lived experience in certain time periods.
“My dad wrote his memoirs of his time in Vietnam for me to use as research,” said Finkbeiner. “[I talked] to my mom about how she straightened her hair. It helps me feel connected to my grandparents and my parents in a way that I don’t know that I could otherwise.
“It makes me feel empathy for them. You grow to understand what they lived through.”
Anything is possible
“The ideas come in different ways every time,” said Finkbeiner. “It’s the most exciting part.”
The All-American, Finbeiner’s latest release, was inspired by two separate books that she read simultaneously.
“One was about [the author’s] father being accused of being a Communist, and the other was about women playing baseball,” said Finkbeiner. “Then I realized that the timelines met up between those two historical events.
“What’s less American than being accused of being a Communist, and what’s more American than baseball? What would happen if I put those two together?”
Written over two years, The All-American is a coming-of-age novel about two sisters in the 1950s. Finkbeiner’s relatable characters create a moving novel that inspires readers to dream big and believe anything is possible.
“I’ve been the recipient twice, which feels like getting struck by lightning twice – in a good way,” said Finkbeiner. “I think that one is so important to me because I love being a Michigander.”
That the recognition came from the Library of Michigan, and knowing she is part of the literary legacy of Michigan, is also meaningful to Finkbeiner.
“The library, throughout my life, it’s been one of those constant presences,” Finkbeiner said. “Sometimes during difficult times in childhood, I would go to the library and grab some books. Being honored by the library that made me who I am, it’s encouragement to keep going.”
Messages & Misconceptions
The misconception of writers not having contact with people is damaging, said Finkbeiner.
“I’m a noisy introvert,” said Finkbeiner. “I love public speaking. My favorite speaking events are at libraries because you get to meet readers. We really need to know who our readers are, because they are who we’re serving.”
Author Susie Finkbeiner on WKTV Journal Soundbites (Courtesy, WKTV)
“My novels aren’t just happy and fluffy,” Finkbeiner continued. “Things happen to the people in them. But through it, I always want the reader to know there is hope, that we are not left to despair. We all suffer, we all struggle, but there’s hope in the people around us, in faith, in the way that we can overcome.”
Any messages in Finkbeiner’s novels come organically, and tend to surprise her.
“That’s the beauty of writing and telling stories. Once it’s out there, it’s not mine anymore. It’s the reader’s. That is another reason why I like to meet readers; they always have insights that I would not have thought of.”
Words of wisdom
“There is a lot of rejection,” Finkbeiner said in advice to other writers. “When those rejections come, don’t quit. Sometimes it means it’s provoking them in a way that makes them uncomfortable. That can be good, because they will think about it later.”
Finkbeiner also gives writers permission to not write every day.
Giving your mind rest is necessary for creativity (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“You’ve got to let your mind rest,” said Finkbeiner. “You’ve got to let it wander. You’ve got to take in other art. Writing every day is not good for us. It’s too much hustle, and I don’t think art comes out of hustle.”
No guilt here!
“To readers, I would say that there is no guilty pleasure in reading,” said Finkbeiner. “Don’t let anyone judge you for it. If you like to read many things, go ahead. That’s what the library is there for. And if you don’t like a book, stop reading it.”
Next up: Joy of writing
Finkbeiner is busy writing a novel that is not currently under contract.
“I don’t have a deadline, so I feel a kind of freedom and space to breathe a little bit,” said Finkbeiner, adding that she is simply enjoying the process of writing right now.
Learn more about Susie Finkbeiner and her novels by clicking here.
Guillermo Galindo playing an instrument inspired by desert effigies (Courtesy, GRAM)
A multi-sensory exhibition addressing the complexities of the Mexican-American border is now on display at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM).
Border Cantos / Sonic Border is a collaboration between photographer Richard Misrach and composer/artist Guillermo Galindo. Misrach and Galindo came together in 2011 after discovering they were both creating work related to the border.
Composed of photographic landscapes, sonic composition, musical sculptures, found objects and interactive elements, Border Cantos introduces distinct yet interrelated ways of experiencing the human consequences of immigration policies.
“It provides a platform for us to talk about a really difficult issue – what’s happening along the U.S. – Mexican border,” said GRAM Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Jennifer Wcisel.
Richard Misrach (Courtesy, GRAM)
Wcisel went on to say that the artists are not making overt political statements with their work. Rather, they are attempting to communicate the experience of crossing that border region.
“Art is a powerful tool for creating conversations, challenging perspectives, and encouraging empathy,” said Wcisel.
Though Michigan is geographically removed from that border region, Wcisel believes in the importance of bringing Border Cantos to West Michigan.
“This is a conversation that our whole country should be engaged in,” said Wcisel. “I’m hoping that the show provides some understanding, some empathy, and starts to get people thinking about the circumstances of their own lives. And how the circumstances for others could be different based on nothing but chance or where they were born.”
More than just beauty
As a photographer, Misrach was drawn to the beauty of the desert.
While working in the desert, Misrach began seeing evidence of people, changes to the landscape – and then sections of border wall being built.
Border wall at Jacumba in 2015 (Courtesy, GRAM)
The artist could no longer think of the desert in relation to beauty only.
While both men have spent time in the border regions, most objects are collected by Misrach and sent to Galindo. Galindo then transforms those objects into musical instruments.
A photographic revelation
Portion of border wall in Los Indios, TX (Courtesy, GRAM)
Entering the Border Cantos exhibition, visitors will encounter ten of Misrach’s large-scale photographic works, organized in order of human intervention.
Guests will see the beauty that originally drew the artist, but also the border wall cutting through the landscape.
One photograph features a small section of wall standing alone in a remote location.
“At the time, it had just been erected and [Misrach] took a photograph assuming they were going to build more,” said Wcisel. “He returned three years later expecting it to look different. It did not.”
Another photograph captures drag tracks. Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) drag heavy objects behind pickup trucks to create smooth paths in the sand, making it easier to spot footprints.
Effigies found by Misrach (Courtesy, GRAM)
“They’re deliberately making it difficult for migrants to conceal their paths when they cross,” Wcisel said. “In response, migrants create booties made out of carpet, foam, anything to obfuscate their paths.”
One photograph contains a mystery that the artist hasn’t been able to solve.
The effigies, as Misrach and Gilando call them, resemble stick figures dressed in discarded clothing.
“Richard came across these and doesn’t know if they were grave sites, or memorials, or warnings. But whoever made them clearly stopped and took a lot of time to construct these,” said Wcisel, adding that she was unable to find any examples of similar effigies.
A symphony of objects
Border Cantos is one of the first times GRAM has incorporated a musical composition as part of an exhibition.
One of Gilando’s instruments created from found objects (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Eight instruments continuously play a composition created by Gilando in the gallery space as visitors walk through. Speakers inside each instrument pedestal play notes and rhythms from that instrument.
“If you’re standing in the middle, it’s like being surrounded by an orchestra,” said Wcisel.
Digging deeper
At first glance, Gilando’s instruments formed from found objects simply seem creative. A closer look, however, gives a disturbing revelation.
Instrument inspired by desert effigies (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Several found objects used as integral parts of the instruments are vertebrae and shotgun shells.
“When you really think about what [the instrument] is made out of…I think that’s very unsettling,” said Wcisel.
Vertebrae, shotgun shells, and rocks comprise this musical instrument (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Wcisel revealed that many migrants die from dehydration while trying to cross the border. A bottle wrapped in a towel shows attempts to prevent water from evaporating in the desert heat.
Water station near Calexico, CA (Courtesy, GRAM)
Humanitarian groups create water stations by placing barrels labeled Agua/Water in the most dangerous regions. However, BPAs often shoot at the barrels, or stop and empty the water.
A landscape that appears to be decorated with confetti is actually littered with thousands of shotgun shells from a BPA practice range.
A Border Patrol target range near GulfCoast, TX is littered with thousands of empty shotgun shells (Courtesy, GRAM)
“As you think deeper about all of these things,” Wcisel said, “you’re like, why are they doing this, why are they armed, why are they practicing?”
The connection between Misrach’s photographs and Gilando’s instruments is unique, said Wcisel. “Even though they might not have been creating the work together, there’s a sense of dialogue between the works.”
Increased danger
A large map of the border shows strategic placement of the border wall.
Sections of wall were built in areas with cities on either side of the border because those were more common crossing sites. This has forced migrants to cross in other areas.
Colorful shotgun shells were used in Galindo’s musical creations (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“People are going to these blank sections where there are no cities, they are far less populated, and it is far more dangerous to be out there in the desert so far away from any help,” said Wcisel. “It has really made the crossing all that more dangerous.”
Time for reflection
The final portion of the Border Cantos exhibit offers a chance for reflection and sharing.
Benches allow seating for guests as they watch videos of Gilando playing the exhibit instruments.
An interactive section allows visitors to share their migration story by writing or drawing about their family’s experiences moving to a new place on sticky notes, then placing them on a map.
Drag marks made by BPAs to better see footprints (Courtesy, GRAM)
“It gets at the idea that we all came from somewhere,” said Wcisel. “Migration is such an integral part of humanity. Humanity is always moving and responding to crises and change.”
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan helped immigrants who made the border crossing, and are now living in Grand Rapids, tell their stories of migration.
“Those also will be added to this experience, but in a more permanent way,” said Wcisel.
A migration story on canvas
As guests prepare to leave the exhibit, a large oil painting by Michigan State University art professor Teresa Dunn tells one last migration story.
El Corrido De Javier Salas Vera details the journey of a man named Javier as he crossed the border into the United States.
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Every image incorporated into the canvas has meaning.
Dark and light portions of the painting represent the three day and night cycles of Javier’s crossing from Mexico. Depictions of a coyote, skull, and grave represent danger and death.
Captured in vibrant color is Javier’s arrival to the United States, meeting his wife, a time of deportation to Mexico, and the birth of his son.
A song in the bottom left corner of the canvas touches on a Mexican musical tradition of epic hero stories told through song.
“That was sort of her touch point for telling this story,” said Wcisel. “Javier’s story is like one of these heroic songs from Mexican culture.”
Dunn painted Javier’s story, Wcisel said, to encourage people to put themselves in someone else’s shoes for a moment, and remember that no one is truly removed from this situation.
Still doing the work
A unique Galindo musical creation (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
As Wcisel helps give voice to the thousands of people who have journeyed through the borderlands in hopes of a better life, she admits her job as curator can be emotionally difficult at times.
“It always feels very personal, whatever it is, because the artists are doing such meaningful things and trying to put these meaningful messages out into the world,” said Wcisel. “It’s hard not to make it personal.
“But what’s also lovely is getting to know these artists. It’s nice to see how optimistic and still hopeful they are about these things. They’re still out there, they’re still doing the work.”
Wcisel encourages GRAM visitors to reflect on the humanity shown in the Border Cantos migration experiences, and have empathy for the plight of migrants everywhere.
Exhibition details
Border Cantos / Sonic Border can be viewed through April 28, and is presented in both English and Spanish.
For more information about the exhibit and related events, click here.
Our Trip follows 12 Vietnam veterans back to Vietnam in 1995. Using WKTV Community Media facilities, Vietnam veteran Tom Sibley produced the 40-minute video with footage and photographs taken by the returning veterans and Grand Rapids Press staff that accompanied them. Recorded interviews with participants after the trip were also included.
The Our Trip experience
(Courtesy, Tom Sibley)
After a brief history of the United States involvement in Vietnam, the video combines the veterans’ wartime experiences via the various stages of the trip. Sibley said the trip was special and inspiring, but all veterans were “amazed by the warm welcome and friendliness of the people we met.”
The trip included a search for the helicopter crash site that killed pilot Floyd Olsen, a friend of one of the trip veterans. The crash site was located near the village of Hong Ha. Friends and relatives of Olsen later built a medical clinic at the village.
A visit to an orphanage found the veterans interacting with the children and then painting the orphanage. A year later, one of the veterans and his wife completed an adoption of two girls he met while at the orphanage.
Meaning, healing, and peace
Approximately 90 were in attendance for the video showing. James Smither, GVSU Veterans History Project Director, provided historical background and invited those in attendance to share their stories.
(Courtesy, Tom Sibley)
“Several of the veterans discussed how their faith had helped them get through their war experiences and make peace with them,” Smither told WKTV.
Showing the video at the MVH allowed residents to participate, Sibley said. Smither added that it brought an audience of people who had not seen it before.
“Many of them were Vietnam veterans, and two of them were in the video and had never seen it,” said Smither. “The video also says a lot about the Vietnam experience and what it means to be a veteran, so it was an appropriate venue. We drew a good crowd, and they clearly appreciated the video.”
After the video, all were invited for a social time with cake and coffee prepared by Connie Ceton and MVH staff.
MVH Volunteer Coordinator Gretchen Muir and Activity Director Becky Smit organized the event.
“Congratulations to Robel Abebe, who performed with the All-State Jazz Band last Saturday!” said EKHS Band Director Sho Dembinski in a school social media shout-out.
“Robel was selected from over 2,000 students to play with this band, and spent Thursday and Friday at the Amway Grand in Downtown GR to prepare for his concert. Way to go, Robel!”
The All-State Jazz performance was held Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. in the Amway Ambassador Ballroom.
Advancing to the All-State program is a competitive process and requires talent and diligence. Being accepted to All-State is considered one of the highest honors a high school musician can receive.
(Courtesy photo)
Students must prepare a 10-minute recorded audition that includes sight-reading, an announced etude and a series of scales. Auditions are submitted using only an identification number with no reference to the student or school.
The auditions are then evaluated by an adjudicator and placed in order. The required number of instruments is then selected to fill each section in the five All-State ensembles: Middle School String Orchestra, Middle School Band, High School Full Orchestra, High School Band and High School Jazz Ensemble.
Approximately 2,500 students audition each year for 400 seats in the All-State ensembles.
In January, the students assemble for two and a half days of rehearsal with nationally recognized conductors. All-State ensembles then perform in a concert held Saturday of the MMC.
(Courtesy photo)
Michigan Music Conference
“The purpose of the Michigan Music Conference is to provide relevant professional development and vibrant musical experiences that support music education for educators and their students,” states the MMC website.
Featuring school ensemble concerts, performances from Honors Choirs, All-State Bands, and Orchestras; sessions for in-service and pre-service teachers; professional development clinics; hands-on technology workshops; and association membership and business meetings, MMC attendance draws approximately 9,000 teachers, administrators, students, speakers, and guests each year.
A champagne toast on Jan. 24 marked the 100th birthday of the Women’s City Club (WCC) of Grand Rapids.
A century of friendship and community outreach was celebrated with a centennial birthday luncheon in the Blythefield Country Club ballroom. The event served as the kick-off event for a year of planned activities highlighting WCC’s legacy.
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
And though some may think that the WCC is simply a social club, a closer look reveals that the Club is much more than a “coffee clutch,” as WCC President Wendy Sturm says.
“The City Club has had a great impact on the community of Grand Rapids,” says Sturm. “Not only have we lasted, we’re relevant.”
An historic footprint
“In 1924, a group of women in the community – the shakers and movers – got together and decided that there was a need for women to get together, be able to socialize, network with their interests, with their careers,” says Sturm. “And that was the very beginning of the Women’s City Club.”
Previous WCC President Kathleen Ray says that women were attracted to the WCC because it provided opportunities for women to learn, communicate and network with other women at a time when that option was scarce.
One of the WCC’s historians, Marcie Woods, is intrigued by the diversity of the founding members.
“Diversity today seems to be boiled down to a racial issue, but they were so diverse in education, background, social class and occupation,” says Woods. “But they were all united in wanting a place where they could just be women.”
The WCC has stayed strong throughout the years for many reasons.
“In addition to being forward-thinking, the members of the Club have always been strong, creative leaders who are willing to invest their time and talent in the organization,” says Ray. “Flexibility and ingenuity were regularly used when facing challenges.”
That ingenuity was seen in the early years when the WCC convinced the telephone company to conduct a survey of Club membership about what programs they would like to see aired. The Club also accepted military payment certificates (script) as payment for dues and lunches during WWII, and converted all programs and events to Zoom during the pandemic.
“The city is our clubhouse”
Judge Sara Smolenski, special guest and long-time favorite of the WCC, gave the keynote presentation in honor of her late mother, a WCC member.
“When you think about ‘Cheers to 100 Years,’ you’re thinking of all the things the Women’s City Club has done over the years,” says Smolenski. “You travel around this great city, and that’s where you have your celebrations.
“The enrichment programs you have, the community outreach…it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Judge Sara Smolenski, keynote speaker (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Enriching lives
Sturm says there is a lot of enrichment and fulfillment to be found in the WCC, with education being a primary Club goal.
“We attend these fabulous lectures, and learn together,” says Sturm. “It provides a lot of experiences that you might not otherwise have.
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“It stimulates you intellectually, socially, it provides a network of friendship that is really important.”
The WCC’s Enrichment Committee provides an abundance of programs for Club members. All programs relate to the Club’s mission statement: to provide educational, civic and social activities through study, community service and friendly associations.
“We have very well-rounded programming,” says Ray, citing programs about science and nature, arts and entertainment, philosophy, positive communication skills, fashion shows, book clubs, a Maj group, outreach opportunities – and more.
“We are not just little old ladies playing bridge,” Ray continues. “We are active, intelligent women who represent a wide variety of interests and passions.”
Making a difference
Equally important to the WCC is giving back to the community. This is accomplished through various nonprofits, charities and local schools.
The annual Impact Award was developed in conjunction with Union High School to provide an opportunity for high school juniors to win a cash scholarship.
WCC President Wendy Sturm welcomes members (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“We wanted to provide an award that would inspire juniors to the next level, to reach out, to develop their skills and abilities and get ready for whatever path they choose in life,” says Sturm, adding that the award can be used in any way the winning student sees fit, without stipulations.
To apply, students present a piece of work that reflects a person that has had a great impact on their life to that point.
“[The work] can be music, it can be written, it can be artwork – however they can express themselves,” says Sturm. “We didn’t want to put people in a box and only have one type.
“We wanted to open it up so they can express themselves in any unique way, have an opportunity to be recognized, and have an opportunity to develop those skills.”
The scholarship winner is honored with a celebration lunch where they have an opportunity to talk with the WCC members.
“One of the most remarkable experiences I’ve had with the Women’s City Club is watching these juniors come up to the podium,” says Sturm. “They’re so nervous and timid, and their voices are very small – and as we engage them with our questions and our interest, they blossom.”
Their greatest legacy
“Our greatest legacy is that, for over 90 years, we had a historic home in Grand Rapids called the Sweet House,” says Sturm. “That was our clubhouse, and we wanted that to be taken care of for perpetuity.”
Diane Jones (left) chats with a guest (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The Sweet House Foundation was formed with the sole intent of preserving the Sweet House and its contents.
“The WCC donated property, house, and contents – which included valuable paintings, musical instruments, and architectural details – and established the 501 C3 foundation,” says Ray.
“Grand Rapids has a historic home built in the mid-1800s that is being preserved for the future generations of Grand Rapids,” says Sturm. “We do very impactful things in the community, and [the Sweet House] is one that will live beyond all of us.”
Friendship
Sturm went on to say that the Club women advocate for each other. “We respect each other; we really treasure each other.”
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Ray agrees, saying, “The Club has provided me with a group of friends who are supportive, interesting and fun! They are unafraid to be themselves and voice their opinion – even if you don’t agree – because they know it’s a safe place.
“They are respectful, encouraging, and highly motivated. This Club is all about relationships, and I treasure the ones I have at the Club!”
The WCC has adopted the pink rose – which symbolizes friendship – as their Club flower.
As a memento of the WCC’s 100 years and those friendships, the Club designed and launched a jewelry collection featuring the pink rose. Each piece is customized, personalized, and stamped with the Club’s birth year.
What’s next in the centennial celebration?
The 100-Year Planning Committee formed several years ago in preparation for this year, culminating in a variety of planned events.
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
February will feature the launch of an online merchandise catalog for members.
“They are fascinated to have us as their guest to do this program and represent 100 years of women in the community of Grand Rapids,” says Sturm.
Kathleen Ray leads members in a toast (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
GRPM’s March 14 event will also feature the launch of “Our First 100 Years” history book written by WCC historians Carol Dodge and Marcie Woods. In addition to the book presentation, songs highlighting each decade will be performed on the piano.
The event is open to the public and free to attend. Free registration tickets for the event can be found here.
As 2024 progresses, the WCC will host a gala-style, red carpet event to recognize women throughout history who have been involved with the Club.
The centennial year will end with the WCC’s annual Evergreen Gala.
“We have a wonderful legacy that I hope people will come and learn about through our celebrations throughout this year,” says Sturm.
“Cheers to 100 Years” – a toast by Kathleen Ray (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Empowering women
“The group that we are today, we’re a very modern group of women,” says Sturm. “We’re shakers and movers in the community; we have a history of making things happen.
“And that was one of the reasons our group was founded. Leadership got together and wanted to socialize and make a difference – and they did.”
Interested in joining the WCC?
Individuals over 18 who are interested in becoming a member of the WCC may request an application from a member of the Club, the Membership Chair, or the Club Administer at wccgrbusiness@gmail.com.
Released in September 2023, 100 Things is an ode to the town Bareman fell in love with 20 years ago when she moved to Holland, Michigan.
A native of the Wyoming-Kentwood area, Bareman had only been to Holland once during her childhood – while on a school field trip to see the De Klomp Wooden Shoe & Delftware Factory.
“That was my sole experience with Holland,” says Bareman. Many years later, Bareman met her husband, got married and moved to Holland. “In the short time after moving to Holland, I just fell in love.”
The artsy, close-knit community calls to Bareman. Being a college town, Holland also offers a variety of events throughout the year.
“We have a lot of really cool events and tons of parks,” says Bareman. “It’s just a beautiful town, and right on the lakeshore.”
How Hip Grandma with a Camera was born
Bareman loves to travel and make friends at every stop (Courtesy, Veronica Bareman)
Bareman’s love of photography founded Veronicajune Photography. Over the years, she became known as “the girl with the camera.”
“Whenever I would show up I would have the camera, so people would laugh about that,” says Bareman.
Five years ago, Bareman began blogging about photography – and welcomed her first grandchild into the world.
“People started laughing and saying, ‘Oh, you’re the grandma with a camera,’” says Bareman. “Then I had a friend who took one look at me and said, ‘You can’t be the grandma with the camera. You’ve got pink hair, you’ve got to be hipper than that. You’re a Hip Grandma with a Camera.’”
Between the pink hair and Bareman’s energy level, Hip Grandma with a Camera stuck.
A life shift: becoming a travel blogger
The photography blog led to traveling as Bareman’s five children grew up and moved out of the house.
“Life has a way of just kind of morphing here and there,” Bareman says. “All of a sudden, I find myself in this travel space where I’m traveling.”
And wherever Bareman travels, her camera goes as well.
People often miss what is right in front of them in their own communities, says Bareman (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Invited into communities across the country, Bareman visits destinations and then posts on social media about what the communities have to offer.
At every travel destination, Bareman chats with hotel employees and waitstaff at local establishments. They always ask why she is in their town, and Bareman replies that she travels to see what that town has to offer.
The travel blogger says the responses are overwhelmingly similar: We don’t have anything to see or do around here.
“No matter where I go, this is what people say,” says Bareman. “We’re all so busy thinking about where we should go next, and what plane we should get on.
“If you just look around, most communities have a ton of things to see and do.”
Bareman believes she was given a unique perspective on her own community because she moved to Holland as an adult. Instead of taking the town’s offerings for granted, she embraced each new opportunity to explore what was right in front of her.
“We just kind of take it for granted that ‘Someday we’ll go see that, but we’re planning something else right now,’” says Bareman. “It’s definitely a phenomenon. It happens everywhere, not just here in West Michigan. It happens all over the country.”
An ironic revelation
Then, almost two years ago, Bareman realized the irony attached to her travel blog.
“I’m writing about everything and I come home to the best town…why haven’t I written extensively about Holland?” Bareman asked herself.
Bareman realized she had never written about the place she loves most (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Bareman found the response from her previous travel destinations was the same response she found in Holland.
“People don’t know what’s within twenty minutes of their own back door,” Bareman says.
That revelation led the travel blogger to contact publishing company Reedy Press.
“They have a series of 100 Things books,” says Bareman. “I pitched the Holland, Michigan idea to them, and they were on board.”
100 Things to do in Holland, Michigan Before You Die has been well-received by people, Bareman says. Many local readers have told Bareman they had no idea certain attractions existed in their own backyard.
What came before and what’s next
(Courtesy Photo)
Bareman’s 100 Things is actually her second publication.
Twelve authors throughout the Midwest came together and compiled an informative book on Midwest state parks.
Titled Midwest State Park Adventures, the book covers all state parks in the Midwest states, with Bareman penning the Michigan chapter.
“Michigan has 108 state parks,” says Bareman. “I did a deep dive into those to figure out who has camping, trails and kayaking, then specifically wrote from firsthand experience.”
Bareman is looking at participating in another author compilation that will cover Midwest museums. She is also in conversation with Reedy Press about writing a bigger, more Michigan-centric book.
Never stop exploring
“Life goes on past 50, and it can be the most exciting time of your life,” says Bareman. “I’m in my 50s now, and life has taken off in my 50s in a bigger way than through all of the years prior.”
Bareman is loving her Hip Grandma Life and continues to carry her camera everywhere she goes. Her days consist of traveling, writing, photography, and speaking engagements.
Bareman says we should never stop learning and exploring (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
And, most importantly, being a grandma to her two grandchildren while looking forward to welcoming more into the Hip Grandma fold.
Bareman encourages those around her to never stop exploring, no matter their age.
“Don’t forget to explore your own backyard,” says Bareman. “We have the gift of a lifetime of experience and look through a whole different lens than we would have when we were 25 and trying to figure life out.
“Now we’ve kind of got the gift of having it figured out. We never stopped learning, and we never have it completely figured out, but certainly those years of experience are a huge gift when you’re at this point in life.”
Inspiration to get you started
Adventures of the pink-haired, high-energy Hip Grandma with a Camera can be found on her website, Hip Grandma Life.
WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed went behind the scenes with author Chavonne Mateen and her debut novel, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, on WKTV Soundbites (Courtesy, WKTV)
Set in an urban magical realm, Mateen’s middle grade novel contains everything the author loves about the fantasy genre – and about life.
“I have always been a huge fan of fantasy fiction,” said Mateen, adding that the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and the Children of Blood and Bone series by Tomi Adeyemi are among her favorite reads.
When not writing, Mateen fills her time as an HR Technologist for HRIS Streamline Consulting, is an Associate Integration Consultant for iCIMS, and is a self-professed serial entrepreneur.
Already living a life busy with the HR works she loves, this reporter couldn’t resist asking Mateen about the driving force behind her desire to pen a novel.
Living life to the fullest
“People go on journeys in life,” said Mateen. “One day I was writing down things I wanted to accomplish. Starting a business was one, finishing school was another, and writing a rap.
“The next one was to write a book. That’s how this was born.”
Mateen talked with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed about what lies at the heart of her debut novel (Courtesy, WKTV)
Not only did Mateen decide to write a book, she decided to create something groundbreaking that was also relatable.
Mateen wanted to write what she deemed was missing in the fantasy genre – a series featuring a beautiful, strong and present family that sticks together.
“I decided that I wanted to write something that I could relate to,” said Mateen. “This is more in an urban setting, and it’s characters that I can relate to.”
Shaylah’s journey is one of self-discovery.
Suddenly inundated with nightly visions of her deceased grandfather, Shaylah begins asking her mother some hard questions. As long-kept family secrets are revealed, the young teen realizes that she also holds magical powers and abilities.
Mateen chats about Shaylah Marston merchandise and fan art (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“When they begin telling her these secrets, that’s when the story begins to unfold and the magic occurs,” said Mateen.
The young heroine embarks on a mission with her family and friends, intent on saving a distant world and restoring her family’s name.
With a diverse cast of characters and a relatable and inspiring protagonist, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots weaves powerful themes of friendship, courage and self-discovery throughout its pages.
Deemed “an exhilarating coming-of-age extravaganza” and “unapologetic fantasy fiction at its finest” by beta readers, Mateen’s novel will transport readers to a world brimming with adventure.
Interested readers can visit Mateen’s website to pre-order a copy of the novel, sign up for notifications regarding Shaylah Marston events and news, and purchase Shaylah Marston merchandise.
But Mateen isn’t stopping there.
Big screen goals
Bringing Shaylah Marston to the big screen as a Netflix series is a goal Mateen is already working to set in motion.
“That’s the ultimate goal, to bring it to the big screen, bring it to life, and bring the awareness to Grand Rapids that we do have offerings and more creatives in this space,” said Mateen.
Expanding worlds, chasing dreams
Mateen is currently working on the second Shaylah Marston novel (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Mateen plans to expand Shaylah Marston’s world through writing, though she admits that the writing process is not always easy.
“I’ve experienced roadblocks, setbacks, tumbles and stumbles,” said Mateen.
But she doesn’t let that stop her, and she encourages others to push through those difficulties as well.
“Just continue to write,” said Mateen. “Pick up that pen. If you don’t have a pen, pick up your phone. Jot those ideas down. You can always revisit and expand on it, but you have to start somewhere and keep at it because it’s a work in progress.
“It’s not going to always be perfect. But continue pressing forward.”
To learn more about Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, visit the Shaylah Marston website and Facebook page.
Live reindeer from GG Reindeer Farm came to visit (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Brianna Pena Wojtanek, Wyoming Communications Specialist, was excited to see the reindeer (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
All ages joined in at the craft tables! (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Wyoming PD officers created a festive sleigh (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Members of the Fire Department helped collect the clothing donations(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Wyoming PD Wrap Up Wyoming (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Council Member-At-Large Tommy Brann (left) and Mayor Kent Vanderwood showed their support of the holiday event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Jingle Jams, led by Parks and Recreation Director Krashawn Martin (left) and Wyoming Senior Center Chad Boprie, were a favorite! (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
deborah@wktv.org
Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, live music and cookie decorating were only a few highlights of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department’s new holiday event, Wrap Up Wyoming (WUW), that took place Friday, Dec. 1.
Not only did the holiday festivities help bring residents and neighbors together for an evening of fun at the Wyoming Senior Center, WUW also kickstarted a donation drive that will run throughout the month of December.
Wrapping Wyoming in warmth
Warm winter clothing was a greater need in the Wyoming area this year (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
After talking with school partners and other community members, it became apparent there was a great need for warm winter clothing.
“What a lot of the schools need more than anything are coats, hats and boots for their students,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director. “Things that go well beyond the holidays [and] into the colder months.”
Attendees donated new warm clothing such as hats, gloves, scarves, coats and boots. The collected items will be distributed to Wyoming area schools.
“The reason we do this is so that residents can give back to the City, and to residents in need,” said Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood. “Part of my heart and my passion is to help those who need help.
“Sometimes it’s hard for people to know how they should give gifts at Christmas to those in need. By donating in this way, it makes it a little easier for them. I really enjoy the giving part of it.”
The Wyoming Jazz Band played several festive tunes (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Also in attendance was Tommy Brann, Wyoming City Council Member-At-Large, who likened the festivities to a Hallmark movie.
“This reminds you of a Hallmark movie where it brings the community together, and everybody is in a good mood,” said Brann.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were available for pictures and a merry chat (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Brann went on to say that he wishes the donation drive could continue all year. “People need help year-round, but this is a great thing, and I’m glad Wyoming is doing this.”
Martin agreed that there is a great need for help and support – and the City will step forward to meet that need.
“Anything we can do here at the City of Wyoming and as a community to meet that need for our families, we are looking and willing to do,” said Martin.
Music, Santa, and Cookies – Oh My!
Those with a sweet tooth could decorate their own cookie (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Special performances by the Wyoming Jazz Band and storytime with KDL Branch Librarian Adrianna Triche provided festive experiences for all age groups.
Seeing children’s faces light up with smiles was Martin’s favorite part of the event.
“Anything that is going to bring a smile to a child’s face,” said Martin. “When they come in, their faces are going to light up when they see the Christmas tree, when they see Santa…There are some fun surprises tonight.”
WPD Officers Tyler Zbikowski and Jack Tromp show off their cookie decorating skills (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Live reindeer from GG Reindeer Farm were in attendance, and allowed pictures and petting. Santa and Mrs. Claus were available for pictures and merry conversation, and WKTV Community Media recorded holiday greetings for city officials and residents.
Members of Wyoming Public Safety also participated in the festivities. Members of the fire department organized and collected clothing donations, and several police officers joined in at the craft tables and cookie decorating stations.
A Jingle Jam Sing-A-Long led by Martin and Wyoming Senior Center Director Chad Boprie rounded out the evening.
A new holiday tradition
KDL Branch Librarian Adrianna Triche read a holiday story to the crowd (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“This event is a wonderful way to ring in the holiday season and spend quality time with friends and family,” said Martin. “It’s the perfect opportunity to talk to your little ones about the importance of lending a hand and giving back to your community.”
Boprie said that, since having his own children, he sees the importance of events like WUW that provide ways for people to connect with one another.
“Ever since having kids, my view on things like this has totally shifted,” said Boprie. “Even more, I see the importance of events like this to bring the community together, to create family traditions that you can pass on and share with your kids.”
It takes a village
Clothing donations will be distributed among local schools (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“[For] events like this, it takes a team, it takes a village,” said Martin. “The Parks and Recreation team does a lot to prepare months in advance, but we can’t do events like this without the community support we receive.
“We are grateful for our City leaders and for our sponsors – LMCU and Challenge Island – to help make things like this possible.”
If you were unable to attend but would still like to donate, WUW donation bins are available at Wyoming City Hall through the month of December.
To learn more about the City of Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department, click here.
Local nonprofit is determined to bring Christmas to thousands of Kent County children despite the fire at their storage facility (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
A recent fire destroyed over 5,000 of gifts intended for families in need this Christmas. But Santa Claus Girls (SCG) of Kent County is determined to keep Christmas alive for the 8,500 children registered this year.
At 9 p.m. on Nov. 24, multiple agencies responded to a fire at the DeltaPlex Arena in Walker that began in a west wall of the building.
Over 5,000 gifts were damaged by smoke (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
An event center for many years, the Arena closed in summer of 2022, but remained the donation drop-off site for SCG.
Though flames did not reach the area where SCG operates, smoke infiltrated the area for hours, causing damage to thousands of gifts.
SCG Vice President Nancy Ditta said they have not been able to go through the gifts yet, and therefore are not sure if anything is salvageable. SCG will go through their storage area after the first of the year, and will know more then.
Right now, SCG’s focus is on making sure all registered children in need receive a gift in time for Christmas.
A Christmas pivot
“We have 8,500 kids, with 3,500 families, registered to receive gifts,” said Ditta. “We were able to purchase gift cards through Meijer, so we will be delivering gift cards instead of gifts to all of our recipients.”
Santa Claus Girls wants every child to receive a gift on Christmas morning (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
The number of registered children is a decrease from the 13,000 children serviced in 2022 due to an unexpected registration cutoff.
“With the fire, we had to stop registrations early,” said Ditta.
With a delivery date of Dec. 9, monetary donations to help purchase gift cards are needed.
While toys, books, and other physical gifts are accepted, Ditta said monetary donations are best since SCG volunteers are not at the DeltaPlex location to accept donations.
Monetary donations can be made via credit card, PayPal or check. Detailed instructions on how to complete donations can be found on the SCG website.
Children and families in need will receive gift cards personally delivered to their door by one of 300 volunteer drivers on Saturday, Dec. 9.
A century of giving
SCG was founded in 1908 by Arianna VanDoorn of Park Congregational Church.
Sponsored by the late Arthur H. VandenBerg, then editor of the Grand Rapids Herald, VanDoorn collected $85 to provide gifts for 150 children who, due to unfortunate circumstances, would not receive gifts at Christmas.
The goal of SCG is to ensure all children in Kent County receives a gift on Christmas morning. Each child receives one new piece of clothing, one new toy, a new book, and hats and mittens.
(Courtesy photo)
For over a century, SCG has helped thousands of Kent County children between the ages of one and twelve years of age – yet many people don’t know the group exists.
“This is our 115th year, [and] a lot of people aren’t familiar with Santa Claus Girls,” said Ditta, adding that the tragedy of the DeltaPlex fire has made more people aware of SCG and their mission.
How you can give
SCG accepts donations at any time throughout the year. Because every person associated with SCG is a non-paid volunteer, 100% of collected funds go directly to the program.
Vonnie Woodrick is determined to change attitudes surrounding mental health (Courtesy, Davenport University)
By WKTV Staff
deborah@wktv.org
Woodrick has made mental health her life’s work (Supplied)
Davenport University leaders have announced that Yvonne (Vonnie) Woodrick has joined its Alumni Association Board for a three-year term. Woodrick, a West Michigan native, graduated from the university in 1984. She said it’s wonderful to be part of the university that means so much to her.
“It’s truly an honor to be in a position to highlight Davenport, a university that is near and dear to my heart,” said Woodrick. “Witnessing the growth from a college to a university has been amazing, and the expansion of Davenport’s mental and behavioral health services and academic programs is extremely important to me.”
Mental health is health
Mental health has been a focus for Woodrick since her husband, Rob, died from depression in 2003. The young widow with three children set out to change attitudes surrounding mental health and suicide. This cause has become her life’s work, and she founded the nonprofit organization i Understand in 2014.
Her work and Davenport’s recent additions of a campus wellness center and two master’s degrees connected to mental health make this renewed connection between Woodrick and the university even more meaningful. This fall, the university launched the Master of Science in Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration, and the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling.
“The actions taken in this area by Davenport leaders display their understanding that mental health is health,” Woodrick said. “At the university, the topic is discussed, resources are readily available and career choices in this field are cutting edge.
“I am grateful Davenport University is bringing the mental and brain health conversations to the forefront. I am excited to be a part of this, and can’t wait to see what the future holds in this area.”
Whole health for students
Woodrick joins 11 other Davenport alumni who serve the university and its mission through its Alumni Association Board.
“We’re delighted to have Vonnie join our strong alumni board,” said Rachel Render, Executive Vice President for Advancement at Davenport. “Vonnie’s expertise is important as we focus on the whole health of our students as they pursue their higher education dreams.”
With over 1,200 submissions in 2022, Michigan’s statewide short story contest is already garnering new writers and seeing submissions from veteran entrants.
Open to Michigan residents of all ages, the Write Michigan (WMI) competition is accepting submissions through Nov. 30.
Author Joel Armstrong, and a WMI judge of the Adult English category, encourages all those with a love of writing to enter the contest.
“The beautiful side of [writing] is your story can affect people differently,” said Armstrong. “There could be people who are not drawn to the other stories, but really resonate with yours.
“That’s the really cool thing about putting your stories out there. Someone is going to read it and respond to it, they are going to be thinking about it, and that’s the whole point.”
The power of perspective
A publishing house content editor and product developer, Armstrong has written multiple novels, published short stories in science fiction and fantasy magazines, and has entered short stories in WMI for the last few years.
The written word draws people in different ways (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Armstrong said he has been writing since he was young.
“It’s always been what I’ve wanted to do,” said Armstrong, adding that the draw of the written word is “the ability to see different perspectives and worlds. I’ve personally always read fantasy and science fiction, partly because I want to get outside of my own perspective.
“I think it’s really the power of really putting yourself into someone else’s shoes, seeing the world from their perspective, and just understanding how different people’s lived experience can be.”
Wodehouse, Dante, and Shakespeare – oh my!
First time WMI entrant and Grand Rapids resident, Joshua Boers, said he entered the contest because he was looking for a new writing project, and “the contest will keep us accountable to actually finish a story.”
Boers likened his fantasy/humor/historical fiction submission as “P.G. Wodehouse meets Dante’s Inferno.”
Experimenting with different forms of writing can lead to great things (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“I was reflecting one day that Wodehouse’s stories are so relaxing because his characters are all obsessed with pointless, low stakes things, and I wondered what would happen if you gave a Wodehouse story the highest possible stakes,” said Boers.
Boers admits that he likes making people laugh, which has been the primary goal of his stories to date. Experimenting with tone and voice also intrigue the publishing editorial assistant.
That particular urge is satisfied by writing Shakespearean sonnets based on random Wikipedia articles once a week with his wife and cousin.
Taken hostage by voices
Frankfort resident, Maggie Roberts VanHaften, will be entering WMI for the second time this year.
“I enter to get used to putting my work out for review and judging by people I do not know,” said VanHaften. “It is important to be comfortable with the fact that the judges may not be drawn to my style. Also, because I write from my heart, it is important for me not to take rejections personally.”
Creativity from the heart can inspire others (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
And writing from the heart is what drives VanHaften to put pen to paper as she gives voice to others who are unable to find words to express their stories.
“Many of my short stories are about people who have faced challenges and found a way through them,” said VanHaften.
“I write because I have to,” VanHaften continued. “I don’t have a choice, really. My stories generally come to me as my head hits the pillow, with a voice saying ‘write my story,’ and I can’t rest until I get it written down.”
VanHaften admitted that she has tried to give up writing at times, feeling she “wasn’t any good.” But “the hiatus has never lasted long. I just need to do it.”
Addicted to creativity
Full-time writer and artist, Mary Jane Pories of Grand Rapids, says she enters writing contests because it is one more way for her to get her writing out into the world and receive feedback.
The creative process is an opportunity to learn and grow (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Reading the work of contest winners also helps Pories “gain insights into how to craft my work and discover what stories/poems are moving readers.”
Though Pories hasn’t yet decided on her WMI submission genre, she says her works usually fall among the literary fiction, bildungsroman, or realistic fiction/creative nonfiction categories.
“Mostly, I write because I am addicted to the creative process because when I create, I learn things about myself and my world,” said Pories. “At the very least, the process raises more questions and increases my empathy for others.”
But Pories admits that her connection with writing often borders on a love/hate relationship.
“It can be hard and confusing at times,” said Pories. “But when a piece works, or surprises me, or makes a reader laugh, cry, or discover something about themselves or the world, writing can be immensely gratifying.”
Understanding chaos through stories
Teacher and previous WMI Reader’s Choice Award recipient, Marcie Woods, has entered the WMI contest every year since its inception in 2012.
The written word can be cathartic (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
“I took advantage of it to teach a short story unit with my accelerated middle school class,” said Woods. “And I believe in writing along with my students, so I wrote one, too.”
Woods said she loved reading student writing, especially student narratives, as a teacher.
“They are honest in their writing,” said Woods. “They pour out their souls on paper, and that is an awesome responsibility to read and to comment on.
“I myself love to write to help understand the chaos of my thoughts, to organize my life, and to tell myself stories.”
Winning the WMI Reader’s Choice Award, Woods said, was a boost to her spirits, but the real honor was knowing that “no one, without showing a good deal of quality and talent, can get into the semi-finals. [It was] sort of vindication of my right to teach writing.”
A WMI judge of Youth and Teen categories, Woods will judge in the Adult category this year as well.
The magic in our own backyard
Judging WMI contest submissions has been interesting and challenging for Armstrong, who currently works with non-fiction pieces every day. But Armstrong says he enjoys the contrast in genres.
“Fiction can be more subjective,” said Armstrong. “It’s more about how the story hits you emotionally. It’s an interesting change of pace from my normal work.”
The community aspect of the WMI contest and its submissions is why Armstrong looks forward to participating as a judge.
“Paying attention to what’s happening locally, and thinking about the writing that is happening in my own ‘backyard,’ is very exciting to me,” said Armstrong. “A lot of the writing is Michigan-specific, and it shows up in a lot of different ways. It’s interesting how location shows up for different writers, and what about Michigan they want to highlight.”
Believing the experience
Though there is a rubric for judging based on certain themes – such as character, themes and passion – Armstrong says for him, it’s all about believability.
Human connection is a large part of believability in writing (Courtesy Photo)
“Do I understand why the characters are doing what they are doing, do I understand their feelings…do I have that human-to-human connection with the people in the story?” said Armstrong. “And even if I don’t share their experience in the story – if I haven’t had what happened to them, happen to me – if I feel like I can experience it along with the characters, that’s often what I find most important in the story.
“That’s what is going to keep me reading and interested.”
To find out more about the WMI contest, or for guidelines on submissions, visit Write Michigan. The deadline for all submissions is Nov. 30.
Liz Brann-Stegehuis (left) and son Sean Stegehuis (right) continue the operation of Tommy Brann’s (middle) iconic Wyoming restaurant location (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
Tommy Brann opened a restaurant at age 19, becoming the youngest restaurant owner in Michigan. After 52 years of serving the Wyoming community, Brann handed Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille on Division Avenue over to his sister Liz Brann-Stegehuis and nephew Sean Stegehuis.
“A lot of people ask me, ‘Is it bittersweet?’ and it’s not,” said Brann without hesitation. “I would walk around the block and just escape my restaurant. It was to that point where it wasn’t enjoyable anymore for me, and it’s not because anybody did anything wrong. It was just time to move on.”
Continuing the family business
Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille in Wyoming remains open under the ownership of Liz and Sean Stegehuis (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Twelve years Brann’s junior, Stegehuis is no novice to the restaurant business, working at their father’s steakhouse and Brann’s Holland location as a teen.
After taking a break from the business to raise her family, Stegehuis returned to the family business 12 years ago, and has since partnered with another buyer for their Bay City location.
Stegehuis and her son took ownership of Tommy Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille at the beginning of September.
“Sean and I are partners,” said Stegehuis, adding that her son grew up in the business.
“With Brann’s, he is really driven to keep the legacy going,” Stegehuis continued. “We complement each other. He’s the back of the house and he loves the people. You’ll see him out front bussing tables and helping servers, but he also can jump behind that line and cook and hold up the back of the house too.”
Starting ‘em young
After Brann’s mother died when he was 12 years old, John Brann put Brann and his siblings to work. Brann said it was a blessing.
Tommy Brann at his restaurant in a historic photo (Courtesy Photo)
“My dad kept us out of trouble,” said Brann. “I called it John Brann’s Work Release Program because my friends were doing heavy duty drugs, and I wasn’t because I was working.”
Young Tommy Brann didn’t intend to make the family business his life’s work, planning for a career in law enforcement instead. But when the Division Avenue restaurant location became available, Brann took ownership of his own restaurant at age 19.
“[My dad] lent me $30,000,” said Brann. “I paid him back with interest, which is one of the best things he did for me. It made me my own person.”
Hectic days and new goals
Brann clearly remembers serving 97 dinners on his first day in business, July 5, 1971. He also remembers a one-of-a-kind encounter with a customer that day.
Tommy Brann hard at work (Courtesy Historic Photo)
“I remember a customer coming in and buying the whole restaurant a drink – which has never happened since then,” said Brann. “It was just to help me out, get me going.”
Having $5,000-a-month payments and being told by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission that he could no longer sign checks for beer at the restaurant were also memorable moments.
“I was only a 19-year-old kid, I wasn’t supposed to be buying beer,” Brann said with a laugh. “So I had to have my bookkeeper sign the checks for beer.”
Owning a restaurant was not always easy, with a hectic pace and unfavorable hours topping the list.
“You’re working New Year’s Eve, Mother’s Day, Christmas Eve,” said Brann. “I never missed one of those. You’re working when people are enjoying themselves, and then you’re asking other people to work too, so I made sure I was with them working.”
Brann, however, chose to focus on the favorable aspects of the business and his passion for serving.
Tommy Brann with his restaurant family in 2021 (Courtesy, K.D. Norris)
“My dad would always say you meet so many good people as far as customers and employees, and it’s so true,” said Brann.
The retired restaurateur remembers several customers who became friends, especially Robert (Bob) Kibby.
“If I was having a bad day and [Bob] came in at 11:30, he’d make my day good just because of the joking and the comradeship,” said Brann. “That’s what makes this business good.”
Stegehuis agreed. “Tom couldn’t have said it better as far as the people,” said Stegehuis. “That’s the main part for me. They become your friends and family.”
A life of hard work and dedicated service
Brann’s passion for serving his community extended far beyond Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille.
State Rep. Tommy Brann (left) on the set of WKTV Journal’s “In Focus” public affairs show (Courtesy, WKTV)
“The reason I got into politics is because sometimes politicians don’t realize what small businesses go through,” said Brann. “It’s dangerous when a politician doesn’t have that small business experience…and they make rules against small businesses.”
Brann also earned a black belt in karate, was a Michigan Restaurant Association Distinguished Service Award recipient, partnered with a local songwriter to write a song, and published the memoir Mind Your Own Business that shares the ups and downs of running a successful small business.
A new focus for the Brann and Stegehuis families
Having accomplished many of his goals, Brann plans to focus on more personal pursuits, such as spending time with his wife Sue and supporting her work with the National Ski Patrol.
One thing Brann does plan to cross off his “bucket list” is a trip out of the country.
“I want to go to Liverpool because I’m a big Beatles fan, and walk Abbey Road,” said Brann. “That’s definitely a must for me.”
Brann’s Steakhouse is an icon in the City of Wyoming (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Brann has also considered writing about his experiences as a politician.
“One time at the State office, we had to compromise on something to get somebody’s vote,” said Brann. “I came back and wrote “I’m now a politician,” and stapled it on my wall while my staff laughed. So I could share my experience with being a politician, and the give and take of it.”
But relaxing after a lifetime of hard work is something Brann refuses to feel guilty about.
“It is hard for me to sit down, but when I do sit down I feel like I’ve earned it, so I don’t feel guilty about it,” said Brann.
Stegehuis says that, for right now, Brann’s Steakhouse is her focus.
“I am going to have the balance of my family,” said Stegehuis. “But really, this consumes you. You have to make the time [for family] when you’re in the industry, and that’s why Tom’s doing what he’s doing. At this point in my life, this is my focus. Keeping it Tommy Brann’s, carrying on his legacy.”
Stegehuis says she plans to keep the restaurant very similar to what it already is, and that the transition has been smooth. She does intend to bring back the salad bar, but considers that an addition, not a change.
The Brann family legacy
The Brann family business will continue to serve the community (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Brann says that he wants to be remembered for being a hard worker and giving customers a good experience while at his restaurant.
“I was a hard worker, and I would mop my floors…whatever it took,” said Brann.
But the retired restaurateur knows he is not perfect, saying he still remembers a customer complaint about a meal that arrived cold.
“That was probably 30 years ago, and I still remember that,” said Brann. “I just wanted to make sure that when they left here, they had a good experience and we didn’t fail them.”
Stegehuis says she wants the community to know that the reception customers receive at Brann’s is genuine.
“These people that I’ve had for coworkers over the years and the guests that I’ve met, I truly consider them friends and I truly consider them family,” said Stegehuis. “They are very special to me, and that’s what I would like to carry on, and carry on for Tom.”
Local legend Dave Rozema (right) of the Detroit Tigers spoke with WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director Cris Greer while participating at a local fundraiser (Courtesy, Cris Greer)
By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
Local legend Dave Rozema returned to Grand Rapids to help create brighter futures for women and children.
While at the fundraiser, WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director Cris Greer caught up with Rozema and chatted about his baseball career and what the local legend is doing now.
A native of Grand Rapids, Rozema graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School where his junior and senior seasons were spent as an all-city pitcher for the baseball team. He then pursued a career in Major League Baseball.
Rozema pitched for the Detroit Tigers for eight years, including the 1984 World Series championship season. He retired from his baseball career after 10 years, carrying a 60-53 overall record and 17 saves.
Participating in Fashion for a Future as a celebrity model, Rozema joined other celebrities in raising funds to help single moms attain a career education.
Currently living in St. Clair Shores with his wife, Rozema has continued to engage in Grand Rapids events over the years in support of his hometown.
James Smither (left) interviews World War II Navy veterans David “Goldie” Goldsboro and Sid Lenger (Courtesy, WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
Capturing information and details not officially recorded anywhere else is a job James Smither, Professor of History and Director of the GVSU Veterans History Project (VHP), has undertaken for 15 years.
With well over 1,000 military veteran interviews under his belt, Smither continues to seek out anyone who was in military service from World War II onward who are willing to share their experiences, whether they have seen combat or not.
“If you have been in the U.S. military, we want to talk to you,” said Smither.
All ages of veterans welcome
WWII Navy veteran Don Morell spoke with Smither in 2018 (Courtesy, WKTV)
Smither said he has noticed a trend of veterans wanting to make sense of their military experiences approximately 40 years after the conflict.
“WWII veterans really began talking a lot about it in the 80s, Vietnam vets mostly in the past 20 years,” said Smither. “But a lot of the (veterans) who have been through Iraq or Afghanistan, for a lot of them it is probably still too soon.”
Many recent veterans also don’t consider their experiences as part of history, or consider what they did as important.
“They don’t think of what they did as being part of history, but when I get them, it’s great because they remember a lot of stuff,” said Smither. “And those who say they ‘didn’t really do anything,’ after a few questions, it quickly becomes apparent that a story is there.”
More than just fact-finding
But Smither views the VHP as more than just a fact-finding mission.
“We see our job as giving veterans a way of telling their story, and telling it in the way they want to tell it,” said Smither. “The whole story, or as much as they want to tell.”
Air Force veteran Mike Sutton shared his military experiences with Smither in 2019 (Courtesy, WKTV)
Smither said that veterans are not required to talk about things they don’t want to talk about. They have full control over their own content.
“We do our best to make it as easy for them as possible, and to treat everybody and their stories with respect,” said Smither. “For a lot of them, they are working through their experience. Sometimes I am the first person they have told the whole story to.”
Interviews range from veterans who have previously held back from talking about their experiences, and some who have told bits and pieces but never tried to put their entire story together.
Smither said that veterans appreciate talking to someone who understands military language and with reasonable knowledge of wartime events because the veterans often remember things but don’t know why those things happened (the context of the situation) or how they wound up that particular situation.
Gaining background information from Smither, or having him bring a different perspective, has often helped veterans find clarity.
“People who haven’t talked about it, I can help them tell their story,” said Smither. “And even people who do talk about it sometimes, I can help them put it together and make sense.”
Smither has encountered veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who have said the interview process was helpful and that they found peace and healing by telling their stories.
“You help them get control over their stories, and [for] some of them, it helps them process the trauma,” said Smither.
“On a basic level, it’s a teaching tool,” said Smither. “You can imagine what warfare is like, but unless you are in it yourself, you tend to have a more abstract or sanitized view of the reality of how bad it is. It doesn’t ever really sink in.”
Hauenstein Center GVSU Ford Museum Veterans Day 2021 (Courtesy Photo)
With the VHP interviews, viewers get a very different picture of a soldier’s experience than would be portrayed in journalistic reports and official records.
“There’s this whole layer of human experience that you get in these interviews that doesn’t have a place otherwise,” said Smither.
Another value to the VHP’s interviews is preservation of historical information.
“There is a huge amount of historical information out there that gets lost if you don’t [record it] that can help people get a better understanding of reality,” said Smither.
Fully invested in a career path he never saw coming
“I originally trained as a conventional European historian,” said Smither. “I was the Renaissance Reformation guy at Grand Valley when I got there in 1990. But I always had an interest in military history and developed a course in military history.”
In 2003, Smither was contacted by an oral historian working with a local group to establish a military museum. The intent was to record interviews with local veterans and post them online in conjunction with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
Grand Valley State University Professor James Smither, head of the GVSU Veterans History Project, has dedicated 15 years of his life to telling veterans’ stories (Courtesy, GVSU Veterans History Project)
The hope was to “catch up” with World War II veterans before they were all gone.
“I met [the oral historian] in the summer of 2003, and a couple of months later he had me onstage with four DDay veterans, helping them tell their stories in front of a live audience,” said Smither.
One of those veterans was Ralph Hauenstein, part of Eisenhower’s intelligence staff.
When the museum group folded in 2005, Smither – as chairman of the GVSU History Department – was tasked with continuing the interviews and archiving all completed interviews. Smither knew a lot of background facts about the veterans’ stories and realized he could apply that knowledge.
Since 2008, Smither has completed over 100 veteran interviews at WKTV.
“I have been all over the place for interviews, but WKTV has been a regular home for the project and does good quality studio shoots,” said Smither.
WKTV General Manager Tom Norton said, “WKTV Community Media is pleased to have played a role with Dr. Smithers, GVSU, and the Library of Congress for all these years, and to be the resource for recording the oral history of our veterans.”
A life-changing experience
Being part of the Veterans History Project has had a profound effect on Smither.
“On a basic level, doing this transformed my own career,” said Smither. “When I was doing 16th French history, there was always something missing. I was never quite sure what it was. I didn’t have a really good feel for the significance of what I was doing.
Veterans’ stories have a lasting impact (Courtesy, www.pxhere.com)
“Then,” Smither continued, “when I started working with veterans, I realized that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”
Smither has also noticed he now has a form of PTSD.
“You absorb a lot of the trauma and psychological damage that these people suffer because you are listening to the telling of these harrowing stories,” said Smither. “You are living it while they are telling it to you.”
Smither admitted that some things he once found appealing, such as action/adventure movies and game simulation warfare, are no longer of interest to him.
“It does take its toll in a certain sort of way, and changes your perspective on certain things,” said Smither.
But Smither has no plans to back away from helping veterans tell their stories.
“If we don’t record these things and make them available, then all of that knowledge and all of that information is lost,” Smither said. “What (veterans) did, did matter.”
If you are a veteran and would be willing to share your experiences, please contact James Smither at: smitherj@gvsu.edu or 616-331-3422.
Throughout her life, Becci Schumaker found solace in poetry (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
Grand Rapids resident and poet Becci Schumaker has always been drawn to words and the power within them – so she made words her refuge during difficult times.
Though she classifies herself as an introvert and a loner, Schumaker’s soft voice and kind countenance are the hallmark of a woman who navigated hardships and reached her dreams despite opposition.
Writing poetry was one of those dreams.
Falling in love with words
Becci Schumaker looks through her collection of poems (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
“I love working with words,” said Schumaker. “I think words are fascinating. Words can be serene but they can be powerful, they can be enigmatic. It just opens up a whole new world.”
Writing poetry has been part of Schumaker’s world since she was 12 years old.
Coming from an emotionally and physically abusive family background, Schumaker immersed herself in reading and writing to escape the real world.
“It was a means of escape for me,” Schumaker said as she gently touched a binder containing several pages of her written works. “That was my safe place.”
Overcoming struggles and hardship
Words did not come easily for Schumaker at first.
In first grade, a teacher noticed Schumaker struggled with reading and provided extra instruction. By third grade Schumaker was reading college-level works.
“I haven’t stopped reading since,” said Schumaker with a smile.
Young Schumacher was immediately drawn to the genre of poetry, the words and prose a direct contrast to her hostile home environment.
Becci Schumaker’s poems have been published in several compilation poetry books (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Schumaker said she is grateful for the stable presence of an aunt and uncle with whom she spent summers while growing up.
“If it wasn’t for me having that Christian background through them, and getting my morals and values of what a good person is supposed to be, I don’t know if I would have even done this,” said Schumaker, touching the stack of poetry books in front of her.
Schumaker later took an evening American Literature class, writing a short story that her teacher urged her to publish.
However, Schumaker had to put her writing on hold as she focused on raising her four children, working two jobs for several years to support her family.
Reigniting the flame
Meeting her husband Don reignited Schumaker’s creative spirit, and she once again picked up her pen and put it to paper.
“I’ve actually woken my husband up in the middle of the night, jumping out of bed to grab pencil and paper and start writing,” said Schumaker with a grin.
“I will get a thought and will have to write,” Schumaker continued. “Nine times out of ten, the result is a poem.”
When she noticed an ad about submitting original poems to a poetry contest, Schumaker thought she would give it a try. “I Love You Lord” became Schumaker’s first published work of poetry, printed in 1997 under the name Becci Campbell. The poem was included in a Poetry Guild compilation titled By the Light of the Moon.
Everything around Schumaker inspires her writing.
At church, the pastor’s words sparked Schumaker’s imagination and she completed a poem within minutes titled “The Trinity,” now published in Forever Spoken.
Challenged by her husband to write a poem about something as ordinary as a card game, Schumaker immediately put pen to paper. The subsequent poem, “Cards,” can be found in the poetry book Memories of Tomorrow.
With several published works under her belt – the most recent being Schumaker’s poem titled “Carpet of White” in 2022 – the local poet continues to write.
Submission of her poem “The Lonely Man” is next for Schumaker’s publication goals. The poem stems from personal experience of her husband’s struggle with rehab and the beginnings of dementia.
A legacy of words
Becci Schumaker reads one of her poems aloud (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
When asked how many poems she has written over her lifetime, Schumaker responded, “Oh gosh, probably hundreds and hundreds.”
When asked if she ever threw one of her written works away, Schumaker quickly replied, “I keep them all. Even if I don’t think it’s good, I’ll fold it up and tuck it away somewhere. Maybe someday I’ll go back to it, and reread it, and write it a different way.”
Though she loves poems, Schumaker said her main reading genre is science fiction, and her favorite movies are “ones that put you on the edge of your seat.”
Schumaker freely acknowledges the incongruity between the lighter, lyrical prose of her written works and the darker genres of her favorite movies.
“Even though I like those kinds of movies, [poetry] is my stress relief, my go-to outlet that brings me into the light,” said Schumaker, looking at the binder of poetry. “This is my sanity.”
A powerful responsibility
The power that words contain is always at the forefront of Schumaker’s mind, especially words wielded with harmful intent.
“People don’t realize words really do hurt,” said Schumaker, admitting that, at 71 years old, she still struggles with hurtful things spoken to her as a child. “The scars are there forever.”
“I have had to survive on my own since I was sixteen,” Schumaker continued. “You learn about life. That’s what a lot of this writing is.”
The poet regularly encourages people to carry a notebook and write down any idea that comes to them.
“You never know what’s going to come of it,” said Schumaker, gesturing toward her own poems laid out before her.
Staying active and looking ahead
Along with writing, Schumaker stays active by participating in mission trips with her church and volunteering for WKTV Community Media.
“I’ve got to be doing something, and this gave me an outlet,” said Schumaker about WKTV, adding that she fell in love with the camera work at the station.
When asked what is next for the active poet, Schumaker shrugged. “From here, we’ll see what life brings,” she said with a smile.
Cassandra Lawson (Courtesy, Wyoming Wolf Pack Press)
Cassandra Lawson loves art, but she loves teaching even more. For her, enjoying the job is the most important thing.
“If you want to be an art teacher you have to love teaching even more than you love art because it’s even more important,” Lawson said. “I think there are a lot of people that go into education who do it cause they love the art, they love science or social studies.
“Still, they don’t love teaching as much and you have to love teaching, which I do you have to be a people person. You have to talk to people all day and you’re using your brain all day long.”
Lawson went to Macomb Community College for a year and then finished off her schooling at Grand Valley State University. She majored in art education and minored in ceramics. She student taught at Grand Rapids Public Schools’ Coit Creative Arts Academy and teacher assisted here at Wyoming High School.
Lawson wanted to be a teacher originally but she added art to the title as well. She talked about the WHS’s welcoming student body.
“I love it,” she said. “I really like the student body I feel like everyone here has a sense of community and family. Everyone is really friendly. I’ve worked in other schools where everyone is pretty self-sufficient but I feel like here everyone leans on each other in a good way.”
Regan Mead is a junior at Wyoming High School. Regan is a journalism student and member of the cheer team.
Meet English Teacher Elizabeth Schoof
By Matthew Czurak WKTV Contributor
Elizabeth Schoof (Courtesy, Wyoming Wolf Pack Press/Elizabeth Schoof)
To get to know her students, English teacher Elizabeth Schoof spent the first week of school playing fun games and activities such as the Soup-Salad-Sandwich game, where students not only learned a little about each other but also about Schoof such as her favorite book is the “Twilight”series.
“It was a good week it’s good and it was nice to get to meet and know and learn about each other,” Schoof said..
A graduate of Aquinas College, Schoof strides to be nice to all of her students and is always helpful if they are stuck or confused.
Everyone has role models and Schoof’s was her English teacher. Schoof herself not only was a student teacher, but she was also at one point a student who wanted to be a teacher. I asked her her opinion on the best first steps to becoming one.
“Pay attention to what teachers now are dealing with in the classroom cause you will deal with it too,” she said as advice to those wishing to pursue teaching as a career. “And when you are in the classroom pay attention in college.”
Before entering the field, most teachers start as student teachers, studying under other teachers. From the experience, they understand how students will think and act. I asked Ms. Schoof what her experience was like as a student teacher and if she thinks “it’s better being your own teacher.”
“It has been fun. it’s nice to be able to teach my own way without someone else controlling the classroom I like the freedom” was her reply to the question she also was a student teacher under her English teachers.
I asked Ms.Schoof what she would like people to know about her this was her response.”I like to have fun I like to talk I like to have conversations about what is going on in the world, cultures, movies all sorts of stuff”
Matt Czurak is a freshman journalism student at Wyoming High School. Matt enjoys French class.
Way back in kindergarten, accomplished distance runner Rachael Steil’s life path became extremely clear.
The future cross country and track star said it all began with a quarter mile field day race at age five. She remembers her mom cheering her on as she ran down the home stretch to a second-place finish.
“My mom was a runner at the time, so I grew up watching her compete in large road races,” Steil said. “Her enthusiasm for running, plus my excitement for taking second in my class, made me eager to improve and continue running.
“With my mom’s gentle guidance, I asked for a training plan. By first grade, I ran every other day, one to three miles at a time. I learned pacing, the joy of running, and how to race. I thrived off my mom’s excitement and joy for me.”
Making mom proud
Steil said she loved making her mother proud, and fell in love with the way running made her feel — “free and special.”
“I felt special because I could do this tough thing that took discipline and hard work,” she continued. “I loved that the sport represented these admirable qualities.”
Much later, at Grandville High School, Steil earned All-State recognition in cross country her junior and senior years, taking 29th and 26th, respectively. She also was a two-time cross country captain, cross country MVP, and was All-State in the 1600-meters in track her senior year.
“I was proud of my accomplishments, but disappointed that I put in so much work, heart and time into running, and never ended up placing in the top five in the state, which I’d imagined doing as a kid.”
All-American at Aquinas College
She would later become an All-American cross country runner at Aquinas College. As a freshman, she was sixth place All-American in cross country and seventh place All-American in track, and broke the school record for the 5k in cross country and track.
Rachael Steil was an All-American runner at Aquinas College. (Courtesy, Rachael Steil)
“I was very excited and proud of these accomplishments, but deep down, I felt I only achieved these results by losing weight and cutting out certain foods,” Steil explained. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was struggling with an eating disorder. The eating disorder was difficult to recognize because no one talked about this issue in athletics, and I was performing well in my sport.”
Steil said Aquinas College was exactly where she needed to be, especially while suffering with an eating disorder.
“My eating disorder continued to worsen going into my sophomore year of college when I started a raw food diet. I was bingeing and restricting, constantly injured, and felt that I would never achieve my goals in running if I gained weight.
“The eating disorder and recovery made for some very low points, but I had incredible family and team support, professional help from an eating disorder therapist and dietitian, and other parts of my college academic experience where I could thrive outside of running.”
Realization happened slowly
Steil said realizing she had an eating disorder happened gradually, in multiple moments over the years, often followed by denial.
“I tried to hide my behaviors for about three years,” Steil said. “Going into my sophomore year, I wondered if I’d had an eating disorder when I saw someone else struggling and realized we had very similar behaviors. Then when I began bingeing and hearing from others online about their restricting and bingeing experiences, I started to come to terms with it.
“I fully recognized that I’d had an eating disorder after a few appointments with an eating disorder therapist and dietitian, but I didn’t think it was ‘bad enough’ because I was no longer restricting, but bingeing. I was also at a weight many would deem ‘healthy,’ so I thought that I was recovered and just didn’t have ‘discipline’ or ‘willpower’ anymore. I probably had my eating disorder for about five years total.”
Recovery began with a therapist and dietitian
Steil said her recovery began when she started seeing her therapist and sports dietitian, but it wasn’t easy, and definitely didn’t happen overnight.
“I thought I’d just spend a few months working with them and then be on my way, again, because I didn’t think that my eating disorder was ‘bad enough.’ It ended up taking years of therapy and working with the dietitian to understand that my body was never ‘broken,’ and that my identity with running was all-consuming to the point that I was hurting myself.
“I solely depended on running fast for my value, worth and happiness. Recovery was an up and down struggle, with bingeing and restricting, crying, and coming to terms with who I was, where my body was at physically, and what my relationship with running would look like going forward.
“I’m fully recovered today, but forever changed by the experience.”
Running in Silence
Steil founded and now manages the Running in Silence 501c3 (www.runninginsilence.org), where she helps coaches and athletes recognize eating disorder signs, and teaches how to assist someone with getting professional help, and about recovery so they can achieve their potential in both health and athletic performance.
“This is mostly done through engaging, inspirational talks at coaching clinics, conferences, schools and universities,” said Steil, who wrote the book, Running in Silence: My Drive for Perfection and the Eating Disorder That Fed It (available on Amazon and runninginsilence.org).
“Having struggled with an eating disorder as an athlete, and as someone who now coaches (cross country and track at Grandville High School) and is very aware of how prevalent and devastating eating disorders can be, I want to make sure fewer athletes struggle with this alone and that they get the professional help they deserve.
“I want coaches to understand the important role they have in helping to prevent eating disorders or better support someone who is struggling.”
Grand Tap Media on WKTV
Steil was recently featured on a show called Grand Tap Media Business TV, hosted by Pamela Keim, who has produced shows on WKTV since 2017.
